4/5 Stars Moonblood by T.W. Fendley

November 14, 2020October 31, 2020 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Fantasy, scifi, Young Adult Amanda Leigh Jerry, Moonblood, T.W. Fendley

Narrated by Amanda Leigh Jerry

Run Time: 10 hrs and 42 mins

Summary:

A “young” woman’s quest for freedom leads to a series of events that sets three societies on their ears.

Another young woman’s quest to find her mother draws her into a dangerous ride.

Additional Comments:

Narration is generally good, but there are a few bizarre pronunciations like cacophony.
Interesting worldbuilding but you have to have some serious suspension of disbelief to believe most of it. And it’s not really explained why Eves can spontaneously have kids, but if they bear Adams (boys) they die. There are also Cains who are I’m guessing the rest of the world, not a part of either secret society.
Book blurb concentrates on Ariade but the book itself spends times on several characters.
It gets more interesting as the book moves on.
The end is perhaps a tad too pat, but satisfying nonetheless.
Contenting warnings: There’s some references to violence and adult themes, but nothing described. There are some curse words.
Kind of not sure what to categorize it as. It’s sort of a fantasy, but has some scifi elements yet the government is at once modern and a dystopia.

Conclusion:

Intriguing young adult book. Probably the start of a series.

Audiobook Promotions …

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Many of my 42 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)

4/5 Stars: Pinkie Promise by John Thornton

October 27, 2020September 27, 2020 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Christian, Family, romance, Young Adult Amber Schueler, audiobooks, John Thornton, Pinkie Promise

Narrated by Amber Schueler

Run Time: 6 hrs and 19 mins

Summary:

Aaron and Erin Thibodeaux aren’t related, but they happen to have names that are pronounced the same way and the same odd last name. They meet at a summer camp, make a pinkie promise to marry if they’re both unattached and old (26??).

Additional Comments:

I’m going to start with this (Christian romance) isn’t my go-to genre.
I’ve got no issues with the values presented in the book. Wish more books held to them. It did belabor the point a few times though. Most notably, Misty’s conversation with Aaron at the camp reunion of sorts.
I enjoyed the little bits of background on Erin and Aaron later. I missed the connection between Erin’s boss’s brother being one of her failed dates, but that was kind of glossed over. It’s also not a huge point. Their reactions did seem a tad overdone though.
The Erin and Aaron thing I can easily buy. The fact that they both happen to have the same weird last name, not so much. If they were both Smith, sure. Apparently, it’s a prominent French surname. Good to know.
There are a few other coincidences that had to happen to move the plot forward. They’re handled very well. (Jacky and Jackie)
I liked that it’s not set in the modern world, so it’s a time without cell phones.
Narrator’s performance is good. Kinda hated the voice she used for Russell, but he wasn’t in there enough to become a problem.
I had to stop listening for a while at the third act comedy of errors part. It works for the story, but the amount of times the two MCs jumped to conclusions was disturbing.
Story is predictable but satisfying.
I enjoyed that the author worked in some action near the end.
Content Warnings: None. It’s sickeningly sweet. Totally kid-friendly.

Conclusion:

If you’re in the mood for sweet Christian romance and don’t mind coincidences, give this one a chance.

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Audiobook Promotions:

33 of my 41 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Never Again (mystery, suspense) and Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there.
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

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian.
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift.
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma.
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother.
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble.

Were on Audiobookcrave.com (which just went under). Ones with links are relisted at Audiobooksunleashed.com.
5 Steps to Surviving Chemistry
Spirit’s Bane (Guardian Angel Files Book 1)
Kindred Spirits (Guardian Angel Files Book 2)
Violence in Vegas (Eagle Eyes Book 1) – not relisted yet
Rescue in Reno (Eagle Eyes Book 2)
Danger in Dallas (Eagle Eyes Book 3)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Check out my other titles available on Audiobooks Unleashed:

Beyond Broken Pencils – contemporary, literary
Shadow Council Combo (Books 1-4)
The Individual titles are available but not yet listed on an ad site
SC 1: Money Makes it Deadlier
SC 2: Revenge Makes it Sweeter
SC 3: Christmas Makes it Chaos
SC 4: Treachery Makes it Tense)

Eagle Eyes – mystery thriller

Scratched Off – mystery, thriller; FBI agent vs serial killer, more intense than Shadow Council/Eagle Eyes

Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy

The Collins Case – Heartfelt Cases Book 1, Christian mystery
The Kiverson Case – Heartfelt Cases Book 2, Christian mystery
The Davidson Case – Heartfelt Cases Book 3, Christian mystery

Other titles:
5 Steps to Better Blurbs – for authors
Innova – Christian Dystopia
The Golden City Captives – short fantasy
Fatal Interest – short mystery/thriller

3.5/5 Lost Souls ParaAgency and the Ghostly Reunion by K.M. Waller

September 2, 2020September 1, 2020 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, mystery, Paranormal, Young Adult Carrie Coello, K.M. Waller, Lost Souls ParaAgency

Narrated by Carrie Coello

Run Time: 4 hrs and 34 mins

Summary:

Amira and Lex take on a case of creepy haunting (minus the creep factor).

Additional Comments:

I think the series has potential, but many times in the book, I got the “nothing is happening” vibe. Maybe it was a missing sense of danger. The hauntings never seemed dangerous. The characters got a few bumps and bruises but that’s about it.
If you’ve read the back cover, you’ve read 90% of the book.
This is the second book in the series. While I don’t think hearing the first is vitally important, it may have helped with knowing the main characters better.
Characters 3/5: Amira and Lex are okay, but they don’t seem to have a lot of chemistry. The conflict between them (his overprotectiveness, her dying need to prove herself) didn’t really play out in more than words and a few “well, the Walker women are stubborn” sentiments. Sidekicks didn’t have enough page-time to be useful. The suspects read like a clue game. (The cook, the girlfriend, the unlikable victim, the assistant, the hot stable guy whose also a repressed actor)
The book gives off cozy mystery vibes, but there’s no cute animal companion. I feel gypped. It needs a surly but charming cat.
Amira’s sister Riz (sorry, I heard the audiobook, so I have no idea how to spell that) has potential. She’ll likely get her own book later in the series.
Clean read. Normalizes being a witch, but leaves the whole spell thing (desire spell, guilt spell) and séance running at the harmless parlor trick level. The characters don’t feel the slightest bit guilty about using magic to suit their current needs.
Performance was suitably perky. (That fits Amira stylistically.) Characters could be distinguished.

Conclusion:

Kind of disappears into the genre for me (doesn’t stand out), but I think it will appeal to fans of cozy paranormal.

Audiobook Promotions …

33 of my 36 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Never Again (mystery, suspense) and Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there.
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

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian.
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Def US codes for this one, but not on AU. Find me on FB)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift.
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma.
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother.
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble.

3.5/5 Stars The Never by Don Jones

August 19, 2020August 15, 2020 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Fantasy, Young Adult Don Jones, Kristina Fuller Yuen, The Never

Narrated by Kristina Fuller Yuen

Run Time: 8 hours and 49 mins

Summary:

The fairy land is destroyed so they go into exile on Earth, but that’s not ideal. They devise a plan to harness the imaginations of children to create a new homeworld in The Never.

Additional Comments:

Maeve’s voice is awesome, but oy, fairy voices. (Performance is fine. The fairies sounded like they should but it was still tough to listen to at times.)
Overall performance was entertaining. The narrator has a nice voice and good character distinction.
Interesting take on Neverland tales.
High marks for creativity and an original spin on an old tale.
I liked Maeve, but pretty much every other character, especially the various children came across as superfluous or bratty.
Pretty sure “My queen! My queen!” was in here like 13 times. Got to an amusing point.
Low marks for an unsatisfying ending. It’s like the author ran out of ideas and didn’t know what to do or wanted to get started on a new project so just slapped a bow on this one.

