Action Adventure

2.5/5 stars The Guardian of the Light Trial by Fire and Ice by Shaun Connaughton

Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, Fantasy , , ,
picture from audible

Narrated by David Reimer and Jessica Weyman

Run Time: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Genre: fantasy; YA with adult character

Summary:

Shane takes a few months off from being Santa Claus, goes home, and immediately tells his friend, breaking one of like 3 major rules he was given to abide by (keep magic secret). His argument is it’s for the best, and although some are mad at him, they eventually see his point of view.

Bad guys are still scheming.

Additional Comments:

  • 3/5 Main Characters – Shane’s still the happy-go-lucky guy they turned into Santa Claus. Joe’s the quintessential sidekick.
  • Target audience is really difficult to pin down. The main characters have an entire conversation about how Shane is now a superhero because he’s got the suit and awesome sidekick. It’s fine, but it sounded like 10-year-old boys playing make believe.
  • 2/5 plot – My favorite parts were the bad guys. You can tell this is part of a much larger story, but it doesn’t really hold up on its own. It might have been better as one massive 35 hour story because then things the bad guys do would make sense.
  • Morgana’s probably my favorite character and that’s just cause she occasionally gets to kill people.
  • Descriptions are well done but also way overdone. We get really detailed looks at the inside of the flipping elevator. Nobody cares about the buttons on the elevator unless they’re specifically integral to the plot.
  • Well, the characters are well-fed. I think 80% of this book is them eating or exploring their really nice rooms at the North Pole. The other 20% is training or planning.
  • 2/5 Still needs editing. There are things liked asked being used repeatedly for statements that strike me as odd. It won’t bother everybody though.
  • 3/5 performance – Both narrators got the job done. The guy pulled a few additional voices out for the elementals. That was cool. The lady sounded mostly the same for all characters. Part of this could be she didn’t have many parts, so I was mostly just keyed into her voice when I heard it.
  • End fight is short but well done.
  • There’s a lot of world-building happening in here. It’s a unique take on fantasy and magic but as with book 1, it felt like the story was spinning its wheels to nowhere.

Conclusion:

High marks for concept and uniqueness. Medium-low for execution of plot and prose.

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Christmas Shorts – (Mystery, thriller, Christian, suspense; Ongoing; story 1 is complete) Only one story right now, but will be a collection of short stories with characters from across my series. Typically, FBI agents with personal drama. Might feature an abundance of cute puppies.

The Minder Project Season 1 – (scifi, genetic engineering, superpowers; shares characters with Dustin’s Decision, Updated Wednesdays) The government gave her genetic Gifts. Now, it wants what it paid for from the program.

5 Steps to Better Dialogue – (nonfiction, writing skills; Complete) I feel like nonfiction titles should come with spoiler tags. This is a book for writers seeking to learn more about the creation of realistic characters and dialogue.

Assassin School Season 1 – (thriller, YA; Complete) Teen spies try to survive the rigorous training and other drama as powerful people battle to control the Ghost children.

Dustin’s Decision Devya’s Children Book 5 – (YA scifi, shares characters with The Minder Project; Complete) Genetically altered teens struggle to navigate the murky world and control their Gifts.

Special Edition Review 4/5 Stars The Batman (2022)

Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, drama, superhero ,
pic is screenshot of what Google said about who was in the movie.

Starring:

Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, etc (did not see Farrell in Penguin, props to makeup dept.)

Summary:

A darker sort of Batman that relies heavily upon nostalgia and twists.

Additional Comments:

First the complaints:

  • It was too darn long. That’s probably going to be a recurring theme in my review. You remember back in the day when Return of the King had a nice, lovely ending, and then the movie went on and on and on for another hour? Yeah, like that.
  • It had some super weird camera angles and unnecessary very long sections of just seeing a flashlight or several flashlights as somebody chased somebody somewhere. It’s like the director was like, ya know what would make this awesomer? Let’s shoot it with a Go-Pro because everybody wants to feel like they’re a fly on the man’s ear along for the ride.
  • The Riddler seemed godlike in his knowledge. Okay, so I stepped out to use the restroom, so they might have explained how he knows what he knows, but that’s because it was 3 flipping hours.

