Tag: Fiction Book Review

Review: Deep Fried by Mark Doyon

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

Americanized millennial Arjun Chatterjee is a food-truck chef working in a parking lot outside the nation’s capital. He dreams up multiethnic recipes and pursues a young woman toiling in a Kafkaesque office nearby. Building a clientele, he faces life with a sly optimism.

One day he idly asks the sky: “Why am I here?”

Deep Fried is a tragicomic love story wrapped in creative freedom. Its characters – chefs, musicians, and entrepreneurs – face a world of oversized dreams and shaky prospects.

They try, fail, and fail better. Will it be enough?

Favorite Lines:

“If you weren’t making moves…you were a pawn in somebody else’s game.”

“Kids today. Fat and not even happy. Worst of both worlds.”

My Opinion:

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

This book primarily follows Arjun Chatterjee who serves food from a food-truck in a parking lot in Washington D.C. Arjun meets a cast of characters throughout this book and we follow along as he does both some teaching and learning from the various people he meets. 

I found this to be a slice-of-life-esque story that was entertaining and relatable while still managing to be comfortable. Doyon tells a story that is entirely realistic and that captures the nature of human relationships and how complex they can be.  As we follow Arjun and Candy, along with the others we meet in this book, we get an inside look into the every day lives of people just trying to reach the goals they have set for themselves and the bonds they nurture with those they care about along the way.

Without any spoilers, I wasn’t prepared for the few pages before the ending! I was so shocked but was happy with how things turned out in the end and almost wish that there was more to the story to get to see how things play out but that is coming purely for my own selfishness. 

If I had to be knit-picky, the change of points of view in the middle of the chapters were a bit disruptive to the flow. Despite this, I still appreciated the different points of view, I thought it added a lot of additional depth to this book. 

Summary:

Overall, I  enjoyed this book. Doyon uses a unique tone to tell a creative and engaging story. It is so full of life in a variety of ways and bonus points that it includes food! You can find the book trailer here! If you like fictional, slice of life books especially ones that include found love and/or food, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Deep Fried here!

 

Review: Pigs in Paradise: A Fairy Story Most Absurd by Roger Maxson

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Pigs in Paradise opens on a group of animals on a farm in Israel. Julius is a wise-cracking non-religious parrot. In other words, he is a non-domesticated farm animal. His is the small voice of reason, tinged with humor, and cynicism while the others, domesticated farm animals, are being led to religion by Mel, a mule, and the spiritual leader. Later, Mel becomes Magnificent when he elevates himself to Pope. Priests are celibate and mules are sterile; therefore, a Catholic pope was the obvious choice.

When Blaise, a Jersey cow, gives birth to Lizzy, a “red calf,” two American evangelical ministers arrive. As events unfold, the evangelicals buy the group and have them shipped to America.

Once in America, the animals are transported by tractor-trailers across the country to a “Christian” farm in Kansas, where seven television monitors are tuned to 24/7 church sermons and juxtaposed with scenes from a barn, a real circus. Even though they are animals, they can only take so much before they chase Mel from the barn, and Stanley, Manly Stanley, the black Belgian Stallion, kicks out the TV monitors for a moment of silence, giving peace a chance, however short-lived.

Favorite Lines:

“How do they say it in Kansas? Fucking A.”

“Jesus wouldn’t be caught dead in burlap”

My Opinion:

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

This book is a satirical novel inspired by Animal Farm by George Orwell and follows a lot of the same themes revolving around the complex political and religious relationships in America.  While Julius the parrot and Blaise the cow can be seen as the protagonists of the story and representation of the every day woman/man caught between religious and political ideologies, the story also features a cast of other characters that each symbolize different aspects of society.

By utilizing talking animals, Maxson is able to dive into deeply complex subjects in a humorous and entertaining way. I found this book to be thought provoking without having to take it too seriously. I was a bit worried about the length of the novel at a glance – it is actually split into two books – but I found myself immersed in the world that Maxson creates and the pages began to practically turn themselves. 

Maxson did a great job at drawing inspiration from Animal Farm while still being able to make this story his own. The character writing, especially the dialogue, was  noteworthy. I found myself chuckling a lot under my breath and I realized that my humor might be a bit darker than I originally realized. Maxson utilizes a blend of dark humor and irony to help drive home not only the satirical nature of this story but also the absurdity that society often faces when it comes to religion and the politics that touch on it.

