What rating would you give it? 2.5 (maybe 3) of 5 Stars
Give us a summary.
(Goodreads Description)
A young man ventures to his lost love’s childhood home in the abandoned city of Pripyat, Ukraine. When a sudden accident puts him off-course, he awakes to discover a lively and vibrant culture living in a nearby village and a woman who reignites his heart.
But something sinister lurks in the shadows, and he must face the terror and help defend the village from evil before it is lost forever.
Go beyond the tragedy of Chernobyl and discover the magic in the City of Roses.
.
.
What did you think of the book?
*LE SIGH*
Pretty covers will FOREVER be the bane of my existence. I don’t think I’m even ashamed anymore over
the fact that pretty covers are my weakness. End of story.
Good, bad, inbetween, NONE OF THE ABOVE — I will ALWAYS fall for a pretty cover.
(I wonder what the heck that says about me? Hmmm… )
Okay. so this book was DEFINITELY NOT what I was expecting. I had some completely different idea of what this story was going to be about, and then started reading and realized, “Woooah. This is SOOO NOT what I had in mind for my weekend.” And so, on that note, I’ll be quite clear that this is not my kind of book AT ALL. Still… it wasn’t bad. I think the ending saved it for me. If I had stopped earlier on, I would have given this book a much lower rating that I do now. Because although I did know that the tragedy of Chernobyl was the basic backdrop for this tale, I guess I just did NOT expect to get… well… what I got.
But don’t worry. I won’t be spoiling the ending in the slightest. However I will say that those who are
the particularly weepy sort, you might want a box of tissues and something or someone to hug as soon as you get to the end of this book.
I, for one, was annoyed with it halfway through, but soldiered on because… well… for goodness sakes!
It’s only 148 pages. That’s not even a NaNoWriMo novel, folks! And the ending was worth it. It was neat and tight and very symbolic. (Hint hint, if any of you are horror gamers out there, I direct you to
Silent Hill for my meaning. You will understand if you’ve played the games. Especially Shattered Memories. I dunno, but that one really reminded me of the ending of this book.)
The storytelling was a bit… vague, as was the plot. But all of that tied together in the end.
I just don’t think it was a good choice for telling this story. There should have been something more
to keep the reader engaged, or some focus to keep us centered. It’s one thing to play a video game that seems really vague and abstract, but has cool visuals or constantly keep shocking us. It’s another to write it in a book that does neither visually stimulate nor shock us in the slightest, but ties everything up nicely at the end. You… sorta need people to actually WANT to stay long enough to reach the end, y’know? And that was seriously lacking in this book.
Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?
Some violence, some gore. Lots of ambiguity that reveals itself (and its significance in the end).
Ethereal 2015(Ghosts & other supernatural phenomena)
Lastly…This book was provided by Xpresso Book Tours for free in exchange for an honest review. In no way does it affect my rating or review.
Would you recommend this book?
I don’t particularly think I’ll be recommending it. Certainly not to young adults (as supposedly this book is geared towards). At that age, I think they would get even more bored with a book like this than I did.
Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)
Publisher: Kala Empire Publishing Publication Date: May 2015 Format: eBook, RvC Pages: 148 Genre & Themes: Tragedy, Love, Ghosts,
Supernatural, Chemical Warfare, Loss, Family,
(Goodreads Description) War is brewing between the Greenlands and the Summer Kingdom, despite the efforts of Lord Aidan and Prince Varion, who have been meeting in secret in an attempt to maintain peace. When war proves inevitable, Aidan offers Varion asylum, loathe to see the man he’s come to care about become his enemy.
But Varion refuses, sacrificing safety and his own desires to stay in the Summer Kingdom in order to protect his little brother from their ruthless father. The two men instead declare a blood oath to always protect each other, an oath that will see them through war, transformation, and a deadly curse…
What did you think of the book?
I liked it. I mean there were moments when I just couldn’t, but it was still a satisfying read. It started out soooooooo strong and promising, even as it began to taper off at the end and eventually fizzled out with that ending. But all in all, I enjoyed it while it lasted.
World-building was acceptable, though I would have preferred to see more of it better visualized.
Characters, save for the brother Tiernon, were all quite likeable, and I was seriously rooting for a good many (especially two very old dads). That being said, that damned kid though made me wanna vomit. I can understand where he’s coming from with his decisions in life, especially since it was driven by fear of their father, but damn. A true survivalist would have taken the offer from Varion and left with him a long freaking time ago. Tiernon’s ultimate decisions just made him an unforgivable little shit.
Lastly, I will end by saying one thing though:
“MAGNIFICENT SCALED COCK”
Yeah…. the answer is NO. A RESOUNDING, EMPATHIC NO.
Me and this book could have done without that, thank you very much.
Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?
Sexual situations (eventually) and some general violence, but nothing really out of the ordinary or trigger worthy.
Uhh… I’m torn. Though I liked how it began, I can’t really say I’d definitely recommend it to someone who asks. It fell short in too many areas, only just getting the “like” status for the characters – which I really DID like quite a bit.
So… toss-up?
Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)
Publisher: Les Than Three Press Publication Date: June 2015 Format: eBook, RvC Pages: 86 Genre & Themes: DRAGONS!!!, Fantasy,
M/M Romance, Bisexual/Gay Sexualities,
Magic, Politics, War, Paranormal, Betrayal,
Terrible Dad Of The Year Award, Greatest Dad
Of The Year Award, Family, Vows, Promises,
Goddesses,
Ten years after they landed. All over the world. And they did nothing, standing on the surface of the Earth like trees, exerting their silent pressure on the world, as if there were no-one here and nothing under foot.
Ten years since we learned that there is intelligent life in the universe, but that they did not recognize us as intelligent or alive.
Summarize in a word?: ZEFUCK.
RATING 4 / 4.5 STARS!
THOUGHTS & REVIEW
Oh… that was so messed up, but DAMN was it good!
Okay, so this one collects issues 1-8 in a single volume, and THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT. I don’t think I would have understood a single thing if I had to read it piece by pieces.
