#BookReview The King’s Peace by Kevin Hammond

 

The King’s Peace is an epic fantasy read to add to your collection!

Fantasy is one of those genres where it can go anywhere – medieval, dragons, superheroes, magic, gods, monsters, creatures, etc – so reading a fantasy book is always a pleasant surprise! This novel focuses on Kings, Dragons, Magic, Gods and action adventure. We follow Nathaniel on his journey, where the King has been murdered and drama and hectic adventures ensue. The book is fast paced and will keep you interested at every turn. For me, I felt this book teetered close to an R rating – so maybe don’t read this to your children. There were dark parts of this book, but it’s not unbearable R (no endless swearing, excessive gore, etc).

The descriptions of the action in this novel are phenomenal. I really felt like I was transported into this story through Kevin’s writing. Mixing that in with the fantastical quest Nathaniel embarks on makes this book soar to a whole new level! I really enjoyed the action and found myself finding this book fun! Throw in a few funny comments and enticing characters, and this book is all around good fiction!

When analyzing the characters, I liked how Nathaniel developed throughout his quest – the thief is sometimes portrayed as a silly or dumb character, but Kevin makes Nathaniel likable and have an actual personality.

Additionally, the further I got into the novel, the more interested I was in the book. Since the writing style doesn’t coincide perfectly with my reading style, it took me a little longer for me to attach to the story. At about page 85 I found myself gripping my device and yearning for more, unable to put it down!

My con for this book is the con I have with all fantasy book – I never know how to properly pronounce the names! All of these cool names are introduced with Kevin’s characters, and I’m lost and probably pronouncing every name wrong! It doesn’t ruin this book at all, but it always makes me chuckle when I look up the pronunciation of the names after I’ve read the book and I’ve created some really weird sounding names in my head. For example – Kelda. Kee-lda? Kel-da? Is the l silent? Is the d silent? Is the k silent? Such a beautiful name, but I probably pronounced it wrong the whole book!

Personally, the writing style didn’t mesh well with my reading style. Just because that little fact is true, doesn’t mean that this book isn’t good. Honestly, it was fantastic! It was kind of nice to have a change from my normal reads to dive into this beautifully written tale.

Overall, this book was awesome! I think it’s a fun fantasy book that should be on my local bookstore’s shelves! Considering this is more of an indie fantasy novel, it will really blow you out of the water! I never expect this much talent and creativity in a novel, let alone from an indie author! This book could be converted to the big screen with how beautifully it was written.

I’m giving it a 3 out of 5 based on my rating system – 3 means I like it! If you look at the Amazon rating, it’d be a 4.

I received a free copy of this novel from the author Kevin Hammond in exchange for an honest review.

 

Find out about the King’s Peace on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21279183-the-king-s-peace

Purchase this book on: Amazon.com – The King’s Peace or Amazon.ca – The King’s Peace

If you read this novel, give me a shout out on Twitter using the hashtag #briarsreviews @ReviewAlholic

 

Comment below with your favourite fantasy novel!!

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#BookReview The Mirror In My Dorm Room by Lashonda Beauregard

 

The Mirror In My Dorm Room by Lashonda Beauregard is an epic tale about time travel.

To begin with, I paralleled Justina almost perfectly when reading this book! I am a marketing student, heading into sophomore year and I am definitely ready to start a new semester! That being said, some of the comments about college are definitely true – you need your ID (it’s essential), some semesters are harder than others, the information about work studies, and sometimes the older dorms are the prettiest (in style).

This book felt like it was written by a college student, which was a nice touch. I’m not sure if it was intended to read like that, but it worked.

The time travel part of this story was a fun twist to the usually typical college story. It had a similar vibe to Alice Through the Looking Glass mixed with a confused identity. Justina, a college student in current day, is now Laurice in the 1930s when she steps through the mirror in her dorm room.

I felt like this story had a lot of potential and is heading towards the right direction. At times, the story came to a full stop at a break in the chapter, which threw the flow off for me. Some of the small drama scenes could have been extended with a little more action or conversation to assist in the ease of the story’s flow. I also wondered how Justina knew managers and famous singers of the 1930s when she had just traveled back through time. She didn’t seem to have the memories of Laurice and was very confused, only to know things pages later that she hadn’t been aware of moments earlier. It was a little strange.

