The Secret of Fire by J.J. Fischer // Review

My Review: 

A truly epic conclusion, that blew past my expectations.

 I liked how right from the beginning we started to get answers about El's past in the otherworld, things that had kind of driven me crazy not being completely sure about in the previous book. But right away we start getting answers, and I liked that El stands by her convictions throughout. 

Excellently done character arcs, with strong gradual development over the course of the story, I loved the well handled faith conversations were between Torsten and Kit. I also found myself surprised at how much I came to like Emery over the course of his story.

Overall, a fantastic conclusion to the duology, that in my opinion is even better than the first in the series. In depth exploration of faith, strong characters that are willing to make costly sacrifices, love tested and more. Perfect for fans of speculative fiction!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Vivid by Ashley Bustamante // Celebrate Lit Tour, Review, and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Vivid

Author: Ashley Bustamante

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release date: May 17, 2022

Danger Lurks Behind Every Color

When Ava Locke was five years old, she began a journey to join the Benefactors—the leaders of the magical continent of Magus. Twelve years later, she unwittingly started down the road to betray them.

On Magus where colors fuel magical abilities, yellow is banned in an effort to protect people from its mind-controlling capabilities. When a rogue Yellow magic-user named Elm escapes imprisonment Ava becomes innocently fascinated with his story. Once this mysterious Elm shows up at her school, Ava pushes her interest to the next level by helping him evade the Benefactors. Ava grows increasingly conflicted as her intrigue leads her down a dark road of secrets about her world. As she learns more about Yellow magic’s potential to control its victims, Ava now must question whether her rash decisions are all her own or if someone else is pulling the strings.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 Review: A world of colors and magic, yet some colors are forbidden and all is not as it appears.

Ava is on track to become a Benefactor, top of her class, when infamous yellow magic wielder Elm escapes and everyone is warned of the dangers, yet Ava cannot help but be intrigued by the forbidden magic.

A spellbinding read with excellent world building, and a riveting plot that kept me guessing up until the explosive crescendo. I loved the intrigue and mystery, the not knowing who to trust or what to believe. Ava is an exceptional student and rule follower, she has a curious mind and a love of learning that cannot be taught. She is a brilliant heroine, but also vulnerable and subject to doubts as well. Elm was charming and enigmatic, I think I loved the tension of his scenes the best, never knowing what he had up his sleeve. 

Overall, this is an absolutely enchanting read, with a tension filled plot, strong well developed protagonists, and a well thought out magic system. I loved the concept of colors in magic, and a school for magic not unlike other notably popular teen series. Filled with intrigue, tension, and color, you won't want to miss this YA debut.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

About the Author

Ashley Bustamante has created stories from the moment she could scribble and staple sheets of paper together. She simply cannot recall a time when writing was not a force in her life. When not running through lines of dialogue in her mind, she enjoys taking photographs and spending time with her husband, three children, and any furry, feathered, or scaly creature she can find. She currently works at Arizona State University.

 

More from Ashley

Vivid is a great example of how something small can turn into something big with a little faith and a lot of work!

The idea for Vivid came from a dream (which later became part of Chapter 5) that I just couldn’t forget. A dream about a charming young man in a top hat and a young lady in a yellow dress. I won’t give away the whole scene, but what stood out to me was the complicated feelings of the young lady. She was left so conflicted and dazed by her encounter with this roguish stranger. She knew she shouldn’t have spent time with him, and yet it was exciting. The thing she wanted more than anything was for him to come back, and yet that was also the thing that terrified her the most.

 

This scene and these characters would not leave my head. I wanted to know the rest of their story and it was all I could think about. Finally, I wrote it all down. How could I not? I made some adjustments, and soon I was plotting. Soon I had names. Places. A magic system. A chapter. Two chapters. Ten chapters. Within a month, I had my first draft written.

 

The road forward wasn’t easy as I was met with rejection after rejection. But through it all I could feel my Heavenly Father cheering me on, encouraging me to grow the talent he had given me. At once point I almost shelved the project, but that little nudge kept me going and eventually led me to my publisher. All the little pieces that came together over the years to lead me there is a story in and of itself.

