Review: Sorcerer to The Crown by Zen Cho

Image & description from goodreads.com

At his wit’s end, Zacharias Wythe, freed slave, eminently proficient magician, and Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers—one of the most respected organizations throughout all of Britain—ventures to the border of Fairyland to discover why England’s magical stocks are drying up.

But when his adventure brings him in contact with a most unusual comrade, a woman with immense power and an unfathomable gift, he sets on a path which will alter the nature of sorcery in all of Britain—and the world at large… 

My Thoughts:
It took me longer than expected to finish this book.  The biggest reason would be in the way it's written.  While I appreciate the author's authenticity with the language of the late 1700's in England it was a huge distraction.  I'm a college educated, avid reader and I had to reread several passages to understand the intentions of the characters.  The language posed such a barrier that I couldn't get a feel for the characters at all.  At the end I liked Prunella, but I still wasn't particularly attached to her or Zacharias.  The end of the book was much more interesting with some added comic relief.  Learning what happened to Sir Stephen, Zacharias's mentor was a great mystery until the end.  I was satisfied with out come of the story and I don't feel that any loose ends were left untied.  

I'm not sure, age wise, who I would recommend this book to.  It doesn't contain any violence or sexual content.  But the writing wouldn't be enjoyed by many teens.

I received this book in exchange for my honest & unbiased review.

Review: The Iron Queen by Kaitlin Bevis

Life is hell for Persephone. Zeus will stop at nothing to gain access to the living realm and the Underworld. As the only living god with a right to both, Persephone’s in trouble. Captured and tortured beyond the limits of her resolve, Persephone must find the power to stand against Zeus. But will she be strong enough? 

Meanwhile, Hades contemplates desperate measures to rescue his queen. Persephone never thought of herself as dangerous, but there’s a reason gods never marry for love. A being with the power to destroy all of creation shouldn’t place more value in one individual than the rest of the planet. But Hades . . . Hades would break the world for her. 

To save the world and stop both Hades and Zeus, Persephone must make a difficult choice. One that may cost her everything.

I have loved this series from the first book.  I love that Kaitlin Bevis made Hades, who is often portrayed villain, the hunky hero.  It's been fresh twist in the sea of books based on Greek mythology.  The Iron Queen begins right where Daughter of Earth & Sky left off.  The characters, like with the two previous books, are amazing and well written.  Aphrodite has a huge part in this book and her story is a combination of both sad and empowering. Zeus has Persephone and Hades is ready to burn down the universe to find her.  As Zeus tortures Persephone beyond imagine, the rest of the deities come together to rescue her and save the world.  But it's Persephone's most human like qualities that help her gain the strength she needs to battle the most powerful and sadistic of Gods.  I loved the ending and I think it may have left an opening for more books or another series.  I would recommend this series to anyone looking for something original and different.

Mild language and sexual content. 

Review: Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid

Image & description from goodreads.com

Best friends Dave and Julia were determined to never be cliché high school kids—the ones who sit at the same lunch table every day, dissecting the drama from homeroom and plotting their campaigns for prom king and queen. They even wrote their own Never List of everything they vowed they'd never, ever do in high school. 

Some of the rules have been easy to follow, like #5, never die your hair a color of the rainbow, or #7, never hook up with a teacher. But Dave has a secret: he's broken rule #8, never pine silently after someone for the entirety of high school. It's either that or break rule #10, never date your best friend. Dave has loved Julia for as long as he can remember. 

Julia is beautiful, wild and impetuous. So when she suggests they do every Never on the list, Dave is happy to play along. He even dyes his hair an unfortunate shade of green. It starts as a joke, but then a funny thing happens: Dave and Julia discover that by skipping the clichés, they've actually been missing out on high school. And maybe even on love.