I have a potential hot take – I actually thought this book was more engaging than Animal Farm. This may have been due to just being more modern and therefore, easier for me to relate to. Please don’t come for me classic literature lovers…

Summary:

Overall, if you enjoyed Animal Farm and are a fan of satirical literature especially that which explores religious and political issues in today’s society, then this book could be for you.

Check out Pigs in Paradise here!

 

Monthly Features – June

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

To Do Justice by Frank S. Joseph

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

Synopsis: Set during the riots of 1965-66, To Do Justice tells the story of Pinkie, a mixed-race child of Chicago’s meanest streets … and Mollie, a lovelorn (white) reporter in the Chicago bureau of The Associated Press. Together this unlikely pair will track down the white woman who gave Pinkie birth, and score a Pulitzer-worthy scoop in the bargain.

Summary: Overall, if you like historical fiction that revolves around racial conflicts that examine race, identity, and politics especially in the setting of the Chicago riots in the 1960s, then this book could be for you. You can find the book trailer here. 

See the full review here: To Do Justice
Purchase here

Children of Madness by Jarrett Brandon Early

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

Synopsis: FOR A WORLD GONE CRAZY, ONLY THOSE RAISED AMONG MADNESS CAN HELP

The Imperator of Quaan restlessly awaits the centennial arrival of the Snail-Gods to cure the Gloomtide, a shadow of melancholy blanketing the Titian Empire. But when the Supreme Helices finally make landfall, they do so just out of reach of the distressed monarch, beyond a poisonous grove that separates man from messiah.

Fincher Bugg leads the Sour Flower Gang, the preeminent child harvesters of the Stenches, a town of outcasts condemned to diminished lives toiling away in toxic conditions. As Fincher and his four friends endure external abuse from outsiders, internally they also suffer, watching as their parents slowly succumb to the Maddening. Despite the solace of unbreakable friendship, life is unrelenting.

When a desperate king makes a seemingly magnanimous offer to a hopeless population, the Sour Flower Gang sets out on a harrowing expedition to find God for the very people who cast them aside.

During a journey in which the children encounter the unimaginable—both beautiful and nightmarish—a terrifying question takes shape. Are the Snail-Gods here to once more save mankind, or is the Gloomtide that has enveloped Quaan a precursor to humanity’s deserved end?

Summary: Overall, if you like epic fantasy full of action, adventure, suspense, friendship, and some mystery then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Children of Madness
Purchase here

 

Review: Fireside Horror: The Wendlelow Mysteries by P.A. Sheldon

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

There is a troubled town nestled on the border of Shropshire and Powys. Steeped in folklore, domain of ghosts, it is witch haunted Wendlelow. Pity those who dwell there.
Here is an collection of interconnected tales, ghostly, gothic and monstrous, so curl up by the fire, dim the lights, and prepare to be horrified.

Favorite Lines:

Rather than picking favorite lines, I thought it would be more appropriate to pick out a couple of my favorite short stories from this collection:  The Witch-Brands of Wendlelow and The Tunnel.

My Opinion:

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

I grew up with Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, so you know I was excited to read this collection of mysterious and creepy stories. Spoiler: I was not disappointed. Sheldon brings a unique twist to both classic legends and new supernatural tales alike in this collection of short stories.

I chose to read this collection at night to really get in the mood for the creepy tales and I found myself having to turn a couple extra lights on! As an American, I am not very familiar with the area that this takes place in, near Shropshire and Powys, but they are real places and I imagine that if you are local, this book will have you nostalgic and maybe a touch paranoid. Nonetheless, being a local isn’t a prerequisite for enjoying this book as I certainly devoured it in one sitting.

I found that the tales were very well written and, as I had mentioned previously, Sheldon did a great job putting a unique spin on each plot. I was turning page after page and fully invested from start to finish. I hope that there are more to come for this collection in the future!

Summary:

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will certainly be reading it again closer to Halloween – but I’ll maybe make sure to leave some lights on…If you’re a fan of thrillers, horror, suspense, mystery, and the supernatural, then this book could be for you!

Check out Fireside Horror: The Wendlelow Mysteries here!

