[Book Review] Creation (The Chronicles of Ara)

Creation

(The Chronicles of Ara, Book 1)

Joel Eisenberg & Steven Hillard

What rating would you give it?
1.5 of 5 Stars

What did you think of the book?

DON’T LET THE GORGEOUS COVER FOOL YOU!

The copy I read was an uncorrected proof provided by Netgalley. Now, I know the ARC was just the prelim and not the finished product. I get that, but… that still doesn’t matter nor mean a thing to me if by the time I am finished reading I’m left this unhappy about the book. If anything, I would tell the publisher/editor/author to send out galleys that are more put-together than what I got, because all this one did was put a very bad impression in my head of what was to come for this book AND the entire series.

Now… here’s me trying to be nice about this.

I didn’t particularly like Creation (which, at the time when I read it was only called The Chronicles of Ara). It was… just too odd. I wish I could follow it better, but I just couldn’t. I think there was more hype to it than was actually translated properly to the page. It seemed scatterbrained at best, and then really interesting but unfocused at others.

It took me a really, REALLY long time to finish this book, not because it was a difficult or long read, but because I just had NO interest in it – and that’s saying something from me. This book should have been a fantastic read, and instead turned out to be full of hot air.

Would you recommend this book?

Ughh, no. Not unless it has a MAJOR overhaul. And I mean, MAJOR. There was just too much going on without any real direction and that left an already complicated story appearing to all the world as disorganized and chaotic. I WANTED to like this story. I HOPED and PRAYED the words on the page would match the gorgeousness of the cover, but… it was not to be.

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: The Zharmae Publishing Press / Luthando Coeur Publication Date: November 2014 Format: eBook, ARC Pages: 454 Genre: Art, Artistic Creation, Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Conceptualization, Literary Fiction, Fantasy / Sci Fi (I guess)

Age: Adult Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Provided by NetGalley Challenge: 2014 Good Reads Reading Challenge (100)

 

[Book Review] The Fifth Vertex

The Fifth Vertex

(The Sigilord Chronicles, Book 1)

Kevin Hoffman

What rating would you give it?
4 of 5 Stars

What did you think of the book?

A fantastic read! I was sucked in from the very beginning. In fact, it was the first couple pages that really amused and endeared me to the main character Urus. After all, how can you not feel for a guy trying to commit suicide when he, no sooner said than done, fails so spectacularly at doing so? His companions are equally oddball characters who each compliment him and each other as they try to unravel the mystery behind his strange new powers.

A note to EVERYONE: Do not look down on this book simply because it is self-published! It is brilliantly written, professionally edited (at least, it definitely seems that way!), and engaging, funny, entertaining, and worthy of your reviews and reads!

Really looking forward to the sequel Blood Sigil!

Would you recommend this book?

Definitely!

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: Kevin Hoffman (self-published) Publication Date: August 2014 Format: eBook, ARC Pages: 290 Genre: Sci FI & Fantasy, Steampunk Deafness, Physical Handicap, Suicide, Magic, Action/Adventure

Age: Young Adult Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Provided by NetGalley Challenge: 2014 Good Reads Reading Challenge (100)

 

[Manga Series Review/TBBR] Claymore (27 volumes)

Claymore (27 Volumes)

(Claymore series, #1-27)

Norhiro Yagi

What rating would you give it?
5+++++++++++++++++ of 5 Stars

What did you think of the series?

WARNING: Some spoilers ahead… can’t be helped!

Right now I’m reviewing this long-ass series as a whole, but MAYBE at a much MUCH later date, I’ll review it individually… book by book.

For starters, can I say: WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW! O__O What an incredible run that was! I started reading this series back in high school man. HIGH SCHOOL. That was over a decade ago! (Man am I dating myself here… @__@;;; ) The first book came to the U.S. in 2002, right when I started my first year. The first book blew my mind and the last one broke my heart (just a little). Besides the unforgettable (though slightly unsatisfying) ending, it was also ME saying goodbye to an era. This was one of those series I thought would never end, and hoped never would.

