Tag: bookreview

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The Mortal Instruments: City of Glass by Cassandra Claire Review

WARNING: MINOR SPOILERS POSSIBLE!

War is coming for the Shadowhunters. With Valentine in possession the Mortal Cup and the Mortal Sword, all Shadowhunters have been called back
to their home of Idris, namely the famed city Alicante. Having learned the secret to saving her mother rests in the hands of a powerful warlock
named Ragnor Fell, Clary sets out to travel to Alicante, but Jace Wayland, her recently revealed brother, refuses to let her come, and decides to
take off before she can tag along. However things take a complicated turn as Jace and his family depart, and soon they are portaling through to
Alicante with a reluctant guest, Simon, Clary’s best friend and recently turned vampire. Things get even more complicated when Clary finds a way
to portal herself to the Shadowhunter home, and meets some complex problems in the process. She soon becomes steeped into the political storm that
is The Clave, and her arrival comes just as Valentine prepares to wipe out all Shadowhunters who oppose him. With their very lives at stake,
truths will be revealed, and shocking events will lead Clary to take a crucial war in the impending war.

With the very world of the Shadowhunters on the line, the stakes have never been higher in Cassandra Claire’s epic fantasy YA series. The history
of both the larger than life Shadowhunter mythology will be explored, as will the complicated family drama of the various Shadowhunter clans,
including Clary, Jace and Valentine’s connections to one another. Bringing a very real sense of gruesome horror to the fantasy series, the themes
of morality, the definition of a true monster and love are all clearly brought to life in this third entry in the series, and the strong
emotional archs given to each character is addicting and palpable to read. This book makes it easy to see why The Mortal Instruments has become
a worldwide phenomenon, and although there are plenty more books in the series, this is a satisfying conclusion to the Mortal War trilogy. Be
sure to read The Mortal Instruments: City of Glass today!

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The Fault In Our Stars by John Green Review:

OK, I’ve stopped crying long enough to write down this review. From the title you can tell why all the feels were happening for me. John Green’s
masterpiece novel, The Fault In Our Stars, tells the story of Hazel, a young girl diagnosed with a form of cancer and living a detached, lonely
life. However, she soon meets Augustus Waters, a cancer survivor who helps her realize the power of forming connections with others, even if
she fears hurting them when she passes. This is the base of the story, but there is so much more that makes this such a powerful and emotional
story.

Many are familiar with this story after the well known film adaption starring Shailene Woodley, but even if you haven’t seen the film, the book
is written in such a way that picturing the characters in your mind is like you are watching a film. Rather than fantasize the romance between
these two characters and paint a picture of overwhelming happiness, the book depicts the gruesome reality of the battle with cancer, both
physically and mentally, and the toll it takes on each individual. It deals with heavy issues, from family and love to mortality and leaving a
legacy of some sort. The very real way that the author writes this romance story helps the audience connect on a deeper level with the characters,
from the two leads to the most base secondary characters sprinkled throughout the novel.

By novel’s end, the realness of the story creates an emotional impact that very few books have done in the last decade. The character development
in this book is unique and original, creating mature teens feel real and refreshing rather than stick with the stereotypical teenager obsessed
with popularity or dating the cutest guy/girl in school. This is a real book that needs to be read, and sticks out as the strongest of John Green’s
novels to date. If you haven’t yet, read The Fault In Our Stars today!

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Black Widow: Forever Red By Margaret Stohl Review:

The Marvel Universe has expanded into the YA book genre with Margaret Stohl’s “Black Widow: Forever Red.” The story does a masterful job of
delving into the mysterious history of everyone’s favorite assassin turned S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Natasha Romanoff. After a mission to stop the
man who broke, trained and turned her into a weapon ends with a young girl saved and the man supposedly killed, Natasha finds herself inexplicably
connected to the young girl she rescued. However, because she was trained to be an agent and not an open person who makes personal relationships,
Black Widow disappears from young Ava Orlova’s life, leaving her in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody. Years later, Ava is trying to fit in as a normal
teenager in Brooklyn, but her experiences and connections to her past has left her unable to let people past her own barriers.