 

I hope you will enjoy Vivid and come to love Ava and Elm as much as I do. It is my privilege to have this opportunity to share them with you.

Blog Stops

Library Lady's kid Lit, May 31

A Baker’s Perspective, June 1 (Author Interview)

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, June 1

Texas Book-aholic, June 2

Inklings and notions, June 3

deb's Book Review, June 4

For Him and My Family, June 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 7

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 8

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 9 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 9

Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting, June 10

Blogging With Carol, June 11

Labor Not in Vain, June 12

Inside the Wong Mind, June 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Ashley is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed hardback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1e382/vivid-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Sword in His Hand by J.J. Fischer // Review

Review:

Crash landing in a frightening new world El finds herself transported to another place where war is raging between two fractions drawn to the power of the Outside world that El represents. 

An imaginative Speculative read that keeps you guessing along with the characters as they are thrust into the epicenter of a Civil War. Well written with vivid imagery and excellent world building. The tension builds throughout, setting up well for the 2nd half of the duology, and leaving me wanting more. El is strong young woman with strong convictions. She is stubborn, but compassionate, challenging Torsten's philosophies. 

Torsten is a man hardened by 9 years of slave labor, the heir to a rebellion and a natural leader. He is intrigued by El and the secrets of her world. 

Overall, an engaging read, great for fans of fantasy or sci-fi, with threads of faith throughout. I'm looking forward to finding out what will happen next, as well as watching the characters continue to grow over the course of the series. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Abort by C.D. Hulen // Review

About the Book :

It’s easy to tell when someone is dead, but what makes them alive? Is it the memories they keep, or the pain they feel, or the love they share? For Cecilio, the first colony of Proxima B, the answer could bring prosperity or crack the very foundations of society.

After a five-year leave of absence, Commander Mason Wyatt is sent to an antique starship with the chance to earn back his rank and bury his past. All he must do is uphold the answer: life is what Cecilio says it is. But as the starship nears Proxima B, Mason’s past boils to the surface and Cecilio’s answer begins to unravel.

Review:

An intriguing adventure that finds ex-captain Mason Wyatt sent to an antique haven ship to complete a mysterious mission in a bid to regain his rank and reputation after a disastrous mission gone wrong.

The story opens mysteriously, in a purposefully disorienting fashion that reeled me in with all the unanswered questions. It took a while to get used to time jumping and flashbacks, but it worked well in this story, taking time to unpack and see how it was all coming together. I thought that this book did an excellent job of world building by showing different scenes from the past, and avoiding the temptation of info dumping, which I really appreciated.

Mason is a character that has seen many things, and endured much that shaped him into who he is today. His character is juxtaposed with that of the rebel Carter, who in contrast is bright eyed, with a fresh sense of absolutes. I think that this book did a great job of framing the message well, in a innovative way that was compelling, with good tension and high stakes. An adventurous speculative sci-fi read that asks what it means to be alive, with well developed characters, good pacing, and a compelling plot.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Purchase @ Amazon

                @ https://www.cdhulen.com/shop

C.D. Hulen is a writer, actor, and the author of the new science fiction novel Abort. A lifelong storyteller, C. D. spent nearly a decade honing his skills in creative writing and now focuses on stories and characters which convey challenging themes relevant to the state of our society. When he is not writing, C. D. Hulen enjoys his family, musical theatre and experiencing the beauty and transformative power of the gospel.  https://www.cdhulen.com/

A Gentle Tyranny by Jess Corban // Review

My Review:

A dystopian read that imagines a futuristic feminist society where men have been "gentled" and women work together in a collaborative under the rule of Matriarchy.  But things are not as they seem.

Reina has lived her whole life knowing that she was different, daring to question the way things are, and dreaming of being an Alexia. Over the course of the book I came to admire her for her strength, strong resolve, and willingness to sacrifice, as well as how her thinking changed over the course of the story. 

A dystopian new world that imagines feminism and masculinity taken to extremes, as Reina finds her eyes opened while fighting for the honor of Matriarch. I liked getting to know the other girls, as well as about the world around them as well as the differences between the provinces, though at times it felt heavy on the information dumping, and took a while to ramp up. 

