Tabitha Tomala

Darrow was born into the red color class, the lowest of all colors. Called the pioneers of Mars their life's duty is to mine helium-3, a substance needed to terraform the surface of the planet. For hundreds of years, various clans of Reds have been mining and living a lie. The surface of Mars is complete and an entire society rests upon the pits and mines the Reds call home. The Golds, the highest in the society look down upon all colors and have allowed the lies to continue. Who better to do their dirty work than the Reds? When Darrow's wife is killed, he learns the truth of his life and promises revenge. But the Golds are superior in every way. From the implants in their brains to their reinforced bodies. And in order to infiltrate their ranks, Darrow must become a Gold. The pain he endures as his body is literally torn apart and put back together again will be nothing compared to what he must face in the Gold's academy. A place where betrayal and bloodshed go hand in hand, and through it, all Darrow must not lose himself along the way.

Red Rising is an intense book. If you're familiar with the political oppression from The Hunger Games, take it to the next level. The Reds are kept in deplorable conditions and can be killed for simply singing the wrong songs. And the worst part is the way they must die. If you are sentenced to death you hang, but on Mars, there isn't enough gravity to snap your neck. You are forced to pull your loved ones by the feet and snap their necks. Most women also have to sell themselves for food and medicine in order for their families to survive.

Make sure you have a strong stomach, or at least prepare yourself before reading this. The procedure to change Darrow from a Red to a Gold is written in detail and the cruelties that take place throughout the book may be a trigger. But none of the violence is overdone, or for shock value. It allows the reader to see who the Golds really are and just how far they are willing to go. You will come to hate them as much as Darrow by the end of the first book.

This was brilliantly written and I can't wait to see what Darrow will accomplish in the next book.

Well, let me start off by saying this book was trying to be too ambitious. Nothing is perfect and there is no technology that is untouchable, but that is the type of fictitious world that Dorothy May Mercer tried to create. Unfortunately what ends up happening is shallow characters, an unbelievable plot, and boredom. I couldn't find one thing I liked about this book. The characters did not stay true to themselves and the dialogue was immature. I felt like lovesick teenagers were speaking most of the time instead of adults with high paying jobs.

I was given this book in return for an honest review that can be found in full at https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=112715

For friends Taylor, Charlie and Jamie LA's SupaCon has been the dream. Full of comic books, cosplaying, video games and more, they're about to begin an epic quest into geekdom.

Jen Wilde has created a cast of characters that will hit home for many people. Taylor is a girl with high social anxiety. Part of this comes from being on the Autism spectrum. She doesn't feel as if she fits in with the world, and as much as she wants to enjoy SupaCon, it also terrifies her. But she is determined to meet the author of the Queen Firestone books. A series that helped her through growing up with social anxiety. Cosplaying as the queen herself, Taylor enters SupaCon hoping to turn her life around and find the courage she wants to be able to go to college in LA and live out her dreams of being a writer.

Charlie is a YouTuber and actress from the movie The Rising. Invited to SupaCon by the studio, she's doing her best to immerse herself into the geekiness of SupaCon and overcome her bad break up with co-star Reese. But popularity comes with a price and she is struggling to accept her personal life being the talk of the internet. Especially when Reese shows up to participate in The Rising panels and refuses to leave her alone in front of the cameras and adoring fans.

I don't do love stories. It's what I tell everyone when they suggest books to me, but Queens of Geek slipped past my filter because of the promise of intense geek out moments. Let me tell you, I was not let down. Pop culture and geeky references are in nearly every chapter of this book, and so well embedded that they just go with the flow of the story. I loved it!

And this book is about so much more than love. It's about overcoming personal challenges. Each character has their own set of insecurities that they have to fight through in order to enjoy the convention and eventually find the love they deserve. But rest assured it isn't sappy, or overdramatic. This is a fun and humorous read that will take you through what it's like to be at a convention, and all the emotions that roll with it.

Charlotte is a small town girl with a gift for photography and a wish to travel the world. In Pipers Cove, Australia there isn't much to do outside of school, surfing and stirring up trouble. Her reputation has long been ruined by her previous mistake of a relationship, and she can't wait to leave the bad memories behind. Until Adam shows up in town to visit family. This foreign boy with his American ways quickly wins Charlotte over, but is she about to make the same mistakes?

As much as this book advertises that it is about a small town in Australia, outside of the constant gossip this could have been any town, anywhere. There was nothing to make it stand out and say it was a small town, or that it took place in a certain country. There was no local culture worked in whatsoever. I approached this book with caution because it was labeled as a romance, but I was hoping to see something unique out of it since it was set in Australia. Boy was I let down. I could have forgiven the lack of an interesting setting if the story was well written, however it was severely lacking.

