Hey, Book Friends. What is keeping you going on this dreary Monday?
For me, it is being able to post this review of Knight of the Silver Circle. I have been looking forward to review this book for a while. It is a really interesting read. The author, Duncan M Hamilton, has a good thing going with this series. I look forward to book 3 in 2020.
I rated this book 4/5 and recommend it for fantasy readers. Head over to FanFiAddict.com to read why.
Leave a comment below, please. It is Monday... how are you surviving? 😅
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*****************GIVEAWAY****************** Happy Sunday, Book Friends! What was your favorite book of 2019?
Anyone who knows me at all knows mine was The Burning White. This fabulous, can’t-put-down page-turner was an epic end to an epic series.
If you have not read it, yet, now is your chance. Head over to my Twitter account (CloakTraveling) to jump in! Swipe the picture to see the announcement.
I am celebrating joining up with the fanfiaddict.com review crew, so that is how to enter: subscribe to the fanfiaddict.com newsletter and drop a screenshot in the thread. Bonus entries for following me on Twitter, IG, and friending me on Goodreads. Please screenshot them and post to the Twitter thread.
Ends on 12/14/2019 at 8:00 AM. Sponsored by no one but me. US only.
If you have read The Burning White, what did you think?
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Happy Saturday, Book Friends. Please tell me about something new in your life about which you are excited.
I have news, as well. I have decided to team up with the reviewers at fanfiaddict.com. It is a great site with amazing reviewers, and I am really happy to be a part of it.
Please go subscribe, and my reviews will come straight to your inbox! I have already posted my first, which a re-review of Duncan M. Hamilton’s Dragonslayer. Book 2 in the Dragonslayer Series (Knight of the Silver Circle) is next. Feel free to stop by and leave a comment.
Thank you to all of my Book Friends for the support and encouragement.
Leave a note in the comments about you. Anything new and exciting? Or just talk to me about what you are reading, please.
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Book Review
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Title: The Throne of the Five Winds
Series: Hostage of Empire
Author: S.C. Emmett
Publisher: Orbit
Publication Date: October 15, 2019
Synopsis: The peace between the neighboring Kingdoms of Zhaon and Kir is a fragile one, and after putting down a revolt from the Kingdom of Khir, Zhaon takes Khirinese Princess Mahara hostage. She is to wed Prince Takyeo, who is first in line for the throne in Zhaon. Mahara brings her lady-in-waiting, Komor Yala, with her as a companion. While Prince Takyeo proves to be a good husband, the rest of their time in Zhaon is a disaster. The two women face constant fear of assassination, and balancing political angst between the members of the Royal Family proves difficult. When the Emperor of Zhaon begins to show signs of illness, the line of succession must be confirmed. The fate of Zhaon will depend on who survives the ensuing chaos.
Review: This was a great idea for a book, and the story has so many interesting traits. The Throne of the Five Winds is about the political push and pull between and within Kingdoms. Khir, Zhaon, and the surrounding Kingdoms are constantly fighting for power. Inside Zhaon, there are six Princes and Two Royal Concubines also looking for political elbow room of their own. The constant backstabbing, undercutting, and scheming makes this story really interesting. It plays out almost like reality TV, almost as if there are cameras inside the characters' private rooms listening to their intimate conversations. And speaking of intimate, the story includes one or two maybe slow-burning romances, as well.
My issue with this book, though, is that while it is full of political intrigue there is almost nothing else to the story. As a reader, I felt like there was almost no buy in at the beginning, as the first 100 pages or so was an info dump and the next 300 was super-complicated and hard to follow. I like a complex story, but since I felt detached from this book in the beginning that made it hard to get into.
I ended up enjoying the book,though. It grew on me. Last 200 pages hooked me in, and with the way it ended I am really excited to see what is coming next.
CONTINUED IN COMMENTS
Book Review
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Title: The Three Hares: The Jade Dragonball
Series: The Three Hares #1
Author: Scott Lauder and David Ross
Publisher: Neem Tree Press @neemtreepress
Publication Date: September 5, 2019
Synopsis: Sara is a student in present-day China. Shan Mu is a kid in 996CE China, during the Northern Song Dynasty. When Sara starts to have strange, mystical experiences she does not know what to do. At the same time, Shan Mu's journey just beginning, as well. The Three Hares: The Jade Dragonball follows the two of them, and details what happens when their stories intersect.
Book Review: This was an interesting story with lots of Chinese culture. The reader experiences that through Shan Mu's storyline in 996CE, as well as Sara's storyline that takes place in present day and through her time jump scenarios. While Sara's story is told in a more contemporary fashion, Shan Mu's is more in line with a Chinese fable. To me, this really kept the story going because, as a reader, I always wanted to know what was happening next.
This book does fall into the trap most books this short experience: not enough depth. In my opinion, this book could benefit from more character and plot development. There were times when the writing felt a little clunky. I mostly noticed at the ends of chapters, where the story felt abruptly cut off. These faults were not enough to take me out of the story often.
The Three Hares: The Jade Dragonball is a unique story full of Chinese culture, magic, and adventure. I recommend it for Fantasy readers.
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Book Review
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Title: A Beginning at the End
Author: Mike Chen @mikechenwriter
Publisher: Mira (a Harper Imprint) @hqstories @harpercollins
Publication Date: January 14, 2020
Synopsis: Rob is a single dad and IT worker, Moira is an ex-pop star, and Krista is an event planner. Each is looking for a new start in San Franciso after a nearly-apocalyptic flu wiped out much of the world's population. In a world where looting is common and everyday people where medical masks to work, it hard to define "normal". In addition to constant fear of outbreak and gang activity, Rob, Moir, and Krista must all battle secrets from their past to survive in the new world.
Review: A Beginning at the End is a fresh take on The End of the World. You are not going to find any zombies, worldwide flooding, or AI takeovers here; just the stories of normal people trying to live their lives. The aspect I like most of Mike Chen's apocalypse scenario is how realistic it is; from the flu pandemic, to the looting and gangs, and the Reclaimed Territories where groups of people attempt to live outside of government control, the story makes sense.
The characters' stories were mostly well-written. The idea that they are all running from something (each in their own way) makes for intriguing storylines, each with a "what-is-going-to-happen-next" feeling. They have all been through a lot, and the reader can empathize with most of it.
I do have to say, Moira's story is my favorite (pop star "Mojo" turned pandemic bandit/survivor turned Regular Jane on the verge of marriage), but her overall motives for taking such precautions against reuniting with her father are not something I connected with well.
The ending was very good, with all of the characters banding together for a singular purpose. The lead-up to the climax of the story was full of tension and drama, but I like that it was not full of gore and violence. I like those kind of apocalyptic stories, too, but the overall tone of this book was positive. And we can all certainly use more of those kinds of stories in our lives.
Overall, Mike Chen’s A Beginning at the End is really good. I recommend reading it.
Rating: 4/5 🐙s
