YA Fantasy Review: Witch Song by Amber Argyle

Witch Song by Amber Argyle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Action packed and magical.

Witch Song is about a young girl, Brusenna, who has grown up sheltered from who and what she is, a witch. The term in this story defines a woman gifted with a powerful song, which allows her to control the flow of nature and the seasons. But the witches are in trouble. Mistrusted by some, hated by others, they are the target of one of their own, a former witch who captures them and steals their songs. When Coyel comes to call Brusenna's mother away in one last effort to free the witches, Brusenna is left alone and waiting until a witch hunter forces her to leave her home behind.

The story follows Brusenna first on her quest to find the haven her mother told her about, where she will be safe from hunters, and later to track down Espen, the evil witch, and rescue the witches she's taken captive. Every move Brusenna makes is followed by adventure or tragedy, and the pace is harrowing, until she reaches Haven. Then she takes a year off to try to teach herself everything she doesn't know about being a witch by reading the books in the library. She only leaves when impatience wins over prudence, and she decides she'd rather finish the quest, for better or worse that wait around any longer.

What I liked most about this story were the action scenes. They are the backbone of the story. There's not a lot of down time as Brusenna is chased, found, ambushed, or attacked at every step of her journey. I also thought the magic system was interesting, though Brusenna seemed a little too good at it for someone who was supposed to have been sheltered from it her entire life, supposedly untrained.

The romance was ok, and at least Joshen was likable, but I had trouble feeling it. It seemed a little like Brusenna falls for him simply because he's the first boy who has ever paid any attention to her. At least there is no love triangle.

Overall, I thought this book was ok bordering on good, and I enjoyed it. Still, I found it easy to put down and forget, which I did the first time at about 14% in, only to come back a few months later to find that I had indeed started it. After that, I came back to it and finished it. It ends on a positive note, but in a way that sets the story up for additional books. I'd recommend this story to fans of fantasy, coming of age stories, particularly those who enjoy a lot of action and who don't mind a little incongruency.

I found this book for free on Amazon.



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YA Fantasy Review: The Iron Butterfly by Chanda Hahn

The Iron Butterfly by Chanda Hahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pretty good book. I finished it up in a couple of days.

The Iron Butterfly is the story of Thalia, a young girl who has no idea who she is. She awakens in a dungeon to torturous experiments by an evil cult and narrowly escapes with the aid of a warrior. When she finds herself alone, she's soon taken in by a couple of men on their way to the Citadel, where the younger of the two, a denai (or magic user), is going to be a student. The leaders of the Citadel allow Thalia to stay as a servant while they investigate the cult and try to find her family. This is when Thalia learns that the Septori are not interested in letting her be, and their experiments were more successful than they had imagined.

This is a pure fantasy, featuring magic, evil cults, warring clans, a benevolent council, and a magic school. I enjoyed the character arc of Thalia, as she goes from terrified, weak prisoner, to confident warrior. She is the epitome of a strong female character as she meets (or attempts to meet) each challenge thrown at her, but she's still flawed. Despite her strength, the forces against her are immense. She tries and fails, over an over, but she never gives up. This is why I consider her strong. The fact that she is not all-powerful or all-knowing, as some fantasy heroes are, is what makes her relatable.

In addition to the good vs. evil plot, there is a budding romance (or two) as well. I'm not sure whether it will become a love triangle in later books, but it seems to be going in that direction. Still, Thalia seems steadily attracted to the main love interest and acts accordingly, even though that love interest just happens to have competition. She doesn't flip flop between them, which I found refreshing.

The only thing I didn't especially like was the catty denai girl who tries to rile up all the students against Thalia, but I think that was intentional. She's jealous, snobby, and mean-spirited, an archetype I've seen in many stories set in schools. I was reminded a little of the rivalry in The Masterharper of Pern and in the Harry Potter books. Outcast, young prodigy put upon by heartless, overindulged enemies, it's not exactly a unique feature of stories like these.

Overall, the story left me satisfied, but eager to read more. This is the second Chanda Hahn book I've read, and both have been like this. I must say she's a great storyteller. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of YA fantasy.

I found this book for free on Amazon.



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Fairy Tale Review: Unenchanted by Chanda Hahn

UnEnchanted by Chanda Hahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nothing unfortunate about this book.

Unenchanted is about Mina, a young girl who finds herself the target of a family curse. The premise is simple. She must live through real-life fairy tales until either she survives them all or one of them claims her life. And, she must succeed or her disabled younger brother will become the next target of the curse.

I found this to be an excellent story. The flow is natural and the book is difficult to put down. I kept hoping for Mina to win, despite the ominious title of the series, and really felt a connection to her and the other characters. It helps that Mina has a noble soul and a likeable personality.

In places, the plot advances a little too easily, but not so much that I didn't enjoy it and want to read more. I also noticed some wrong-word errors, particularly near the end. These are the kind of words that spell check would miss, because they aren't misspelled, they simply don't mean the right thing in context. Still, I think many readers wouldn't even notice them. I just happen to key in on those things.