There isn't much that actually happens in the story. Sure Charlotte meets Adam who is a cute out of town French American, he's got an accent to swoon any girl, but the story sort of ends when they meet. It's instant attraction and supposedly destiny the two characters meet. There really isn't much conflict aside from Charlotte trying to avoid becoming the town's hot gossip for dating the new guy. I'm sure teens who are new to relationships might enjoy this, as Charlotte endures self-doubts that are common for one, but I can't see adults enjoying this story. I actually don't even have much else to say about the book due to its lack of plot. Not a series I will continue.

“There are many poisons that will induce madness but none perhaps quite so effective as love.”

The training swords are no longer wooden and the risks are even higher as Nona continues to train under the Sisters of Sweet Mercy. Scarred from her battle with Raymel, a devil has invaded her body, feeding off her anger and guilt. Every day is a battle over her emotions as the death of Hessa weighs heavily on Nona's shoulders. Blocked off from the site of Hessa's death by the Sisters, Nona explores the under caves determined to find another way in. What she will find when she revisits the site of Hessa's death will force her to flee the Convent of Sweet Mercy. Thrown back into the world, Nona must put her years of training with the Sisters to use as she becomes the hunted.

I do have to say there were a few moments I was confused in this book. The first few chapters with Nona introduced a cast of new characters in the Grey class and it took me a while to grasp the change of pace. The devil Keot, in particular, caught me by surprise and I thought I missed something from the previous book. I even went back through Mark's summary from Red Sister and the last few chapters, but no, he simply wasn't mentioned until book two.

I do appreciate how Mark Lawrence included a summary of all the important parts from Red Sister. I feel like this should be something that should become a norm for authors. I love rereading my favorites, but sometimes you just don't have the time and want to jump right into the newest book in a series.

I was surprised when Nona no longer became the only point of view the reader was allowed to follow. Sister Kettle takes front stage and has her own chapters in Grey Sister. Her path is dark, full of shadows and poisons. Seeing a Sister in action and being able to experience battle from Kettle's point of view was intense. Although I do have to admit towards the end, Nona and Kettle flip flop point of views mid-chapter a lot and it became a bit repetitive for me.

I completely expected another book with Nona staying in the Convent to train in her new class, but I should have known it wouldn't be so simple. Mark Lawrence has a tendency to throw expectations out the window. With Nona on the run, the book reached a whole new level of tension. Between Keot trying to make Nona kill everyone and her desperate battles against would be assassins, there is barely a page left without blood and violence. It is nonstop action. Even the courtroom scenes aren't spared from it all.

I can't wait to read Holy Sister, but at the same time, I don't want Nona's story to end.

Anna was never given a choice. Violently attacked by a member of the Chicago werewolf pack, Anna has had to learn quickly to survive as a female werewolf. Abused by her own pack and beaten into submission. But when she discovers her pack involved with murder, she must make a hard decision. Going above the Alpha of her pack, she calls on the Marrok, leader of all the North American wolves. In response, the Marrok sends his son and enforcer Charles to find out what the Chicago pack has been doing. What Charles doesn't expect is for Anna to be so severely mistreated by her pack. A family that is supposed to look out for one another. Together the two will discover the evils the Chicago pack has taken part in, and that Anna isn't just any werewolf.

Alpha and Omega does a good job setting the stage for a new urban fantasy series. Patricia Briggs tactfully inserts all the rules of werewolves within just a few short chapters. And while it's not necessary to read this before the series, it certainly gives the reader a better overview of the world.

This was a second time read for me, and I enjoyed just as much as the first time. While Anna seems like she would be a weak female character given what she has experienced, she is quite the opposite. She knows how to avoid trouble, but at the same time isn't afraid to confront it head on if necessary. Charles is still a bit too Alpha for me, but given he is a werewolf I let it pass without too much fuss. He does have a softer side, as evident from his interactions with Anna, but it takes a lot of effort for it to show.

The two characters complement each other well and the plot is pretty straight forward. That's not to say it isn't still interesting. It has plenty of action and of course, there's budding romance hanging in the background. Fans of The Mercy Thompson series will enjoy this new story.

As an infant, Juanita was given up and put on the asylum train. Destined to be forgotten with the rest of California's unwanted people. But guided by the spirit of her dead husband, Juanita's great grandmother boards the train and rescues her before she ever reaches her destination. Years later, Juanita has inherited her great grandmother's gift of seeing spirits and receives a vision. She must stop the trains and save those trapped in the asylum. If she doesn't not only will her village be wiped out but innocent of the asylum will be murdered one by one.

