Nightborn (Thrones & Bones #2)

 Two weeks until Nightborn releases on July 14th! That's enough time to check out the first book, Frostborn, before picking up the sequel. Check out my review of the book below.

About the book:
From the author of "Frostborn" comes Book 2 in the acclaimed Thrones and Bones fantasy-adventure trilogy for fans of Lloyd Alexander and Brandon Mull. 

Karn Korlundsson is a gamer. "Not" a riddle solver. But in order to rescue his best friend, Thianna Frostborn, he will need to travel to the faraway city of Castlebriar (by wyvern), learn how to play a new board game called Charioteers (not a problem), decipher the Riddle of the Horn, and tangle with mysterious elves. 

Meet Desstra. She's in training to join the Underhand--the elite agents of the dark elves. When she crosses paths with Karn, she is not all that she appears to be. 

Everyone is chasing after the horn of Osius, an ancient artifact with the power to change the world. The lengths to which Karn will go in the name of friendship will be sorely tested. Who knew that solving a riddle could be so deadly? 

The novel includes instructions for playing the board game Charioteers. Visit ThronesandBones.com for additional games, maps, character profiles, and more!

Find it on:   Goodreads  Amazon   Barnes & Noble

Review:
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

After reading Frostborn, the first Thrones and Bones book, I knew that I had to read Nightborn, the second book in the series. Lou Anders' world intrigued me, and I wanted to see where he would take readers next. Luckily for me, the publisher sent me a copy to review. (Click here to see my thoughts about Frostborn)

Readers can enjoy the second book in the series without reading the first book, but I wouldn't recommend it. Lou Anders sets the foundation of Karn and Thianna's friendship in the first book, and it is the main reason Karn is so adamant about saving his friend, especially since Thianna is very different from Karn.

Nightborn takes readers further away from Karn's home. We discover more of Anders' world, and see different cultures incorporated into the storyline. Readers also learn more of the world's history. There is even a timeline in the back of the book that breaks down the history.

The story opens up with new characters, and an interesting twist to the capture the flag game. Readers learn that this is the "final exam" for the characters, and Dessetra is not going to lose! When graduation comes, she is forced to go on a special mission before truly graduating and joining the Underhand. Karn, on the other hand, is adjusting to his new normal. He's now a local celebrity after the events that happened in Frostborn, and he is stepping up to be hauld of the farm. Too bad he is taken and forced on a mission to retrieve a special item and find his friend Thianna.

Just like in the first book, Karn and Thianna have "bad guys" that they have to defend themselves from. Anders again incorporates mythical characters, this time elves, as key characters in the story. But this time, the dark elves are going after the same horn that Karn and Thianna are.
  
Desstra was my favorite character in the story. She is cunning, and the way she thinks is similar to Karn's way of thinking. Unlike her counterpart, Tanthal who uses the people around him and isn't afraid to hurt or kill them, Desstra shows compassion and mercy. Desstra isn't perfect though. She befriends and then betrays Karn. But when Tanthal tells her that she has to kill him, she finally does what is right, even if it means giving up on her lifelong dream. I look forward to reading about her in the third book and seeing how Anders continues to shape her character.

The story is wrapped up completely by the end of the book, just like in the first book. It ends with the characters setting out to explore more of the world. Thianna hasn't found out the history of her mother, after all. Now she has a worthy travel companion. I am interested to see how important Karn's role will be in the third installment.

Anders created another board game, Charioteers, for Nightborn. Just as he did in Frostborn, instructions, pictures, and rules are included in the back of the book. Readers can create their own board and play just as the characters do.

All in all, Nightborn is an adventurous story that is fun to read. It is perfect for middle graders, teens, and even adults. There is action and mystery.  It shows how true friendship is meant to be.

About author Lou Anders:

Lou Anders's research on Norse mythology while writing Frostborn turned into a love affair with Viking culture and a first visit to Norway. He hopes the series will appeal to boys and girls equally.

Anders is the recipient of a Hugo Award for editing and a Chesley Award for art direction. He has published over 500 articles and stories on science fiction and fantasy television and literature.

Frostborn, which Publishers Weekly described as “thoroughly enjoyable” (starred review), is his first middle grade novel. A prolific speaker, Anders regularly attends writing conventions around the country. He and his family reside in Birmingham, Alabama. 

You can visit Anders online at louanders.com and ThronesandBones.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter at @ThronesandBones



 

Love on the Slopes review

About the book:

Jessa Hartley is haunted by memories of the night she threw herself at her childhood crush, Dominic DeRenzi – and he turned her away. Years later, Jessa has managed to put the past behind her and climb up the ranks as head instructor of the ski lodge she one day hopes to purchase. Only her plans take a nosedive when the smooth talking Italian shows back up in town. Even worse, he’s planning on purchasing her lodge.

After surviving a disastrous marriage, Dominic DeRenzi returns to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, hoping to make a fresh start for him and his six year old son by purchasing the old ski lodge. Until a chance encounter with Jessa Hartley throws his well laid plans off track. The once innocent girl from his childhood has grown into the beautiful woman he always knew she would become, and he is painfully reminded of the night he overstepped his bounds and kissed her. Then broke her heart by sending her away.
 
Rekindling the flames of their past isn’t part of the plan, yet Dominic and Jessa soon find they’re helpless to stop the fire that burns brightly between them. He broke her heart the first time he left, but can he make her see this time around he’s here to stay?
 
Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Generally I gravitate toward dystopian or fantasy books, but when I received the opportunity to review Amy Manemann's contemporary romance, Love on the Slopes, I took it. It was a refreshing genre change that quickly pulled me in and took me on an emotional roller coaster that only a love story can do.

Basically, a childhood crush develops into "more" when Dominic DeRenzi buys the ski lodge that Jessa Hartley works at. Dominic left Jessa when he was 18 to go into the family business. This caused him to leave the country. After an unplanned pregnancy turns into a failed marriage, Dominic and his son seek to put down roots and start a new life through this new acquisition. Jessa felt spurned when Dominic left, but the spark that was between them as teenagers rekindles into a flame. Both are hesitant to jump into a relationship, but when you have chemistry, it just becomes too difficult to deny mutual feelings. 
 
