Book Review:- Julu By Jan Anderegg

Julu by Jan Anderegg.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
I chose to read and review this book solely based on the book cover. I loved the cover the moment I saw it and Immediately wanted to read the book. I was afraid it was a children’s book that would probably be only 10-30 pages long but boy was I wrong!
Also, I was very surprised when I received the book and started reading it at how lengthy it actually is as I had assumed it was a children’s book. The story itself is a beautiful tale and very well written. It reminds me of stories like Narnia and Peter Pan and it brings to mind how important it is for children and even adults to dream, believe and use their ‘Imaginations’ to create wonderful things. This book will definitely be a bit of a challenge for a younger audience to read on their own based on the telling of the story and the time jumps back and forth but also because of the length of the book.
However, It will be a great book for young adults who love reading as it’s not childish or Riddled with too much fantasy but actually realistic and full of adventure and action. It will keep you engaged and interested through out the story. Glad I got to read it and recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy books.

 

Book Review:- Live & Learn by Vance Pumphrey

This is the first book I am reading in the series and the first by this author. This is the fifth book in the Valdaar’s Fist saga, the first in the second series under that story arc.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

“Live & Learn :- Defense of the Land Book One, Book Five in the Valdaar’s Fist saga”

I hadn’t read any books by Vance Pumphrey prior to this one and I went in with no presumptions, just the excitement I usually have when I am presented with a new book in a genre I particularly enjoy reading due to its ability to literally transport you to a different universe created by the Author.

There will be no spoilers in this review instead I will be talking on why you should read this book.

Throughout this reading journey I never got the feeling that I was reading the fifth book in a series because of how well the Author placed this one as the beginning of a new arc in the series, so it’s safe to start reading the series from this book without feeling like you were lost. I do however after reading this book want to read the previous ones in the series because of how well this book is written a true testament to the Authors abilities.

Also, I thoroughly appreciated the fact that I wasn’t plagued by grammatical or tense errors as some books tend to not spend enough time in the editing stage this book does not suffer that fate. And where others fail in building the world the characters dwell in, this Author successfully did so and I truly felt like I walked this quest with them and even visualized the clothing, dwellings, paths and keeps due to the Authors exceptional story telling.

Furthermore, when I finished reading this book I was sad to put down as the book ended in such a way that made me wish I had the next book in the series ready for me to dive into. I had come to expect Sharna’s sarcasm, Jaramiles strength, Dolt’s endless anecdotes and moronic behavior, Ogmurth knocking him out, Meso’s quiet wisdom and Goldie’s stealth. These character made this book an amazing adventure and I had quite gotten used to them.

However, my only issue/ criticism is that there were parts of this book that dragged a little bit and I understand from other reviews that it is more appreciated by those who are familiar with RPG games but to the rest of us it comes across as endless dialogue or break from the story. There were times I wanted them to move on to the next thing but alas it wasn’t meant to be.

All in all I really enjoyed the story and recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy books.

Book Review:- Worth of Luck by K.A Ashcomb

Worth of Luck by K.A Ashcomb

So I read this book probably overnight because of how much I enjoyed it. It’s a breath of fresh air and a sprinkle of the old all combine in one amazingly well told story. This book packs a series of events and life lessons in every little conversation and plot twist. It is not just a book to enjoy for leisure but also a book to learn from about humanity and how we react? Act or manage resources or things we deem valuable. It paints a picture of selfishness, humility, love, sacrifice and even courage in the unlikeliest of places.

The main characters were a delight and a pain at the same times especially Harriet Stowe who I desperately wanted to dislike but ended up having a silent respect for and then there is Edbert Polluck who finally learned how to be a better human very late in life (and the story) but better late than never right?

We wouldn’t want to live out Sigourney who I deem the true heroine of this story but as with life she would probably never get the credit she deserve! Oh well 😔.

My only issue was after about page 240 or so I cane across some typographical errors which weren’t a lot but still managed to distract me. I also make spelling and typing errors but it was something I wanted to point out as constructive and not malicious.

All in all, I encourage you to read this book with a mind to learn and a willingness to enjoy the silliness and downright childishness of some of the characters. It’s just over 300 pages and you will not even notice them.

Book Review:- Hejira by Deanna Stewart.

