I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this fairy tale re-imagining. The characters felt well developed, and I liked that things were not fairy tale simple. The relationship between Rafe and both of his sister's was well done, and I appreciated the reasons he acted the way he did. It made sense within the context of the story. The love story did develop quickly, but it fit with the fairy tale theme, and it didn't bother me like it might have otherwise. A sweet story about love, and what we do for ourselves, and the people we care about. I loved the ending, and appreciated Rafe's actions, and his love's response. Kind of a nice change for all the plain happily ever after.
mle
Monday, November 16, 2015
The Werewolf of Grey Lake Inn by Megan Derr
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
I liked this story. The paranormal aspects were interesting, and well developed. I was surprised by how much I liked Astor. I'm not usually a huge fan of vampires, but I appreciated how his prickly nature seemed to hide a pretty caring heart, and how he wasn't the typically controlling jerk. The werewolf biology was interesting, and I liked how the gender politics seemed better balanced than in a lot of stories. I did end up wishing for more of a ghost story, but I can appreciate how that played out in a different way. I did still have some questions left unanswered, and some things felt resolved in an unsatisfying way, but a good story overall.
mle
I liked this story. The paranormal aspects were interesting, and well developed. I was surprised by how much I liked Astor. I'm not usually a huge fan of vampires, but I appreciated how his prickly nature seemed to hide a pretty caring heart, and how he wasn't the typically controlling jerk. The werewolf biology was interesting, and I liked how the gender politics seemed better balanced than in a lot of stories. I did end up wishing for more of a ghost story, but I can appreciate how that played out in a different way. I did still have some questions left unanswered, and some things felt resolved in an unsatisfying way, but a good story overall.
mle
Dion's Redemption by J.D. Walker
I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the idea of this story better than I ended up liking the story itself. I liked the relationship between Dion and his brother very much. Their bond felt real, and honest to me, and I appreciated that. I also liked the bond between Nolan, and his Grandfather. It was warm, and real, and I liked that. The relationship between Dion and Nolan felt a bit too forced to me, and Nolan's treatment of Dion was a bit too heavy handed, and almost patronizing for my tastes. I felt that Dion's changes came a bit out of nowhere, and I didn't buy into them fully. Dion's backstory was a bit much for me as well. A bit too action movie, and didn't feel real to me. The writing style added to that disconnected feeling. Not a bad story, but one that didn't really work for me either.
mle
I liked the idea of this story better than I ended up liking the story itself. I liked the relationship between Dion and his brother very much. Their bond felt real, and honest to me, and I appreciated that. I also liked the bond between Nolan, and his Grandfather. It was warm, and real, and I liked that. The relationship between Dion and Nolan felt a bit too forced to me, and Nolan's treatment of Dion was a bit too heavy handed, and almost patronizing for my tastes. I felt that Dion's changes came a bit out of nowhere, and I didn't buy into them fully. Dion's backstory was a bit much for me as well. A bit too action movie, and didn't feel real to me. The writing style added to that disconnected feeling. Not a bad story, but one that didn't really work for me either.
mle
Greenwode (The Wode, #1) by J. Tullos Hennig
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. The mythology was well developed, and felt true to the times, and the cultures. I liked that it wasn't a case of one group being the "good guys" and the other being the "bad guys", but rather a meeting of different people, and cultures, and values. I liked how this book set the stage for what is to come. It let me understand the people involved, and the factors that shaped them into the figures that they become. I liked that it wasn't just about them as mythology, but them as people. People who make mistakes, and get things wrong. I appreciated the handling of the religious aspects, and how everyone's faith was treated with respect, and neither religion was treated as all good or all bad. I liked the progression of events, and I ended buying the next two books before I had finished this one. Always a good sign for me.
mle
I really enjoyed this book. The mythology was well developed, and felt true to the times, and the cultures. I liked that it wasn't a case of one group being the "good guys" and the other being the "bad guys", but rather a meeting of different people, and cultures, and values. I liked how this book set the stage for what is to come. It let me understand the people involved, and the factors that shaped them into the figures that they become. I liked that it wasn't just about them as mythology, but them as people. People who make mistakes, and get things wrong. I appreciated the handling of the religious aspects, and how everyone's faith was treated with respect, and neither religion was treated as all good or all bad. I liked the progression of events, and I ended buying the next two books before I had finished this one. Always a good sign for me.