Overall, this was an intriguing read, though slow to start, I found that I had grown to care about the characters over the course of the book. While a work of speculative dystopian fiction it felt at times that the seams of the world were a bit rough. I loved Calisto, as well as Reina's brave gentle friends, I am interested to see where this will go.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Defiance by Laura Gallier ~ Review

Review:

The fight continues. 

Owen and Ray Anne have dealt Molek a small defeat, but he is gathering his strength again and the whole world is at stake. 

A great addition to the series, and this is definitely a series you will want to read in order as the plot draws heavily on past events and knowledge. The third in the series, and I'm not sure if more books are forthcoming or not, but if there are, I will read them. I love how the author continues to ramp it up and take each book up a notch, raising the stakes. I think that the author does a fantastic job of showing the struggles and doubts that we face even after becoming Christians, in a way that is realistic and all too true. 

I liked where this book went with the characters, and how far they have come over the overall arc of the story. Owen is focused on fighting the righteous fight, but he still struggles with distractions and strife. I liked his drive to help others, he is a hero you want to cheer for, and his flaws are all too familiar, which only makes him more compelling. 

Overall, an action packed read, compelling, with high stakes and with danger that will chill your spine with its reality. A fantastic speculative thriller, I didn't want to put it down. In some ways this book brings everything full circle, but in other ways it only opens more questions. A satisfying read, I can't wait to see what it next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Delusion and The Deception by Laura Gallier ~ Two Book Review

Review:

Eleven students have committed suicide at Masonville High, Owen is determined to keep his head down and just get through his senior year, but an encounter in the woods changes everything when Owen can suddenly see the spiritual warfare taking place around him. 

A new teen/young adult series focusing on spiritual warfare, the first book is an engaging introduction that upon reading felt familiar as I had recently read a few different books that hit similar plot points. Though I would say that this series describes spiritual warfare  in more physical terms, where other books I have read were more subtle. 

The story is told through Owen's point of view, he is a young man full of potential with a troubled home life, who wants to make a difference. We follow him as his eyes are opened to the evil around

him. He is a well done character, who realistically struggles to understand what is going on around him. I think that story really picks up in book two when the stakes are raised and we see Owen as a new Christian, still struggling to break free of his old bonds and understand his new faith. I liked how all of his problems didn't go away when he became a Christian, he still struggled and there were new challenges, yet he had a new armory of weapons. 

I got into this series when I picked up the third book in the series, not realizing that it wasn't a standalone. So I headed to my local library and thankfully they had these two books so I could catch up, and I'm glad that I did. 

Overall, a well done series that encourages readers to think more about spiritual warfare, an engaging plot, fast paced, and full of suspense. Well done character growth that ebbs and flows in a natural and believable way. Spine chilling read, a darker read than typical for me personally, but it also glimmers gloriously with hope. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

I checked out these books from my local library. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Books of Marvella: Marvelous, Wonder, Awe, Glory by Travis Thrasher ~ Series Review

My Review:

This book series was perfect. And this book had the perfect bittersweet conclusion. 

I love how this series weaves a riveting, character driven thriller of a story, with genuinely relatable, flawed characters. Brandon is a teenaged everyman, who is so relatable even though his circumstances are not (at least to me personally). He has a wry, cheesy sense of humor, and he has a fierce determination to protect the ones he loves even at his own cost, he has his struggles but he wants to understand and to be better. 

There are so many well developed characters that leapt off the page for me, even the ones that don't get a lot of page time make their mark.  Marvella is so well done throughout the series, she is a beautiful dream girl, full of a radiant love for God and others, yet she has her pain and struggles too. 

Mr. Thrasher does an excellent job of dealing with the many difficult topics covered in this book, and realistically showing how spiritual warfare is waged and that there is true evil in the world. I loved that he wasn't afraid to have his characters ask those tough questions, and in turn struggle to accept the at times tough answers. 

There is so much that I want to say about this series but can't put into words. But I HIGHLY recommend it, and am so thankful that Mr. Thrasher took the time and money to continue The Books of Marvella. 

While this Glory does tie up the series, it leaves so many questions yet unanswered and I can't help but think that we have just scratched the surface of the evil at play in Appleton.

