Review: Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Title: Anya and the Dragon

Author: Sofiya Pasternack

Narrator:Laura Knight Keating

Audio Length: 7hr 57min

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Anya and the Dragon is the story of fantasy and mayhem in tenth century

Eastern Europe, where headstrong eleven-year-old Anya is a daughter of the

only Jewish family in her village. When her family’s livelihood is threatened

by a bigoted magistrate, Anya is lured in by a friendly family of fools

Thoughts:

A Middle grade fantasy handling the topic of Jewish ostracization in a brilliant way.

Raised to not stand out Anya does the exact opposite when it comes to the new

boy in town. She has a friend even if he is a fool who believes anything magical

is harmful.When Ivan`s father enlistee Anya`s help in hunting down the last

dragon she is more than willing to help. The issue… what happens when the

“evil” dragon becomes your savior?

This did read very middle grade and fell a little flat but being as I'm 25 and

this is made for a younger audience I upped the star by one. I really enjoyed

the family dynamic and the education that both children receive. 

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow

Title: Ten Thousand Doors of January

Author: Alix Harrow

Narrator: January LaVoy

Audio Length:12hr 21min

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller

is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little

different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely

ignored, and utterly out of place.

Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds,

and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger.

Thoughts:

I would recommend this for beings in love with magical worlds, fans of Traci Chee

“Sea of Ink and Gold” and Erin Morgenstern`s “The Starless Sea.”

Spoilers Ahead

I really enjoyed how January was reading her own story and never realized

it until the 4th wall was broken. I was so invested in her finding the door to

the ocean again that I couldn't stop listening. The concept of walking through

a door to get to another world isn't new. There`s Narnia for example, however

I found the adventure of finding the doors to be the best part.

January grows into quite the young woman during the novel. Having a dad

that is frequently gone and a man who feels the need to show her off as if she

is a trophy has taught her a thing or two about being on her own. What January

doesn't realize is there are a lot of people (and a dog) on her side. She might not

see the support until it's right in front of her face but it is there. 

The ending ties up nicely but I believe there is room to add more to the world of

doors and January`s adventure. 

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim

Title: Scavenge The Stars

Author: Tara Sim

Page Count:336

Rating:5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

When Amaya rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, she fears her

rash actions have earned her a longer sentence on the debtor ship where she’s

been held captive for years. Instead, the man she saved offers her unimaginable

riches and a new identity

Thoughts:

I wish I had dived into my ARC sooner and was able to go to the launch party. This

was so much more than a genderbent Count of Monte Cristo.  Sometimes revenge

takes time, the issue is time teaches that revenge isn`t always the answer. 

Starting with Amaya- Silverfish and her time aboard the Brackish really helped you

understand how she was being pushed to not only save herself but the other children

on the debtor ship. When given the opportunity to save not only herself but everyone

she says yes without thinking. 

Cayo loves his sister more than his gambling addiction. This is very important to

remember because he is tested so many times. The subject of a gambling addiction

was really well written. That high of winning and just floating felt real. Cayo is not his

father but he will do whatever it takes to make sure his sister is taken care of. 

Ash Fever is plaguing Moray and no one knows how to cure it only lessen the symptoms.

Cayo will resort to bad habits if it means his sister can live. Amaya will protect the

children before it can affect her. 

Children should never have to pay for the parent's sins. Scavenge the Stars teaches

us that not all children are like their parents and sometimes revenge isn't always easy.

The pacing is a little slow but with twists that I didn't see coming made it a five star for

me. I did not want to put the book down and go to sleep. Knowing there is a book two

made the pacing worth it.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Blood Heir by Amelie Wen Zhao

Title:Blood Heir

Author: Amelie Wen Zhao

Narrator:

Audio Length: 13hr 57min

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are reviled. Their varied gifts to control the

world around them are unnatural—dangerous. And Anastacya Mikhailov, the

crown princess, has a terrifying secret. Her deadly Affinity to blood is her curse

and the reason she has lived her life hidden behind palace walls.

Thoughts:

The oblivious sheltered princess who thinks her country functions when in reality

Cryilian Empire enslaves the Affinites who are mostly children. Ana is on a

mission to find who killed her father. Along the way Ana is able to understand her

kingdom and its wrongdoings in ways she couldn't as princess. 

The one man who can help solve the mystery of who killed her father is a notorious

crime lord Ramson. He is a sly little fox and gets under Ana`s skin a lot more than

she wants. I found his character to be the most interesting and hope to get a bit more

of his story moving forward. 

I`m looking forward to book two “Red Tigress.” Although frustrating at times Ana is

a great character to follow. She has a need for retribution and needs to clear her

name. The ending of Blood Heir leaves plenty of room for two more books.

TTFN, Ashley

Review: A Heart so Fierce and Broken

Title: A Heart so Fierce and Broken

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Narrator: Melissa Bayern, Matt Reeves, Kate Handford, Davis Brooks

Audio Length: 13hr 29min

Rating: 3/5

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Find the heir, win the crown.

The curse is finally broken, but Prince Rhen of Emberfall faces darker troubles

still. Rumors circulate that he is not the true heir and that forbidden magic

has been unleashed in Emberfall. Although Rhen has Harper by his side,

his guardsman Grey is missing, leaving more questions than answers.

Thoughts:

Took nearly a third of the book for me to be interested in anything other than

Grey. I enjoyed finally getting to have more of his story and how he could change

the future of Emberfall. The sad thing is a was never invested in anyone else`s story.

Grey was a solid character in book one however he started to waiver in this one.

The whole plot line of Grey being the rightful heir and running from Rhen

so as not to upset him is a little childish. The whole plot issue could have been

fixed if they sat down and Grey told Rhen he was heir but would give the rights

of the throne to him. Simple and no war or bloodshed between the brothers. 