The story is told through a dual point of view. Mostly readers are in Jessa's head. The story will suddenly switch POVs to Dominic's without much distinction. I like that we received a taste of Dominic's mind throughout the book, but I wish that sections of the story were more defined by his perspective. I would love if we could have more info on his prior marriage. Maybe Manemann will write a prequel novella for us.
 
One small detail I thought was odd in the book involved a trauma scene. A skier had a crash and was unconscious. Jessa calmly took in the situation and directed Dominic on what to do. Dominic owns at least one other ski resort, maybe more. If he's involved in the ski resort industry, I thought he would have more "know how" than what he did. Jessa may be more familiar with handling accidents than Dominic, but Dominic should have been more proactive in that scene than just waiting for Jessa to tell him what to do.

Jessa's family's involvement in the story really added personality and tension. I loved when they were involved in scenes. Dominic struggles on how to tell her brothers that he and Jessa are an items. It is a black cloud looming over their relationship. The brothers are very distinctive and seem like guys you would love to hang around. I like to see if anything will develop between Jessa friend, Lucy, and her brother, Jett.

Just when you think the story is wrapping up, Manemann throws a little drama in. Someone from Dominic's past sneaks back into his life. Dominic must choose between love or family. Luckily his choice is a no brainer. Don't want to give spoilers here, so you will just have to read the book. 
 
Since this is a contemporary romance book, there is romance. Sexual situations between the characters is suggested. Manemann doesn't explicitly describe the actions. The scenes are cut short of the action, or described as a memory of the event.

Readers who love contemporary romances, especially when the setting is ski lodges, should check out Love on the Slopes. It is a light hearted, fun story. 

Love on the Slopes releases April 30, 2015!

About author Amy Manemann:

Amy Manemann is an International Best Selling Author. She writes sexy and intriguing romantic suspense, contemporary romance, young adult paranormal romance, and dabbles in children's books. She resides in her hometown along the Mississippi river with her husband and their two children.

When she isn't plotting her next book, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and diving into a good book. Her newest release, Love on the Slopes, is her first foray into contemporary romance and will release on April 30th.

Amy is also a site administrator for the World Literary Café, an online literary community for authors and readers. www.worldliterarycafe.com.

You can connect with Amy at www.amymanemann.blogspot.com or on Facebook

The Cure (Unbounded #2)

About the book:
Even When You CHANGE, Some Things Remain the Same . . .

Erin Radkey’s life has altered completely since her Change made her one of the Unbounded. Yet she has learned the hard way that some things never change.

Greed. Over the centuries the long-lived Unbounded have divided into two groups, the Emporium who craves money and power and will do anything to achieve its ends, including experimenting on its own people, and the Renegades who protect humanity.

Power. Now the Renegades are close to discovering a cure that will save many dying mortals, and the husband of Erin’s closest friend is first in line to receive the formula. But Emporium agents will stop at nothing to destroy the cure—until they realize the research might be exactly the weapon they’ve been searching for.

Love. Erin’s new abilities are tested as she and fellow Renegades fight the Emporium in a struggle that soon becomes all too personal, and where lines of loyalty are blurred by relationships of the past. Everything is at risk, including the lives of her friends—and the love of Ritter Langton, the Renegade Unbounded who both infuriates and excites her.

From the busy streets of Portland to the jungles of Mexico, The Cure is a page-turning urban fantasy that will keep you riveted until the end.

Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for and honest review.

After finishing the first book in this series, the abrupt ending had me wondering what happened. The story stuck with me for several days after I finished it (I just love book hangovers!), so I knew I had to get my hands on the next book in the series. Want to know what I thought about the first book, The Change? Check out the review here.

To begin with, if you are reading the books back to back, you will initially be disappointed because the story doesn't pick up exactly where the first book left off. It actually picks up two months later. There are snippets that allow readers to find out what happened. For example, Ritter wasn't there when Erin woke from her surgery. No surprise there because that is Ritter!

This book feels the same and very different from the first book. There is still tons of action in it. The Hunters and Emporium are really a thorn in the Renegades' side. Erin however is not the same woman we saw in the first book. Her confidence has grown in the months that she has been Unbounded and she doesn't doubt her role in this new secret society anymore. She is 100% Renegade and she's out to recruit new Unboundeds to her side.

The characters must take a road trip to Mexico. This is also a reason why the "feel" of this book is so different from the first. The unfamiliar scenery as characters run through the jungle, adds a danger element to the plot. Enemies can hide so easily. If bullets start flying, it is difficult to spot Emporium soldiers in all of the foliage. It is hard to tell who is hunting and who is being hunted.

The same characters from the first book are in this second book plus a few extra. New talents are revealed that come in handy when the characters get in some sticky situations. Don't worry though, you're going to love these additions to the story.
 
Readers that love action, supernatural abilities and a hint of romance will definitely want to pick up this book. There is no sex in it, but there is some violence. It is definitely worth the read!

About author Teyla Branton:

Teyla Rachel Branton grew up avidly reading science fiction and fantasy and watching Star Trek reruns with her large family. They lived on a little farm where she loved to visit the solitary cow and collect (and juggle) the eggs, usually making it back to the house with most of them intact. On that same farm she once owned 33 gerbils and 18 cats, not a good mix, as it turns out.

Teyla always had her nose in a book and daydreamed about someday creating her own worlds. She is now married, mostly grown up, and has seven kids, including a two-year-old, so life at her house can be very interesting (and loud), but writing keeps her sane.

She thrives on the energy and daily amusement offered by her children, the semi-ordered chaos giving her a constant source of writing material. Grabbing any snatch of free time from her hectic life, Teyla writes novels, often with a child on her lap. She warns her children that if they don’t behave, they just might find themselves in her next book!

She’s been known to wear pajamas all day when working on a deadline, and is often distracted enough to burn dinner. (Okay, pretty much 90% of the time.) A sign on her office door reads: DANGER. WRITER AT WORK. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.

She loves writing fiction and traveling, and she hopes to write and travel a lot more. She also loves shooting guns, martial arts, and belly dancing. She has worked in the publishing business for over twenty years.

Blade Singer review and giveaway!

