★★★☆☆ The Mystery of the Vanishing Bullets is an old-fashioned, cozy mystery. Frances is a young, cash-strapped woman who acts bravely to help an older man stay safe in the midst of an attack. She later learns this nameless man, referred to as Navajo, is a detective. He invites her to help solve a murder … Continue reading Frances and the Navajo: The Mystery of the Vanishing Bullets by Jon Jones
Category: ARCs
Music in the Mirrors by Greg Kuznetsov
★★★☆☆ Music in the Mirrors takes place in a colorful fantasy kingdom of snow globes and mirrors - one that features a blowfish, 5,857 worlds, and intoxicating purple lemonade. The language is heavily metaphorical. There were times I read and enjoyed the observational, almost lyrical flow of this collection of connecting acts and short stories.
Leo by L. Krauch
★★★★★ This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of launching this blog. I’m celebrating with a review of the latest book by one of my favorite indie authors, L. Krauch. Krauch is the author of The 13th Zodiac, an anime-inspired high fantasy series with a touch of romance. Her newly released book, Leo, is a prequel to the 13th Zodiac and Dreamtaker.
I Let You Fall by Sara Downing
★★★★☆ In I Let You Fall, Eve Chapman observes an emergency operation on a woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury. When the bandages are removed, Eve realizes she was the person being operated on.
The Alchemy Thief by R.A. Denny
The first in the Pirates and Puritans series, The Alchemy Thief has an ambitious, intricately woven plot that spans centuries and continents. Experience “Peri” Fuller is about to start her studies at Harvard when she discovers an ancient hairpin in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. She becomes intrigued by the symbol … Continue reading The Alchemy Thief by R.A. Denny
Awakening (Commune’s Curse Book 1) by Lucy McLaren
4 stars This well-written fantasy novel by Lucy McLaren centers on the story of Evelyn, a teen-aged orphan, and Raif and Rose, two young siblings who end up in her care. One of the things that made this multi-point-of-view book so interesting is the central role that two children play in the story. It’s unusual … Continue reading Awakening (Commune’s Curse Book 1) by Lucy McLaren
Dreamtaker by L. Krauch
★★★★★ Darker than its predecessor, Dreamtaker features many of the same characters as the original 13th Zodiac story. However, the sequel adds a few new players, most notably the evil Damien who takes the story in a new, more sinister direction. Dreamtaker is a riveting read that boomerangs you through a wide range of terrifying … Continue reading Dreamtaker by L. Krauch
The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis by Roxy Eloise
4 stars In this YA fantasy book, 16-year-old Aurora lives in the Boulderfell Institute where she and the other adoptees must adhere to a strict set of rules. The story starts with Aurora moving up from the Mustards, the children’s section, to the adult quarters (Navies). Her move makes her eligible for the Unity ceremony, … Continue reading The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis by Roxy Eloise
Cousin Calls by Zeb Haradon
What a wild and weird book! Cousin Calls is a series of vignettes that all start with a call from a cousin. The stories are recalled sitting around in a bar when several patrons are stuck there during a winter storm. The exaggerated, satirical writing style is reminiscent of how a story that is retold … Continue reading Cousin Calls by Zeb Haradon
The Sky Looked the Same by Marissa Dike
4 out of 5 stars Set 60 years in the future, The Sky Looked the Same is told through the main character Mia’s diary entries. After defending her friends turns into a violent situation, sixteen-year-old Mia is sentenced to 30 years for her crimes. However, in the world Dike has created, instead of serving time, … Continue reading The Sky Looked the Same by Marissa Dike