Author: likelystory18

Review: Broken Petals by Tasha Hutchison

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Synopsis:

Brooklyn Monti is dying. Or at least she thinks she is. Ever since Brooklyn was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease at 19, she’s used it to give up on herself. Huntington’s has affected her career, her friendships, and her love life. But will she let it control her future? When Brooklyn meets the man of her dreams she must decide whether Huntington’s is going to take away the one thing she’s always wanted: a family. Broken Petals is the story of a young woman dying to live as she is forced to face her reality and embark on a journey of self-discovery that will change her life forever.

Favorite Lines:

“I don’t know how often you fly, but you’re supposed to put your phone on airplane mode or you could have us lost in space – not that I’d mind being lost with you”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I would like to start this review off with a trigger warning. This books involves scenes and recollections of domestic violence and may not be suitable for everyone. This story follows Brooklyn as she tries to navigate her life after receiving a diagnosis for Huntington’s Disease.

From page one, the author’s tone for the main character reminded me of myself – I felt like I was reading my own internal thoughts on a day where I am feeling particularly sassy which I found quite humorous. The best way to describe this book without giving too much away is that it is a life story of a couple dealing with life beyond a Huntington’s diagnosis. I could see it being a romantic drama movie on the big screen full of strong characters, heartbreaking moments, and perseverance. I also really enjoyed what the broken petals represented throughout the story.

One thing I wasn’t a big fan of was the whirlwind of time. The book flashes forward in time sometimes not spending enough time elaborating on events that I feel were important. I wish there had been a slower, more detailed pace at points. I also actively recognized that the main male character is definitely a man written by a woman for woman. I really liked him but he was almost too perfect.

Summary:

Overall, if you like drama and romance in a slice of life type of story then this book could be for you.

Broken Petals

 

Review: Legacy of the Third Way by Abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi

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Synopsis:

I often teased her, saying, “Nour, you’ve chosen the wrong major. How many women philosophers do you know in the history of mankind?” She’d respond by calling me a misogynist, sexist, intolerant, and a woman-hater.

***

“I need some guidance. How will I finance my college tuition? I mean, who will give a job or scholarship to a convicted criminal? Will I be able to get a job after I graduate?” Alex’s concerns reopened my still-fresh wound.

***

Dive into the captivating world of political intrigue and societal evolution in “Legacy of the Third Way,” a compelling novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey through a not-so-distant future. Set against the backdrop of a world in flux, where traditional ideologies clash with the demands of progress, the novel weaves a gripping tale of power, ideals, and the indomitable human spirit.

At the heart of the story is Sher Shah, a family man who is thrown into the limelight to challenge the status quo. The novel unfolds through multiple perspectives, offering a kaleidoscopic view of the characters’ lives as they navigate a world shaped by political upheaval and societal transformation. As Sher Shah grapples with the consequences of their choices, the narrative unfolds like a tapestry, revealing the intricacies of power, loyalty, and the pursuit of a better future.

The novel explores not only the grand stage of political machinations but also the intimate corners of human relationships. Richly developed characters grapple with dilemmas that resonate with the challenges of our own time, creating a narrative that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

“Legacy of the Third Way” is a masterfully crafted exploration of the intersection between ideology and reality, inviting readers to reflect on the choices we make as individuals and as a society. As the pages turn, the novel challenges preconceived notions, posing questions about the nature of progress, the price of change, and the enduring legacy that our decisions leave in the world.

For those seeking a riveting blend of speculative fiction and social commentary, “Legacy of the Third Way” stands as a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the complexities of our shared human experience.

Favorite Lines:

“While Americans are known for their compassion and empathy under normal circumstances, emergencies often bring out the same greed and insecurity inherent in human nature.”

“Humans are failing to learn from past mistakes. We’ve already damaged the climate by polluting the air, water, and soil, leading to man-made disasters such as the disappearance of glaciers due to rising temperatures and rising water levels that have submerged vast areas. Now, we’re disrupting the balance of society by accepting an exception as the norm.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This books follows Sher Shah, flashing between the present where he has been diagnosed with colon cancer and chooses to recount his life in journals where we, as readers, are taken on a journey through the past with a younger Sher Shah.

I found this book to be really interesting. While it focuses on political themes, there are also notes of rich culture, history, and fascinating philosophy. Kundi did a great job at weaving together a story full of human experiences and ideologies while challenging complex societal issues.

