Legends of Andolin: Adella of the Campos

Author: A.M Portman

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Set in medieval lands, Legends of Andolin is a wonderful fantasy story by A.M Portman following a fearless young lady on a dangerous journey with reluctant allies.

Adella’s life takes a drastic turn when a group of soldiers attacks her home and she is forced to flee for survival. On top of that, her brother disappears without a trace leaving her desperate for any leads. In the search of her missing brother, Adella finds herself on a quest to magical lands filled with mystery and adventure. During the journey she is faced with numerous challenges, assassins, sea monsters and pirates (whohooooo!).

I mean… who doesn’t love pirate books with crazy adventures and a wonderful cast of witty characters?! I was holding my breath hoping for everyone’s survival because they make you fall in love so easily! The group dynamic is truly fantastic and I ended up adoring them all – Adella, Kol, Armand, Tess…

The story is very well-written and engaging, done with perfect world-building and attention to detail. I loved the mysterious aspect leaving you questioning who you can actually trust! Once it picks up, it is super fast-paced and a real page-turner filled with pirate pursuits, betrayals and unexpected twists! Honestly it was quite impossible to put down!

I love books with strong courageous protagonists who don’t stop before any obstacle or hardship! Adella ventures into enemy territory swinging her sword like a fearless young lady ready to unleash her full potential. Women really can do anything, can’t they?

The ending left me more than eager for the next book and i need to know what is going to happen asap. It is truly a wonderful story showcasing the lengths people will go for those they love!

Thank you to the author and Bookstagrammers.com for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

SAFE from the Pain

Author: Poonam Bhuchar

Genre: Non-Fiction

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Safe from the Pain is an extremely valuable book which delves into difficult topics such as physical and SA, suicide attempts, a life under limits and dealing with emotional trauma.

This book felt very special, personal.. because the author allowed us readers to take a glimpse into her own life struggles. At times I felt like an intruder into someone’s vulnerability, as if I am right there along her on this difficult yet important journey.

It illustrates how deeply emotional pain can affect us as human beings and our daily lives – something which you cannot easily escape and put aside. It takes a healing process, the right mindset and guidance to achieve inner peace. And this is exactly what the author delivers to her readers. Safe from the Pain is short but extremely impactful. Usually non-fiction books tend to fall on the ‘more difficult to read’ side of literature but here this was not the case. It is very fast – paced and engaging. Through sharing her inspirational message Poonam Bhuchar teaches readers what is the power of their inner thoughts and how strong we can become as people if we manage to have the right mindset. The book includes valuable lessons and excersies on self-development, finding a place in society despite having a “baggage” and most importantly practicing equal love and respect towards yourself as you do to others.

I don’t normally gravitate towards self-help books but this one was very meaningful to me because of its central topics. And I highly appreciate the author’s ability to share her story and inspire others. Often people do not realise how difficult it is to open about such experiences even if it is to install strength, courage, hope. It is important to keep a reminder that there is always something better waiting for us and all we need to do is find strength in ourselves to reach for it. The SAFE method is simple yet effective way to take measures into your own hands and overcome emotional pain.

Thank you to the author and Bookstagrammers.com for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Sing for Me

Author: Maggie Clare

Genre: Adult Romance

Rating: 4,5 / 5 stars

Jake encounters Fiona at a wedding and while completely taken aback by her singing performance, he can’t also deny that she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Fiona on the other hand is not interested in his flirtation attempts and can’t be easily to charmed despite his best efforts. Though with some convincing by her friends, she gives him a chance and soon after that the two become inseparable.

Jake and Fiona are the two opposites of the same coin. Their chemistry builds up rapidly and it is not possible to deny their great attraction. So from something that was supposed to be temporary both develop feelings for each other. And even with Jake getting deployed in the military, they still decide to give their relationship a go.

The story spans over a period of a few years where we follow the ups and downs of a long-distance relationship. The longing, the love, the heartache… You might get quickly immersed into their swoon-worthy love story but just like everything in real life, it is not always rainbows and sunshine. Now 4 years later, both of their lives look significantly different. Jake and Fiona, similar to their relationship, go through extreme difficulties and struggles. They are faced with life changing experiences forcing them to endure not only physical but mental changes.

It is very fast-paced and easy to read. The first half focuses on building up the romantic relationship between the two characters while the second half is more suspenseful, mysterious.. There is tension, angst, steam but also heartbreak and emotional turmoil. Overall everything you would expect in a well-written romance novel that once you dive into it’s practically impossible to put down.

