Review: Seacity Rising: A Tale of Unwatery Adventures by Elika Ansari

Review: Seacity Rising: A Tale of Unwatery Adventures by Elika Ansari

by Christina ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Title: Seacity Rising: A Tale of Unwatery Adventures
Author: Elika Ansari
Pub Date: June 6th 2019
Pages: 238
Goodreads | Amazon

When the underwater animals of Seacity pond learn that their home is in danger, they decide to investigate further by doing something no one has ever done before – go up to land to seek the answers they need. An unlikely team of two royal turtles, a genius goldfish and a timorous frog are then assembled to embark on a series of adventures. Whether they are racing the fastest tortoise on earth, falling in love with travelling mice theatre, or bringing peace to warring ant colonies, each unique experience is taking the group of friends closer to the heart of what is really going on. But will they make it back in time to save Seacity before the Winter’s Slumber? 

Join Babak the frog and his newfound friends for a fun and brave adventure to save their friends, family, and home.

Seacity Rising is a beautiful, well-crafted tale for children and adults alike. Heartwarming with a cautionary warning about the changing environment and what we as humans do to impact the ecosystems of all creatures big and small (from the turtles, the birds, and the tiniest of ants).

If animals could talk as we do, what would they think of the changes going on around them? Seacity Rising puts that thought into perspective. And it’s a perspective I believe children especially would understand. I had a lot of fun reading this and would recommend this for everyone to read.

Review: Before the Broken Star by Emily R. King

Review: Before the Broken Star by Emily R. King

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Title: Before the Broken Star (The Evermore Chronicles #1)
Author: Emily R. King
Pub Date: June 1st 2019
Pages: 294
Format: Kindle
Goodreads

Everley Donovan is living on borrowed time. The lone survivor of her family’s unexplained assassination, she was saved by an ingeniously crafted clockwork heart. But the time she was given won’t last forever. Now, every tick-tock reminds her how fragile her existence is and hastens her quest to expose Killian Markham, the navy admiral who shattered her world and left her for dead. But Everley’s hunt for justice will be a long and hard-won voyage.

Her journey takes her to a penal colony on a cursed isle, where she will be married off and charged to build the new world. It is here, and beyond, that hidden realms hide, treasures are unearthed, her family secrets are buried, and young love will test the strength of her makeshift heart. When Everley discovers Markham may not be who he seems, her pursuit for truth is bound to his redemption, her tragic history, and her astonishing destiny.

2.5

I mostly (didn’t and won’t read the last book) liked The Hundredth Queen series written by Emily R. King, so I thought I might enjoy this series a lot better. I like Emily’s writing style and the synopsis sounded very promising. I generally like revenge stories set in unique backdrops.

A girl with a clockwork heart?

Cool! I like anything that plays around with clocks and time.

Fantasy worlds with an abundance of what-ifs?

Gimme.

But. . . I didn’t care. about. anything. Not for Everley. Not for her husband (too cookie cutter nice/bland). Not for Markham (he was close to being interesting).

No matter how much I might like some aspects of the plot, I must like at least one character to feel motivated or invested enough to read the next book. I won’t be continuing with this one.

Review: Spelled (Kingdom Chronicles #2) by Camille Peters

Review: Spelled (Kingdom Chronicles #2) by Camille Peters

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Title: Spelled
Author: Camille Peters
Pub Date: April 18th 2019
Pages: 330
Format: Kindle

Rosie is fairly certain that there’s nothing wrong with putting a love spell on a foreign prince. At least she hopes there’s not, because such a drastic measure is necessary in order for her to ensure that the perfect fairy tale romance she’s dreamt about her entire life includes her own prince charming. As the heroine in her story, she won’t be deterred by well-meaning friends, royal betrothals, hungry dragons, or the intriguing guard who stands in her way. 

Luckily, Rosie has access to an enchanted bakery and a recipe book of spells, one of which will ensure she’ll win the royal heart she desires. Unfortunately, no story is complete without a few obstacles, and Rosie’s comes in the form of a most formidable foe—a stoic guard whom Rosie may or may not be developing feelings for, one who is committed to thwarting her at every turn. But nothing will stand in the way of Rosie’s happily ever after. After all, what harm can a simple love spell do? 

3.5 stars

I liked this one a lot more than Pathways. 

Rosie is a delightfully fun but incredibly silly and immature girl seeking her happily ever after..even if she has to force it. That meant for a entertaining read. The chemistry in this book was soo soo good compared to book one. 

My only gripe is that I saw a certain plot twist coming and while it taught her a valuable lesson, it still feels a little bit..deceptive, even though what she was doing was wrong anyway. It worked out for the better but talk about embarrassing. Haha. 

I can’t wait for the next book.