Lia Mara is introduced in this second book and she feels like a knock off Harper.

Yes she is book smart and sees the errors of her mother`s kingdom of Syhl Shallow.

Other than putting two and two together about Grey being heir and helping him so

isn't very interesting. She loves her sister and does nothing to stand up to her mother.

If she was truly looking out for her country she would force her mother's hand and

insist on there not being a war. 

Noah and Jacob got to play a longer part in the novel but mainly because they

want to go home. They made the best of the bad situation they were put into.

Then you have Rhen, he spent all of book one trying not to be a bad guy but then

here we are and he is whipping his people and torturing the only man that ever

stayed loyal to him. What type of character story is that. Oh and Harper...you

know the girl that saves Rhen and Grey in book one she is just a back character

who pops up when needed but is now quiet and subdued.

I want to know what happens in the large war between brothers but unfortunately

I don't think I want to invest more time (or 300 pages) to find out what happens.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Slayer by Kiersten White

Title: Slayer

Author: Kiersten White

Narrator:

Page Count:

Audio Length: 11hr 59min

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Into every generation a Slayer is born…

Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up

 at the Watcher’s Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. 

Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers—girls gifted with supernatural strength to 

fight the forces of darkness.

Thoughts:

I grew up watching Angel not Buffy but the good news is this series isn`t just for

die-hard Buffy fans. Nina hates Slayers and all they represent. What happens

when the person who has been pushed aside all their life becomes Chosen?

Kiersten does an amazing job at answering this main question as well as others

that pop up.

Watchers, Slayers and the end of the World.

I am super excited to add that I was able to attend a signing for book

two Chosen.

So here is a little bit of my experience while there.

Prior to the signing, I was invited to a little pizza meet and greet. I was so nervous

leading up to the event mostly due to not knowing who all was attending. The anxiety

quickly disappeared as I was greeted by a room full of fellow bookworms. My brain did

take a little time to process that I was sitting across from Kiersten, next to Katy Rose

Pool and chatting about “chicken”dessert pizza with Kayln. The environment was

welcoming and relaxed. There wasn't any worry about only talking books. It was nice

to sit and chat about life and upcoming projects.

Overall the first event of 2020 started off awesome. I`m looking forward to my next drive

down in February.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Children of Virtue and Vengeance

Title: Children of Virtue and Vengeance

Author: Tomi Adeyemi

Narrator: Bahni Turpin

Audio Length:13hr 27min

Rating:4/5

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

After battling the impossible, Zélie and Amari have finally succeeded in bringing

magic back to the land of Orïsha. But the ritual was more powerful than they could’ve

imagined, reigniting the powers of not only the maji, but of nobles with magic ancestry,

too.

Now, Zélie struggles to unite the maji in an Orïsha where the enemy is just as

powerful as they are. But when the monarchy and military unite to keep control of

Orïsha, Zélie must fight to secure Amari's right to the throne and protect the

new maji from the monarchy's wrath.

Thoughts:

I'm beyond grateful that I listened to last three hours alone in my car. I was crying

and so emotionally invested. It had been a bit between book one and this that it took

a little bit to remember everyone and what was happening. Hopefully book three will

be here without a two year wait.

A kingdom divided not in half but in thirds. Can Zelie set aside her differences and

find a way to create a peaceful Orisha? Will Amari start learning to take responsibility

for the choices she has made? This book answers a lot of those questions but I'm

sure after the cliffhanger book three will be amazing.

TTFN,
Ashley

Review: The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith

Title: The Vine Witch

Author: Luanne G. Smith

Narrator: Susannah Jones

Audio Length: 8hr 42min

Rating:4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

A young witch emerges from a curse to find her world upended in this gripping

fantasy of betrayal, vengeance, and self-discovery set in turn-of-the-century France.

For centuries, the vineyards at Château Renard have depended on the talent of

their vine witches, whose spells help create the world-renowned wine of the

Chanceaux Valley. Then the skill of divining harvests fell into ruin when sorcière

Elena Boureanu was blindsided by a curse.

Thoughts:

This has so much potential to have more books. I`ve never been interested in wine

making but this novel had me wanting to book a wine tour in Napa and try it all.

The narrator is incredible, lending a different voice to each character we meet.

My only complaint,which isn't a bad thing- is the length. Nine hours was barely

enough time to devour this book. I will say there are a couple twists some are

easier for the reader to figure out than others. 

I wouldn`t call this a fairytale but some reviews have. Yes there are witches,

curses and magic but this story has so much more. Family not by blood is strong

and there are some emotional attachments that form with certain characters.

I look forward to whatever Luanne is working on next. For now I will go on an

adventure and try some new wines and think about how maybe a vine witch

helped the grapes grow.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Reverie by Ryan La Sala

Title: Reverie

Author: Ryan La Sala

Narrator: Michael Crouch

Audio Length: 11hr 18min

Rating: 2.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

So when three of his classmates claim to be his friends and the only people who can

tell him what's truly going on, he doesn't know what to believe or who he can trust.

But as he and the others are dragged into unimaginable worlds that materialize out

of nowhere Kane realizes that nothing in his life is an accident, and only he can stop

their world from unraveling.

Thoughts:

This was a weird book. The first nine chapters was just me questioning if Kane

was just mentally insane. The whole concept of diving into strangers` dreams and

helping to carry them out was so awesome. It felt like the story dropped us in the

middle instead of leading up to the chaos. 

This was B&N YA Book Club pick so I was interested in attending my local store

to hear what others thought. Sure enough like normal it was myself and an employee.

I do not believe I have attended a single one of these with the same leader.

It's a little disappointing. 

Overall the consensus was the book had a great concept but was poorly executed. 

TTFN,

Ashley