Tag Archives: adventure

The Waterfall Traveler Blog Tour

Book Review, , , , , , ,

The Waterfall Traveler book coverThe Waterfall Traveler by S.J. Lem

When Ri ventures out into the forest to find some food for her adoptive father, she never imagines that she will be saved by a charming boy and swept up in a battle against an evil that threatens humanity. Filled with adventure, drama, provocative characters and fantasy lore, The Waterfall Traveler is the tale of a girl willing to risk it all to save those she cares about. This novel is a good fantasy read. It moves along at an expeditious pace with an original story and satisfying ending. The writing is above average with descriptive scenery and good word selection. If anything was lacking, I wanted more character growth from the main protagonist, Ri. At times, she felt a little wishy-washy and I think she should have been learning more from the admittedly extraordinary situations she into which she was continually thrust.

*Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of this novel with a request for an honest review.*

You can enter to win a signed copy of this book here or purchase a copy here.

Book Review – The Last of August

Book Review, , , , , , , ,
The Last of August book coverThe Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro

After their harrowing case during the fall, Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes are hoping for a calmer winter break. But when Charlotte’s beloved Uncle Leander goes missing, Watson and Holmes are once again thrust into the dangerous game of deduction and mystery. As they chase clues as to Leander’s whereabouts across Europe, Charlotte and Jamie must also deal with the messy emotions of their unique partnership. Brittany Cavallaro has written another excellent Sherlockian mystery novel as her follow-up to A Study in Charlotte. She manages to balance fun and thrilling adventure with character development and broad drama. It continues to amaze me just how much Jamie and Charlotte are like their namesake characters and yet, still different and have their own personalities. All in all, I’m recommending you dive into Brittany Cavallaro’s latest Charlotte Holmes mystery with both feet.

Book Review – Starflight

Book Review, , , , , , , , ,
Starflight book coverStarflight by Melissa Landers

Solara Brooks needs to restart her life and the best way to do that is find passage to the outer realm where no one will care about the felony tattoos across her fingers. Unfortunately, the only way to get there is to become the indentured servant of her former classmate, Doran Spaulding, the spoiled heir to a fuel fortune. Suddenly, everything changes when Doran is accused of conspiracy and must flee the authorities. Solara tricks him into playing her servant and the two find refuge aboard the Banshee with its rag-tag crew. Starflight is a refreshing YA science fiction space adventure with excellent protagonists and an enjoyable supporting cast. It’s a fast-paced read with engaging plot points. I particularly liked Solara. She was an independent, non-apologetic, yet still feminine character. You’ll have fun with this easy, sci-fi tale.

Book Review – The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

Book Review, , , , , , , ,
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet book coverThe Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

Becky Chambers spins a lively space opera in The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. It takes place aboard the Wayfarer, a hyperspace tunneling ship with a multi-species crew. When the Wayfarer is offered a very lucrative but long and dangerous job, they begin a journey filled with adventure and mishaps that test the limits of the tight-knit family. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is a wonderful, spacey read. I picked up this book because the description on the back reminded me of Firefly, which is never a bad thing. And yes, the story and characters have some similarities but Becky Chambers definitely wrote her own unique take on the space opera. A quote on the back says “A rollicking space adventure with a lot of heart” and I think that’s a great way to describe this book.

Book Review – Crooked Kingdom

Book Review, , , , , ,
Crooked Kingdom book coverCrooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Crooked Kingdom is the sequel to last year’s novel, Six of Crows. Again, Leigh Bardugo comes through with an engaging, character-driven action story. The story picks up right after the events of Six of Crows with Kaz Brekker and his gang having narrowly escaped their first mission. Now, double-crossed and still dealing with the effects of nearly dying, Kaz must use his mastermind skills to get his friends out of the city. Told in alternating point of view chapters from each of the six characters, Crooked Kingdom takes readers on the same roller coaster ride as its predecessor. And that’s not a bad thing. Having been absolutely taken in by the characters after Six of Crows, I found this novel to be even richer and more captivating. But, beware. Leigh Bardugo is a master of the end-of-chapter cliffhanger! This book is incredibly hard to put down after you get into the heart of the action.

Book Review – The Explorers Guild

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The Explorers Guild book coverThe Explorers Guild: Volume One: A Passage to Shambhala by Jon Baird with Kevin Costner & Steven Meyer, illustrated by Rick Ross

The Explorers Guild marks an imaginative return to old time adventure stories. It is told partly through dense journal prose and partly through the style of a graphic novel. The incredibly creative meeting of the two distinct styles weaves a story of the mythical traveling city of Shambhala against the backdrop of World War I. This novel is not for everyone. It’s dense, archaic writing and length are difficult to maneuver at times and I felt myself wanting more of the graphic novel portions because most of the action happened there, but I have to say that I enjoyed it overall. The story is filled with adventures in far-flung places of the Earth and the characters are memorable. However, it is the beautifully rendered illustrations that really stand out. If you like good adventure stories, check out the unique novel that is The Explorers Guild.