Now the Weird/Odd/Neutral/Gratuitous:

  • Pattinson with the mask on is fine. He’s got a suitably chiseled jaw for the job.
  • Pattinson without the mask needed a freaking haircut. He was pushing the emo, rich boy thing a little too hard.
  • This version of Batman was a tad gullible and spent the entire movie chasing one thing after another.
  • The chase scene was an exercise in blowing up stuff just to make the batmobile look cooler. (It worked, but my personal enjoyment was interrupted by some really weird camera angles.)

What they did right:

  • Catwoman and her relationship with Batman, sort of good, sort of misunderstood, sort of bad.
  • Alfred and his relationship with Bruce.
  • General fight scenes were fine.

Conclusion:

It’s worth seeing. I don’t know if it’s worth seeing multiple times.

If you want to get 5 clean audio promos a month. Sign up here.

Have You Tried Kindle Vella Yet?

Christmas Shorts – (Mystery, thriller, Christian, suspense; Ongoing; story 1 is complete) Only one story right now, but will be a collection of short stories with characters from across my series. Typically, FBI agents with personal drama. Might feature an abundance of cute puppies.

The Minder Project Season 1 – (scifi, genetic engineering, superpowers; shares characters with Dustin’s Decision, Updated Wednesdays) The government gave her genetic Gifts. Now, it wants what it paid for from the program.

5 Steps to Better Dialogue – (nonfiction, writing skills; Complete) I feel like nonfiction titles should come with spoiler tags. This is a book for writers seeking to learn more about the creation of realistic characters and dialogue.

Assassin School Season 1 – (thriller, YA; Complete) Teen spies try to survive the rigorous training and other drama as powerful people battle to control the Ghost children.

Dustin’s Decision Devya’s Children Book 5 – (YA scifi, shares characters with The Minder Project; Complete) Genetically altered teens struggle to navigate the murky world and control their Gifts.

3.75/5 Nowhere Man by David Gerrold

Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, middle grade , , , ,
Pic from audible

Narrated by Daniel Penz

Performance 4 stars

Story high 2, low 3-ish

Summary:

A geeky genius and his older genius cousin invent a super suit to exact revenge on a middle school then freshman year bully.

Additional Comments:

  • The performance was good. The narrator put a lot of energy into the production.
  • Nickname Squish and its explanation are hilarious.
  • I’m really not sure who the target audience is. It’s billed as a YA, but the cover does NOT say that and 85% of the book is the technical how-to build the suit. It’s essentially a short story about getting back at a bully stretched way the heck around a tech manual and philosophical dissertation about theoretical physics.
  • I did find some of the deep discussions of troubleshooting the machine that made the super suit interesting, but I’m a chemistry teacher. I like science. And even I got very, very bored with the in-depth babbling. I honestly don’t see it being appealing to the target audience of teens, though I do have a friend (very much an adult with a doctorate who theorizes and does experiements) who might like it.
  • There are pacing problems too. For example, the section on the uses of a brick started as a conversation between the cousins and went on and on and on. He must have listed at least 25+ uses. To get the point, we needed maybe 5 and then skip ahead to the well I’m a genius so I thought of 300+ line. Done. The narrator did a credible job with that section, but it still managed to be interesting point to okay way, way overboard. Just because the first-person narrator is supposed to be socially awkward, does not mean that he needs to prove it in the private space of his own head.
  • The end was largely good but once again went way overboard in an attempt to prove the hero status of our MC.
  • Super nit-picky point. American middle and high schools typically go with marking periods, a genius should know that, yet at least twice, he referred to semesters. That’s a college thing. Maybe certain prep schools use semesters, but not your general run of the mill public school.

Conclusion:

Interesting read despite its story flaws.

Have You Tried Kindle Vella Yet?

Christmas Shorts – (Mystery, thriller, Christian, suspense; Ongoing; story 1 is complete) Only one story right now, but will be a collection of short stories with characters from across my series. Typically, FBI agents with personal drama. Might feature an abundance of cute puppies.