Tress takes place all over the world: militant China, a research facility in Svalbard, Somalia, the slums of Italy, what’s left of New York, and so much more. Each place has its own set of problems and unique characters that all add to the overall story and the cryptic message.
Why are the Trees here? Are they alive? Do they think? And if they do… what do they think of us pathetic humans scurrying around beneath them?
Another question: Can they communicate with us? And if they can… have they been doing so all along? Were we just too deaf, dumb, and blind to see… to listen… to respond back? And what will they do if we take too long to respond?
My biggest issue with Trees was the pacing — which is SLOW AS FUCK. You’ll have to have patience while reading this one, but by the end of the 8th issue, you’ll definitely being gasping for some of the twisted turn of events that take place. It also leaves us on one HECK of a cliffhanger, so this is my main reasoning for only giving the comic 4, MAYBE 4.5 Stars.
Also some seriously depressing shit happens towards the end that had my mouth hanging open for days because of how… graphic and heart-wrenching it was.
SO ONCE AGAIN – NOT A PERFECT 5.
As to any warnings I would give…
Some sexual content, vulgar language, violent imagery and the like. You know… the usual. Some major character deaths as well. :<
Would I recommend?
Oh yeah. Although I still hold to the belief that it would be better if whoever reads it was able to do so along with volume 2 (which I haven’t read yet, but anticipate to be just as good if not better than the first).
~LYRICS IN THE SONG THAT RESONATE STRONGEST~ ( Pfft~ You mean, all of them? XD )
Conversion, software version 7.0
Looking at life through the eyes of a tire hub
Eating seeds as a pastime activity The toxicity of our city, of our city
New, what do you own the world? How do you own disorder, disorder Now, somewhere between the sacred silence, sacred silence and sleep Somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep Disorder, disorder, disorder
More wood for their fires, loud neighbours Flashlight reveries caught in the headlights of a truck
Eating seeds as a pastime activity The toxicity of our city, of our city
New, what do you own the world? How do you own disorder, disorder Now, somewhere between the sacred silence, sacred silence and sleep Somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep Disorder, disorder, disorder
New, what do you own the world? How do you own disorder Now, somewhere between the sacred silence, sacred silence and sleep Somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep Disorder, disorder, disorder
When I became the sun I shone life into the man’s hearts When I became the sun I shone life into the man’s hearts
Reason for choosing this song
System of a Down’s, Toxicity just seemed to capture the corruption and disorder of the world at large after the landing of the “Trees.”
I wouldn’t say the song is from the POV of any one character. I think it can be split between the different POVs that we see in the comic… The different cities, and the different states and levels of disarray, confusion, and disorder that’s proliferating the many cities’ walls, and furthermore corrupting the people within.
Hullo everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Good Tales Book Tour for A Neophyte’s Tale, an Abbey Thorne short story!
Be sure to scroll down and check out my review as well as enter the GIVEAWAY for signed copies and all sorts of lovely swag!
A Neophyte’s Tale, an Abbey Thorne short story
Series: Prequel to The Netherwalker Series Author: C.K. Dawn Publication Date: April 27 2015 Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi Book Links:Goodreads Purchase:Amazon || Smashwords
Abigail Thorne hears voices. Well, one voice repeating one word over and over again. Soft and sweet with the promise of power, it calls to her. The twelve year old has no idea that the tender little word is a catalyst that serves to reveal a world hidden to most humans. Abbey has yet to discover that following the word’s call to its origin will change the course of her life forever.
Abbey and her mother don’t have much, and depending on the day, sometimes they don’t even have a roof over their heads. She wants more out of life than just wondering where her next meal is. So she shouldn’t be wasting her time daydreaming about going on a selfish quest, should she? Does she have the strength to leave behind what little she has? Will she have the courage to break through the illusions surrounding her and lift the cloak of shadows?
REVIEW & THOUGHTS
Rating: 3/3.5 Stars!
A great teaser for the series. I’m glad it’s set as a short story prequel and not a novel or novella – because it is neither. But a great intro to this world? Oh yeah. I’m expecting great things from this series. Interested to see where it’ll go from here. The writing was a bit… irritating, at times. Not bad, per se, just a tad juvenile. I know the book’s probably YA or Teen, but it could still do with a little work. World-building is decent enough for the short space of time we were there. I hope more will be built on this premise and expand further into something awesome. I can’t really say whether I like anyone yet, because we just don’t know enough about them, but I anticipate liking Bernie best. I mean, he’s a freakin’ cat man after all. What’s not to love? 😉
And, though I have a feeling EVERYONE’S “word” is different, I’m still curious what Abbey’ s might be.
Guess I’ll find out in the next installment of the series!
This book was provided for free in exchange for an honest review. In no way does it affect my rating or review.
CK lives with the love of her life John, his cat Scout, her cat Hagrid, their mutually adopted and socialized feral kitten Pepper (yes, cats have favorite humans. It’s a thing), and their dog Diesel (aka Methane– Please, don’t make her explain).
She credits her mother for the strong independent woman she is, her father for her inner peace and beautiful outlook on life, and the summers of sweaty, manual labor on her grandparents’ farm for her strong work ethic.
In writing, CK has truly found her bliss. Stay tuned, because there will be a lot more to come in her Netherwalker series. Seriously, things have only just begun.
Drugged, bound, and left as bait on the cusp of the lunar cycle, Wyatt Redding is faced with a terrifying set of no-win scenarios. Best case: he survives the coming days as a werewolf pack’s plaything and returns to the city as a second-class citizen with the mark—and protection—of the pack. Worst case: the wolves sate their lusts with Wyatt’s body, then send him home without their protection, condemning him to live out the rest of his short life as a slave to the worst of humanity’s scorn and abuse.
Wyatt’s only chance is to swallow every ounce of pride, bury his fear, and meekly comply with every wicked desire and carnal demand the wolf pack makes of him. He expects three days of sex and humiliation. What he doesn’t expect is to start enjoying it. Or to grow attached to his captor and pack Alpha, Cole.