I bought this series with my own money. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

For Us Humans by Steve Rzasa ~ Review

My Review:
Caz Fortel and the rest of humanity's lives changed forever the day the aliens came, now referred to as 6/16. Caz makes a living dealing in stolen art, and getting it back to the rightful owners, so when he gets a call from the FBI with a million dollar payday, he signs on to retrieve the microscopic alien artwork. The catch is that he won't be alone, he will be partnered with a four armed alien Hounder, with a terrific sense of smell, named, Nil, who has more than a passing interest in Christianity.

But their mission is more than it appears, and as the danger increases, Caz begins to question the decisions he's made, and the implications of what their mission means for the Consociation and Humanity.

Imaginative, action-packed, and set in a world fifteen years after the aliens came to earth. Mr. Rzasa does a terrific job of bringing this alternate reality to life, setting this high-tech, action-packed adventure in Wyoming. Caz has been struggling with his faith since the aliens came on 6/16, like many others he finds it hard to trust after everything that they have seen. He hides his doubt with a bravado filled facade, and a penchant for drink and casual flings. But there is one girl who he can't seem to erase from his memories.

Nil is a four-armed alien, with strength that is magnificent in Earth's gravity field, he also has a remarkable sense of smell. His gruff exterior, and high tech gadgets help him come bounding to the rescue when Caz needs some help. But underneath it all he is not as expected, and specifically requested that he be partnered with a Christian human. Nil is used to being resented for how the aliens came fifteen years ago, and started becoming a fixture in the culture, he has heard of Christianity and wants to see it up close on Earth.

For Us Humans is an adventurous romp through Wyoming in a world where humans and aliens walk side by side. I'm not the biggest sci-fi reader, but this book hooked me, though I will admit that at times it was hard to keep up with the action sequences, and there were times when it was a bit slow moving. There was great characters, and I liked that Caz beneath his tough exterior, had real struggles and problems, without easy answers. Nil is fantastic, and in many ways a lot like Caz. An adventurous speculative read, with a great spiritual foundation. If this interests you, I would definitely check it out, I don't think you'll be disappointed!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

What Blooms From Dust by James Markert ~ Review

My Review:

After escaping the electric chair, Jeremiah Goodbye makes a coin-flip decision to return to his hometown, Nowhere, Oklahoma. The dust bowls of the Depression have hit Nowhere hard, and it's residents are losing hope. Home in Nowhere Jeremiah must face his father, twin brother, and the girl he left behind as secrets are revealed and he fights for his family in a town that's given up hope.

Set during the Dust Bowl of The Great Depression in Oklahoma, What Blooms From Dust is a story of forgiveness, hope, and family, told in a off-beat, but straightforward, matter-of-fact manner, with larger than life characters.

This was a different kind of read for me, full of quirky characters and intriguing plot twists. As the story unfolded things only got stranger. Jeremiah Goodbye is a man who has always been different, flipping coins for almost every decision, and battling terrible nightmares he'd always had his brother, Josiah by his side, until they both fell in love with the same girl. It was interesting to get to know all the characters in Nowhere, unpacking their stories, and going back to Jeremiah and Josiah's childhood. I especially liked Peter, he was a dear boy with a big heart, and observant eyes.

Overall, it was an interesting read, with lots of mysteries, secrets, and striking characters.  It is a vivid story about kindness, community, truth, rekindling hope, and the human spirit, but I did find myself skimming here and there especially during dialog heavy exchanges that in my mind could have been more concise. I love the cover of this book, it has a whimsical vintage vibe, and has an excellent use of color and font, as well as key parts of the book's plot. The storytelling really fits with the this kind of story, with apt descriptions that are quirky and unique, but nail the verbal illustration to a T. Whimsical and straightforward, What Blooms From Dust is a drama packed adventure set in the bleakest day of The Great Depression.

