Source: From Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.
Lady Mechanika: La Belle Dame Sans Merci by MM Chen, and Joe Benitez Series: Lady Mechanika Volume 5 Publisher: Benitez Productions
Publication Date: May 14, 2019
Format: Ebook
Rating:
Synopsis:
Lady Mechanika's investigation into her forgotten past is overshadowed by concern for her associate Mr. Lewis when he becomes enamored of a beautiful and enigmatic young widow, whose own past seems disturbingly linked to the untimely deaths of several creative geniuses. Will Mr. Lewis be next?
Review: This, the fifth volume of Lady Mechanika, was another wonderful story that had gorgeous illustration throughout. Lady Mechanika is still trying to learn about her past but is deterred by Mr. Lewis' disappearance and funny demeanor. Mr. Lewis has found a fiancé out of nowhere and she is doing something to him. I love the illustration in these graphic novels, it is very detailed and it follows the story well. One thing to note about these graphic novels is that there is a lot of text though for a graphic novel and while the illustration does carry some of the weight of the story, there is still a lot of reading when you get into the story. Mechanika is growing as a character and I really like her growth so far, she is seeming more human than machine as the story line moves forward and that may play into developments later in the story. I am really enjoying this series and the weird developments that occur that are inhibiting her from moving forward on her journey because it is more friendships built while she is trying to be alone and in the end I think she needs these people in her life to help her find her origin. A few other disclaimers, this is an adult series with adult content and a good amount of violence, so be aware before you go picking these up.
Source: From Netgalley and Clavis in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.
Bedtime by Guido Van Genechten Publisher: Clavis
Publication Date: May 15, 2019
Format: Ebook
Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:
A bedtime story from bestselling children's author-illustrator Guido Van Genechten!
Everyone has a bedtime routine. Penguin wants to play in the snow. Little Turtle has to use the potty. What does Victor want to do before bed? What do you want to do?
A cheerful and colorful go-to-bed book.For little snorers ages 24 months and up,with the daily life of the child as the theme.
Review: A short review for a short book. Bedtime is a cute and quick read just right for getting ready for bed. The illustrations are bright and adorable and the animals all have something they want to do before heading to sleep for the night. There is a variety of animals and not your normal bunny, dog, and cat, which makes this even more fun for kids. I think this is the perfect bedtime book for evenings when it is really time to get to sleep but they want just one more book.
Source: From Librarything Early Reviewers program and Candlewick Press in exchange for review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.
Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince by Liz Kessler Series: Emily Windsnap #8 Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: March 12, 2019
Format: Paperback ARC Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:
Emily Windsnap ends up surrounded by pirates — and on a life-changing adventure — in the eighth installment of the New York Times best-selling series.
Traveling home by cruise ship should be a relaxing break after Emily’s latest adventure, but things take a turn when the ship is overtaken by a pirate king and his crew. After the pirates collect everyone’s riches, they steal something even more valuable: Aaron. The pirate king’s eldest son takes Aaron captive, forcing him to help guide the pirates to the mythical Trident’s Treasure. So Emily dives into action and joins the younger son’s crew in hopes of saving Aaron. But while experiencing life on the waves, Emily is surprised to find herself not only enjoying the pirate life, but actually bonding with the crew — especially Sam, the pirate king’s son. Between helping Sam unravel riddles to beat his brother to the treasure and making sure that her friends are safe, Emily realizes that she needs to be true to herself. Will she cast aside her mermaid life to join her new friends, or will she find a way to follow her own path?
Review: Quick review disclaimer - I have not read the first 7 books in this series, nor did I realize that it was the 8th book in a series when I got it. Emily Windsnap is a teenager who also happens to be part mermaid. She can walk around like a human but when she gets in the water she can transform into her tail. In this story she is headed on a cruise ship on her way back home from her last adventure (this is where I figured out I was missing some context). Their relaxing trip home is soon spoiled by pirates and Emily must save the day. Even though I was not aware that this was the 8th book in a series, there was enough in the story to help me follow along well enough. Emily is an interesting main character and I was happy to follow her on an adventure with the pirates and her friends. I found the plot to be very fun, there were clues and riddles and really I love a good adventure anyway. The characters had to overcome issues with each other and become friends and really help one another and that was a very good message as well. Overall this was a great book, I am not sure how it compares to the rest of the series, but it was fun by itself. If you are looking for a new series for a middle grade reader, this one should be one you look into.