Conclusion:

I wish it had a more satisfying ending, but it’s still an intriguing tale if you’re obsessed with all things Neverland.

Audiobook Promotions …

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian.
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Def US codes for this one, but not on AU. Find me on FB)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift.
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma.
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother.
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble.

3.5/5 Stars Kingdom of Embers by Tricia Copeland

August 13, 2020July 30, 2020 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult Amy Deuchler, Kingdom Journals, Tricia Copeland

Narrated by Amy Deuchler

Run Time: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Summary:

A half-vampire and half-witch teenage girl goes to high school and investigates her past.

Additional Comments:

almost 6 hrs in… nothing is happening.
Once again, a bid to normalize vampires. This time, without any affinity for blood.
Witches is used like a race of people.
This 17 year old kid has a weird relationship with her mother.
The main character wants truths and lies to pretty much everybody.
Biggest thing mom teaches her is how to control her body temperature. If there’s danger why the heck isn’t she going to train her to fight or do something semi-useful.
Gamby (sorry about spelling I heard the audiobook) is a stereotypical bully.
Things I don’t get: program at a high school football game.
Cool background…but the biggest conflict for 3 hrs is Nick or Chase, who is better.
6 hrs in and we’re adding boy number 3.
Soooo, angels are myth but witches are healers and peacekeepers.
World building 2/5: some excellent ideas but the background stuff reads like the author’s notes instead part of a story.
Yay. 7 hours in stuff is finally happening.
These people have a lot of powers outta nowhere. There’s a lot of early references to the main character training, but gives 0 references as to her power set.
Sense of Closure: Non-existent. Essentially, it’s a “to be continued” situation, which is unfortunate because there finally started to be action after like 7.5 hours of setup. The tie-in to the title worked well, but it was more like a throw away line instead of the central theme.
Performance 4/5: Decent voice variation.

Conclusion:

If you’re in it for the series and enjoy the genre, you may like it. With my limited knowledge of the series, I’ll say, it seems to be an interesting take on the teen with superpowers trope combined with an attempt at cashing in on the vampire/occult/paranormal obsession. If you want a standalone story, move along. This isn’t the book you’re looking for.

Audiobook Promotions:

33 of my 34 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Never Again (mystery, suspense) and Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there.
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

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Audiobook Reviews 3.5/5 Stars: Umbrae by Debbie Manber Kupfer

May 11, 2020April 24, 2020 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Fantasy, Young Adult Christopher Goodrich, Debbie Manber Kupfer, PAWS series

P.A.W.S. Series Book 3

Narrated by Christopher Goodrich

Run Time: 8 hrs and 29 min

Summary:

Kind of an interlude in the PAWS series.

Additional Comments:

The man’s performance was fine, but the audio quality wasn’t great. Most words had an odd squeak at the end of them that drove me crazy. I sped it up and it still drove me crazy.
This book didn’t seem to focus as much on the werewolves so it contained less blood and gore. Still a few mentions of eating people to gain immortality.
Miri’s in Israel reading her grandmother’s book. Therefore, the bulk of the book is the history of Max and Celia’s escape from Nazi-controlled Vienna.
The main side characters, Max and Celia, get trapped in Umbrae. The world-building and mythology is cool, but very few things happen to move the series plot forward. We learn of Jessimon’s deal with the Teagues (sorry about spelling, heard the audio). Danny’s current situation. Andrew’s current situation. Miri’s current situation.

Conclusion:

Not much happens in this book as far as the main series is concerned. If you’re going to experience the series, in order is by far the best, but I think if you had a short synopsis, you’d be fine skipping over this to book 4. If you love hearing backstory or wanted to know how Max and Celia made it to America, this will fill in some of those gaps.

Audiobook Promotions:

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Audiobook Reviews: 3.5/5 Stars: Hook and Crown by Nicole Knapp

December 28, 2019December 14, 2019 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Fantasy, Young Adult Anne Marie Lewis, Nicole Knapp, Peter Pan spinoff

Narrated By: Anne Marie Lewis

Duration: 7 hrs, 1 min

Summary:

A sequel/ rewriting of Neverland. Elena moves to London to go to boarding school where her great-uncle is headmaster. Soon thereafter, she gets swept off to Neverland.

