I received this book as part of a giveaway from Goodreads. All opinions are my own.
A brutal attack on a recovering society forces a young woman to decide where her place in the world truly is in author Adrienne Young’s latest novel, “The Girl The Sea Gave Back”.
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The Synopsis
The new gut-wrenching epic from the New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep.
For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.
For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home.
The Review
What a powerful and unique way to delve further into the action-packed YA world that author Adrienne Young created in her first novel Sky in the Deep. A sort of spin-off/sequel to the first book, this novel showcases new clans as they move forward to secure their own power in a new landscape after the two clans of the first book redefined the power of the mainland.
Questioning the power of fate and destiny, the author brings to life a new heroine and a new set of clans to further the mythology of the mainland and surrounding areas of this amazing fantasy driven world. Delving further into a mixture of Norse history and mythology, The author also does an amazing job of not only entertaining the reader, but bringing to life the life or death stakes of morality and power struggles that threaten civilization as a whole.
The Verdict
Action-packed, heart-pounding suspense and creatively driven history and mythology, this book is a fantastic entry into the growing world of author Adrienne Young’s Viking-inspired saga. With amazing character development and world building, this is the perfect read for any YA action/fantasy driven narratives, and this book proves how rich with story this world the author has created is. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of “The Girl The Sea Gave Back” by Adrienne Young today.
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
New York Times bestselling author of SKY IN THE DEEP, THE GIRL THE SEA GAVE BACK & the upcoming FABLE duology from Wednesday Books. Agent: Barbara Poelle, IGLA
Adrienne Young is a born and bred Texan turned California girl. She is a foodie with a deep love of history and travel and a shameless addiction to coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her yoga mat, scouring antique fairs for old books, sipping wine over long dinners, or disappearing into her favorite art museums. She lives with her documentary filmmaker husband and their four little wildlings beneath the West Coast sun.
For information on release, appearances, ARCs, giveaways, and exclusive content, sign up for the newsletter at https://adrienneyoungbooks.com/
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I’ve always loved writing, but it wasn’t until my late twenties that I made it a priority. I started by joining a few online writing groups and connecting with other writers, but then just bit the bullet and started!
2) What inspired you to write your book?
It was an idea that had niggled at me for awhile. There is always so much going on in the world and I wondered what would happen if the Fates (or some other entity) decided to get rid of us. An extinction by the powers that be.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
That it’s never too late to make a difference.
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4) What drew you into this particular genre?
With this particular book, it’s a combination of mythology/horror/fantasy. I’ve always had a huge love of ancient history and mythology, so it came naturally to me. To be honest, it’s the same with horror! They’re genres that I just feel at home with.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I think I would have a long sit down with Zeus – but I can’t reveal what we’d discuss without giving anything away!
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Hmm…that’s a tricky question. I’ve utilised Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and they’re all fairly on par.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Dive in feet first and go for it. Write, write, and write some more. Build connections with other writers and invest in an amazing editor.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Hopefully a successful writing career! I’m presently querying a YA horror titled LeRoux Manor, and I’ve almost finished my next novel, an adult paranormal/crime titled Never, Never. After that I’m starting a paranormal serial titled Luna Zimmer…and much more!
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About the Author
Liz Butcher resides in Australia, with her husband, daughter, and their two cats. She’s a self-confessed nerd with a BA in psychology and an insatiable fascination for learning. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, Liz enjoys road trips, astronomy, music and knitting.
Want to keep up to date on the latest book reviews on author Anthony Avina’s website, as well as other book related news? Sign up now for the monthly newsletter and receive a free short story when you subscribe!
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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I always wanted to write, but had actually only ever written for our family business (home inspection). When we realized so many people purchase homes with no idea how one works I wrote four seasonal newsletters to cover their first year of homeownership.
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2) What inspired you to write your book?
I continued to write other newsletters, such as hiring a contractor and how to paint, and thought househould insect infestation might be another useful topic. However, after my initial investigation, including discovering way more insects than originally thought, I understood there was no way to whittle the information down to 4-6 pages. But, I was fascinated with what I was learning and kept going.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I really hope people firstly understand insects are important and we need to actually ensure we have a diverse range of them in our gardens. Secondly, I hope they realize most infestations are not that difficult to get rid of. Very few infestations require the assistance of a pest-control company and their chemicals.
4) What is one thing or one fact about pest and insect infestation that the average home owner will get wrong when it comes to insects in general and how to proceed with removing them from your home?
Believing the inflammatory disinformation on the internet, perpetrated by people with an economic reason for you to stop by, and consequently wasting time on products that don’t work or getting conned into a contract to spray your house on a regular basis. The book indicates which insects can be dealt with and how, and which require the pros along with tips on hiring one.
5) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
If you know absolutely nothing about composing a novel, start reading books that explain the process. Beyond that, explore your inner voice for what gets you excited, positively or negatively. Ruminate with different characters that come alive within that excitement.