 

Children of Madness by Jarrett Brandon Early

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

FOR A WORLD GONE CRAZY, ONLY THOSE RAISED AMONG MADNESS CAN HELP

The Imperator of Quaan restlessly awaits the centennial arrival of the Snail-Gods to cure the Gloomtide, a shadow of melancholy blanketing the Titian Empire. But when the Supreme Helices finally make landfall, they do so just out of reach of the distressed monarch, beyond a poisonous grove that separates man from messiah.

Fincher Bugg leads the Sour Flower Gang, the preeminent child harvesters of the Stenches, a town of outcasts condemned to diminished lives toiling away in toxic conditions. As Fincher and his four friends endure external abuse from outsiders, internally they also suffer, watching as their parents slowly succumb to the Maddening. Despite the solace of unbreakable friendship, life is unrelenting.

When a desperate king makes a seemingly magnanimous offer to a hopeless population, the Sour Flower Gang sets out on a harrowing expedition to find God for the very people who cast them aside.

During a journey in which the children encounter the unimaginable—both beautiful and nightmarish—a terrifying question takes shape. Are the Snail-Gods here to once more save mankind, or is the Gloomtide that has enveloped Quaan a precursor to humanity’s deserved end?

Favorite Lines:

“Ash’s heart jumped again. She blamed it on the exertion of the pull.”

“Good. You have each other. That’s more than most in this cursed land. Do not take that for granted. Together,  you can move worlds.”

“I know that they’re carnivores. But as to what kind of carni they vore, I have no idea.”

My Opinion:

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

One thing that I love about fantasy is that you can pretty much think up whatever you want. There are no rules to follow and your creativity is not bound to the laws of our every day world. The story that Early weaves in Children of Madness is just one example of this. This story follows Fincher Bugg and his friends as they set foot on a journey on behalf of the ruler of Quaan who is desperate to reach what is supposed to be the answer for humankinds survival – the Snail-Gods.

This book was a journey in itself. Early creates an utterly unique world unlike anything I have ever read before that is still somehow believable. While there are themes that run parallel to what we see in our every day lives in reality, Early scatters them throughout this story in a creative and refreshing way. I wasn’t expecting this to be a coming of age-esque story but it still pulled in that direction to me; perhaps it was the constant theme of friendship throughout.

I did find that while this book is quite long, I never really felt like it was a chore to read. Each chapter had good pacing and I found myself somehow wanting more by the end of the book. I also appreciated the map at the beginning to keep my bearings throughout the journey.

Summary:

Overall, if you like epic fantasy full of action, adventure, suspense, friendship, and some mystery then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Children of Madness here!

 

Monthly Features – May

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

The Midnight Rose by Catalina Paris

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

Synopsis:

The Alchemyst
The Faerie
The Witch
The Warlock

Leo is a sixteen-year-old apprentice at the Alchemical Court until one night changes everything. When the castle is attacked and Leo is told to flee, he creates a new portal using the strange runes left behind in his missing master’s notebook. Arriving in the mysterious Realm of the Fey, a place long forgotten by mortals and Alchemysts alike, Leo meets the enchanting Lady Lisandre, a young faerie in need of his help. Together they quickly learn both their worlds are under threat from the elusive Dark Alchemyst; unless they find the mythical Talismans of Atlantica before he does. . Along the way they encounter Flora, a charming witch on a search for the truth of her family, as well as Leo’s former classmate, a warlock with questionable intentions, Lucien. The four of them are soon drawn together as they face numerous dangers and challenges to find and retrieve the talismans. Set in an alternative magical renaissance, The Midnight Rose is a spell-binding fantasy adventure unlike any other.

Summary: Overall, this was a creative fantasy story and I am interested to see where Paris takes this next. If you like fantasy, alchemy, action, adventure, and magic, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: The Midnight Rose
Purchase here

Death’s Flow by Victor Klayin

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

Synopsis: Sometimes, you’re your own worst enemy…
Zaleck, a young albino farmer’s son from a little backwater town, wakes up not to the comfort of his home, but to the confines of a prison cart. His limbs bound, his voice stolen by a gag, panic mounts as he contemplates his fate, unaware of why he even became a target.
Yet, amidst despair, fate — or perhaps something more arcane — intervenes as he’s freed with the help of two other captives: Arneth and Vellis. Arneth, a scholar belonging to an obscure order of master manipulators, who wields knowledge as well as a sword, and who seems to manipulate fate itself. Vellis, a master markswoman whose prowess with the bow is matched only by the shadows of her past. Her ties to the nobility are as complex as the web of secrecy around her. An ex-soldier, she carries the weight of her skills and the burden of her past, her eyes always on the lookout for the next threat, her hand always steady.
Pursued relentlessly by their captors, in service of a dark priest from the powerful “Death Kingdom”, the trio must fight not only to survive, but also learn to trust and work together, uncovering the true reason for their capture.
Soon, they find they might even be able to hide from the slavers, but they can’t ever outrun the consequences of their actions.

