Tag: indie author

ARC Book Review: A Song Among the Silence (The Rhythmist Cycle #1) by Julie Janis

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Young adult fantasy
Length: 450 pages
Author: Julie Janis
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: December 7th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Life has never been easy for Derrick. Having been raised among the Nixormans—a species with quick reflexes who pride themselves on being great soldiers—all Derrick wants is to join the human world and finally belong. When Derrick meets a human girl in the forest, he finally takes a stand against his guardian and leaves for the human kingdom. But what he expected is far from what he finds. The human kingdom is suffering from the winter and is bathed in more Darkness than what he imagined.

Being the princess of a suffering kingdom cursed with an eternal winter didn’t make Kota Holland’s life as grand as it could be. Especially after her mother dies and her father marries a Dark mage. But when her father becomes ill and her stepmother takes control, Kota will do anything to heal him—even if it means dabbling with Dark magic for a cure.

When a cunning Dark mage enters their lives and offers to fix everything, Derrick and Kota find themselves making an unbreakable deal to get their answers. Failure to uphold their end of the deal and a curse will take their lives.

As Derrick’s and Kota’s lives intertwine, they find the winter growing stronger and the kingdom’s resources depleting. Without the answers they seek, more is at stake than just their lives. They risk the entire kingdom’s survival.

One wrong step and everything they’ve worked for will crumble.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

A GOOD DEBUT.

An enjoyable read! I liked this for an author debut. It was well written and had a good cast.

I liked the main characters and thought they had solid depth and intentions. Kota and Derrick were easy to follow and cheer for. The magic system could have used some more boundary explanation but it was unique. The concept was there and I understood most of the parameters.

There were quite a few plot holes I noticed. A mix of wondering why someone had made that choice or needing more on a side character to further explain the situation. Even though the story moves well with action and slower moments there’s room for the pieces that were missing.

It was unfortunate that most of the antagonists were POC. The evil stepmother and stepsister vibes were alive and well. As were many, many other tropes. It took away from the surprising twists because you could see them from a mile away.

Derrick and Kota have a sweet burgeoning relationship. Personally, I’d love some angst, but it’s tender and I like it well enough. Killian is a great morally grey character. I’m curious how he further fits into the series.

A mixed bag, but a positive debut. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: physical and magical altercations, torture, near death experiences

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Book Review: Lucky Witches (Riddler’s Edge #3) by A.A. Albright

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Length: 257 pages
Author: A.A. Albright
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: June 26th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Just because Detective Quinn is on holiday does not mean that the rest of Riddler’s Edge gets to take a break.

And it definitely doesn’t mean that Aisling misses him.

But even if she did miss him – ever so slightly, mind you – she has far more urgent things to worry about. Like the fact that every single person the detective asked to look after his lighthouse has met with an unfortunate accident. Or the fact that a mysterious casino has appeared overnight – and instead of winning money, the gamblers are winning wishes.

These wishes are not all they seem, and as violence and chaos break out, it’s becoming ever more likely that the detective’s lighthouse is keeping a secret of its own.

ANOTHER GREAT READ.

Flying through these and loved this one too. I love how each mystery is unique to the town and yet brings out more to the larger plot. I loooove Aisling and her banter and wittiness. Her inner monologue makes me laugh and this was no exception.

I felt the only thing missing was a bit for Dylan. He wasn’t there for good reasons though so I’m curious how that comes into play in the next book. I love getting to know all of these side characters too. Everyone is well thought out and adds another layer to this quick mysteries.

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Cozy Mystery
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: murder

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Book Review: Witchy See, Witchy Do (Riddler’s Edge #2) by A.A. Albright

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Length: 254 pages
Author: A.A. Albright
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: May 28th, 20218
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

There’s been another unfortunate death in Riddler’s Edge. And just like last time, this one definitely wasn’t a murder.

Or was it?

When Heather Flynn is found hanging from the church bell, it seems clear that she killed herself. But Aisling Smith is convinced otherwise – and not just because it appears that Heather’s death was a resurrection spell gone wrong. There are mysterious symbols painted below Heather’s body – symbols which emit a green glow that only Aisling can see.

It’s Shanty Season in Riddler’s Edge – and seeing as Heather was a member of the local choir, Aisling thinks it might be time to sing for her supper. Well, to sing for her story, anyway.

But when yet another member of the choir is killed, the case gets stranger yet. Aisling and Detective Quinn find themselves involved in the gruesome game of Witchy See, Witchy Do – a game from which no player has ever emerged alive.

IS THIS MY NEW FAVORITE?

Two books in and all I want to do is binge the entire series. I don’t have long reviews for these because they’re very quick reads, just know that I find them super enjoyable and compulsively readable.

I adore Aisling. She is full of witty comebacks and smart dialogue. I love learning more about her and how her full story is slowly unfurling. Still smitten with the budding romance with detective Dylan and I can’t wait for more!!

This mystery kept me on my toes a bit more. It took awhile before I put together all of the pieces, but I love how it all came together and the new info I learned. The writing is witty and these are such a delight to read.

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal cozy mystery
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: murder

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ARC Book Review: The Elle Project by Summer Dowell

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Holiday Contemporary Romance Novella
Length: 137 pages
Author: Summer Dowell
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: November 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

True Love should never be put to a family vote.

Elle:
All I wanted was a nice, relaxing Christmas vacation at home with my family. But no, the lot of them had to ruin it by inviting my childhood crush, Oliver Moore, and throwing us together at every possible moment. Heaven, help me.
Now, instead of sipping hot cocoa by the fire, I’m dodging matchmaking attempts and trying to pretend I’m not attracted to Oliver’s adorably perfect smile. I will not become another one of my family’s projects.

Oliver:
I mean, am I upset Elle’s family swindled us into this Christmas vacation together? No. Will I ever admit that aloud? Also, no. I’ve long ago come to terms with the friend zone Elle placed me in back around ninth grade.
But there’s something different about her this week. Something that’s bringing up feelings I really should ignore.
Too bad ignoring has never been my strong suit. 

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

PERFECT FOR THE SEASON.

A quick, light-hearted novella sure to make you smile. I got a few good laughs out of this and love the fast paced nature of this childhood friends to lovers holiday novella.

Oliver and Elle were constantly being pushed together until something finally cracked. I love the dates they went on and the speed of everything. Even in a short format, I felt like I got a lot of the story. I would have loved even more a full fledged novel (but maybe with Elle’s brothers???). It has that predictable air that I love in a holiday romance.

Elle’s family was a bit over-bearing for me personally, but I know that others may really enjoy that quirk. I do like having large families in stories though, all of the sibling dynamics remind me of my own. Another sweet read from Dowell! I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Holiday Contemporary Romance Novella
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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