Tag Archive | 2012

Book Review: Storybound by Marissa Burt

A lonely foster child, full of wonder about who and where she came from; Una Fairchild is shocked as she’s transported to the land of Story when browsing her school library.

Now she’s a part of a magical land she never imaged could exist. Story, a world filled with characters one grows up with. Talking animals, princes in training and a school where all the students learn to be either a Hero or a Villain.

Yet not all is well in the land of Story, and twelve-year-old Una is about to discover that she wasn’t brought there by accident. There are secrets waiting in the dark and an evil just bidding time to be restored to Story. With her new friend Peter, it’s going to be up to Una to set a prophecy in motion.

What a fantastic middle grade series! I absolutely loved it! Can you tell? The setting, the characters, the breath of fresh air that brings humour and fun to the fairytale world where there’s more than meets the eye! Not to mention the fact that there is plenty of challenges for all ranges of middle grade readers.

Plus the ending is so AMAZING! I don’t know how else to praise Burt for creating such an intriguing series. Not only are the characters easy to relate to, but the whole creation of Story is an awesome way to get kids to think outside of the book. This is length done right with loads of new characters, places and motives. As the knowledge within Story is challenged, the information is at a perfect rate to keep kids turning those pages!

I’m looking forward to delving back into Story with Burt’s sequel, Story’s End.

Book Review: Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

May4

*Please note this is only a two book series.

Cas has survived his battle with his father’s killer, but now suffers from taunting dreams of Anna trapped in Hell. As a ghost hunter he’s supposed to forget about the ghosts he encounters, not fall in love with them. Anna is everywhere, in more pain through each encounter. Cas refuses to forget about her and embarks on a journey to bring her back.

Yet there’s more to his father’s knife than Cas is aware of. When a mysterious picture arrives in the post, Cas knows he’s going to do whatever it takes to open the door to hell and rescue Anna from the torture she doesn’t deserve. Even if it means killing himself.

It took some time to process how I felt about this book. I was expecting it to be a part of trilogy and was epically sad that there are only two books in this series.

However, I really liked that there are only two books. It’s so different from everything else currently being published. With characters are so full of personality that it’s impossible not to fall in love with this series.

There is love on a (somewhat) real scale, scary scenes and adventure that waits across the pond. I praise Blake for creating such a fantastic series that can blend both a realistic teenage life along with a paranormal existence that hasn’t been conquered yet. I wish there was more but am glad there isn’t at the same time.

Be warned however, there is a lot of swearing and some scary scenes that are truly terrifying. I loved every single sentence! Give it a go if you dare!

Book Reviews: Black Door by Evans Light

Apr13

Eleven-year-old William, his father and two younger brothers are on their way to a new Summer Camp as their local favourite is out of operation.

What starts as a long car trip turns into a journey through an unknown environment with a starkly painted black door…

What’s behind the door? Why are the campgrounds abandoned? Several questions that might be answered should William take that first step through the black door.

This is a short story perfect for reading to eight-year-olds and above around the campfire. But be warned – there will be a lot of questions!

It’s such a short read that most of my review is really in my rating. I obviously wanted more, but for it’s age range it’s great to kick start imaginations. A good example for kids looking for the next step up in a reading challenge Black Door will keep them turning the pages!

Book Review: When Cooper Suns Fall by KaSonnda Leigh

Mar30

Chela and her twin brother Micah are not your average siblings. Born from a human father and angel mother tends to complicate things. Especially when your mother’s race has been outlawed for hundreds of years, and should Chela or her brother be discovered for what they are they’ll shot on the spot. Micah is Chela’s other half, but a sickness threatens his life as he lies in a coma.

As Chela tries to do anything she can to get proper medical assistance for Micah, her temper and curiosity lands her in a bit of trouble. Soon she’s fighting for her right to stay in society, but it’s only the beginning. There are others like Chela, that fight just as hard to stay under the radar but also train with their gifts. A prophecy is exposed. A murderous beast haunts Chela’s world. Teenagers continue to be kidnapped, never to be seen again.

Chela is huge piece of this puzzle. As she learns more about her gifts and her mother’s world she’s going to have to make a choice to stand up and claim her place or turn her back on her future, no matter how complicated it may be.

