Category: Book Reviews

by Jennifer Donnelly

Published by Disney Press

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY LOST IN A BOOK!!!

“And until then, she would take comfort in books. Just as she always had.” –Belle

            Belle, bookish and brilliant, is trapped. A prisoner in the Beast’s castle, she is forced to busy herself in all the chores required of her. But she also gets to explore the extensive library the Beast has given to her.

            Happening upon an enchanted book called Nevermore, she finds herself drawn into its pages—and I don’t mean like reading a good book kind of “drawn into” but actually drawn into. Inside is a fantastic, mesmerising, happy world governed by a queen.

            Meeting all the jovial characters, Belle finds that her dreams of living a happy-go-lucky, blissful, ball-filled life might actually be just in reach. But can the world inside Nevermore be real? Or is there something dark and malevolent beneath its surface?

            Beauty and the Beast has got to be listed as my favourite Disney fairy tale. So naturally I would want any book related to the story. When I came across this, the cover “drew me in.” I was delighted to find, yes it was in the Beauty and the Beast world, but it was unique in its own way. There are some intense scenes that grip you in suspense.

            All throughout this fantasy Disney tale, you feel Belle’s excitement when she gets to explore the world—but you also have this gut-wrenching sense that there is absolutely something wrong. At least, that’s what I felt. I had to keep reading to find out what was up the Queen’s sleeve. Why did she take a liking to Belle so deeply?

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: LOST IN A BOOK.

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!

by John Irvin

A commentary by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY WOLF’S RISING!!!

“Opening his eyes, it took a moment for them to adjust to the darkness. When they finally did, he noted he was kneeling on the floor, his hands hanging from chains above his head, in the corner of a wide dungeon prison cell.” –Duncan

Duncan Hur is a prisoner, but he doesn’t remember why. Then a woman is thrown into his prison by a Dark Elf. Turns out, he knows her—in fact, they’re in love. The two of them manage to escape the cell and venture into the Elven castle while Duncan slowly remembers who he is.

He’s a leader of a slave uprising. The werewolves have been slaves to the Dark Elves for a thousand years—but now they’re finally in rebellion.

Will Duncan and his friends be able to free their people once and for all? Oh, and who is the Shade who takes on physical form and unleashes evil forces from the Otherworld? Is it a good idea to unite the Wolf-Born with the Dark Elves against this new common enemy?

I must say, Wolf’s Rising is a favourite of mine—don’t tell the other books. All my books are my children and they are all my favourites. Each one is a piece of me. But Wolf’s Rising is one of those that share a special shelf in the favourites hall in my heart.

I like how it is set in a totally other world and the mentions of past events gives me this sense that there is a rich history we don’t know about—even I don’t, being the writer. My characters surprised me a couple times. I didn’t know at first that Duncan would reach for that cursed gem and shift to the Otherworld.

The several friends who’ve read this work already have all said it’s one of their favourites too. So, I mean, that’s always good news in an author’s ears.

Click this link to go check it out: WOLF’S RISING.

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!

by Andrea Cremer

Published by Penguin Group

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY BLOODROSE!!!

” Love wasn’t forged by circumstance or changed by sorrow. It simply was. Fierce and free as the wolf within me.” –Calla

            International-bestselling author Andrea Cremer does not disappoint again in this final book of the Nightshade trilogy.

            Calla is thrust into the last battle. There is naturally much more at stake. Should she save Ren against Shay’s wishes? She’s also got to prove she is the Alpha of her pack. And Ansel? He’s been branded a traitor but she wants to keep him safe.

            There are plenty of new twists in this awesomely-dark conclusion.

            Can Shay defeat Bosque Mar? What role does the Elemental Cross have?

            Also, there’s a huge sacrifice needed to take place in order for victory to be won. Can Call, Shay, Sabine, and the others do it?

            The ending kinda took me by surprise, but I did close the book with a satisfied smile and tear in my eye. But, that’s hint enough.

            This dark fantasy is an inspiring finish to an amazing work! Some may say they wished it could be a bit different, but I approved of how it all worked out. That’s just like life—it may not go as you planned or hoped, but sometimes it ends up being better than you planned.

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

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!

by Anna Banks

Published by Square Fish, an Imprint of MacMillan

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY OF NEPTUNE!!!