This is not a story for those who want nonstop action. It's what I call a build up book, taking it's time to develop the characters and the world around them. Unfortunately, it does miss the mark on some key points with its world building. Character backgrounds are left out, and the politics of the world are completely omitted. This leaves the reader wondering how exactly the world works. Juanita's spiritual powers also have no defined rules. They seem to come and go without any apparent pattern.

To see the full review please visit: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=110277

Brought on by the death of her mother, Meg has been suffering from severe anxiety for years. Every day is a living hell as she fights her way through panic attacks and irrational fears. All Meg wants is to be a normal person again. To be able to be around people without worrying about when her anxiety will throw her into a panic attack and make her run home. When Meg's therapist, Dr. Jillian, suggests an experimental drug called Fitrecepon, Meg jumps at the chance and begins taking them. While it isn't immediate relief, Meg slowly starts to handle day to day life easier. Until she meets Haley, a guest teacher at the university. Suddenly it's as if life is ready and waiting for Meg, as Haley pulls her into a whirlwind of activity she would never have been able to achieve on her own. But are things too good to be true? A man lurks in the shadows, watching Meg, warning her that Haley isn't what she seems. Is Haley the friend Meg needs to pull her free of her crippling anxiety, or is it an illusion?

The way Kim Harrison paints Meg's anxiety is spot on to what I know my anxiety to be like. A few reviews I have read spoke about the confusing beginning and how they didn't know what was going on. Welcome to the life of someone suffering from anxiety. Your thoughts race, irrational fears, and questions begin to pop up out of nowhere and you suddenly find yourself unable to do anything but breathe. Meg does all she can to just walk out of the house to meet a few friends. Hell, there have been times I've been so crippled up I can't even accomplish that.

There is a good deal of blurring reality with illusion in this novel. The reader is never sure if what Meg is seeing is real, or just a side effect of her new medication. This does allow the fantasy elements to come into play as hints are dropped at whether or not there are fey involved. Having read the novel I can't honestly tell you if they are real or not. It makes me want to read it one more time and pick apart everything to make a more informed decision on the matter.

I do wish there had been a bit more build up with some characters. Aside from Meg, you don't learn much about anyone else. I think seeing the other characters on the page more would have added to the twist Kim threw towards the end. Dr. Jillian was the therapist, only seen during therapy. Haley was the friend only seen when shopping and going out to dinner. It was a very closed minded approach compared to her other novels where she flushed out each and every character over time.

As much as I love The Hollows series, I enjoyed seeing Kim Harrison experiment with a different type of writing. While this book is intended for adults, I can easily see young adults enjoying it as well.

David J Mauro believes he has lost everything that matters to him. His brother has passed away, his marriage is in shambles and he has to move in with his sister. During this dark time in his life, his brother-in-law asks him to climb Mt. Denali. At this point, if he fell off the mountain, David believes no one would really care. Agreeing to the climb, David has no idea it is exactly what he needs. As he embarks on the climb, he will be forced to face his demons on the highest point in North America. This first climb will show him what it takes to move forward with his life. As he attempts each of the seven summits, he will learn valuable lessons and grow into his full potential.

Join David as he battles against subzero temperatures, dense jungles and so much more. You will not be able to put this book down!

To see the full review: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=109292

Diana Bishop comes from a powerful family of witches but refuses to use her power. Witches have a way of weaving their power into every aspect of their lives, and she wants to earn her recognition for alchemic research without any magical influence. Then Ashmole 782 ends up in her research stack. When she touches the book, Diana recognizes it for what it is, a magically sealed manuscript. After a quick look through, she decides to return the book and never look back. Unfortunately, every witch, daemon, and vampire nearby knows Ashmole 782 has been found and wants it. Among those interested is Matthew Clairmont, a 500-year-old vampire who not only takes an interest in the manuscript but in Diana as well.

The scholarly atmosphere surrounding this first book was foreign to me and I have to admit I wasn't impressed. Reading about a character studying and researching alchemy should have been more interesting than it was. While I admit I would love to spend most of my days in a library, reading about a character doing just that isn't exciting. The amount of time Diana spends in the library baffles me as literally, nothing happens in it. Different creatures swarm her and at times threaten her, but we didn't need chapter upon chapter of this. Even the discovery of Ashmole 782 fell flat as again, she did nothing with it. The sad part is the most exciting thing Diana does is exercise and accidentally spark her fingers.

The amount of time Diana and Matthew spend drinking and describing different wines could have been totally cut out too. I understand the whole courtship thing, going on dates and fine dining, but I don't need to know what three different wines taste like and smell like in great detail all in one date. I'm also not a reader who enjoys the instant infatuation romances, unfortunately, this novel fell into that troupe.