Based on a true story. When her homeland is conquered by the mighty Alexander the Great, Roxana—the daughter of a mere chieftain—is torn from her simple life and thrown into a world of war and intrigue. Terrified, the sixteen-year-old girl of renowned beauty is brought before the greatest ruler the world has ever known. Her life is in his hands; her future his to decide. Without formal education or noble blood, Roxana is chosen by the Greek conqueror to be his bride. Soon she comes to know profound happiness and unyielding desire in her warrior’s arms. However, being the king’s consort comes at a heavy price. To survive her husband’s treacherous kingdom, she must endure continuous warfare, deadly plots, jealous rivals, victory-hungry generals, and the stigma of being a barbarian. Persian blood will keep her from claiming the grandest title of all—queen—but her reign will seal the fate of an empire. History tells his story. This is hers.
About the Author: Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers Association, Weis writes mystery, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.
The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell Series: The Last Magician #1 Publisher:
Publication Date:
Format: Ebook then Audible Audiobook Source: From Netgalley and Simon Pulse for review. I also bought the audiobook copy on Audible.
Rating: DNF
Goodreads Synopsis:
Stop the Magician. Steal the book. Save the future.
In modern-day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives.
Esta is a talented thief, and she’s been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her innate ability to manipulate time, Esta can pilfer from the past, collecting these artifacts before the Order even realizes she’s there. And all of Esta’s training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1902 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order—and the Brink—before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future.
But Old New York is a dangerous world ruled by ruthless gangs and secret societies, a world where the very air crackles with magic. Nothing is as it seems, including the Magician himself. And for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past.
Review: Back when I first received The Last Magician, I tried to start reading it and I just could not get into it. Recently I bought myself an Audible subscription and decided that I should try the Audiobook version to see if that helped my focus. I got about 20% of the way through and I decided to give up on it. The plot was starting to pick up and the characters were developing and new characters were even being introduced but I was not able to feel for them or the situation at all... and I really tried. I just was not feeling this book, which is sad because I know so many people really enjoyed it. The book has a bunch of time jumps and various characters that all come together eventually I assume (probably in the end ...which I didn't get to), however with all the different characters and all the time changes it was hard for me to follow since it wasn't already grabbing my full focus. Esta, the main character, from the beginning, seemed stubborn and impulsive and so when things happened to her I wasn't surprised that she was getting into trouble, nor did I feel for her as the protagonist. This has the potential to be the beginning to a great fantasy series, it just wasn't for me right now, maybe I will try it again down the road.
Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! Another month down in the books! Happy almost May everyone! Can you believe we are already through April? I can't believe it, April flew by so fast. I took a trip to Chicago for work, got really sick (it was a really bad cold), had a lot of schoolwork to do, work- like normal, Easter festivities, and it was my birthday month. Blogging and reading was a bit on the slow side, mostly because I was exhausted from reading for school, so any free time I had was spent drooling on myself in front of the TV or playing World of Warcraft (yea I know... not productive at all, but it is a stress relief thing). On another note, the snow is melted and we are officially in the Mud season in VT - if you didn't know, we completely skip spring and have a season for mud. All the snow and ice melt and then all the springtime rain really does a number on the lawns, roads, everything....mud everywhere.... all the time. How has your April been?
~~Books I Read in April~~
How did I do on my April TBR? Bad 💀, I still have the rest of the day today and I started The Beast's Heart, I am currently 3 hours into the audiobook - 10 more to go. (lol)
TOMORROW is my BIRTHDAY!!!! I'm old so it doesn't really matter but I got some great gifts :) The hubs got me a denim jacket so I can cover it with patches (I am very excited about this art project) and he got me a Harry Potter Lego set - the Great Hall one. Photos to follow. This week was pretty relaxed, work has slowed down a bit, we got permission to work one date remote during the summer - so we start that next week, and I am very ahead on all of my schoolwork. I am feeling good and productive and I love it! It makes me feel like I can do anything! I also finally caught up and did some reading this week 😁! One of the reviews was posted this past week, hopefully I will get a few more written for this week and next.
