Hyam lives a life many long for; married to the beautiful and talented Joelle, admired by the citizens of Falmouth, a hero in his own time. Hyam is living the quiet, peaceful life, though it is bittersweet because of the pain and sorrow he feels over losing his magic after the Battle of Emoris.
When Hyam comes into contact with an ancient MIlantian scroll, he feels a magical connection. However, Hyam is the only one who can read the scroll and what he reads could lead to a massive war. In an attempt to prevent the war and find answers about the mysterious scroll, Hyam, Joelle, and a group of loyal friends and allies embark on a journey to the forgotten city of Alyss. While Hyam seeks answers however, something dark and sinister is seeking him. I found this second instalment in the “Legends of the Realms” series to be another entertaining journey through this fantasy realm. The characters are well rounded and developed. Each character encountered is developed in such a way that they are believable as actual living beings who avoid mass generalizations. The interactions between the characters help to enunciate personality traits, flaws and strengths. The author also included character interactions with setting and environment which allowed the story to be more realistic and relatable. The environments and the settings throughout the novel, are rich with detail without being overwhelming. The effects that different environments had upon the characters helped to set this novel above others in its genre. You don’t travel for weeks across an arid desert without working up a sweat. The plot line is invigorating, bringing the reader directly into the story. A large portion of this novel revolves around discovery; discovery of the scroll, discovery of mysteries, discovery of answers and more questions. Despite this, the adventure and the excitement are still present and as thrilling as in the first novel. I would give this novel four out of five stars. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves unique and exciting fantasy novels. I borrowed a copy of this novel from my local library and have permission from the publishers at Revell to use the image of the cover artwork featured above. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wicked Years #1) by Gregory Maguire2/21/2018
When Dorothy visited Oz, we met the Wicked Witch of the West, but why was the Witch of the West so Wicked? Gregory Maguire creates a world before Dorothy’s visit that details the life of the Wicked Witch of the West. Discover Elphaba before she became the Wicked Witch, and what her life was like as a child and young adult. First of all, I did not finish reading this novel. I read roughly 204 pages and decided that it was time to stop. It was hard for me to make this decision because I have wanted to read this novel for quite some time. However, there were a number of times when the book went in a direction that I was uncomfortable with, and therefore, I decided to set this book aside. This novel begins with Elphaba’s infant and toddler years before progressing into her college years. From there, I am not entirely sure, because I stopped reading around this time. Personally, having quit reading, I feel incapable to recommend this novel. I received my copy of this novel from my sister and am unsure if I will attempt to read it again in the future. I am currently seeking permission from the publishers to request permission to use an image of the cover artwork above.
In 1894, Mary Handley has had a successful private investigating career for a few years. After a family friend asks Mary to discover whether or not his wife is having an affair, Mary is also approached by a man who believes that his brother was wrongfully convicted and he wants Mary to prove his innocence. When a prostitute called ‘Old Shakespeare’ was murdered in a similar manner as the Ripper murders, a suspect was instantly found and arrested, but was he the killer? Three years later, as Mary digs into the case, she finds corruption and an astonishing amount of similar cases, covered up by New York’s head detective, Thomas Byrnes.
In order to prove a man’s innocence, Mary must find the actual killer and battle the corruption in the New York Police Department. To do so she is going to need a lot of powerful and influential allies like Teddy Roosevelt, Jacob Riis, and Harper Lloyd. Can Mary and her friends catch the killer before he strikes again? Mary Handley has come a long way since her first case in “Second Street Station” and has achieved her dream of being a detective. In a time dominated by men, this was not an easy endeavor. Now she has made a name for herself and has made the acquaintance of some very important and influential men. This case differs from her previous cases because of its link to the infamous Jack the Ripper and his White Chapel murders. Mary is determined to discover the truth behind the murders, but she goes about it unaware if Jack the Ripper himself has made it to Brooklyn, or is this killer simply a copycat. Either way she is in danger and the more digging she does the more danger she is in. I enjoyed reading about the mystery as it unfolded, and for a long while thought I knew who the murderer was, however, I was proven wrong and was shocked by the revelation. Considering these murders are similar to those of Jack the Ripper, it is unsurprising that this novel is violent and discusses prostitution on the level that it does. Also, because this novel takes place in 1894, there is racism and inequity throughout. The author fully answered any questions I had by the end of the novel. Though the ending leaves me wondering whether or not the author will continue this series. I would give this novel four out of five stars and recommend it to readers who enjoys historical mystery novels. I received a copy of this novel from bloggingforbooks.com. I also won a copy of this novel on Goodreads Firstreads after requesting a copy from bloggingforbooks.com, having forgotten that I had entered into the Goodreads giveaway. I donated one copy of this novel to a fellow reader, who I believe is reading it now. I plan to also donate a copy to my local library. I received my copy of this novel for the sole purpose of providing an honest review and am currently seeking permission to use an image of the cover artwork above.
