Tag: romance

Review: The Clock and the Candles by Anthony Dean

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Roland, the Keeper of the Clock, and Gwen, the former crown princess of the Lands, are separated by 46 feet of stone. After seizing the throne from her father, King Adolphus had the Prison Maximus constructed around Gwen. She lives in a cell with no door that measures eight feet on every side, and which is centered in a structure that measures a hundred feet on every side.

One day in the seventh year of Gwen’s imprisonment, Roland returns home from his duties tending the Ebony Clock to find that someone has entered his cabin and left an unsigned letter on his table. The letter reads:

Dear Roland,

Consider five statements. Three of them are true. Two of them are lies.

1. You are the last of your kind.

2. King Adolphus is an immortal being.

3. The creatures who walk the Lands after sunset serve no master.

4. Gwen’s prison was not constructed according to specifications.

5. The Ebony Clock is not connected to anything at all.

Sort the truth from the lies, and you will be free.

With the help of allies that come to include an old friend, an elderly chemist, two disgruntled members of Adolphus’ guard, and an elf, Roland tries to make use of the new information in the beginning of a new epic from Anthony Dean, author of the Voided Man series.

Favorite Lines:

“‘I’d pay a great price to find a love like that.’…’I think you will find that it does not require a great price or a small one.'”

“A man who will give comfort to a woman who has no ability to give anything in return is the kind of man who will find love easily, although such things work on their own timetable. You’ll see.”

My Opinion:

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

This story takes place in a fantasy world with hints dropped that it may actually be our own but something has happened to change it into the version we read about (I am waiting to see how this pans out) and follows Roland, a Keeper of the Clock, who returns home after a day of work to find a mysterious note left for him. What follows is an epic fantasy adventure while Roland tries to uncover the meaning behind the note.

While I have read several of Dean’s science fiction books, this is the first fantasy book from him that I have read so I was going into this a bit unsure of what to expect but as a fan of both fantasy and Dean, I knew I wasn’t going to  be disappointed and spoiler alert: I wasn’t. As always Dean’s writing tone comes off as creative and warm. He does a great job at giving you just enough information to keep you on the edge of your seat without giving everything away, leaving you wanting more and craving answers.

I thought that the pacing of this story was just right, we get enough details to understand what is happening without too much to get bogged down in. I also thought that that character writing was well done although some characters did seem a bit too straight forward and perhaps motivated a bit too much by either good or evil. I would have perhaps liked to see some more multidimensionality to them – although that might be the exact point of the story so I think I will just have to wait and see as more details come to light later in the series.

Summary:

Overall, this was a refreshing and original plot, as all of Dean’s seem to be. He took some classic fantasy themes and made them uniquely his own for this story which I really enjoyed. Only book one in this new series, this book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I am excited to see where Dean takes it next. If you like fantasy, mystery, action, and adventure, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out The Clock and the Candles here!

 

Review: Watercolors and Tears by José Orlando Castañeda 

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Manuel, a young Ecuadorian, sells medicinal herbs in the market and paints watercolors in his spare time. In search of a better life, he emigrates to Port Chester (New York). Elvira, his wife, intends to join him by sea, but she is shipwrecked. Her plans change after her rescue, and she ends up in Madrid, where she is employed as a nanny. Antonio, the father of the children in her care, discovers her secretly reading a novel from his antique books collection. He slyly labels a passage with a strip of paper, intending for her to read it. Intrigued, Elvira responds by indicating her own phrases in the book. That’s the beginning of an innocent exchange of literary quotes through which love quietly slips in. While Manuel takes refuge in his paintings and herbal remedies on the other side of the world, Elvira finds herself falling for Antonio. When her hopes are dashed through a casual blunder, she seeks to regain her marital home and travels to Port Chester to be with her husband. Confronted by an unexpected tragedy, she discovers the watercolors that Manuel has painted in his solitude. His brushstrokes cut deep into her heart.

Favorite Lines:

“When Manuel and Elvira’s gazes finally met, their silence broke. In simple words, they exchanged life impressions; and in a slip of their souls, they felt a strong attraction.”

“The watercolor paintings were a testimony to his life and dreams. She concluded that while she sought a spiritual connection in the teachings of books, he used his art to perceive life from different angles. In that sense, she found him closer to God.”