As the lunar cycle ends, Wyatt begins to realize that the only thing to fear more than being sent home without the pack’s protection is being sent home at all.
Summarize in a word?: DEPRAVED.
RATING WILL NOT STAR.
Reasoning: This could easily be 2 or 5 Stars because of how weirdly jfkndlajkdaln it is
THOUGHTS & REVIEW
. . .
I… have SO MANY WORDS for this book, it’s not even funny.
Nasty, lustful, unapologetic rape fantasy, wolf gangbang with not a trace of romance to be found in this depraved piece of kinky guilty pleasure. This book is pure, hardcore erotica at it’s best. Which means – quite frankly – it’s not for everyone.
Even after all this time, I *still* don’t know what star rating to give this one. On one hand, this was definitely a guilty, filthy, delicious pleasure for me. On the other, I… I just couldn’t.
I think… I just simply won’t star this one.
Yeah. Yeah that sounds like a good plan to me. o__________o
Because if I did I would have to give it both a 1 AND 4.5 star rating for being both utterly disturbing and purely PWP, but also HOT. Like.. really…REALLY HOT. Would I buy this for myself? HELL YES. Did I have moments of “WTF?!” …HELL YES. Did I like it? … HELL. FRIGGIN’. YES.
I think my biggest problem with this book is… that god-awfullymisleadingcover. I mean, it looks like your typical gay wolf shifter romance book with flowers and kisses and hugs and sweet caresses – which is SOOO not what this atrocious, 80-pager of a guilty pleasures is.
._______.
NOT. AT. ALL.
I would even go so far as to complain to the publisher to get that cover changed because… Good GODS, so many people are going to be traumatized by this book thinking it’s something it really, REALLY isn’t.
Tame A Wild Human is in no way a romance. Let me make this VERY CLEAR. This is… this is Stockholm syndrome + drugged up coercion + psychological breaking = “I’ll do whatever you want just make me feel good and don’t kill me pleasepleasePLEASE.” ._____. That’s what this is.
And lots of sex.
Because… well… SEX.
That’s really about it.
To describe the book in a quote from its pages:
“You need a dick in this ass, human. A lot of dicks. Fortunate for you that you’ll be fucked in abundance. Now shut up.”
It is an unreserved hardcore gangbang porno, primal and depraved, and unapologetically nasty. It’s sole purpose is to get you off, not make you swoon with pretty words or melt the frigid cold of one’s heart. There is no world-building, no relationship development, no character development, no plot or storyline besides a couple lines to explain why all this shit is happening. Then it’s repeated raping, gangraping, drugging, and more raping, humiliation and carnal degradation until it comes to its conclusion. Of more sex.
And some “Good boy *patpat* I think I’ll keep you because you haven’t displeased me yet.”
Yup. That’s it. End story. Move right along.
The best part about it was the intensity of the sex. What do you call it? The “heat level,” I believe? Yeah. That shit was THROUGH THE ROOF. It was erotic as all hell. You could slowly fall into the submission of Wyatt (the main character) as he began to give in, as the drugs began to do their work and rewire his brain, as he began to… want it. It was watching like the downward spiral of an addict as they go from clean, never touched a thing before to wanting their hourly fix or bump or hit again and again and again.
It was shameful. It was a debauchery. It was really good. It was like being possessed for a short 80-pages of your life.
This is why I can’t give it a rating, why even writing up a review is hard. Because it’s soooo WRONG, and yet really, REALLY good. I wonder if this is like what it feels like to be a devote Catholic or Christian when they say they’re wrestling with good and evil?
Yeah. Yeah this might just qualify for such a statement.
As to any warnings I would give…
SO MANY. SADFGHULJKHFDG Uhh… okay, first off crazy all over the place trigger warning for this entire book. I would not let anyone read this book unless they fully knew what they were getting themselves into.
So to recap, we’ve got: rape, gangrape, humiliation, sexual humiliation, lots and lots of sex, non-con, Stockholm syndrome, abuse, explicit savage violence, hatefucking, psychological breaking, psychological and sexual training, objectification, abduction, drugging, torture… and that’s just in the first few pages.
Now I know someone people consider this book BDSM, but… I really, REALLY do not consider this BDSM. D/s? Okay. I’ll give you that. This is a wolf hierarchy here. But BDSM? I mean, from my albeit limited understanding of the BDSM world… even then there are rules. And both participants want what is happening. So it’s consensual, even if it’s fantasy rape/non-con/abduction/whathaveyou. It’s a FANTASY and thus something both want to enjoy and participate in. No matter how dangerous it can get.
But this book?
This book is about actual viciously repeated rape, abduction, drugging, gangbanging and whatnot where the main guy who this is happening to ISN’T EVEN GAY, he’s NOT into BDSM or anything even close to any of this, is only doing this because he DOES NOT WANT TO DIE, HAS NEVER HAD SEX WITH A GUY BEFORE, and furthermore is being fucked – repeatedly – in order to be BROKEN, not pleasured or because he wants it. But because the wolves fucking him do not see him as anything more than a hole to be used to sate their desire and – at best – an unfortunate, wicked creature to be molded into their perfect fucktoy.
Ta-da! 😀
I’m gonna be over here if you need me. Yeah. Over here.
Please. For all that is good and holy, do not read this book unless you are absolutely sure you want to, are reading it as fantasy porn, or are really fucked up in the head like I am and was CURIOUS after reading a review much like this one and ended up love-hating it as I do now. T_____T
I should feel bad about enjoying this book, but today is not that day.
Would I recommend?
I would recommend this book ONLY IF you are looking for a really hot ‘n kinky with no plot whatsoever, but HOT, non-con scenes and hurt-comfort-Stockholm-syndrome, weirdest-boner-right-now and/or weirdest-lady-boner-right-now book that you can read by yourself where no one can EVER KNOW.
However. If you’re looking for plot, or ANYTHING remotely consisting of a story, then please don’t. You’ll be traumatized FOR LIFE. I will not be responsible for the damage done to your eyes and your brain.
