New Adult Book Review: The Goblins of Bellwater by Molly Ringle

Central Avenue Publishing
TBP October 1, 2017
288 Pages

Most people have no idea goblins live in the woods around the small town of Bellwater, Washington. But some are about to find out.

Skye, a young barista and artist, falls victim to a goblin curse in the forest one winter night, rendering her depressed and silenced, unable to speak of what happened. Her older sister, Livy, is at wit’s end trying to understand what’s wrong with her. Local mechanic Kit would know, but he doesn’t talk of such things: he’s the human liaison for the goblin tribe, a job he keeps secret and never wanted, thrust on him by an ancient family contract.

Unaware of what’s happened to Skye, Kit starts dating Livy, trying to keep it casual to protect her from the attention of the goblins. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Kit, Skye draws his cousin Grady into the spell through an enchanted kiss in the woods, dooming Grady and Skye both to become goblins and disappear from humankind forever.

It’s a midwinter night’s enchantment as Livy, the only one untainted by a spell, sets out to save them on a dangerous magical path of her own. -Goodreads

This story was inspired by Christina Rossetti poem, Goblin Market (which is listed below the review.) Before reading this, you need to know that this is a new adult book. This means that there is sexual content not suggested sexual content but full blown sexual content with characters under the age of 25.

I was immediately sucked into this book. The story of goblins is something I don’t touch too much. Its not as if   don’t like their story, I guess it isn’t as popular within the channels I run through to look for new books but its something I am going to look into.

Anyway… as I said I was sucked into this book but the intensity I had reading into the beginning died. . . slowly but it died. It wasn’t as if the story was not interesting. It was but the author took a little bit too much time of having the characters run around the issue. I felt that the resolution was too easy found and there wasn’t enough fight or intensity leading up to the conclusion as there was with the sex scenes.

I also didn’t think there was a enough mythology in the book. I wanted something deeper in the overall story. I wanted more history and color overall in the story. I felt that the focus was too much on the relationships and not on the goblins their story, their end game or anything such as that. The story was fairly straight-forward and I’m not a fan of that.

Despite the story hitting a slow patch, despite the lack of mythology and color, it provide a quick read and it introduced me to a new author.

2.5 Pickles (for a good foundation)

Book Review: Rose Petal Graves (The Lost Clan #1) by Olivia Wildenstein

Self Published
March 29th, 2017
390 Pages

Ancient secrets cannot remain buried forever.

Founded two centuries ago by a powerful tribe of Gottwa Indians, Rowan was a quiet town, so quiet that I fled after graduation. Staying away was the plan, but Mom died suddenly.

Dad said she suffered a stroke after she dug up one of the ancient graves in our backyard, which happens to be the town cemetery. Creepy, I know. Creepier still, there was no corpse inside the old coffin, only fresh rose petals.

As we made preparations for Mom’s burial, new people began arriving in Rowan, unnervingly handsome and odd people. I begged them to leave, but they stayed, because their enemies—my ancestors—were beginning to awaken.- Goodreads

*Short Review*

It has been a really long time since a read a book where the protagonist, the main character lacked so much common sense and backbone that I had to reread a page to make sure I read correctly.

I truly apologize if that comes off harsh, but Cat wasn’t the brightest tool in the box. She was constantly walked over and she really didn’t know how to keep her mouth shut. How are going to tell the man you don’t trust everything you know and then make out with him but continue to say I don’t trust you?!?!?

Also my biggest issue, how dare you belittle your mother’s beliefs as if they were fairy tales? What type of person or daughter specifically would do that to someone they love; someone who keeps the house running, your father taken care of and a business up and running. I was pissed by the whole narrative.

Cat was not a likeable character and the author tried to do so much weaving that at times some things like got lost. The pace was alright but I was so turned off by Cat, I just stopped.

Overall,

1 Pickle

Impatiently Waiting For: The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
TBP Jan. 2, 2018
384 Pages

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.- Goodreads

Book Review: The Fallen Kingdom (The Falconer #3) by Elizabeth May

Chronicle Books
To Be Published June 13, 2017
336 Pages

This is the final book in the Falconer trilogy. Aileana Kameron has been resurrected by ancient fae magic and has no memory of her past or any idea of how she is now the keeper of a dangerous magic that she is unable to control. 