My Opinion:

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

This story follows Ecuadorian couple Manuel and Elvira as they pursue better lives for themselves. Manuel is a medicinal herbs merchant who paints watercolors in his free time. In the face of financial hardships, he finds himself making the impossible decision to emigrate to New York to try and support his wife and children who he must leave behind in the meantime. When Elvira tries to join Manuel in New York, she is in a shipwreck that ends up leading her to Madrid where she finds work as a nanny. Throughout the story, we see life through the eyes of both characters in very different parts of the world as they struggle not only the new worlds that they find themselves in but also with the distance between them.

This is Castañeda’s debut novel and I was blown away with his ability to showcase such deeply personal emotions and handle them with beauty and grace as well as his ability to tackle very complex and challenging themes. This story evolves around topics of emigration that are very real for many in the world including the guilt that is felt when leaving loved ones behind, the language barriers and isolation that many feel when leaving their home countries, and much more. I felt that Castañeda did a beautiful job writing all of this in a thought-provoking and, quite frankly,  captivating manner.

I also really enjoyed his capability to weave such colorful descriptions. I felt like I was in the market with Manuel while he sold his herbs or watching him paint his watercolors on the canvases. Castañeda’s vivid descriptions and rich imagery transported me into the world on the page which only made the emotions in this story that much stronger and the pages turn that much faster.

Summary:

Overall, this was a very beautiful and elegant story about the complexities of life that tackled very real topics surrounding the realities of emigration in the pursuit of a better life for you and your family. Full of rich descriptions, love, loss, sacrifice, tenacity, and family, this book could be for anyone who is interested in the deeply honest portrayal of what it means to be human in this world. Happy reading!

Check out Watercolors and Tears here!

Review: We Meet Again: Book One by Brownell Landrum

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Separated by centuries… Reunited to change the world

Have you ever wondered if you met someone… before?
When she meets the Artist, his first words to her are, “We Meet Again.” Yet they hadn’t met before.
Or had they?

Brownell Landrum’s celebrated We Meet Again trilogy is an epic reincarnation mystery + love story about a famous couple from history reunited today to fulfill a prophecy that will change the world.
But is the world ready to change?
Follow the clues tracing back centuries, even millennia through this remarkable story of love, fate, and destiny against a backdrop of lifetimes from present day to 1930s Brazil, 1500s Renaissance Europe, the Middle Ages, and even ancient Greece.

In Book One, meet Marielle and Dante, a modern-day couple navigating a new relationship while re-living a previous lifetime as a nun and a priest in 1930s Brazil protecting a valuable artifact from a nefarious organization still on the hunt today.

Favorite Lines:

“Don’t fall in love, darling. Rise in love.”

“The love that moves the sun and the other stars”

“Love is born into every human being; it calls back the halves of our original nature together; it tries to make one out of two and heal the wound.”

My Opinion:

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

This story follows Marielle and Dante, two individuals who meet and feel so familiar to each other that they explore the possibility that they have met before in a previous lifetime. What follows is a story rich with historical references, romance, suspense, and adventure.

If you’ve been following this blog at all, you know I am a sucker for anything romance related and this book scratches the itch. Among its classifications, it is considered a historical romance, and I really enjoyed the love that Landrum has created that spans across lifetimes. I do want to warn readers that this quite a spicy read (like 50 Shades of Grey level spicy) and may not be suitable for younger readers.

Landrum has done her research and seems to be quite knowledgeable of the histories, cultures, religions, languages, and settings that she includes in this story because she has been able to build quite a detail oriented world that makes a reader feel fully immersed while we follow along in both the present day storyline and the flashbacks to the past.

Summary:

Overall, this was an interesting reincarnation love story full of history, romance, and adventure. Part one of a trilogy, I am excited to see where Landrum takes the rest of this series. If you like romance, especially historical romances, adventure, mystery, suspense, and metaphysical fiction, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out We Meet Again: Book One here!

 

Review: Focused on Love by Melody Carson

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Rodeo nights and a city girl who’s all trouble. I must protect this damsel at all costs.

I’m Shane, a lonely cowboy and billionaire bronc rider with a memory I can’t shake.
Then enters Zoey, a sexy city fashion photographer, stirring up dust in my private world.
Sparks fly as we’re instantly drawn to each other.

But, then Zoey unknowingly captures a kidnapping on film
and our attraction takes a very dangerous turn.
I must protect her from the shadows as we unravel an unspeakable
crime that threatens everything.

