“The Search For Synergy” is the first book in The Talisman Series by author Brett Salter. It follows the exploits of two middle-school boys, Rome Lockheed and Julian Rider, as they transition from normal kids into epic warriors fighting for the existence of the Earth realm. Rome is secretly a fire dragon from the Den of Volcana placed under a spell which hides his true form. Julian is an oddball, up-and-coming knight with a case of the “try-hards”. Together, they perform an ancient pact which bonds their lives and souls forever. Under the tutelage and guidance of an eccentric, local librarian, Mr. Jones, the two learn of an impending invasion from an archaic evil desperate to invade from the other side of The Void.
My Thoughts
The Search for Synergy, book one of The Talisman Series, is sure to be a favorite among MG (Middle Grade) readers–especially those who are interested in modern day dragons and knights. The story was interesting and unique (haven’t read anything similar), but I’m not quite the audience for the series myself (my brother, however, would devour these books).
When all magic is ruled by Order, being a child of Chaos is the ultimate danger.
Nastasya lives a sheltered, small-island life, hiding her Chaos magic and living quietly with her protective foster parents.
At the age of 18, she finally persuades them to let her venture across to the mainland… but what should be an exciting shopping trip quickly turns into much more than she bargained for, and events unfold that will change her future forever.
Nastasya has always been taught to hide her Chaos magic, but she’s never understood why.
Her past has always been a mystery to her, but her trip to the mainland leads her to question everything, and she knows she must learn more about her birth family and the power she possesses.
The Chaos Daughter is an action packed adventure of self-discovery inspired by the tale of Anastasia. Question everything, and trust no one: what Nastasya’s about to discover will change the world forever.
What if Cinderella’s slipper fit someone else? Jade’s life is boring, but certainly not as bad as Ella’s. Ella has an evil, abusive step-family, while Jade’s family is only determined to marry their daughters well. But when a ball is announced, who should Jade see there but poor Ella in a stunning ball-gown? And what will happen when Jade is mistaken for Ella, and is faced with the decision of a lifetime?
Everyone has wanted their favorite book to be real, if only for a moment. Everyone has wished to meet their favorite characters, if only for a day. But be careful in that wish, for even a history forged in ink can be repaid in flesh and blood, and reality is far deadlier than fiction . . . especially on Addington Isle.
Winterset Hollow follows a group of friends to the place that inspired their favorite book—a timeless tale about a tribe of animals preparing for their yearly end-of-summer festival. But after a series of shocking discoveries, they find that much of what the world believes to be fiction is actually fact, and that the truth behind their beloved story is darker and more dangerous than they ever imagined. It’s Barley Day. . . and you’re invited to the hunt.
Winterset Hollow is as thrilling as it is terrifying and as smart as it is surprising. A uniquely original story filled with properly unexpected twists and turns, Winterset Hollow delivers complex, indelible characters and pulse-pounding action as it storms toward an unforgettable climax that will leave you reeling. How do you celebrate Barley Day? You run, friend. You run.
Jonathan Edward Durham was born near Philadelphia in one of many satellite rust-belt communities where he read voraciously throughout his youth. After attending William & Mary, where he received a degree in neuroscience, Jonathan waded into the professional world before deciding he was better suited for more artistic pursuits.
He now lives with his partner in California where he writes to bring a unique voice to the space between the timeless wonder of his favorite childhood stories and the pop sensibilities of his adolescent literary indulgences. His debut novel, Winterset Hollow, an elevated contemporary fantasy with a dark twist, is mined from that same vein and is currently available everywhere.
Time to choose your last book Emily Brewster is an angel. Ask anyone she reads to at the hospice. So when she’s arrested for murder, it should be easy to clear her name. The only problem is, she thinks she might be guilty.
But what if death isn’t The End?
If you like contemporary British fantasy, real-world settings and sinister sorcery, you’ll love Frances Evelyn’s Bibliomancer.
Bloody Spade Brittany M. Willows September 15th 2021 Goodreads – Amazon
A girl full of heart A thief touched by darkness A boy with a fiery temper An unwitting servant of evil
The era of magic was once thought to be a myth, but after the Reemergence ushered forces both dark and light into the mundane world, it has since become a harsh reality. Now those affected by this strange power—a specialized group of Empowered called Jokers, known collectively as Cardplay—must protect their world from the darkness that threatens to consume it, all the while fighting for equality in a society clinging to normalcy.
But the Reemergence was only the beginning.
When another influx occurs on the seventh anniversary of that fateful event, an unfortunate encounter at ground zero lands Iori Ryone, a teenage boy in possession of a corrupt and legendary magic, in the care of recent Joker graduate Ellen Amelia Jane. From him, she learns the Reemergence may not have been the inevitable natural disaster it first seemed.
Someone is trying to tear down the barrier that separates the magical realms from the mundane. The question is, can Cardplay stop them before it’s too late?
Not going to lie—I was pulled in by the promise of a catboy (and I love him, dearly).
Bloody Spade is easily, so far, my favorite book of 2021. It has everything. Great writing, good rep, interesting characters, and unique/refreshing world building.
It’s one of those books I like so much that I can’t even properly explain or find the words to describe it—other than saying, just read this book.
Four strangers will become intertwined to change the world of Ta’Thaloon forever.