Shawn Spencer has solved numerous cases for the Santa Barbara Police Department. Accompanied by his friend and sidekick, Burton Guster, he has quickly made a name for himself as a psychic detective. Now the genius of the hit television series “Psych” has developed a guide book to help you become a private detective just like him.
You will learn some of Shawn’s methods, besides his psychic abilities, that will help you become an awesome detective. From how to find a perfectly awesome office space, to dealing with annoying head detectives. I stumbled upon the “Psych” television show completely by accident back when I was pregnant with my son. I was having difficulty sleeping one night and was flipping through the channels when I found a rerun episode. By the end of the hour I was a fan of the hyper-observant fake psychic and his friend Gus. Shawn is a goofball whose Dad, a former police detective, has tested his son’s skills of observation his entire life. When Shawn helps the Santa Barbara Police Department with a case by pointing out clues they had missed, they become instantly suspicious of Shawn. In order to explain away how he knows what he knows as quickly and simply as possible, Shawn tells them that he has psychic abilities. Many years later, Shawn is still helping the detective’s solve cases by pretending to be psychic and he and Gus have made themselves a career out of their success. This book reads like an instruction manual, written by Shawn Spencer himself. Spencer’s joking behavior and ridiculous suggestions abound in this humorously inaccurate guide on how to become a private detective. I found this book to be slightly less entertaining than I imagined it would be, though I did enjoy it. I would give this book three and a half stars out of five. I would recommend this book to fans of the television series, “Psych.” I bought my copy of this novel on BookOutlet.com and am currently seeking permission from the publishers to use an image of the cover artwork above.
Belle has traded her freedom for the freedom of her father, leaving her a captive in the Beast’s enchanted castle. Belle has grown to care for the many inhabitants of the castle, from Lumiere the candelabrum to Chip the teacup. After the Beast gifts her the castle’s marvelous library, Belle is thrilled; reading can grant her some of her freedom back, in its own way.
When Belle stumbles upon a book titled Nevermore, she is pulled through its pages to a glamorous world she has only ever imagined being a part of. While there, Belle meets charming and intriguing new friends and the opportunity to live out her dreams. Dreams she thought she had given up forever. In the pages of Nevermore, Belle can have the life she has always dreamed of, but is any of it real? Is Nevermore really what it claims to be and can Belle really trust its charming characters? Will Belle choose a life inside Nevermore’s pages over that of the Beast’s castle? Can Belle discover the truth behind Nevermore’s enchantment before it is too late and she becomes trapped in its world forever? Many girls grow up dreaming of becoming one of Disney’s Princesses. I am no different. Of all of Disney’s Princesses, my favorite has always been Beauty and the Beast. So, of course, when my stepdaughter told me about this book -- surprisingly I hadn’t heard of it -- I knew I had to read it. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney Princess movie for many reason’s but one of the most important was that Belle was such a strong female character and she was willing to sacrifice herself for someone she loved. Belle’s strong character is apparent in this novel and Donnelly captured her fierce fighter spirit as well as her love of books perfectly. The fantastical characters who live in the Beast’s castle are also present in this novel. Chip is the most amazing little teacup in the original movie, with an innocence that effects everyone around him. I was pleased to discover that his character was also maintained, as well as, the characters of Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, and Cogsworth. The world of Nevermore is rich with detail and extravagant settings. Belle’s appearance is even transformed when she enters its pages. The characters inside Nevermore are interesting with loads of charm and interesting personalities. I loved this unique side-story to the Beauty and the Beast tale and am so very glad that I was able to read it. I would recommend this novel to fans of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and to book lovers everywhere. I received my copy of this novel as a Christmas gift from my husband and three beautiful children. I am currently seeking permission from the publishers at Disney Press to use an image of the cover artwork above. |
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