Review: Pathways (Kingdom Chronicles #1) by Camille Peters

Review: Pathways (Kingdom Chronicles #1) by Camille Peters

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Title: Pathways
Author: Camille Peters
Pub Date: February 4th 2019 
Pages: 312
Format: Kindle
Amazon | Goodreads

Eileen has never been interested in love. Ever since her father’s abandonment, she’s vowed to never experience such pain again. But the enchanted forest has different ideas. When the continuously shifting pathways lead her to a mysterious stranger, Eileen finds her promise to fiercely guard her heart increasingly difficult to keep. 

One night when she becomes lost in a storm, the enchanted forest’s pathways lead her to the castle, home to the kingdom’s Dark Prince, where Eileen finds herself entangled in what many consider an opportunity but which Eileen believes to be a curse: competing for the Dark Prince’s hand through a series of tests that judge one’s royal worth. Eileen is neither royal nor interested in becoming a princess. But the mysterious stranger she met in the woods has his own reasons for helping her succeed, although the cost of his assistance may be too high: that of Eileen’s heart, the one thing she’s vowed never to give. 

3.5 Stars

A good solid start to a new fairy tale retelling series. Unlike a lot of retellings, this one took inspiration from them instead of focusing on being controlled by the original or familiar narratives we’ve all heard/read/watched a thousand times over. A unique spin is a must. 

Pathways offered that. 

There were some things that I didn’t like or wished had been addressed differently. It took almost half the book for Eileen to arrive at the castle, so the first half of the book was slower compared to the second half. Also, Eileen refused to even see that maybe the situation with her father was out of his control and maybe he didn’t just up and abandon his family like she assumed the entire book. (It got old really fast). And when the truth comes to light, she doesn’t even feel guilty about her misguided grudge. Lastly, I felt the chemistry between her and the “mysterious stranger” was a little bit..not completely there. 

I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Book Blitz + Giveaway: Kingdom of Sand & Wishes

Book Blitz + Giveaway: Kingdom of Sand & Wishes

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Kingdom of Sand & Wishes: A Limited Edition Collection of Aladdin Retellings
Publication date: May 24th 2019
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Young Adult

Aladdin, but not as you remember it….

On the dusty streets, around the bustling bazaars, being overlooked by a Sultan’s Palace was a land. A land of magic, secrets and treasures buried deep beneath the desert.

Through Arabian nights, dark forces are at work. Dark forces that can threaten the peace of everyone in the Kingdom. Watch our authors as they answer the question, can three wishes save the day?

Join our award winning and USA Today best selling authors for nine action packed fantasy and contemporary retellings with Sultans, sorcerers, romance and more magic than a genie’s lamp can hold.

One click now for your happily ever after….

Goodreads / Amazon

—

SNEAK PEEKS:

Three Wishes by J.A.Armitage

Her future was mapped out…

She would one day be queen…

When a curse was cast, trapping Jini in an old lamp, her life ended along with everyone she had ever known and loved. Centuries of darkness passed and then a young man made a wish.

He wanted to be the Sultan.
So did she.
The only problem? There already was a Sultan and his mysterious son had already laid claim to the throne

Read this powerful new rendition of the age old classic, Aladdin, where things are not as they seem and magic might not be enough to save them all.

—

The Djinn Curse By Margo Ryerkerk

How far will you go to reclaim your freedom?
My name is Roxelana, and my human life was stolen from me.
Turned by force into a djinn, I’ve waited for 100 years for a shot at freedom.
My current assignment in Istanbul presents an opportunity to break the connection to my lamp and escape my eternal slavery. There’s just one problem. Doing so means sacrificing the sultan prince to the king of djinns. I shouldn’t care about the prince, but I can’t stop myself. He has a pull on me I can’t explain. Coupled with his kindness and the care he shows his people, I’m in deep trouble.
When push comes to shove, who will I choose? Him or myself?
Filled with adventure, love, magic, and a strong heroine, this clean YA Fairy Tale is the perfect read!
If you like K.M Shea, Melanie Cellier, and Kiera Cass, you’ll love this!

—

Granting Wishes (A Once Upon a Curse Prequel) by Kaitlyn Davis

She’s about to discover a whole new world…

“His words come back to me—magic is the law. I guess I’m making my own set of rules.”

Alanna thought rock climbing in Yosemite National Park would be the trip of a lifetime. Until an earthquake strikes and she finds herself plummeting to her death. But instead of slamming into the forest floor, Alanna drops into a secret underground cave where she’s confronted by the impossible—magic.

A mysterious man named Erick uses incredible powers to save her life, then tells her that his magical world has collided with earth, merging the two together. Alanna writes it off as crazy, until he shows her a vision of her brother being dragged down a sandy cobblestone street in chains. Crazy or not, she’ll do anything to save him.

As Alanna and Erick team up to rescue her brother from the clutches of a decrepit sorcerer king, fate intervenes in the form of a handsome prince. Alanna doesn’t know who to trust, but in this foreign land, flying solo just might get her killed…

Don’t miss GRANTING WISHES, a fantasy romance from bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis that reimagines the classic fairy tale of Aladdin.