This has been quite a refreshing read. I was really impressed with quality of writing and instantly curious to learn more about this world and the main character. I don’t normally read this kind of genre, there’s a lot going on. It’s a science fiction fantasy that’s kind of like The Hunger Games? There’s a lot of fast paced action and characters.

For those that love this kind of genre this book doesn’t disappoint. Rich with details of this different type of world and society it’s got a little bit of everything. Even romance is on the line but it’s not the main focus. It’s not easy to breeze through, so make sure you’ve got the attention span for it.

This book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to for the book and the author!

Book Review – Ascent by M. C. Zappitello

Mar26

Cassie Campbell doesn’t have any memories before she was seven. However, things just haven’t been normal since her adoption. Cassie hates being in large crowds of people, she can feel their thoughts that cause severe panic attacks. That is, until she meets William Stuart. Suddenly her world is nothing and everything but Will Stuart.

Together the pair unlock the secrets of Cassie’s past. Will didn’t meet Cassie by chance but has been patiently waiting for the right time to re-enter her life. As she comes to terms with her past alongside her future, her strength will be tested. The only thing she knows for certain is that her life is Will Stuart and nothing can go on without him.

UGH. That is pretty much the basis of my review. What a letdown from Amazon Prime. I am kicking myself for not doing further research in regards to how this is published. (it’s self-published by Amazon) I should have known better and this was one of the most painful books I have ever read.

This is basically a knockoff of Twilight but for the Christian market (Twilight is written by a Mormon and her characters do reflect this if one reads closely enough). The writing is extremely poor, so much so that multiple sentences are constantly repeated right after each other. Although Cassie is seventeen there is a lot of SAT vocabulary mixed into the fiction and I found this as a poor choice for the Young Adult market. Cassie is also a weak character that is only concerned with her love for Will, ignoring her adoptive parents in the process.

The couple are also completely obsessed with having sex with each other, but must refrain for ‘God’. Not only do I find this as such an un-Christian aspect but Cassie also attempts to commit suicide, which is never ok in the faith. Two themes that aren’t Christian? I understand the author may have been trying to heed to modern day market trends but her ideas don’t have any substance and there is no area this would fit into.

I can’t recommend this book for Christian markets because I don’t think it has anything that would put parent’s minds at ease. However, there are too many religious references for this to even breach the modern YA market that it’s no wonder it was self-published.

I wish there was something nice I could say about this book but there isn’t. There’s too much going on without a connected focus. How this will last for another two books, I don’t know and I don’t want to follow through either. Please stay far away unless you’d like to contradict my review. All other thoughts are welcome.

Book Review: Change by Soraya Lane

Mar19

Riley has been shipped off to her distant Gran after the tragic loss of her twin sister Claudia. Out in the middle of nowhere woods, Riley is thrust into the presence of Hunter. He’s big, strong and commanding. Then he tells Riley the stupidest thing she’s ever heard: She’s actually a shape shifting leopard and not just any leopard but the next in line leader as her Grandmother Sophia is the current matriarch. There’s more, Hunter is also her chosen mate. Being seventeen just isn’t what it used to be.

Everyday Riley spends most of her time with Hunter. Learning to shift, communicate as leopards and the best part of all: see her sister Claudia in her new form as a spiritual guider. Yet these lessons aren’t just for fun, there is an enemy that plagues Riley’s new people. She’s got to stay focused in order to figure out if she can step up when the time comes and if Hunter is the only one for her. What happened to silly high school drama?

This is an interesting self-published young adult book. I found the cover intriguing and the premise…slightly interesting. For those that are looking for another hot and heavy supernatural romance, then this is the book for you! There is passion, sparks and a strong physical connection that can’t be denied.

I did enjoy learning about this ‘leopard world’. Is it similar to Twilight, yes it certainly is. I know there are readers out there that are looking for another book that is similar and I believe this would work well for that market. Personally I need a bit more from my Young Adult books. Lane knows what her target audience wants and I do feel she’s delivered the goods. I’m curious about where and how this series will develop but I’m not going to searching it out.

For more information about the author and about the book, please click the cover photo to be directed to Soraya Lane’s website.