Determined to break this “curse”  while trying to control the powers, Aileana, must find an ancient book guarded by the powerful fae Morrigan. In order to save the people she loves. Aileana must do the impossible. 

I enjoyed this series and I enjoyed the cover art tremendously as well. The first thing to say about the final book is that it is much more romance filled than the other two. So, if you didn’t want a romance novel as the final novel, then you should not read this. I did roll my eyes, once I saw where the book was heading but it didn’t make it any less of a good book.

Although I was surprised, I loved this book. Aileana is still bad ass but less whinny. She is much more realistic to the whole end of the world and she is not heartless to the Fae. She understands that they have lost their world, just as much as the Humans have. I liked that about this book. What I didn’t like about her and pretty much since the first book, is that her word or nothing else. I love her determination and what she is willing to fight for but she really screws people over for her own piece of mind. It was annoying.

I loved the pace of the novel. But I do wish there was more fighting. There wasn’t enough of what made the Falconer a good book. There was less physical drama then one would think as the final battle. It would have been great to have just a little more. Despite that, I loved the grown Aileana. It kept me reading.

The ending left no question to another book. I can see the author doing a side story or series to a particular character but other than that I was happy to say that the series has ended with a thought out ending, I wasn’t exactly expecting.

Overall,

5 Pickles

Book Review: Rhapsodic (The Bargainer #1) by Laura Thalassa

Lavabrook Publishing Group
Published Nov. 15, 2016

Callypso Lillis is a siren that from the outside looking in has a pretty good life. A successful business with her best friend, a gorgeous shape shifting boyfriend and a beautiful home.

However, bracelets stretching on her arm, show that her life hasn’t been the easiest to obtain. Beads of magical IOUs, from the Bargainer remind Callypso that someday she will have to pay back those favors. After seven years of silence, the Bargainer has come to collect and he is looking for much more than a simple repayment; he needs Callypso and her skill as a siren to save the Otherworld. 

I like this author. She has a way of surprising you and I was pleasantly surprised with this book. If you are looking for something dark and creepy as the cover makes it seem, this is not that type of book.

There is heavy romance in this book and for a while it gets redundant. However, the background, which is the foundation for the next book, is pretty good. The Bargainer, who is also a Fae king, has alternative motives that get really annoying to figure out. You are not sure if he is a good guy or a bad guy til around the end of the book. What I wanted more in regards to him was a better description of how he looked. For most of the book, I couldn’t see him. Yes, he is described but that description didn’t stick and follow for me. I also would have loved more personality from him as well and a deeper back story.

Callypso was interesting because I didn’t dislike her but then again, I cannot say that I liked her either. Her personality was missing. There were glimpses but I don’t who she is or how to really describe her. Maybe headstrong? The same goes for the Bargainer.

What I loved about the book was the back and forth between the past and the present. So, you know how the two meet and what their relationship consist of. I really loved that. The book kept my attention from beginning to end. But I didn’t like the ending. I felt that what happened to Callypso didn’t really fit with the story. It was un-needed at least for me.

I look forward to the next book but I am slightly weary. Me and this author have an interesting relationship because the first book will be great, the second book stale and the last book great.

Overall,

4 Pickles

What Tanya Wants: March 2016

Book Review: The Vanishing Throne (The Falconer #2) by Elizabeth May

Chronicle Books
To Be Published June 7, 2016
384 Pages

Aileana Kameron disappeared through a portal, while fighting for her life and the world she loves. When she awakes she finds that she is trapped by the evil Lonnrach. Unable to escape , no matter how hard she tries, Aileana is tortured to the point of delusion. 

When she cannot take it any longer, she is saved by the last person she can think of and she enters a destroyed Edinburgh that is on a shaky truce with the Fae. 

As a Falconer, Aileana has the power to save both the Fae and human world, but she would have to awaken the powers that could cost her life. 

Book one was my beloved treasure in 2014. Don’t believe me? Check the review here. I was too hyped to get the opportunity to read book two when it came out. Also that cover is too perfect. However, I was disappointed.

Was Aileana always so selfish? How is it that you can stick your nose up to the fae that have decided to save your behind as well as your family’s behind? In the first book it was very clear that she hated the fae but not only did you fall in love with a powerful fae,  her best friend is fae.