I will note that I would not classify this book as Christian Fiction, which is what Thomas Nelson is known for publishing. While spiritual elements such as angels and demons are mentioned, as well as members of the clergy, this book did not promote a faith firmly rooted in Jesus Christ the real source of all of our hope. Instead it seemed to be about the power of human kindness to triumph over evil.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

The Wounded Shadow by Patrick W. Carr ~ Review

My Review:

Picking up right where the previous books left off, the kings are trying to contain the Darkwater as it closes in. Willet Dura seeks the answer to defeating the Darkwater, while also looking for answers for the vault within. Meanwhile searching for heirs and missing members of the vigil, while Toria goes to the front lines and Fess tries to find peace with his two gifts.

This can be a rather daunting and confusing read if you have not read the previous books in the series, so I won't not recommend attempting to start with this book. Also it is a very complexly built world and it can be hard to jump into again, if you are like me and haven't read about Willet and his companions since last year when the second installment came out.

I did find it a bit hard to remember the details of what was going on, so it took me some time to get back in the swing of things. I did feel like this book took some twists that felt abrupt and changed the flow of the entire course of the book, and though we've been working up to it for a long time the ending felt kinda neat. It also brought up many questions for me on what kind of metaphors and allusions that the Fayit were meant to correlate to in the spiritual realm, and what their origin story meant for everyone, and if I was possibly analyzing it too closely.

I liked seeing Willet grow more confident in his role in the Vigil despite their distrust, it was good to see Fess's growth throughout, and Pellin finally come into his own as Eldest. I found it was a bit hard to keep up with all of the characters, as well as the many new ones, it is a complex world, with many twists along the way.

Willet matured in this book, seemingly less impulsive, though his street smarts definitely helped him navigate the challenges before him.

Overall, I'm not a hundred percent sure what I think about this book as I have a lot of questions, but I did like seeing the characters grow towards who they are meant to be. Good fantasy world building, and an intriguing plot, that kept me turning the pages. Though the end of a trilogy, I'm sure there are many more adventures to be had in the future!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

The Shattered Vigil by Patrick W. Carr ~ Review

My Review:

Willet Dura and the Vigil discover that the evil coming from the Darkwater is worse than they could have imagined, and that the Darkwater is growing.

This book picks up right where the last book left off, but they must face new evils in their search for the truth of what hides in the depths of the Darkwater.

Each member of the Vigil has taken an apprentice from among the urchins, and I loved seeing how Toria, Pellin, Bronwyn, and Willet mentor, and teach their young apprentices who are quick to learn and understand the gravity of the evil that the Darkwater brings. Rory and Fess are my favorites, daring, brave, yet skeptical at times and unafraid to ask questions. I especially was touched by the relationship between Fess and his mentor, Bronwyn.

Willet struggles to  win the trust of the Vigil, proving himself time and again, despite the dark vault hidden deep within his mind. I like how he has grown, and though still reckless by the standards of others, he is learning more about the Vigil and the Darkwater and what his gift means for his life.

What I really liked about this book was getting to know the other members of the Vigil better, as well as the charming urchins, Rory, Fess, Lelwin, and Mark. I felt that with this book there was much stronger characterization, and even though it was the second book in the series, I never felt that it was a "filler" book, there was actually a lot more action in this book than in the last one. I really didn't want to put it down, yet at the same time I didn't want it to end!

Overall, this was the thrilling sequel to The Shock of Night. Willet struggles to find his place in a Vigil that seems to want to lock him out despite his insights. I like how in this book we see more of his vulnerabilities, which only made me like him even more. Bolt and Rory are made for each other, with their sayings, they are constantly sharing their wisdom. I can't wait to see how it all comes together in the final book! Highly recommend for anyone who enjoyed the first book in the series!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Conspiracy of Silence by Ronie Kendig ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

Archaeologist Tzivia Khalon falls into the earth in the Middle East and discovers several ancient bronze censers. Suddenly strange things begins to happen in the camp, to which Tzivia seems to be immune.

Tox Russel is headed back to D.C. to meet up with his brother, Galen, when he walks into a sketchy situation, that is most likely a trap.

Kasey Cortes is the deception expert for the FBI, as well is the sister-in-law to the president. She and her sister Brooke grew up with the Russel boys, and everyone called her Haven, until she married Navy SEAL, Duarte Cortes, who never made it home from one of his missions.