“I don’t deserve the way my grandfather smiles at me. It’s as if I’ve never done one single bad thing in my whole life. It’s as if he thinks I’m capable of anything—except wrongdoing.” –Emma

            With all the battles with the tides, the struggles, the in-fighting of the houses of Poseidon and Triton, Emma and Galen need time alone together. Somewhere far away, away from the mess of the Syrena, would be great.

            The King of Poseidon is Emma’s grandfather, the way he treats her is unlike any other Syrena except her mother and Galen of course. He suggests they visit a small town by the name of Neptune.

            There are Half-Breeds there! They live in harmony with other Syrena! How is this possible? Is it real?

            But then, Emma and Galen did not ask to be peacemakers between the freshwater and ocean-living.

            Oh, and there’s a charming, handsome, Half-Breed by the name of Reed to add to the surprising twisted mix. He’s immediately love-struck by Emma and doesn’t do a good job of hiding it. What turned out to be a hoped-for vacation turns into a heated power struggle—yes, another one. This one threatens, not only their ocean kingdoms, the very love they share.

            When I finally got my hands on this final installment to the trilogy, I was overjoyed. Finally, questions would be answered, right? Well, eventually yes, but not until after a hundred more questions were thrown at me!

            You know a book is great when you are literally clinging to its sides, flipping the pages and thinking you can’t read fast enough.

            Young adult, mermaid fantasy, with plot twists galore and a satisfying conclusion to the tale!

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

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!

Published by Penguin Group

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY WOLFSBANE!!!

“The screaming had stopped. The room became still, flooded with silence. I took a couple of painful swallows, trying to moisten my parched mouth. It took me a moment to realize that the screams had been my own, each cry clawing my throat until it was raw.” –Calla

            The Searchers are her pack’s sworn enemies. Calla Tor finds herself in their lair. She knows she’s about to die. But, to her surprise, the Searchers suggest a deal with her.

            Will she take it? It gives her the ability to destroy her former masters and save her pack. There’s a chance she can save the man she left behind too. Would Ren meet her expectations? Is the price of freedom too costly?

            Calla feels like she is in control of her own destiny, but with this comes the choice between which battle is worth fighting. Will Shay stay with her?

            How many times can true love endure a storm and survive?

            Wolfsbane was actually the first book I read in the trilogy. I didn’t known until after I’d already gotten a third of the way into it that it was the sequel. But, with how great the writing was and intense the scenes, only made me want to buy the other two volumes.

            As I stated in the review for the first book, I love werewolves and though Cremer’s type is not exactly my favourite—I still enjoyed their uniqueness.

            What young adult dark fantasy would be complete without the love triangle? But it isn’t the horrible type like Twilight *cough cough.* Sorry to any Twilight fans who read this. Either way, this is a continuation of a story worth reading and possibly rereading. I can’t wait to get the rest of the books set in this world!

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

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!

Published by Square Fish, an Imprint of MacMillan

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY OF TRITON!!!

“My eyes won’t open. It’s like my ashes are coated with iron instead of mascara…” –Emma

            Emma’s mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess. This means, Emma is a Half-Breed—an abomination to the Syrena, sentenced to death by ancient law. The news of her mother’s true identity sends the two houses of Poseidon and Triton into a heated struggle.

            Emma’s been kidnapped. Will the love of her life be able to rescue her?

            Galen has his own battles to fight. Should he keep Emma’s existence a secret? Or should she reveal herself, as well as her Gift? Would this save or destroy the people she never knew?

            The middle installation of the Syrena trilogy, keeping you on your toes, matches its prequel in fantastic mermaid lore and mysterious sea fantasies.

            After reading the first book, I had to get the second. It met my expectations. If I remember correctly, I read the book in two days. The unraveling of a greater mystery that only had hints in the first book is mind-blowing. I love how it works out.

            The struggle of self-identity is also gripping. Emma naturally wants the best of both worlds: human and mer. But, in life, it is a rare occasion that one can get both choices. I felt the emotional dilemma. But I tried telling Emma that a life with Galen would be far greater than a life without and the human world ain’t so great. Well, it isn’t. But then again, the Syrena with all their in-fighting and hatred toward Half-Breeds, don’t seem so lovable either.

            How does it all begin to unfold? You’ll have to read it.

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

Of course, if you haven’t bought the first book or read it yet, I suggest clicking over in my archives and ordering it first.

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!