Tag: Book blog

ARC Book Review: The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Magical Realism
Length: 416 pages
Author: Gareth Brown
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: February 13th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A debut novel full of magic, adventure, and romance, The Book of Doors opens up a thrilling world of contemporary fantasy for readers of The Midnight Library, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, The Night Circus, and any modern story that mixes the wonder of the unknown with just a tinge of darkness.

Cassie Andrews works in a New York City bookshop, shelving books, making coffee for customers, and living an unassuming, ordinary life. Until the day one of her favorite customers—a lonely yet charming old man—dies right in front of her. Cassie is devastated. She always loved his stories, and now she has nothing to remember him by. Nothing but the last book he was reading.

But this is no ordinary book…

It is the Book of Doors.

Inscribed with enigmatic words and mysterious drawings, it promises Cassie that any door is every door. You just need to know how to open them.

Then she’s approached by a gaunt stranger in a rumpled black suit with a Scottish brogue who calls himself Drummond Fox. He’s a librarian who keeps watch over a unique set of rare volumes. The tome now in Cassie’s possession is not the only book with great power, but it is the one most coveted by those who collect them.

Now Cassie is being hunted by those few who know of the Special Books. With only her roommate Izzy to confide in, she has to decide if she will help the mysterious and haunted Drummond protect the Book of Doors—and the other books in his secret library’s care—from those who will do evil. Because only Drummond knows where the unique library is and only Cassie’s book can get them there.

But there are those willing to kill to obtain those secrets. And a dark force—in the form of a shadowy, sadistic woman—is at the very top of that list.

Thank you to William Morrow for the final copy.

NEEDED MORE EXPLANATION.

I’m a woman who needs explanations for magic systems. I hate feeling like things are pulled out of the air to satisfy the plot and that was the feeling this book gave me over and over again.

Initially, I thought the book concept was cool. A whole bunch of books that can do different things? I rolled with it. But there were some specific chapters towards the end that made rolling with it hard to do. Rather than explain the situation I felt more confusion.

Not to mention, the antagonists really didn’t have a reason to be antagonizing. I like having depth in characters, including the villains. There needs to be a want, a need, an understanding of dynamics as to WHY things are happening.

The chapters are pretty short and the dialogue is fairly snappy so things do move at a good pace. By the end I could understand the themes that the author was trying to hit on and remark upon. I wish I had connected with this one more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Magical realism
  • Language: low-moderate
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: light blood/gore depiction, loss of life, attempted murder

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Book Review: Oceans of Sand by Jessica Flory

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 325 pages
Author: Jessica Flory
Publisher: Immortal Works
Release Date: June 20th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Winner of the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards for young adult epic fantasy.

Love weakens his magic, and survival is far from guaranteed.

Oceans of Sand has been called “Exquisite.” (Indies Today) and “A journey you won’t want to return from.” (Readers’ Favorite).

One girl. Her boat. An ocean of sand to cross.
Norah’s desert world has always been treacherous, with the roiling ocean of sand, giant scorpions, and brutal sandstorms—but now an unnatural famine plagues the desert nations and threatens to destroy all.
Despite being the only one in her village without a sand gift, Norah is chosen with her best friend, Zadock, to sail across the ocean of sand in search of the legendary moonstone, an artifact that could end the famine.
As Norah and Zadock set off on their journey, secret romantic feelings each has suppressed for years rise to the surface. Love weakens sand gifts, and if they act on their feelings, Zadock’s sand gift will disappear.
Caught in a crossfire between forbidden feelings, an unforgiving desert, and starving nations willing to do anything to survive, Norah and Zadock discover the true meaning of sacrifice—and that love can heal the world.

Thank you to the author for a gifted audiobook.

TOOK ME BY THE BEST SURPRISE.

This was one of those books not on my radar that now has quickly become a new favorite. What a fantastic young adult fantasy book that gave me all the things I love.

I thought the world was very interesting. I loved the sand concept and the different groups of people mixed with beliefs and how the sand worked for everyone. It was intriguing and while predictably unfolded, still kept my attention and was just a solidly good read.

The romance is sweet, I wish I had gotten a tiny bit more tension or angst from them, but it was really heartfelt. And I’m curious where things will go in book two??

I also loved the three POV’s. They all provided unique angles and seeing the good vs. the misunderstood really shaped the story telling overall. I will absolutely be recommending this one and look forward to the continuation.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Nicole Platania
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry.

From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.

PHILIP.

This was a reread.

I still whole heartedly love this book. It was one of the first romances I ever read and Philip is straight SWOOOOONY. I tabbed many pages because the chemistry is FIRE. I love how romantic the whole story is as a whole.

But I also must recognized that now, 10 years later and the first time I’ve ever reread Edenbrooke, there are some things that are in it that aren’t my favorite romantic tropes (i.e. miscommunication, and stepping aside for the sister).

It’s a gem in the end and completely holds my nostalgic heart.

Overall audience notes:
– Regency Romance
– Language: none
– Romance: kisses
– Violence: mild
– Trigger/Content Warning: kidnapping, gun violence, loss of a parent (off page)

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Book Review: Emerald of the Sea by Kimberly Pearl

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 330 pages
Author: Kimberly Pearl
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Backstabbing pirates. Extravagant dinner parties. Falling in love with the one man who’s out of reach. Seventeen-year-old Emma doesn’t know who she is or where she came from. The not-exactly-legal merchant ship she was raised on is the only home she’s ever known, and she’s had enough of the captain’s lies. Her plans to break free from her three-masted prison are thrown off course by a deadly mutiny, and she finds herself on the run with a target on her back. A charming naval officer becomes her unlikely companion, and though they’re constantly running from danger, Emma is even more afraid of the feelings she’s developing for a man she’ll likely never see again—if she can ever make it home. Maggie’s only friend in the world is the kitchen boy who works in her manor. When Maggie’s mother dies, she’s left to be raised by a controlling father whose only concern is marrying her off to the highest bidder. But when Maggie returns from finishing school, she finds that the kitchen boy isn’t a boy anymore, and he’s starting to feel like much more than just a childhood best friend. How can she choose a husband from the upper crust of society when her heart lies with the boy downstairs? When Emma’s and Maggie’s fates collide, the secrets from the past begin to unravel. But when danger finds them, will they regret pulling the thread?

FANTASTIC STARTER.

I am 100% invested in continuing this series. I loved how the dual POV was written for this book and seeing how the story unfolded. I kept having many different thoughts on how it would all come together and let’s just say I was blindsided on many fronts and I LOVE when a book can do that.

I love all of these characters (and I’m purposely trying to stay vague because I think this will be best to go in blind if you can) and feel emotionally attached to them. I NEED ANSWERS. This was a big high seas adventure with plenty of action and some really sweet moments too.

For a short fantasy I think not having a magic system worked as a strong positive. You get the world building that’s necessary but I wasn’t left wanting with explanations of other things. I look forward to seeing the world expand in the next book.

NEED THE NEXT BOOK.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate – high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, weapons violence, ship wrecks, near death experiences, loss of life

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