About the book:
Manuel “Manny” Boreaux, a troubled adolescent from Texas, is magically transported into the body of a goblin pickpocket in an alternate world inhabited by faerie creatures. Manny must quickly adapt to the danger all around him and try to find a way to get back home, a feat complicated by the pickpocket’s association with a notorious gang of thieves. But when Manny uncovers a plot to assassinate a young king, he must enlist the aid of an elf cavalier and a cat burglar to thwart a Sidhe witch’s scheme to ignite a civil war between humans and the Fae.

Goodreads   Amazon

Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After checking out the blurb of this book, I decided to read it because of all of the fantasy creatures in it. Mixing magical creatures can be a dangerous thing for authors. So much can go wrong in the process, but in Blade Singer so much went right! The mix of trolls, goblins, elves, humans, etc. really helped create the feel of another magical world.

The first thing that surprised me in the book is that the main character is not white or black, but rather he has a Hispanic background. I loved this. There is a lack of diversity in many books (or maybe I'm not seeking out the diversified books), and for the main character to be Hispanic, it was exciting. It really didn't impact the main story line, but the authors wove bits of it throughout the story.

I loved that Manny was able to reunite with his parents in Aquitania. After their deaths, he was having a difficult time coping. Even though they didn't know who he was, he was still able to interact and grow their relationship.

It was interesting to see how Manny changed over the course of the book. In the beginning, he was a thief in the real world as well as in Aquitania. But when he arrived in Aquitania and saw that being bad was changing him into a goblin, he changed his ways. He tried to do the right thing, even if it was harder to do than the wrong thing. Perfect lesson for the middle grade kids that the story is geared toward.

As kids are learning this lesson, the authors keep it interesting. Manny and Adriana face lots of danger. From sword fights and spies, to being captured and being chased by "bad guys", the action throughout the book keep readers interested and eager to turn the page.

The story is told through a single point of view, Manny's. Although it would have been interesting to get other character's take on what was going on and what was running through their minds, the single POV allows readers to show how Manny's mentality changes. This was definitely the most effective way to show that.

Readers looking for the next great fantasy adventure should pick up Blade Singer. This is a story that I'd recommend to kids, teens, and even adults!

About the authors:
Aaron de Orive
A graduate of the University of Texas’ film program, Aaron de Orive began his professional writing career in the video game industry, serving as a lead or senior writer on Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, Tabula Rasa, Anarchy Online, and Star Wars: The Old Republic. He is also the creator of the fantasy role-playing game SHARD: World of the False Dawn. Blade Singer is his first novel. Aaron lives in Austin with his wife, daughter, and two very spoiled terriers.

Website   Twitter

Martha Wells
Martha Wells is the author of a number of fantasy novels, including The Cloud Roads, The Siren Depths, The Wizard Hunters, Wheel of the Infinite, and the Nebula-nominated The Death of the Necromancer. Her YA fantasy, Emilie and the Hollow World, was published by Angry Robot/Strange Chemistry in April 2013, and the sequel, Emilie and the Sky World, was released in March 2014. Two collections of Books of the Raksura novellas will be published in September 2014 and Fall 2015. She has had short stories in Black Gate, Realms of Fantasy, Stargate Magazine, and Lightspeed Magazine, and in the anthologies Elemental, The Year’s Best Fantasy #7, Tales of the Emerald Serpent and The Other Half of the Sky. She has essays in the nonfiction anthologies Farscape Forever, Mapping the World of Harry Potter, and Chicks Unravel Time. She has also written media-tie-in novels, Stargate Atlantis: Reliquary and Stargate Atlantis: Entanglement, and a Star Wars novel, Empire and Rebellion: Razor’s Edge.

Website   Twitter   Live Journal

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The Change (Unbounded #1) review & giveaway

Book 4 in the Unbounded series has recently released. After reading the blurb, I knew that I definitely wanted to get my hands on this series! Check out what I thought about the first book, then continue on to find extra surprises from this action packed series!

About the book:
There are only two ways to kill Unbounded, and fire isn’t one of them—as law school dropout Erin Radkey learns the hard way. By fluke of a recessive gene, she has become Unbounded, a nearly immortal being with paranormal abilities.

Erin’s Change separates her from her loved ones and alters everything she believes to be true. A week earlier she was considering a marriage proposal; now she contemplates the best way to stay alive. Caught in a battle between two Unbounded groups, she is also hunted by a secret mortal society sworn to eradicate the Unbounded gene. Worse, a new identification software could mean death for all Unbounded—or enslavement for the entire mortal world.

As Erin plunges into this dangerous new life, she must carve out her own place in the madness, protect her mortal family, and decide which group she should join. Her powerful attraction to Ritter Langton, whose family was massacred by opposing Unbounded two hundred and forty years ago, complicates her choices. There are no second chances. Death, life, or love—Unbounded always play for keeps.

Non-stop action, terrifying consequences, and powerful romance make this an exciting addition to the world of urban fantasy

Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Looking for a very dramatic story about supernatural beings that is filled with a lot of action? Then you will definitely want to pick up The Change, the first book in Teyla Branton's Unbounded series.

The story is told from Erin's point of view only. Readers feel her confusion as she enters the world of the Unbounded. With two opposing unbounded groups (the renegades and the emporium) wanted her to join their side, Erin must decided which side more closely aligns with her own morals and values. Both sides have double agents, traitors, and lies flowing throughout each organization. As Erin journeys through this secret world, she must decide not only which side she is on, but also who she can trust.

As Erin learns what has occurred to her and what it means to her life, she makes choices that have severe and deadly consequences. Since she is fed information a little at a time, her decision to visit her family and let them know that she is alive, means that she puts them in danger.  She is advised by the renegades that she doesn't need to visit her family. After she escapes them, because she doesn't trust them, she puts the ones she loves in danger by visiting them. I wanted to call her "stupid girl", but I would have done the same thing if I were in her shoes. Kudos to Branton for making her character frustratingly realistic.

The writing style throughout the book is very professional and efficient. It is easy to read and filled with the perfect mix of description and action. The result is a captivating story that is fun to read and hard to put down.

Throughout the beginning of the story, readers will wonder what Erin's special talent is. All unbounded have an affinity for something--fighting, tech, healing, etc. Ava advises that it should be fighting, so Erin trains with Ritter. As you read, question if that is true or if another ability might manifest. There are hidden hints throughout the story as to what her true ability is.