The Minder Project Season 1 – (scifi, genetic engineering, superpowers; shares characters with Dustin’s Decision, Updated Wednesdays) The government gave her genetic Gifts. Now, it wants what it paid for from the program.

5 Steps to Better Dialogue – (nonfiction, writing skills; Complete) I feel like nonfiction titles should come with spoiler tags. This is a book for writers seeking to learn more about the creation of realistic characters and dialogue.

Assassin School Season 1 – (thriller, YA; Complete) Teen spies try to survive the rigorous training and other drama as powerful people battle to control the Ghost children.

Dustin’s Decision Devya’s Children Book 5 – (YA scifi, shares characters with The Minder Project; Complete) Genetically altered teens struggle to navigate the murky world and control their Gifts.

3.5/5 Stars A Dog of Many Names by Douglas Green

Julie Gilbert Action Adventure , , ,
picture from audible

Narrated by Kelly McNair

Run Time: 4 hrs and 17 mins

Summary:

A fictional account of the fears developed by a female rescue German shepherd mix.

Additional Comments:

  • Narration is 4, story is 3.
  • Performance took a little getting used to because the narrator’s voice was a tad higher pitched than I find soothing and easy to listen to, but she did a nice job overall with the story she was given.
  • The perspective narration (story not performance) was inconsistent. For example, it would say something like “the poking place” and then two paragraphs later be like “the veterinarian.” Or like “the hairy-faced man” and “kitchen.” I get it, but the level of sophistication kept jumping around like one of those beans.
  • The story started out with the family, stayed with them for a while then switched over to the dog’s perspective and stayed there.
  • Content warning: It’s clean-ish, but there was at least one scene description of dogs doing it I definitely could have done without. Some violence. A few scattered curse words.
  • Overall equal parts charming and annoying.

Conclusion:

If you want to hear a rambling tale about a dog, go for it. It’s like the gritty opposite version of homeward bound. Or the dog version of the foster kid’s crappy life journey to the loving forever home.

Have You Tried Kindle Vella Yet?

Christmas Shorts – (Mystery, thriller, Christian, suspense; Ongoing; story 1 is complete) Only one story right now, but will be a collection of short stories with characters from across my series. Typically, FBI agents with personal drama. Might feature an abundance of cute puppies.

The Minder Project Season 1 – (scifi, genetic engineering, superpowers; shares characters with Dustin’s Decision, Updated Wednesdays) The government gave her genetic Gifts. Now, it wants what it paid for from the program.

5 Steps to Better Dialogue – (nonfiction, writing skills; Complete) I feel like nonfiction titles should come with spoiler tags. This is a book for writers seeking to learn more about the creation of realistic characters and dialogue.

Assassin School Season 1 – (thriller, YA; Complete) Teen spies try to survive the rigorous training and other drama as powerful people battle to control the Ghost children.

Dustin’s Decision Devya’s Children Book 5 – (YA scifi, shares characters with The Minder Project; Complete) Genetically altered teens struggle to navigate the murky world and control their Gifts.

4.45/5 Stars Lone Wolf by Sara Driscoll

Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, thriller , ,
pic from audible

Narrated by Angela Dawe

Run Time: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Summary:

Meg Jennings and Hawk, her search-and-rescue Labrador buddy, get sucked into a wild investigation kicked off by a man with a grudge against the government.

Additional Comments:

  • I feel like it’s obligatory that cop/FBI thriller stars have to have tragic pasts. Meg’s past qualifies. I do like that she has a nice relationship with her sister.
  • The reporter guy wasn’t really fully fleshed out. I think the author is angling for a longer series with him as a love interest.
  • Don’t know enough about the FBI’s K-9 teams to know if it’s realistic.
  • The investigation unfolded nicely. There didn’t seem to be too much lag time and meaningless background drivel, but there were a few tragic past bunny trails.
  • Performance was good.
  • The end managed to be both predictable and satisfying.
  • Content Comments: Some cursing. I don’t recall any sex scenes, but then again, I have listened to a lot of book in the last few weeks. Perk of catching the plague here.
  • Title makes some sense, but the ties aren’t super strong. I think it’s referring to the perpetrator and maybe a little about Meg’s state of mind.

