Tag: book

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Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas Book Review:

Political intrigue, fantasy based action and a complex protagonist are the cornerstone of the bestselling novel, Throne of Glass, the first in the
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Mass. The intricate world building that went into this first novel and the deeply layered mythology of the
book really pulled me into this fantastic world. Here is the book synopsis:

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before
the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal
assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king’s council. If she beats
her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training
sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more
interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her… but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead… quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a
victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

I really enjoyed the character development of Celaena Sardothien in this story. Rather than being just a one-dimensional assassin for hire, this
story showcased the person underneath the hardened killer persona that this world has come to know. Getting to see the assassin that was trained
for years struggle with the young woman filled with doubt, with emotion and with human compassion was a treat to behold, and a lot of YA fans
will enjoy this character growth as well.

The pace of this novel was evenly done, and the incredible climax to the competition Celaena finds herself in will delight and shock readers. In
the end, this is a perfect start to an incredible YA Fantasy series, and it’s one I cannot wait to dive more into with the rest of the series.
If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend giving this book a read and diving into the Throne of Glass series by the amazing Sarah J. Maas.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

What are your thoughts on Throne of Glass? Leave your comments down below and let me know!

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The Prince, a Betrayal, & a Kiss by Kristin D. Van Risseghem Book Review:

One of the best parts of getting invested in a book series is getting to explore secondary characters in one-off stories, and that is what fans
will get when they read The Prince, a Betrayal, & a Kiss by Kristin D. Van Risseghem, a short story in the Enlighten series. Getting to explore
a character’s backstory that was only touched upon in the first Enlighten book, fans will be delighted to get this fun look into the Winter faerie
realm and a deeper look into a forbidden romance.

First, the synopsis:

Like most Winter fairies, Finnegan is one of few words, but he fulfills his princely duties without too much protest. That is, until he meets
Sidelle—a Summer fairy princess. For the unlikely pair, it seemed their meeting was destiny. But their forbidden bond is discovered and torn
apart.

Now, the Finnegan must escape his mother’s clutches to find his love and apologize, beg forgiveness, and show her the depth of his feelings.
But instead of finding Sidelle, Finnegan befriends a dark stranger who leads him down a troubling path, tricking him into becoming someone he
despises—exactly how a Winter fairy should behave—one who Sidelle may never trust.

Blending the elements of the first Enlighten book with some historical context and an in-depth look into the other side of the complex relationship
between Winter faerie Finnegan and Summer faerie Sidelle. The action is very fast paced and in just a short amount of time we get some great
character development and get to see another side of this complex war brewing between the various realms, and who is siding with who. The
grand mythology in the Enlighten series is expanded upon greatly here, and gives fans a look at where the characters may be heading in the future
of the series. Be sure to pick up this fun read The Prince, a Betrayal, & a Kiss by Kristin D. Van Risseghem today!

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The Deadbringer by E.M. Markoff Book Review:

It’s not often that a reader gets the chance to meet with the author of a book they just purchased, but that’s where I found myself when I made
my recent trip to San Francisco Comic Con and met author E.M. Markoff. While speaking, she told me of her book, The Deadbringer, and getting to
see the passion in which she spoke of it really got me interested in reading this story, and I have to say that after reading this book, I can
understand why she felt so strongly for this tale.

First, here’s the synopsis:

In the aftermath of the Purging, the Deadbringers are no more. The Ascendancy has positioned itself as the land’s dominant power by exploiting
the people’s fear of the Deadbringers’ innate abilities to summon souls and reanimate the dead. Yet its hold is not complete, for in the North
the Bastion stands in the way of the Ascendancy and its iron-willed elite soldiers, the Sanctifiers.

But, somehow, a single Deadbringer has managed to survive. Kira Vidal, a boy of fifteen, has remained hidden, living peacefully with his uncle
in the northern city of Opulancae under the Bastion’s protection. But it seems their luck is at an end when rumors begin to spread, and a
strange man shows up at their door, seeking the forbidden services of a Deadbringer.