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6) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’ve begun the planning stage for a novel. I’ve had two characters in my head for a couple of years and with Little Buggers! finished, I’m thrilled to now have time to devote to letting them come out and play.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A royal prince’s mission to uncover a mystery surrounding missing mining ore reveals a massive conspiracy that spans a galactic empire that threatens to destroy his father’s reign once and for all in author Timothy Burn’s sci-fi epic novel, “Edj of the Empire: Herrig’s World”.
The Synopsis
Edj Dumarc LaRand Bronacious Tarkle, the son of Emperor Risherd Fontanue LaRand Bronacious Tarkle, and the Crown Prince and Heir to the Crystal Throne of the Empire of the Ninety-Nine Stars is on his way to Herrig’s World, a remote planet that rarely warrants attention. However, production of the ore critical to anti-grave tech, minzite, has recently cratered.
There are many ways to address the decline. The navy could be sent in to investigate, but they never do anything small. An official auditor could be dispatched, but he would inevitably find several perfectly good reasons for the decline and file a report saying, oh well, that’s just the way it is. Or Edj could go and make a few quiet, discrete inquiries and find out precisely who is profiting. It seemed so simple when his father asked him to investigate matters.
But nothing is ever simple. What Edj uncovers on Herrig’s World is a plot to destroy the foundation of the Empire. With a mindbender named Mala and his loyal android companion, JD, in tow, Edj begins an adventure across the Ninety-Nine stars to stop the conspiracy in its tracks. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what they expect. With his ship barely functional, and the odds stacked against him, can Edj save the Empire before time runs out?
The Review
A fantastic tale that seemed to blend films like Star Wars, Blade Runner and Alien all into one epic story with an almost high fantasy feel. The author does a great job of immediately establishing this new galactic mythology while also making the narrative feel personal and intimate with the protagonist’s narration.
The tough, rough and tumble Prince living the life of a heroic pirate through space immediately grabs the reader’s attention, as Edj first stumbles into a bar looking for information, finds himself drawn to a beautiful woman and subsequently attacked. The novel only takes off from here, as missions to clear land filled with dangerous animals without harming said beasts pushes the prince to his limits, and soon the simple job of finding some missing ore turns into a full blown, galactic conspiracy that could have dire consequences on the Empire he was born into.
The Verdict
Edj is a likable, humorous and thrill seeking protagonist that any sci-fi and action fan can get behind. With the aid of a loyal if all too serious android companion and the mysterious mind bender who enters his life, author Timothy Burns takes readers into a whole new sci-fi epic tale that begins a saga that fans can really sink their teeth into. With an engaging cast of characters, action-packed drama and a fantastic understanding of the sci-fi genre as a whole, this is a book that readers have to see to believe. Be sure to grab your copy of Timothy Burns novel “Edj of the Empire: Herrig’s World” today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A serial killer’s final act comes to fruition as the authorities are forced to ask themselves if the infamous 4MK is who they always believed he was, or if the hero of this tale is the monster all along in author J.D. Barker’s The Sixth Wicked Child.
The Synopsis
In the riveting conclusion of the 4MK trilogy, Barker takes the thriller to an entirely new level. Don’t miss a single word of the series James Patterson called “ingenious.”
Hear No Evil
For Detective Sam Porter, the words “Father, forgive me” conjure memories long forgotten; a past intentionally buried. For Anson Bishop, these three words connect a childhood to the present as he unleashes a truth concealed for decades.
See No Evil
Found written on cardboard near each body, these words link multiple victims to a single killer—discovered within minutes of each other in both Chicago and South Carolina—clearly connected yet separated by impossible miles.
Speak No Evil
Chicago Metro and the FBI find themselves caught in chaos—a hospital on lockdown, a rogue officer, and corruption at the highest levels. When Anson Bishop, the prime suspect in the notorious 4MK serial murders turns himself in, he reveals a story completely unexpected, one that not only upends the current investigation, but one that will change the lives of all involved.
Do No Evil
With unrelenting tension and pulse-pounding suspense, the past unravels at breakneck speed as the truth behind the Four Monkey Killer’s motive is finally revealed in this masterfully crafted finale.
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The Review
The absolute best thriller of 2019 and one of the most heart-pounding, shocking and well crafted endings to a thriller series in years. The haunting and spine-chilling actions of 4MK have struck the nerve of fans around the world as this series has progressed, but author J.D. Barker outdoes himself in this incredible read.
The way the author starts to share the connections between 4MK and protagonist Sam Porter bring about one of the most satisfying slow burn reveals of a thriller, delving into Anson Bishop’s past and revealing that 4MK may not be the most evil person in this tale. Forcing the reader to confront the true meaning of evil and the depths of human villainy that exists in our world, this story blends shocking revelations with high octane action and character development that plays like a film across the pages of this novel.
By the story’s end, readers will realize that no one is who they seem. Heroes can be villains, just as villains can be the hero, even if it’s the hero of their own story. Any reader who has been following this series closely will thoroughly enjoy seeing threads even from book one reveal their connection to the story of Anson Bishop, and the final page of this tale will leave readers reeling as all if finally revealed.
