Book Review: Artims Fowl and the Lost Colony

Summary: Ten thousand years ago, humans and fairies fought a great battle for the magical island of Ireland. When it became clear that they could not win, all of the faeries moved below ground—all except for the 8th family, the demons. Rather than surrender, they used a magical time spell to take their colony out of time and into Limbo. There they have lived for decades, planning their violent revenge on humans.
 Now the time spell is unraveling, and demons are beginning to materialize without warning on Earth. If humans were to find out about them, all faeries would be exposed. To protect themselves, the faeries must predict when the next demon will materialize. But in order to do so, they will have to decipher temporal equations so complicated, even a great brain like Foaly can't understand them. But he knows someone who can: Artemis Fowl.
 So when a confused and frightened demon imp pops appears in a Sicilian theater, Artemis is there to meet him. But he is not alone. Someone else has unlocked the secrets of the fairy world and managed to solve complex mathematical problems that only a genius could. And she is only twelve years old...

Thoughts: This one actually almost had me crying by the end. Probably one of the most emotional books in the series and (so far) second only to the Opal Deception in my opinion (and only because this one broke my heart when that one made me happy). It was a fantastic adventure and the new cast was great! Especially No1. All of the cast were impressive, I'm always so pleased with the development of the returning crew and the way new characters are melded in seamlessly. 
 The plot was one of the fastest yet with a twist and brilliant scheme around every corner.
 And the writting was brilliant, the witty banter gets better and better with each progressing book. 

Content: Violence. Demons are used here but are not related to any form of religion. And the usual crude humor. All in all, same as before and a must read to returning fans!

Book Review: General Well'ngone In Love: A Jewish Regency Story

 Summary: There’s trouble afoot in Regency London’s Jewish community, and no one to stop the crimes—until wealthy-widower-turned-sleuth Mr. Ezra Melamed teams up with an unlikely pair: General Well’ngone and the Earl of Gravel Lane, the leaders of a gang of young Jewish pickpockets. 
  In this short Jewish Regency mystery story set during the Frost Fair of 1814, a recently orphaned boy disappears, seemingly off the face of the earth. Mr. Melamed enlists the aid of General Well’ngone, who has his own reason for wishing to find the missing child—the General has fallen in love with the boy’s older sister. 

Thoughts: This was one of the many little books that had lain for far too long on my phone, forgotten and ignored in favor of more physical books (paperbacks mostly). Having recently decided I needed to actually read my crazily large stash of books gathering virtual dust, I embarked with this little story and was amazed. It was a great read despite being very short. I absolutely adored the characters and the plot was interesting, mind you I had no idea what this book was about when I rediscovered and started reading it. But I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it! As a side note, don't let the title fool you, the romance was a ver small part of this very small book.

Content: Well, a little boy is kidnapped and there are a few rather disturbing descriptions of what might have happened to him. It's probably not a fun read for small children. Otherwise a clean and wonderful read, probably curled up with a cup of your favorite warm beverage.

Book Review: A Witch's Kitchen

A Witch's Kitchen by Dianna Sanchez

Published by: Dreaming Robot Press

 Summary: Millie’s a witch, so why can’t she do magic? Despite her mother’s best efforts to teach her, every spell Millie tries goes horribly wrong, but she’s a fabulous cook. When Millie conjures chocolate sauce instead of a transformation potion, her mother gives up and sends her to the Enchanted Forest School, where she’s bullied by goblins, snubbed by an elf, and has her hat stolen. Even as Millie’s magical talent begins to develop, turning her house ghost into a frog and accidentally charming her entire class, Millie starts to wonder: what if she’s not a witch at all? To find out, she and her new friends embark on a dangerous quest to find Millie’s father in the Logical Realm, in contemporary Salem, MA. Deep in a fantasy realm adjacent to our own, the Enchanted Forest School is located in the branches of an enormous oak tree and has a dragon for a headmistress. Millie’s initial delight in attending school rapidly fades as she struggles in the unfamiliar social environment, encountering fellow students of magical races, making new friends, and discovering that her mother’s style of magic isn’t the only one available.

 Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Witchs-Kitchen-Dianna-Sanchez/dp/1940924189/r

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29863883-a-witch-s-kitchen

Thoughts: This has to be one of the most delightful books I've read in a long time! It all starts with a simple storyline and familiar cast. But this doesn't last for long. A Witch's Kitchen trails after the cliques but avoids them marvelously, turning this story into an unpredictable adventure! I wasn't expecting the plot to twist like it did and the ending definitely stepped up in being both complex and surprising...but I'm not going to spoil it. You'll just have to read it. Needless to say, top marks to the plot!
 The writing is great. Light and easy to keep the attention of it's target audience but without becoming too childish for older readers to enjoy. The overall tone is cute and sweet, reflecting the point of view of the main character.
 Which, of course, leads me into cast. It's fabulous. I'm going to just let you all know now that this was my favorite part of this book. The children are adorable and well written. They laughed and struggled and tried their best to make everything right. They were so great and the relationship between them (especially Max and Millie) was priceless!

Content: Magic and witches and wizards, obviously. Otherwise a clean read and a real treat for fantasy lovers of all ages!

*I was given a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

GIVEAWAY: 

Dreaming Robot Press has put together an amazing giveaway to celebrate the release of both this book and The Demon Girl’s Song. Check it out here: http://dreamingrobotpress.com/2016-fantasy-launch-celebration-raffle/

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

 

Summary: It's no longer safe for Harry at Hogwarts, so he and his best friends, Ron and Hermione, are on the run. Professor Dumbledore has given them clues about what they need to do to defeat the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, once and for all, but it's up to them to figure out what these hints and suggestions really mean.
 Their cross-country odyssey has them searching desperately for the answers, while evading capture or death at every turn. At the same time, their friendship, fortitude, and sense of right and wrong are tested in ways they never could have imagined.

Thoughts: I don't really know where to begin. Fantastic is the first word that comes to mind when trying to describe this book. Along with thrilling, heartbreaking, and wonderful. It was the perfect conclusion to a fabulous series. 
 The characters are fully rounded out. Everything that they started comes to a head and they become amazing. 
 The plot wowed me. It was extreme and mature and well crafted. The way everything moved forward and unfolded was absolutely perfect. I had a hard time putting it down.
 And the writing...J. K. Rowling outdid herself. The climax had me on the edge of my seat and clutching the book desperately, devouring each word. As a new writer I know that action/battle/climax scenes are the hardest to write and keep thrilling. The was done masterfully and to perfection.
All in all, it was great. But now it's over and I'm at a loss as to what to read so any similar suggestions would be welcome (hint hint).

Content: A lot of kissing and a tiny bit of suggestive humor that isn't too pronounced. There's more serious language in this one (effing is a term used) and the violence is extreme. There are war scenes and plenty of death. 
 Over all though, it's still a clean read and the best of the best.

Book Review: Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception

Summary: The evil pixie Opal Koboi has spent the last year in a self-induced coma, plotting her revenge on all those who foiled her attempt to destroy the LEPrecon fairy police. And Artemis Fowl is at the top of her list.
 After his last run-in with the fairies, Artemis had his mind wiped of his memories of the world belowground. But they have not forgotten about him. Once again, he must stop the human and fairy worlds from colliding—only this time, Artemis faces an enemy who may have finally outsmarted him.

Thoughts: One of my favorites in the series so far (I say that about them all though, they just keep getting better and better)! 
 Really though, the character development outdid itself in this one. I laughed, I cried, I cried while laughing. It was fabulous! Artemis and Holly especially had some amazing turns, twists and growth that made me extremely happy. And everyone else was top marks! The ending though...probably the best ending I've ever found in a book.
 Writing is still child friendly, light and easy to read without taking away from the characters or plot.
 Plot itself was really good and the surprise twist at the end! Don't ever argue that Artemis is not a genius.