~LYRICS IN THE SONG THAT RESONATE STRONGEST~ (The whole song)
Run desire run Sexual being Run him like a blade To and through the heart No conscience One Motive Cater to the hollow
Screaming feed me here Fill me up again Temporarily pacify this hungering So grow Libido throw Dominoes of indiscretions down Falling all around In cycles In circles Constantly consuming Conquer and devour
~LYRICS IN THE SONG THAT RESONATE STRONGEST~ (The whole song works, but these lyrics in particular…)
I am absolute corruption
Absolute corruption
(I wanna fuck you… in the ass… Until you bleed!)
I am the power that sways
I am the beast that’s in human nature
I am the masonry of greedTease me, please me, don’t believe me
I will suck and fuck the very heart of you
Into two
Need me, bleed me, don’t believe me
I will separate every fucking part of you
Into two
I never thought I’d change my
opinion again
But you moved me in a way that I’ve
never known
You moved me in a way that I’ve
never known
But straight away you just moved
into position again
You abused me in a way that I’ve
never known
You abused me in a way that I’ve
never known
[chorus:]
So break me shake me hate me
take me over
When the madness stops then you
will be alone
Just break me shake me hate me
take me over
When the madness stops then you
will be alone
Reason for choosing these songs
I don’t know if it was during or after reading the book that these songs became to resonate with me and THIS SICK (AMAZING) BOOK.
Though there really isn’t anything to spoiler in this thing… I’ll be vague-ish and only comment on the ones that really seem like, “UM, WHAT???”
Track 1: Wolves song during a full moon cycle (to their prey). Or likewise just Cole’s song (to Wyatt, perhaps? or to just anyone who’d help fill his hunger and lust).
Track 2: This entire song is… about… nasty, kinky, painful sex. It’s basically the book’s theme song. End of story. (Plus that heavy beat just makes you think “Drugged, Fucked out of one’s mind, and Addicted to whatever comes one’s way.”)
Track 3: I see this as the song to capture a soul-deep change in Wyatt. Once Wyatt’s seriously been “tamed” and even starts thinking of Cole as “his wolf” and tries to play games with him later in the book, only to have everything backfire on him… kinda
Track 4: Probably a Cole to Wyatt song.
Track 5: Always think of this as my reckless abandon song. It’s one that gets put to a lot of books or playlist I make if the situation calls for it. In this case…. THE SITUATION CALLS FOR IT.
(Taken from GoodReads) Prince Telmé Guldbrandsen has been groomed since childhood to become a Prince of the Blood and Commander of the Legion. He will be the youngest person to ever take the Blooding—if he can behave long enough to prove he can be trusted with the responsibility. But behaving is difficult when he is constantly forced to endure Korin: heir to the Reach of the House and the Temple of the Sacred Three, and the snotty brat Telmé is expected to someday marry.
Then the unthinkable happens, leaving Castle Guldbrandsen—and the Legion—in pieces. Overwhelmed by fear and grief, Telmé convinces Korin to help him attempt the impossible. But rather than relief, Telmé’s triumph is met with anger and rejection …
What did you think of the book?
Note of point, I originally sorta skimmed In Despair on 1/22/15, but didn’t actually pick up the book to read until later. 🙂
Now, onto the review!
I gotta say, this wasn’t what I was expecting. AT ALL.
Thankfully, that means it was FANTASTIC and HIGHLY ENTERTAINING and WHOLLY PRECIOUS all rolled up in one.
I think, this one might just be my favour–second favourite in the series. XD I don’t know if I can ever like it better than the first book, which absolutely captured my imagination and made me fall in love with the wonder of this world, its characters, its customs, and its obvious build-up of potential storytelling that only grew and grew with each and every book. As I mentioned before in my review of With Pride, I truly love the aspect of moving backwards in time as you read each novel of this series, how with each book it builds on the last even as you descend further and further back in the original cast of characters’ lives. This story tells of the fateful events that led to Telme and Korin becoming the serious power-couple they are, as the youngest EVER Commander of the Legion and High Priest of the Sacred Three. I always wanted to know how they came to be who they were, ever since the first book when it was so obvious there was a story to be told there. I couldn’t have been happier with the results this book provided.
Now, lemme first start by saying — what little shits you both were! XDDD
oh my GOD you are both SO annoying but I can’t help but love you even more anyway ❤
What I really, REALLY did not understand, or perhaps didn’t grasp from the first novel, was that they were betrothed and – at least in Telme’s case – Blooded soyoung. (Telme wasn’t so bad since he was at least 17, but damn! Korin was only 15!) Furthermore, I didn’t realize they were such… oh, what’s the word? oh yes – BRATS for pretty much the duration of their ENTIRE younger lives. XD Hell – in fact, they never grew out of it (which I LOVE, by the way! XD) and continued to be as infuriating as they grew older. They just got a lot better at hiding it in front of others. XD I was really happy to be able to see them in a light that showed… that they were normal, average teenagers too. (Well, as normal and average as one could be given their circumstances.) They fought each other. They got emotional. They were both the most adorable crybabies, completely warranted for crying at the horrifying, COMPLETELY UNWARRANTED, fucked up, unbelievable events that literally turned their lives upside-down in a matter of days. And then kept their lives IN DESPAIR (aha? Aha? See what I did there? ;D ;D ) for longer than I think MY OWN sanity would have allowed before I tore the whole kingdom down and showed them what it means to be a half-demon.
Which only shows that Telme is seriously a better person than me. I wouldn’t have endured that crap for as long as he did. And Korin, too – although he needed to stop whining so much throughout the book. That’s probably my only quip. That, and the abrupt… uh… sorta ending because I would have really liked to see what happened after they walked into that hall [highlight for spoiler]after they defeated the Incubus and went to check to see if people still hated their guts or not[/end spoiler]. I also think the book would have been better had Korin’s side of the story been seen as much as Telme’s… Y’know. So we could get the chance to sympathize a little more with his troubles and worries, instead of just hearing him complain about it or only seeing it from Telme’s occasional glimpses into the disrespectful actions of the Priests and the rest of the Legion towards him. Those mere glimpses seemed overshadowed by the utter ridiculousness of Telme’s situation, and I think if we had followed Korin around in some chapters instead of Telme, seen how bad it was for him as well, I (at least) would have had a bit more sympathy for him. As it was, I often found myself groaning whenever I heard Korin once again go off in a rage, and only sometimes caught myself to remember that he had it just as bad, if not worse in the long run.