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Share about your week with me in the comments below!
Giveaways on Cover2CoverBlog!
Coming up on the Blog
Monthly Re-Cap: April 2019 May 2019 - TBR Pile Recent Reads: The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell (YA) Recent Reads: The Golden Thread by Alex Hayes (YA, Novella)
Riley Mack and the Other Known Troublemakers by Chris Grabenstein Series: Riley Mack #1 Publisher: Audible Studios
Publication Date: April 4, 2019
Format: Audible Original Audiobook Source: Freebie in April from Audible with Subscription
Rating: Goodreads Synopsis:
When former improvisational comedian and screenwriter turned award-winning mystery author Chris Grabenstein writes a kid's book, he delivers page-turning plot twists, pitch-perfect dialogue, and one-liners that pepper the text like exploding firecrackers. Riley Mack and the Other Known Troublemakers, the first book in a hilarious new action-adventure series, is a classic crime caper, a funny, fast-paced mystery/comedy with lovable characters, non-stop action—and a barnful of dogs.
Seventh-grade mastermind Riley Mack and his best buds always come to the rescue when family or friends are in trouble, even if it takes some high-octane subterfuge and fifty pounds of dog food. Kids ages 8-12 will root for Riley and his "Gnat Pack": tech-savvy Jake, dramatic Brianna, big-guy Mongo, and brainy Jamal. They'll hiss for the bad guys, too—the bully Gavin Brown; his father, Fairview's crooked police chief; his conniving grandmother, who runs a filthy puppy mill; and Fairview's gambling-addicted bank manager, who tries to frame Riley's mom. Throw in one stolen goldendoodle, two bumbling bank robbers, and plenty of duct tape, and the action never flags.
Riley Mack and the Other Known Troublemakers will have readers snorting soda out their noses, proving once again that Grabenstein is a master at concocting irresistible stories for middle-grade readers.
Review: Riley Mack is the first book by Chris Grabenstein that I have pick up outside of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library Series. This audible original is read by a full cast and has background noise as well. Each character is read by a different voice actor/ess. The book is the first in a series, and it follows a boy named Riley Mack. He and his gang of friends help their friends and family solve mysteries and crimes in their small town. The story was fun and all of the different plot elements kept me guessing. There are a bunch of smaller side stories that all come together in the end and it added a lot of depth to the story. Riley, the main character, just wants to do good, but the town cop has it out for him, much like the cop's son has it out for all the 6th graders. Riley tends to get wrapped up in trouble as he tries to help the people around it am it lends to some hilarious mishaps and trouble for him and his friends. An aspect that I really liked about the story was that one of the kids always uses great vocabulary words and then defines them for the reader, and he does it quickly and it is part of his quirky personality so it fits really well into the story - so well in fact I didn't even realize I was learning definitions until I had to stop and really think about it. A great learning tool that is obvious but not so.
I enjoyed this book, but the full cast thing kind of threw me off again. I listened to an adult book that I gave up on that was similarly done. I think it is a fun way to voice all the characters but I feel like presenting it this way also takes a bit away from the character development that I like in most books. This book was fun and very short, so I think reluctant readers will like it, however since I really love the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series, this one fell a bit short for me in comparison.
About the Book: Genre: “Science Faction” - science fiction, action and adventure with fact-based science, theories and mythology IN ALMOST EVERY BELIEF SYSTEM ON EARTH, there exists a single unifying mythos: thousands of years ago a great flood devastated the Earth’s inhabitants. From the ruins of this cataclysm, a race of beings emerged from the sea bestowing knowledge and culture upon humanity, saving us from our selfish drive toward extinction. Some say this race were “ancient aliens” who came to assist our evolution.