Additional Comments:

– The story has a fan fiction-y feel to it since it’s set in a classic tale’s setting.

– Characters (3/5 stars): The Boy – Aidan – seems perfect but something’s off. Elena seems to have nothing but boy troubles. For a strong, supposedly independent woman (17), she comes across as emotionally needy. The pirat – Will – (my favorite character) falls for her hard and fast.

– Descriptions are amusing. I can’t tell you how many times the male leads had their pretty eyes and strong, muscular chests described.

The performance is very good. I liked the narrator’s voice.

– Certain, very short scenes are told from multiple perspectives, which gets annoying. It’s fine to switch perspectives, but rehashing the exact same moment from multiple povs is jarring.

– The story has a few neat twists on the Peter Pan story.

– The cover is beautiful and the title fits.

In one of those weird twists of fate, I hadn’t thought about the Peter Pan story, then in about 2 weeks, I had two experiences with this. (Hook and Crown and Peter and the Star Catcher).

Conclusion:

If you enjoy the usual YA tropes and classic tale rewrites, you should check this out.

Associate links to follow…

Note: I’m starting to use a few ad sites for audiobooks, so codes are disappearing quickly.

Available Audiobooks: I have free codes for almost everything. That will change very soon.

New Release: The Shadow Council Series 1: Money Makes it Deadlier – An FBI agent gets caught up in a robbery gone wrong.

Shadow Council Book 2: Revenge Makes it Sweeter – A midnight summons calls FBI Special Agent Megan Luchek into a fight for a young girl’s life.

Shadow Council Book 3: Christmas Makes it Chaos – The FBI agent gets a strange ally in the quest to prevent chaos from rocking a lot of people’s holiday season.

Shadow Council Book 4: Treachery Makes it Tense – The agent and the assassin have to team up if they want to survive.

Shadow Council is also available as a ~13 hr bundle.

The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.

If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.

Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.

Beyond Broken Pencils – Contemporary literary tale of a school shooting. Ian unleashes his inner demons on his classmates and teachers…

Scratched Off – FBI agent vs a serial killer. When Sam Kerman sets out to hunt a serial killer, he has no idea how personal the case will become.

Play Reviews 4/5 Stars: Peter and the Star Catcher

November 28, 2019November 27, 2019 Julie Gilbert Fantasy, Young Adult Peter and Star Catcher, School Play

photo of playbill given out during the play.

Summary:

The story revolves around an orphan and a star catcher. It’s a prequel to Peter Pan that tries to explain the who’s who and what’s what before we met them in the original, classic tale.

Additional Comments:

As usual, the costumes and scenery were lovingly attended to.
Casting worked out very well too.
I don’t think it was billed as a musical, but there are quite a few songs in here.
It’s always fun to see how a prequel lines up with things in the known story.
The student actors poured their heart and soul into the production and it showed. I enjoy seeing them in action outside the classroom.
The microphones worked okay this year, though an upgrade to a better system would probably enhance the experience since it’s hard to follow if/when you miss a word here and there.
I work in a high school. It’s easy to support local plays. They’re usually affordable and worth seeing. I always appreciate that there’s a senior citizen performance of each play.

Conclusion:

If you get the chance to see a local play, take it. If you get to see Peter and the Star Catcher, bonus for you. It’s a decent play.

Note: Never Again isn’t an audio yet…it should be early 2020.

Associate links to follow…

Note: I’m starting to use a few ad sites for audiobooks, so codes are disappearing quickly.

Available Audiobooks: I have free codes for almost everything. That will change very soon.

New Release: The Shadow Council Series 1: Money Makes it Deadlier – An FBI agent gets caught up in a robbery gone wrong.