Unrealistic, I know, and I knew it every time I finished reading a chapter, waiting for the next serial to publish and the next, and the next, believing there would always BE a next.

I’ve pretty much grown up with characters. Claire, Theresa, Miria, Deneve, Raki… and yes–even Priscilla. I can’t imagine what I’m gonna do now that they’re all… gone.

*already has a plan in motion to reread the whole thing from start to around the time of Isley and then stop so I can pretend that everyone survived this tale and they’re all still out there fighting somewhere… oblivious to the truth, BUT ALIIIIIVE!*

“Yup. That’s the plan!”

What can I say? The characters, plot, world-building, delivery, GORGEOUS FUCKING ART–the whole shebang was impeccable, flawless, phenomenal! I haven’t a complaint to give (except that it’s over T________T)

This entire series is just filled with artpron. I mean…

[Mini Review] Myth and Magic: Queer Fairy Tales

Myth and Magic: Queer Fairy Tales

edited by Radclyffe and Stacia Seaman

What rating would you give it?
4 of 5 Stars

What did you think of the book?

Pretty good considering. Any time I get to read an anthology or collection where half to 3/4 of the compiled stories I like is a sheer miracle! This one fits the bill so 4 stars! A fun and delightful weekend read! :3

Would you recommend this book?

I would definitely recommend, because there can never be enough queer fairytales out there!

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Publication Date: December 2014 Format: eBook, ARC Pages: 264 Genre: Fantasy, M/M Romance, F/F Romance, QUILTBAG / LGBTQUIA, Fairytales,

Age: Adult Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Provided by NetGalley Challenge: 2014 Good Reads Reading Challenge (100)

 

Update on Kirby Crow’s new book, “Hammer and Bone”! COVER REVEALED + RELEASE DATE!

Drum roll please…!

Well, well, well! Certainly been waiting awhile for this one! Since my initial post about this title, I have stalked the pages of author Kirby Crow’s personal page and GoodReads account for updates. This was a VERY welcome surprise! Definitely getting me all anxious and excited for the next installment to the Scarlet and the White Wolf series TBR October of this year.

 

Hammer and Bone is slated for next year, March 2nd, published by Riptide Press, in both eBook and Print format. It’ll be 250 pages of delightful fun. …I hope. *fingers crossed*

Here’s the latest change of synopsis info:

“The purest evil lives in the hearts of men.

Carnival mystics. Zombie tribes. Bad magic in the Bayou. Mage-princes, alien cities, and soul-stealing priests. The grim monsters in the worlds of these dark, speculative tales are true horrors, but it’s the people you should fear the most.

People like Michel, a boy pining for his best friend, Ray. But a presence in the swamp calls Michel to avenge another lost love, and he must decide which summons to answer. Or Angelo, a prescient cop who denies his visions until they endanger the man he loves. Or Bellew, an overseer in a shantytown of criminals sheltering a revenant and feeding it from their ranks.

From ruined lands of steam and iron, to haunted Southern forests, to brutal city streets where hope and damnation flow from the same spring, only a few stubborn souls possess the heart to challenge evil on its own terms. Some wield magic, some turn to rage or even love, but the ones left standing will survive only if they find the courage to carve their own paths to freedom.

Even if it means carving through flesh.”

[GoodReads] [Author Website]

 

HAMMER AND BONE by Kirby Crow

A pair of chosen knights race across the desert to slay a devouring spirit, a werewolf is granted the victim he deserves, a small-town cop has a male lover and premonitions, and a discarded prince discovers his murdered mage-king left him a legacy, after all. Nothing turns out pretty, everything is up for grabs, and there are no guarantees or happily ever afters. These are not your grandmother’s fairytales.

13 dark, cross-genre tales with a queer slant.

link to [author’s pw]

Publication Date: April 2014