I’m not only wrestling with broncs,
but I’m protecting the only woman who’s ever stolen my heart.
Together, we’ll face the evil in this small-town mystery that threatens to tear us apart.

This rodeo holds more than bronc riding –
it may just be the place where two hearts find their way home.

But, first, we must outsmart the danger and find our love amidst the chaos.

Favorite Lines:

“Think again, asshat, ’cause that’s not going to happen.”

“You know you’re getting old when sleeping hurts.”

“I didn’t just fall in love with you that day. I fell in love with your spirit, your resilience…your heart. You’re the strongest woman I know, Zoey. And I admire and respect you more than anyone else in this world.”

My Opinion:

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

This story follows Zoey and Shane. Zoey is a photographer who is sent to Montana to take pictures at a rodeo but finds herself out of a job when her boss gets a bit too flirty for her tastes. When she confronts him about it, he fires her on the spot. Meanwhile, Shane is a rancher and bronco rider at the rodeo who is addicted to the thrill and wants to ride until he is physically no longer able. Shane has no interest in a city girl from LA being at the rodeo but when a girl goes missing, the unlikely pair team up to help solve the case.

This is a contemporary enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy that features cowboys; what is not to love? Like many of Carson’s other books, this is a short and sweet romance that features strong female characters and the men that fall for them. Carson’s writing style flows well and creates an easy to follow story that is easy to get addicted to. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself turning page after page until you’re staring at the end of the book all in one sitting.

Summary:

Overall, if you like contemporary romances featuring cowboys, small town love, action, suspense, intrigue, and of course romance, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Focused on Love here!

 

Review: MMMM: and the music that made me by Heather Joy

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

Do you need a laugh or a mindless read? How about song suggestions for your next playlist? You can find that and more in Heather Joy’s explicit debut.

Heather Joy’s essays are balanced with pop culture references and her tireless crusade to spark a connection (which sometimes leans on the debaucherous side of things). 

Favorite Lines:

As always with short stories and collections, rather than picking favorite lines, I am picking a favorite chapter. In this memoir, the chapter that I found particularly engaging, which quite frankly surprised myself, was “Mixed Media”. It focuses on today’s society’s addiction to technology as well as the impact that art has had across generations. Joy makes some compelling arguments that feel loud and bold but I found that I respected many of them.

My Opinion:

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

This is my first book from Joy and she had me hooked from the Introduction. I knew rather quickly that her sense of humor and writing style were going to have me aggressively exhaling out of my nose many times throughout this book (I’m sure you know what I mean) and I was excited to dive right in as I am always a fan of creative works such as these. 

A collection of 13 personal essays, Joy takes us through her life from her early party-girl days to becoming a single mother working for engineering firms. This memoir is full of raw honesty, dark humor, and overall compelling writing. While Joy is writing from her own personal experiences, I found that I could relate to a lot of them in my own way and I imagine that other readers will feel the same. I am appreciative that Joy shared such deeply personal experiences with us to remind us that we are not alone in our own experiences and the impacts they leave on our lives.

I think what I found most compelling in this collection was Joy’s author voice and tone. I found that Joy brought a unique sense of energy and creativity that really shined through and kept me thoroughly engrossed and entertained throughout the memoir. She is brutally honest both with herself and the world around her which I thought only added to her remarkable storytelling abilities and brought a very personal but relatable perspective on a variety of topics.

Summary:

Overall, I found this book to be incredibly rewarding and I quite frankly feel a bit awe struck that I got to experience it. I would call this a diamond in the rough and would recommend to anyone who is interested in personal memoirs that focus on one woman’s take on just everything life.

Check out MMMM: and the music that made me here!

 

Review: Mr. Bingley: Just As A Gentleman Ought To Be by Brandon Dragan

~ likelystory18 ~ 3 Comments

Synopsis:

“Finally, a novel that reveals the true Bingley! Heartily recommend to all Bingley-philes!” — Crispin Bonham-Carter, Mr. Bingley in the BBC Miniseries, Pride & Prejudice

For centuries Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, has been dearly loved he world over. However, few people know the hidden truth about Mr. Darcy’s closest friend, the affable Mr. Bingley—who is much more than he appears on first impression.

Mr. Bingley: Just as a Gentleman Ought to Be is the previously untold story of a young man who unwittingly uncovers an evil cabal among the British Empire’s aristocracy. Bingley finds himself confronting an enterprise so nefarious, he cannot help but act to redress it, even if it costs him his own reputation and the love of his life, the angelic Miss Jane Bennet.