There’s also times where certain comments are explained more than once in the same page – Rayla is a Nursing major and is taking biology. They see her a lot in biology because she’s a Nursing major, and Nursing majors have biology. This happened with quite a few characters, not just solely Rayla. My biggest pet peeve was a sentence about Roger where chemistry was mentioned three times without the full stop. At times, it felt like the comments were purposely used for comedy, but they happened so often it just seemed to be Lashonda’s writing style.

With a little more description (like how Justina’s cute, little pink dress looked) I think this book would really blossom into a truly magnificent piece of writing. Even a little more background on what happened to Justina as Laurice near the end instead of a sudden stop! The ending was getting so good and I was so excited to read what happened, and it was just a quick summary!

For my cons, there were some sentences I would have fixed up. For example, lots of repetition and comments ending in “said”, starting multiple sentences in a row with the same word, some grammatical errors in word choice and very short 3 word sentences. The only reason I notice these things is because I had two back to back English classes these past semesters in college. Most people probably wouldn’t catch on, but it’s noticeable on my end.

Overall, Lashonda Beauregard has a specific writing style that wasn’t meant for me. The book is really cute, lots of fun and a nice take on time travel! I definitely recommend this novel to those who like science fiction and time travel stories!

Two out of five stars.

I received a free copy of this novella from the author Lashondra Beauregard in exchange for an honest review.

 

Find this book on:

Amazon.com: Amazon.com – The Mirror In My Dorm Room

Amazon.ca: Amazon.ca – The Mirror in my Dorm Room

 

Check out Lashonda on her website: http://lashondabeauregard.webstarts.com/

Or give us both a shout out on Twitter! @LBSongs7 & @ReviewAlholic

#BookReview Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Now is time for a #ThrowbackThursday review – AKA I’ve gone back to reading a book on my shelf from years ago and reviewing it. Enjoy!!

 

 

Poison Princess is one of those books that takes you by surprise, pulls you in and won’t let you go until you finish it.

I actually found this book (originally) via Gena Showalter. She was always talking about her author friend Kresley Cole on Twitter, so I decided to pick this book up. They seemed to get along so well, so why not pick up her book? I doubt author friends who hated each other’s works would talk so great about each other. And to no one’s surprise, Gena’s suggestion was on point. (Keep in mind I love Gena Showalter. I’m quite sad I haven’t been able to read any of her books recently, due to my busy schedule).

This is a dystopian, apocalypse novel is for sure a YA novel – but that doesn’t mean adults can’t enjoy it. It’s not R rated, if anything it’s more of a PG/PG-13-esque novel. It’s an easy read, and it’s totally addicting. There are some cringy YA moments (silly romances, ironic comments, and all the joys that come with being a teenager) but it’s still an enjoyable book. If you keep in mind it’s a YA novel made for a YA audience, it’s not to heart breaking when silly teenage plot lines go on. It’s like a soap opera – if you understand that some extraordinary things happen that are out of the line of reality, then you can thoroughly enjoy it.

Keeping in mind that I have read the next novel – the character development in this book works. You begin to fall in love with these sassy characters and they do grow! Their story is continually built on into the next book, and to me it’s a worthy read worth a recommendation. It’s probably one of the better YA novels I’ve read – and one that I’ve been able to come back to and enjoy.

Overall, Kresley Cole is an amazing story teller. She’s great at her adult series and her YA series, and it’s a worthy read for those looking for some YA or dystopian drama in their lives.

Five out of five stars.

#BooKReview Hercufleas by Sam Gayton

Hercufleas is the cutest book I’ve read this year, and it deserves so much more recognition than it’s getting!

Sam Gayton has created hit that Disney might want to steal in the future! This off the beaten path “Hercules” re-telling (in a way) is one of the best action novels I’ve ever read and enjoyed – and it’s a middle grade novel! This book outdid so many adult action novels and it wasn’t even aimed at my age group! I can see so many adults reading this to their kids and getting a lot out of it as well! There was a few silly adult jokes you can pick up on, but they are harmless and adorable!

The theme behind this book about how a hero comes in all sizes was also a beautiful tale to tell. It seems so silly to write a book about a flea, but the story worked and it was phenomenal. Mix in all the “flea” jokes along the way, and this book hits it out of the park. The ending is a little bittersweet or sad, but the ending worked well. The story pays off and is woven perfectly for the target audience. Sam mixing in enough “adult” humor or silly jokes also makes the book grow to a higher level of enjoyment.