Content: Same as the others, rude humor and a tiny bit of language (D*** and A**). otherwise, a clean and fun read for all ages! 

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

 

Summary: It is the middle of the summer, but there is an unseasonal mist pressing against the windowpanes. Harry Potter is waiting nervously in his bedroom at the Dursleys' house in Privet Drive for a visit from Professor Dumbledore himself. One of the last times he saw the Headmaster was in a fierce one-to-one duel with Lord Voldemort, and Harry can't quite believe that Professor Dumbledore will actually appear at the Dursleys' of all places. Why is the Professor coming to visit him now? What is it that cannot wait until Harry returns to Hogwarts in a few weeks' time? Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts has already got off to an unusual start, as the worlds of Muggle and magic start to intertwine...

Thoughts: Following in the format of The Goblet of Fire, this book starts out with little actually happening and we're given a (granted, tense) breather from the intensely developing plot until the climax.  And so we return to Hogwarts for another year of mystery and mayhem. 
 Plot was great, it was nice to return, even if just partly, to the happy times where the biggest problem was whatever Ron and Hermione were arguing over. But, of course, this couldn't last forever. The ending takes a steep plunge similar to that in The Goblet of Fire and the ending broke my heart. Even so, I have nothing to say against it. 
 Cast, you know my feelings on the cast so I'll just say that they're all developing nicely and there are some really good twists in character to be found here!
 And the writing is still wonderful. 

Content: Many of the characters are often described as using rude hand gestures. D*** is found a couple of times, possibly B******, and the characters are said to swear without the actual words being written. There is a lot of kissing, or 'snogging', mentioned in this book and it's not the nice kind. Otherwise, magic and violence galore. Despite all, this was still a great read and another great installment in the Harry Potter series!

Book Review: Masque

 Summary: Beauty met the Beast and there was . . . Bloody murder? 
   It’s the Annual Ambassadorial Ball in Glause, and Lady Isabella Farrah, the daughter of New Civet’s Ambassador, is feeling pleasantly scintillated.
In the library is Lord Pecus, a charming gentleman whose double mask hides a beastly face, and who has decided that Isabella is the very person to break the Pecus curse.
In the ball-room is young Lord Topher, who is rapidly falling in love with an older woman.
And in the card-room, lying in a pool of his own blood, is the body of one of Isabella’s oldest friends: Raoul, Civet’s Head Guardsman. The papers sewn into his sash seem to suggest espionage gone wrong, but Isabella is not so certain.
Lord Pecus, as Commander of the Watch, is of the opinion that Isabella should keep out of the investigation and out of danger. Isabella is of the opinion that it is her murder to investigate, and that what a certain Beast-Lord doesn’t know won’t hurt him. . . .
Will Isabella find the murderer before Lord Pecus does, or will she end her investigation as a bloody spatter on the parlor floor? 
  
Thoughts: Fairy tale, mystery, and Victorian romance all rolled in to one; this book has a little bit of everything!  
 The opening few chapters were extremely reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice and set the opening stage for a truly delightful cast! Witty dialogue and brilliant escapades create an exciting adventure coupled with a bloody mystery. Isabella is fantastic! I really did love her entirely despite how often she insisted on causing trouble! 
  I'd been meaning to read this book for forever but only recently got around to pulling it up on my app and actually starting it. Needless to say I was not disappointed! While an avid reader of fantasy mysteries/detective novels might have guessed who the villain was (I had my suspicions from the moment they were introduced), it is kept to mere guesses and the how and why are hidden completely until the very end. 
 The writing style is wonderful! While never dragging, it keeps up it's Victorian era appearance and never once drops the ball or lags at any point.A really difficult accomplishment I can assure you! 

Content: Aside from magic and bloody murders (which are never overly described) there is kissing and few brief, non-descriptive mentions of marital relations. Otherwise a clean read that is highly recommended to anyone looking for a unique story with an exciting twist and fun cast!