Heroes of Havensong:Dragonboy

 

This series "Heroes of Havensong" has a grand introduction in "Dragonboy.' This books brings four unlikely friends together to help save a world that some have grown up with. It is filled with adventure and friendship. The four main characters were so well written that I would catch myself cheering for them and encouraging them through all the trials they faced.

This is a terrific book.

I highly recommend it.

I was given this book by Random House Children Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Wonderfultales from the Land of the Seven Kingdoms by George William Van Sise

 

This is a great book to read with the family. There are 20 short stories or Fables from the world of fantasy. By being told by a narrator it brought me into the stories like I were a child. None of the stories are long but they are very well told.

I truly enjoyed this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley and BooksGoSocial in exchange for my honest opinion. All comments are my own. 

Book Review: Awakening (The Elemental Chronicles #1) by Ross Kingston

Awakening is the first book of The Elemental Chronicles. In this book, in the shadows, the elements have picked who they want as their champions and the Vassals awake.
One Vassal is Alicea. She leaves her kingdom to come to the call. Along with a thief, they take a stand against the darkness and prepare for the war that is going to come.
From the beginning I was enthralled with this story. It is a perfect lead-in to the next book in the series as it left me wanting to read more.
Excellent job. I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Crescent Stone

The first three lines on the back cover were enough to bring me into this novel.
"A girl with a deadly lung disease...
A boy with a tragic past...
A land where the sun never sets but darkness still creeps in..."
This setup was ideal. The Crescent Stone is a fantasy novel by Matt Mikalatos. Madeline Oliver is the girl with the deadly lung disease. Jason Wu is filled with guilt that leaves him deciding to always tell the truth. They both end up in the land. A place they don't know anything about except each decision will touch others more than they could have anticipated.
This story is imaginative, deep, filled with humor and fantasy. It left me pondering things after I had finished it. Having never read a book by this author before, I look forward to more of his works in my future.

Book Review: Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstances

This is an excellent science fiction book. I enjoyed reading this story about magical beings. The author presents a boy, sister and his friend and built this fantastic story around them. It beautifully combines science and magic. Since I used to be a science teacher and am always a science-learner, this blending pulled me in more and more.

I recommend this book most highly. It is a delightful book.
I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: The Colour of Magic

The Color of Magic is the first book in the marvelous series of Discworld.  In this book we are introduced to Rincewind, the tourist Twoflower and the suitcase. They are a great place to begin the adventures that await in Discworld. Rincewind is a wizard who had a bad accident while at school, the tourists asks many questions, which are also informative, and the suitcase does not need to be carried as it walks on hundreds of little legs. Plus it is handy to have in a fight.
I love these books. Sir Terry Pratchett had such an imagination and humor. I am always thrilled when I think how my daughter started me on this series 12 years ago. Now I always have them with me.

Old Celtic Romances

Celtic stories are amazing. Most have been handed down from one generation to another. This people believe in keeping their heritage alive. They used to only do it orally through story-tellers. They were meant to memorize each of the poems, tales and even the historic tales and to share them with others. It is not unusual, then, for the story tellers to be given a house of honor and to be highly respected.

The author who brought the tales together is a folklorist who translated the tales from the Gaelic manuscript into today's English. Many are based on real-life events. Included in these romances are tales of warriors, maidens, monsters and mermaids. There are 13 in all including "The Overflowing of Lough Neagh," "Connia of the Golden Hair and the Fairy Maiden," and "The Fairy Palace of the Quicken Trees.

The compiler of these tales made an admission in his prologue that when he erred it was on the side of keeping the sense of the language instead of a literal translation. There are also footnotes throughout the book to help to clarify words or places.

This book is a reproduction which means some of the elements may not be ideal. The font is rather small throughout but more so in the poetry.

Those who are interested in the history of the Celts, like I am, would enjoy this book.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Gork, the Teenage Dragon

Gork is different from other dragons. His heart is big, his horns aren't and he faints. At the WarWings Military Academy he is called Weak Sauce and he is the lowest in his class. However, he doesn't let any of this get to him. Tomorrow he is to graduate from high school and tonight he needs to ask a female to be queen. It could go one of two ways, she could say yes and they will go off together to other planets, or he could end up being a slave.