I also really enjoyed the futuristic aspect of this book. At first I was confused on how the storyteller was born in 2020 and telling the story but as we progress further along, I realized that this story takes us to the future where things such as communication IDs and medical history chips are considered normal. Kundi  cleverly uses futuristic technology to illustrate points that are relevant in today’s society.

Summary:

Overall, while this may not be my typical read, I still found it very interesting from a philosophical perspective. If you like political fiction that dives into some complex issues of society in a creative way with notes of romance, drama, and culture while also including futuristic aspects then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Legacy of the Third Way

Review: The Mutates: The Creation by Peyton N. Leonard

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Synopsis:

What would you do if your humanity was brutally stolen from you? How far would you go to reclaim that humanity? Tyler, Samy, Andy, and Lola are just a bunch of teenagers living in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania in 2009 when they are kidnapped and experimented on, becoming genetically modified feline humanoids with wings, called Mutates. They struggle to make sense of their mutations and fight for their freedom and humanity all the while growing their bonds with one another and the people they come across. Their journey is fraught with adversity, heartache, and pain, but they learn to overcome their challenges and become even stronger individuals in the process. Come and join Tyler, Samy, Andy, and Lola as they embark on the ride of their lives.

Favorite Lines:

“No matter what I said to her, she was always smiling and taking everything in stride. She’d been like that ever since she was born. Legend has it that she’s smiling at this exact moment.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows a group of teenagers who, at the start of the story, think their biggest issue is surviving high school. They’re quickly proven wrong when they are kidnapped and turned into Mutates; genetically modified humanoids with feline features and wings. Readers are along for the ride as they come to terms with their situation and fight for their freedom.

It has been quite some time since I have read a true young adult  book. I forgot how different the author’s voice can be through a YA story versus something like NA. This story is told from the PoV of the kids/teenagers and really immerses you in the story because of the tone. I will admit that the PoV changes were a bit confusing to me but also added dimension to the story.

I do think that the transformation process to Mutates happened really fast. One minute they are just human and the next they are more. I wish there had been more detail as it was a bit of a whirlwind. I did like the epilogue. Without giving anything away, it wraps everything up with the beginning of the story and I thought it was very creative.

Summary:

Overall, this was an enjoyable and creative book. It reminded me of Percy Jackson meets Maximum Ride. If you like young adult, romance, action, adventure, friendship, and hints of religion/spirituality in your books than this one might be for you. Happy reading!

The Mutates: The Creation

 

Monthly Features – December

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The Noise by Allison A.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Angela Blau has a degenerative bone disease, but she was never warned her mind could deteriorate as well. There’s no other explanation for the footsteps coming from the second floor—footsteps her husband, Jack, never hears. And then there are the ghosts who attack her at night, and the townspeople who dig through the dirt like rabid animals and peer through her windows.

Maybe the ghosts and the townspeople are in her head—it wouldn’t be the first time she’s let her mind wander—but the noise has to be real, and she’d go up there and prove it if the stairs weren’t so rotted that she’d fall right through, Jack says.

Things get worse when Arlo, a lonely old man who lives “somewhere down the street,” reveals a violent crime that occurred on the second floor. Against Jack’s warnings, Arlo indulges Angela’s growing obsession and pushes her to discover the true source of the noise, who exactly the townspeople are, and whether a traumatic incident that occurred four months ago, an incident Angela refuses to talk about, is to blame for all of it.

Summary: Overall, I loved this book. It was very well written and I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a book that has elements of the paranormal, a psychological thriller, suspense, mystery, and romance.

See the full review here: The Noise
Purchase here

Hamartia by Raquel Rich

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Grace’s nine-year-old son, Jordan, is dying. First, the Metagenesis disease will tear his soul from his body, and then it will kill him. Desperate for a cure, Grace agrees to take part in an illegal clinical trial cloning souls. Supported by her best friend Kay, the two embark on the ultimate “Vegas Vacation” to the past in search of the right soul to clone, racing against time to save Jordan’s life. But someone is trying to stop them and when they discover why, Grace must make a choice: let her son die or kill her husband. If she kills her husband she triggers widespread Metagenesis, sealing the fate of the human race with a new plague.

Humanity is counting on Grace choosing to let her son die.

Summary: Overall, I loved the ideas in this book and really enjoyed it. It was so creatively done and well written; the ending especially. I can’t wait to read the next one and hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

See the full review here: Hamartia
Purchase here

 

To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Synopsis: Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.

