Tag Archives: fantasy

Top 10 Tuesday — Top Books Read in 2019

31 Dec

It is always hard to compile a best of list every year. I read a lot of really good books in 2019. A. Lot. But in going back through the archives, I found the following eleven that captured my imagination, touched my emotions, and made me think about my world and myself long after I closed the cover. The books are a mixed bag of genres — speculative, allegory, dual timeline, contemporary, and historical — so basically something for every taste. I hope one grabs your interest and you find a great read! (The links are to my reviews.)

For more Best Books of 2019 lists, visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

 

Best Books Read in 2019

All Manner of Things by Susie Finkbeiner

The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings

Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton

 

The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke

The Plum Blooms in Winter by Linda Thompson

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

The Secrets of Paper And Ink by Lindsay Harrel

 

A Silver Willow by The Shore by Kelli Stuart

The Story Peddler by Lindsay Franklin

We Hope for Better Things by Erin Bartels

Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green

 

 

 

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Top 10 Tuesday: 2016 Releases I Didn’t Read (But Should)

10 Jan

My TBR pile has reached staggering heights since I started blogging. Is it possible to have too many books? I think the problem is really not enough time to read — stuff like laundry and work just keeps getting in the way! In an effort to read what is on my shelves in 2017, I am practicing saying no to shiny new books. We’ll see how long that lasts. 😉 In the meantime, here is a list of the books that were released in 2016 that I failed to read, but really, really plan to. Can we put a freeze on 2017 releases until I get caught up?

For other bloggers woefully behind on their reading, check out The Broke And The Bookish this week.

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2016 Books That I Need to Read

The Cottage by Michael Phillips

Delilah by Angela Hunt

Dressed for Death by Julianna Deering

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The End of Law by Therese Down

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hall by Julie Klassen

Lead Me Home by Amy Sorrells

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The Shattered Vigil by Patrick Carr

Sins of The Past by Dee Henderson/Dani Pettrey/Lynette Eason

You’re The One That I Want by Susan May Warren

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Have you read any of these 2016 releases?

Which one should I read first?

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Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour: Starflower

17 Dec

210269_w185When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps the lovely Lady Gleamdren, Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission… and a race against his rival for Gleamdren’s favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal.

But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren’s rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?

My Impressions:

Anne Elizabeth Stengl writes fantasy with an emphasis on fairy tale. Her latest book in The Tales of Goldstone Woods series is a prequel of sorts, set hundreds of years before her first novel, Heartless. In Starflower, the world of the Faerie is disturbed by a long thought dead dragon and a mortal girl. Their fates were entwined years before in the Land Behind the Mountains. Now brought together through a series of serendipitous events, they form an alliance to defeat a common enemy.

Having never read one of Stengl’s novels, I was uncertain about reading book 4 in a series, but these novels are marketed as standalones, so I took a shot. Starflower starts out as an epic quest to recover the kidnapped cousin of a faery queen. The faeries change shape as determined by their basic natures. The poet becomes a cat, the guard a badger, the kidnapped cousin a canary. Although a dangerous adventure awaits them, they have a low tolerance for fear due to their immortal status. The characters have some ironic moments as well, adding a bit of the fractured to this fairy tale. But when Starflower, a mortal girl, enters the mix, the stakes are raised. The novel seemed a bit uneven to me. I had a hard time engaging in the rescue story. It was not until part 2, Starflower’s story, that I became immersed in the story. I wish Stengl had spent less time on the endless chase through the ruined demesne of the dragon and gotten down to the real story quicker.

The faith message of the novel also comes towards the end. There are plenty of symbols and allusions earlier on, but they seem a bit distracting rather than enlightening. I did like the transformation of Eanrin from selfish cat/poet to one willing to take a chance with love. And love is the pervading theme — how it enslaves and frees.

All in all, I would recommend Starflower to fantasy fans. I am not so sure that other readers would stick with the story long enough to enjoy it. I have Heartless on my Kindle and Moonblood on my shelf and will eventually pick them up, but my experience with Starflower did not move them to the top of the pile.

To find out what others on the tour are saying, click on the links below.