Follow Mr. Bingley down a rabbit hole of intrigue and corruption, as he fights to protect the country’s most vulnerable alongside friends old and new. Can he set things right before he loses Jane forever?

Favorite Lines:

“She is undoubtedly the most handsome creature I have ever beheld, but more than her beauty, it is her serenity, or rather, the effect her serenity has had on me that gives me cause to ponder my own feelings.”

“In her presence, and in her presence alone, I seem able to be at peace with the world.”

“There is no defense for the fixed state of vanity in which you at times operate, Darcy.”

My Opinion:

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

As someone who watches Pride and Prejudice at least once a year, I was very excited to review this book. This story follows the Charles Bingley we know and love while giving new depth to his character like we have never seen before.  I would like to imagine that this story is happening in parallel to Pride and Prejudice giving new perspective to Mr. Bingley’s life outside of the P&P storyline.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into this book but I can say I wasn’t expecting such a creative blend of Pride and Prejudice meets James Bond meets Sherlock Holmes; especially coming from a character like Mr. Bingley. Dragan does an excellent job at creating a plot that is entirely his own in a world that many literary fans are already familiar with and love.

As mentioned above, the Pride and Prejudice world is one many are already familiar with but I think Dragan did an excellent job at expanding upon that world and building one that is unique for this story. I also really enjoyed the character development and conversation writing. Dragan added hidden depths to several characters featured in the Pride and Prejudice story beyond just Mr. Bingley and introduced some new ones too.

If I had to complain about one thing, it would be out of pure selfishness coming from my inner romantic – I wish there had been more in the plot to feature interactions with Jane from Mr. Bingley’s perspective. I am a sucker for split POVs and seeing what the male love interest thinks of their counterparts and I would have loved to see more of that here. We do get some behind the scenes thoughts but not very many direct interactions seen from Mr. Bingley’s eyes. However, this is almost made up for by hearing Mr. Darcy tell Bingley about Elizabeth. I would like to emphasize that this is nitpicky and understand that the point of this book wasn’t necessarily the romance – I still enjoyed the book immensely. 

Summary:

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a creative and unique twist to the familiar Pride and Prejudice world. I would recommend to anyone who is a P&P fan who wants a new take on a familiar character, and even those who are less familiar with P&P but love literature set in the 19th century that feature action, mystery, comradery, and a touch of romance. Happy reading!

Check out Mr. Bingley: Just As A Gentleman Ought To Be here!

 

Review: She Tames the Sea by E.M. Etheridge

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

Men fear a woman on the sea. They say women bring about bad luck and anger from the gods who rule the waters. Estella Bohem fears being aboard Captain Eric Price’s ship, amongst the pirates who kidnapped her for her abilities. It was the Bohem family who used magic to tame the beast of the sea decades ago. They trapped it in an ancient spell to make the waters safe to travel, but it was the vagabonds of the sea who wanted to free it, tame it, and use it for their own ambitions. All her life Estella never had control of her future, but as the notoriously brutal Captain Edward Laggatt hunts her down for the key to the beast’s cage, she has no choice but to trust the same men who stole her away from her socialite life in Charleston South Carolina.

She Tames The Sea is an adult dark fantasy novel that delves into the complications of familial relations, magic and mythology.

Favorite Lines:

“Remember this, my love, a woman alone in this world is an easy target for foolish men. Society hates a woman who is strong enough to live outside of them and will burn them to the ground. Pirates and Politicians are all the same in that aspect. Humans crave power and will either kill witches like us or enslave us for it.”

“I don’t know of any spells that can give me the power of a man in the patriarchal shitstorm of a society I lived in.”

My Opinion:

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

This story follows Estella Bohem, a secret witch stolen away from her life in South Carolina by pirates who need her help to release and tame a beast of the seas that her own ancestors had locked away many years ago. What follows is a tale full of magic that had me addicted until the very end.

My first impression of this book was it is Pirates of the Caribbean with witches – a combination that I didn’t know I needed until I was reading this book and found myself unable to put it down. Etheridge has a beautiful and unique storytelling voice that brings to life a creative story full of pirates, witches, magic, action, adventure, and femininity in a world that is run by men. I really want to emphasize that Etheridge’s unique storytelling voice that is used in this book really sets it apart from a lot of other modern books I have been seeing and reading from places like BookTok, and I mean that in the best way possible – it was a breath of fresh air that added to the appeal and mysticism of this story.