I also suppose someone who enjoys history would like this book far more than I did. Every building Diana encounters seems to need a historical overview, including letting the reader know where modifications were made on top of the original work. The history of minor characters is also detailed, adding in the historical aspect as the vampires were from different time periods. Again, not my cup of tea.

The subplots were also pretty buried and didn't have enough detail in them. Diana's tragic past didn't even hit me with emotion, let alone the genetic discoveries Matthew made. The science behind DNA research made me cringe. I know nothing about genetics, don't go into detail on it. How many readers are actually going to have enough knowledge to understand it all?

Not a series I will be continuing. There was no action, no mystery and hardly any magic. This novel was just a slow boring story that never really seemed to go anywhere.

It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size...

When Abbess Glass finds Nona, she has only moments left to live, a hangman's noose ready to end her life. A child who has never known friendship, or the comfort of a warm home. With her dark hair and pale skin, Nona stood out from the rest of her village. The word monster whispered behind her back due to the violent and bloody trail she's left behind. The hint of an old blood rests within her veins, one that could prove to be a powerful weapon. Abbess Glass is no ordinary nun, and the convent of Sweet Mercy is more than just a place to learn prayer. Saved from certain death, None will be thrown into a new world in the convent, where she will learn the extent of her powers and discover friendships she's never had. But with learning to trust others, also comes the inevitable betrayal.

The first line alone hooked me into this novel. I had a similar experience when I picked up Prince of Thorns off the book store shelf, also by Mark Lawrence. I decided right then and there I had to read it. I was also extremely interested in his take on writing a female main character.

I will have to admit I was surprised that parts of this book were a bit slow. However, Mark Lawrence is setting the ground rules for a new and fascinating story of forgotten abilities and magic. Watching Nona struggle to understand people and the rules that surround interacting with them was so well written. Her frequent bouts of anger and frustration perfectly mirrored what a young girl growing up experiences. She also had to learn that even though the people of her village thought she was a monster for being different, it wasn't something to be ashamed of.

Despite the main story being about Nona learning and progressing through the teachings at Sweet Mercy, there is a plot that lurks in the background. Short glimpses into the future at the beginning, middle, and end of the novel. The characters growing up before your eyes are being pushed into a situation you just can't picture them being in. It made me continue reading, trying to put the pieces together that would eventually lead to these scattered moments. Even by the end of the novel, you wonder how they went front point A to point B. I am eager to read the next, even though I know I'll most likely have to read the whole trilogy to form a complete picture.

Chrome Mountain sets the bar high when it comes to action. Motorcycle chases, angry gang members, explosions, helicopter takedowns, it has it all! Sonya is on the run from her old bike gang, and Trey is a tech genius who's created cloaking technology. When a terrorist group gets wind of Trey's invention, they will try to pull him into their schemes in order to further their own agenda. But with tough as nails Sonya, who believes she is chosen by God to protect Trey, it will be a fight to the bitter end to see who comes out on top.

While the story was interesting, it had a lot of extra characters and information that wasn't needed. Filler to just up a word count is a big no in my opinion. There were also formatting errors towards the end of the novel that made it difficult to read.

To read the full review please visit: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=107307

Chrome Mountain sets the bar high when it comes to action. Motorcycle chases, angry gang members, explosions, helicopter takedowns, it has it all! Sonya is on the run from her old bike gang, and Trey is a tech genius who's created cloaking technology. When a terrorist group gets wind of Trey's invention, they will try to pull him into their schemes in order to further their own agenda. But with tough as nails Sonya, who believes she is chosen by God to protect Trey, it will be a fight to the bitter end to see who comes out on top.

While the story was interesting, it had a lot of extra characters and information that wasn't needed. Filler to just up a word count is a big no in my opinion. There were also formatting errors towards the end of the novel that made it difficult to read.

To read the full review please visit: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=107307

The war with the Darkling may be over but Ravka is far from safe. Nikolai has his work cut out for him, trying to keep the countries surrounding Ravka from tearing it apart. But keeping the peace isn't the only thing Nikolai has to worry about. Scars left over from the Darkling riddle Nikolai's body and mind, filling him with dark magic. His nights are plagued by nightmares and the magic is beginning to take control of his mind. While Zoya and the others are doing all they can to keep Nikolai safe, he must find a cure as the darkness inside him digs its claws deeper.

Nina has been struggling to find a purpose in her life. Across the sea, she is working in secret to save Grisha and return them to Ravka. She is drawn to a munitions factory in Gafvalle, where the dead are calling to her. What she will find, will bring a whole new horror to the Grisha and she will have to come face to face with her worst enemy.

