This was a short read with some fun stories about the very HOT Magnus Bane. It told about his adventures in Peru with Ragnor Fell and Caterina, a very blue lady. It was mostly fun and slightly bittersweet as we came to learn more about Magnus and his past. The title is misleading however as nothing is really explained. This is the first of a series so maybe there is more information coming.
I think I would have enjoyed this short a lot more if the kindle version had been intact. There were missing parts and passages that jumped around. So be warned, you may not get all you are paying for.
Overall, not a horrible read. If you enjoy Magnus in the Mortal Instruments series you should pick this one up. But its not necessary to the other series.
This is the final installment to the Septimus Heap series and I absolutely hate to see this series come to an end. We have watched Septimus and Jenna and all the other characters grow and change over the course of this series and this book does a wonderful job of tying things up.
There is so much that I loved about this book. We see how the kids have grown up and changed so much. Jenna comes into her own as she learns to become queen. Septimus knows he has to make a decision about his future and does so with maturity. Even the adults go through a lot of changes. Marcellus, Marcia, Milo, and others are a big part of this book. And while Septimus may not be the absolute main focus of this book, he is still very much a big part of it. I would have loved to have seen more of Spit Fyre in this book. He, along with Stanley the mail rat, was kept along the sidelines. There were also some bittersweet moments as we saw how Aunt Zelda had aged. All of us have had an aging parent, grandparent, or other relative and know how difficult this can be. We really felt how this can be as we see Zelda having difficulties. Wolf Boy also had changes in his life as its revealed who is really is and what his future holds.
Overall, I LOVE this series as well as this wonderful ending to it. Even though this is a great series for Middle Grade Age, its a fun read for adults too. I loved the humor and the magic as well as the family and relationships. I would recommend this series to anyone that is just looking for a fun read.
Book Description: Twenty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home. Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain. Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win. The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me. I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.
Author Bios:
Abi Ketner Is a registered nurse with a passion for novels, the beaches of St. John, and her Philadelphia Phillies. A talented singer, Abi loves to go running and spend lots of time with her family. She currently resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband, triplet daughters and two very spoiled dogs. Melissa Kalicicki received her bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in 2003. She married, had two boys and currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Aside from reading and writing, her interests include running and mixed martial arts. She also remains an avid Cleveland sports fan. Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure. Links: twitter @abiandmiss.com
Imagine a world where the United States has been overrun by a mutated vampire virus that has changed every day men and women into hybrid human/vampire creatures called Ticks. In The Farm that is exactly what happened. Scientist found a way to alter people into Ticks that prefer to drink the blood of teenagers but will settle for any living creature. Teenagers from all over the United States have been forced to live in camps were their blood is being farmed to feed the Ticks. Lily is a normal 17 year old girl living on the farm with her twin sister Mel. Mel is severely Autistic and can barely speak. Together the twins devise a plan to escape the farm before their 18th birthday. However their plan is thrown for a loop when Carter (the mysterious bad boy from Lily’s past) shows up at the farm. Carter, Lily, Mel and two others (Joe and McKenna) escape the farm, with the help of Sebastian (the vampire); only to be confronted with reality that the vampire virus has destroyed the human life in the United States as we know it.
Throughout the story details about Carter’s mission to save humanity are revealed; along with how the vampire virus was created and how it can be defeated. I won’t give away any of the juicy details, you’ll have to read the story to get those.
I have read plenty of books with a zombie virus, and more vampire novels than I can count; however, I have never read a book with a vampire virus. I found that aspect of the book to be very refreshing. I also thought the farming of the human blood was very original. Unlike in zombie novels where the surviving humans are just wondering through the country looking for supplies and just trying to survive, The Farm addresses what happens when the government tries to step in and “save” the surviving teenagers and still try to care for those infected with the virus.
Lily and Mel’s relationship is very interesting. Lily is very focused and determined. Her mindset is that Mel is unable to make decisions for herself and that it is up to Lily to care for Mel. Also, there is the sisterly aspect to the relationship. Lily loves and cares so much for her sister that she is willing to risk her life to try and keep Mel safe....to the point that Lily willing to die to keep Mel safe. As an older sister I could relate to the need to try and protect my sister.
