Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed the premise of this book. A true loves kiss, is it enough? There was a good mix of adventure and romance that kept your attention. I felt like I really got to know the three main characters but the foreground characters were lost in the mix. All in all, a really interesting story that was a super quick read.
The Guardian of Whispers by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4 Stars
This was a fun story to read….and perfect for the younger middle school ages and even for adults as well. The author took me on an adventure with mystery, intrigue, special gifts and I love the bond of the twins Jon and Frank. I am already looking forward to more in this series.
Jon and Frank are normal twin boys with a loving family and siblings. Jon is more of the adventurous and not afraid to stir up a little trouble, while his twin brother, Frank, definitely more quiet and laid back. When the time comes….the twins start to notice some changes…and their parents take note as well….the boys are truly special. Needing to hone in on their gifts and the rules that apply… Jon and Frank are sent to a special school for children whom have different special gifts.
What comes with these special gifts is learning how and when to use them….but when Jon is in trouble when a special relic goes missing…..will Frank, McClery and friends be able to clear Jon’s name?
What a fun read!
The Guardian of Whispers by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a fun read! My 11-year-old daughter and I read this one together, and we both really enjoyed it! I think the story flows flawlessly and draws you into what the twins, Frank and Jon, are going through. I really enjoyed the imagery created around the Perceptually Gifted West Hills School as well. I feel like I would have read this even without my daughter, so we can’t wait for The Reeds of West Hills series to continue!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
The Guardian of Whispers by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What would you do if a mysterious doctor showed up at your house and wanted to examine you and your twin brother? Then your parents start acting strangely, secretive even and they won’t let him check you out. This is exactly how Jon and Frank Reed’s adventure begins in the book The Guardian of Whispers (The Reeds of West Hills Book 1) by B. E. Padgett. This is an engaging tale of twin brothers who find out they have “gifts.” Both brothers have a hard time adjusting to and controlling their “gifts” aka powers. Deciding they needed help learning to control them, their parents sent them to a boarding school in Washington where their mom went when she needed to learn to control her power. So not only do they have to adjust to new powers, but also to a new place, and new people thousands of miles away from their big family.
I’m well over the 9-12 year old intended target age for this book but I really enjoyed it immensely! The characters are fun, realistic, and well-written; this helped the story flow nicely. The author has woven a magical tale that will leave you wanting more! I can’t wait to read the next installment and see what other adventures await Jon and Frank Reed.
Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
YES! I absolutely LOVED this different view of Sleeping Beauty and how the author made it their own. I have enjoyed other books by Natalina Reis but was still unprepared for how much I was going to fall for this one. The flow of the story took me a little bit to get used to, but once I found the rhythm there was just no letting go. I love the characters and how deeply invested I became throughout the book. I can’t wait to see what our amazing author has in store for us next!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
New author for me and I wasn’t disappointed! I love a good friends to lover book. Book was full of twists and i loved the characters! Great retelling of sleeping beauty and I loved every single page! I’ll be reading more books by Natalina! Beautiful read and I highly recommend!
Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is my third Reis book and I just love how she mixes her elements of fantasy with a whirlwind of romance! Love this book just as much! Part sleeping beauty aspects mixed in with dark magic overtaking a kingdom and it is up to Ayo and Yi to figure out how to help the situation. Along with a group of people that they meet and connect with throughout the story, the story takes the reader through secrets and betrayal, rediscovery, and fighting for what you love. If you’re a Reis fan or simply love fantasy type stories, give this one a try! It would be worth it!
Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Once again we have a MM Romantasy by this author. A wonderful Sleeping Beauty retelling. And goodness do I love retellings. We have our leading man Ayo. He is banished from his kingdom. Along with being banished he has his magic taken. I love the plotline and world building even though it is a standalone. It’s truly an eccentric fun read.
Review by @michellerenee6590
The Wandering Isles by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed the trilogy so when I saw there was a novella, I became super excited. This can be read as a stand alone book. However, I do suggest reading the trilogy first. This author is an absolutely fantastic writer. The characters, the story, the setting, all very detailed and captivating. Another fantastic read. I hope to read more from this author.
Secrets of the Sorcery War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The second installment of this trilogy was a good continuation of the storyline. The author gives a nod to popular culture by having a nonbinary main character. The sorcery battle scenes were well-depicted. The author includes diplomacy throughout the story. One of my favorite parts of the book was the artwork between sections of the book- sometimes a weapon, at other times a stack of books. I think the author is saying that a civilization needs both education and weaponry.
Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sleeping Love is a MM fantasy romance story that tells the story of the friendship turned love between Ayo and Yi. Ayo met Yi when orphaned at a young age and the two became best friends. As Ayo got older, he started to learn about his magical powers. When Yi’s father, the king feels that Ayo’s magic becomes a threat to him he strips him of his magic and banishes him to a desolate land. When a curse falls over the kingdom it turns out that Yi is the only one who may be able to break the curse. Ayo is able to wake Yi with a kiss and rekindle their romance, but danger lurks around each corner which puts their relationship at risk.
This book was a bit of an interesting twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty story that drew me in and compelled me to read to the end. The scenes were superbly written, detailed, and make you feel as though you are there at that time and place. The characters of Yi and Ayo were interesting, and it was refreshing to see that the two had forged a friendship and gotten to know one another before it turned to romance. I could not help but root for them to be together and overcome the obstacles that kept insisting on getting in their way. A great story with drama, action, suspense, magic, forbidden romance, curses, friendship, a prince, an evil king, and friends becoming lovers.
Hope and Lies by C.H. Lyn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hope and Lies: The Abredea Series Book One by C.H. Lyn
4.5 out of 5 Stars
Definitely a great book for anyone who likes dystopian worlds. This book will take you out on a journey with multiple storylines. I was fascinated by the details of this world. I am excited to see what’s next in this series. C.H. Lyn did a great job with this book.
The Guardian of Whispers by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Guardian of Whispers is Book One in The Reeds of West Hills Series. This author was new to me, and I picked up a copy of the book, not realizing that it is a kid’s fantasy book aimed at children between the ages of nine to twelve years of age. It was actually the cover and title that intrigued me and compelled me to obtain a copy and I am so glad that I did. Now that I have read and enjoyed it, I feel that it can be enjoyed by both young and old alike.
The story focuses on twin boys who discover around the age of ten-years-old that have powers that as special as they are, also come with side effects. Jonathan has the power of prophecy which gives him horrendous nightmares. Franklin has the power of telepathy which causes him to hear constant whispering in his head. The children must learn to hone and control their special powers which requires them being sent away to a special school that is located thousands of miles from home. At West Hills School for the Perceptually Gifted they try to adjust to being away from their family while making new friends and honing their powers. When a powerful artifact is stolen from the school the fingers are pointed at Jon and it is up to the twins and their new friends to prove their innocence.
I loved this book and was captivated from the first few pages. The author’s writing style is engaging, and this book is fun, imaginative, and entertaining. The storyline was compelling, the characters were unique, quirky, and lovable, and the setting was vividly written which immerses you into the story. The special powers that the characters had were fascinating and I found myself wishing that I had some of those abilities. This book had action, mystery, drama, suspense, and of course magical powers. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
Bound by the Hinterlands by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was initially drawn to this book because of the blurb – I found it intriguing and different from the other romances I’ve read recently.
The author paints a vivid picture of the amazing world they have created and I felt like I could step right into the landscape alongside the characters. Both the plot and characters are well-written, developed and gripping. I couldn’t wait to find out what was past the darkness and how the characters would face the dangers in front of them.
The characters were amazing – some really riled me up and others stole my heart. I loved getting emotionally invested in these characters for example Cressida – I really felt for her and everything she faced.
I really enjoyed the writing style used in this book, and I’ll be looking out for more by this author in future.
Bound by the Hinterlands by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An enjoyable and entertaining fantasy romance which had me hooked from page one. Cressida’s controlling and abusive father has arranged a marriage between her and Baron Caravahl Alzeid. She must travel to the Hinterlands, the land of the outcasts, to accept her fate. She’s surprised by the handsome Caravahl, and although her new husband infuriates her, she can’t help but feel the chemistry between them. Cressida falls in love with the land and it’s people but since she arrived things have been strange, with unexpected guests causing panic, a darkness to the forest which never wanes, and lurking threats. There’s a sinister mystery which is shrouded in secrecy and silence, but soon everything spirals out of control, putting Cressida in danger, and in darkness. To save her Caravahl must risk his life and his kingdom, but maybe also his heart. The storyline flows well and the descriptive narrative brought both the wonderful characters and the setting vividly to life. I felt immersed in the story and engaged with the characters.
Hope and Lies by C.H. Lyn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A dystopian world full of strife. Pangaea maintains its “order” through an outdated caste system, which has led may to rebel. This intricate story moves between the past and the current times, simultaneously telling us multiple stories. One of a woman from the highest ranking caste who’s whole life is changed when she is caught by rebels, another of a young 20 year old girl who for some reason ends up in a different caste from her friends and family, and finally an empath named Chogan. This mesmerizingly woven tapestry is an absolute must read. I’ve told all my friends to read it and I’m telling you as well. It is a chunky book, but it is absolutely worth every moment!
View all my reviewsHope and
Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is an interesting take on a well known fairy tale and it is one I have really enjoyed. I thought the story was well thought out and interesting. It caught my attention straight away. I lived thr characters in this.book. I felt their connection and was drawn to their journey.
