My Rating: 5 Stars T. Rae Mitchell did it again! After the first novel ended in such a shocking way, I was glad to see the continuation of a great debut! After barely escaping the book of fables, Fate is back in her world. Desperately wanting to return and help Finn, who is still trapped within the book, Fate will do anything to find her way back. When she is offered the position of guardian of the Keep, Fate takes on the responsibility of protecting the space station, located across the universe, that contains very powerful and dangerous mythical creatures and magical artefacts. Travelling to a new world, Fate must face her destiny, her new unbreakable oath with the Keep and discover the strength to save the people she loves. A new enemy awakens nothing will ever be the same. The plot is nicely developed and it grabs the reader right from the beginning. There is a lot of action, mystery and drama going on, enough to keep me glued to the pages and to make my breathing stop at times. I was surprised with the sci-fi approach in this instalment, it took the adventure a bit further than I was expecting. Between the space station, spaceships, aliens, advanced-technology and guns I felt like I lost a bit of the connection with the story. I had this cosy feeling with the book of fables and with outer space I didn’t feel it at all. Still, it was an enjoyable twist to the first novel. Mitchell did a great job creating this new magical world. The setting is amazing and definitely brings things to another level, I felt the thrill while reading. It’s easy to see her deep knowledge and passion of myths and legends and the style of writing is still as beautiful and captivating as in the first novel. The dialogues are brilliant, witty and funny, a joy to read. The introduction of new characters was exciting and it's nice to see how they all have their roles in the story, there are no loose ends, everyone fits into the plot perfectly. I really enjoyed how the real and the fantastic both come together when the characters from both realities meet. I did miss Finn though and his interactions with Fate, I really enjoy them as a couple. Another ending that left me hungry for more! Can’t wait to read the sequel Fate’s War and see what other adventures await Fate and her friends. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Original Mix Media Inc, and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book.
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My Rating: 4 Stars Another great story from Lady Mechanika and her adventures, but a bit short. In this volume, it is brought to Lady Mechanika’s attention that some children have gone missing under mysterious circumstances around the mechanical toy shop. She teams up with the Inspector to get to the bottom of the occurrences and, in between witty exchanges and action-packed situations, Lady Mechanika begins to remember her dark, forgotten past. The story-line is very good and interesting and action-packed and the characters are as amazing as in the previous comics. The artwork is gorgeous: from the steampunk machines and setting to the Victorian style of dressing, everything brings together an incredible but very dark and dangerous world. I usually give five stars to this collection but this time I was a bit disappointed to see how short it turned out to be since usually it’s around 120 pages and this one is around 60 pages. Maybe because I’m a fan I wanted to read a more complex story. I’m looking forward to the next comic, hopefully with more pages than this one! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Benitez Productions, and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 5 Stars This was the first mystery novel I have read involving medicine and organ transplant. I’m really glad I got to have this first experience with Cut by Amy Peele. This serves as a reminder that we should always try new things! Sarah Golden is a renowned transplant nurse and her life runs smoothly, until she uncovers a very dangerous game being played at the hospital. When bodies start piling up, Sarah turns to her crazy best friend Jackie Larsen, former nurse and a stay at-home mom, to dig further into the matter. What they find is a deadly game: rich and powerful people are buying their way up to the transplant list, getting rid of “problems” as they come, being very careful not to leave any traces. Can they bring down this network or will they be “erased” too? I was instantly curious about the title and the plot of the story, but I wasn’t expecting being completely taken by the story and for it to be impossible to put down! Wow! First of all, the novel is very well researched: the details of the medical community, the transplant procedures and the nursing routines are full of detail. I can see that the author has a background in nursing and the knowledge that makes these details more personal than taken out of a medical book. The story-line is fast paced, full of twists, suspense and humour. Peele ’s managed to create a novel that is perfectly balanced in terms of plot. There is plenty of suspense and action but also a spark of witty conversations and humour that readers with crazy friends will understand very well. I loved the relationship and the dynamics between Sarah and Jackie. What a chemistry they have! I expected their verbal confrontations with enthusiasm. Sarah is a strong woman that isn’t afraid to put herself out there to help people and do the right thing. I felt that she took a bit more the part of main character since she is the one that first realizes something is amiss in the hospital and the waiting list. She is a very likeable character, very human. Jackie, the other main character, has her own unique shine that complements Sarah very well. Jackie is a great character and her love for her family is a breath of fresh air in the middle of all the craziness. Her nursing background also comes in handy and their partnership and friendship made me smile several times throughout the novel. As for other characters: handsome Sergio with a long line of women behind him despite his cold attitude and his partner Amanda. I think they make the plot a bit more interesting and of course they are the obvious targets of suspicion and investigation. But are they really guilty? I thoroughly enjoyed this reading, I grew addicted to it and it was impossible to put down. I wait in anticipation for Ms. Peele ’s next novel! I highly recommend it to fans of mysteries. I want to thank the publicist Kris Verdeck and the author Amy Peele for reaching out and allowing me to review this novel. My Rating: 4 Stars Great art and a fast-paced story, a nice read. Living in Louisiana with her father, the shy high-schooler Melanie has a pretty uneventful life. She works at the local bookstore with her classmate Zoe and tries to be there for her father when she can. Things change the night she’s walking home from the cemetery. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time, Melanie receives the Wraithbornn, a power destined for a member of the warrior monks called Valin. When she starts seeing spirits at school, Zoe is the only one that believes and helps her. With demons after her gift, Melanie will need all the help she can get if she wants to get out alive. The art of this graphic novel is great: bright colours, details, especially in the fighting scenes and a perfect balance between the drawings and the text. The story is well-balanced since there are moments of action and moments to recover from those moments: the action takes place when demons appear and they fight; and slower moments when both Melanie and Valin are trying to figure what happened. Even so, I didn’t grow bored at all. Melanie is a good main character. Her shyness and the way she reacts to the unfortunate events around her make her very human but at the same time I could see her courage and how she grows along the novel. Zoe is an awesome character and my favourite. She’s a good friend and her powers make her the perfect companion for Melanie that tends to panic. Overall, a good story! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher WildStorm, and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 3 Stars An apocalyptic scenario with time-travelling and a story of romance: it’s the best way to describe this novel. An enjoyable, quick read. This is the story of Isabel and Diego, a couple whose relationship could change the nightmare that they call reality. From a nuclear war to a deadly virus wiping out the human race, the world is at the end of the line. The solution: to travel back in time and change their relationship before it began. The race against time begins as Isabel journeys through the past and learns about love, loss and the power of forgiveness. Can she and Diego change the fate of the world? I would definitely say this is more romance than sci-fi since the story-line is based on a couple and their relationship even if the post-apocalyptic reality is very well thought and developed. Although I’m not a big fan on having the romance running in the front lines, I found myself enjoying the interactions between Isabel and Diego. Their relationship, like them, is very real and human. In general, all the characters are quite likeable and I could relate at least in a point or two with them. The story-line is well thought and organised and the style of writing pulled me into the story. The different points of view made me loose myself a few times since we see through the eyes of three different characters. The ending made my heart jump and I’m very curious to know the fate of the main characters in the next book. I recommend this book to fans of romantic stories taking place in dystopian post-apocalyptic scenarios! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Rocky Mountain Press, and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 5 Stars It was love at first sight with this graphic novel and even though you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, I’m very glad I did! It does help that I’m a big fan of Steampunk. This is the story of Lady Mechanika, a half-human half-machine in her search to discover her identity and her maker. As her journey takes her to the city where she was found, the Lady investigates a peculiar death of a young girl much like her at the local train station. Does it have anything to do with her? Was it the same person that transformed her? In a Steampunk world where Man and machine are one, nothing will stand in her way until she gets her answers. There isn’t anything I didn’t like in this graphic novel: the artwork is breathtaking, absolutely brilliant and the colours go perfectly with the dark and industrial setting. It was amazing to see how this world worked and it was impossible not to love the beautiful landscapes. The story-line is very well thought and it’s steady-paced. Details of this world are all around the story, but not enough to be boring. Lady Mechanika is a great character: elegant, graceful, quick with the guns, seemly cold and detached but with a caring heart hidden underneath. She doesn’t care if it’s human, machine or not human at all, if they need help she will give it. However, don’t piss her off. Lady Mechanika doesn’t care about power or hierarchy in society, if anyone stands in her way or even threatens her… well, you have to read it to find out the rest. Loved every minute and I’ll start the second volume very soon! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Aspen, and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 4 Stars The first Rebirth comic that I actually loved! Wow, Harley Quint is definitely my favourite anti-hero and in this comic makes her justice! For the story arcs I just have one phrase for you: Harley Quint, aliens, zombies and her own personal gang. Craziness, humour, action! What’s not to love? The art of the comic is amazing. The colours, the drawings of the characters together with the witty and humours dialogues create the perfect combination for an addictive read. I took my time to appreciate the art though, even in the parts where it gets really bloody. Harley’s character is very well drawn, specially her crazy expressions in particular moments, like in life-risking situations and when she’s hungry (it’s actually pretty funny too). I really like the gang Harley put together. They all get along perfectly and it was surprising to see that they actually get along even if they’re all crazy I their own way. The loyalty amongst them was a pleasure to see and read, specially the seen where Harley gets herself in a pickle and they’re there to back her up even when they stare at death right in the face. The only thing I didn’t like very much is the sexual vibe between Harley and Poison Ivy. Their friendship and bond is unique and powerful but let’s not exaggerate either. I did like to see Harley with Deadwood. I was surprised with the chemistry they have and thinking about, they would make one hell of a couple! Loved every page and I can’t wait for the next volume! Definitely recommend it! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher DC Comics and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 5 Stars This book was awesome. No other way to put it. I don’t even know how I only heard about these series now and I will definitely get my hands on a paperback version of both instalments. The story starts with the main character Evelyn and her search for gifted people who are struggling with their powers or simply hiding them out of fear. At the same time, she needs to make sure that she gets to them before the Society of Aberrations does. It’s not a group one should trust… right? With her parents back, Evelyn has to protect herself in two fronts, from the Society and her parent’s intent to marry her off. I fell in love with this book even though I didn’t have the fortune of reading the first volume These Vicious Masks. It is fast-paced, pack with action, not a dull moment in sight. Intrigue at every corner, I was sitting at the edge of my seat in anticipation. I really couldn’t guess who to trust or to be suspensions of, even though most of the characters are simply amazing. Twists and unexpected events would make anyone hold their breaths. The time-period is simply perfect and definitely one of my all-time favourites. The colours, the dash of steampunk, the language and the manners are so beautifully described I got goosebumps. The style of writing is perfect, words feel like silk when I read them in my mind, it’s breathtaking and hypnotic. Oh, and did I mention highly-addictive? Evelyn is an amazing character and she definitely became one of my all-time favourites. She is one badass lady, with a strong character, spirit and smart mind. She is the picture of independence, the complete opposite of what society requires of a woman in that period. She is the proof that we can break free of society’s rules and how we can break them in style and with grace. Despite everything though, she still feels the need to make her parents proud, and does her best to please them even if she doesn’t agree with their traditional views and beliefs. That’s another thing this character is great: even coming from a family with high social status, Evelyn is kind and treats everybody equally and she truly wants to make a difference in the world, no matter the cost. Her powers are incredible, so, another reason I like her, of course. Utterly brilliant is the only way to describe this amazing novel. I will be ordering the first volume and the second one for good measure because this is definitely a series worth following and having in the bookshelf! I want to thank Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me to participate in this book tours in exchange for an honest review. My Rating: 5 Stars 5 stars and I regret nothing. I fell in love with this book, it’s perfect and I will definitely buy the paperback version. The story starts with a young woman, injured and passed out on a beach with no recollection of who she is and she got there. When two boys approach her, Ann Baker as no choice but to follow them and hope for the best. When she’s taken to their home, a compound in the mountains, she's facing an impossible reality: she is The Lost One, one of the few Readers in the world with a power so strong it could bring their enemies to their knees. Surrounded by both friends and foes, Ann starts the adventure of a lifetime in a compound where everything counts and not everybody is what they seem. A very engaging, fast-paced plot where every detail counts! It’s fresh, creative, passionate and it mixes a bit of everything, from action to the mystery, romance, supernatural and adventure. The style of writing is beautiful and very addictive. I couldn’t put it down and the descriptions were incredible. It was like living the story instead of just reading it. The pace of the story is also great, fast-paced, never a boring moment. As for the characters, Ann is an incredible female protagonist. She has everything: wit, the strength of character, wisdom, instinct and always follows the path she thinks it’s right. I really enjoyed seeing her interaction with other characters, how naturally she fits in. Devon and Archer are every girl's dream: both are handsome, strong, and protective. Devon is the col, closed off type that acts like a bad-boy but deep down he cares; and Archer is the sweet, understanding type that will listen to everything and give good advice. I really enjoyed reading about their own little rivalry when it comes to Ann’s attention. I think they both have a great chemistry with Ann, can’t imagine whom she would pick. The thing is: all the characters are very much human. I couldn’t actually feel that the special abilities the author describes were “supernatural”. It all seems very much “real”, very much human. There are flaws, rivalries, companionship, doubts, problems, which gives them depth. Overall, probably one of the best YA books I’ve read so far. I highly recommend it! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 4 Stars One word for this novel: Intense! I absolutely love the type of story where the main character gets involved with something, falling into it blindly. It just adds spice to the story! A novel starts out with private investigator Moses Winter is working on a cheating-husband case. Things start to get complicated when the cheated wife discovers that her husband has been with a Bosnian immigrant. When a fight breaks out, the husband ends up being stabbed, and when the police finally arrive on the scene, Rakic, the agent from the homicide department, recognises the mistress as his cousin. While trying to protect his cousin, Rakic realises that finding the truth will more come complicated than he was expecting. When Moses feels there’s something amiss with the story, he investigates and ends up finding out the shocking truth, something that runs a lot deeper than a mere cheating investigation. It gives me great satisfaction to see all the storylines come together perfectly in the end with no strings left hanging. The storyline is great and the style of writing made it very easy to follow the different perspectives and the development of the case. The description of the global problem of human trafficking served as a reminder of the level of desperation people have to reach to undergo such conditions, just to have a chance at life. I think Sparks addresses the problem in a very good way and it definitely puts this novel in a whole other level. The characters are well developed, especially Moses, a likeable character with a great level of determination and curiosity. Unfortunately, the romantic part didn’t do much for me. His connection with Majka, a suspect, and the fact that he uses her didn’t sit well with me. I so admire the determination of Rakic and his family loyalty. The references to smoking came too often, in my opinion. I’m not a smoker but I think it was too much detail for an addiction. Overall, it’s a fast-paced detective story that I enjoyed immensely. I want to thank the author Francis Sparks for reaching out and sending me his book in exchange for an honest review. |
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