Shadow Council Book 2: Revenge Makes it Sweeter – A midnight summons calls FBI Special Agent Megan Luchek into a fight for a young girl’s life.

Shadow Council Book 3: Christmas Makes it Chaos – The FBI agent gets a strange ally in the quest to prevent chaos from rocking a lot of people’s holiday season.

Shadow Council Book 4: Treachery Makes it Tense – The agent and the assassin have to team up if they want to survive.

Shadow Council is also available as a ~13 hr bundle.

The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.

If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.

Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.

Beyond Broken Pencils – Contemporary literary tale of a school shooting. Ian unleashes his inner demons on his classmates and teachers…

Scratched Off – FBI agent vs a serial killer. When Sam Kerman sets out to hunt a serial killer, he has no idea how personal the case will become.

Choices Stories Review 4/5 Stars: The Elementalists 2

October 6, 2019September 13, 2019 Julie Gilbert Choices Stories, Fantasy, Young Adult Choices Stories, elementalists, magic, mystery, romance

very cool cover for the book. Love that they included Sherya this time.

*Spoilers are possible

Summary:

You’re back at Penderghast College as either a guy or a girl who just saved the world from Raife with your twin brother/sister. And incidentally sort of set a worse dude free from his happy little prison. Hartfield wasn’t doing it for ya as a college, but Penderghast is just what you need.

Additional Comments:

Okay, so the misspelled magick thing is slightly bothersome, but less so this round than last one.
Shreya and Beckett are still my favorite side characters. Griffin and Zeph are cool too, but I guess I’m just about the attitude this round.
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the last book, which is strange for Choices stories. Usually, I’m all about the sequels. I think it was the imbalance of school life and the world is ending. The bad guy this round was way overpowered. His little cat and mouse game with the MC was charming at times, but illogical.
I loved the extra scene though.

Conclusion:

A worthy series. I’m really hoping they continue this one. The end note sort of implied this would be it for the Elementalist series, but it’s such a cool world. Maybe like with Bloodbound, there will be a spinoff series that has the same world as this series. I started book 1 again. Didn’t get too far, but I remember really loving the first story.

Associate links to follow…

Available Audiobooks: I have free codes for almost everything.

The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.

If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.

Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.

Beyond Broken Pencils – Contemporary literary tale of a school shooting. Ian unleashes his inner demons on his classmates and teachers…

Scratched Off – FBI agent vs a serial killer. When Sam Kerman sets out to hunt a serial killer, he has no idea how personal the case will become.

Nonfiction:
5 Steps to Surviving Chemistry – A primer for chemistry students. Breaks down concepts into simple terms.

5 Steps to Better Blurbs – A book for writers looking to improve their book descriptions

Choices Stories Review 5/5 Stars: The Elementalists

October 3, 2019September 13, 2019 Julie Gilbert Choices Stories, Fantasy, Young Adult Choices Stories, familiars, fantasy, magic, mystery, romance

Genre: Fantasy

*could be spoilers ahead

Summary:

The main character looks in a mirror and sees a strange version of himself or herself. College is sort of a drag. Until the weird shadow version of yourself pulls you into the mirror and you land at Penderghast College.

Additional Comments:

The book had a nice balance between classes, new spells, budding romances, frivolous school things, and building friendships. And mortal danger for the MC.
This round, Pixelberry asked what your MC would be into from the beginning. I found that interesting. Usually, the love interests are chosen through the choices. And pretty much in most of the stories you could romance everybody.
You’re introduced to a gang of sidekicks, two ladies and two guys. But Aster’s not really a full part of the crew this game.
I think the stakes this round were just right. The bad guy’s after the MC for a reason.
The beginning chapters worked out fine, but I really loved the ending chapters. There’s danger and action and you finally get to use those lovely spells you’re supposed to be hording throughout the game.
The frog turned out to be a decent companion.

Conclusion:

It’s always expensive to play games where you have to collect something like mystery clues. I’m also a sucker for pets. I settled for a frog knockoff the first round, but second round, I may choose the seahorse looking one. I think the series probably has some replay value.