When Kasey learns the truth about Tox she is pleased, as she had never believed that his team was guilty in the first place, plus she had always admired him, but he only had eyes for Brooke before he joined the military. Then Brooke married Galen, and they had a daughter, before Brooke's tragic death.

Now it's up to Tox and his reassembled team to get to the bottom of the strange happenings in the Saudi Arabia, and to clear their reputation.

There is definitely a lot going on this story, with many characters, that make it hard to follow everything that is going on at first. I liked Dr, Cathey, who is a wise man who knows his Bible well, and helps to connect the past to the present. I also really liked Chiji, who proves to be a great friend to Tox. I kept wondering when Tox would realize who Kasey was, and it was one of my favorite story threads.

This book definitely packs a lot into the short time frame, and there is almost non-stop action throughout. Vivid descriptions bring places like Jerusalem, New Delhi, and Syria to life. I would mention that there is a sort of Indiana Jones type premise to the story, that asks some what ifs, that give the story a more speculative twist. I think one of my favorite things was that Tox wasn't a perfect hero, he had his flaws, but he did his best to live up to his duty. A fast paced read, with a lot going on, great for fans of Ms. Kendig's previous books and new fans as well!




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Anomaly by Krista McGee ~ Review

My Review: 

Thalli has lived in Pod C among her peers her whole life. And though she tries to be like her friend Rhen, never questioning, and ever obedient, Thalli cannot live without questioning and feeling things. She finds that she can express herself through music, and when she reacts with emotion to a "primitive" piece of music, she finds herself taken away for annihilation.

But her childhood friend, Berk, now one of the privileged scientists, fights to have her saved for study of her brain. Berk wants to save her from the invasive experiments of Dr. Loudin, and as reality and virtual reality blend together, will Thalli ever find the truth?

Thalli is a strong heroine, different from her peers, she wonders why it is so easy for them to not question the powers that be, or the scientists, not wondering about the primitive world above them. But after being taken for annihilation and testing, she meets John, a strange man with memories of the primitive world, of things like love, marriage, and family. John speaks of feelings as if they are a natural part of life, and he also speaks of the Designer who made everything, his love for the world, and sacrifice of his son Jesus.

Yet there is also the world above, and the colony that is thriving without the controlled rule of the scientists. Asta and Stone, who live above, and make her wonder if there is more than their colony below the earth.

 Berk is a true friend to Thalli, chosen to join the revered scientists, he is clever and is constantly working on a new innovation. As Dr. Louden's experiments get more and more invasive, Thalli has choices to make, will she fight for an unknown future?

I loved Thalli, she is a strong heroine, with a longing for something real, for something true. Ms. McGee did a great job of capturing her voice, with her joy and wonder, fear and desolation. The first of a trilogy, I was engaged beginning to end, intrigued by this strange new, and fearsome world below.

A fast-paced adventure for fans of dystopian fiction, this book stands out from the crowd with its search for clarity and truth. Highly recommend!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Cloak of the Light by Chuck Black ~ Review

My Review:

Drew is a talented football player, who befriends the nerdy Benjamin Berg who introduces him to a whole new world of physics and a love of academics. But everything goes wrong when a lab explosion takes Drew's eyesight. But what Drew saw in the lab he can never forget. Soon after the accident, Ben Goes missing, and Drew begins to recover his eyesight, but he is seeing things that he never saw before...
Can Drew find out the meaning behind these strange invaders and save his friends before it is too late?

A fast paced read that took me utterly by surprise!
If someone had tried to explain to me what this book was about I would have said, "Uh-uh, not for me." Because honestly this book is akin to (forgive the geek in me) Doctor Who, in if you try to explain how wonderfully awesome this book is to them they will likely find you somewhat lacking in sense.

I'm not usually up for supernatural thrillers, because far to often I find myself disagreeing with something to some degree or another making it pretty much impossible to enjoy, but this one was different. I fairly devoured every page of this action-packed read, that not only is well written with a fantastic, yet flawed hero, it brings to life the spiritual warfare that is a reality all around us. I love how in the back of the book Mr. Black talks about why he chose to represent spiritual warfare the way that he did along with scripture passages to back him up. I really felt that the author took the time and effort to meticulously go over the details in order to make this book as accurate an illustration as he could.