Conclusion:

Fun thriller that hits most of the right beats.

*I think I found this one on audible plus

If you want to get 5 clean audio promos a month. Sign up here.

Have You Tried Kindle Vella Yet?

Christmas Shorts – (Mystery, thriller, Christian, suspense; Ongoing; story 1 is complete) Only one story right now, but will be a collection of short stories with characters from across my series. Typically, FBI agents with personal drama. Might feature an abundance of cute puppies.

The Minder Project Season 1 – (scifi, genetic engineering, superpowers; shares characters with Dustin’s Decision, Updated Wednesdays) The government gave her genetic Gifts. Now, it wants what it paid for from the program.

5 Steps to Better Dialogue – (nonfiction, writing skills; Complete) I feel like nonfiction titles should come with spoiler tags. This is a book for writers seeking to learn more about the creation of realistic characters and dialogue.

Assassin School Season 1 – (thriller, YA; Complete) Teen spies try to survive the rigorous training and other drama as powerful people battle to control the Ghost children.

Dustin’s Decision Devya’s Children Book 5 – (YA scifi, shares characters with The Minder Project; Complete) Genetically altered teens struggle to navigate the murky world and control their Gifts.

4/5 stars The Legends Saga Collection (Books 1-3) by Stacey Rourke

Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, Horror, literature , ,
pic from audible

Narrated by Karen Krause

Summary:

Ireland Crane moves to a new town and gets caught up in a series of scary events.

Additional Comments:

  • Book 1 mixes in the headless horseman, Washington Irving, and Rip Van Winkle. book 2 brings in Edgar Allen Poe and Ridley.
  • Poe can raise the dead and see them, but they aren’t very nice.
  • Performance is nice. The narrator fits the main character well.
  • Noah is a fun side character.
  • The homicidal demon is kind of hilarious.
  • Story 2: there are even more dreams and hallucinations… makes things hard to follow.
  • Book 2 is 90% witty banter, while fun, it feels like filler.
  • Regan (the horse) might be my favorite character. At least he is true to form.
  • Get to meet a lot of literary figures. I never did like The Scarlet Letter though. Would help if I knew each of the original stories better because these stories are like random literature tossed into a blender and frosted with sarcasm.
  • Disturbing, interesting.
  • Ending is confusing, like the author legit couldn’t pick just one.

Conclusion:

Oddly fun for a horror story.

If you want to get 5 clean audio promos a month. Sign up here.

Have You Tried Kindle Vella Yet?

Christmas Shorts – (Mystery, thriller, Christian, suspense; Ongoing; story 1 is complete) Only one story right now, but will be a collection of short stories with characters from across my series. Typically, FBI agents with personal drama. Might feature an abundance of cute puppies.

The Minder Project Season 1 – (scifi, genetic engineering, superpowers; shares characters with Dustin’s Decision, Updated Wednesdays) The government gave her genetic Gifts. Now, it wants what it paid for from the program.

5 Steps to Better Dialogue – (nonfiction, writing skills; Complete) I feel like nonfiction titles should come with spoiler tags. This is a book for writers seeking to learn more about the creation of realistic characters and dialogue.

Assassin School Season 1 – (thriller, YA; Complete) Teen spies try to survive the rigorous training and other drama as powerful people battle to control the Ghost children.

Dustin’s Decision Devya’s Children Book 5 – (YA scifi, shares characters with The Minder Project; Complete) Genetically altered teens struggle to navigate the murky world and control their Gifts.

4.5/5 Stars Ace Carroway and the Ghost Liner

Julie Gilbert Action Adventure ,
pic from amazon

The Adventures of Ace Carroway Book 7

Summary:

One of Ace’s companions disappears on a trip to speak to some people about getting Tungsten for one of Ace’s pet projects.

Additional Comments:

– I heard book 1 as an audiobook. It feels like a lot happened in the intervening time. You can still enjoy the series without hearing everything in between, but you’re probably going to have the same semi-lost feeling during some sections.