Aware of the dangers should word of his nature reach the Ascendancy, Kira makes a promise to himself to protect his beloved uncle at all costs,
even if it means pursuing the limits of his powers … and learning painful truths.

This novel was beautifully written. The rich history that fits into this nearly 300 page novel is breathtaking to behold, with several different
species and powers being revealed through complex layers of history established as the story goes on. The intricate and delicate line that the
characters struggle to balance on to define their own moral compass is fascinating to watch unfold, and getting to see the various ways each
character views the world and the way in which they justify their actions makes this an incredibly complex world to dive into. This is a mature
YA novel that any fantasy fan should not miss, so be sure to pick up your copies of The Deadbringer today! This reader cannot wait to dive into
more adventures with Kira Vidal and discover more about this fantastic new YA mythology!

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Lois Lane: Fallout by Gwenda Bond Book Review

Everyone knows the story of Clark Kent and his rise to becoming the world’s most popular superhero, Superman. Yet not everyone has gotten a chance
to know the other hero in that story, and that is the infamous Lois Lane. Before she was a hard-nosed journalist, she was just an army brat who
had trouble fitting in, and sought a place to call home. That is what author Gwenda Bond explores in her YA novel, Lois Lane: Fallout. Here is
the official synopsis:

Lois Lane steps out from behind Superman’s shadow in this fast-paced, high-adrenaline tale of intrigue and bravery.

Army brat Lois Lane has moved more times than she can count—and has caused just as much trouble righting wrongs no one else seems to notice.
Now that her family is in Metropolis for good, though, she’s decided to fly straight. Unfortunately, it won’t be that easy. A group known as the
Warheads is tormenting a girl at school, messing with her mind via an immersive video game they all play. Not cool. Armed with her wit and
snazzy new job as a reporter, Lois is determined to help. But this isn’t just a case of cyberbullying—something seriously creepy and dangerous
is going on. Thank goodness she can always count on her maybe-more-than-a friend, a guy she knows only by his screenname, SmallvilleGuy…

This book gives the character of Lois Lane a strong, independent voice that she shown in the comics but never to this extent. Finally this
powerful, strong female comic book character is given a chance in the spotlight, and in this novel she shines brightly. Getting to see the
struggles this young girl goes through while still driving forward fearlessly to protect the innocent students at her new school is refreshing
to see unfold, and by the end of the book readers will be left wanting more from this incredible take on the character. The book is evenly
paced in it’s action and character development, and getting to see the early relationships between Lois and her father, General Lane, as well as
her younger sister Lucy Lane, is a phenomenal character study that is not often explored as heavily in the comics as Superman’s backstory is.

Overall this is a fantastic story that every DC Comics/Lois Lane fan should read. Gwenda Bond has eloquently captured the essence of one of my
favorite DC characters, and everyone should check out this amazing YA novel about one of the best comic book journalists in the world, Lois Lane.
Be sure to check out Lois Lane: Fallout now!

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The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings Book Review:

Murder is the new normal in this visceral YA novel!

What would our world look like if murder became a way of life? How would two people who were born and raised in that bloody world survive? That’s the question answered in the first novel of New York Times bestselling author Lindsay Cummings series, The Murder Complex.

First, the plot:

A cure for human disease has been found, and overpopulation sets in, causing the society in this bleak dystopian novel to create an official murder compound. Cummings builds an intense, distinct world full of rogue pirates and government commandments. Meadow’s main concern is taking care of her family, and her father has trained her to survive in any situation, making her a tough fighter. Zephyr is an unhappy ward assigned to carry out the Initiative’s violent commands. After a chance encounter brings the two together, they form an immediate bond, though the reasons for their desire are not set up beforehand, which leads to a forced romance. The point of view alternates between the teens, but it is difficult to distinguish between their narrative voices. This dismal look at the darker side of humanity raises interesting questions of wealth, power, and privacy, yet none of them is fully explored.