The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy

Summary: Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was out of my usual interest zone but definitely refreshing and worth the read. If you aren’t sure what to read next, be sure to check it out!

See the full review here: To Kill A Kingdom
Purchase here

 

Review: The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

When a princess is kidnapped by an alpha , war rages between the humans and the wolves. But soon, forbidden attraction starts to grow. . .

Princess Aurora longs to escape the castle and the marriage that has been arranged for her.

But on the night before her wedding, at a dog fight where captured werewolves are made to fight for sport, she spares the life of a young wolf. It puts her on the radar of the powerful alpha who was going to kill him. And it changes everything.

That night, when the alpha escapes, he kidnaps her and takes her to the rugged lands north of the border — where the once warring werewolf clans are beginning to unite. He thinks that she is the key to winning the war against the humans.

Only, as they spend time around one another, forbidden attraction starts to grow. And as Aurora learns that not all wolves are bad, the alpha discovers that she is in danger from both his enemies, and those he once considered friends.

With monsters on both sides, a bloodthirsty war between humans and wolves raging, and undeniable passion growing between them — will their story end in love? Or tragedy?

And will Aurora ever get home?

Does she even want to?

Favorite Lines:

“I am envious of the Northlands winds that rattle the window and howl against the stone walls. How good it would feel to unleash that rage with no thought to the consequences.”

My Opinion:

I saw this book on social media and decided to read it on a whim with low expectations because other werewolf books that I have read have always been kind of meh but I was pleasantly surprised with this book and ended up devouring it in one sitting.

As a warning, this is an NSFW book so consider yourselves warned. The story follows Aurora as she is taken from her human home and dropped into the wild world of (were)wolves. What starts as an escape from an arranged marriage transforms into her questioning everything she knows about the world she grew up in and where her allegiances lie.

I thought this book was well written, had an interesting and addictive plot, and left me wanting more. It flowed nicely and I found myself turning page after page needing more until I was at the end and realized I may have to wait another year for the next book. This book has strong ACOTAR vibes and I hope the potential love triangle comes to fruition with my ship coming out on top. Once question I do have is who decided werewolves are Scottish and their packs are clans? Who makes these decisions?

Summary:

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am excited to see where the author takes it next. If you like fiction, paranormal romances specific to werewolves, action, and some mystery then this book is for you. Happy reading!

The Wolf King

 

Review: Lunch Eater by Sean Mackaay

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

Brian is a public servant. He is his career and his career is him. He spends his days besieged by coworkers that he believes he is far better than.
The politicians put demands on his time and sanity that he wishes he could live without. Someone in the office is stealing lunches from the communal fridge.
As a mysterious virus sweeps across the world, sending people insane, Brian and his team work to protect the economy. Brian knows they can save the world and maybe they can, if only his team stops getting in his way.
Part workplace comedy, part cosmic horror, part reflection on the global pandemic, Lunch Eater will speak to anyone who has ever hated their job or just tried to get through the day.

Favorite lines:

“They don’t realise that the class warfare extends to those of us that went to university. No one really cares what university you studied at our what your degree is, it’s not like you use any of that knowledge in your work. They do care about what school you went to before university. That tells them your pedigree. That tells them your family and the environment you were raised in.”

“The 6.45am train into the city is haunted by the unaware. eye contact is unwelcome. Talking is verboten. No one notices anything of their fellow passengers. This is the way it is. This is the way it should be.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

The two phrases that come to mind when trying to describe this book are humorously dramatic and entertainingly chaotic. Both of which could also be used to describe my personality probably 75% of the time so me and this book got along just fine.

This is a satire about being a public servant but I would expand it beyond public service work to anyone who feels like they are on the “working for the man” grind. In my opinion, there is a generational shift in how work is viewed with younger generations valuing their work/life balance far more than those older than us who will eat, sleep, and breathe work if they can. This humorous story captures that notion in a mad, apocalyptical vision.

There were a few spelling/grammatical errors and the narrative shifts were a bit confusing at times causing me to go back in order to comprehend where the story was pivoting. Other than those minor nit-picky details, this was an interesting read.

Summary:

Overall, if you like satirical humor especially about the 9-5 work grind, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Lunch Eater

 

Review: Highland Games by Evie Alexander

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Synopsis: 

Zoe’s always played it safe, just as her parents wanted. But when her great-uncle dies and leaves her a ramshackle cabin in the Scottish Highlands, she decides it’s time to change her life.