I will admit this book started off a bit slow. I was worried that after devouring the previous novels this one would let me down. I shouldn't have worried, because once again Leigh Bardugo created a story that takes hold of you and makes you continue reading. Of course, I was excited to read this one because of Nikolai. A whole book dedicated to Nikolai? Hell yes! Throughout the Grishaverse he has stolen quite a few hearts, mine included. His first few scenes show a man who is losing hope. A man who has been battling for so long time and just wants it to be over. I was disheartened and thought the man I fell in love with was gone. But then as he begins to plot and scheme, the old Nikolai begins to shine through.

Now there's Zoya, a character I have absolutely hated since she first appeared. The minute I saw she had chapters I was appalled. Her cold attitude, her cockiness, everything about her grated on my nerves. But then something amazing happened. Leigh Bardugo painted Zoya in an entirely new light and gave her a storyline where I actually began attaching myself to her and enjoying her chapters. Now that takes talent.

On top of the talent Bardugo has with character development, she never hesitates to throw her characters into tight situations. You'll be on the edge of your seat knowing all hell is breaking loose and guessing how the characters are going to save themselves. Once the story gets rolling, there is never a dull moment. She also doesn't hesitate to throw the floor out from underneath of you with her ending. Seriously, get ready for a hell of a next novel because she just upended everything!

The Hollows begins with death...

Those who have been longtime fans of The Hollows series all know how the supernatural creatures came out of the closet. Tomatoes. People looking at this review with no knowledge of the series are probably now thinking...tomatoes? What in the hell do tomatoes have to do with the supernatural?

Elves are near extinction. Modified by the demons before escaping the Everafter, most Elven families cannot bear healthy children. Those children who can be brought to full term must endure painful treatments in order to survive. Because of this, most elves study to become geneticists, each trying to save their dying race.

Trisk and Kalamack are no different. Rivals in school, they each earn top ranks in their class, but there is more than just a difference in their genetic theories. Trisk is a dark elf woman in the '60s when a woman was thought to be best kept at home minding their households. But Trisk has a brilliant mind and despite the bullying she receives, is determined to do what she can to save her race.

Forced to work in a human lab, Trisk toils away at building a crop of tomatoes that can end world hunger. At the same time, she works alongside her fellow scientists ensuring that any tactical virus created will not hurt members of the supernatural races who live in hiding among the humans. While the Elven Enclave is satisfied with the work Trisk has accomplished, they do not fully trust her. After all, how can a woman be so successful? Kalamack is tasked to oversee her work and if he happens to slap his name onto her work and claim it as his own all the better. But hell is about to break loose as the carefully developed tomatoes take on the tactical virus targeted to humans. For years pixies, elves, witches, vampires and the like have been living in secret among humans. But what happens when they are the only ones who survive the deadly tomatoes?

True to The Hollows series, this book is filled with magic slinging action and heart-stopping scenes. This was a bit more technical, involving a great deal of simplified science to explain the work Trisk and Kalamack achieve. While these parts were a bit slow, they were necessary and easy enough to understand.

It was great seeing familiar faces pop up in this prequel. It was fun reading about how they were before the era of Rachel, Ivy, and Jenks. Though I did miss those three so much when reading this! Trisk was a likable character and showed just how hard it was to be a successful woman in the '60s. Frowned on by not only her own race but humans as well, she pushed forward past all the doubt and kept going.

I do have to admit I cringed reading about Kalamack. Seeing how he began, I can't help but know I will be looking at him in a new light when I reread The Hollows. I mean we all knew he was a scummy businessman, but it goes much deeper than that now!

Reading about the T4 Angel Tomato's path of destruction was heartbreaking. The Hollows itself was created from this event. Watching people live in the aftermath in the original series doesn't really show just how bad things were. This novel brings the turning point front and center. You will watch as humans are corralled into quarantine zones, families are torn apart, and children struggle to survive while watching their parents slowly die. It will make you laugh and cry, as Trisk tries to right the wrongs brought upon the world of humans.

The Hollows begins with death...

Those who have been longtime fans of The Hollows series all know how the supernatural creatures came out of the closet. Tomatoes. People looking at this review with no knowledge of the series are probably now thinking...tomatoes? What in the hell do tomatoes have to do with the supernatural?

Elves are near extinction. Modified by the demons before escaping the Everafter, most Elven families cannot bear healthy children. Those children who can be brought to full term must endure painful treatments in order to survive. Because of this, most elves study to become geneticists, each trying to save their dying race.

Trisk and Kalamack are no different. Rivals in school, they each earn top ranks in their class, but there is more than just a difference in their genetic theories. Trisk is a dark elf woman in the '60s when a woman was thought to be best kept at home minding their households. But Trisk has a brilliant mind and despite the bullying she receives, is determined to do what she can to save her race.

