It's been a while since I did one of these. I've been so focused on writing lately, I haven't taken the time to read for pleasure. That's a crying shame though, and I missed it. So I dug out a book I picked up almost a year ago earlier this month. C. L. and I had the good fortune to have a table next to Patricia Gilliam and her husband at Fanboy Expo Nashville Comic Con last year. Their company was one of the best parts of that convention for us, so I made sure to pick up Out of the Gray, the first book in her Hannaria series, before we headed home. I already had a few books lined up to review when I got the novel, so I put it in our living room bookcase when we unpacked from the convention. It had sat there and collected dust for months. To be quite honest, I'd almost forgotten about the collection of five or six books I have waiting to be read and reviewed. I was considering checking out some from the library the next time I carry my girls before I remembered all those books at home. Now that I've remembered, I'm going to try and get back in the swing of reading and reviewing the work of other authors out there writing today. That said, let's get into Out of the Gray.
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Today's review is for A Twist in Time by E. G. Glover. It's a modern day romance with a fantastical, time traveling twist. It's a quick read. I haven't seen the word count on this one, but I suspect it's in the novella range. The ebook price certainly seems to back this up. Who hasn't had something happen in their lives they wish they could do over? That's what A Twist in Time explores. Tragedy strikes, and the main character is willing to risk his life to set things right again. This review is also available in video form over on YouTube. I can barely believe I already have another book review ready for you. Normally it takes me nigh on forever to finish a book, but Currently Untitled by Ian McLeod is technically a novella and a quick read. It's a book I've had for a while and one I attempted to read late last winter. Don't take that sentence the wrong way. It wasn't the story or writing that caused me to stop reading. It was timing. I'm more than a little prone to depression, especially in the winter months. My inner voice likes to find the best in others but loves to find fault in everything I do, say, or think at the best of times. So trying to read Currently Untitled during what's become an annual downturn wasn't the best decision. McLeod's narrator and my inner voice got on like a house on fire, turning my mind into something of a "Your Mama" contest with me as the sole "mama" being drug through the mud. So I put Currently Untitled aside for a while and resumed slogging through The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, which I found less well written. Having read the book in its entirety now without an issue speaks to how the problem with the original attempt was completely the result of my own warped view during a bout of depression. Last week, I published my first book review. It only occurred to me later in the day that I never went over the "translation" of the star system I use when rating books, movies, or well, anything for that matter. So I decided to post a quick star system translation to make things clearer as I begin reviewing books on a regular basis.
The star scale is subjective. Each person has a different translation for what rating they give something. Some are harsh. Some are lenient, and still others fall somewhere in between. Therefore, it's always a good idea to take star only reviews with a healthy heap of salt since there's no way of knowing what the reviewer was thinking when they clicked on the stars. Today's review is of Never Trust a Sorcerer by L. R. Barrett-Durham. It's a fantasy adventure novel with a strong female protagonist. It has a touch of romance without that becoming the main focus of the story. I'll be borrowing Travis McBee's basic rubric for this series, although my way of reviewing is a bit different. It just has a good set of items to look at in works of fantasy and science fiction, so it seemed like a solid place to start. I will try to keep all reviews as spoiler free as possible. All reviews will be available here, on YouTube, and Goodreads. |
A. B. England is a novelist, all around geek, avid crafter, and the home-schooling mother of two.
She is an autistic creator with a love of mythology, fantasy, and all flavors of science fiction. SubscribeCategories
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Work QueYekara Series Book 2 Prewriting/Outlining 20% The Icarus Project Rough Draft Progress 77384 / 75000 Myth & Science Collection Planning Stages 38% Supers Collection
Planning Stages 23% Icarus Series Book 2 Sketched w/ Some Drafting Icarus Collection
Sketched Yekara Series Book 3
Sketched Myth & Science Collection 2
Intent Only at this Time Icarus Trilogy Book 3
Sketched Supers Collection 2
Intent Only at this Time Yekara Series Book 4
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