Upping sticks seems like a good idea in her cosy London flat, but the reality is very different. There’s no electricity or running water, the roof leaks and there’s no front door. If that wasn’t bad enough, she’s moved up in the depths of winter and her scorching hot neighbour wants her out.

Rory’s got a fifty thousand tonne problem. If he can’t make Kinloch castle profitable, he’s out of a job. He needs a clear head, but there’s someone living in the cabin he saw as his own and she’s turned his world upside down.

Rory needs Zoe out of Scotland, and out of his life. The trouble is, she has no intention of leaving.

Let the games begin…

Favorite Lines:

“She looked like a firework mid-explosion, every part of her shooting out, defying gravity and coherence.”

“She was always out of reach, slipping from him like smoke”

“A life half lived is a life not lived at all.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion so let’s get into it!

I was interested in reading this book because it would have been my first truly Scottish romance. I say it like that because as much as I love the Outlander TV show, I wasn’t able to get into the books. Believe it or not, they were too historically dense for me. And I am most definitely not counting the one off werewolf romances where the werewolf is always Scottish. Why is that? Anyways, I’m a sucker for romance and I thought the Scottish theme would add a bit of flavor – I wasn’t wrong.

The story follows Zoe as she finds herself  trading her life in the city to life in the Highlands after inheriting a cabin in Scotland. Arriving at the cabin, she quickly finds that it is in need of some major TLC considering there isn’t even a front door. It is also made plainly clear that her obviously hot next door neighbor wants nothing to do with her. As you delve deeper into the story, you’ll find all the cliché romantic drama themes here including two characters who butt heads before ultimately falling in love (is it a spoiler if we all know that is where it is heading?). I will warn you though that this is a slow burn.

I guess if I had to complain about something it would be the desire for less cabin renovation details and more romance but beggars can’t be choosers. If you read this book, you’ll be in for a campy but cute, British humor book with a refreshing writing style.

Summary: 

Overall, if you like slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romances full of cheeky humor and/or men in kilts, then this book may be for you. Happy reading!

Highland Games

 

Review: The Noise by Allison A.

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

Angela Blau has a degenerative bone disease, but she was never warned her mind could deteriorate as well. There’s no other explanation for the footsteps coming from the second floor—footsteps her husband, Jack, never hears. And then there are the ghosts who attack her at night, and the townspeople who dig through the dirt like rabid animals and peer through her windows.

Maybe the ghosts and the townspeople are in her head—it wouldn’t be the first time she’s let her mind wander—but the noise has to be real, and she’d go up there and prove it if the stairs weren’t so rotted that she’d fall right through, Jack says.

Things get worse when Arlo, a lonely old man who lives “somewhere down the street,” reveals a violent crime that occurred on the second floor. Against Jack’s warnings, Arlo indulges Angela’s growing obsession and pushes her to discover the true source of the noise, who exactly the townspeople are, and whether a traumatic incident that occurred four months ago, an incident Angela refuses to talk about, is to blame for all of it.

Favorite Lines:

“Death is supposed to affect us, change us, make us see things differently. Don’t let anyone make you believe you need to ignore that.”

“But I used to tell them the same thing I tell myself: you don’t move on, you carry on, towards the reward of true love that will last an eternity. Everything else is just noise”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I will admit I was a bit hesitant about this book because it seemed like it would be really spooky and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. As someone who has anxiety, which comes with paranoia, and also someone who hasn’t made up their mind about if they believe in ghosts and the supernatural, this book felt like it was going to feed my fears. 

Putting my fears aside, I devoured this book in one sitting. While this book was definitely spooky, the creepy ghosts were just a part of the equation and I found myself much more distracted by the suspense and mystery of what was happening to Angela. I was turning page after page trying to get answers to the burning questions that I had. The author did a great job keeping me at the edge of my seat and there was an awesome plot twist towards the end. Without giving any spoilers away, by the end of the book, I had tears streaming down my face; the author did an amazing job at evoking strong emotional reactions.

Summary:

Overall, I loved this book. It was very well written and I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a book that has elements of the paranormal, a psychological thriller, suspense, mystery, and romance. Happy reading!

The Noise

 

Review: The Obsidian Dragon by Angel G.T.

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Synopsis:

Aribeth Mitchell is an ordinary student at Cambridge University, or so she thought. From the charming old villages, nestled in the Japanese Alps, to the mystical Egyptian Desert, Aribeth will have to deal with a world wrapped up in greed, wrath, lust and hypocrisy, where love is stained in blood and lies, and where evil also might have a beating heart. Mighty fights, mythical and mystical creatures and entwining loves await her in an adventure that will change her life forever.