I loved this story, but hated the ending. There isn't a resolution to the storyline, but rather an abrupt stop. The storylines are left undone. It will have you wanting to pick up the second book in the series, The Cure. I get that authors give cliff hangers to generate sales for the next book, but I wish that a decent ending would have been given for this book.

This series is like a more adult version of the Revenants series by Amy Plum. Both super naturals are immortals battling a good or bad version of their own kind. This series is loaded with battles and rescues of various characters. Oh, and there is strong sexual tension between Ritter and Erin, but no "adult content" in this book.

 

Want to check it out for yourself?!   Grab your FREE copy today!

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About The Reckoning (Unbounded #4):
Only One Can Survive The Reckoning

Erin Radkey has always known the day would come when she would have to personally confront the Triad leader of the power-hungry Emporium. But she never thought it would be with a snake in her head that feeds on her energy. Or that she’d be in the company of an uncertain ally who might turn on her at any moment.

The stakes are high as new intel uncovers a startling Emporium plot that will catapult the entire world into war. Erin is determined to save not only the mortals but also her friends—even if it means sacrificing herself and her newfound love for Ritter Langton.

Ritter is just as determined to save Erin and prevent what would usher in the most bloody century the world has ever known, but even he might not recognize the person she becomes. Every day the enemy grows stronger. There will be no second chance.

Amazon   Barnes & Noble   iTunes   Kobo   Google Books   Google Play

 

Excerpt from The Reckoning:

His lips found mine once more. I could feel exactly how he wanted to touch me, protect me, and make me laugh. His emotion filled me so full, there was no room for words. He groaned softly, lifting his lips from mine to say, “Lately, I always know what you’re feeling, even when you’re not sending it to me. Is this what you experience with others all the time?”

 

“Yeah. Kind of. With those who don’t block. Though I’m trying not to use my ability at the moment.” I shivered when I thought about Delia and what had just happened to me. How much time had passed since I’d touched the blue light?

 

His arms tightened around me. “Do you want me to come back for you later?”

 

“No, I want to come. Let’s go see what Habid has to say.”

 

Before I could twist free, he stilled, his eyes catching mine in the darkness. He brushed his lips against my cheek before he found my mouth, breathing me in for a long moment. Then he pulled back to search my eyes. “I know you’re afraid.”

 

I blinked at that, but before I could deny it, he squeezed my waist. “I feel it too, whenever I think of losing you, but then I remember one very important thing.” He paused as his thoughts spread through our connection, and I could see that he felt my determination every bit as much as my fear. I was scared, yes, but what we had together also made me courageous. That was what he remembered. He kissed me again, slower this time. The comfort he desperately wanted to give me ran through my body. This time when he pulled away, his touch lingered long after his lips left mine.

 

“You’re stronger than Delia is,” he said. “Don’t ever forget that.”

About author Teyla Branton:

Teyla Rachel Branton grew up avidly reading science fiction and fantasy and watching Star Trek reruns with her large family. They lived on a little farm where she loved to visit the cow and collect (and juggle) the eggs, usually making it back to the house with most of them intact. On that same farm she once owned thirty-three gerbils and eighteen cats, not a good mix, as it turns out.

Teyla always had her nose in a book and daydreamed about someday creating her own worlds. She is now married, mostly grown up, and has seven kids, including a one-year-old, so life at her house can be very interesting (and loud), but writing keeps her sane. She thrives on the energy and daily amusement offered by her children, the semi-ordered chaos giving her a constant source of writing material. Grabbing any snatch of free time from her hectic life, Teyla writes novels, often with a child on her lap. She warns her children that if they don’t behave, they just might find themselves in her next book! She’s been known to wear pajamas all day when working on a deadline, and is often distracted enough to burn dinner. (Okay, pretty much 90% of the time.) A sign on her office door reads: ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK. WRITER AT WORK.

She loves writing fiction and traveling, and she hopes to write and travel a lot more. She also loves shooting guns, martial arts, and belly dancing. She has worked in the publishing business for over twenty years.

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Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter #1)

About the book (from Goodreads):
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she is the best- but she does not know if even she is good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, Elena knows failure is not an option—even if the task is impossible.

Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other—and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt does not destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just might. For when archangels play, mortals break.


Review:
I just fell in love with a new series. I couldn’t put the book down once I started reading it. This is the first book in Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series and Singh does an amazing job introducing readers to her world where Archangels create and control vampires. It is a different spin on the run-of-the-mill vampire novel. And Singh’s world is only enhanced with a relatable main character, Elena, and a mix of personality types in the vampire and archangel society.

Elena Deveraux was born with the unique ability to scent vampires, and that gives her an edge as a vampire hunter. That ability also makes her highly desirable to an archangel, Raphael, who needs her to scent out an archangel that is on a killing spree. Although Elena wants to turn down the job, Raphael will not take no for an answer. Together they must track down and destroy the rogue killer before more people are killed.

Singh’s writing style that is natural and quickly draws readers into her story. She creates a strong lead female character who doesn’t take well to being bullied and bossed around. Elena has been rejected by her family because of her career choice, so she has put up emotional walls to prevent herself from getting hurt again. When Raphael comes into Elena’s life, he’s the wrecking ball that is ready to break Elena’s walls. Try as Elena might to ignore her desire for through her defiance and smart mouth, eventually the archangel gets what he wants.

The ending has a nice twist that will have readers eager to continue on in the series. What will happen with Raphael and Elena’s relationship? How will Elena cope with the changes in her life—both emotionally and physically? I know that the next book, Archangel’s Kiss, will be a bit different from the first and I am eager to dive back into that world.

For readers that enjoy mystery, romance, danger, a little action, and of course fantasy, then this book is a must read!

About author Nalini Singh:
I've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.

I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).

So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.

Find Nalini Singh:   Website   Twitter   Goodreads

Zylan's Messengers

About the book:
Not your run-of-the-mill sci-fi novel.

Three civilizations separated by billions of years in time and millions of light years in distance, come to life as their disparate histories converge to help the human race survive in 2408, when all of their bad decisions come back to haunt them.

Ecological disasters, resource depletion and pollution have finally overcome technology’s ability to cope, as a last minute technological reprieve is offered from one of the alien races … but with a cost.

Zylan’s Messengers reveals how one alien race was the proximate cause of the most destructive event in recorded human history; one that has never been fully explained, and how it forever altered the course of human development.