Soon however, life get’s complicated for Ava. Children across Easter Europe have gone missing, and when Red Room technology is rumored to be
involved in the abductions, Black Widow fears her old teacher and tormentor may have survived their last encounter, and Ava might be the only
one who can stop him. Reemerging into the teen’s life, Black Widow and Ava must unravel the mystery and their pasts that remain in the dark
from even themselves, and will end up discovering a bigger mystery involving the dark-eyed teenage boy who walks through Ava’s dreams, sporting
an hourglass tattoo.

The mystery of this book’s story makes it one of the most thrilling political YA novels I’ve ever read. The way this book blends the thriller,
Cold War-era political mystery and YA romance genres is brilliant, and getting to learn more about this bad ass and strong character Natasha
Romanoff makes it addicting to read. Getting a chance to peel back the layers of the Black Widow’s history and mixing it with the governmental
politics of S.H.I.E.L.D. was a stellar storytelling technique, and fans of the Marvel universe will love the surprise characters involved in
the story, and the intimate look at a brand new character like Ava Orlova. The novel is filled with tons of action, romance and a fast-paced
plot that will leave you craving more by the last page. With a sequel in the works, Black Widow: Forever Red is a strong first entry in Margaret
Stohl’s Black Widow series, and Marvel has done an excellent job of entering the world of storytelling through novels. Pick up your copies today!

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The Night of Elisa by Isis Sousa Review:

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Many thanks!

If Penny Dreadful and American Horror Story were to be combined into one super project, it would look a lot like Isis Sousa’s “The Night of Elisa”.
This beautifully illustrated horror and suspense novel takes readers through a unique story in a Victorian era setting with a phenomenal
array of various characters. The story follows Elisa, a mysterious girl who is fleeing a troubled past, and Leonhard, the man who finds Elisa
but fears she’ll discover his dark history.

Taking the reader through an almost Beauty and the Beast style story with some more mature and
horror filled elements for sure, this is a story that needed to be told, and the cinematic and visual representation of the story through the
mixture of art and story makes this one of the most unique reads I’ve read in 2016. The interesting take on this story made it almost feel like
a classic novel written in the Gothic era the story is based on, as if it were a manuscript previously unknown to the world and recently discovered
by historians. That is the power of Isis Sousa, and her beautiful tale of Duskland and the characters in this mystery land is one of the most
original horror stories to come out in recent years. Visually, character development wise and settings wise, “The Night of Elisa” is a must
read novel that readers will be fully engrossed in, and this reviewer hopes to see a sequel to this incredible tale.

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Miranda Sings “Selp-Helf” Book Review:

It’s time for the haterz to back off! That’s right, self-proclaimed internet sensation Miranda Sings has released her step-by-step guide to
living a successful life, and that book is called “Selp-Helf”.

This humourous book manages to expertly retain the same voice and “talent” that Sings herself has on her wildly popular YouTube channel. Written
in the guise of Miranda by her creator and the woman who brings her to life, Colleen Evans, along with her brother Christopher Ballinger, this
book is a self help guide that takes her “Mirfandas” on a process to living life the “Miranda” way. Everything from love life with her baes,
to life hacks to making homemade “shampoo”, to the ins and outs of nailing a job interview, this book claims to have it all. What really sells
this book however is not necessarily the advice being told, but the hilarious voice that it’s told in and the huge attention to detail making this
look like the randomly put together book Miranda Sings would create.

From scrap-book styling pages to easily misspelled words, this book lives and breaths Miranda Sings. Catering to her loyal fanbase and creating
one of the more unique internet-generated books, Colleen and Chris have expertly put together a hilarious life and style guide that is sure to
keep fans and newcomers alike laughing and talking for years to come. It’s quite easy to see why this character has become so beloved and
recognized within the entertainment industry, (having recently garnered her own Netflix original series, Haters Back Off), for it speaks highly
of the creative force behind the internet industry’s leading creators. If you weren’t a fan before, you will be after reading this laugh riot
of a book, so be sure to pick up your copies of “Selp-Helf” by Miranda Sings today!

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Saint Odd by Dean Koontz Review

The final adventure of everyone’s favorite fry cook who can see the dead has arrived in Dean Koontz final Odd Thomas entry, Saint Odd. The story
finds our hero, Odd Thomas, returning to his home of Pico Mundo. Yet this isn’t a happy reunion, but a mission to save his home and the people
he loves in the town, as a powerful cult has set it’s sights on the city, and the destruction they plan to unleash can only be stopped with the
help of Odd. Having faced and overcome the cultists before, he knows the power they wield and the chaos they are capable of sowing, and so he
must gather his strength and will to save the town one final time, even if it means sacrificing himself as well.