That being said… I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t quite expecting some of the theatrics those two pulled in their misadventures or the turn of events that transpired in the walls of Castle Guldbrandsen, but hell, was it an amazing ride!
Highly recommended!
Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?
Ehh… not really. There’s the usual blood and gore and youngins in bad situations, but nothing too horrific or graphic that you’ll lose your stomach. Some underage sexual situations, but no actual sex in this book.
A P.S. for any potential readers: Although this series does NOT have to be read in order, I have the feeling that the reader would enjoy it better if read in its proper book order (books 1-2-3) and not in its time order (books 3-2-1). And if anyone wants to completely skip around, I would still suggest this book be read last. Something about… getting to meet these two in their older and, ehem, “wiser” selves first AND THEN reading about their teenage bumbling (and super-duper-holy-crap-rockin-woozers! heroics, too) makes it so much more… refreshing, I guess? It all sorta comes full circle to see that underneath those masks of professionalism are still two boys, who are still brats, but are also still so very much in love.
Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)
Publisher: Less Than Three Press Publication Date: July 2014 Format: ebook, RvC Pages: 221 Genre / Themes: Medieval Fantasy, Bisexual,
Paranormal, M/M Romance, Magic, QUILTBAG /
LGBTQUIA, Shifters, Demons, Pseudo-vampires,
Coming of Age, Idiot Teenagers, Royalty,
Nobility, Misunderstanding, War, Monsters,
Arranged Marriages, Love+Hate Relationships
Songs of the Earth (Sumeria’s Sons, #2) by Lexi Ander [Review]
Ikenai Otoko by Hiroi Takao [Review]
Ore ni Koi Shite Dounsunda by Kou Yoneda [Review]
Jigoku Meguri #1 & 2 by Siam Kuju [Review]
Dark Prince (The Dark Earth manga, #3) by X. Aratare & T.Wolv [Review]
Haito Diamond #1-4 by Mika Sadahiro [Review]
The Abyss: Upon A Midnight Clear by X. Aratare [Review]
The Erl-King: Jealous Sons and Mistletoe by X. Aratare [Review]
WHAT I Remember
About Songs of the Earth… that everything was STILL NOT OKAY, NOT OKAYMAN!
About Ikenai Otoko… nothing actually. XD That is until I saw the cover and then one thing led to another and I ended up reading the whole thing in one go. No joke – the title does NOTHING to jog my memory of the story. Only the cover art brings the comedic escapades back in full swing.
About the Jigoku Meguri series… that I… I read it before… but somehow I felt like I hadn’t finished reading it or something? It’s possible that I started this series when it was being scanlated and never got back to it, which could very much so explain away why at least the ENTIRE SECOND BOOK and, maybe… the second-to-last chapter in the first book was such a blank to me.
Either that, or I have shit memory.
S’toss up between the two, fer sure.
About Dark Prince… that I had read most of it when it was being serialized but hadn’t finished it because 1) wasn’t completed yet and 2) membership ran out. Now that both of those things have been rectified, I decided it was about time to catch up on my favourite series.
About Ore ni Koi Shite Dounsunda… that… once again THE TITLE GAVE AWAY NOTHING TO ME. xD Just like with Ikenai, the only thing that helps is the cover art. Once I got a glimpse of that I had the same sort of feeling as I did with Jigoku, knowing that I HAD read it, but not ALL of it, so… yeah. *needs to get a physical copy of this one SOON* Anyone know where I can get one? xD
About the Haito Diamond series… that it will forever be one of my favourite fucked-up series that will live on in infamy till the end of time, because
About Upon A Midnight Clear (A short holiday tale from The Abyss)… that it was fuckin’ cute and I wanted to re-read it. END OF STORY.
About Jealous Sons and Mistletoe (A short holiday tale from The Erl-King)… that it was EVEN MORE FUCKIN CUTE, AND I WANTED TO FUCKIN’ RE-READ IT. GOD
WHY I Wanted to Re-Read
I think I made myself clear with Jealous Sons and A Midnight Clear, so I won’t reiterate.
For Haito Diamond, I was actually dusting off my ATF (All-Time-Favourites) bookshelf and ended up picking up one book, dusting it off, reading it. Picking up the rest of the books, dusting them off, and reading all of them one after another. Then upon putting down my dusting cloth, went over to my computer and looked through my scanlations of all four books to compare and contrast the horrible “translating” to the original raws.
It was a gloriously entertaining afternoon. ❤
The rest were basically spurred on by random, “Oh! What’s that title? I don’t remember reading this—OHHH. Yes I do. Yup. Yes, I doo~ooh——fuck, I’m actually already halfway through this one, aren’t I? Might as well finish reading it. 8DDDD”
Only Songs of Earth was re-read again for the sake of refreshing myself for the next book.
HOW I Felt After Re-Reading
And I think that was pretty much for each and every book on this list. Nothing disappoints. XD
Hullo everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Xpresso tour for Wolf’s-own, Book One: Ghost!
Be sure to scroll down and check out my review as well as enter the GIVEAWAY for signed copies, a full set of the four books in the Wolf’s-own series, and even a Kindle!!
Wolf’s-own: Ghost
Carole Cummings
(Wolf’s Own #1)
Publication date: November 4th 2014
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal
SYNOPSIS
Untouchable. Ghost. Assassin. Mad. Fen Jacin-rei is all these and none. His mind is host to the spirits of long-dead magicians, and Fen’s fate should be one of madness and ignoble death. So how is it Fen lives, carrying out shadowy vengeance for his subjugated people and protecting the family he loves?