Zylan’s Messengers is a story of the human condition, and humanity’s unique ability in the animal kingdom to make conscious choices that were bad for their own survival as a species.

Review:
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

After trying a couple of "space" books and finding them fascinating, I jumped at the chance to read Sid Goodman's book, Zylan's Messengers. I was also interested to see how he would describe the various alien species and how the people of Earth would react.

Goodman takes readers billions of years into the past and thousands of years into the future. Trying to grasp this enormous span of time had me feeling small and insignificant. Hundreds and thousands of years are skipped at a time to propel the storyline. One character is alive more than 100,000 years before the Earth characters come into the storyline. If that doesn't make you seem small and insignificant, I don't know what would. 

Because of the vast timespan and the distance between the characters, the story is told through multiple points of view. Readers begin with the Zylan, Aaldn, then we get to see the story through Tydon from Pracma, then finally Jason of Earth.

I love the depiction of the various alien races. Although all are humanoid, each race has its own distinction about it. The Zylans are extremely different from humans. I love how their emotions are projected. The Pracmas are closer in appearance to humans than the Zylans are, but have the forehead dimple that the Zylans have too. I only wished the messengers would have picked up a few more alien races in the galaxy. It would have been interesting to see more aliens come out of Gooman's imagination!

By the end of the book, readers will be frustrated with how lazy and selfish the human race is. When conflict arises between the people of Earth and Pracma, you might just be pulling for the Pracmas to win. I know I was. Sadly, I could easily see this being a possible future--if humans were ever put in that situation with a peaceful alien race. The solution to Pracma's water dilemma was brilliant. I should have seen that coming!

After finishing the story, I noticed that the alien races never actually "meet". They easily communicated, and could see each other in their dream spaces, but they weren't ever in the same physical location. Yet, the bonds created between them were strong--thousands of years communicating can form that kind of bond. The ending resolves this situation, sort of, and lets you feel good about leaving the characters behind.

The big takeaway I received from this story is that the human life is over in a blink of an eye. Our decisions have major consequences down the line into our future. Don't be selfish. Put your own comforts aside for the benefit of others.

I'd recommend this book to older teens and adults. There is some mature content with murder, and a sex scene that's done tastefully. The mix of science and fantasy along with drama and just a smidge of romance creates an interesting story that both males and females can enjoy.

About author Sid Goodman:

Born in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated with a BS in Accounting from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  Became a CPA and converted to being an entrepreneur where I was awarded numerous patents and founded several companies.  Moved to San Diego, CA in 1986.  I am divorced with three great children and four great grandchildren.  In 2007 I moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where I now live with my new husband (get it?).

This is my first novel. I’ve always been creative and have been fascinated with science ever since an early age.  I read about the Tunguska Event a few decades ago and was fascinated by it.  I began to write Zylan’s Messengers late in 2011,  When a similar but much smaller explosion occurred in Russia in 2013, the comparison to Tunguska was stark.  The 2013 incident left a trail of debris sixty miles long.  There has never been a speck of debris found from the Tunguska Event.  I felt compelled to incorporate that into the novel making it all the more relevant.

I am an activist for the conservation of Earth’s resources.  They are finite and we are in trouble. 

 

It began as a short story and then became a screenplay.  My hope was to get the movie made. Relatives in the movie industry told me that the only way to get recognition was to write the novel. Two years and 85,000 words later it was born.

Find Sid:   Website   Twitter   Facebook

Dark Metropolis (Dark Metropolis #1)

About the book:
Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.

Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules. Thea spends her nights waitressing at the decadent Telephone Club attending to the glitzy clientele. But when her best friend, Nan, vanishes, Thea is compelled to find her. She meets Freddy, a young, magnetic patron at the club, and he agrees to help her uncover the city's secrets-even while he hides secrets of his own.

Together, they find a whole new side of the city. Unrest is brewing behind closed doors as whispers of a gruesome magic spread. And if they're not careful, the heartless masterminds behind the growing disappearances will be after them, too. Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, this is a chilling thriller with a touch of magic where the dead don't always seem to stay that way.

Find Dark Metropolis: Goodreads   Amazon

Review:
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I received the offer to be part of Dark Metropolis' blog tour, I signed on because of several reasons. I like Cassandra Clare, Cabaret, magic, mystery and Disney. After reading the book, I'm glad I signed up. There were twists and turns throughout the book that made the story very interesting.

This is a unique paranormal story. Yes, there are the magical aspects, but there are also the undead creatures. I don't know whether to call the zombies or vampires. They are both and neither at the same time. Zompires? Vambies? The author never called them a specific name, but I like how it is a bit ambiguous.

Freddy gradually became my favorite character in the book. In the beginning he blindly used his magic without asking too many questions. Then Thea helps his character to grow. He discovers the truth about what's really going on, and decides to forge his own path. It can be scary sometimes to turn your back on the ones you love in order to do what is right. In the end, I admired his courage and integrity.

The book switches points of view. Because characters are all around the city and not all at the same place, the multiple POVs helped to really move the story along. This is very important when Thea and Nan are separated above and below ground.

I wish that author Jaclyn Dolamore would have given a bit more detail about what specifically the people below ground were doing. Readers learn that they were running the city and that Nan had to pull levers. I wish that readers could have learned what those levers actually did in running the city as well as what some other jobs were. These are non-important details and wouldn't change the plot of the story. They could have been edited out, but I would have liked to learn more about it.

One thing that surprised me in this book is that there is a girl-on-girl kiss. I am not for or against this, it was just unexpected since this is a Disney-Hyperion published book. The scene was tastefully done an wasn't vulgar at all. Afterward, one of the girls ponders living her life with the other.

This book had aspects that reminded me of the Pushing Daisies television series (think back to 2007-2009). The book has some mystery, action, romance, violence, and lots of drama. Teens and adults who love paranormal stories should give this book a try.

Want to know what others thought about the book? Check out the rest of the Dark Metropolis blog tour!

About author Jaclyn Dolamore:

Jaclyn Dolamore was homeschooled in a hippie sort of way and spent her childhood reading as many books as her skinny nerd-body could lug from the library and playing elaborate pretend games with her sister Kate. She skipped college and spent eight years drudging through retail jobs, developing her thrifty cooking skills and pursuing a lifelong writing dream. She has a passion for history, thrift stores, vintage dresses, David Bowie, drawing, and organic food. She lives with her partner and plot-sounding-board, Dade, and two black tabbies who have ruined her carpeting.