Summary: This book has it all – adventure, suspense, mystery, magic, action, and fantasy. Klayin did a fantastic job of weaving these themes together into an addictive experience that will leave readers wanting more. I would recommend to anyone but especially those that have interests in one of the themes I mentioned previously.

See the full review here: Death’s Flow
Purchase here

 

This Kind of Man by Sean Murphy

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

Synopsis: THIS KIND OF MAN offers an unvarnished look at life in 21st Century America, excavating the complicated, tender, wild truth of what it is to be a man across generations and relationships. These stories interrogate the pressures and tensions of contemporary life, and the ways men grapple with them, often without success. Issues such as marriage, fatherhood, aggression, alcoholism, gender expectations, generational backlash, and the inexorable dread of death, abound.

Many of these stories live within a slow implosion of coping, and often failing, as well as those who refuse to succumb, addressing concerns oft-discussed, or not discussed enough, in mainstream print: gun violence, the recent history of coal country Appalachia, sports-related concussions, illegal immigration (and the jobs many of these ostensibly unwelcome folks are obliged to do), homelessness, and the inability of men to honestly connect or communicate.

Far from excusing or exonerating toxic males, this collection locates their violence (toward others, against themselves) in the context of a deadening culture and the false narratives that prevail in an exploitative, zero-sum game capitalist model, where those without are encouraged to quarrel with similarly overworked and underpaid, mostly blue-collar workers. We see that our received notions of manhood and masculinity are inculcated-from the beginning and by design-to ensure willing participation in a system where the overwhelming majority are excluded from the start. We witness the way these dysfunctions are handed down like inheritance, and how every cliché, from fighting to drinking to intolerance of dissent and distrust of others, is a carefully constructed trap, preventing solidarity, empathy, and love (for others, for one’s self).

Summary: Overall, I thought this was a creative way to tackle complex subjects while keeping readers engaged. It is an extremely clever way to get readers to answer some hard questions themselves through reflection brought on by the stories. I think this is an important read for anyone but would especially recommend it to those that are interested in the complexities of manhood and all that may go with it.

See the full review here: This Kind of Man
Purchase here

 

 

Review: Aftermath Boy by Robert E. Honig

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

History has its way with Billy Cohen, charmed offspring of Holocaust Survivors Rozsa and Bertie Cohen. His mother’s story of survival from the 1944 Vienna Death March to Dachau’s deadly forced labor, disease and starvation, Bergen-Belsen’s typhus, and inhuman conditions, to her last minute escape with her sister, Lili, and the continuing struggle to survive in Soviet occupied Budapest after the war challenges Billy to grasp the incompressible while growing up with homegrown antisemitism in the 1950s and 60s. Billy’s father, Bertie, came to the U.S. with a mission, to save his father, mother, sister and brother-in-law, but his failure casts a pall over his only son. An only child, Billy dreams of putting his parents shattered world right as his own history sweeps him toward the civil rights movement, the anti-war movement, feminism, and a nation headed not only toward division, but doubling back upon the mistakes, the cultism, and the threats of fascism that led to the Holocaust. After a lifetime of Don Quixote pursuits, including a seductive brush with a left wing lover that leads him to join the Communist Labor Party, Billy finds himself the subject of an FBI inquiry into his investigation of the theft of hundreds of Wisconsin ballots cast during the 2024 Presidential Election, an election that hangs in the balance

Favorite Lines:

“A mature adult settles into himself, steadily gains confidence, and solves problems, even keeled, with or without assistance. One needn’t perform heroic deeds to achieve competence, but Billy Cohen has to save the world. Ironic that it takes a selfish ego to want to save the world and a selfless one to actually save it, even in small ways.”

“To take another life rends the threads of your conscience.”