—

Sultana of Amethyst Sands by Emma Savant

A beautiful genie craves her freedom. A handsome prince longs to heal his kingdom. And a con artist named Aladdah has big plans for them all.

Between theft, sleight of hand, and her indentured servitude to a powerful magician, Aladdah has always managed to survive the brutal streets of Citron. But survival isn’t enough for a woman of Aladdah’s ambition. She craves more—more food, more power, and more magic than her master has seen fit to teach her.

When she demands a greater challenge, her master sends her on a mission into an enchanted cavern beneath the desert sands. There, in an abandoned garden glittering with the lights of precious jewels, Aladdah discovers a genie whose power and beauty are matched only by her determination to escape the bonds of her servitude.

But the genie is bound by her magic lamp, subject to Aladdah’s every wish, and it’s an opportunity no self-respecting street rat could resist. Aladdah forms a plan to use the genie to destroy the sultan and establish herself as a new ruler who will turn the savage inequality of Citron on its head.

But the sultan has many protectors, from his court magicians to the beautiful, idealistic son who infuriates and enchants Aladdah in equal measure. Her genie fights her at every turn. And her old master will not be dismissed so easily, not when he has a plan to gain power the likes of which the kingdoms have never seen.

Sultana of Amethyst Sands is a romantic, fast-paced adventure through the sands of a faraway kingdom of magic, genies, and wishes come true.

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Review: The Beast and the Beauty (Reverse Retellings #2) by Aya Ling

Review: The Beast and the Beauty (Reverse Retellings #2) by Aya Ling

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Title: The Beast and the Beauty
Author: Aya Ling
Pub Date: March 30th 2019
Pages: 282
Format: Kindle
Amazon | Goodreads

How can a woman cursed to look like a beast make a handsome prince propose marriage? 

Sybil de la Roche was once the belle of the court. Now she is more hideous than any woman in the kingdom. To restore her beauty, she must receive a marriage proposal. Forty years and twenty-eight rejections later, she decides to break the curse on her own. But when a personable young man arrives, she is torn between hope and dread. 

Prince Gerald is widely renowned as the best-looking man in Savony. On a quest to find a mage who has disappeared for years, he is stranded at a remote manor in a snowstorm. His interest is piqued by the mysterious woman in the manor, but his desire to get to know her is foiled by her determination to avoid him. 


This is the best book in the series so far. The things I had issues with in Till Midnight were much improved in this one. The writing was stronger. Everything was smoother (and more interesting) in general. I didn’t struggle or force myself to keep reading like I did with Till Midnight.

There are so many B&B retellings out there, but I can say that Aya Ling has the most unique version (from what I’ve read so far). I really enjoyed it. I felt good chemistry between Sybil and Gerald. 

I can’t wait for the next book from Aya Ling. From what I gather, it seems to be a Sleeping Beauty retelling and I’m all for that (c’mon, pretty sleeping princes). 
Review: Till Midnight (Reversed Retellings #1) by Aya Ling

Review: Till Midnight (Reversed Retellings #1) by Aya Ling

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Title: Till Midnight (Reversed Retellings #1)
Author: Aya Ling
Pub Date: December 27th 2018
Pages: 306
Format: Kindle
Amazon | Goodreads

Can a poor shoe cobbler save twelve princes from a terrible curse? 

The twelve princes of Savony are a mystery. They rarely go out, refuse to marry, and disappear every fortnight, only to reappear with bruises and cuts. When Alix, a poor shoe cobbler, is enlisted to help mend the princes’ boots, she is asked to investigate the princes’ mystery in exchange for extra coin. Soon, she finds that the greatest danger isn’t getting caught by the handsome eldest prince, Theo, but the unspeakable terror that will threaten the safety of the entire kingdom.

3 stars – ✯ ✯ ✯

Till Midnight is by no means a bad book, but this is currently my least favorite by Aya Ling. I adore her imagination and writing style. Though her writing in this book needed a little more…something. I felt like a spark was missing. Despite being about three hundred something pages, I felt like a lot was just being told to me and brushed over quickly.

I thought the retelling was unique. I liked that aspect. I can’t say much of the princes except for a few of them (one is tooo pretty and one is a grump, etc..) One nit picky thing was way too much repetition of so-and-so’s pretty face or eye color and what-not. I don’t need these things repeated to me like I’m five.

There is gay rep (but it feels too much like the gay best friend who loves fashion trope–nevertheless, he’s a lovable character). I like Prince Theo, the crown prince. I just love ice cold princes who melt for that right person. At the same time though, I wasn’t really feeling the romance between Theo and Alix. There wasn’t enough one on one interaction for me to get that ‘I ship them’ feeling. I like them together but..like I said..no spark.

I am immediately jumping into book two and I hope it will be better.