What I found most compelling about this story was the vivid imagery, elaborately crafted mythology, and strong character development. As a woman myself, I appreciated the theme of strong femininity that was present throughout the story. I also really enjoyed the plot twist at the end. No spoilers here, you’ll just have to read for yourself.

Summary:

Overall, I LOVED this book. A creative dark fantasy featuring witches, pirates, romance, action, adventure, and magic, I cannot recommend this book enough and am crossing my fingers that we will see more in this series in the future! Happy reading!

Check out She Tames the Sea here!

 

Monthly Features – September

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Entwined Desires: A Love’s Redemption by Anna Marteen

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

Synopsis: Adriana, a fearless voyager moves through the realms of passion, dances with shadows and addiction. Amidst the moonlit encounters, she meets Gabriel, a mysterious orchestrator of destiny, challenging her detachment.

Romantic symphony harmonizes with a melody of emotions. As their love deepens, Gabriel proposes a commitment that Adriana never thought she would entertain. Adriana must confront her demons and decide if she is willing to take the risk of losing herself to find a love that is both passionate and enduring. Gabriel and Adriana embark on a journey of self-discovery and emotional awakening.

But wait,

Secrets from Adriana’s past unravel the carefully woven fabric of their romance, challenging the foundation of their connection. 

Summary: A spicy contemporary romance full of passion, soulmates, and second chances love, this book is for anyone who adores romance at least half as much as I do. 

See the full review here: Entwined Desires: A Love’s Redemption
Purchase here

My Un-Handyman by Melody Carson

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

Synopsis: IT NEVER HURTS TO HELP.
At least that was the motto I’d always gone by up until meeting Emily.

But then again, no good deed goes unpunished. There’s that one, too.
She needed a hand, and I had the time.
What was the harm in pretending to be a handyman if it helped my pretty ranch owner neighbor out?
Besides, how hard could it be?
But now I’m realizing that there are certain things even a billionaire like me can’t pull off. Like knowing how to rewire the lighting on an entire barn. Or even lay water pipe. (And who’s Allen, and why would I want his wrench?)

Worse yet, I’m starting to really like Emily and realize that she isn’t going to take this little ruse very well when I tell her the truth. That I’m not-so-handy after all.
But her legacy—and Emily—are in danger. And even if I could forget about the hottest kiss of my life, there’s no way I can back down from protecting the woman who gave it to me. Or the ranch that was rightfully hers.
Defending what and who I love is one of the things I’m good at, after all

Summary: Overall, I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a quick and easy romantic comedy full of humorous banter, enemies-to-lovers, and secret billionaires who find that they enjoy handyman work.

See the full review here: My Un-Handyman
Purchase here

 

Ascending the Hourglass by Anthony Dean

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

Synopsis: There are great deserts in space…

So began The Voided Man.

Prisoner Number One has survived in the void. He has even thrived there. But the question remains, can he ever leave there?

If so, by what possible method? And at what risk to himself and others?

Return to the void, and learn if it offers the possibility of escape to those who master the art of Ascending the Hourglass.

Summary: Overall, this was an excellent follow up to the first book and I am excited to see where Dean is taking this series for its conclusion. Classified as a sci-fi, I would also say this book could fall into the YA category and could be for anyone who is a fan of quirky and humorous science fiction.

See the full review here: Ascending the Hourglass
Purchase here

Gaviota Island: Birds, Monkeys, and Twisted Love by Janna Klarmann

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

Synopsis: “Gaviota Island” is a psychological thriller exploring the twisted love between a nature girl and a hunter.

The story delivers a message about the cruelty of shooting wild animals. It delves into the tangled complexities of romance, secrecy, and moral ambiguity.

Laura Whitley is 22 years old. She meets Bret Belcher at the University of Texas – an unexpected pairing of a bird enthusiast and a passionate hunter.

Laura admires Bret’s confidence, ambition, and charm. But she grapples with his unwavering passion for guns and hunting.

As university graduation looms, Laura’s distress intensifies because she has no plans for what she’ll do when she finishes. The Belchers will dispatch Bret to Panama to oversee the family’s property business there. This could be Laura’s pivotal moment to break up with him. But against her parents’ advice, she follows him to Panama in hopes of remaking their lives together.