Gillian Adams
April Erwin
Nikole Hahn
Bruce Hennigan
Janeen Ippolito
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Dona Watson
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler

(I received Starflower in conjunction with the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog tour. All opinions are mine alone.)

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Book Review: The Spirit Well

24 Oct

Kit Livingstone is on a quest for the ultimate treasure—a tattooed map to an alternate universe! When he witnesses Arthur Flinders-Petrie carry his dead wife into a pool of light—and emerge with her alive—Kit wonders if The Spirit Well is the secret of the map. And if it is, can Arthur’s ruthless great-grandson be far behind?

 

 

 

(From the author’s website) — Stephen Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. He was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. His early life was lived in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological seminary for two years.

His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.

After a brief and unsuccessful foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he launched his free-lance career in 1981. In the Hall of the Dragon King was his first novel.

In 1986 the Lawhead family moved to Britain so that Stephen could conduct research for the PENDRAGON CYCLE books. They settled there permanently in 1990, with some years spent living in Austria and a sabbatical in the United States.

In addition to his twenty-four novels, he has written nine children’s books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, with whom he has collaborated on books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.

Stephen’s non-fiction, fiction and children’s titles have variously been published in twenty-four foreign languages. He has won numerous industry awards, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.

His middle name is ‘Ray’.

 

My Impressions:

First off, The Spirit Well is book 3 in a 5 book series. (Books 4 & 5 are yet to be published.) You would do well to read the first two first (click HERE for links to my reviews of books 1 & 2). I have read several reviews this week that said the readers had little trouble picking up with this story starting with book 3. I on the other hand would be horribly lost, somewhat like Kit is in his caveman era. See, you need to start at the beginning. That being said, I really liked The Spirit Well. A lot of the background to what has been going on with the characters is told, some questions are answered and the characters that I like, namely Mina are expanded. I also like the new strong female character that is introduced in this volume.

So what is the book about? Ley travel. Oh my, it is complicated and as my husband stated last night may be too much for me because it may involve math! But don’t worry if you are numerically challenged, the characters are involved in a big quest for a map made of skin (human) and they travel from world to world, location to location and reality to reality with a minimum of fuss and just a bit of nausea. The newest character to the series, paleontologist and PhD candidate Cassandra Clarke even gets a list of essentials for ley travel from her new mentor. Besides the boots, loose clothing and gold sovereigns, I would add a language translator. Learn a foreign language or 2 or 3 before attempting ley travel! Kit gets into a lot of sticky spots because of his neglect of foreign language training.

The Spirit Well continues the epic adventure well. It is a wonder of fantastical writing, great research and endearing characters. Also you will love to hate the bad guys! So if you like fantasy on the grand scale, go out and get books 1 – 3 of Stephen Lawhead’s Bright Empires series.

Highly Recommended.

 

To find out what others think of this epic adventure, click on the links below:

Jim Armstrong
Julie Bihn
Red Bissell
Jennifer Bogart 
Thomas Clayton Booher
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Brenda Castro
Jeff Chapman
Christine
Karri Compton
Theresa Dunlap
Emmalyn Edwards
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Jeremy Harder
Bruce Hennigan
Timothy Hicks
Janeen Ippolito
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Emileigh Latham
Rebekah Loper
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Anna Mittower
Joan Nienhuis
Lyn Perry
Nathan Reimer
Chawna Schroeder
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Dona Watson
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler

 

(I received a copy of The Spirit Well from the publisher.)

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CSSF Blog Tour Day 2 — Wingfeather Saga

20 Sep

This month the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour is featuring Andrew Peterson‘s newest book, Monster In The Hollows. Since it is book 3 in the Wingfeather Saga (with one more on the way), I thought it would be good to let you know about the first two books in the series.

On The Edge Of The Dark Sea Of Darkness. When the three Igiby siblings find a mysterious map, they embark on an adventure to discover family secrets about the father they never knew and a hidden treasure that many have long desired to find. Leeli, the youngest, can sing with a beauty that captivates dragons; Tink, the middle sibling, has the makings of a king; and Janner, the eldest, possesses a bravery that will protect them all. But the children’s curiosity get the entire Igiby family into trouble with the Fangs of Dang—frightening, scaly-skinned, lizard creatures that drip venom—who have ruled the land of Scree since the Great War. Soon, the Igibys are scrambling for their lives.