Jathalor is just another scrawny, dirty boy eking out a living in the bustling city of Nathalem. Not many know his name and not many would take the time to learn it. He is not ambitious. Nor is he concerned with politics or kingdom affairs. He wants only to help his pa, but life is not so kind.
Taf lives for King and Kingdom. He has spent his whole life serving others, burying the pain of his youth in routine and discipline. He is renowned and feared for good reason, but even a proficient soldier cannot outrun the ghosts of his past.
When Desfan Cassian, the future ruler of Mortise, skips his fifteenth birthday celebration so he can gamble in the slums, he knows his father won’t be pleased. Then again, the serjan hasn’t been happy with him in years. And while Desfan anticipates a reprimand for his latest transgression, he doesn’t expect to be thrown out of the palace and exiled onto a patrol ship for the next year.
Then from the ashes . . .
Furious to be trapped on the same sea that stole his family four years ago, Desfan is fully prepared to hate his new life. After all, the Phoenix is run by a strict captain, and Desfan’s annoying new bodyguard, Karim, is his constant shadow. But when Desfan learns that a group of dangerous pirates may have been behind the deaths of his mother and sisters, he’s suddenly committed to hunting down the truth—no matter the risk.
He will rise.
Fire & Ash is a novella set in the world of the Royal Decoy series. While it is a prequel story, it is best enjoyed after reading Royal Spy.
I’m a big fan of Misty Hayes. She continues to be one of my favorite authors no matter what she writes! 100% recommend!
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I’ll read anything similar to The Selection. I’m only three chapters into The Helis Kingdom at the moment, but I will be continuing just to see how everything will unfold with this type of character.
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Kpop themed stories are fun. Love Over Kpop is so far entertaining and will likely be really popular once Kindle Vella becomes more well known.
It’s been a tough reading year for me. I’ve been going through periods of awful reading slumps, little to no desire to read anything—super scary! And as a result, I also have review slumps—it’s hard to put my thoughts down in writing even when I love a book.
So today, I thought I would share the books I have been reading and would absolutely recommend for you to experience for yourselves (in no particular order).
When a young daemon becomes host to his father, the eons-old progenitor of his kind, it seems his only purpose is to kill and kill again, to build a new world fit for the dark to rule. Unseen by humans, the world has long been controlled by the strings of a shadowy secret society of immortal beings, the Order of Azoth. As the organization fractures and begins to unravel, he may be the last hope of the Order to quell the spread of corruption and change the path of the future. Just as they may be his only hope to discover his own humanity.
My Thoughts
Great characters and worldbuilding.
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Peasant girls don’t mingle with dragons, princes, and beastly curses…or so Felicity thought
After a lifetime with a grief-stricken father and a self-absorbed brother, Felicity isn’t daunted by sacrifice. But when protecting her father means falling afoul of the curse that has swallowed the Summer Castle, and Prince Justin along with it, her own safety is not all that’s at stake. The prince’s monstrous form is the least of her concerns—the whole castle has been trapped by his pride, and his absence from the capital is driving the kingdom to ruin.
Justin was born to be a king, not a beast. Between the inhuman coldness he learned from his father, the humiliation of his cursed form, and his powerlessness against his hidden enemies back in the capital, laughter is the last thing on his mind. But even though she’s a prisoner, nothing seems to dampen the intruder’s maddening cheerfulness. Justin has to break his curse, and he needs someone like Felicity to do it. But as she begins to thaw the ice around his heart, he discovers her past is not what it seems.
With time running out, not just for the castle’s inhabitants, but for the kingdom of Albury, they will need more than the help of a dragon to break the curse and prevent disaster before it’s too late. But for all Felicity’s warmth and laughter, even she could never look at Justin and like what she sees.
Could she?
My Thoughts
I love fairytale retellings—if that isn’t already evident. I’ve also read book two of this series and will continue on with the next book when it comes out.
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A fun and enchanting modern fairytale. When a strange man puts in a strange request at the bakery where she works, Riley must go on a mini-adventure to find one unusual ingredient. Along the way, she realizes that things are not always what they seem and that fae might just be real. “True Loaf” is a traditional fairytale told in a contemporary setting.
My Thoughts
This is a mirco-story with an interesting, charming concept. (I do wish it had been a little longer though).
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I joined the Rebellion to save my brother. Now I might be the one to die.
Everyone knows that the Rebellion is the emperor’s worst enemy. They fight against the emperor’s fierce oppression, taking no prisoners and showing no mercy. When my brother was arrested and sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t commit, I knew joining the Rebellion would be the only way to save him.
The longer I’m here, however, the more trouble I’m in.
Knowing how desperate I am to save my brother’s life, Sok Haneul has been training me in the art of combat for his own secret assignment. With his seductive power and dark charms, it’s becoming easier and easier for me to submit to his commands… until we face the only enemy I don’t know how to fight: Kim Saejun.
The commander of the emperor’s guards… and the only man I’ve ever loved.
In this Choose the Ending story, YOU get to decide how the book ends! Read the main storyline for a reverse-harem style romance, then decide who the winning male lead is. No more second-lead syndrome! Choose between three different endings for three different fates, or write your own!
My Thoughts
I love that I can choose the love interest I want. Couldn’t ask for better!
Indie Fantasy Review 