I did find about 4/5ths through the novel I got a little bored, and it winded down really slowly. If it have kept the pace and excitement up, it might be a five out of five for me. Instead, I give it four out of five because it was just fantastic! I couldn’t find any other problems with this novel while I was trying to pick it apart to find any cons for the readers.

Overall, the hero and heroine learn lessons about themselves, the theme is a tale as old as time and the story was unique and fun! What more can you ask for in a middle grade novel?

Four out of five stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads.

 

What is your favourite children’s or middle grade novel? Comment below!

Check out Sam Gayton on Goodreads! https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4880860.Sam_Gayton

Use the hashtags #Hercufleas & #BriarsReviews to talk about this review on twitter with me! @ReviewAlholic

Did you enjoy this review? Check out another you might enjoy! #BookReview We All Fall Down by Eric Walters

#BookReview Intricate Intentions by Jennifer Rayes

 

This addicting series will keep you hooked with it’s fast paced suspense and drama!

If I’m being honest, I’m really into this series right now, way more than I expected! It has the perfect mix of drama, suspense and romance (well, this book lacked on the romance end – but I’m sure more will come).

If I’m comparing it to other works, it feels like 25% Game of Thrones (for some of it’s more violent content), 25% Reign (drama and royalty) and 50% soap opera. This book specifically started out with a big bang (much like Game of Thrones with it’s final episodes of their seasons) and continues the action through out. I didn’t feel bored anywhere in this book, and it’s hard to keep my attention!

My cons of the novel are as followed:
1. Cliffhangers – I have a strong hatred for cliffhangers, especially since we don’t know when the next book is coming out. I like a book being able to stand alone at the end and be it’s own entity, so the cliffhanger is more of a personal annoyance than a “con”, but it fits here.

2. Not enough Raoul – This time around there was lots of Dominique, but Raoul didn’t get enough “screen time”. I’d love to see both boys grow in their character arcs in further novels. Additionally, Raoul was just… odd. I’ll stick with odd so I don’t spoil anything. Hopefully, he’ll grow in the next book.

3. Carlos – I just wasn’t digging him at all. His story works within the overall plot, but I’d rather of had more Dominique and Raoul time. Again, personal annoyance.

4. “Second Book Curse” – The second book curse of most series seems to be the the second book is a little more boring than the first. It’s a stepping stone to the next book, so I REALLY hope we get another one that picks the series up. I loved this book, but I’m scared it will have the “Second Book Curse” where we never see the third book in the series because people didn’t love the second one as much…

My pros:
1. Fast Paced – Constant movement of the plot, mixed with action and dramatic scenes.

2. Fantasy – This book seems to be picking up some more fantastical plot lines, and it fits. I like how it’s expanding instead of staying the same old, same old.

3. Lovable Characters – I still love these characters – Gaia, Emily, Dominique, Raoul – and the newer characters being introduced are becoming just as lovable. They do have their flaws, but that’s kind of why I like them. I hate perfect Mary Sues or plain Janes, so having these characters be flawed and unique is a nice change.

4. Change in Plot – This might be a con for some readers, but the plot has moved from Human Trafficking over to a virus. I would like to see both plot lines continued in some form, but I can settle with a change like this. It makes the books move smoother and cover more topics.

Overall, I like this series! I want it to continue and I want more! Jennifer Rayes is a great author and the more she writes, the better it will get. I’m hoping more people read this series so Jennifer Rayes can continue writing it. The books are good and I’d love to see a “House of Night” treatment with this series where it gets more books to cover more content with all of it’s characters.

Five out of five stars.

I received a free copy of this book form Jennifer Rayes in exchange of an honest review.

 

Check this book out on:

Intricate Intentions (#2) on Amazon.com

Intricate Intentions (#2) on Amazon.ca

 

Check out the first book in the series on:

Intricate Deceptions (#1) on Amazon.com

Intricate Deceptions (#1) on Amazon.ca

 

Find Jennifer Rayes on her website or Goodreads:

http://jenniferrayes.wix.com/intricateseries

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7410834.Jennifer_Rayes

 

Comment below if you’re read anything by Jennifer Rayes! And give me a shout-out on Twitter if you read this review! @ReviewAlholic

#BookReview Her Dragon to Slay by Julia Mills

Her Dragon To Slay was a fantastical, romance novel all about dragons.

