Review: The Boneless Mercies

The Boneless Mercies

Author: April Genevieve Tucholke

Published On: 10/02/18

Page Count: 384pgs

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)

Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill 

quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having 

been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life. 

This is the first book I've read of April`s. I adored this one, It is fierce and raw,

the type of book that keeps the reader flipping pages.

Each character had depth the journey itself was impressive not just the battle

itself. There is room for more stories but as of now I am content with this one.

As a note this is supposed be a gender Beowulf story. Beowulf was a required

reading novel in school that I did actually enjoy reading. This novel however was 10x

better that it. I would love to see The Boneless Mercies and Beowulf taught side by

side. Show the potential of what classic novels could look like in the future.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: The Dark Decent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

The Dark Decent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Author: Kiersten White

Published On: 9/25/18

Page Count: 304

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)

Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are 

covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown 

into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, 

solitary boy who has everything--except a friend.

Happy 200th Anniversary Frankenstein

This is told from Elizabeth Lavenza`s point of view. A recount of Victor

Frankenstein` descent into madness.

First off Frankenstein and Dracula are my two favorite classics. White has

a way with the creepy books. I knew going I'd enjoy it just based on her writing style.

This did miss the mark for a bit. I had this feeling that I had read parts of it

before but cannot figure out from where. There were just some events that occured

that I was like “Oh behind that door this happens..” I think that is way I opted for a half

star rating that a full 4 stars.

I enjoyed Justine, Mary and Henry`s parts they played in Elizabeth`s story. She is

fierce and plotting when it comes to tracking down Victor. We all know the tale of

Frankenstein and the creation of his monster but what we don't get to know is the

younger Victor. Elizabeth is brought to be friends with Victor since he has a harder

time relating to others his age.  He is fierce and passionate in a creepy way and

Elizabeth is able to control Victor by using a calming voice and slow movements.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Muse of Nightmares

Muse of Nightmares

Author: Laini Taylor

Published On: 10/2/18

Page Count: 528

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)

In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo nor Sarai are who they were before. 

One a god, the other a ghost, they struggle to grasp the new boundaries of their selves 

as dark-minded Minya holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep.

SO MANY SPOILERS AHEAD SO PREPARE FOR GUSHING

Two stories intertwined into one absolutely stunning novel. We get to see some

more of Lazlo and Sarai`s relationship grow even with her accident from book one.

The fact her sister was able to catch her soul/spirit was great but now that she can

control Sarai she has begun to waver on total madness.

Muse doesn`t have as many crazy fight scenes or “Action” as Strange. I do think this

one is my favorite out of the two though. This is a duology so growing too attached to

characters is not recommended. I did not follow that advice. Finishing the book was

bittersweet. It is one I will be rereading for sure.

If you loved book one I can promise you book two will deliver a story that fills you

with raw emotion. Weep will forever share a place in my heart. Prior to going to book

expo this last May I started on a tattoo that blended a few of my favorite novels. I

knew I wanted to get something that reminded me not just of Muse but of all of

Laini`s books. I opted to get a Lunar Moth.  

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Beyond a Darkened Shore

Beyond a Darkened Shore

Author: Jessica Leake

Published On: 4/10/18

Page Count: 435

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)

The ancient land of Éirinn is mired in war. Ciara, Princess of Mide, has 

never known a time when Éirinn’s kingdoms were not battling for power, or 

Northmen were not plundering their shores. 

Once I was able to sit down I really got into this one. I love how the story

combines the Old Gods in with the new ones. I was truly invested in the characters.

There was proper horse riding references which made me smile. There were also

flashbacks and an incredible fight scene within the first three chapters.

Ciara and Leif are thrust together even though they are warriors meant to kill one

another. Their forced friendship is a trope in itself, enemies to lovers… or at least

companions. Their relationship isnt forced which is nice and not overwhelming.

The book flows well and I look forward to Jessica`s next novel. I did read the Into

the White Wood which releases in 2019 might make reference to a few of the

characters in this novel . I do hope to get more of Ciara and Leif kicking ass in

later stories.

Overall a pretty decent story with Norse mythology intertwined. Once you get into

the story the pages fly by.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Part of Your World

Part of Your World

Author: Liz Braswell

Published On: 9/4/18

Page Count: 480pgs

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)

What if Ariel had never defeated Ursula? Five years after the (twisted) events 

of the film, Ariel is now the queen of Atlantica, and Ursula is running Eric's kingdom 

on land. But when the sea witch threatens Atlantica once more, Ariel finds herself 

returning to a world (and a prince) she thought she'd left behind forever.

Quick fun read. I enjoy these types of twisted tales that Liz Braswell writes. This is

set five years after Ariel's My little Mermaid story that we know.

Ariel is now the Queen of Atlantica while Ursula disguised as Princess Vanessa

rules Eric`s kingdom. Eric spends his hours writing plays and seems out of place and

foggy. When Ariel is told King Triton is alive she knows she must break her rule of

resurfacing and go find him.

We get to see characters from the original Disney tale. This part made it really

fun since this was one of my favorite Disney stories. I will say this is straight from

Disney and not from the original dark tale of mermaids.