Forced to work in a human lab, Trisk toils away at building a crop of tomatoes that can end world hunger. At the same time, she works alongside her fellow scientists ensuring that any tactical virus created will not hurt members of the supernatural races who live in hiding among the humans. While the Elven Enclave is satisfied with the work Trisk has accomplished, they do not fully trust her. After all, how can a woman be so successful? Kalamack is tasked to oversee her work and if he happens to slap his name onto her work and claim it as his own all the better. But hell is about to break loose as the carefully developed tomatoes take on the tactical virus targeted to humans. For years pixies, elves, witches, vampires and the like have been living in secret among humans. But what happens when they are the only ones who survive the deadly tomatoes?

True to The Hollows series, this book is filled with magic slinging action and heart-stopping scenes. This was a bit more technical, involving a great deal of simplified science to explain the work Trisk and Kalamack achieve. While these parts were a bit slow, they were necessary and easy enough to understand.

It was great seeing familiar faces pop up in this prequel. It was fun reading about how they were before the era of Rachel, Ivy, and Jenks. Though I did miss those three so much when reading this! Trisk was a likable character and showed just how hard it was to be a successful woman in the '60s. Frowned on by not only her own race but humans as well, she pushed forward past all the doubt and kept going.

I do have to admit I cringed reading about Kalamack. Seeing how he began, I can't help but know I will be looking at him in a new light when I reread The Hollows. I mean we all knew he was a scummy businessman, but it goes much deeper than that now!

Reading about the T4 Angel Tomato's path of destruction was heartbreaking. The Hollows itself was created from this event. Watching people live in the aftermath in the original series doesn't really show just how bad things were. This novel brings the turning point front and center. You will watch as humans are corralled into quarantine zones, families are torn apart, and children struggle to survive while watching their parents slowly die. It will make you laugh and cry, as Trisk tries to right the wrongs brought upon the world of humans.

Aubrey Finch’s past life was less than legal. And even though she has moved on, started life with a wonderful man, and has a young daughter, the past lingers in the back of her mind. Untold secrets pick at her, causing her to doubt herself as a wife and a mother. Ultimately it is also the downfall of her marriage. Yet, it will also be the skills she gained in her past that will allow her to search for a missing child when no one else will listen.

Aubrey is a hyper-focused mother. She’s constantly doubting her decisions and comparing herself to the other mothers she sees. Yet it’s this part of her personality that allows her to know something isn’t right and witness a child abduction. Many judge her for being the type of mother she is when ultimately she’s trying to do what is best for her child.

When Aubrey’s past begins to align with the future, readers will see her abilities in action, yet she still constantly doubts herself. Aubrey is also the type of person to try and appease others without thinking of herself first. Because of this, she throws herself into the investigation to find the missing child when the police won’t listen. She becomes so focused on the investigation, that her regular life begins to suffer.

While it is nifty seeing Aubrey in action, she doesn’t face many obstacles. Most of the conflict that arises is centered around her family and the police trying to steer her away from the investigation. If there had been more action involved with sleuthing around such as close calls or built-up tension, this would have been a much more interesting read.

Readers who enjoy books with themes of motherhood and marital difficulties would enjoy Wherever She Goes. While mystery plays a part in the story, it is more so the catalyst to Aubrey’s already tense relationship and serves to drive the family problems forward.

Adam has never fit in. He is a wolf, while all other humans are animals. They are disgusting and annoying. Except for his mother, who's very scent entices him. He knows it's wrong. He knows he shouldn't feel as he does, but how can he stop it? Every day has been torture, for as long as he can remember. He blends in with the animals, faking his way through the school days. It's no way to live, but what choice does he have? Until Carly Wit transfer to his school, and he finds the first human being that doesn't outright appall him. But is it too late? Can Carly help extinguish the darkness inside of himself?

Opaque begins as an interesting enough read, but quickly falls short as the story progresses. I would have been happy reading about a sociopath who seeks redemption, but Adam never quite crosses that line. Instead, the story turns into more of a star crossed romance with a few battles scattered into it. Battles I actually had no interest in. Definitely read this if you want a teenage romance book, as it focuses heavily on the romance.

To see the full review please visit: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=105578

The Shadowen Thieves Guild will do anything for the right price. From stealing to kidnapping, gold is their number one priority. But not everyone in the guild enjoys the gristly work they do. There are certain lines Alden will not cross. When the guild kidnaps Princess Mayli, he knows something must be done. With the help of members within the guild, Alden rides off with Mayli, in the hopes he can return her back to her family before the guild catches up with them. But a Princess's ransom is a lot of gold to lose, and the guild does not take betrayal lightly.