In Panama, Laura befriends a young biologist who discovers a rare population of monkeys on Gaviota, an uninhabited island meant for Bret’s real estate venture. The discovery is a threat to Bret’s plans,

Bret’s violent solution to the monkey problem and his betrayal with another woman push Laura to the edge. Horrified and desperate, Laura takes drastic measures.

Experience Laura’s transformation from an innocent bird watcher to a woman ensnared in a web of deceit and survival.

Follow a series of events that spiral into a dark, dangerous climax.

Discover the gripping tale that blurs the lines between right and wrong, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Summary: Overall, I was not sure what to expect going into this book but I was strangely surprised that I enjoyed it and came out more educated on the topics it covered than I was going into it. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the realities of the injustices that animals face at the hands of mankind. While a work of fiction, this book paints a very real picture of today’s world and what takes place to the animals that are hunted in it. 

See the full review here: Gaviota Island: Birds, Monkeys, and Twisted Love
Purchase here

Too Much to Lose by Melody Carson

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

Synopsis: DON’T MISS YOUR SECOND CHANCE.

It’s not often that we get to try again, cuz life very seldom deals a second chance.
Most people don’t even notice when they get one dropped in their lap like a miracle.
But I noticed.

I’ve lost Cassidy once, and come hell or high water, I won’t make the same mistake twice.
Turning a losing hand into a winner might take the whim of Lady Luck herself, but I’m up for the challenge.

However, fate is not always kind, and sometimes overcoming the evil in this world comes at a terrible price.

Cassidy has a monster to face down, but I’m not going anywhere. When it comes to the love between us, there’s simply too much to lose.

Summary: Overall, if you like contemporary romances featuring second chances at love in a small town, action, suspense, intrigue, and of course romance, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Too Much to Lose
Purchase here

The King of Evil by Eileen Gillick

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

Synopsis: He took her powers.
She’ll fight to take back what’s always been hers.
Sixteen-year-old Elise is bullied by her peers every day.
Unbeknownst to them all, she possesses twenty-four mutant abilities.
Eighteen-year-old Rolf takes them all away from her. He isolates them both in his own kingdom to gain knowledge and
strength of her powers. As he constructs a plan to bring her down, Elise must seek an ultimatum. Before it’s the end of her.

Summary: Overall, this was an addicting read. With a refreshing take on some familiar tropes and Gillick’s unique writing style bringing  hints of dark tension and mystery to the plot, I applaud Gillick and am in awe over this debut novel.  I would recommend this to anyone interested in fantasies full of psychological mind games, magic, and mystery that have a darker tone. 

See the full review here: The King of Evil
Purchase here

Review: The King of Evil by Eileen Gillick

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

He took her powers.
She’ll fight to take back what’s always been hers.
Sixteen-year-old Elise is bullied by her peers every day.
Unbeknownst to them all, she possesses twenty-four mutant abilities.
Eighteen-year-old Rolf takes them all away from her. He isolates them both in his own kingdom to gain knowledge and
strength of her powers. As he constructs a plan to bring her down, Elise must seek an ultimatum. Before it’s the end of her.

Favorite Lines:

“In her heart, it was clear to her what unintentionally razing a relationship could do to the heart. Grasping that the dint of love might romp somewhere in her soul, except for all the horror she endured, it seemed impossible to see it in a person. The person who she loved.”

“Distressed, Rolf takes Elise to his chest and screams out.”

“I call this the Icarus room…because when you go in here, you feel your spirits rise. It looks like a nice room, right? Then you fall because of the terror in here.”

My Opinion:

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

This story follows two high school students, sixteen year old outcast, Elise and eighteen year old Rolf. While the target of bullies, Elise has an incredible secret – she possess twenty-four mutant abilities. When Rolf finds out about Elise’s powers, he ends up unintentionally absorbing them. What follows is a battle of mental strength and perseverance as Rolf casts Elise into a hidden realm of his own creation in an attempt to break her spirit and ultimately bend her to his will. 

This is a fantastic debut novel for Gillick full of creative worldbuilding, strong character writing, and an interesting plot. Gillick brings a magical realm to life with vivid details that made me feel like I was right there along with the characters. Full of colorful descriptions of the landscapes and a well-crafted magic system, I found myself turning one page after another fully addicted to the immersion of the world that Gillick had created. I especially enjoyed the small detail of what music was playing the background in many of the scenes – it only added to being able to picture the scene.