Kamen Malick means to find out. When Malick and his own small band of assassins ambush Fen in an alley, Malick offers Fen a choice: Join us or die.
Determined to decode the intrigue that surrounds Fen, Malick sets to unraveling the mysteries of Fen’s past. As Fen’s secrets slowly unfold, Malick finds irony a bitter thing when he discovers the one he wants is already hopelessly entangled with the one he hunts.
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BUY
…………….
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REVIEW/THOUGHTS
4 Stars!
It was so weird picking this book up and starting to read it. I swear, I stared at it for ages because… well… I’d READ it before.
Or so I’d thought.
In actually, I discovered I had downloaded a preview of it a couple years ago (it was undoubtedly the 1st edition, too), read that, thought it was ‘ok’, but ultimately didn’t want to spend the money on buying it. (I think it was probably like… $7.99, or $9.99, or… something like that at the time too…) So basically it got put on the backburner.
You can thus imagine my surprise as I began reading Ghost and instantly began a internal tirade of:
“…the hell? Haven’t I read this? I HAVE read this. I *KNOW* I’ve read this somewhere. Is this a joke? Was this plagarized? Did someone else steal the beginning of this story and add it to their own? WAIT. Let’s not think so drastically here. Maybe I—DO I ALREADY HAVE A COPY OF THIS BOOK? DID I READ THIS ALREADY AND JUST COMPLETELY FORGET WHAT IT WAS ABOUT????”
So. Many.Questions ran through my brain! But, lo and behold, as I skimmed through the first chapter or so, it dawned on me that whatever I had read had only been up to a certain point, because everything thereafter was completely brand-new and had me saying, “WHAT-IS-GOING-ON, HOLD-UP-GOTTA-RESTART-THIS-FROM-THE-BEGINNING, MASS-EXCITEMENT-IS-ABOUT-TO-ENSUE.”
DEEP BREATH. JUST BREATHE.
I’m so glad I did.
The world-building in this book is… crazy good. I can’t find fault in it, even if the beginning of the book starts off a bit complex and even gets a bit confusing. I think what would have helped a great deal, was if the glossary was mentioned (prominently) at the very beginning of the book, right before the first chapter, I think. Either that, or moving the glossary entirely to the beginning, because… even though a lot of the world-building had a sort of Asian-esque flair and aesthetic to it – and certainly drew inspiration from in terms of culture, appeal, names, etc – it’s NOT any known Asian culture that you can read about or visit. Although many words, honorifics, and such can sorta be deciphered as you read, I used that glossary as my bible for at least three-quarters of this book until I got most of the terms down. I think anyone just coming into this series will undoubtedly do the same. Otherwise, you’re just grasping. I generally prefer to be eased into a new world, not simply thrust into it… but all things standing, the book is a huge success! Such complicated characters, mythos, religion, and politics populate this world.
The romance wasn’t really the big factor for me while reading this, but it was definitely well done. Great chemistry between our main characters Fen and Malick; with explosive love scenes that are extremely passionate and sensual. I can already tell that their relationship will definitely be ramping up as the series continues. That you can be sure of. 😉
My biggest quip was that ending – which wasn’t just a cliffhanger, but also sort of… abrupt. As in, I don’t really know if there was a conclusion in this book, or if the entire series should be looked at as one big book that was simply split into parts instead of complete, consecutive books.
Still, I cannot wait for the next book! Hopefully it will get even better~
Carole lives with her husband and family in Pennsylvania, USA, where she spends her time trying to find time to write. Recipient of various amateur writing awards, several of her short stories have been translated into Spanish, German, Chinese and Polish.
Welcome back to another installment of my Books ‘N Tunes Reading Challenge!
So this week, we’ve got something really fun in store: AN ENTIRE PLAYLIST. Yes you read right. This… this… ASDFGHJKLKJHGFDSASDFGHJKJ book… LITERALLY CONJURED UP A WHOLE LIST OF HEARTBREAKING SONGS THAT COULD MAKE A HEARTLESS WRETCH CRY.
So I hope you enjoy! 😀 😀 😀 😀
Oh yes, AND BY THE WAY — My review is more rant than review. BUT IT’S NECESSARY. Read it. You will understand. ❤
The Specific Heat Capacity Of Love
by Old Xian & Moss
Publisher: — Publication Date: 2012 Format: electronic, ebook Pages: 35 Genre: Tragedy, Romance, Slice of Life,
Shounen Ai, “Male” Friendship, M/M Friendship
(Possible Romance), Love, Trust, Nature,
Environment, Unlikely Friends, Separation,
Survivor, Major Character Death, Hurt/Comfort,
Animals, Brutal and Senseless Killing, Slashy,
Fantasy-esque/Surrealism, Wish-fulfillment,
Manhua, Full Color, Animal Characteristic,
Drama, Sweet’n’Cute But SAD ASS Story
A girl goes to the seaside on her class field, accidentally meeting a mysterious boy who tells her a tale of transcendence and love.
Summarize in a word?:
HEARTBREAKING.
RATING
This one gets 5 Stars++++++++++++++++++.
THOUGHTS & REVIEW
MUST STAY STRONG – AH, WHAT A TERRIBLE DAY FOR RAIN
MUST…. STAY… STRONG!
I… I just… Usually I don’t get emotional over anything but this—!
ASDFGHJKL:”:LKJHGFDSXDCFVGHJKLMJNHGFD
Just leave me to die.
“The Specific Heat Capacity of Love,” or as I like to call it “The Most HORRIFIC, TEAR-JERKIN’, TEAR MY HEART OPEN WHYDONTCHA Book That Has Ever Existed” will forever be the bane of my existence. Because that — is its real title. I think something DIED IN ME after reading this short, 35-pager… something I doubt I will ever recover again.
The art is exquisite. It’s in gorgeous full color too, so there is SO MUCH MORE DEPTH AND GLORIOUSNESS TO EACH PAGE. It leaves you breathless. The story itself is sadly quite short, but that’s actually the point. It’s so… tragic, and overpowering. You will not know what to do with yourself afterwards.
