Wandfasted by Laurie Forest

 

Book Blurb

Magic, romance and adventure collide in WANDFASTED, the irresistible ebook prequel to THE BLACK WITCH.

Twenty years before Elloren Gardner enrolled at the illustrious Verpax University, Erthia was rent asunder during the devastating Realm War. When Tessla Harrow is driven from her home by the fighting, she discovers a depth of power she never knew she had...and an irresistible draw towards Vale Gardner, the son of the most powerful mage her people have ever known – the Black Witch.

Buy Now |  Goodreads

Review

Wandfasted started fast and furiously, throwing readers into a violent world where mages have been at war and losing ground for far too long. We follow Tessla Harrow, a young mage that kind of reminds me of Katniss Everdeen in the way that she's forced to care for her younger brother and sickly grandfather. 

The soldiers open the gate, and I'm pushed forward, my palms slapping down onto the cold, muddied ground.

While the story was intriguing and I was thoroughly invested in the plot, there were a few elements that I found lacking. There were bits and parts of this that were repetitive. Ideas that were stated and restated, phrases that were used and then used again, and clichés that were too commonly repeated. Add to that a dash of poor editing and the ineffective writing was enough to pull me from the plot every few pages. 

"They're going to fast them all, in two days' time--you know that, don't you?"

Tessla doesn't hold much control in this world. She's a hardened girl with a defiant mind. Her ideas and beliefs don't fit in with what is expected of her, and she doesn't care. You'd assume this would mean she's built to withstand anything, but, at times, it almost seemed as though she fell out of character to collapse in a heap of tears unexpectedly. It felt a bit off, like an oxymoron. On one hand, she doesn't care who knows that she's this defiant, but on the other, she can't handle the bullies. It was a strange combination.

Vale's heat is straining to get at me, and mine is just as bad. "I'm not afraid of Vale," I tell Fain.

For a book littered with inconsistencies and grammatical errors, it was a decent enough plot to hold my attention. I can't say I'd pick it up to read again though. It really did have a Hunger Games feel to it, with Tessla being too poor to eat, responsible for her guardian and younger sibling, and in a war-torn world with seemingly insurmountable odds. This was just the prequel, and I've already purchased the collection, so onwards I will read!

Recommendation

This book is recommended to the patient reader who isn't too hung up on the finer details, who enjoys fantasy and magical stories, and who enjoy awkward romances.

Teasers

 

The Living Dead by George A Romero & Daniel Kraus

 

Book Blurb

It begins with one body. A pair of medical examiners find themselves facing a dead man who won’t stay dead.

It spreads quickly. In a Midwestern trailer park, an African American teenage girl and a Muslim immigrant battle newly-risen friends and family.

On a US aircraft carrier, living sailors hide from dead ones while a fanatic preaches the gospel of a new religion of death.

At a cable news station, a surviving anchor keeps broadcasting, not knowing if anyone is watching, while his undead colleagues try to devour him.

In DC, an autistic federal employee charts the outbreak, preserving data for a future that may never come.

Everywhere, people are targeted by both the living and the dead.

We think we know how this story ends.

We. Are. Wrong.

Goodreads | Buy Now

Review

I tend to gravitate toward a lot of fantasy based stories in the young adult genre, but I really wanted a good horror book to sink my canines into, which is why I was drawn to this book in the horror section on my last bookstore adventure. In terms of gore and shock, this book delivered. However, I found it lacking... I'm not even sure what. 

Greer pressed her nose flat to look harder. Was someone lying in the leaves near the swingless swing set? She angled her face, trying for a better look.

Romero & Kraus did a phenomenal job with the characters. All of which are dynamic and come to life on the pages perfectly. We spend enough time with each of them before moving onto different scenes or arcs, so they become real enough for the readers to root onward. Not going to lie, Charlie and Greer were definitely my favourites, but then again, they were definitely the badasses of this tale.

"You know how stupid that is? With those things around? And bellowing songs too?"
"Bellowing. Damn. Been a minute since I had a bad review."

What is a horror story without a smidgen of romance mixed in? Perhaps this is what turned me a bit sour toward this book. There are several instances where romance pops into the tale. I don't think it fit into the plot that well, but it was realistic in the sense that none of the romances seemed to have happy endings, which I'd assume is most plausible at the end of the world. Still, there were a few cute moments that made me smirk between the pages and pages of blood and gore.