This is a combination of love story, fantasy and just so much fun. The author has such an imagination, it is hard to believe this could be a debut novel. Teens will be able to relate to it as they empathize with Gork and cheer him on.

This would be an enjoyable book for this age reader and I recommend it. I was given this book by NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

This book may be purchased from Amazon HERE!

Or at Barnes and Noble HERE!

Book Review: The Truth

The world of Ankh-Morpork may not be ready for the newsletter, Ankh-Morport Times. This publication was created by William de Worde, a journalist who has a gift for investigating. This skill has created enemies who now want to stop his presses. Soon they create The Inquirer, a tabloid which deals in items that are not the truth.

DeWorde found out Lord Vetinari, the city's patrician, has a story which could cause big trouble. DeWorde, discovers that the truth is something that is needed to reveal the entire story.

I love the works of Terry Pratchett and his stories in DiscWorld. He was such a genius when it came to crafting words in subtle ways so they make you smile just looking at the page and anticipating what is coming up.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys these books or to those that enjoy fun fantasy.

Book Review: The Dream Keeper's Daughter

Ever since Max Adair has gone missing, his girlfriend, Isabel Griffin has tried to keep going, for her and her expectant baby's sake. Previously, in her life another loved one disappeared, her mother, when Isabel was 16. Her father was overtaken by the drive to find his wife while neglecting his daughter.

Isabel does not want this to repeat with her daughter, Fin. An archaeologist, Isabel is on a dig when she receives a call from someone who sounds like Max, however the call was disconnected before she could make sure. Now she is not sure what to do next.

I enjoy books dealing with time travel, however, I did have a hard time staying with it. It may have been because of the main theme of the story, people missing, is a difficult matter for me to read. However, if this is not an issue for other readers, I would encourage you to try this book.

This book was given to me by NetGalley and Random House Ballantine in exchange for my honest review.

It may be found at Amazon HERE or at Barnes and Noble HERE!

Book Review: Raging Storm

This book, The Raging Storm, is the second book in The Remnant Series. Each book has been well-written and will make the most sense if they are read in order.

A solar flare wiped everything out. Fires are everywhere and smoke makes the air hard to breathe. This is just the beginning. This brings the reader into the book and then you want to stay there until the end. This breath-taking book will make you want to stay put for hours until it is finished. After this, I am ready for the next one.

I was given a copy of this book by Harvest House and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: Siren's Song

This is the third book in The Storm Siren Trilogy. Because of this, I had a little difficulty getting into the story and characters. Once I got into the book, I was amazed at the writing and the way Mary Weber was able to create this world of magic. She also created amazing characters, which were fun and complex.

I believe I am going to go back and purchase the first two books of the series so I can be caught up into this world from the beginning. I would also recommend this to anyone who is interested in reading this book. Overall, I ended up loving this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Thomas Nelson - fiction in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: The Vanishing Throne

This book, The Vanishing Throne, is the second book in the Falconer Trilogy. This book is suspenseful, however, I had a difficult time staying with it, since I had not read the first book. However, saying that, Elizabeth May has a gift of writing which makes the reader feel as if they are part of the action.

I would like to come back to this book after reading book one. I would recommend this for anyone who has an interest in this book. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Chronicle Books for my honest review. 

Book Review: Monstrous Little Voices

When I see the name Shakespeare in the title of a book, I must say my heart skips a beat and a smile appears on my face.

This book takes place in 1601 and begins with the Tuscan War. Being Shakespeare, there is some witches, antics, romance and war. The fairy courts are close to mass confusion.

There are five stories in here which join at the end of the war. It might be a bit confusing if the reader is expecting the work to be in his hand, instead they are the stories of his which were not told.  Jonathan Barnes, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Emma Newman, Foz Meadows and Kate Heartfield work together this story of bravery, change and magic.

I loved the way these writers were able to stay true to the great poet and create a work that would make the Bard thrilled. I loved it.