The Verdict
An absolute must read novel of 2019, author J.D. Barker writes a compelling, engaging and satisfying conclusion to an epic thriller like no other. Creating a serial killer and villain that can stand up to the greats like Hannibal Lecter and The One-Armed Man of the hit tale The Fugitive, 4MK will forever be cemented as an iconic and terrifying foe. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of author J.D. Barker’s “The Sixth Wicked Child, the third and final chapter of the 4MK Thriller saga.
Barker was born January 7, 1971 in Lombard, Illinois and spent the first fourteen years of his life in Crystal Lake, Illinois. A staunch introvert, he was rarely seen without a book in hand, devouring both the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series by the age of six before moving on to classics such as the works of Dickens and Twain. The discovery of Shelley, Stoker and Poe fueled a fire and it wasn’t long before he was writing tales of his own which he shared with friends and family. These early stories centered around witches and ghosts thought to inhabit the woods surrounding their home.
At fourteen, Barker’s family relocated to Englewood, Florida, a climate better suited to his father’s profession as a contractor. He attended Lemon Bay High School and graduated in 1989. Knowing he wanted to pursue a career in the arts but unsure of a direction, he enrolled at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale where he later obtained a degree in business. While in college, one of his writing assignment found its way into the hands of Paul Gallotta of Circus Magazine. Gallotta reached out to Barker and asked him to join the staff of 25th Parallel Magazine where he worked alongside the man who would later become Marilyn Manson.
Assignments dropped him into the center of pop culture and by 1991 Barker branched out, interviewing celebrities for the likes of Seventeen, TeenBeat, and other national and local publications. In 1992, Barker syndicated a small newspaper column called Revealed which centered around the investigation of haunted places and supernatural occurrences. While he often cites these early endeavors as a crash course in tightening prose, his heart remained with fiction. He began work as a book doctor and ghostwriter shortly thereafter, helping others fine tune their writing for publication. Barker has said this experience proved invaluable, teaching him what works and what doesn’t in today’s popular fiction. He would continue in this profession until 2012 when he wrote a novel of his own, titled Forsaken.
Stephen King read portions of Forsaken prior to publication and granted Barker permission to utilize the character of Leland Gaunt of King’s Needful Things in the novel. Indie-published in late 2014, the book went on to hit several major milestones – #2 on Audible (Harper Lee with Go Set a Watchman held #1), #44 on Amazon U.S., #2 on Amazon Canada, and #22 on Amazon UK. Forsaken was also nominated for a Bram Stoker Award (Best Debut Novel) and won a handful of others including a New Apple Medalist Award.
After reading Forsaken, Bram Stoker’s family reached out to Barker and asked him to co-author a prequel to Dracula utilizing Bram’s original notes and journals, much of which has never been made public. The novel, titled Dracul, sold at auction to G.P. Putnam & Sons, with film rights going to Paramount. Andy Muschietti (IT, Mama) is attached to direct.
Barker’s initial indie success drew the attention of traditional agents and publishers and in early 2016 his debut thriller, The Fourth Monkey, sold in a series of pre-empts and auctions worldwide with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt set to publish in the U.S. and HarperCollins in the UK. The book has also sold for both film and television.
Barker splits his time between Englewood, FL, and Pittsburgh, PA, with his wife, Dayna.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
– I got into writing in high school, but I wasn’t any good at it back then. Recently, I wanted to take more control and agency in my life, as well as write down some cool story ideas I had. In 2017 while at work, I work in a car dealership call center, I decided to just start writing hoping that it would expand into a novel.
What inspired you to write your book?
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– Both Dagger and Scythe, as well as Era of Undying sort of came about the same way. I had this idea in mind and wanted to run with it. I’m not sure where the inspiration came specifically but I wanted to know what would happen to a character if her blood could move outside of her body, hence Era of Undying. And for Dagger and Scythe I had those two in my head also since high school. They were like a combination of Mr. and Mrs. Smith with Gomes and Morticia Addams.
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
There’s nothing to profound in my books, but if there was a message I guess that it would be that there is beauty in the grotesque.
What drew you into this particular genre?
– I love the in depth characters in dark fantasy and grimdark stories. They are so dynamic and three dimensional. Also the landscapes can be just as amazing, and dark.
If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
– If I could sit down with anyone in “Dagger and Scythe” that would be the character Nyx. She’s the goddess of death in their world, and is actually a bit lonely. I’d love to talk to her about her family and the pantheon she created.
What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
– Facebook and Twitter are the most helpful, but I’m also on Goodreads and Instagram.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
– Take your time, and work at your own pace. So many writers starting off want to be the next best thing right away, and so did I, but it’s best to slow down, and really plan everything. Also in regards to writing itself, create a daily habit for yourself. That will always be more powerful than waiting on inspiration.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Oh yes, I’m working on a few right now, with more planned in the future. I’m really hoping that I can do this full time one day.
About the Author
I have always loved stories. They explore weird new ideas, and bring people together. After years of reading fantasy and horror I wanted to combine them together into my own dark fantasy. And given the BA in Classical Civilizations and fascination in Ancient Greek mythology I blended it well into my stories too. Other then reading in my spare time I love to play video games quite often.