Zombies. That's what else. It was like 6G replacing 5G, you know? It was our own doing. We created technology we couldn't live without. How dumb was that? We made ourselves into brain-dead bodies.

I did find it interesting how a lot of the themes in this book related to current concerns in today's world. I wouldn't be surprised if one, or both, of these authors were spiritually awakened. There's a lot of talk about how the cure to the plague is to turn their backs on the violence that brought them to this point, there's a ton of debatable conversations regarding religion, and at times, it felt as though the book were from a different time with the concentration on racist themes. All in all, it was a lengthy book that covered many avenues, but the characters are the reason I made it to the end.

Recommendation

I'd recommend this read to anyone looking for gory content, zombie literature lovers, and possibly conspiracy theorists looking for literature connections to the mass awakening.

Delayed Review

I promise I haven't gone dormant again. Ha! The next book on my TBR happened to be nearly 700 pages long. I'm coming to the end of it now, so a review should be posted throughout the week hopefully. Your patience is appreciated.

I'm currently nearing the 500 page mark on this bad boy and let me tell you! I am loving this zombie story. I have a few questions left unanswered, but ultimately, this is definitely worth the read. I picked it up in a bookstore and I've nearly knocked myself out with this beast a few nights while reading after dark, but it's a beautiful book!

Buy Now!

Kingdom of Blood and Spirit by Trish Beninato and Riley Hunt

 Book Blurb

One cruel Queen,

Four Fae Princes,

A human to save, or doom them all.

Nineteen-year-old Samantha just wants to survive long enough to escape to a life of freedom away from the dangerous sickness that plagues the mortal lands and the Church of Flame.

But be careful what you wish for.

Tragedy strikes and the sickness takes her father. With his passing, the church comes to claim her. She turns to the one person she has left, her teacher and godmother. Only to find a bracelet left by her birth mother slapped onto her wrist.

And she falls right onto a fruit cart belonging to an ogre and finds herself in a land she once thought to be nothing more than a myth.

Faerie.

Tasked with finding a male named Niall and told to stay far away from the wicked Queen, instead, she ends up in her clutches, facing down a queen hellbent on breaking the veil to her realm and enslaving mortals.

Alliances are made, and destiny is set in motion.

The fate of two realms is in the hands of Sam, but all she wants to do is go home. Except, the wicked Queen has other plans. She ties Sam’s life to the angry, devastatingly handsome Prince, Killian. A bond that cannot be broken.

As lies and secrets are unraveled, Sam has to make a decision: will she stay and fight, or will she go home?

This book is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, J. L. Armentrout and Holly Black.

Goodreads | Buy Now

Review

This tale begins with one heck of a bang, immediately grabbing the reader's attention as conflict practically explodes from the pages. Tyranny and betrayal is where we start, and then we're introduced to a world of hardships as a sickness plagues the lands.

Emotions like our racing hearts, fluttering stomachs and the euphoria we felt with one another was not theirs to take. Yet, they still demanded that we relinquished these base emotions for their judgement. 

Samantha is an unusual character who doesn't seem to fit in with the townsfolk. Determined to live freely with her forbidden love, her stubborn nature rises quickly, and it becomes clear she has the ability to swallow her fear. Her heart and mind remain rebellious against the power sweeping across her homeland, but she doesn't know how best to beat it back either.

Wait, you aren’t luring me out here to do nefarious things to me are you?” I forced a playful tone into the words, but I knew there was a hesitant strain in there that he didn’t miss.

As we get to know our main character, greater conflict consumes her life, forcing her into hiding in a world unknown to her. She meets a cast of characters that soon capture the reader's heart as she learns what she can about the realm of the Fae. Danger, corruption, lust, and love, all entwine to create a tantalizing tale that hooks the reader's attention easily.  

I had lost my mind because it felt good to have control over him- to be this close and feel him under my body, to stare into his amber-flecked hazel gaze with the same need I had deep inside of me meeting his. 

Some of the foreshadowing was a bit stronger than I'd like, showing me what lay on the horizon a bit earlier than I'd expect, but the finale held all the awe I wanted to feel, leaving me eager for book two and disappointed in the wait to get my hands on the next novel. This book played with my emotions, bringing me to tears a few times and making me laugh aloud at times as well. 

Recommendation

For fans of Sarah J Maas, fantasy, Fae. There are some strong,

possibly triggering scenes, so if you avoid sexually triggering content,

then pass this one up. Otherwise, I'd highly recommend this book.