But what if they weren’t alien at all? What if they evolved right here on Earth, alongside humans . . . and they are still here? And, what if the World’s governments already know? ***
Kelly Graham is a narcissistic self-assured freelance photographer specializing in underwater assignments. While on a project in the Amazon with his best friend, Chris D'Souza, a mysterious and beautiful government official, Freya Nilsson, enters Kelly’s life and turns it upside down. Her simple request to retrieve a strange object from deep underwater puts him in the middle of an international conspiracy. A conspiracy that threatens to change the course of human history.
CHILDREN OF THE FIFTH SUN BY GARETH WORTHINGTON EXCERPT: 1
Location: Unknown
Benjamin stared at it. It didn’t stare back. He then looked at the reinforced glass between them. Benjamin’s piercing blue eyes appeared gray in the smoked transparent shield he had created.
Was this the only way?
Too late to worry about it now. Everything was already in motion. He blinked and once again gazed into the dark, frigid water.
It was gone.
His heart faltered. Damn, where is it? Benjamin placed both hands on the cold glass wall and peered inside.
Seconds passed. Minutes. It felt like years.
A violent crack tore through the room as the thing propelled itself against the invisible barrier. Benjamin reeled backward, and fell to the floor. His head smashed onto the tiles, spilling blood like an explosive fan of crimson paint. He propped himself up on his elbows. Could it get through? No. The glass was intact. The strange creature slowly glided back and forth in the murk, before disappearing out of sight.
Benjamin slumped back on the floor and felt the back of his head. Warm blood trickled through his leathery fingers, matting the silver hair to his scalp. Sickness roiled in his stomach. He turned to the side and heaved a thick, off-white liquid onto the tiles. He wiped the vomit from his beard as the blackness closed in.
In the darkness, voices called out to him. But their words were muffled. Benjamin couldn’t understand them. They didn’t make sense. Only one thing made sense to him.
"An action-packed, globe-hopping science fiction thriller... pedal-to-the-metal pacing and relentless action make it easy to turn pages..." ―Kirkus Reviews
"Insane! What Gareth did here was incredible! This author took a global look at America, China, and Russia, and added a species from another era into the mix, to create a well-researched novel of suspense, intrigue, with dashing individuals. The characters travel the world on a unique mission while trying to stay out of the line of fire as rogue government agencies from several different countries try to stop them. It's a wild ride from California to Peru, from Egypt to Siberia. The amount of research put into this novel is on par with a Michael Crichton novel. The main character, Kelly Graham, reminded me of Dirk Pitt from Clive Cussler's novels. Overall, an incredible read and a book I'm recommending." ―Jonas Saul, Best-selling author of the Sarah Roberts Series, April 2017
Suspend disbelief and let yourself travel on a downriver, undersea, and overland adventure in this well-constructed novel. The author takes you on a fast paced journey full of intrigue, government secrets, unusual creatures and just a tad of romance. Superlatives abound and the literary illumination paints an image so clear you feel you are there with the characters. For those who know the author, there are bit of his personality revealed which makes reading the novel even more enjoyable. A bit Tom Clancy, a hint of Dan Brown -- authentically Gareth in his debut work. ―Charity Scripture
"Scientist Worthington's understanding of the complexities and possibilities of marine biology and endocrinology are evident." ―Publishers Weekly, May 2017
***WINNER, SCI FI CATEGORY, 2017 LONDON BOOK FESTIVAL***
***2018 SILVER FALCHION AWARD FINALIST***
***2018 CYGNUS AWARD SHORTLIST (WINNER TBD)***
About the Author Gareth Worthington is a trained marine biologist and also holds a doctorate in comparative endocrinology. Currently, Gareth works full time for the Pharmaceutical industry helping to educate the World's doctors on new cancer therapies. In his spare time Gareth has a number of passions, including: martial arts - he trained in Muay Thai at the prestigious EVOLVE MMA gym in Singapore and currently trains in MMA at Phoenix Sportkampf, Switzerland; playing acoustic guitar; studying ancient history; drawing; and most of all writing fiction. An award winning author, he hopes to one day hang up the pharma hat and write full time. You can visit his author page and blog at www.garethworthington.com