My Thoughts:  
A book that perfectly illustrates the complexity of emotions when it comes to love.  Whether young or old, love is never simple.  Even parent/child love can have its entanglements.  Dave & Julia seem to have their emotions tangled up like the chain of a thin, delicate necklace.  One yank too hard & it will break for good.  Dave has loved Julia so long that I think he's in love with the idea of being in love with her.  She's like the only flavor of ice cream he's ever tried.  His Rocky Road.  If he'd tried Mint Chocolate Chip earlier, he might find he likes it too.  Gretchen is Dave's Mint Chocolate Chip.  When he finally realizes he can love both, but maybe not in the same way, things are a complete mess.  Julia has always had Dave.  She's never had to miss or pine for him.  He's been her constant while she's yearned for a relationship with her biological mother who keeps her strung along with empty promises.  She's been so busy trying to live up to what she THINKS her absentee mom would want, that she's missed out on the things that give some great life experience.  As they complete the "Nevers" list they discover more than they could have possibly imagined.  The ending was as delicious as a crispy waffle cone with 3 of your favorite flavors & sprinkles on top!  What I took away from this book, and what I hope others will too, is NEVER say "Never", ALWAYS keep your heart & mind open and SOMETIMES the route may have to change, but the scenery is just as beautiful and the destination is the same.

Recommended for readers 15 & up.
Mild language & sexual content.

Review: Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity by Rachael Anderson

Home for the summer, Samantha Kinsey is ready to step into her role as pseudo-nanny for her two favorite charges. But when she realizes she'll be playing chauffeur more than playmate, her summer outlook quickly turns from fun to bleak. That is, until she meets Colton McCoy—a genuine, hard-working cowboy, who's as set in his ways as he is handsome. Although he claims he doesn't need any spontaneity in his life, Sam’s determined to help him find it. But she'll soon discover that cowboys are about as easy to change as wild mustangs.

Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity is about an adaptable girl and a not so adaptable guy. It’s about learning to accept people for who they are and realizing that sometimes who they are is exactly who they should be.

My Thoughts:

Like every book I've read in this series, Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity was a just what I needed to brighten my summer.  Samantha & Colton were adorable, fun characters that I loved instantly.  I was already familiar with Samantha's character from Rough Around the Edges meets Refined.  I'm so glad she got her own story.  Samantha is one of those people that you love to be around.  Someone who's always up for an adventure & who hates to be down in the dumps.  I love the way Colton balanced her out so perfectly.  He kept her grounded (that's a good pun once you read the book) & she kept him on his toes.  I was so glad to see the Mackie clan were all in this story and I hope we'll continue to keep up with them.  I can't help but wonder who'll get the next love connection in the series.  I'm thinking Colton's friend Will might need a little help in that department.  If you want a good, clean & refreshing read check out this entire series.  Each book can be read as a stand alone but you'll want to read them all.  Happy reading!!

Recommended for 15 & up.

http://www.rachaelreneeanderson.com/

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Review: The Orphan King by Sigmund Brouwer

Description & Image from goodreads.com

The last words of a dying woman would change the life of young Thomas. Raised behind monastery walls, he knows nothing of his mysterious past or imminent destiny. But now, in the heart of medieval England, a darkness threatens to strangle truth. An ancient order tightens their ghostly grip on power, creating fear and exiling those who would oppose them. Thomas is determined fulfill his calling and bring light into the mysterious world of the Druids and leaves the monastery on an important quest.

Thomas quickly finds himself in unfamiliar territory, as he must put his faith in unusual companions—a cryptic knight, a child thief, and the beautiful, silent woman whom may not be all she seems.  From the solitary life of an orphan, Thomas now finds himself tangled in the roots of both comradery and suspicion.

Can he trust those who would join his battle…or will his fears force him to go on alone? 

My Thoughts:

This book was like the preview to a really good movie you can't wait to see.  While we learn some of Thomas's story, there is so much more to learn.  Since this book seems to just barely touch on the whole story it was a little slow paced.  The writing was good but I had a hard time connecting to the characters since so much about them was kept a mystery.  I'm sure it will all be revealed in the next books of the series, but for now it's left me feeling indifferent.  It wasn't clear until the very end who was actually on the side of good or evil.  It seemed to me that the big battle scene at the end was a bit anti-climactic.  The positive thing that comes from all this lack of information is that I will be reading the next book to find out more.  I have high hopes it will move the story on at faster pace.  Too soon to tell if I will recommend the series yet.  I'll keep you posted.

For ages 13 & up.  

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