Find Jaclyn:   Website   Twitter   Facebook  


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This Strange and Precious Thing

About the Book:
Annya, holidaying on the Island with her old friend Simon, a photojournalist, nurses dreams of becoming a world class reporter. Instead, she finds herself caught up in a nightmare when Simon is abruptly called away on a mysterious mission. He persuades her to stay on at their apartment, but limping home the next day, bleeding and shaken after her usual swim has gone disastrously wrong, she finds their place has been invaded. Yet there's no sign of a break-in. Who was the intruder? Was he waiting for her all along? Is he hiding? Bafflement turns to panic as a series of inexplicable events compel her to seek help from strangers. But who can she trust? And what manner of being is it that appears to be watching her from on high? Could he be real?

Her quest for answers leads to ever more disturbing questions, and when one of her new friends asks, "Do we exist elsewhere, in another time, another Universe? Or is time itself an illusion?" her grasp on reality begins to slip dangerously away. But this 'presence' is also on a mission - some impossible seeming task set him by Gaia, Mother Earth. The narrative deftly weaves the two destinies together into a richly sensual tapestry, while exploring, at the same time, the very nature of reality.

Review:
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb about this book really piqued my interest. Time travel, mystery, and Gaia are interesting elements for a story. Author Esme Ellis uses these to create a unique story that will take readers through time and dimensions.

After finishing the book, I had to take some time to reflect on it and wrap my brain around it. Throughout the book, I kept trying to find the purpose. Is this a story about Annya or Finn? These two characters don't meet until readers are more than half way through the book. Then, when they do meet, their interactions are somewhat brief. It seems that they are drawn to each other, but they don't have a typical relationship. Annya loves her friend Simon who had to leave on a work assignment. Finn creepily appears into her life. I expected Annya to then build a relationship with Finn and forget about Simon, but that doesn't happen. So what's the purpose of the story? You have to wait until the final paragraph to discover it.

About that final paragraph, you will have to read it multiple times to work out all of the details. When I got to it, I read it a couple times, then had to read it out loud to my husband to understand it. It made me wonder, which came first, the chicken or the egg? Yes, this is cryptic if you haven't read the book, but when you do, this will make sense. I'll admit, it was a little weird.

Now, about the writing, Ellis creates a story with a classical feel. She gives attention to detail that is almost poetic at times. It was as if she were painting with some of her words. Readers are easily able to see Ellis' fictional landscape.

The storyline was very even paced. There wasn't a lot of dramatic action. It was focused more on Annya's interactions with the strangers on the island, and Finn's, what should we call it, "self discovery". The story also has some supernatural aspects throughout the story such as an astral being who interacts with mother earth.

On thing I found annoying is that Annya puts her trust into strange men's hands way too easily. She's very naïve and/or innocent. She goes with the flow and doesn't really have a backbone. She was like a damsel in distress who clung to any knight that came her way. But then, if I thought there was a phantom in my house and had an ominous premonition, I might do the same thing.

If you like the style of classical literature, then I would recommend this book to you. There's a touch of romance and sex, but the author isn't vulgar with it. This is good for some older teens and adults.
 
About author Esme Ellis:

Born in the steel town of Sheffield, at age 11, I was given a scholarship to the College of Art. Twelve years later I left London for Rome with an ARCA in my pocket eager, as I thought, to begin my brilliant career as a sculptor - but life was making other plans; hammers, chisels and oxy-acetylene welders were no longer featured: a miracle had changed my life.

This story is told in my first book; Pathway Into Sunrise. Clea and the Fifth Dimension followed. This Strange and Precious Thing in 2008 was my third book. Now, my latest, Dreaming Worlds Awake, a miscellany of New Consciousness Writings -'her best yet!' was published in April 2011. Read about it on my website www.esmeellis.co.uk

Through the Ever Night

About the book:
It's been months since Aria learned of her mother's death.

Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.

Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at first.

Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and sci-fi elements to create a captivating adventure-and a love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

Review:
Through the Ever Night is the second book in the Under the Never Sky series. (You can find my review of the first book here.) I think this book is better than the first book because the pace was a bit faster. The book picks up a few months where the first one left off. Perry and Aria have been separated and are looking forward to seeing each other again. From there, it's almost a whirlwind of bad luck.

This book has the dual POV. It is a must for the story line since Aria and Perry are split up most of the time. I wish Roar's POV would have been included too. His emotions are intense. I'd like to see how he views Aria, especially after they left the horns.

I enjoyed being able to "meet" Liv. Readers hear about her in the first book, but now we get to see her. She has a lot of integrity. Most people would be selfish and do what makes them happy, but she willingly gives herself to Sable in order to save the Tides. Roar just had to go and mess up her plan. I hope she somehow makes it into the 3rd book, but I don't think she will.

This book has more Cinder. His character is very authentic. (I know people like him in real life--minus the Aether ability) He's a wild card of a character, but I really like him. I loved how Rossi made his character be essential to getting to the Still Blue, I didn't see that coming.

Soren reappears in this book. (Drats!) Yes, he has an excuse for his actions, but he doesn't need to rely on that excuse. He needs to grow a pair and take ownership for his actions!

In this book, Perry internally struggles how to lead the Tides. He keeps trying his best to do what is right and gain their acceptance, but keeps falling short. It was smart how Perry and Aria decide to first introduce her to the tribe. If they would have been honest about their relationship, then I think he would have had a more difficult time earning the Tides' respect. Many might not have stayed by his side. I love how they are planning to re-introduce their relationship at the end of the book. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the Dwellers and the Tides (and Perry and Aria). Love that this could be the perfect leadership match to blend the two groups.

There is very light romance in this book, but has a good amount of action and drama in it. I'd recommend it for young teens to adults.


About author Veronica Rossi:

Veronica Rossi is the author of post-apocalyptic fiction for young adults. Her debut novel, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, is the first in a trilogy. Released in January 2012, it was deemed one of the Best Books of Year by School Library Journal. The second book in the trilogy, THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT, debuted in January on the NY Times and USA Today Best Seller Lists. The final book in the series, INTO THE STILL BLUE, is expected to release January 2014.