When I finished reading this horrid little asdfghjkl;’lkjhgfdsadfghj back in March (I think… the 13th? or something…) I was just in shock. I STILL have NO WORDS for what I read, or for HOW I didn’t know about the inhumane topic the story talks about in great detail.
HEADS UP Y’ALL. THIS IS NOT ONLY A REVIEW BUT AN INSANELY IMPORTANT TIL (Today I Learned) WHICH Y’ALL SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF:
I just learned about some horrible because of a manhua I was reading: shark finning.
THEHELL PEOPLE! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?! Listen. I understand if you want to eat the fucking fish. I GET that. But why the hell can’t you just kill it properly and put the poor thing out of its misery first?! Why oh WHY would you LEAVE IT ALIVE AND IN PAIN TO DIE THROUGH SUFFOCATION AND DROWNING VIA A SLOW AND GROTESQUELY PAINFUL DEATH?!?
Assdffgghjjkkllllkjoiuuttfds Jfc Jfc jfc JFCCCCCCCCCHRIST what the hell is wrong with people? I don’t know if I’m more horrified I didn’t know about this or simply disgusted with humanity as a whole.
PLEASE. FOR ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY IN THIS WORLD: STOP. SHARK. FINNING.
As to any warnings I would give…
DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU WISH TO LOSE PART OF YOUR SOUL.
Because that is the price you will pay for reading the most tragically moving short I’ve ever laid eyes on.
You’ve been forewarned.
Would I recommend?
I DON’T KNOW!! I feel like EVERYONE should read this because it has such an important message (alongside an incredible beautiful and heartbreaking tale)… Yet at the same time, this book is PAINFUL. There is SO MUCH PAIN. I don’t want to send people to their early graves yet either…
~LYRICS IN THE SONG THAT RESONATE STRONGEST~ (The whole song works, but these lyrics in particular…)
We’re only 2cm away now, I’ll be home again I’ll be home again to a place that might have been Where people in the past times thought they were waterfalls around the edge of the sea Catch a drop of tear for me and tell me who you’d be
.
Cause our love is deeper and believer of the sea
Cause you’re the waves of my ocean You’re the waves of my ocean
Don’t forget me Bring me down Don’t let me promise you Things I cannot do This infection adds to my collection Hoard my pain And show it to you one day You alone indeed You sing so adamantly And it fills my mind with thoughts so fine Don’t ask too much of me oh Heal me now, heal me now Heal me now, heal me now Don’t erase me Cut me out replace me I’m still here I’m not going anywhere You alone indeed You sing so adamantly Let it free what ever’s locked inside Don’t ask too much of me
~LYRICS IN THE SONG THAT RESONATE STRONGEST~ (The whole song)
May you find solace in the gentle arms of sleep Despite the wolves outside your door In time you will see them all as harmless And their idle threats easy to ignore
And if ever fate should choose to smite you Stand your ground, never walk away Please don’t ever let the world defeat you Don’t get buried in its decay
But when worlds collide, and all that I have is all that I want. The words seem to flow and the thoughts they keep running. And all that I have is yours. All that I am is yours. Ohh… Painted skies. I’ve seen so many that cannot compare to your ocean eyes.
So goodbye my love, I’ll miss it when it’s gone. Goodbye my love, the ship is shipping on. Goodbye my love, I’ll give it up into the fog. Goodbye my love, I think I knew it all along.
~LYRICS IN THE SONG THAT RESONATE STRONGEST~ (The whole song)
A moment we die Our souls will re-allign A murder so divine We’ll heaven hell Everything is fine, everything is fineCome on, I killed you anyway You remind me Come on, face the gun Of someone I used to know Come on, I killed you anyway You remind me Come on, face the gun Of someone I used to know.
~LYRICS IN THE SONG THAT RESONATE STRONGEST~ (The whole song)
I walked across an empty land I knew the pathway like the back of my hand I felt the earth beneath my feet Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh simple thing where have you gone? I’m getting old and I need something to rely on So tell me when you’re gonna let me in I’m getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
I came across a fallen tree I felt the branches of it looking at me Is this the place we used to love? Is this the place that I’ve been dreaming of?
~LYRICS IN THE SONG THAT RESONATE STRONGEST~ (The whole song)
Come with me my love To the sea The sea of love I want to tell you How much I love youDo you remember When we met? That’s the day I knew you were my pet I want to tell you How much I love you
~LYRICS IN THE SONG THAT RESONATE STRONGEST~ (The whole song)
Some say you’re bitter Think you’re mean Uncouth untamed and unrestrained But I think you’re sensitive and sweet Stay as you are don’t change a thing . Let’em talk you down Call you names My mind’s made up It ain’t gonna change I’m sure in my heart Happy and free You’re the one you’re the one You’re the one for me
I still recall the taste of your tears. Echoing your voice just like the ringing in my ears. My favorite dreams of you still wash ashore. Scraping through my head ’till I don’t want to sleep anymore.
.
This thing is slowly taking me apart. Grey would be the color if I had a heart.
.
In this place it seems like such a shame. Though it all looks different now, I know it’s still the same Everywhere I look you’re all I see. Just a fading fucking reminder of who I used to be.
We can talk all night, we can talk all day We can play charades when there is nothing to say You turn me on to the idea of growing oldNow it won’t be long No, it won’t be long Whoa, whoa, whoaYou turn me on to the idea of growing old Turn me on to the idea of growing old
We can lay around and count the number of times I’ve acted foolish and you’ve rolled your eyes You turn me on to the idea of growing old
Reason for choosing these songs
Each one has it’s own special attribute that somehow resonates with me.
I could go into exact detail, but that would be giving too much of this story away, and it’s short enough as is. You need to read it for yourself to see what I mean, and then listen to the songs.
IT’LL JUST MAKE SENSE THAT WAY.
However, if you still want some vague reasons, we can do that too… (Just be prepared for some spoilers, even out of the highlighted areas.)
