Book Review: Canticle by Ken Scholes

Canticle by Ken Scholes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

REREAD THOUGHTS:
I love worlds that are built on layers. Layers in the characters, plot, world, and so much more. This book sends my brain into overdrive with all the sticky notes and thoughts on what will happen and why things are happening.

The world is as complicated as the whymer maze. It makes me think of the Mandala because everything affects so many people and events and world. Just an epic feel. People are doing and creating circumstances to for people into someone that will do things in the future. And there's something or someone happening in the background that may even be influencing the people doing the forming. There's always a fork in the road for everyone who influences who they are and impact others too.

Full range of life from birth to passing.

Battles fought, won and lost, and secrets learned and shared.

ORIGINAL THOUGHTS:
I have really been taken away by this series so far. There are going to be five books in all. The characters are well developed and you really get a feel for them all, even the ones you think may be the "bad" guy or girl. The world that is created in these first two books is amazing. You have different cultures, religions, believes and gods. All well done to give you just what you need to understand the rules and what is going on, yet enough to keep you with the feel of mystery.

I think Ken Scholes is an awesome author with an epic tale to tell. He lays the paths of possible ways the story could go, we just have to wonder if we are thinking the correct path. Just when you are on the right path you come to a fork in the road again. The story can change directions at any time, but the rules never change and the information is there to keep you on the correct path of thought, thus creating a great mystery adventure.

Being a second book of a series Ken has started us right into the next story. Not even 50 pages into the book and I was caught up with where I left off on the first book and full scale right into the middle of another great mystery of the Whymr maze in this amazing fantasy book.

This book has; mechoservitors ~ Kens' term for metal men, magick ~ which has limits, Gods ~ are a distant past but are there in the background, an ancient vendetta of two old families and ways of lives, and current people trying their hardest to find where there home is.

These books are amazing reads from the point of view of the characters. You learn so much in this way with the way Ken writes it. Very well done to understand what is going on, just pay attention to get the details.

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Audio Book Review: The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a vampires meets gladiators blend of a book with a growing attraction and romance.

The beginning was a slow start for me. The first hour of the audio book had me wondering if I wanted to continue. But I did and I enjoyed the ending for it. Once we get into the competition. I'm held here wondering how Oraya, a lone little human, will fair in this competition and how she even thinks she'll make it against vampires that are stronger, faster, and have magical powers.

The main female character says repeatedly that she's human. But this brought up questions for me. How? Why? How did she get there and do that? We do get the answers in the end.

Then there's Raihn. Wow. He's much more than we would have thought. After a while I suspected but didn't know how the the author was going to connect it to make it happen. He's got so so much control for a vampire in this world.

I'm curious about the world. Is it really as Oraya has been told by Vincent, her father. There are others that have control and aren't tempted to have her blood. But she's worried and trained to not trust any vampire. Though there are a few vampires that aren't anything like Oraya expects or is told about.

Oraya learns a lot while in this competition. About herself. About vampires. And her father along with what she can do.

There was lots of fighting, blood, fighting, sexy, and romance.

Yes, I'll be picking up book two with the same characters.

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Audio Book Review: Shield of Fire by Keri Arthur

Shield of Fire by Keri Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bethany may not want to be in the family business of relic hunting, but she sure fits into it. And she's meeting new people that can be great contacts and help in the future.

Bethany's powers are growing, and she's learning her limits. She has a great group surrounding her that can help with her missions. Lugh her brother, Mathi her ex, Cynwrig her current lover, and Elgin a current/new lover. Then she has Sgott who is in charge of the night IIT and like a step father to her. All will protect her, and she them.

With working for the Council, hunting for the hoard that went missing, Bethany has a lot to look for. The next on the list becomes a shield and rubies that are stirring destruction and loss with those who are wielding them. And the destruction and body count seems to be around Bethany.

Those that have the rubies and are using them remember Bethany, but she doesn't remember them. At all. Is there something more to this?

Oh, yes. You read that right above. Bethany has two lovers, and yes they know of the competition. See it all has to do with the elf group and pixie group. But they can have fun together, but maybe not more. So why not have fun while you're looking for the one to spend your life with?

Bethany is learning more with each use of the knives, the codex, and the eye. These are some powerful relics and mix that with her magic and heritage. She's one bad*ss pixie.

The world is rich with history and fables. Gods, fey, powers, relics, and unknown creatures. I love seeing the things that they find and how dangerous they are.

I do enjoy this series for Bethany growing stronger and is independent along with the magical that shows up.

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Audio Book Review: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book continues on with battles, adventure, danger, loss, love, friendship bonds, and so much more.

Violet will be on the search for Andarna's kind. Xaden's battling his new obstacle and afraid of what he may do. Violet's determined to help Xaden on their planned adventure.

There's always battles to be fought and they always seem to know exactly where Violet and even Xaden are at. How is this? You'll find out as you read.

Then we head out on an adventure, in search of Andarna's family and information. What we find is so much more! We get to see the impact of parents on their children. And when things seem to be fun, be prepared for the worst.

Violet is becoming bolder. She doesn't want to be a leader, but dang this girl is a leader. She makes decisions, that she shouldn't make on her on, and acts on them. She's got a touch of diplomacy and brass with being of the mind of a scholar and the black leathers of the riders. Especially when all goes to sh*t, she pulls it all out. She may save the day with winning over or save the day with her blades, either way she's saving the day. Violet is great when she hones her focus on the topic. This comes through her even in the end of the book.