Enter a well-crafted world of fantasy and adventure as Alden and Mayli journey the countryside on their quest. The history of the world is interwoven into their story, allowing the reader to slowly submerge themselves into the world of Vatan. Emotionally captivating, you will be crying and cheering alongside the characters as they struggle with internal burdens and scarred pasts.

While Mayli is a princess, she is no damsel in distress. She certainly gives Alden a run for his money, as she proves to be strong-willed and capable of protecting herself. She also doesn't hesitate to push Alden's boundaries every chance she can, providing the reader with a series of entertaining exchanges. It makes you laugh at the same time you feel bad for Alden with the predicaments he ends up in.

Complex characters are always my favorite and Alden is all that and more. His motives and behavior will keep you guessing throughout the entire book. It's clear he wants to save Mayli, but there is so much more to him. While he isn't the best fighter, he is determined to keep Mayli safe and it's his loyalty that will help him through the darkest times.

Despite a large number of characters, each of them was given enough page time to allow the reader a chance to remember them. The story itself was fast-paced and followed a well-developed plot. This is the best debut novel by an independent author I have ever read.

The world of Asunder is filled with daring escapes, budding romance, and epic battles. It will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page and leave you waiting impatiently for the next book in The King's Renegade series.

For generations, every woman in Naoko's family is born with a demon inside. When Naoko's demon emerges, she chooses to follow in her mother's footsteps and use her powers to protect Japan. But her road will bloody and filled with challenges as she uncovers an underground war that may tear Japan apart. Filled with intense battles and gory details, the seemingly interesting story fell short.

The full review can be seen here:

https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=114&t=104449

Don't get noticed. Don't be special.

Mina Grimes grew up believing she should never stand out in the crowd. Instead, she made sure she was as unremarkable as possible. It helps when you are the unluckiest girl in the world. Whether it was ripping her backpack, or being constantly late for school, Mina is always running into bad luck. Until the day she saves Brody from a fatal accident. Suddenly, Mina is in the spotlight for the first time. And she knows what this means. Her mother will pack up the family and move on to the next city. She's done it before and she will do it again. But Mina is done moving.

Taking a stand, Mina demands they stay. It's then her mother breaks down and tells her the reason behind their constant moves. Mina is in danger. She is the next family member to be caught by the Grimm curse. A curse that has plagued their family for generations and cause the death of Mina's father. If Mina is caught by the curse, she must survive every single Grimm fairytale that comes her way. Determined to beat the curse and prevent it from passing onto her younger brother, Mina accepts her fate and begins to face off against the fairy tales.

One of the minor mysteries in this novel involved Mina's younger brother. It was mentioned many times that he never spoke, yet the reason why was never revealed. It was frustrating to have the author make a big deal out of his unwillingness to talk, and never provide a resolution to it. In this way, it felt more like filler, or a convenient way out of creating dialogue for a character.

Mina's mother was also surprisingly immature. Her dialogue was childish and hurtful, with no regard to how it would affect her daughter. She never seemed to know the appropriate time to explain anything. Instead, she tried to cover up and avoid whatever she could, which only put Mina in danger. Having lost her husband, I can understand wanting to protect her daughter, but as a mother she was horrible.

Parts of this story moved forward too quickly as if the author didn't know how to write certain scenes and jumped ahead. Mina somehow figured out information on a character, without any prior knowledge of the legends surrounding them, or even really interacting with them. I could understand if she had studied the fairy tales, but this story is specifically about her lack of knowledge and how she struggles with each one. Development of the character and Mina's relationship with them was required in order for her to draw conclusions about them.

Mina was also too much of a damsel in distress. It was a promising start when she put on a brave front to save her brother from the fairy tales. But then she always ended up crying for help, because she never thought before doing anything. Half the situations she ended up in, could have been prevented if she was even the slightest bit cautious. Ok, she has bad luck, but apparently, she lacks any common sense too.

While I enjoyed the originality of the story, there were grammatical areas and plot development that needed help. There was so little interaction between Mina and the other characters. You rarely see her with her family, unless there is a crisis or some part of the curse that needed explaining. With all the build up on Mina getting teased and bullied in school, it's barely seen after chapter one. Even if a student is seen as the school hero, it doesn't completely change how everyone acts towards them.

Not a series I will be continuing.

When Mac receives the phone call that her sister has been found murdered in Ireland, her blissful days of innocence come to an end. With no witnesses and no leads, the police file it away as one more cold case. But Mac is determined to find her sister's murder. Mac catches the first flight she can to Ireland to demand the police keep searching. But with nothing but a frantic voicemail left from her sister urging Mac to find the Sinsar Dubh, the police turned her away.