The fae saved your life and yet you hate the fact that they have allowed you to live in their city and have provided you protection. It didn’t make sense. Aileana has every reason to be upset however she has this entitled mentality as if her mission wasn’t to destroy fae good and bad.

Beyond that the story was dragged out. There was a lot of something is about to happen but then nothing happens going on. It was frustrating and disappointing because the first book was so well written.

I did enjoy the romance in the novel it wasn’t too over done but it did make Aileana look like a hypocrite. I also really enjoyed the details the author put in the setting and the surrounding characters; it reminded me of why I enjoy this author and it made it even harder to not roll my eyes while reading this book.

When the pace picked up and when it got back to what I remember, it was almost too late for me to enjoy it. Despite my unhappiness with this book, I need to see how it ends. I need to see the growth in Aileana. I need to see her beyond her desire to kill something and fight. I need to feel a passion for something other than her ever growing need for revenge.

So yeah, I am going to read the third book despite the horrible rating this book got.

1 Pickle

NetGalley Review: Blade Dance (Cold Iron #4) by D.L. McDermott

Pocket Star
To be Published Sept. 21, 2015
Kindle Edition

School teacher Ann Phillips knows that trusting a fae is dangerous. But when her most beloved second grader goes missing after she discovers magical tattoos on his arm, Ann turns to the one fae that is the most dangerous of them all Finn MacUmhaill.

Finn has wanted Ann for a very long time so when she comes to him for help, he believes this will be a way to prove himself to her. But Ann isn’t who she seems and Finn may have a extra story or two to share with Ann.

I have not read the previous books (1-3) to be honest I didn’t realize this was book four until I read the summary on goodreads.

However, I didn’t need the other books to really understand the whole picture of the book. There was somethings that was missing but overall it wasn’t too much a big deal.

This was an interesting read because it didn’t take much for Ann to get in bed with Finn (I guess from previous history). There wasn’t too much of a fight. The moment she saw him it was pretty much over. I wanted more fight from Ann especially since the whole thing was her not trusting the fae. I wanted more from Ann period because she didn’t have much personality other than the fact that she loved the children she works for and was extremely loyal.

Finn was the stereotypical but honest alpha male. He didn’t turn out to be much, which was a bit disappointing because I want him to be more than a typical bad ass fae.

The book was alright. There is heavy sex scenes but it doesn’t dominate the entire book. It doesn’t because Ann keeps reminding herself that her whole purpose is to save the boy. I feel like the first book of this series may actually be good but for the most part this was an okay book to pass the time.

2 Pickles

NetGalley Review: The Last of the Firedrakes (The Avalonia Chronicles, #1) by Farah Oomerbhoy

Wise Ink Creative Publishing
To Be Published Aug. 15, 2015
488 Pages

16-year-old Aurora Darlington hasn’t had a life worth bragging about. Not only is she an orphan, she is bullied at school and hated by her Aunt and Uncle.

When she is kidnapped through a magical portal with mages, faeries and a evil Queen looking to kill her, Aurora’s old life isn’t so bad.

Determined to learn the truth of her past and take control of her future, Aurora must fight through ancient magic and a complicated political war.

Unexpected joy came out of reading this book. It was extremely perfect in every sense of the word. Let’s start with the pace of the novel. In every chapter there was something going on; this doesn’t necessarily mean heart dropping action on every page but what the author did was made it so you didn’t feel like something valuable was missing. No, this did not lead to predictability because there wasn’t any in this book.

I liked Aurora. What I loved about her was the fact that she was a 16 year old girl with a huge responsibility on her back. In most YA books it is hard to tell the age of the characters even though it is stated but the author reminded the reader that Aurora was a young girl not with reckless actions but with her frustration in not wanting to do things. I liked Aurora because she was smart with a mixture of rebellion. I didn’t even mind her getting into things she couldn’t finish because she was naive and again 16.

I like how the book didn’t solely focus on romance; it was there but it was done in a way that I appreciated. I grew to love Aurora and her budding romance.

I have no complaints with this book. I was not expecting such a well created picture with a simple and reoccurring theme.  This book is in its own category and it should be read by everyone who loves magic.

Looking forward to book two. Hope I don’t have to wait long.

5 Pickles