Foreign rights to the UNDER THE NEVER SKY trilogy have sold in over twenty-five territories to date and film rights have been optioned by Warner Bros.

She completed undergraduate studies at UCLA and then went on to study fine art at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons. When not writing, she enjoys reading, painting, and counting down the minutes until she can get back to making up stories about imaginary people.

Find Veronica: Goodreads   Twitter   Website


Book Trailer:

Chasing the Prophecy (Beyonders #3)

About Chasing the Prophecy (from Goodreads):
Jason and Rachel were not born in Lyrian. They did not grow up in Lyrian. But after all of the battles and losses, the triumphs and adventures, and most of all, the friendships forged in this fantastical world, Lyrian has become home to them in a way they never could have imagined.

And so, armed now with the prophecy of a dying oracle, they have gone on their separate quests—each surrounded by brave and powerful allies—knowing that the chance for success is slim. But Jason and Rachel are ready at last to become the heroes Lyrian needs, no matter the cost

Review:
This series epitomizes why I sometimes read children's books. It is definitely a story that adults can enjoy (if you can get past how Jason "finds" Lyrian). It is an adventure story that is fast paced. The dialogue is realistic and not "dumbed down" for kids. Just as many adults have enjoyed the Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling), His Dark Materials series (Philip Pullman), or even The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkein), they can also easily fall in love with The Beyonders series.

One reason that this series is so amazing is because of the world that Mull creates.  It is very detailed with the terrain and the various races/species. It is very well thought out and realistic. Mull has the perfect amount of description so readers can easily see his world.The main characters travel throughout the world and interact with different species such as the Displacers, Amar Kabal, Giants (or half giant),

One of the characters that Mull creates that I loved (and hated) is Ferrin. From the moment readers first meet him, you see that he is very charming and can be a bit manipulative. Ferrin has always been the wild card throughout the series. Can we trust him or will he betray us? Ferrin has always looked out for himself and jumps on opportunities where he can benefit. His "friendship" with Jason and Rachel makes him second guess his reasoning and actions. All throughout this book readers continue to wonder which side he is truly on.  With bigger stakes, his actions have a greater impact. Just wait until Ferrin's final scene in the book.  It will have you biting you nails.  He definitely has the power to influence whether Galloran or Maldor will succeed.

I'm pretty decent at figuring out plot twists, but there was so much going on in this book that I had no clue what would happen.  It made the whole story fun. So many unknown factors in Lyrian help shape the story.  Because readers don't know Lyrian history, there's no way we can figure out all of the prophecies in the book.  I love it!

I'm upset that the story has ended.  Mull creates a vivid world with so many different peoples. I loved the different characteristics of each race/species.  The story has a good ending, but I want more of this world.  Hopefully Mull can write a spin off series the features the offspring of Rachel and/or Jason.

About author Brandon Mull:

Brandon Mull is the author of the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling Beyonders and Fablehaven series. Brandon resides in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife and four children. He spent two years living in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile where he learned Spanish and juggling. He once won a pudding eating contest in the park behind his grandma’s house, earning a gold medal.

Find Brandon Mull: Website   Twitter   Facebook

The Huntsman's Prey (Kingdom #7)

About the book:
Rumors abound in Wonderland, of a dark princess named Chrysalis who bears the Moon's curse. Her beauty is beyond compare, and her madness… even greater than her father’s, The Hatter. Death follows wherever she roams, and Danika—fairy godmother of all villains—knows this task is too great for her to handle on her own. She has no choice but to seek out the one they call Huntsman, his mission is simple: Find the creature, and destroy it.

But nothing is ever so simple in Kingdom. The moment the hunter Aeric steps foot in the mad, twisted realm he's enveloped in a reality that is neither wholly true nor fantasy. The key, the Cheshire explains, to ending the madness is for one to become mad themselves. The Huntsman has one chance to figure out the riddle before the beauty destroys them all…

Review:

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love stories based on fairy tales, and this one is set in Wonderland. Readers see Alice and the Mad Hatter, but the story is based around their daughter, Chrysalis. A curse was placed on her and now he has escaped. The huntsman, Aeric, is tasked with catching her. Sounds easy, right. Not in Wonderland.

In Wonderland, nothing is as it seems. The setting was my favorite part of the book. Readers can't easily guess what will happen. Using logic doesn't help readers, or the huntsman, in this book. Since this is an upside down type of world, Marie Hall introduces Lissa to help lead the way through Wonderland. Lissa is naïve, knowledgeable, and free spirited.

I loved the big reveal in the book of who all Chrysalis is. I really can't say more than that without giving a spoiler away, but let's just say that there is more to that girl than meets the eye--after all, this is Wonderland.

I also loved how Marie Hall brought Rumplestiltskin into the novel. I love reading about him because it is so easy to hate this character. He's nothing but a trickster, yet everyone seems to need him for something, even our characters. I would have loved to see what the huntsman had to do to repay him. Must have been interesting since it lasted months.

This is definitely an adult oriented novel. It has some romance in it that isn't safe for younger readers. However, it isn't based around the romance. It has a strong, and somewhat topsy turvey, storyline that has a touch of romance in it.

This book is part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone novel. This is the Huntsman's story. Even if you haven't read any of the other novels in the series, still pick this up

 

About author Marie Hall:

Marie loves books that make you think, or feel something. Preferably both. And while she’s a total girly girl and loves glitter and rainbows, she’s just as happy when she’s writing about the dark underbelly of society. Well, if things like zombies, and vampires, and werewolves, and mermaids existed. (Although she has it on good authority that mermaids do in fact exist, because the internet told her so.) She’s married to the love of her life, a sexy beast of a caveman who likes to refer to himself as Big Hunk. She has two awesome kids, lives in Hawaii, loves cooking and occasionally has been known to crochet.

Find Marie:   Blog    Facebook    Twitter

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Excerpt:

The rustling of leaves sounded like the rattling of dry bones. Trees—their trunks twisted and distorted from the magic imbued within the very soil of Wonderland—reached long, gnarly branches out toward Danika.

