Worlds Unseen by Rachel Starr Thomson (Book Review)

Worlds Unseen by Rachel Starr Thomson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Again I found this gem of a book on the freebie ebook list on Kobo. Being on a tight budget but an avid reader without a car to make it to the library all the time, I am constantly on the lookout for good books that I can read without hurting my pocket. The least I can do for these great freebies is rate and sometimes get around to writing reviews. It is also a great way to find new authors.

I will begin by saying I really liked this book and I am now hooked!

In Worlds Unseen, Thomson has created a special world in her book. This world is filled with many great characters, a plight to save the world, diabolical enemies, unexpected heroes, heartbreaking losses, and hopeful victories. The classic good vs evil storyline always gets my interest along with a strong female lead character. I also really enjoy fantasy books that work outside the box and hint at great possibilities. Rachel Starr Thomson accomplished all of this and much more in this book. A bonus to this book I had not realized until after I was submerged into her world was the strong Christian allegory throughout the story that reminded me of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.

The story is told through many character perspectives which helps give a broader view of this new world. However, it is the plight of the unexpected main characters, Maggie and a boy named Nicolas that really establishes this story for me. There is a hint of deeper things going on in the world that Maggie unknowingly steps in when she helps an old man and becomes determined to grant his last wish and is determined to find the answers to the tragedies from her past. Nicolas is pulled into the story when he happens upon Maggie who is in trouble and feels the need to help her fend off some unsavory characters in a back alley. After taking her to a safe Inn he continues on his journey, never liking to be in cities for long, but on his way, he hears a disturbing voice and knows Maggie is still in trouble from something way worse than a couple of street thugs. Compelled to race back to the Inn to save Maggie once again before whatever that is looking for her finds her first. What is after Maggie is more than what anyone would ever think is real, it is something evil and otherworldly. Will Nicolas be able to help her, will they be able to flee and find some way to overcome this evil, will Maggie be able to complete her quest and find the answers she seeks? The ending of this book answers some of these but leaves you with more questions as the quest evolves into something more. I can't wait to continue on the journey and discover what both Maggie and Nicolas and the other characters will do to help start a revolution and save their world from impending evil.



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Getting Wilde by Jenn Stark (Book Review)

Getting Wilde by Jenn Stark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I came across this book on the freebie ebook list via Kobo. I read the synopsis and it sounded like it would be an interesting read. As it turnded out I was glad I downloaded this book to my overdrive on my phone, as I did enjoy the read.

Without giving away too many spoilers, I will say I really liked the characters in this book. The main heroine so to speak Sara Wilde has a lot of stuff going on in her past & present that she needs to figure out to help her in the future. There is alot of action in this story and those moments of frustration where you want to shake the main character but are still hooked to see how things will turn out. About the only thing I could do with out was the odd "romance" scenes, they were just a bit too graphic for my liking. I personally don't mind a bit of hinting but really I do not need to know play by play detail. I also found it frustrating how the main character just seem too confused about her own feelings and why she is so scared about the whole thing. I really do hope that gets explained in the sequels. This is definitely a book that caught my attention and I did not want to put it down, the ending leaves you hanging a bit and I will be looking forward to reading the next book to find out where Sara story leads.


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Review: The Thompson-Chain Reference Study Bible-KJV

The Thompson-Chain Reference Study Bible-KJV by Anonymous
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This bible was a gift back in 2011 and I will say it has been one of the best gifts ever! I love God's word, each time you read a whole new layer comes to light!

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Review: Nuts in May

Nuts in May by Cornelia Otis Skinner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of those treasure finds! A hilarious book/play that is well written and really an easy read, that will have you laughing out loud!

I had never heard of Cornelia Otis Skinner, until my daughter's acting troupe decided to do the play "Nuts in May." I spent that weekend reading the play and looking up Cornelia Otis Skinner and was dumbstruck that I had not heard of her before. I now have a new (old) author to add to my list! The only draw back is that much of Cornelia's writings are hard to find, but really well worth the hunt!

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Review: Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this collection of short stories, from the Mercy Thompson world. Each story was from a different characters view point and either was an orgin story or story that filled out some of the different characters in her books. I found this to be very refreshing and it was nice to get a different look into Mercy Thompson world from perspectives that were not hers and getting to know some of the other characters better, especially those that do not make many appearances otherwise. Though I will give a warning as the author does at the beginning of the book, there are a few spoilers throughout, so if you are new to Mercy Thompson world, or not up-to-date with the series (Night Broken), you may not want to read this book (yet). That is if you don't like spoilers. ;)

Patricia Briggs has become one of my favorite authors over this last year. She has a relaxed way of writing and I also really love her scene and character discriptions, that bring her books to life, I just sort of sink into her world. That is one thing I really look forward to when I open a good book or reading any good story, I want to be able to sink into that world and see it come to life!

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Review: Heir of Fire

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked up the book and litterally could not put it down! I really enjoy the way Sarah J Maas writes and has a way of wrapping her world around yours while you read, that is a huge plus in my book. I am so glad I had the next book waiting, I hate being left on cliffs to hang around! I am eager to find out what happens in the world of Celeana Sardothien, so many exciting things are going on!

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Review: Fire

Fire by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is an exciting tale of the other side of the mountians where monsters live in all sorts of vibrant colors. Where civil war threatens the land and one girl discovers herself and is faced with some life altering decisions. Will she continue on in an as much as possible ambiguous way, or will she meet the challenges faced before her and help save the kingdom?

So far I will have to say this is my favorite book to the Graceling Realm books. I found this book to be very exciting and was sad the story was over. I wanted to know more about Fire's life and how things continue on. It would be great if Cashore adds a continuence to Fire's story in the future.

Unlike the first story (Graceling) which I did enjoy, I felt more connected and related better with Fire's story and character. The first book had an interesting story which kept me going, though some of the character developement felt forced. By the time you are into the second book (which I am glad I continued reading the series!), Cashores character developement and scene descriptions have matured. It is as if she were having fun with the characters in this story and really delving into a deeper level of a story-telling.

I am sad to leave Fire's story behind, it really was a very good read. I do look forward to reading the next book, "BitterBlue," which hopefully will round off the trilogy and tie things together or maybe it will open the story to future Graceling adventures! Which I would certiantly look forward to reading!


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Review: Twelve Years a Slave

Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An incredible story of hope, faith, and resilience. This book did not read as a non-fiction, once I started reading I could not put it down!

I found Solomon such a good story teller it was easy to slip back into time as an unseen witness to his crucible. The fluid language of the era and his strong sense of belief's definetly gave a different first hand viewpoint to one of the most darker sides of American history. I experienced a whole range of emotion, from joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness; knowing it is a true story made it all the more touching!

I recomend this book to anyone that wants an inspring story, a look into history, and well are not satisfied with just surving but want to live!

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