Xaden...he's such a lost one. He's so in love it hurts. His wit is great when it comes to things. Wait until you see him at dinner, you'll know when you get there. He's really helped Violet become herself over the last books. And Tairn with Violet, such a great strength for her.

We lose some of those we know. The venin aren't stopping and they are coming at them harder and harder, knowing the wards are weakening.

A few big turns in this book, were no surprise to me. I figured they would happen. Even in the end. Things could have been so much worse. I was kind of hoping for a further fall than we got. Or even had a back up fall that could have hurt too. This ending...this ending felt like it left us with a glimmer of hope. I laughed when I read it. Seriously, see this as a good thing. For reasons. If you'd like to chat, let me know and we'll talk.

I did listen to the audiobook of this, it's faster for me. And, I'm still not too thrilled with the narrator that's selected. She's not consistent with tones and accents for the characters. It makes it hard to differentiate people when she's speaking. I had to relisten to sections to figure out who was saying what. And I can hear when there's a seam in the recording as she picked up where left off or dropped in a section as the audio has a different tone to it. I'm listening because I can't read fast enough, but it's a struggle at times.

I'm thinking I want the books to have sticky notes in. And I want to pull together all the books at the beginning of the chapters. There's something there!

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Audio Book Review: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I get the feel there's a blend of elements from Harry Potter series, Divergent series, and Hunger Games series in this story, with dragons added of course. Lots of danger, secrets, and groups.

This series has become a guilty pleasure for me. It's not ground breaking in it's storyline, plots, or twists, but I can relax and listen to the story with ease.

Violet is one I can see people getting tired of. What she tells Xaden to stop doing, she's doing to her friends. Eventually, she catches on. I understand that she doesn't want secrets, but with a revolution there will always be something that can't be shared. Things are happening so fast for them. And I love Rhiannon, Violet's best friend. She's an awesome friend and kicks butt. All those in Violet's group in Fourth Wing are pretty cool. Their interaction and responses to each other are fun. I do give Violet and her friends that credit, they have great quips back for things. They are learning to work as a team.

I found I liked this book a little more than the first because we get more details about the wards and world building is expanded here. I am one who loves seeing more world details and magic details. Although, there is one magic I am looking forward to learning more about.

Violet goes through a lot while still at the academy. There's teachers that are not on her side, and want to know what she knows. There's friendships and new enemies made through this book.

The ending... when it was all over and done, I felt like it was too quick with the ending. (If you've read or listened to the book, you'll know the part with Violet.) It was confusing when listening to it. I actually replayed it a few times to try to catch what happened. It felt way too fast. So I'm guessing the next book will spend time on sharing what happened and we'll learn about that. (trying to not spoil it for you.)

I still wonder about the War Academy. Like, what the heck did they think they were training for? What they were training and how was not going to help with the problem they knew was out there. They just thought they were safe and no worries. Arrogant, for sure.

We have family drama, war, love, magic, and dragons. Secrets are shared and things are learned.

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Audio Book Review: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can see why many are loving this book.

I enjoyed the war school. It's dangerous and deadly for the students. The way events unfold and Violet is creative with how she does things is neat. And there's the steam burn to a romance.

The book is interesting and flows. I found the events were predictive, which the writing leads to right to what will happen. That's okay for me. It's a fun light read for me.

I enjoyed the characters. They stay to their character. And dragons. I do love me my dragons.

The school is a dangerous place. It's interesting how they teach the young adults coming in. This is breaking them down and building them into who the country wants them to be. Maybe a few will remain who they are at their core, but they will be more too.

Violet is one who thought she'd be a scribe, working in the library with the tombs she loves. She has the scribe background thanks to her father. But now she's learning to be a dragon rider. And maybe she's one to make changes as well. Violet's father...with the book he left her, I've wondered if he was with the revolutionary side as well... Will we find out in the future?

I listened to the audiobook. It worked great for me at work. Though, I will say I struggled figuring out when things were thought, spoken, and mentally spoken to another. At times this was something I couldn't differentiate.

I will carry on with the series as I'm curious to see how things go with everyone from here. At the end of this book, I have my predictions. We'll see how events go on if it'll change for me or now. :)

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Book Review: The Killing Beach by Skyla Dawn Cameron

The Killing Beach by Skyla Dawn Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm not usually a fiction reader. But I couldn't pass this one up. I'm so glad I read it!

Waverly has a past that was in the spotlight... when her sister went missing with a serial killer in her home town. It's something she's not really gotten over. Especially when the Detective working the cases, and one that Waverly was attracted to, went missing as well.

Waverly became a private investigator and has never forgotten her sister or the detective.

When dead mean start washing up on the coast of her home town lake, Waverly is drawn home. Even to just make sure the detective she was drawn to all those years ago wasn't one of them. Or was, to close out that mystery. Then, when she stumbles across a body on the beach...

Waverly places her cards and information where it's to be seen and hopes to be hired to investigate the cases. Waverly gets drawn into the case more than she expected. Can she solve the case or will more men wash up on the beach?

I have a main character type, and Waverly hits all the points. She's damaged, determined, and independent. Strong woman on her own. Even though she won't admit it, she does care.

I enjoyed Waverly's interaction with her family. Families aren't perfect and when there's a tragedy as big as theirs, it's hard to continue as things were. The dog was a nice touch. That was a little fun.

I'm looking forward to reading this series. I've already received the next two books! :D

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