I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for my review.

Book Review: A Fairy's Guide to Disaster

Matilda Whipplethorn has been asked to take on a big challenge...babysit Gerald, the fairy nobody likes. As she tries to talk her way out of it, her mother shows her a list of everything that could go wrong and how to handle it. Unfortunately, the list does not include people coming into Whipplethorn Manor and taking her home with her, Gerald and her sister Iris included. The mantel that is taken has been her home for as long as she can remember, now these humans are taking it to an antique mall. Here it is purchased and sent to a new home. Matilda is not sure what to do as one disaster follows another.

This is a fun and very well-written book with good character development. I have always enjoyed books about fairies and I now have a new one that will stay with me for a while. I enjoyed watching how Matilda became more brave throughout the book and the children were able to realize that each one had redeeming qualities which helped them overlook the other, less-likable traits. I truly enjoyed this book.

Book Review: King's Blood

King's Blood is the second installment of the Kinsman Chronicles. Jill Williamson, the author is so talented, she leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for each part of the series. I will let you know that it is a good idea to read the first book, The King's Folly first to really connect with the characters.

Wilek and Trevn, brothers, as well as their people are trying to survive on the seas, looking for a place to land. As they are doing this they are being attacked by those that are against the royal members.

This thick book is a book to get lost in. There is adventure, fantasy, romance, fighting. A little something for every adult. I would recommend that only adults read this. There are parts of it that, even though well-written, are for the more mature audience.

Overall, I fell like I can give this book all the starts there are. I loved it.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: Merchant of Alyss

Merchant of Alyss is a fantasy book set in Falmouth. Hyam and Joelle are happy to be together, even though Hyam has lost his magical abilities. This is a time of turmoil for him as he grieves for his skills yet he wonders if he would have been better off if he never had them. Finding the Milantian scroll gives him power at his touch, however the text foretells war. While trying to find answers to his dilemma he does not know that he is being sought by the merchant of Alyss.

I had not read the first book of the series, however it did not take me long to become lost in this book. The characters in the book feel so real. The main character keeps driving the story. I am now going to move backwards and read the first book, Embassy, as I want to find the complete story of what brought these characters to this point.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The White Knight, The Lost Kingdom and the Sea Princess

One look at this cover was enough to get me to begin reading this book. It looks like it should belong on a fairy tale. Then the title....wow!

This beautiful book, by Judy Carlson, tells the story of Prince Lael. When faced by an enemy, who took his family, he has to show his loyalty and his strength. He is soon joined by two children, Clara and Ian. They are from Minnesota but they still want to help to free the Sea Princess and beat temptations. Through the story they come upon the White Knight and they gain many things.

This story is filled with adventure, evil, creatures, love and so many other things which make it a terrific, and fun read. I had such fun reading this that it was a book which was hard to put down.

This is a book for children and adults alike. I believe that there is something in it for everyone.

I was given this book by bookfun.org and Nordskod Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Grayling's song

Grayling's Song is a book written for Middle School age readers. This being said, I enjoyed it immensely.

Grayling Strong finds her mother in the middle of an evil spell. Her mother, Hannah, is becoming a tree. Grayling is given the job of finding her grimoire, or book of spells and charms. Along her way, Grayling comes across Pook, a special mouse who can change shapes. She also discovers her courage.

I loved the book and how it shows how the reader can discover things within themselves when faced with challenges and when looking to friends for assistance.

I was able to read this book within a few hours, however, I do recognize that younger readers will need more time. This was such an engaging book. 

I was given this book by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Hogfather

I love to read Terry Pratchett Books. I first read this book, Hogfather, several years ago and it has still not lost the traits that make me turn to Terry Pratchett books again and again.

In this story, the Hogfather has died and Death has to take over the role to make sure that the sun will rise in the morning. He also has to try to bring Hogfather back. Death discovers how few believe in the Hogfather anymore and this is wrong, so he also needs to correct this.

Pratchett had such a way of weaving words, characters and his story together to make a hilarious, thoroughly enjoyable story. I look forward to many more journeys to DiscWorld as I read and re-read these books.