Overall, this was a wonderful book filled with characters that make you want to cheer for them all the way through, one of my favorites besides Drew, was definitely Ben. I loved his loyalty, and from the beginning he was a character that instantly captured my attention. I would definitely recommend this wonderful book, and I can't wait to read the next one!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

MindWar by Andrew Klavan ~ Review

My Review:

Rick Dial used to have it all, the looks, the girls, and a football scholarship to Syracuse. But after a horrendous car accident that breaks both his legs everything becomes unclear. But when Rick is recruited by a top secret organization to engage in MindWars to protect the world as we know it, he cannot refuse, not when so much is at risk.
Can Rick succeed where others have failed, and be the hero that everyone believes him to be?

A fast-paced, action-packed, coming of age tale, set in a digital Realm where the trees are blue and the ground is red. MindWar is a book that is in many ways hard to explain without sounding crazy, yet the way it is presented, it all comes to life in vivid hues.

Rick is a likable young man, struggling to cope after his accident and his father left his family, the dangers he faces in the Realm are a secret that could put his family in danger if they knew about his activities.

I loved how Mr. Klavan created a world so unreal, and vivid, yet made it so believable and real. This is only the second book I have ever read by this author, and I've got to say that I'm hooked!

Overall this is a fantastic start to what is sure to be a fantastic trilogy, centered around a young man and an all out battle between good and evil in a digital age. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Judge by R.J. Larson ~ Review

Review:

Kien is called by his Creator, and given duties that take him away from the woman that his heart desires, Ela. His mission? To warn the people of ToronSea against turning their backs to the Infinite to worship a new goddess. But isn't this the job of a prophet, like Ela?
Ela is given a revelation of her own, the destruction of her hometown as it is corrupted by their enemies.
Both of them are torn, between duty and what their hearts long for, will they ever be together?

I was amazed at the detail and depth that Ms. Larson created in Ela and Kien's world, so rich and lush, yet hard, harsh, with a certain realness to it. And it was so different from any fantasy I have ever read, because it was like fantasy, but set in Old Testament-like times with prophets and judges preaching to nations chasing after other gods.

I did skim through the first book in the series, so I had a pretty good idea of what was going on when I read this book which really helped. So I would probably recommend reading Prophet because it did help to know what was going on.

I liked how Kien and Ela were portrayed and their relationship with the Infinite. They were both very strong heroes who put their love for God above their desires.

Overall, a very well written and thought out series, I did get a little confused now and then, but that might have been because this book wasn't exactly my cup of tea. But I will definitely think of it and recommend it to my friends who are big fans of books of this genre :)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

The Canary List by Sigmund Brouwer ~ Please Rank My Review

My Review: I have been a fan of Sigmund Brouwer since I was about seven years old when I discovered The Accidental Detectives, and through the years his book have never ceased to entertain me and my family, so despite the strange description on the back of this book I agreed to review it. I wasn't disappointed.

Mr. Brouwer never writes predictable books, it must be a rule with him. In his typical style. he reveals the puzzle pieces one-by-one, careful not to ever reveal too much, and yet unveils just enough to keep you on edge. With tons of mystery and action, The Canary List is a book that will keep you flipping the pages until you reach the very last one.

I am going to say that I wasn't exactly all gung-ho about the subject matter of this book. The Canary List is a Vatican conspiracy novel, and it tells the story of a girl who can sense evil. And there are evil forces that would like to silence her, demonic forces. And honestly I had trouble with the question of why a little girl would be chosen to go through such ordeals.

While this is a Vatican conspricay novel, it wasn't really overly Catholic or even Christian. There wasn't alot of spiritual growth in the characters, though the book hints that this ordeal caused them to begin to question things and start looking in the right places.

Overall, I'd advise this book be read with a discerning mind, ready to question and probe. And I think that it is always good to have reminders of the spiritual warfare around us, that as Christians we are protected from the evils of. And also I think that a good warning to go with this book is that it is a work of fiction, so weigh it as such.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5



I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review, though not necessarily positive, which I have tried to do here. Thank you.