Anyway, Mina experiences the first terrifying and dangerous fairy tales of what is likely to be hundreds of them and the book ends with a glimmer of another of them. I look forward to reading more, but I wonder if this will be one of those neverending series. It seems like it could be.

Overall, I really liked this book, particularly because I related well to the characters and also because I enjoy twists on traditional fairy tales. I would recommend this story to people who like stories where fantasy invades the real world. The story is appropriate for middle-schoolers and up.

I found this on a free promotion on Amazon.

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YA Romance Review: Blane (Angels of the Knights #2) by Valerie Zambito

Blane by Valerie Zambito
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A story that stands well alone, while fitting into the greater trilogy.

I must say I really enjoyed Blane, the second book in the Angels of the Knights trilogy. Like the first book, it's the story of warrior angels who come back to earth at a great price to protect humans from demons who cause havoc in the world. In the greater story that spans the trilogy, hints of a greater conspiracy among the demons build tension and put pressure on Blane to put a stop to their plot. But like in the first story, there is an underlying romance.

I thought the romance in this was great: two damaged people finding each other and making each other better. Marriage comes first, the author being true to her morals, no doubt, but I think the situation is a lot more interesting in Blane than in Fallon, where the main characters suffered from instalove. In this one, they feel the attraction, but don't lose their minds to it. It's a good mix and it helped me feel a greater connection to the characters and their budding relationship.

But the story isn't all romance. There's action, intrigue and danger. The little bit of foreshadowing is subtle and well-executed, keeping me up reading way too late looking for what came next.

I definitely recommend this book to those who like angels vs. demons with a clean romance that still gets the heart racing. Not too many details, and not too few either. A good book for young adult readers.




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Now Available: Only the Cold Remains by Curran Geist

Buy on Amazon!

Only the Cold Remains is now LIVE on Amazon.

If you haven't read the first in the series, The Sity, pick it up here.

Synopsis:
I was made for this... I was made a killer...

Victor's fate hangs in the balance as he awaits the games of the Death Night. The young man will have to face his fears if he is to overcome the trials of the arena and claim his destiny. Revelations about the past threaten to derail everything Carina has achieved in the colony. Will she hide from the truth or will she protect the ones she most loves?

In this dystopian thriller, humanity’s existence reaches a crossroads. The streets of the metropolis are overrun with alien troops on the hunt for escaped slaves. Deep in the underbelly of the Sity, lurk shadows of a worse horror. With Medtronik’s hold on the city of sin growing tenuous, the only solution to the Kuljik’s “human problem” is extermination.

The lines between good and evil continue to be blurred in the struggle for survival. For the road home is long and bloody. When the forces of humans and Kuljiks clash, only the cold remains.

This is book two in THE SITY series by Curran Geist.

It is recommended for readers 17 and over due to violence, profanity, and sexual content.

Promo links:
Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Curran-Geist/e/B009FATDPE
Blog:  http://thesity2012.wordpress.com
Twitter:  @CGeist_thesity
The Sity Series Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/EnterTheSity 
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6466599.Curran_Geist

Sneak Peak of Only the Cold Remains coming June 13

I am excited to bring you an excerpt from Curran Geist's soon to be released dystopian, sci-fi thriller, Only the Cold Remains. Last week, I shared the description of the book. Today, along with the excerpt, I'll share a little bit about the author.

First off, let me tell you that I've been a fan of Curran's since April 2013 when I first read The Sity. He'd offered me a copy of his debut novel in return for a review, one of the earliest authors to do so after I started book blogging. Since then, I've enjoyed his blog posts and have been pleased to received updates from Curran about his series from time to time.

If you're looking for an author to follow, Curran's a good bet.  So, read on for what Curran has to say about himself and then keep going for a gripping excerpt from Only the Cold Remains.

Author Bio

Curran Geist grew up in the quaint town of Schwenksville, PA. He often lived within books, and his vibrant imagination allowed him to escape to fictional worlds beyond the tiny town where he was raised. He was home educated up until college, and he’s proud of it. Curran is also a mixed bag of many different ethnicities. No one has ever been able to correctly guess his origins! Though, everyone does still mistake him for Jimmy Fallon.

Curran’s passion has always been to write. He’s powered by strong coffee and loud music. His zest for writing is only matched by his love of animals. His proudest moment was when he rescued a baby Robin and raised the bird until it could fly. Currently, he just has a cat, but he can’t wait to keep building his animal family!

For many years, Curran Geist was dedicated towards human rights work. He was honored to serve in the AmeriCorps and also to work for the Simon Wiesenthal’s Tolerance Center, where he lead trainings to combat bigotry and discrimination. Human rights issues are still very important to Curran. In writing  THE SITY  series, Curran Geist has merged his love of science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres with his belief in tackling social injustices. His novels paint a dystopian, post-apocalyptic, and extraterrestrial landscape that mirrors many modern day social issues, including: the exploitation of children, sexual slavery, and cruelty towards animals.