– There were a lot of colorful characters with pretty heavy accents. Having heard the audio of the first, I think that’s standard for the series. In that regard, it’s much easier to have something or someone read the story to you instead of reading it yourself, but that might be a personal preference.

– I’m not 100% clear on why Bert was kidnapped in the first place, but I’m sure if I paid more attention, that part would be clearer.

– Ace is overpowered as a character, but that’s part of her charm. Her motley crew is loyal to a fault, but they do have their own skills to bring to the table. Gooper and Gallows kind of got crossed in my head for a bit.

– Clean read. I think there’s one curse word in the book.

– Little to no romance involved in the series. It’s more action and tech of the 1920’s. It’s got the feel of an alternate universe history.

Conclusion:

Solid entry in an intriguing series.

If you want to get 5 clean audio promos a month. Sign up here.

Have You Tried Kindle Vella Yet?

Christmas Shorts – (Mystery, thriller, Christian, suspense; Ongoing; story 1 is complete) Only one story right now, but will be a collection of short stories with characters from across my series. Typically, FBI agents with personal drama. Might feature an abundance of cute puppies.

The Minder Project Season 1 – (scifi, genetic engineering, superpowers; shares characters with Dustin’s Decision, Updated Wednesdays) The government gave her genetic Gifts. Now, it wants what it paid for from the program.

5 Steps to Better Dialogue – (nonfiction, writing skills; Complete) I feel like nonfiction titles should come with spoiler tags. This is a book for writers seeking to learn more about the creation of realistic characters and dialogue.

Assassin School Season 1 – (thriller, YA; Complete) Teen spies try to survive the rigorous training and other drama as powerful people battle to control the Ghost children.

Dustin’s Decision Devya’s Children Book 5 – (YA scifi, shares characters with The Minder Project; Complete) Genetically altered teens struggle to navigate the murky world and control their Gifts.

4.5/5 Stars Wild Rover No More by L.A. Meyer

Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks , ,

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

Summary:

Jacky Faber is on the run yet again. The story contains several  very long arcs. I liked her time as a governess best.

Additional Comments:

– Kellgren is amazing as usual but a lot of the middle was just painful because of the Russian accent and that Italian fool Jacky was playing around with.

– The end is satisfying but Oy, this is a long winded story. Unnecessarily so in some cases.

– It really ticks me off when parts are repeated. The entire letter from the previous book with Clarissa gloating was repeated in the beginning of this one. Do u know how annoying that is? 

– Flashby finally got a fitting end, thank goodness.

– I like the irrepressible Jacky but she is also kinda a jerk to her closest friends, especially Jaimy.

Conclusion:

 It’s a fitting end of an excellent series, even if it did drag on and on near forever.

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Audiobook Promotions …

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Many of my 50 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
River’s Edge Ransom – Prequel to Redeemer Chronicles (Amazon) (email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DC-set-ad-1024x536.jpg

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian. (Amazon) (free codes)
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Amazon) (Please email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (free codes)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (free codes)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (free codes)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (free codes)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (free codes)

Guardian Angel Files:

Spirit’s Bane – Allister and Mina are training to be Guardians. Satan’s out to get them. (Amazon) (free codes)
Kindred Spirits – Mina’s exiled to Earth. Allister’s stuck in the Heavens. (Amazon) (free codes)

Movie Review 4/5 Stars Eagle Eye

Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Movie Reviews, thriller

Starring: Shia Labouf

Genre: thriller, action

Spoiler free version- it was great if somewhat confusing and unrealistic yet oddly terrifying.

Spoilers ahead.

Summary:

Two strangers are forced to take part in a dangerous adventure. 

Additional Comments:

– Jerry Shaw is the screwup twin content with working at copy cabana and barely making rent.

– Ethan Shaw is the twin who always aimed high. He ends up working for a secret government program that is in charge of a super computer.

– the computer decides the leadership of the US needs to change. So she embarks on an endeavor to accomplish that at the state of the union address 

– what follows is a convoluted series of chase scenes.