Seeing Ariel as a mature merwoman really meant a lot because she was a favorite

growing up. She is faced with choices she must handle alone and her reposnses

aren`t always correct.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Contagion

Contagion

Author: Erin Bowman

Published On:7/24/18

Page Count: 432pgs

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)

It got in us

After receiving an urgent SOS from a work detail on a distant planet, a skeleton 

crew is 

dispatched to perform a standard search-and-rescue mission.

Most are dead.

But when the crew arrives, they find an abandoned site, littered with 

rotten food, 

discarded weapons…and dead bodies.

Don't set foot here again.

A Stunning sci-fi novel that feels like ALien meets the Illuminae Files. I loved it

and could hardly put it down. Finishing it in under 8hrs. The sequel for this is going

to have a lot to live up to with both action and characters.

The tension or suspense was not a huge driving factor Which I found to be odd

just because I would have liked to have that hold your breathe jump scare aspect.

Although a bit of a rocky start once the attacks and dying began it just couldn`t stop.

Thea is a high school intern for a renowned scientist. She is asked to step up to

the plate to handle situation after situation that she should never have been placed in

to begin with. NOva is a pilot in a similar position as Thea. She is looking to earn a spot

flying even though she has her own problems.

You do get a POV from a survivor of the original crew everyone else was sent

to rescue. I won`t talk about him since the first warning all readers receive was

“Don't Trust the kid.” So with that I urge you to go grab a copy and see what you

think of this survivor and group of misfits just trying to get off this planet alive

and untouched.

TTFN,
Ashley

Review: The Shadow Queen

Title: The Shadow Queen

Author: C.J. Redwine

Publisher: Balzer + Bray Harper Collins

Pages: 387

Synopsis (from GoodReads):

Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the

wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father.

To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in

common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the

most dangerous

sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

Rating: 5/5

Snow White retold with Dragons? Yes! I loved this book, I could not put it down.

The twist C.J. put on a traditional story is wonderful. The poisoned apples, a daughter

that cares more about her father and brother than she does herself, and learning what

she can do with her magic. Lorelai flees with her brother leaving their father behind

because he told them to run. They hide in secret from the woman responsible for

the death of their father, and trying to take back what belongs to them.

Lorelai and Leo, with the help of Kol, a Draconi from Eldr; work together to

keep Lorelai hidden from the false queen of Ravenspire, and to keep the spell

Irina put on Kol from killing Lorelai, and take back the crown that is rightfully hers.

Review: Escaping from Houdini

Title: Escaping from Houdini

Author:Kerri Maniscalco

Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Books

Pages:416

Synopsis:(from GoodReads)

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell,

are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking

on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they’re delighted

to discover a traveling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain

charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly.

5/5 Stars.  

Oh my goodness, this was one of my most wanted reads for 2018 and it did

not disappoint. Audrey Rose and Thomas are probably one of my favorite fictional couples

out there. I devoured this book! (like I did with Stalking Jack the Ripper and Hunting Prince

Dracula) I’m very fond of Audrey Rose as she is determined to make a name for herself in a

career that is looked down upon for a woman in her day in age. Cresswell keeps going back

and forth on my favorite character’s list. I also enjoyed that we’ve gotten to see more of

Cousin Liza in book 2 and 3. I DO NOT LIKE MEPHISTOPHELES. I know his character played

well into this storyline, but he got between Thomas and Audrey. Now Houdini on the other

hand, I found quite the perfect character for the role he played. The ending has

currently left me devastated in the status of #Cressworth. So I will definitely have to

compare my ARC to finished copy. I also love the historical events that Kerri has been

able to turn into page-turning reads.

I look forward to what tale happens in New York City during the fourth installment of

the Stalking Jack  the Ripper series! I’m also incredibly grateful to have gotten to meet Kerri

at BEA this year.

Review: Sea Witch

Sea Witch

Author: Sarah Henning

Published On: 7/31/18

Page Count: 368pgs

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)

Everyone knows what happens in the end. A mermaid, a prince, 

a true love’s kiss. 

But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends. One feared, one royal, 

and one already dead.

Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her 

small fishing town. 

A freak. A curse. A witch. 

Mermaids and Sirens seem to be the theme this year. I did enjoy this twist on a

known story. I would say this is the prequel of Little Mermaid that I didn't know

I needed.

Some parts of the story seemed a bit slow while others were rushed. I would

rate higher is the speed/pacing was more even or had a build up and drop.  

I do enjoy a good villain story and Sea Witch does delivery with that.

Evie and NIk`s relationship is interesting because the reader is able to see the

obvious  while the characters themselves are blind. Ikir was a character I didn't

care for and though he did add a bit to the drama side of things he wasn't as

fleshed out as I'd hoped.

The focus of friendship and revenge is the primary storyline while mermaids and

magic are intertwined. Evie`s best friend drowned when they were younger and

now this mysterious girl arrives looking just like the deceased Anna. Annette is

an od girl and it doesn't take long for Evie and Her grandmother to realize what

she truly is. With old friendships rekindling and new ones forming how many

secrets can Evie keep.