Mel on the other hand is very introverted (as most Autistic people are), and has a very strong connection to keep Lily safe. Even though Mel has great difficulty trying to communicate with others by the end of the novel it is very apparent that Mel is willing to sacrifice herself to save Lily.
I am unsure if McKay has any Autistic children or family members, but I think she did a wonderful job of making the reader not only understand what it feels like to be unable to communicate with others properly, but also get the reader to connect with Mel as if she was one of the readers friends or family members.
I also think McKay did an amazing job of choosing the “hero” in this story. I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say that I was very glad that the “hero” turned out to be this person.
Carter is a very complex character. On one hand he is a soldier trying to defeat the vampire virus, but on the other he is simply a teenage boy. Over the course of the story the reader learns the Carter truly means well toward Lily, but he must go about things the a certain way. By the end of The Farm it is pretty apparent that Carter is willing to do whatever it take to keep the group safe, but not at the cost of risking what is left of humanity.
The ending to the book was kind of bitter sweet, and left me with a lot of questions. What happens now? Will their plan work? Where does Lily go from here? When I finished the last page, I was very upset that the book was over. This is not uncommon, but this time I was upset enough that I went to The Farms official webpage to do some research. McKay has posted on the website that there will be a sequel, called The Liar and it is set to be released in November 2013. Although I am upset that I have to wait until November to find out what happens to Lily, Mel and the others; I am very glad that there will be at least another book to wrap up the loose ends!
Over all, I loved this book! I thought it was very original and thought out. It was very well written as well! I would recommend The Farm to any one 12 years and up. Compared to some of the other novels that I have blogged about, this one is definitely one of the least violent. There was no sexual conduct at all. The language was very mild and very few and far in between. Since vampires are involved there is, obviously, some gore but it is very mild. The fight scenes are very thought out but not to the point that they are ridiculous, and they are not overly graphic.
For more information of The Farm go to www.//escapethefarm.com/ This is the website the I visited to get information on The Liar. Enjoy!
“You fight for what you believe in. You fight for what’s right, even when it’s hard. Even when you want to give up. Fighting for what was right, no matter the odds, was heroic enough. You didn't need a superpower to do the right thing. You only needed the will to get it done.”
Was Mr. Darcy real? Is time travel really possible? For pragmatic Manhattan artist Eliza Knight the answer to both questions is absolutely, Yes! And Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley Farms, Virginia is the reason why!
His tale of love and romance in Regency England leaves Eliza in no doubt that Fitz Darcy is the embodiment of Jane Austen’s legendary hero. And she’s falling in love with him. But can the man who loved the inimitable Jane Austen ever love average, ordinary Eliza Knight?
Eliza’s doubts grow, perhaps out of proportion, when things start to happen in the quiet hamlet of Chawton, England; events that could change everything. Will the beloved author become the wedge that divides Fitz and Eliza or the tie that binds them?
Title: Armored Hearts
Author: Pauline Creeden & Melissa Turner Lee
Published: April 30, 2013
Word Count: 52,000
Genre: Steampunk Fantasy
Content Warning: G/PG Rating due to mild sexual tension and minor violence.
Synopsis:
When a crippled young lord rescues a girl falling from a tree, it reveals a secret about himself and his mother's side of the family that could put him at the center of a war with beings he thought only existed in fairy tales.
Tristan Gareth Smyth lived his entire life stuck at home at Waverly Park and left behind while his Grandfather makes trips to London, all because of his blasted wheelchair.
Then an American heiress falls in his lap, literally, and he must find a way to keep her at a distance to protect not only his secret, but everyone around him from an assassin sent to kill him.
Its time once again for a No Strings Attached Giveaway. In honor of up coming Memorial Day, I've decided to giveaway a book set during WWII. Up for grabs is my copy of The Postmistress by Sarah Blake.
What would happen if someone did the unthinkable-and didn't deliver a letter? Filled with stunning parallels to today, The Postmistress is a sweeping novel about the loss of innocence of two extraordinary women-and of two countries torn apart by war.