In  THE SITY  series, the lead characters embark on a harrowing journey of vengeance. They must protect the survival of humanity – at all costs. However, what if that cost is the last slivers of their own humanity?
Curran is currently living in New Jersey with his wife. They are eagerly expecting the arrival of their first child.


Read on for an excerpt from this exciting 2nd installment of The Sity (for readers 17 and up)!

Romance Review: Love & Freedom by Sue Moorcroft

Love & Freedom by Sue Moorcroft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pretty good romance novel, similar style to those I used to read from Harlequin when I was a teenager. It took me a while to finish it because it's pretty long, but it flows well and the pacing is good.

Recommended for those who like a bit of romance and drama. Not particularly realistic, but who wants that in a romance anyway? When I read something that's pegged a romance, I want to be swept off my feet with the heroine. I want the implausible, the lucky, and the tragic to all work out in the end and give me a warm fuzzy feeling. I also want to be able to like the two who are destined to fall in love. I got all that from this story. It's a nice escape.

I picked this up on Amazon during a free promotion.

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Just a side note. I used to read these things all the time, but I've noticed that being more mature and having experienced love and all that goes with it, I am much more able to empathize with the characters. It's a strange thing how a few years and a bit of experience changes how a book (or genre) feels when you read it.  I'd be curious to hear what your experiences are. Do you have a favorite book or type of book from when you were younger that you now see with new eyes? Do you find you like it more now or more back then?  Share your experiences in the comments.

Upcoming Sci-Fi Thriller Release: Only the Cold Remains (The Sity #2) by Curran Geist

Only the Cold Remains by Curran Geist


I liked The Sity, particularly for its unique and well-executed storyline, and look forward to reading this one, which is set to be released this month (June 2014).  It promises to be quite an exciting read, likely edgy and action packed like its predecessor.

Description (from Goodreads.com)

I was made for this... I was made a killer...

Victor's fate hangs in the balance as he awaits the games of the Death Night. The young man will have to face his fears if he is to overcome the trials of the arena and claim his destiny.

Revelations about the past threaten to derail everything Carina has achieved in the colony. Will she hide from the truth or will she protect the ones she most loves?

In this dystopian thriller, humanity’s existence reaches a crossroads. The streets of the metropolis are overrun with alien troops on the hunt for escaped slaves. Deep in the underbelly of the Sity, lurk shadows of a worse horror. With Medtronik’s hold on the city of sin growing tenuous, the only solution to the Kuljik’s “human problem” is extermination. 

The lines between good and evil continue to be blurred in the struggle for survival. For the road home is long and bloody. When the forces of humans and Kuljiks clash, only the cold remains.

This is book two in THE SITY series by Curran Geist.

It is recommended for readers 17 and over due to violence, profanity, and sexual content.

About the Author

My Review of The Sity (The Sity #1)

Promo links:

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Curran-Geist/e/B009FATDPE
Blog:  http://thesity2012.wordpress.com
Twitter:  @CGeist_thesity
The Sity Series Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/EnterTheSity
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6466599.Curran_Geist

Harry Potter Fan Fic: James Potter and the Vault of Destinies (James Potter #3) by G. Norman Lippert

James Potter and the Vault of Destinies by G. Norman Lippert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A crazy ride. Lippert has turned the world of Harry Potter on its head.

This is the first of the James Potter books to truly diverge from the formula and style of Rowlings Harry Potter series. Unlike the previous two, this one doesn't link back to or remind one of any of the prior books. In fact, if I had to say what it reminded me of the most, I would say Monsters University, the movie. I'm pretty sure this came out before that, but the story is set in America on a campus where the houses are run like fraternities.

The story kicks off with an illusion gone horribly wrong. Harry Potter and his aurors are called to America to assist with the investigation, and they bring their families along to keep them close while they are there. James and Ralph find themselves joining Zane at Alma Aleron, the American counterpart to Hogwarts. The three, plus their cousin Lucy (Percy's adopted daughter) soon find themselves caught up in a mystery surrounding a mysterious artifact called the loom of destiny.

This story is somewhat darker than the previous two, but it still features plenty of heart and humor. I had no trouble connecting to and caring about the characters, new and old, and it was interesting to see the distinctly American magical world. The quirky houses at Alma Aleron provide the source of much of the humor. The sports rivalry between houses also adds a bit of excitement and entertainment value. All of this plays counterpoint to the underlying struggle of good vs. evil, which is well-executed in this story.

I won't go into any more details, because I don't want to spoil the story. One of the things I like most about book three is the surprise factor. Everything is new. The mystery is revealed gradually with very subtle hints, not predictable ones. I was able to put a few things together as the plot progressed, but I was still shocked by the outcome (though everything fits in hindsight).

Overall, this one is definitely worth reading, but the story is starting to become more Lippert's than Rowlings'. Is that a good thing? Maybe. I can say that I liked it, but things got dark really fast. As I said up front, this one turns the world of Harry Potter on its head.

This book is available for free on Goodreads.com.


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