Despite the pitfalls, Mac begins to retrace her sister's steps and what she finds is not the picture-perfect version of her sister she knew. Instead of going to school and working her way towards the degree she so badly wanted, Mac finds the trail of a desperate woman. One who became entranced by a man, and slowly let her life slip away. What Mac doesn't realize, is that she is about to fall into the same life that took her sister away. The fae do not take kindly to humans who can expose their secrets, and Mac unknowingly is the key to what they want and desire.

Mac was too bubble gum prep for me. While she's trying to survive in her new dangerous life, she's still worried about how cute she looks and how much she wishes she were blonde. People are hunting you, trying to kill you and you care about your damn fashion sense? I'd be trying to change my appearance every chance I had, thankful I could craft a disguise. And she does nothing for herself. Throughout most of the book, even though she's the main character, she's just a sidekick. And hello, the man that jacks you up against a wall and hurts you is not the one you should choose to buddy up with, let alone start thinking is attractive.

Barrons, the man of mystery, was not appealing to me at all. He's a control freak and he has no problem using anyone to accomplish his goals. Ok, so he has fancy cars and lots of money, he has no personality. He's basically a machine who just goes through the motions to track down fae artifacts. We know next to nothing about him and he refuses to answers any question Mac has. Not to mention there wasn't much to the plot. What starts as a potential mystery about Mac's sister, turns into a hunt for a powerful fae artifact. While we know what happened to Mac's sister is tied into all this somehow, it's more background noise than anything. It's a boring slog from property to property with hardly any action. Unless you count Mac running away from every fae that comes after her until near the end of the book when she has no other choice. We never even get to hear what is going on in Mac's mind. Anytime her sister is mentioned, the author glosses over the brutal details and sidelines what Mac is actually going through with scant details.

This was the second time around for me reading Darkfever. The only thing I could remember was tapping out at book three of the series because the smut was too much for me. I'm always one to try a new spin on faeries. Some authors pull it off, some do not. This one was not a good read. I struggled through for my book club and to give it a review this time around. I won't be gracing the next two books with reviews because I have better things to read.

Lena grew up on the road, traveling the world with her father. Moving from place to place, she learned that nothing lasts forever. Even the people you love. When Lena loses her father, she is shipped off to the Waldgrave property where her Grandfather and Uncle Howard reside.

The sprawling estate is nothing Lena is used to. With its luxurious rooms and home cooked meals, it seems too good to be true. As Lena begins to wander the empty halls, she begins to suspect things aren't what they seem. Lena dares to delve deeper into the family history and discovers that all those years spent traveling, were years spent on the run. Lena is part of a secret society and a target for anyone looking to take revenge on the family.

I was lured into reading this book with the promises of secret societies and supernatural elements. What I found instead was old world politics and the bare minimum required to label this fantasy. Everyone in the society was high class and the arrogance was so thick you could cut it with a knife. A woman had almost no rights, and Lena had to fight to be able to even leave the house.

What I did find it interesting was the transition period. The more Lena learned about her true heritage, the riskier it was for her transition into a member of the society. Learning too much at one time meant possible illness or death. It was also clever to have the books on her kind gradually have the words appear. The more she learned and was able to take it, the more words appeared on a page.

While Lena was a strong heroine, she fell into the troupe of being attracted to the boy who treated her like garbage. However, she adamantly denied liking him. She also had the nerve to get mad at him when he started to pursue other women. Lena made a point to whine about how she could trust him yet all he did was for his own personal gain. He could care less if it hurt her in the process.

And the boy in question? Just as arrogant as the rest of the supernatural society. Griffin believed woman needed to be told what to do. They should follow a man's every word. I couldn't stand him.

Not a series I will continue. Political agendas and debating old world versus new world beliefs are not my cup of tea.

Amanda's grandparents harbor a secret. For years they have safeguarded one of the magical portals to the Emaji Kingdom. And Amanda's summer vacation is about to become an adventure she will never forget. Venturing into the Emaji Kingdom, Amanda discovers a colorful world filled with magic. But it is a world in danger from the volatile fire magic user, King Zorn. For years he has been sealed away in his own corner of the world, amassing his army, and waiting for the day when the magical barrier surrounding his land fails. A prophecy foretells that an earth girl will become the Sparrow and rid the Emaji Kingdom of Zorn's threat. Will Amanda be the Sparrow?

To see the full review please visit:

https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=102345

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Online Book Club.

The Unbound Soul is the story of Richard L. Haight's spiritual quest throughout his life and the beliefs he formed along the way. While I did find this to be an interesting read, his belief system did not make sense to me. There were certain parts in his teaching section that contradicted themselves and just left questions to be answered.

To see the full review please go to: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=100808