Warning: Spoilers ahead! Be warned.

I found this book free on Amazon, so I figured – why not? I loved Katie MacAlister’s dragon series, and I wanted to fill my shelf with a few more books about dragons, so this seemed like the perfect fit! And, indeed it was! This book was fun, delightful and full of ooey, gooey romance.

It’s definitely your “typical” fantasy romance – they fall in love fast, there’s some really hot sex scenes and there’s some fantasy and action mixed in as well.

Julia Mills does a great job weaving the dragon half of the story with the romance side. I loved the mythology Julia created for this world, and I would like to see more of it in the future. It can seem a little cheesey if you’re expecting an Oscar worthy styled novel, but to me it was fun and entertaining. It kept me interested to the point I devoured it in one sitting.

There are also many funny and comedic moments mixed in. This is not a serious fantasy novel, it’s lighthearted and fun.

So, you may be asking at this point – what’s the cons?
1. Character development is low (but it’s a book that’s less than 200 pages and involves a lot more romance involved)
2. Repetitive. Yeah, this book is a little repetitive. If you’re just reading it for a fun ride, it’s cool. It didn’t bug me because I wanted an escape from reality, but to some people this might be a major no-no.
3. Potential rape?… Rayne gets a little to sexual with a sleeping Kyndel, and we’re not to sure if she actually “wanted” it despite her body behaving… But later she’s madly in love with him in about two seconds, so it could be warranted? I don’t even know. That part left me feeling really icky reading it. It just didn’t seem right.
4. Male oriented story. This one kind of bugged me, and looking at other reviewers it bugged them too. The woman exists for the man in this story, and it definitely fills some fantasies for some people but in today’s culture it doesn’t sit perfectly. This can be a con or a pro, depending on how you want to look at the story.

Overall, this book was delightful. It had me whisked away to another world and not worrying about reality. It’d be a great book to read if you love romance, dragons or a sexy read.

Three out of five stars.

 

What is your favourite fantasy book? Comment below!

Did you enjoy this review? Check out another you might enjoy! #BookReview Saving Me by Sadie Allen

Use the hashtags #BriarsReviews and #HerDragonToSlay to chat about this book on twitter with me! @ReviewAlholic

Check out Julia Mills on her website http://www.juliamillsauthor.com/ or twitter @JuliaMills623

#BookReview Stake That by Mari Mancusi

Mari Mancusi’s 2nd novel in the Blood Coven Vampire series is an excellent read.

I fell in love with this series when I was much, much younger than I am now (aka high school era), but rereading this series has made me fall in love with Mari all over again. And with the introduction of Once Upon a Vampire into this series (kind of…it’s in the same universe, so it’s the same series, I geuss?) I had to go back and reread to get a feel of these books again (and just because I love them. I can’t help it!).

This book is full of sassy, snarky teenage angst with a splash of vampires, blood and comedy. It may be labelled YA, but it’s a great read for anyone who doesn’t want something that is going to make your brain explode. It’s an easy read with a fast yet simple plot and it’s absolutely delightful. I was hooked when I first read them, and I’m hooked reading them yet again. Mari has a great style and tone in her writing that makes it really easy to read her books, fall in love with the characters and stay interested.

I find these stories have an easy to follow plot and it’s well thought out. It doesn’t get boring since it keeps moving as a fast yet leisurely pace. They are thoroughly enjoyable at any age, and don’t require any advanced theorizing. This book follows Rayne’s story, and it’s a wonderful read and continuation of this series. It’s a definite recommendation from me!!

Keep in mind – this series is narrated by sassy, silly teenagers who over exaggerate life’s problems (like any other teenager, let’s be honest guys. I thought the world was going to end in high school too when everything didn’t go perfect!). So, you’ve been warned!! It’s not a serious adult novel, it’s a fun YA novel that adults can read and enjoy as well.

Overall, this series is fun! I really hope Mari continues on writing more books within this universe because it’s nice reading something light-hearted and sweet!

Five out of five stars.

 

Check out Mari on Goodreads! Mari Mancusi on Goodreads

Or her website! Mari Mancusi’s Website

She can also be found on Twitter! @MariMancusi

Blood Covens also has it’s own website for your viewing pleasure!! Blood Covens Series by Mari Mancusi

Check me out on Goodreads where I post up to date reviews as soon as they happen! Be the first in the know!! Briar’s Reviews on Goodreads

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