Ready for a new adventure? Are you a fan of fantasy, young adult, science fiction and action stories?
“No mercy, No rules - Welcome to the Trail of Bones!”
Run with Purpose – battle cry of the Shade Wolves
Magnus, the runt of a litter of Shade Wolves, wants nothing more than to be a loyal, strong member of the pack. But when an ancient enemy threatens his friends and family, he faces a choice that could tear him from all he's known and loved.
Born in captivity, the giant panther Kelor knows nothing but suffering and loss. He struggles to find his place in this world of terror, and he battles to protect his family without succumbing to the darkness lurking inside him.
Falling captive to the evil Warden, the two are forced to fight in the battle of the beasts known as 'The Trail of Bones'. How will Kelor and Magnus learn to work together? How will they escape a fate of despair and death? How will their choices affect their comrades? Their enemies? And the forgotten magic that could doom all life of their world?
Let the adventures begin!
A fun, exciting, clean read for teens, young adults, adults and readers of all ages. Pick up your copy of this fantasy adventure today!
Are you a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Robert Jordan, Orson Scott Card, Jim Butcher and other fantasy and science fiction authors? You’ll feel right at home with Trail of Bones. This fantasy story offers a strong moral message, suspense, action, and mystery, in a world full of magic, unlikely heroes, and devious villains.
A
series of long, haunting howls echoed through the forest and the night sky.
Adolphus nervously looked in the direction of the continuing symphony of
yowling wolves. Somewhere, deeper in the forest, the pack was at their den, and
something was not at all right.
He had never heard them howl for so long and bark so loud. He
was scared but did his best to hide it. So he bravely held up the torch with
one hand and firmly gripped the bone handle of his dagger with the other. He
would defend the village to his last breath and sacrifice his life if
necessary.
Adolphus was only seven years old, but he stood alone atop
the wooden watchtower. The young barbarian was a spry, big-boned lad who stood
nearly five-feet tall. His hair, black as the night sky, was tied into several
long braids that hung below his shoulders. His skin was dark brown, but smooth
and unblemished. The muscles in his arms and legs were well developed. His
chiseled, strong jaw made him look older than he was, but he still had the
heart and mind of a boy.
Suddenly, a large hand slapped his
shoulder, startling the young Adolphus so that the torch slipped from his grip
and slid down the front of his buckskin, nearly catching him on fire.
“Father!” he yelled as he adeptly
caught the torch before it hit the ground. “That’s not funny, and you shouldn’t
do that to a watchman.”
“So you think you’re ready to be a
watchman now, is that it?” said Chief Thayne Draghone.
“I’m old enough. You told me once
you were only five when you stood your first watch,” said the boy, defiantly.
“I did indeed. The youngest of our
tribe to do so, but the number of seasons had nothing to do with it. I earned
the right. I was ready. Are you?”
The boy looked down, not happy or
prepared for his father’s question. But after a moment, he returned his
father’s scrutiny.
Editorial Reviews
Salisbury is a rising star in genre fiction. This book makes a unique and exciting contribution in the fantasy realm. The first of great things to come. --Jake Black, "The Authorized Ender Companion" "Smallville" "Ender's Game: Recruiting Valentine"
Amazon Reviews
Conclusion:
A fantasy adventure that features lots of action and intrigue that is geared to a YA audience.
There are moments in this tale that are especially well done... story telling at a level that I'd be interested to see what this author would do with an adult orientated fantasy work.
As a dedicated YA work... 5 Stars.
~ Ray Nicholson
The beginning of a great adventure!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first book of the Trail of Bones series. It is an unpredictable adventure, with heartwrenching acts of love and friendship. The story ended before I was prepared to put my Kindle down, and now I will wait anxiously for the second book to be published. In the meantime, I think I'll read it again with my eleven-year-old son; I'm sure he'll love it as much as I do. Give it a read!
~ HRL
Enthralling story line that really pulls you in
…The characters were some that I will not easily forget because he explains their background in a way that makes the reader really connect and believe they are real. He creates a world that I long to see. I really grew to both love and hate different characters. I think that is a sign of a really great author when they can make us feel so much emotion towards a character.