mle
The High King's Golden Tongue by Megan Derr
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I first read this story in it's short form, and while I liked it I felt like I wanted more. I was thrilled to see that the author had decided to expand this into a full novel, and I found I enjoyed it much more. Seeing events from both character's view gave me a much better understanding on who they were, and how they kept misunderstanding each other. How their past lives, and their experiences shaped who they were, and how they interacted with each other. While in the short story I felt like were able to come together too quickly, the novel let me see how each character learned to finally understand each other, and for love to grow. The plot was interesting, and well developed. I liked the complexity to the planning, and the problems that arise from language, and an inability to understand others. a really enjoyable fantasy story. I can't wait to read more.
mle
I first read this story in it's short form, and while I liked it I felt like I wanted more. I was thrilled to see that the author had decided to expand this into a full novel, and I found I enjoyed it much more. Seeing events from both character's view gave me a much better understanding on who they were, and how they kept misunderstanding each other. How their past lives, and their experiences shaped who they were, and how they interacted with each other. While in the short story I felt like were able to come together too quickly, the novel let me see how each character learned to finally understand each other, and for love to grow. The plot was interesting, and well developed. I liked the complexity to the planning, and the problems that arise from language, and an inability to understand others. a really enjoyable fantasy story. I can't wait to read more.
mle
Sharing a Pond by Alex Whitehall
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
I liked this story. I liked that it wasn't bogged down in a lot of unnecessary angst, and melancholy. There was a lightness to the characters, and the story telling. The gender issues were interesting, and given their due, and I appreciated that. I liked that it was about the three mean learning to know, and to trust each other. I liked that they were attempting to build a solid relationship together; one that wasn't based purely on biology, or destiny. A short story, but a well developed one. I'll be looking forward to reading more by this author.
I liked this story. I liked that it wasn't bogged down in a lot of unnecessary angst, and melancholy. There was a lightness to the characters, and the story telling. The gender issues were interesting, and given their due, and I appreciated that. I liked that it was about the three mean learning to know, and to trust each other. I liked that they were attempting to build a solid relationship together; one that wasn't based purely on biology, or destiny. A short story, but a well developed one. I'll be looking forward to reading more by this author.
Dragon Consultant by Mell Eight
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have to admit I am a sucker for Mell Eight's stories. I appreciate the sweetness to her stories, her characters, and their relationships. They are a guaranteed pick me up when I'm feeling down, and this story was exactly what I was looking for. I really liked the family of dragons, and how each of the little ones had their own distinct personality, and quirks. I liked that their past history had left it's mark on the kids, and that they didn't feel too much like stock little kids. I liked that the relationship wasn't the main focus of the story, and the mystery was front, and center. Considering what's going on in the story, and the characters it makes more sense to have it that way to me. Nothing smutty, but it seems like neither of them seemed like they were in the right headspace for that. That, and there were more pressing issues to be dealt with. I can't wait to read more of this series, and learn more about the characters, and their world.
art credit: Dragon valley by AndreeWallin
mle
I have to admit I am a sucker for Mell Eight's stories. I appreciate the sweetness to her stories, her characters, and their relationships. They are a guaranteed pick me up when I'm feeling down, and this story was exactly what I was looking for. I really liked the family of dragons, and how each of the little ones had their own distinct personality, and quirks. I liked that their past history had left it's mark on the kids, and that they didn't feel too much like stock little kids. I liked that the relationship wasn't the main focus of the story, and the mystery was front, and center. Considering what's going on in the story, and the characters it makes more sense to have it that way to me. Nothing smutty, but it seems like neither of them seemed like they were in the right headspace for that. That, and there were more pressing issues to be dealt with. I can't wait to read more of this series, and learn more about the characters, and their world.
art credit: Dragon valley by AndreeWallin
mle
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