Category: Book Reviews

by Odette Beane

Published by Hyperion

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY REAWAKENED!!!

“And where’s home?’ … ‘Storybrooke.’”

            From the back cover blurb:

Emma Swan’s life has been anything but a fiary tale. She’s been on her own since she was abandoned as a baby—that is, until the night of her twenty-eighth birthday, when Henry, a ten-year-old boy, shows up on her doorstep. He’s the son Emma gave up for adoption, and this surprise visit turns her life upside down.

Henry takes Emma back to his home in Storybrooke, Maine, where, Henry claims, all the residents are actually fair tale characters who can’t remember their true identities. And if Henry’s right, that means that his sweet-natured, lonely schoolteacher Mary Margaret Blanchard is really Snow White, the iconic princess…and also Emma’s long-lost mother.

In Fairy Tale Land, we meet Snow White as a bandit on the run, forced into exile by her stepmother, the Evil Queen. Snow’s a young woman learning to become a hero, who will do anything to live happily ever after with her one true love, Prince Charming.

Back in Storybrooke, the closer Emma and Henry become, the harder it is for her to ignore the dark curse that haunts this small New England town and binds her to Mary Margaret. If Emma can learn to accept her destiny as Storybrooke’s savior and break the curse, she just might get the family reunion she’s dreamed about her entire life.

            I have been a fan of Once Upon A Time since shortly after the first season aired years ago. I’ve collected most of the DVDs and re-watch the show. Of course, I don’t know about you, but the way they ended the sixth season was a bit of a disappointment.

            I don’t think “remaking” the entire story went well for them. They could have ended it soundly right then and there. But I had nothing to do with it and I still love the show!

            I adore it so much, I bought this fantastic book—it covers the first season of the show. Not only do I get to smile when I recognise a scene, it’s also vivid in my mind who the characters are and what they look like.

            It’s a great addition to a Once Upon A Time fan’s collection.

            It’s also a sweet romance, fairy tale fantasy adventure for any lovers of that genre. Complete with curses, saviors, dwarves, dragons, swords and sorcery—I find it invigorating.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: REAWAKENED.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

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by John Irvin

A commentary by John Irvin

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“The solar flare just hit us with an EMP” –Sam Turnover

Book Description:

When a solar flare knocks out the world’s power, world empires shatter into pieces. Anarchy reigns, terror ignites. Will the pieces survive?

A band of former Alabamans join together and form a new country. Rising up against the tyrannical local government with its military cronies, Samuel Turnover and his group of rebels ignite the foundation of an already crumbling society.

Will they be able to build a new country? Will they be able to hold back the tide of oppression? This is a story of the death and rebirth. The old becomes something new. A fiery bird rising from the ashes. What was has to collapse…

            This is the first installment of my Shattered series—a series about the death of an old empire and her children’s birth of new free and independent nations. The geography of North America will never be the same.

            I must say, even though this was one of the first series I wrote for Kindle and therefore I didn’t know all the ropes at the time—I’m still learning those—this is a favorite of mine.

            This one is the first of five books. Funny thing, I’m going to finally start writing the fifth and final chapter either starting tomorrow or Sunday.

            Once that is finished, I plan to clean the whole series up then put them together in a Complete Collection. That’ll be awesome.

            In the meantime, if you’d like to read this first installment to get a feel for the series, check it out at this link: SHATTERED: COLLAPSE.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

If you enjoyed this review, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails–usually just focused on whatever book review I’ve written that day–on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

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by Dr. R. & L. Brasch

Published by MJF Books

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY HOW DID IT BEGIN!!!

“The gift of a lock (of hair) was an act of surrender, based on the ancient superstition that the hair was the seat of one’s vital spirit. Whoever had even a single strand of it was able to influence or bewitch the person to whom it belonged.”

            From the back cover blurb:

            Why do we say that cranky people got out of bed on the wrong side?

            Why is it bad luck to whistle at sea?

            What are crocodile tears?

            And what is a grass widow?

            Where did the expression to eat one’s hat come from?

            What is the origin of the best man?

            Why are horseshoes lucky?

            And why do we all eventually kick the bucket?

            Divided into themes like courtship and marriage, table manners, and drinking customs, right through to the extraordinary rituals connected with the armed services, medicine, and the law, How Did It Begin? is wide-ranging, idiosyncratic, erudite, and engaging.

            I saw this book sitting on a shelf in Barnes & Noble and thought it would be so cool to buy that because I simply love learning where various customs or rituals originated.          

            So I grabbed it and am so thankful I did.

            I enjoyed reading this informative, somewhat comical, work on how so many different traditions were started.

            For instance, I never knew why we “break a leg” when we’re about to do something. Or why do we hang lights on our Christmas trees? Why is there a Christmas?

            Where did the idea that opening an umbrella inside brought bad luck? Why do we send Valentine’s Cards?

            There are so many amazing and intriguing questions asked with answers given. If you enjoy learning the when and why about so many different cultural habits, this book is a definite need to add to your shelf!

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: HOW DID IT BEGIN?

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

If you enjoyed this review, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails–usually just focused on whatever book review I’ve written that day–on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

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by Howard Pyle

Published by Dover Publications

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY MEN OF IRON!!!

“Then why doth he not stand forth like a man and befriend me and my father openly, even if it be to his own peril?” –Myles Falworth

            From the back cover blurb:

            The year 1400 opened with more than usual peacefulness in England. Only a few months before, Richard II—weak, wicked, and treacherous—had been dethroned, and Henry IV declared King in his stead.