My Opinion:

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

I would say that this isn’t my typical read but it sounded interesting and I think it is important to read books such as this from time to time. This story revolves around Billy who finds his life to be molded by his parents’ experiences, like many children, although unlike many children, Billy’s parents were Holocaust survivors. Billy is accused of election fraud that took place during the 2024 election and the story ends open ended where the reader is left to decide whether Billy is guilty or not.

This story flashes back and forth between past and present events. Billy is in present times being accused for election fraud but we see flashes back to during the Holocaust and what his family had to endure. I thought this book was interesting because while fiction, Honig used real testimonies from his two aunts who lived through the Holocaust. So while fiction, the events described in this book were very real realities for those who experienced the tragedies that took place during the Holocausts.

If I were to be nit-picky, the chapters were quite short and came off at times as choppy – this could have been because they were single spaced rather than double in the version I received for this review though. There were also some spelling/grammar errors scattered throughout that could be cleaned up.  However, neither one of these were distracting enough to take away from the overall well written story.    

Summary:

Overall, I thought this was an interesting book that melded together fiction with reality with Honig weaving true experiences throughout the story. I would recommend to anyone interested in historical fiction involving the Holocaust. Happy reading!

Check out Aftermath Boy here!

 

Review: This Kind of Man by Sean Murphy

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

THIS KIND OF MAN offers an unvarnished look at life in 21st Century America, excavating the complicated, tender, wild truth of what it is to be a man across generations and relationships. These stories interrogate the pressures and tensions of contemporary life, and the ways men grapple with them, often without success. Issues such as marriage, fatherhood, aggression, alcoholism, gender expectations, generational backlash, and the inexorable dread of death, abound.

Many of these stories live within a slow implosion of coping, and often failing, as well as those who refuse to succumb, addressing concerns oft-discussed, or not discussed enough, in mainstream print: gun violence, the recent history of coal country Appalachia, sports-related concussions, illegal immigration (and the jobs many of these ostensibly unwelcome folks are obliged to do), homelessness, and the inability of men to honestly connect or communicate.

Far from excusing or exonerating toxic males, this collection locates their violence (toward others, against themselves) in the context of a deadening culture and the false narratives that prevail in an exploitative, zero-sum game capitalist model, where those without are encouraged to quarrel with similarly overworked and underpaid, mostly blue-collar workers. We see that our received notions of manhood and masculinity are inculcated-from the beginning and by design-to ensure willing participation in a system where the overwhelming majority are excluded from the start. We witness the way these dysfunctions are handed down like inheritance, and how every cliché, from fighting to drinking to intolerance of dissent and distrust of others, is a carefully constructed trap, preventing solidarity, empathy, and love (for others, for one’s self).

Favorite Lines:

“How much do we become like the animals we feed on?”

“When you’re not certain where your next meal is coming from and don’t know if you’ll be sleeping indoors ever again, there’s one thing you learn to count on. Coffee.”

“Question, I asked: Who wears a ring on their thumb? Anyone, she said. Anyone who feels like it”

My Opinion:

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

I was actually really excited to read this book when I got the review request because I find the topics that it covers to be so interesting but also important. Don’t be fooled, this may be a collection of fictions but the topics they discuss are quite real. Murphy tackles provocative social issues surrounding masculinity, the role of men in society, and much more in a way that is both extremely creative and also brutally honest.

I think that by writing this from a fictional perspective, Murphy was able to more freely tackle the topics being discussed in a way that is reflective of modern day society. I found this to be extremely thought provoking but also informative as a woman to get an inside look at what could be considered the modern day struggle of an average man and, with that, how it in turn can affect others including women.

Summary:

Overall, I thought this was a creative way to tackle complex subjects while keeping readers engaged. It is an extremely clever way to get readers to answer some hard questions themselves through reflection brought on by the stories. I think this is an important read for anyone but would especially recommend it to those that are interested in the complexities of manhood and all that may go with it. Happy reading!

Check out This Kind of Man here!