This is an author that I have become very familiar with and I really love how all of her books are different. This one is nothing like any of her others but it is just as good. This is a great story that i would highly recommend.
Japan by Eleanor Dixon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Tally and Jophiel are back and carrying on with their adventures around the world, this time, they are in Japan where Tally and her father are visiting one of his co-workers and while her dad is working, she will be staying with the family of his co-worker. Tally and her father head to a restaurant to meet the family and have a meal with them before Tally travels with them to their home, fortunately, there is a son who appears to be about twelve, about the same age as Tally is, as well as his best friend of the same age, they are keen to speak to Tally and practice their English and the introductions go well.
The next day, Tally is walked to the train station to go and meet the family for their journey back where they live, this is where Tally sees the Shinkansen, or Bullet Train for the first time and she is amazed at how clean it is and how fast it goes and her new friends point out things outside the window and tell Tally all about them as they go. While they are on the train, they also talk about the things they are going to show Tally while she is there, after they have all finished their school work of course and Tally is more excited than ever to learn all about the culture and traditions of her Japanese hosts.
The first place they are going to go is the local museum where the two friends show Tally artefacts and treasures from the past, as well as talking about their families and how they are tied to the area, but some things strike Tally as strange, however, when she tries to ask them about it, it brings out mixed reactions and not all of them are good. As the days pass, Tally notices other things which are a little strange, especially when Tally meets a fellow Angel called Kumi who Jophiel seems very attached to, to the point where he stops talking to Tally at all, but as she becomes more involved in her new friends lives, she wishes beyond everything that he would talk to her, especially when during a tea ceremony at the museum when strange things start to happen!
Finally, her friends start to open up about some historical facts about their families and the traditions which are so important to them and how sometimes, these traditions can harm as well as heal, but when Tally becomes embroiled in a local mystery involving samurai, Taiko drums and their families, Tally becomes increasingly worried, but when a curse is created, can Tally figure out how to break it before danger comes calling? This is another exhilarating tale where historical facts are woven into a fantasy adventure where time is of the essence when history, secrets and truths are combined into a mystery which will keep you reading through to the end.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
The Wandering Isles by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ian and Jarryd return for another adventure after the conclusion of The Crown of Stones trilogy. After the events of the trilogy, we get to see more of them and the world the author has created. Magic, adventure, and incredible trials await them in this standalone novella. Though I’ve read the trilogy, by the way this novella was written, anyone would feel comfortable reading this book before the others if they were so inclined. Though short, the book was well-written and paced, delivering a clear, fantastical insight into the world of the Crown of Stones.
The Wandering Isles by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am once again left in awe of the incredible talent being gifted to the world through C.L. Schneider . Reading these books is akin to bein transported into another world , complete with a deep feeling of belonging . There is true magic in this astonishing display of creativity, & I am thankful to experience it. this has been one of the most memorable stories I’ve ever been lucky enough to enjoy . Entirely entrancing, at times hauntingly lovely & achingly heart touching ; give yourself the gift of immersement in this stunning story.
Review by @lalilovely
The Wandering Isles by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really liked this book. It’s a novella with the Crown of Stones series. You can read it alone, but much easier to understand a few things if read with the rest of the series. This author really made you feel like you were in the story, like with the other ones as well. I could not put it down. Ian unknowingly sets sail to the Wandering Islands. So much adventure and some old characters pop up.
The Wandering Isles by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a novella so you can read it alone but it is nice to know a little background to the characters. It told the story of Ian very well giving you a new version you didn’t expect from the other books in the series. A unique insight into the Crown of Stone series. The books are always full of adventure and this one is just as much!
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122848309-hope-and-lies” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Hope and Lies” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1678122038l/122848309._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122848309-hope-and-lies”>Hope and Lies</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19774502.C_H_Lyn”>C.H. Lyn</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5586297876″>5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
What can I say except if you like your books dystopian in nature but with added paranormal tendencies, and you like to disappear into a story then this is certainly the book for you. <br /><br />This is the first book I have delved into by this author, and I can tell you it will not be the last, I am defiantly going to hunt down book 2 as I need to know what happens. <br /><br />In this book we follow a few distinct groups of people, some are in the past, which I found a little tricky to follow to begin with, some with special powers, some with and some without gemstones. <br /><br />Country is brought back together after a plague, and managed in a strict caste system, each has its own place in society, and from here we follow Maybelle and Kate, Juliana who meets Anthony, and Cho, Ichi, and the children. Each group has a profound impact on the story, and each interacts with the other. Towards the end it becomes clear as to how they interlink. <br /><br />I found this book all encompassing, certainly one hard to put down. The world building paints a very vivid picture, and the character development is smooth and interesting.