Conclusion:

Good movie. High action. There is a little character development. It’s not quite HEA but the sacrifices end up being noble and meaningful.

If you want to get 5 clean audio promos a month. Sign up here.

Audiobook Promotions …

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is rc-1-3-audio-ad-1024x536.jpg

Many of my 50 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
River’s Edge Ransom – Prequel to Redeemer Chronicles (Amazon) (email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DC-set-ad-1024x536.jpg

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian. (Amazon) (free codes)
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Amazon) (Please email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (free codes)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (free codes)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (free codes)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (free codes)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (free codes)

Guardian Angel Files:

Spirit’s Bane – Allister and Mina are training to be Guardians. Satan’s out to get them. (Amazon) (free codes)
Kindred Spirits – Mina’s exiled to Earth. Allister’s stuck in the Heavens. (Amazon) (free codes)

Choices Stories Review 4.5/5 Stars: Blades of Light and Shadows

Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Choices Stories, Fantasy , ,

Summary:

You play as a young orphan from Riverbend, an idyllic little village. You and your brother dream of adventures, until one comes calling. Soon into the quest, your brother disappears into the Shadow Realm. From that point on, your quest is very personal.

Side discussion about diamonds: Are they worth it?

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer: If you can afford it, it’s best to spend $107-ish. It’s $100 + taxes) for 1500 diamonds. Throughout the games, there are certain choices you can only make if you have the diamonds. Some games, the diamonds are more about special scenes. Others, like this one, you will need it for max experience and special items and so forth.

It’s possible to play the games without diamonds. Heck, most of the stories have youtube videos. Those are great if you want to see an alternate special scene (like with a different character because there will be different lines of dialogue). I think PB lets those stay up (instead of fighting them) because it draws people into the stories as a whole, which will get people to spend money eventually.

Additional Comments:

  • Plot 4/5: The beginning meanders. The end is amazing. In between, they did everything in their power to make sure you have lots of sidequests to spend diamonds on. Since that’s basically how they make money to pay people to keep writing and animating such stories, it’s fine. The story itself is fairly standard fantasy fare. I think that’s sort of the schtick.
  • Side Characters 4/5: Mal’s kind of obnoxious. Knowing that’s part of his charm doesn’t quite cover every irritation. The quest makes him a hero, even if he does still have sticky fingers. Nia’s sweet. I think part of your journey is corrupting the priestess’s do-gooderness. Imatura’s tough at the beginning and tough at the end. Tyril’s kind of the emo, tormented soul of the party. The Nesper’s obsessed with snacks. He’s also adorable.
  • End 4.5/5: I’m not sure if you needed to buy enough lore and legendary weapons to get the scene at the end, but it had the exact feel of the Elementalists’s first book. They’re definitely angling for a sequel, though to be honest, it probably depends how many people spend diamond along the way. Pretty sure they only continue the series that are popular.
  • Replay value (5/5) is fairly high. You can adventure as either a man or a woman. You can romance one of 4 companions. It’s a tad annoying that if you switch genders, the special adventuring outfit isn’t already paid for (you have to buy it again even if you bought it for your first character. Cheap shot, PB, but I will admit both the female and male special outfits are stellar).
  • One of the best Pixelberry stories I’ve finished of late, though it’s probably a hairsbreadth behind The Royal Heir Book 2 in overall feels.

Conclusion:

Well-worth playing and replaying if you love fantasy.

If you want to get 5 clean audio promos a month. Sign up here.

Audiobook Promotions …

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is rc-1-3-audio-ad-1024x536.jpg

Many of my 50 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
River’s Edge Ransom – Prequel to Redeemer Chronicles (Amazon) (email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)

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Devya’s Children Series Links:

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian. (Amazon) (free codes)
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Amazon) (Please email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (free codes)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (free codes)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (free codes)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (free codes)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (free codes)

Guardian Angel Files:

Spirit’s Bane – Allister and Mina are training to be Guardians. Satan’s out to get them. (Amazon) (free codes)
Kindred Spirits – Mina’s exiled to Earth. Allister’s stuck in the Heavens. (Amazon) (free codes)