I had such a great time reading it and I want to say huge thank you to the author Maggi Clare and Bookstagrammers.com for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book of Night

Author: Holly Black

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Rating: 3 / 5 stars

Book of Night is a dark and creepy new adult fantasy by Holly Black following a former thief known as the Charlatan who tries to live a rather normal life, however, she always ends up in the middle of a new scheme. She gets tasked to find a very important ‘missing’ book with forbidden dark magic and discover who is responsible for the mysterious murders around the city. Char is a morally grey character driven by vengeance and hatred who decides to uncover secrets of the past and finally get her desired closure.

The magic system deals with manipulation of shadows and Holly did an amazing job in building it up and setting everything for the final reveal. The world building was absolutely great though it took most of the story, however as a first book in a new series that is quite understandable. The plot is very character driven so nothing major happens until 85% of the book. There are mostly flashbacks from the past and gathering information in order to solve the mystery. I know a lot of people got excited that it is an Adult book but I’m sorry to disappoint the romance is like 1% of the story and still very much fade to black. Though it is definitely in the Adult category in terms of trigger warnings and language.

What I personally felt lacking was character depth. Considering it’s a character driven story I needed a stronger connection with Char, however her delivery felt very ‘flat’ and therefore I wasn’t quite invested in her story. Also the plot is very predictable and the crazy twist is not at all unexpected. The ending definitely made me feel some type of way and fortunately there will be a sequel where I hope things get resolved because I hate leaving on a cliffhanger.

One thing to say is go into this story with a fresh mind and do not expect something similar to the Cruel Prince. It is it’s own story and the only similarities would be the strong, morally grey female lead. 

Thank you to Tor Books and Macmillan USA for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Through Titan’s Trail

Author: Austin Dragon

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Through Titan’s Trail is an epic high fantasy series by author Austin Dragon following a peculiar group of people set on the journey of their lifetime where many go but none return.

The story introduces a mysterious person calling himself the ‘Traveller’ and his dog companion who have the important task of gathering a skilful group of people to join the King’s Caravan – a special gathering organised every three years that takes its participants on a dangerous quest from the human realm to long forgotten lands of the Fae where evil lurks in the dark and hinders their journey at every stop. The group has to find a way to survive this dangerous journey and reach the land of Atlantea filled with magic and riches.

I thoroughly enjoyed Through Titan’s Trail – the fantasy elements combined with the medieval setting were great and I loved Austin’s introduction of fantastic creatures and magic. The first book sets up the story for our characters and we gradually discover more details about the quest and their individual journeys. There are some great action scenes and villains you come to despise. My favourite stories to read are about impossible quests with extremely high stakes and reluctant allies all tied together by impeccable world building which is introduced one step at a time so it does not overwhelm the reader! I found the intrigue and action very well balanced just perfect to my liking.

Book one of the saga leaves you with impending questions which I am eager to find out in the next instalments. It is more than certain that the journey has more to bring and I’m curious to see what happens next in the Fabled Quest Chronicles.

It’s a story perfect for fans of Realm Breaker, The Shadow of What Was Lost and Lord of the Rings. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the author and Bookstagrammers.com for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

My Life as a Clone

Author: K.D. Van Brunt

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

‘My Life is a Clone’ is a new young adult novel by author K. D. Van Brunt which follows a 17 year old girl named Willa navigating a life that isn’t her own. Willa is in a rather unusual situation where we discover that she’s a ‘clone’ to someone who passed away. The story explores the thin line between reality and deception while Willa struggles to unravel truths of the past and discover her place in the world.

An intriguing read which captivates readers with its storytelling, character depth and lots of unexpected twists and plot revelations. Most of the time I felt like I was watching a movie unfolding on the pages of the book. The author transforms the story and it comes to life right there in front of you that you feel yourself connected to the characters and live the story through their eyes. I completely devoured this book in a matter of hours because of how invested i became in the plot!

I found Willa’s journey quite relatable – from her relationships with people, to self-discovery and exploring the world. The subject of mental health is also prominent and very well handled. My favourite element was her animal companion dog- Rin, and I thoroughly enjoyed their interactions. Their bond was incredible and it truly showed the wonderful and strong ‘human – animal’ connection. Though all the other animals in the clinic she worked with were also amazing!

Honestly speaking, I had completely different expectations for ‘My Life as a Clone’ solely based on its title, however the story took me by surprise and I thoroughly enjoyed delving into Willa’s journey and coming to that unexpected ending! Suspense, mystery and intrigue- ‘My Life as a Clone’ is a wonderful young adult read which I recommend to anyone looking for something unique.

Thank you to the author and Bookstagrammers.com for a gifted copy of this book.