This book made me want to cheer!

Hejira by Deanna Stewart took me back to a setting, a genre that I had quite forgotten I enjoy reading.

The Author is very good at immersing you into the story. She delicately paints each scene with just the right amount of words which don’t leave you wound up or overwhelmed.

From the first page I was transported to ancient Persia with its bustling markets and I could smell the incense, admire the sparkling jewels and experience the market scene along with the characters.

The story follows the unlikeliest of heroines

Fatima and Isla. Their journey begins in the kingdom of Chabouk, in a time ripe with tyranny and oppression. Theirs is the tale of the grass is greener on the other-side. They live in a time where women are nothing more than bargaining chips for their fathers and husbands, to be used to gain power, riches, security etc.

Fatima after years of being what her marriage taught her to be realized she didn’t want the same pattern for her generation and in a last hurrah dared to risk it all in a Hejira that became legend.

Her and her little band of misfits teach us that strength can come from the weakest of places and freedom sometimes has to be taken not given.

I like that even though the book is set in ancient times, the themes are still quiet relevant today as women deal with various levels of equality and challenges.

I recommend this book to women of all ages and even men.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19106606

Book Review:- Clara & Pig by Mary Ann Tippet

I was expecting a children’s book when I saw the title because I didn’t read the excerpt or summary before choosing it.

I was pleasantly surprised to see it wasn’t but instead a book about senior citizens. The Author has my appreciation for a wonderful read. I read this in less than two hours and enjoyed every second of it. It’s a page turner and very well written with wonderful descriptions of the characters and their environment.

This book is about Clara and her pet pug named pig who is a very happy dog. Clara’s life is turned upside down as she learns to cope with change while resisting it every step of the way. She’s dealing with loss, pain, loneliness and luckily new friendships.

I wasn’t ready for this book to end! I was really annoyed with the Author when I saw “The End” at the end of the paragraph lol

I would definitely have read more and I am willing to read more from her.

This book made me think of my grandparents and seniors in general. We need to be more kind and understanding towards our elders.

Book Review:- Ann, Not Annie by Sage Steadman

Ann, Not Annie is a well written YA (young adult) fictional novel by Sage Steadman. I read this book in a very short time and the actual story is 272 pages long. What I love most about this book is the style of writing the author implemented. I am a huge fan of the narrative style of telling stories and when done well its a joy to read and this was indeed a joy to read. The voice of the narrator took on the right tones and themes through out the book making for a very fluid read.
The story itself is of a teenage girl named Annie who prefers to be called Ann. She is still in high school and going through some major emotional and mental strain. She is dealing with grief, abandonment issues, loneliness and some teenage girl drama. The narrator follows her story of struggling in school with regular visits to detention and the school counsellor, less than an ideal living situation at home, taking care of her brother and dealing with a potential for falling in love and the glamour/seduction of being one of the popular kids.

Ann not Annie goes through a process that almost breaks her while reading Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden pond” (Which has definitely joined my reading list thanks to this book). Luckily for her, her small circle of friends whom she thought she had lost were still there for her when she was ready to let them in again.

I respect Authors who brave topics that we as a society are quick to skirt or push aside for political reasons or deem too heavy for a certain audience. Ann (not Annie but also Annie lol) is a teenager who through no choice of hers had to experience grief and loss (mostly alone)and if we think teenagers shouldn’t be exposed to these topics, then what happens to the “Ann’s” of this world who are unprepared and yet plunged into similar situations.

This book is a perfect gift for both young adults, parents, teachers, counsellors etc to help breach that gap and even open up an avenue for these conversations to be had.

It was a great read and I recommend it to everyone.

Book Review :- Elle Burton and the reflective Portals By Peggy M McAloon and Anneka Rogers.

I am always open to reading books of different genre but not always of the children’s book variety. Reading Elle’s story pronounced (Ellie) I quickly forgot that it was for children. The character is one we can all identify with through the various struggles and challenges she faces and later overcomes. It’s a book about Love, loss, hope, healing, kindness and a lot of things we sometimes forget to teach or remind our children to be. Though this tale is woven through fantasy, it can’t help be anything but real. Elle Burton reminds us to be brave,honest and even believe in the magic of people, friends and family. Be sure to join Elle in her adventures in this first installment.