The stars shone a brilliant silver, winking from within the navy blue sky. A sickle shaped smile of sharp teeth gleamed from inside shadow and somewhere a voice howled. The haunting sound raised goose bumps on her arms and the fine hairs on the back of her neck.

She flew within the shelter of a hollow, staring at the ground below littered with the twisted, distorted bodies of sightless carcasses. Hundreds of dead animals, with limbs torn off and throats ripped open. A brutal slaughter that brought tears to her eyes.

It’d been eighteen years since she’d married off the last of her Bad Five, eighteen years of peace and quiet, eighteen years of being lulled into a false sense that all was well within her world.

But all was not well. She’d suspected this time was coming, had seen a glimpse of the future first time she’d laid eyes on the child. Danika had tried to deny it, tried to wish it away, to hope that desire could stop reality.

Her heart bled to hear the sounds of the lonely, constant cries shuddering through the woods. The teeth returned, floating right in front of her face.

“Cheshire?” Dragonfly wings buzzed softly behind her back.

A face materialized around the teeth, a ghostly distortion of fur and stripes. Then a body followed suit, until finally, a fluffy tabby stared back at her with eyes the color of an inkwell.

“Godmother?” His lazy drawl echoed with laughter. “What are you doing in my woods?” She scoffed. “Your woods. You wish you fat alley cat. These woods belong to the Hatter.” Cheshire did a strange rolling shoulder lift while he licked his paw. Danika shook her head, much as she loved Hatter, his woods were one she rarely visited and dreaded staying inside of for too long. The sensuous curl of white fog wrapped itself around the cat’s body, as if he were readying to vanish into the ether once again.

She may not like the cat, but she preferred his company to being alone in this warped portion of Kingdom.

“Have you seen the creature?” she asked quietly, heart thumping loudly as she strained to hear every creak, groan, and whistle surrounding them.

“Mmmm. I have,” he purred, long and loud and low, the rumbling vibrations of it causing his fur to stir and fluff. “Beautiful madness.”

“Where is it?” She hugged her arms to her chest, the howls had stopped, which meant it could now be anywhere. She wanted to leave, wanted to leave now.

“It? You mean she. Do you not?”

She closed her eyes. To think of it as anything other than an it would make this task impossible. Oh goddess, this wasn’t supposed to happen. Not to Alice and Hatter, they’d gone through so much, this shouldn’t have happened. How she wished she had Miriam’s wise guidance once again, her truest and best friend would have known what to do, how to fix this.

“I meant exactly what I said. Where did you see it last?” She lifted her chin, voice stern, refusing to allow an ounce of sympathy to leak into her words.

His smile stretched from ear to ear, full of nothing but sharp, little teeth that made him look frighteningly macabre. An impossibly long tongue licked at the fur around his eyes. “Silver girds her loins, fire ripples at her feet.”

 

 

First Light

About the book:
On the harsh militant world of Sindorus, where even colours are considered sinful, three people living very separate lives are about to have those lives change forever. As deceptions are torn away, and ancient secrets brought to light, they each must struggle to find the missing pieces to the puzzle...answers that will unlock their true destiny.

Idrith, bitter and trapped in a life he never chose, is the first to discover his own fear-filled mystery. Obsessed with finding the truth behind the lies he turns to the one person he has always tried to avoid -- the mysterious pilgrim, Harmion.

Aztar's military promotion comes with an unexpected burden. A serious problem threatens the security of the entire Northerner regime and it seems that their only hope may lie in the hands of someone he was raised to think of as his enemy and inferior. Each day they struggle together to find a solution, but at night Aztar struggles alone as the secret he's kept hidden since childhood returns to torment him.

In a world where most women have no control over their lives Daen was allowed to grow up unrestricted and far better educated than normal. Now her father's health is failing and the running of their family estate lies in her hands...and with it the security of everyone she loves. Knowing that desperate situations call for courageous action, Daen is about to take a step that will change all their lives forever.

Find the book: Amazon   Goodreads   Shelfari

Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Books with settings in other worlds have so much potential. I decided to read this one because of how colours were/are a bad thing. How can this be? Aren't colours all around us? I was intrigued. I just hoped that the author could write a satisfying story about it. To my delight, the plot was well thought out and it was very believable. I loved how the characters shifted how they saw the world when any illegal colours were brought into their lives. It was as if they went from seeing a tree in black and white to actually seeing it as various shades of greens and browns.

In Frost's world, owning anything colorful can land you in serious trouble. For example, pictures in your home can be pencil or charcoal sketches, but a colorful painting of a bowl of fruit is illegal. But you're not limited to just paintings. Colorful outfits and even stained glass are illegal. If you're caught with any sort of coloured item, you could do some serious jail time, or even be sentenced to death. Why is this? Because colour can corrupt the mind.

Setting up the story takes time so be patient in the beginning. Frost has to introduce readers to each main character and explain their back stories. Then Frost begins weaving in the seemingly innocent pieces of the plot that will be tied together in the end. First Light is a complex story that is well written and executed. This is made more impressive by the fact that this is Frost's first book.

There are three main characters, and four other characters that are all tied together. The three main characters--Idrith, Daen, and Aztar--each have parts of the story told through their point of view since they live in different areas of Sindorous. This was a great decision by Frost. They each interact with Harmion who helps move the story along. In fact, readers will hate Harmion for his actions. There is a reason for what he does though, and by the end of the book, his betrayal makes sense.

The book tells a complete story, but leaves certain threads undone so readers will want to pick up the second book. It should be interesting to see what the group of characters with their special talents can do when the act together to change things in Sindorous.

A special note to potential readers, don't judge this book by it's cover. Yes, I'm one of those people who sometimes selects books because of the cover (and the synopsis), but definitely don't skip over this one. Pick it up and read it.

The writing style is easy to read. Middle graders can easily read this, but the plot is so complex that I recommend it for teens and adults. It can easily be a family book. There's symbolism in the book and of course, some mystery.

About author Michelle Frost:
MICHELLE FROST has written everything from reviews on mustard and shampoo to horoscopes and an astrology advice column for a small South African newspaper. She won second prize in the Klein Karoo Arts festival, 2001, for a short story later published in the book e-rupsie/e-ruption.Michelle has had other short stories and poems published in various publications and countries. This is her first book

Find Michelle: Website   Goodreads

She has Profiles on Goodreads, bookblogs and shelfari.