Sworn to Forget

Author: Maria Imbalzano

Genre: Romance

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Sworn to Forget is a book that has it all, illustrating everything one can experience in life – heartbreak, friendship and shared happiness with no guaranteed duration. It’s a wonderful story and a valuable lesson on how relationships sometimes (don’t) work in real life and a story that can take the reader’s breath away at any point from beginning till end. Every chapter is a page-turner and keeps you eager to find out what comes next. I absolutely loved the storytelling!

Nicki Reading is a strong independent woman with a successful career who never commits into long term relationships. The huge change however comes when she crosses paths with Dex Hanover who is desperate to find his soulmate and ready to build a stable family. And while you get the impression that Nicki and Dex are destined for each other, their personal struggles and contrasting views on many aspects of life are the things that make them question everything.

It is a rollercoaster of a book with such a beautiful writing which brings the story to life. I highly recommend it to anyone eager for emotional and impactful read.

Thank you to Bookstagrammers.com and Wild Rose Press for gifting me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Selestria

Author: Sarah Day

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

“A dragon is powerful, but cut off his head, and it’s useless.”

Selestria is a new young adult series by author Sarah Day which takes the readers on an epic adventure to unknown kingdoms and magical worlds. The main protagonist Saige lives a rather ordinary life together with her parents and sister until one day her whole world turns upside down. One fateful moment pushes Saige, much like Alice in Wonderland, to discover the magical world of Selestria where a wild adventure awaits in the dark.

However, she is first tasked with the venture of solving the mystery surrounding her beloved sister’s disappearance and then accepting the challenges of her future. A future which includes ascending the kingdom’s throne. In the little time she has to adjust to the new world, Saige has to learn Selestria’s history and meet its people. We follow the hardships of a girl who goes from an ordinary student to a princess in the span of a few nights. Besides learning how to rule a kingdom at her young age, Saige also goes through typical teenage struggles like falling in love, parent disagreements, new friendships, heartbreaks and so on.. She is strong, loyal, fair and most definitely proves to be fit for the role of a princess of Selestria.

In a tale filled with political intrigue and kingdoms fighting for the ultimate power, Saige is fighting her way through deception and betrayal in order to restore peace in the kingdom of Selestria. It is a light, thrilling read with a pinch of an epic adventure. The cast of characters goes through numerous challenges for survival but manages to come out victorious at the end of the day. The world building is done in great attention to detail without overwhelming the reader as the author manages to create an incredibly vibrant world which teleports you straight into Selestria alongside Saige on her incredible journey.

Thank you to the author and Bookstagrammers.com for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Cinder & Ella

Author: Kelly Oram

Genre: Young Adult Romance

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

“How about, ‘And they lived happily ever after’?”

The way I am swooning and gushing over this modern-day Cinderella meets the prince story!

Cinder & Ella – two sides of the same coin. Though very similar in terms of passion, hobbies and love, both live completely different lives.

Ella is a book & movie reviewer who finds solitude and outlet in her dedicated blog space. Until one day she receives an outrages letter by a guy named “Cinder” who is not shy of expressing his opinionated thoughts on her favourite book story. Little does she know that 3 years later, this very guy will become her best friend – the one she will slowly but surely fall in love with. And though the two have never met, Cinder & Ella cannot deny that deep down they are a match straight out of a book!

Until one day life takes a dark turn and after a devastating tragedy, Ella has to deal with tremendous loss and suffering. Not only does she lose the only person she loved most but she is left scarred for life- figuratively and literally. Something that people won’t let her forget. After spending 8 months in a hospital, Ella is forced to move to LA with her father, who left her when she was just 8 years old. His two stepdaughters put her under constant harassment which contributes to the bullying of her new classmates. From always getting the pity looks to being considered an outcast – Ella’s only consolation is in the face of “Cinder”- her internet best friend.

However, Ella is completely oblivious to the fact that her “Cinder” is actually the hottest superstar – Brian Oliver, who is about to play the lead role in her favourite book series adaptation. Though just like hers, his personal life is a complete mess over which he has little say or control.

“We really were Cinder and Ella. I was the commoner, and he a prince.”

Cinder & Ella is a swoon-worthy, heartwarming and emotional story that will pull your heart strings just about right. It is a fairytale where the “commoner” gets the “prince” though first she needs to learn about love, family, friendship, forgiveness and deal with her own grief. The book follows the hardships of a girl who had everything to someone who is left in shambles, gasping for air and finding a person who is her lungs. I love, love, loved how touching Ella’s story is and it made me tear up a fair amount throughout the book. She is strong, loyal, fair and most definitely the real “princess” of her fairytale. Do yourself a favour an order a copy now because this book was simply amazing!

Thank you to the author and Bookstagramers.com for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!