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

 Book Blurb:

The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

  

The Schwartz Review:

This series was definitely worth the read. The characters were extremely well developed, and I found myself getting emotional with them throughout their adventure multiple times. Being able to write characters and a plot that can make the reader feel is a skill that Bardugo has in spades!

Img Src: https://78.media.tumblr.com/
9b76a0dd03e62a30082420ec1364b9ba/
tumblr_nex5qj9nUD1qem1y6o1_500.jpg

I grinned and followed her down the aisle of graves. At least she was predictable. 

Throughout this entire series, Alina knows who her enemy is. The dark and dangerous fold and the leader of the second army, the darkling. But Bardugo manages something that isn't easily done... She turned our villain into a tragedy that pulls on our protagonist's heartstrings, and eventually, the readers' as well. 

"I don't think so. The Darkling and I are . . . connected. We probably always will be."

Alina is trapped in a war she wants no part of, but her heart leads her and those who follow her to the very end of this book. The ending was bittersweet, slightly unexpected, and a breath of relief at the end of an anxious race toward the finale. One of my questions remained unanswered, which was a bit disappointing, but it was such a small detail that I'd still rate this a fantastic five star read.

The Unsea always felt like the end of everything. It wasn't only the dark, it was the terrible sense of isolation, as if the world had disappeared, leaving only you, the rattle of your breath, the stuttering beat of your heart.

With plenty of suiters after her heart, and none of them truly despicable, it was interesting to see how the romance played out. Her band of friends and enemies held dynamic relationships that grew immensely as the books went on, and the plot was so rich with detail that I couldn't stop reading until the very last page.

The Recommendation:

The classic good versus evil with magic, war, and a deathly sea of shadow splitting the land and dividing its people. If you enjoy Fantasy, YA, Magic, with a splash of Romance, then you'd probably enjoy this read.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

    

Book Blurb:

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold,
Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her—or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

  

The Schwartz Review:

I couldn't wait to dive into this book, even if I saw the ending of the previous book coming chapters ahead of time. I am thoroughly invested in Alina Starkov's story, and how the land will be saved from the Fold that has torn it apart for ages.

"Where's Mal?" I rasped, my throat still rusty.

The Darkling didn't turn, but shook his head and said, "You're predictable, at least."

Img Src: https://pojainter.tumblr.com/

Alina's life is not her own to lead at this point and throughout this book, she struggles to maintain balance in a world that constantly throws her off her feet. A plethora of characters fill these pages, and she must decide which of them are allies and which are foes dressed as ally.

"Power is alliance," said Nikolai. "It's everyone's business." He took another sip of wine as I glared at him in disbelief. "And you should be wearing your own colors."

As I headed toward the finale of the second in this trilogy, I already mourn when this story will truly finish. I don't want to stop reading these lively characters. They're so well-rounded that I swear they're real, and their lives are so dramatic and rich with plot that I never want to stop reading about them.

Mal and I burst from the palace and careened down the marble steps. A screech of twisting metal rent the air.

Whereas I saw the ending of book one coming, I am pleased to report that I did not see the ending of book two coming. It was SHOCKING, and I immediately grabbed for the third book upon finishing. 

The Recommendation:

The classic good versus evil with magic, war, and a deathly sea of shadow splitting the land and dividing its people. If you enjoy Fantasy, YA, Magic, with a splash of Romance, then you'd probably enjoy this read.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

   

Book Blurb:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh.

Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

  

The Schwartz Review:

I must admit, I watched the first few episodes of Netflix's Shadow & Bone. As soon as I realized that it was going to be GOOD, I stopped. I wanted to read the books first, and so I waited until I could purchase them. Trust me, I was not disappointed. 

I heard a shrill wail and watched in horror as a soldier was lifted from his feet and carried into the air, kicking and struggling.

This book had plenty of action. There's danger, romance, and an epic battle with good versus evil. What's even better is that Alina is a character for which you can root. She leads a difficult life, but she perseveres. Never giving up. 

I raised my hand and rested it on his stubbly cheek, gently turning his face to mine.

There's enough mystery to keep you flipping those pages. I saw the ending coming a few chapters early, but it was still such a joy to read.

The Recommendation:

The classic good versus evil with magic, war, and a deathly sea of shadow splitting the land and dividing its people. If you enjoy Fantasy, YA, Magic, with a splash of Romance, then you'd probably enjoy this read.