North!  Or Be Eaten.  Janner, Tink, and Leeli Igiby thought they were normal children with normal lives and a normal past. But now they know they’re really the Lost Jewels of Anniera, heirs to a legendary kingdom across the sea, and suddenly everyone wants to kill them.  In order to survive, the Igibys must flee to the safety of the Ice Prairies, where the lizardlike Fangs of Dang cannot follow. First, however, they have to escape the monsters of Glipwood Forest, the thieving Stranders of the East Bend, and the dreaded Fork Factory.  But even more dangerous are the jealousies and bitterness that threaten to tear them apart, and Janner and his siblings must learn the hard way that the love of a family is more important than anything else.

Tomorrow I will post my review of Monster In The Hollows, but for now, check out what others on the tour are saying:

Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Jennifer Bogart 
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Cynthia Dyer
Amber French
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
Eve Nielsen  (post will be later this month)
Joan Nienhuis
Donita K. Paul
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Tammy Shelnut
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White

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Christian Science Fiction And Fantasy Blog Tour — The Monster In The Hollows

19 Sep

This month’s book pick for the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour is Andrew Peterson’s The Monster In The Hollows (book 3 in The Wingfeather Saga), a young adult fantasy adventure.  Here is some information about the book and its author.  Tomorrow I will highlight books 1 and 2 in the series and on Wednesday I will post my review.  (Last week was crazy, so I am still reading the book!)

Janner Wingfeather’s father was the High King of Anniera. But his father is gone. The kingdom has fallen. The royal family is on the run, and the Fang armies of Gnag the Nameless are close behind.

Janner and his family hope to find refuge in the last safe place in the world: the Green Hollows—a land of warriors feared even by Fangs of Dang. But there’s a big problem. Janner’s little brother-heir to the throne of Anniera-has grown a tail. And gray fur. Not to mention two pointed ears and long, dangerous fangs. To the suspicious folk of the Green Hollows he looks like a monster.

But Janner knows better. His brother isn’t as scary as he looks. He’s perfectly harmless.

Or is he?

Join the Wingfeathers on an adventure filled with mystery, betrayal, and sneakery in a land of tasty fruits. There’s a monster on the loose and the truth lurks in the shadows.

From The Author’s Website:

Andrew Peterson — Hey, folks. If you’re just discovering me or any of my work, it can be a little confusing because there are several facets to it. If you don’t have time to read the whole bio below, here’s the rundown:

• I write songs.  I also record them to these cool things called CDs and put on concerts around the country. (And beyond! To my great delight, I get to play in Europe every year or so.)

• I write books.  Right now I’m writing four-part fantasy series for young readers called the Wingfeather Saga. I just published the third book, The Monster in the Hollows. I also illustrated some of the pictures (but not the coolest ones). The last book in the series should be published by next Christmas.

• I’m the proprietor of the Rabbit Room, a community of songwriters, authors, and artists interested in storytelling, faith, and fellowship.

• I’m a proud member of the Square Peg Alliance, a happy band of singer/songwriters who write together, tour together, and eat together.

• I’ve been married for fifteen years to Jamie, and we have three sweet children: Aedan (12), Asher (11), and Skye (8). We live in a magical place we call the Warren, just south of Nashville.

The common thread in all this is my love for Christ and his Kingdom, my belief in the power of story and art, and my need for family and community. If I had to boil it all down, I’d say this: I want to use my gifts to tell the truth, and to tell it as beautifully as I can.

To read what others on the blog tour are saying about Andrew and his book, follow the links below:

Gillian Adams
Red Bissell
Jennifer Bogart 
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
Cynthia Dyer
Amber French
Nikole Hahn
Ryan Heart
Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirriam Neal
Eve Nielsen
Joan Nienhuis
Donita K. Paul
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Tammy Shelnut
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant

(I received a copy of The Monster In The Hollows from Bozeman Media in return for a review.  Any opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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