Track 1: From Bird’s POV. A song from Bird to Fish.
Track 2: Alternating between Bird and Fish’s POV. A song to each other.
Track 3: From Bird’s POV to Fish as he contemplates joining him once again in the ocean.
Track 4: Fish’s last theme song (but can also be seen as both Fish & Bird’s song, from the time of their separation)
Track 5: From Girl on the Beach to Bird & Fish as she reunites them together. Or even from Bird to Fish, or Fish to Bird… a death song. A requiem.
Track 6: Bird & Fish’s first meeting, and probably every one thereafter
Track 7: Bird’s theme song.
Track 8: Bird coming to terms with [HIGHLIGHT FOR SPOILERS] Fish’s death[/HIGHLIGHT]
Track 9: From Bird’s POV after so long being alone, missing Fish, missing what they once had and mourning what was lost
Track 10: Yet another death song, but this one more specifically from Bird’s POV. How he feels [HIGHLIGHT FOR SPOILERS]it’s his fault Fish died, and how he wishes someone would just end his life too so the two of them can be reunited, and “the moment we die, our souls will re-align.”[/HIGHLIGHT]
Track 11: From Bird’s POV. Life without Fish, and how he came to be on the beach in the first place. All his endless wandering finally brought him back here. To this place, where he lost Fish forever.
Track 12: Friendship/Love theme song; from Fish to Bird, from Bird to Fish.
Track 13: How Bird probably saw Fish / Probably also how Fish saw Bird (but we’ll never really know since we don’t get any of the story from his POV — still I think it can be inferred seeing his reaction to Fish whenever they were together)
Track 14: From Bird’s POV. The “angel” is the girl on the beach, the “demons” are mankind in general and the horrible memories of what happened. He’d “give it all away” to “feel alive again” by [HIGHLIGHT]ending his life so he can be with Fish again.[/HIGHLIGHT]
Track 15: From Bird’s POV at the start of the story, he’s sitting there, remembering, dying, crying, wanting something he can never have.
Track 16: Though this one doesn’t completely fit the story, somehow… every time I hear it now I think of them. I think of it from both of their POV when they first met and however long a time they were together. Before meeting each other, they must have both been very lonely creatures, sort of shunned from their own kind. But after meeting and knowing one another… they… sort of “turned each other on to the idea of growing old” AKA “living a long, happy life”, so long as they had each other. So long… as they were together. And… uggghhuu… T________________T *UGLY SOBBING*
Is anything special going on for this book right now?
Yes, but of course! There’s a book tour and book giveaway going on until the 3rd, so go check them both out here.
Thoughts and review of the book?
Oho~ Well, well, well! This wasn’t half bad a read! I’m not sure if I’d ever get into this series (as in, actually want to pick up any more books and read them), but this book was a great introduction to the Resounding series, its characters, and world.
The ending kind of irked me a bit, but I have to remember it is a series and there needs to be some kind of hook to get you to want to read the next book. Sadly, I won’t be doing so, but it’s still a good hook regardless.
I think there’s a lot to work with here, in terms of story and plot, conflict, and all that… so I believe any follow-up books (and prior ones too) would be great reads. The thing for me, is that… well… I’m not really into books with plots and stories based on the supposed “age old war between the Vamps and the Weres” sorta thing. It’s fine. I have no problem with it, but I’m just really tired of reading it unless it’s taking a different spin on things: putting it into another genre (space vampires! or demigod weres! or… or… something. I dunno. It just can’t be the same old thing again and again), MAYBE making them allies instead of enemies (like kinda how this story is going by having some other more traditional vamps or weres or just simply humans in general not liking it and so it’s becomes like a “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” situation going on), or SOMETHING. Otherwise, I just don’t read these Vamps vs Weres stories.
Nonetheless, the story itself was wonderfully written. Kate Thomas’ style of writing is easy to follow, enjoyable, descriptive (but not too much), engaging, and witty at times. The characters, plot, and transition between scenes were well executed, and I really didn’t have any problems with anything. (Even the overdone Vampire vs. Werewolf plot-device was handled well.)
I think my favourite characters were definitely Caleb (because he was so comfortable in his own skin — a phenomenal Alpha with a kind and gentle spirit, but all the dominant, sexy attitude to make everyone around him respect him, be enthralled by him, but also want to be around him); Dru (because she was likewise very comfortable in her own skin. No silly, “But what do I do?! OH THE AGONY!” drama going on… just a cool, confident, smart, brave woman going on there); and — weirdly enough — Seth. I think it was his… idiotic innocence that got me. (And also the fact that I SWEAR TO GOD it seemed like he had the ultimate crush on his older brother. I was highly amused with the little things that came out of his mouth sometimes.) He was just so trusting, but not because he was naive or foolish… just very trusting of a brother who obviously does care for him, but sadly doesn’t actually respect him enough to not be going behind his back and messing with his mate. I do kinda wish Seth could have had the chance to maybe step up and been someone more worthy of an Alpha title, but at the same time, I’m glad he stayed true to himself. I mean, not everyone can be the Alpha… Whoever. And that’s cool too! That’s why Seth, for whatever reason, still made the favourite character list! 😉
All in all, a good, solid read! 🙂
**This complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**
Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?
None in particular. There’s one heck of an aggressive Alpha in there, who’s a bit of an ass and does asinine things, but yeah. That’s about it. xD
Although I probably won’t be reading more of the series, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance, Werewolves vs Vampires plot/stories, ABO dynamics, Novellas, Paranormal Series, and the like. It’s a GOOD READ, so definitely worth recommending.
Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)
Publisher: Good Tales Book Tours Publication Date: March 2015 Format: RvC, ebook Pages: 92 Genre / Themes: Romance, Shifters, Vampires,
Werewolves, Paranormal, Interspecies
relations (or lack thereof), Vamps vs Weres,
D/s, ABO dynamics, Tribal Living, Aggressive /
Submissive Males, Dominant Females, Strong
Female Lead Character
In Despair
Reckless Indulgence 