<br/><br/>
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/34425105-tracy”>View all my reviews</a>
Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sleeping Love is an MM Romance Fantasy story about a man named Ayo who is banished by his kingdom, but quickly finds himself on a quest to save his love, Prince Yi, and his magic. The Prince and Ayo grew up together as “brothers” but he quickly realized he loved him, but due to the prince’s cruel father, this is a path that could never be. Eventually, the king banishes Ayo, to an awful island that finds a way to kill many of its inhabitants, and steals his magic in hopes to use it for himself. Ayo comes to find out that the kingdom was put under a spell and his prince is in a deep sleep. This spell is hitting many of the realms so that the Mulluk can obtain more power, or that is at least the thought. Ayo is able to wake his prince with “a kiss”, and they begin their journey to save the kingdom and Ayo’s magic. We quickly learn that the prince feels the same way and is in love with Ayo, however, Ayo is questioning so many things because he knows Yi is hiding something. Ayo, Yi, and other comrades make their way to get Ayo’s magic back, learn about Ayo’s past, and try and save the realms.
I liked that the storyline seemed to move along quickly and is a standalone book. There were parts that I thought were odd or unnecessary due to the lack of information provided for it, but overall was a good story. It was full of humor, strength, romance, and adventure. I enjoyed the characters for the most part. Bai Qian, one of the comrades, is a female princess but wants to destroy the female persona for the time. She was a great character – she was badass, royal, strong, smart, and cunning. She was quite funny and enjoyable to read about. As for the main characters, Ayo and Yi, they too were great characters. There were times that Ayo got on my nerves because of his insecurities, but overall, he was a loving, devoted love interest. Yi was more my type of character. While he was royal, he was down-to-earth, loving, honest, and not shy about who he was. The love story uses old tales to show how powerful a kiss can be!
Bound by the Hinterlands by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Bound by Hinterlands takes a few pages to get into. It is written in Early Modern English to bring you into the piece. It is a quick book to read. It did take me a bit longer than normal because I had to rearrange my thought process. Don’t judge. The story is a tale of a woman who has a father who is abusive and has arranged a marriage. Will the arranged marriage be a fall or will she fall for this handsome stranger?
Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you want a read that fills your heart and has you believing in love again then this captivating Fairy tale retelling is for you. As other reviewers have mentioned it is a friends to lovers M/M romantic tale and in my opinion is has so much to offer the reader. This author writes such wonderful characters and creative storylines that I know I will be coming back time again to read her talented writing.
Hope and Lies by C.H. Lyn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book could occupy me for a long dang time. Where past and present flip back and forth but not in a confusing way. I really enjoyed the interesting style of the author and how well thought out her characters were. Getting to follow the different storylines was so exciting and I honestly just felt like the book gave more bang for its buck. I have never read from this author before and while the dystopian-esque style isn’t my first grab I’m learning it definitely can be. This book will capture your attention and hold it all the way through!
The Guardian of Whispers by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book in The Reeds of West Hills series. It is about The Reed family, Frank and Jon (twins) discover they have special powers. Frank can read minds and Jon can see the future. They come by this gift from their mother. They get sent to a school in Washinton State to learn to adjust to their new gifts, and with magical adventures ahead. This book is wonderfully written and perfect for kids in middle grade. I personally can’t wait to share it with my grandson who is 10 and loves to read. As an adult I loved this book and can’t wait to see what other adventures await.
Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a interesting retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Retellings are stories I enjoy because I like to see how authors make a well known story their own. The main characters in this were names Ayo and Yi. They had a sweet MM romance that was very angsty more times than not and just an fyi this story isn’t written in the 1st person so it was a little harder to connect than my normal stories but you got more sides of the story besides just the thoughts of the two mc’s. I thought the characters were good and their overall story was interesting!
Happy Reading!
Bound by the Hinterlands by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Bound by the Hinterlands is a fantasy romance tale and is an intriguing read.
The development of the story was done well. Her world building and her vivid words make the world seem real. The journey is full of darkness, panic, tension, turmoil, danger, and drama this story gets more interesting as things unfolds.
What is within the oppressive darkness in the forest?
The characters were well written, crafted, developed and real. There are those you will love and those not so much. If I came face to face with some of them, I would give them what for a taste of their own medicine.
Cressida longs for a life of her own. To be free of the constraints placed upon her. Unfortunately, that is not in the cards. Cressida is one of those characters that you become invested in. So much so that you want to grab by the hand and help her get to where she wants to be.
Will she find what she is looking for? Will she be seduced by the secrets in the darkness? Will she lose her way?
I am looking forward to seeing what Bree has in store for us next and where she will take us.
Reviewed by @jennadb