Review: Death’s Flow by Victor Klayin

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Sometimes, you’re your own worst enemy…
Zaleck, a young albino farmer’s son from a little backwater town, wakes up not to the comfort of his home, but to the confines of a prison cart. His limbs bound, his voice stolen by a gag, panic mounts as he contemplates his fate, unaware of why he even became a target.
Yet, amidst despair, fate — or perhaps something more arcane — intervenes as he’s freed with the help of two other captives: Arneth and Vellis. Arneth, a scholar belonging to an obscure order of master manipulators, who wields knowledge as well as a sword, and who seems to manipulate fate itself. Vellis, a master markswoman whose prowess with the bow is matched only by the shadows of her past. Her ties to the nobility are as complex as the web of secrecy around her. An ex-soldier, she carries the weight of her skills and the burden of her past, her eyes always on the lookout for the next threat, her hand always steady.
Pursued relentlessly by their captors, in service of a dark priest from the powerful “Death Kingdom”, the trio must fight not only to survive, but also learn to trust and work together, uncovering the true reason for their capture.
Soon, they find they might even be able to hide from the slavers, but they can’t ever outrun the consequences of their actions.

Favorite Lines:

“Lying is so classless. It’s much more fun having the truth work for you.”

“Blame and responsibility are different things, Vel. Maybe I’m not to blame, but I can stop this, so I choose to make it my responsibility.”

My Opinion:

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

This story follows Zaleck who is stolen away from his family’s farm when he is captured by slavers. He teams up with Arneth and Vellis as they try to uncover the mystery of why they were targeted in the first place and attempt to escape the very slavers that captured them.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I decided to read this book but I can tell you that I was not disappointed in my decision. I found myself drawn in from page one with an excellent hook and was hardly able to put the book down until the last page because I needed answers!  Klayin did a great job at building an immersive world that made me feel like I was there right along with the characters; readers will even get a map at the start of the book to reference whenever they need. I also thought that the character development was very well executed. I really enjoyed reading about Zaleck, Arneth, and Vellis’ journeys not only in the outside world but also within themselves. I also just thought that the concept of flow was really interesting and how you can never do the same thing twice with it.

I don’t really have any complaints with this one. I thought the story was unique, the character writing was well done, and the pacing was just right. 

Summary:

This book has it all – adventure, suspense, mystery, magic, action, and fantasy. Klayin did a fantastic job of weaving these themes together into an addictive experience that will leave readers wanting more. I would recommend to anyone but especially those that have interests in one of the themes I mentioned previously. Happy reading!

Check out Death’s Flow here!

 

Review: The Midnight Rose by Catalina Paris

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

The Alchemyst
The Faerie
The Witch
The Warlock

Leo is a sixteen-year-old apprentice at the Alchemical Court until one night changes everything. When the castle is attacked and Leo is told to flee, he creates a new portal using the strange runes left behind in his missing master’s notebook. Arriving in the mysterious Realm of the Fey, a place long forgotten by mortals and Alchemysts alike, Leo meets the enchanting Lady Lisandre, a young faerie in need of his help. Together they quickly learn both their worlds are under threat from the elusive Dark Alchemyst; unless they find the mythical Talismans of Atlantica before he does. . Along the way they encounter Flora, a charming witch on a search for the truth of her family, as well as Leo’s former classmate, a warlock with questionable intentions, Lucien. The four of them are soon drawn together as they face numerous dangers and challenges to find and retrieve the talismans. Set in an alternative magical renaissance, The Midnight Rose is a spell-binding fantasy adventure unlike any other.

Favorite Lines:

“Each is encouraged to follow their heart’s calling from an early age…It is for the greatest benefit of the whole to have each specialize in their passion, as we value what each contributes.”

“Elegant rose bushes lined the gravel pathway, their leaves shimmering in the warm glow of the torchlight…Purple and pink fuchsias grew in abundance everywhere, hanging from baskets underneath the stone balconies.”

My Opinion:

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

First off, I wanted to quickly say that I really like the cover to this book; I think it is simple and beautiful. Now, let’s get into the review – this story follows Leo who must leave his home in the Alchemical Court and begin a quest to find scrolls and talismans that will be used as protection against the Dark Wizard. I thought this was an interesting premise and creative world building however, the story was hard to follow at times. In some areas there were very detailed descriptors but in others, I felt like details that were important were just skated over.

It is obvious that Paris put a lot of thought and effort into this book and while the premise is interesting, I just wish the whole thing slowed down and flowed more smoothly. Despite all of that, I still think it was still a decent read full of magic. Hopefully the rest of the series goes into more detail on the things that were missed in this book.

Summary:

Overall, this was a creative fantasy story and I am interested to see where Paris takes this next. If you like fantasy, alchemy, action, adventure, and magic, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out The Midnight Rose here!