The book is a beautiful story artfully captured to detail the final Odd Thomas adventure. What stands out is the fact that Mr. Koontz has included
throwbacks to the series with characters established throughout the entire book collection, and yet gives the story fresh life by exploring the
mental state of our hero after years battling uncounted evil in all its forms. The fast-pace of the story makes the story fly by, and yet you
can’t help but reminisce during certain moments in the story about the deep emotional bonds between Odd and the friends he’s made. This is a book
made for character development, and fans of the series will love the direction Odd’s character takes throughout the novel.

What will Odd Thomas do in this final adventure? You can find out by picking up your copy of Saint Odd today! This is one of my top books of 2015,
and I feel satisfied that this final entry gave the Odd Thomas series a satisfying conclusion.

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Bled by Eddie Slain Review

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Many thanks!

It’s not often that a book or story chills me to my very core. I’ve read some incredibly scary stories and had goosebumps left in its wake. Yet
Bled by Eddie Slain left me shivering with uncomfortable tension and artfully sculpted terror.

Bled is a crime thriller/serial killer tale that takes place during the holidays. Cassie is a young woman caught in a deadly game, where sex
and violence often become intertwined. In Charleston, Illinois, Cassie and Frank engage in a bloody tryst, leaving Frank to limp away battered
and angry. Needing a change of view and to get away from a destructive relationship, Cassie flies to Italy, where she falls for a new stranger
who lights a fire in her heart. Yet the violence and pain of her past quickly catch up to her, and she is left to fight for not only her life,
but the life of her new lover.

Now this is definitely a book I would recommend for adults who can handle sexually descriptive scenes. The horror of death and murder are easily
combined with the sensuous and dangerous exploits of the characters, and the characters are well developed. The descriptive nature of the scenes
and the settings make the book really come to life, playing like a film in the mind. This is a truly horror filled novel, and not only is there
a great twist ending, but it brings to life some truly dark characters that I’ve seldom read before. If you enjoy graphic, truly chilling stories,
then Bled by Eddie Slain is the book for you!

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Thanks to everyone for the incredible support and kind words about my novella VOID! This story is starting to get some great praise, so if you haven’t gotten your copy in either eBook or paperback format yet, please go pick up your copy today! #book #bookpromo #booklaunch #bookmarketing #novella #void #bookreview #recommendation #review #marketing #ad #advertisement #authorsofinstagram #writersofinstagram 📖😃

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Baby Please Don’t Go by Frank Freudberg Review

They say love is blind, but in this incredible thriller from acclaimed author Frank Freudberg, love is not the only thing that is blind in
“Baby Please Don’t Go”. No, so too is the desire for family, and for Child Protective Services investigator Lock, that desire will send him
down a dark path with no way of turning back.

When an anonymous report comes in reporting child neglect, Locke goes in to investigate, only to find the children in good health. Determining
the report to be false and suspecting a scheme to undermine the image of Natalie Mannheim, the children’s mother, in the midst of a divorce
case, Lock soon finds himself in the midst of a power struggle he cannot escape. Accustomed to the power addiction can have, Lock knows that
Natalie has a strong hold over him, one he cannot fight or deny. With an internal struggle between his desire to do what’s right and his
need for a family, Lock will fall down a hole so deep that he may not be able to find his way back from it.

The novel is one of the best suspense/thrillers I’ve read in a long time. The detail and character development that Mr. Freudberg integrates
throughout the story is ironically very addicting, and there are twists and turns throughout that will keep the reader on edge. The author
does a wonderful job of bringing to life a story that is not that unfamiliar in this world, and while sad to see that children often become
fodder in custody battles, it is a high-octane tale of lust, deceit and straight up murder that is so thrilling that one will find themselves
unable to put the story down until it’s finished. With a satisfying end that will both make you glad to see the story end and have you
clamoring for more, “Baby Please Don’t Go” is a must read novel and a fantastic candidate for suspense thriller of the year for 2015! Be sure
to pick up your copy of Frank Freudberg’s novel in either eBook or paperback now!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Many thanks!