Page example from The Explorers Guild

Book Review – The Sword of Summer

Book Review, , , , , , , ,
The Sword of Summer book coverMagnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Having now read 13 of Mr. Riordan’s mythology-based adventure novels, I can say with certainty that he knows what he’s doing. While each pantheon (Greek, Roman, Egyptian and now Norse) has its own feel and characters, all of the books have the same wittiness, fun, and charisma. Magnus Chase has been living on the streets of Boston for the past two years. Since his mother’s death, nothing has felt quite right. Then on his sixteenth birthday, he is tracked down by his estranged uncle who tells him that he is actually the son of a Norse god. Magnus must fulfill his destiny by finding the Sword of Summer and keeping it from falling into the wrong hands and hastening Ragnarok. Cue a quest through several of the Nine Worlds using runic magic, dwarven crafting, and a sword with a mind of its own. I absolutely recommend Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer, but then again, I was predisposed to like it.

Book Review – The IX #IXTour

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , ,

The IX Blog Tour Banner

The IXThe IX by Andrew P. Weston

For these soldiers snatched out of time, death is just the beginning of the fight. Faced with total destruction from an relentless foe, the inhabitants of the planet Arden created a rip in space-time to bring in reinforcements. An sophisticated AI system scours the history of Earth finding skilled fighters on the brink of death. Granted a second-chance, these warriors must find a way to save the failing Arden. When the ninth intake, comprised of Rome’s lost Ninth Legionnaires, U.S. Calvary from the 1860s and the Cree nation people they were fighting, and a special forces group trying to thwart environmental terrorists, arrives on Arden, an opportunity arises to finally take the fight to their enemy, the Horde. But the outcome turns out to be something neither side could anticipate. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was original and action-packed. Andrew Weston has created a gripping sci-fi world. There was a lot of jumping around to different characters and places but I never felt lost. I could have used a map of Arden because I had trouble visualizing where some of the action was in relation to the main city but overall, the planet of Arden was both alien and familiar. Mr. Weston’s writing was above average with only a few errors and punctuated with some beautiful, elegiacal descriptions. I recommend The IX as an engrossing, sci-fi adventure.

*Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of this novel with a request for an honest review.*

 

The IX Giveaway Button

Win a $10 Amazon/Barnes & Noble Gift Card, one copy of Outpassage by Janet & Chris Morris or one copy of The Sacred Band by Janet Morris

Book Review – The Dreamweaver’s Journey #FeyronTour

Book Review, , , , , , , , , ,
feyron2Btour2Bbanner
The Dreamweaver's JourneyThe Dreamweaver’s Journey: The Age of Awakenings by Diana L. Wicker

The first book in the Tales from Feyron, “The Dreamweaver’s Journey” centers on the Realm of Feyron — the origin of all things magical and point where all worlds meet. For the first time in over three hundred years, a Dreamweaver has come of age and must awaken the long-lost Guardians of the Realm. However, when one of the Dreamweaver’s friends goes missing, the Guardians summon the Dreamweaver on a quest that will take her and her companions in search of answers. Diana L. Wicker’s novel is jammed packed with charming fantasy lore from her Realm of Feyron. The intricacy and depth of her world can be overwhelming at times but that is a testament to her imagination and the magic she’s spun into her pages. The story is a good mix of magic, adventure and history. I would recommend this light YA fantasy novel for readers ranging from young to old.

*Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of this novel with a request for an honest review.*

You can get “The Dreamweaver’s Journey” and the other two books in the Tales from Feyron series for just $0.99. Use the codes below at Smashwords:

The Dreamweaver’s Journey: LQ98S
The Guardian Child’s Return: PV32X
Legacy of Mist and Shadow: AL72T

feyron tour button giveaway

Win a $10 Amazon or B&N giftcard or credit at the Book Depository –OR– a Magic Bottle necklace. Ends 2/13.

 

 

MBT2

Book Review – Aegis Rising #AegisTour

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Aegis Banner

Aegis Rising New Kindle Cover v2Aegis Rising by S.S. Segran

“From the flames of Cerraco five will arise, Saplings of Aegis, the bearers of light…” so begins the ancient prophecy of a hidden civilization thriving in a small valley in northern Canada. They have been awaiting the five “chosen” ones for hundreds of years. Little did they know the five “Saplings of Aegis” would be five teenage friends who literally fall from the sky in a fireball. Tegan, Kody, Jag, Mariah and Aari survive a plane crash that drops them into their destiny. They must become the five bearers of light against a rising darkness that immediately threatens the hidden valley and poses a danger to the rest of the world. Ms. Segran’s sci-fi adventure is remarkably imaginative. While the action starts off slowly, it becomes increasingly captivating. The five protagonists are likeable and watching them become heroes is satisfying. Ms. Segran’s writing is polished and her imagery vivid. All in all “Aegis Rising” is a refreshing story with broad audience appeal.

*Disclosure: I was provided a free copy of this novel with a request for an honest review.*

 

aegis giveaway buttonWin a $40 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card or a $40 Book Depository shopping spree!

 

masq tour button