I also found the character writing to be well done because Gillick didn’t try to make the characters perfect. Both Elise and Rolf are multidimensional characters who could only be described as morally gray at their core. They have their flaws and I found this to make them more relatable and more human. Their dynamic is what the story ultimately revolves around and I couldn’t get enough. Also, have I ever mentioned that I am also a sucker for multiple POVs? One thing I did want to point out that made me feel a bit weird was referring to Elise as a child several times throughout the book. I am not sure if this was because it was usually from Haas’ perspective but it felt slightly odd and a bit like a disservice to make her appear younger than her sixteen years.

*While classified as YA, some scenes in this book may be better suited for adults.*

Summary:

Overall, this was an addicting read. With a refreshing take on some familiar tropes and Gillick’s unique writing style bringing  hints of dark tension and mystery to the plot, I applaud Gillick and am in awe over this debut novel.  I would recommend this to anyone interested in fantasies full of psychological mind games, magic, and mystery that have a darker tone. Happy reading!

Check out The King of Evil here!

 

Review: Gaviota Island: Birds, Monkeys, and Twisted Love by Janna Klarmann

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

“Gaviota Island” is a psychological thriller exploring the twisted love between a nature girl and a hunter.

The story delivers a message about the cruelty of shooting wild animals. It delves into the tangled complexities of romance, secrecy, and moral ambiguity.

Laura Whitley is 22 years old. She meets Bret Belcher at the University of Texas – an unexpected pairing of a bird enthusiast and a passionate hunter.

Laura admires Bret’s confidence, ambition, and charm. But she grapples with his unwavering passion for guns and hunting.

As university graduation looms, Laura’s distress intensifies because she has no plans for what she’ll do when she finishes. The Belchers will dispatch Bret to Panama to oversee the family’s property business there. This could be Laura’s pivotal moment to break up with him. But against her parents’ advice, she follows him to Panama in hopes of remaking their lives together.

In Panama, Laura befriends a young biologist who discovers a rare population of monkeys on Gaviota, an uninhabited island meant for Bret’s real estate venture. The discovery is a threat to Bret’s plans,

Bret’s violent solution to the monkey problem and his betrayal with another woman push Laura to the edge. Horrified and desperate, Laura takes drastic measures.

Experience Laura’s transformation from an innocent bird watcher to a woman ensnared in a web of deceit and survival.

Follow a series of events that spiral into a dark, dangerous climax.

Discover the gripping tale that blurs the lines between right and wrong, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Favorite Lines:

“I think that psychologists must have theories on all of this. Are we talking about misogynistic men fleeing into the wilds to escape women? Does shooting animals make a man feel manly? Do hunters measure their penis sizes?”

“Who does the most good for humanity, property developers or wildlife defenders? In a crowded and overheating world, people had to choose. Laura cast her lot with Penny.”

“Penny resisted the cliché of men from Mars and women from Venus. That wasn’t going to help.”

My Opinion:

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

This story follows Laura Whitley, an enthusiastic bird watcher who has fallen in love with Bret Belcher, an intense hunter. Despite disagreeing with Bret’s love for guns and animal hunting, Laura follows Bret to Panama when he travels to oversee his family’s business there in an attempt to stay together and rekindle their love for one another. Laura quickly finds herself in a horrible situation that seems to escalate by the day and the man she had been trying to convince herself she could make a life with is the villain in this story.

I have to say that I think this book is a first for me in terms of being heavily focused on anti-hunting and anti-poaching themes and messaging. Klarmann clearly writes from a personal and passionate place on this topic and I was impressed on how this passion was conveyed throughout this story. I thought that Klarmann had a relaxing and enjoyable writing voice that the story only benefited from and I actually appreciated that it was a bit more informal compared to some other writing styles I have read.

While I do appreciate being spared on some of the more graphic details, there were still many sad and distressing scenes that really drove home the realities of hunting; which was the point. I did find myself with tears in my eyes over several of the scenes but would still recommend this book to wipe away any disillusions about what hunting can entail.

Summary:

Overall, I was not sure what to expect going into this book but I was strangely surprised that I enjoyed it and came out more educated on the topics it covered than I was going into it. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the realities of the injustices that animals face at the hands of mankind. While a work of fiction, this book paints a very real picture of today’s world and what takes place to the animals that are hunted in it. 

Check out Gaviota Island: Birds, Monkeys, and Twisted Love here!