This was a fantastic and heart-pounding read. The brutal reality of a world where the law of the land is murder, readers are able to get a great look at two very different perspectives. One is ruled by hopelessness and humor, the other by ruthless survival and family. The way these characters are introduced and the plot which brings them together is an incredible journey that is not to be missed, so be sure to pick up your copies of author Lindsay Cummings book, The Murder Complex, today!

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It’s been a fun week for videos on my @youtube channel, #avinavlogs . The 50th episode of #thewriterscorner #podcast went live, plus a brand new #review of @shanedawson ’s #book, #itgetsworsebook and my July book wrap-up and August #tbr list. Click on the link in the bio to check them out, and if you like what you see I’d love it if you could hit that #subscribe button. Thanks guys! 😃❤️

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Tales From Alternate Earths Book Review

Some of you may not know this, but one of the most fascinating scientific theories I’ve ever found in life has been the theory of alternate
realities. The theory that our world is one of an infinite amount of realities, with each reality similar in all but one way, is one of the most
incredible and interesting scientific theories in the world, and I love anything that revolves around this subject. So I jumped at the opportunity
to review a brand new anthology from Inklings Press, called “Tales From Alternate Earths”. Released a couple of days ago, the anthology covers
tales of various alternate histories and worlds, some that emerged from a small change to our history, and some from a massive change. Tales of
horror, science fiction and thrillers make up the heart of this anthology, showcasing our world from various different viewpoints.

The incredible authors in this anthology include Jessica Holmes, Daniel M. Bensen, Terri Pray, Rob Edwards, Maria Haskins, Cathbad Maponus, Leo
McBride, and collaborators Brent A. Harris and Ricardo Victoria. The stories range from political upheaval in the form of a President Kennedy who
was never assassinated and a Cuban Missile Crisis that hadn’t been diffused, but rather the nukes had flown. Tales of ancient rulers living past
their time or the dinosaurs having never gone extinct and becoming the dominant species on Earth. The most fascinating thing about these altered
histories however is just the sheer amount of knowledge one gains from reading these stories. While I’m a huge fan of history, I don’t claim to
know everything, and by the end of this anthology, once you read what the true histories were of each story, you will come away with a real sense
of a better understanding of our world.

Overall, this is a phenomenal read that is not to be missed. Each of these stories are super well written and pack both an action-packed and
emotional punch. In a short span of time, the reader will instantly become invested in the lives of these various characters and their world, and
getting glimpses into what our world could have been like if one tiny detail had changed is a fascinating thing to consider, so be sure you read
the fourth anthology from Inklings Press, “Tales From Alternate Earths”, today!

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How to Survive The Zombie Apocalypse: The Complete Guide To Urban Survival, Prepping and Zombie Defense by Ben Jackson Book Review:

Have you ever wondered what you would do in the event that the worst has happened and the world has spiraled into a post-apocalyptic zombie
nightmare? Well wonder no more, because in Ben Jackson’s “How to Survive The Zombie Apocalypse: The Complete Guide To Urban Survival, Prepping
and Zombie Defense” readers will learn all the need to know information on surviving the deadly apocalypse.

This 72-page book covers a wide range of topics, from the different types of zombie outbreaks one may face, to the pros and cons of either finding
shelter or staying mobile during the apocalypse, and the necessary supplies you’ll need to have in order to survive. With pop culture references
to zombies spread throughout the book and a heavy dose of very real survival preparation, this book is the best guide this reader has ever read
concerning the zombie threat. So whether or not you want to prepare for zombie attacks or want to know how to be prepared to survive any other
global disaster, this book is not to be missed, so be sure you read the incredible “How To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse: The Complete Guide To
Urban Survival, Prepping and Zombie Defense” by Ben Jackson today!

Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0129GH7MQ/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0129GH7MQ&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2#nav-subnav