~ Janason
About Chris Salisbury
Chris Salisbury has been writing fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and action thrillers for years in independent films. Now he’s expanded his love of good movies, such as Gladiator, Counte of Monte Cristo, Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, Star Trek, to the world of books. Trail of Bones is the first book in a planned four part fantasy, young adult series targeted at readers of all ages.
The father of four enjoys a wide range of interests from scuba diving to softball, coaching basketball to playing Battlefield 3 on his Xbox 360 or NCAA Football with his sons. He is also a big advocate for literacy and reading for young boys. There seem to be few titles that appeal to young boys and young men to hold their attention, trigger their imaginations and create a love of reading. Chris is out to change that.
In addition to the Trail of Bones series, he also has a number of other titles in development including historical fiction, action, suspense thrillers, and several science fiction properties. There’s a lot more on the horizon, so enjoy Trail of Bones but be sure to look for more captivating titles from Chris Salisbury in the near future.
Book Description: You have questions for your physician, but don’t ask them? Your physician has questions for you, but he/she doesn’t ask them. That’s one hell of a way to run an airline, a railroad, a government, or a medical practice. Why? Fault is besides the point, but difficult or painful questions unasked or unanswered threatens your health and compromises the physician’s ability to help. I Love My Doctor, But… empowers patients and their physicians and offers common sense solutions to important problems in medicine today. The book makes specific suggestions about:
1. Malpractice
2. How much care is enough
3. Matching patient and physician
4. Finding a physician
5. Online information
6. Getting along with your physician
7. Take away suggestions
8. When to go to the emergency room
9. Glossaries: medical terminology and medical specialists
Author Bio: "The war in Vietnam interrupted my postgraduate medical training with a year in Colorado Springs and another as a Battalion Surgeon in Vietnam. I spent seven months in the Central Highlands with the 4th Infantry and five months in an evacuation hospital in Long Binh outside Saigon where I ran the emergency room. I returned intact in 1968 to complete my training in internal medicine and diseases of the kidney, nephrology. I worked for twenty-three years in Berkeley, California in a hospital-based practice caring for patients with complicated illnesses often in ICU and served as Chief of Medicine. My wife Dorlis and I retired in October 1995 and sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge for a life at sea in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Four years later, exhausted from repairing everything on board, (often many times) we sold the sailboat and within a year took the lazy man’s out; we bought a Nordic Tug, a trawler. We motored around Florida, the Bahamas, the entire East Coast and completed two ‘Circle trips’ to Canada and back, eight months, the first time, five months, the second. I wrote professionally as a physician to inform but rarely to entertain, at least not on purpose. My novels include: First, Do No Harm April 2007. No Cure for Murder August 2011, For the Love of God January 2012, Rage 2012, and Tortured Memory 2013. In the last two years, I’ve written three screenplays based on my novels and hope to see one or more produced for the screen. I submitted my screenplay, Rage to the 80th Annual Writer’s Digest contest and won honorable mention (57 out of 11,000). We live in beautiful Grass Valley with 15 year old Mike, a terrier mix and Bennie, a 8year old Yorkie who just looks like he’s on steroids."
MY REVIEW: 5 of 5 stars
I Love My Doctor But... is an amusing, easy to read, informative piece of non fiction that I learned from and thoroughly enjoyed reading. In this book meant to be used to improve doctor patient relationships Dr. Lawrence Gold touches on many important topics including what patients should expect from their physician, what physicians expect from their patients, typical patient complaints, and much more. His use of cartoons and other humorous devices helps hold the reader's attention while getting across this vital information. This is a book I have been and will.continue to suggest to everyone I know, because the information included is important for everyone to know. Dr. Gold also included a short glossary of medical terminology that everyone should know. I found this book very helpful and believe that all who read it and absorb the information within will as well.
Up for grabs in this weeks giveaway hop is a copy of a book that I have recently reviewed. Creatura by Nely Cab. Its definitely a book that fits the category of clean YA Romance. I will ship the winner a copy from the Book Depository therefore this giveaway is open to anywhere they ship to. As always, its not a requirement to follow but its always appreciated.
What Really Happened in Peru by Cassandra Clare