“To thee, I give my all”

Favorite Lines:

“If you really believe, you can do it. Stand up and make it happen.”

“I wish I could bring you more bliss than sorrow.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I will start this review off by saying that this book was not what I expected. I admit that I am not entirely sure what I expected but what this ended up being was not it. The story follows Aribeth as she realizes that her strange dreams might not just be dreams and she is catapulted into a world that she never knew existed that is full of magic and mystery.

At the start, I thought this book was trying too hard to be a cliché romance. There was the mysterious, beautiful man and the attractive but quirky woman with love at first sight. However, readers are quickly thrown into a world with Japanese culture and mysterious magic. I thought the storyline was really unique and interesting I just wish the story had slowed down more to let us as readers actually digest what was happening. I felt like I was being thrown from scene to scene without a clear description of what was happening. This book could have easily been two or three books if the proper amount of detail had been utilized.

Ultimately, what had me really hooked was the attempted love triangle (this is not a spoiler). I stayed hoping for the romance with Ken to happen as I had decided that I liked him the best and I wish there had been more time spent on his character but this brings me back to emphasizing that while the plot was creative, it could have used some fluffing in the details.

Summary:

Overall, I found this story to be a creative and unique idea but I wish that more time had been spent developing the characters and the scenes rather than flashing from one point to the next so quickly. If you like action, mystery, romance, paranormal, and magic, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

The Obsidian Dragon

 

Review: Hounds of Gaia by Sean M. Tirman

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Synopsis:

Foxhound doesn’t care about the gaps in her memory. Being a Contractor, a kind of spacefaring mercenary, keeps her occupied enough. Rather than dwelling, she rockets around the farthest reaches of the solar system, earning a steady paycheck hunting down ne’er-do-wells and enjoying a semblance of freedom most folks in the outer colonies can’t dream of.

So when she receives an urgent prisoner transfer request from a cult starship, she accepts the gig. She figures that transporting a bone marrow-eating serial killer from the cult’s colony back to Earth is just another well-paying job that’ll keep her mind off things. Upon discovering that the suspect in custody is an orphan girl—one that could pass for her much younger doppelgänger—she decides it’s time to get some answers.

But before she can piece together who the girl is, how their lives intertwine, and who orchestrated their implausible rendezvous, a group of violent prisoners aboard Foxhound’s starship breaks free. As the once-peaceful cultists take up arms in response, Foxhound teams up with her mechanized AI assistant and two of the cult’s wayward members to stop the barbaric escapees, elude the grasp of the cult’s radicalized leader, and protect and extract the mysterious, potentially dangerous girl.

Favorite Lines:

“We can’t change humanity but we can do our best to help as many in need as possible, especially those who cannot ask for it themselves.”

“Yet for all our goodness, all the wonderful things we created, it was not enough. Or perhaps a better way to put it was that it was too much. Our avarice, our greed, our wanton desires were killing the Earth, the only place we had to call home.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I will start this review off by saying that sci-fi is not a usual genre for me, at least when it comes to books. I am, however, a sucker for sci-fi movies/tv shows and I think this book could make a great TV show/movie with multiple points of view coming together but we will get to that in a moment.

The beginning took a bit to get used to because there were a lot of character introductions and point of view changes. I felt like the scenes were flashing from one to the next at a rapid pace and somehow, they carried both a lot of detail and not enough at the same time. This is what made me think it could translate to the big screen well – if you wanted to keep viewers at the edge of their seats, you could dangle the carrot and leave them wanting more of that piece of the puzzle. 

I actually really enjoyed the background story of Earth’s history and how civilization came to be beyond Earth’s atmosphere. It is almost exactly how I imagine the future of the human race explores the stars.

There is a lot of mystery around Foxhound and Leila with Tirman ending the book on a somewhat foreseeable cliffhanger but somehow, I still wanted more. Tirman did a great job of answering some questions but leaving you with more. I would love more background on Foxhound’s backstory and how they got to where they are. What were their origins? Who are the hounds in Hounds of Gaia? 

Summary:

Overall, this was a really creative story that left me wanting answers to several questions I have after being left on a cliffhanger. If you like sci-fi, mystery, action, and adventure then this book could be for you.

Hounds of Gaia