            But it was only a seeming peacefulness, lasting but for a little while; for though King Henry proved himself a just and merciful man—as justice and mercy went with the men of iron of those days—and though he did not care to shed blood needlessly, there were many noble families who had been benefited by King Richard during his reign, and who had lost somewhat of their power and prestige from the coming in of the new King.

            Among these were a number of great lords—the Dukes of Albermarle, Surrey, and Exeter, the Marquis of Dorset, the Earl of Gloucester, and others—who had been degraded to their former titles and estates, from which King Richard had lifted them.

            These and others brewed a secret plot to take King Henry’s life, which plot might have succeeded had not one of their own number betrayed them.

            I read this book two or three times all the way through as a child and teenager. I’d always listed it as my favourite then and it’s still dear to me now.

            Today is my 100^th blog post! I thought it fitting to write something about an old favourite from long ago.

            Written in Old English style, this book is a historical fiction about a boy who becomes a man—knighted and vowed to take vengeance on his father’s enemy.

            If you like to read the classics—maybe Shakespeare or Milton—Pyle’s work in this tale of a knight, his lady, and the cause of justice for his family name is one you should enjoy.

            I’m planning to get this book for a Christmas present for my nephew when he’s old enough to read and grasp the character-driven plot behind the thee’s and thou’s. Don’t tell him that, it’s our little secret.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: MEN OF IRON.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

If you enjoyed this review, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails–usually just focused on whatever book review I’ve written that day–on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

by Aine Greaney

Published by Writer’s Digest Books

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY WRITER WITH A DAY JOB!!!

“As an artist, your goals are broad, visionary statements which will give your daily work direction and a larger context.”

            From the back cover blurb:

            You can work full time and still have a productive writing life. Many writers waste time waiting for the day they can finally quit their day jobs and live the so-called writing dream. Don’t wait. You can do both—and your writing will be the better for it.

            Balancing a full-time job with your writing goals is no easy feat, but author Aine Greaney provides the exercises, inspiration, and techniques you need to build creative expression into your daily life and establish the productive writing life you’ve always wanted.

• Make the most of your writing time early in the morning or late at night.
• Harness the power of your lunch hour for writing, editing, and revising.
• Use your commute—driving or riding—to power your writing.
• Plan the perfect writing getaway.
• Set goals, revise your work, and share your writing with coworkers.

You’ll also get quick, practical tutorials to help you master scenes, point of view, characters, settings, dialogue, and more.

            Writer With A Day Job gives you the strategies and motivation you need to work 40 hours a week (or more!) and still find the time to achieve writing success.

            When I bought this book, I was working an Emergency Room full-time job that drained my creative side’s energy. But reading this book helped me put things in perspective.

            No you don’t have much time to write when you’re working 40 hours plus at some job you probably hate—most people do. This inspirational book will show you how you can make that time.

            It definitely helped me in the last leg of my full-time job before I left it for a part-time job—this is how I gave myself even more writing time!

            But for most people, that’s not possible—you need that full-time paycheck. Well, this book is for you if you want to see success in your writing career.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: WRITER WITH A DAY JOB.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

If you enjoyed this review, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails–usually just focused on whatever book review I’ve written that day–on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

by Rick Riordan

Published by Hyperion

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY THE HIDDEN ORACLE!!!

“I will never understand how you mortals tolerate it. You live your entire life trapped in a sack of meat, unable to enjoy simple pleasures like changing into a hummingbird or dissolving into pure light.” –Apollo on the Human Body

            From the inside jacket flap:

            My father’s voice still rings in my ears.

            Can you believe Zeus blamed me for the gods’ battle with Gaea? Just because the earth goddess duped on of my progeny—Octavian—into plunging the Greek and Roman demigods into a civil war that nearly destroyed human civilization. I ask you, how was that my fault?

            Now I’m cast out of Olympus in the form of a sixteen-year-old mortal boy, acne and all! Sadly, I’ve been punished this way before. I know I will face many trials and hardships. I can only hope that if I suffer through them and prove myself worthy, Father will forgive me and allow me to become a god again.

            But this time my situation seems much more dangerous. One of my ancient adversaries knows I am here and is having me followed. The Oracle of Delphi remains dark, unable to issue prophecies. Most embarrassing of all, I am bound to serve a demigod street urchin who defends herself by throwing rotten fruit.

            Zeus could not possibly expect me to fix the Oracle problem by myself. Not in my present weak condition. It’s time for me to drop in on Camp Half-Blood, where I might find some talented fodder…er, I mean heroes to help. No doubt they will welcome me as a celebrity! They will bring me holy offerings, like peeled grapes, Oreos, and—oh, gods—perhaps even bacon!

            Mmm. Yes. If I survive this, I really must write an ode to the power of bacon…

            Even from the jacket blurb you can see just how hilariously egotistical this guy is! He’s got a lot to learn from his trials here on earth.

            I started reading this first installment in the third series based off of the Percy Jackson world and within the first couple of pages was already snickering.

            Honestly, if I met this teenage upstart, I would dislike him and his arrogance to the umpteenth degree—but in written character, he’s pretty comedic.

            If you’ve enjoyed the Percy Jackson series along with its sequel series, you must continue this young adult fantasy adventure or else you’re missing out on how the Half-Breeds restore the Oracle of Delphi and help Rachel Dare—as well as the god, Apollo—regain their powers.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: THE HIDDEN ORACLE.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

If you enjoyed this review, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails–usually just focused on whatever book review I’ve written that day–on Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com