Author: Rachelle

Review: Billy Lovecraft Saves the World

Published on by Rachelle

Billy

  • Author: Billy Lovecraft
  • ISBN: 9781620077870
  • Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
  • Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy/Horror
  • Pages: 188

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

The last thing Billy Lovecraft’s parents sent him before the crash was a photo of something on the wing of their plane.

Now he’s stuck with a horrible and heart-breaking mystery: What was that awful creature, and why were his parents targeted?

It’s up to Billy to gather a team of like-minded kids and lead them through a dark new reality where the monsters are real, not everyone is who they seem to be, and an ancient alien wants to devour the world. – Goodreads

This is one of those books that I would have raved about on Twitter if I could have stopped myself from reading it long enough to do so.  Instead, I plowed through the pages as if they were going to be erased from my Kindle before I could finish.  I had so much fun reading Billy Lovecraft Saves the World that I’m beginning to think I enjoy Middle-Grade Fantasy and Horror above all other genres and subgenres.

I also sort of wish I had saved this book for October.  It’s the perfect read for that time of year since it’s a giant nod to H.P. Lovecraft, the king of the weird tale.  It’s also the perfect book for any fan of H.P. Lovecraft to give their kid as an introduction to his brand of Horror.  There are only a few tense, mildly frightening moments that the majority of Middle-Grade children could easily handle while also discovering the world and creatures H.P. Lovecraft invented.  Who wouldn’t want their kids to find out the awesomeness of the classic works of genre fiction?

The greatest part of Billy Lovecraft Saves the World is that I never once had to forcibly suspend disbelief.  I was fully immersed in the story and didn’t come back up for air until the end of the last page.  If you’re at all a fan of Middle-Grade Horror or H.P Lovecraft, you have to read this book.

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DNF Review: Escape from Netherworld

Published on by Rachelle1 Comment

Escape

  • Author: David Kuklis
  • ISBN: 9781595719942
  • Publisher: Word Association Publishers
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Pages: 231

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

I thought this would be the perfect humorous Fantasy novel and I would fly through it within a couple of hours and rave about it on social media.  It would have been that kind of book if it weren’t for the majority of it being horribly written dialogue.  I’m not talking silly one-liners.  It has plenty of those, but I was expecting that with Escape from Nether World.  No, I’m talking about the kind of dialogue that doesn’t have any slang or natural contractions.  The characters spoke like robots.

The other issue I had with this book was that after the characters find themselves in Nether World, the story plays out like the very beginning of any video game, but nothing ever seemed to get any more difficult for them than that.  Everything up until I gave up on the book (at around 50 pages) happened too easily.  I just couldn’t take any more of what seemed to be an entire story of Level One, “here’s how you play the game” training mode events.

DNF

Review: Emissary

Published on by Rachelle

Emissary

  • Author: Thomas Locke
  • ISBN: 9780800723859
  • Publisher: Revell
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Pages: 400

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

Hyam has always shown a remarkable ability to master languages, even those left unspoken for a thousand years. But now the shadow of suspicion that was cast upon him as a child prodigy at Long Hall is lengthening, and he must keep his identity hidden–or face annihilation.

As Hyam’s mother slips toward death, she implores him to return to Long Hall before he settles down to farm his land. This journey born from duty becomes an impassioned quest for the truth. War is coming swiftly, and Hyam must rely upon his newfound powers and the friends he meets along the way in order to unravel the puzzling past and ensure that he–and the realm–will have a future. – Goodreads

Emissary is your standard Fantasy genre novel.  It wasn’t too pulpy, but it also wasn’t so amazing that I would add it to my list of all-time faves.  It’s also the first book of a series called “Legends of the Realm.”  However, I’m not in any hurry to pick up the second book, Merchant of Alyss.

The singular reason for not rushing head-long into the next book is because the author tossed in the one trope I’m so beyond sick of seeing.  Why is it that every time there is a male and female character a romance develops, regardless of the situation in which the two meet?!  Why can’t they be friends or partners, and why can’t the woman exist in and add to the story on her own without being romantically linked to the main character?

If it weren’t for the addition of an unnecessary and hasty “this is true love”, I would give Emissary four stars.  If you have no problem with that particularly tired trope, and you’re a fan of the traditional Fantasy genre (and you probably are if you’re reading this blog), then give this book a chance.  It’s a solid three-star read.

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Monday’s Minutes

Published on by Rachelle

“Monday’s Minutes” is a weekly post in which I track my bookish life.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.

Current Reads:

InkdeathLestat Serafina

Fangirl Life

Finished:

  • The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Fairyland

 

Challenges:

Total pages read: 479

Total # of books for the year: 26.  I’ve still got 5 reviews to write, and I’m hoping to have them posted before #COYER and my Sci-Fi Summer reading challenge start.  Normally, I would think that wouldn’t be a problem, but I’m still struggling to find enough free moments I can string together to concentrate on a single piece of writing.  While some people can start and stop writing a blog post as other things demand their attention, I’ve found that I’m at my best when I write a review in one go.  Otherwise, I can’t remember what I wanted to write and I wind up staring at the screen in confusion.  What book was that?  Why did I enjoy it?  DID I enjoy it?  What do these chicken scratches in my book journal mean? *sigh*  Hopefully signing up for the Infomagical challenge will help.  Thanks, Andi, for mentioning it!

Thinker_Small
Image: Kevin McCauley

What are you reading this week?

Monday's Minutes

Published on by Rachelle

“Monday’s Minutes” is a weekly post in which I track my bookish life.  All book covers are linked to Goodreads unless otherwise noted.
Current Reads:

InkdeathLestat Serafina

Fangirl Life

Finished:

  • The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Fairyland
 

Challenges:

Total pages read: 479

Total # of books for the year: 26.  I’ve still got 5 reviews to write, and I’m hoping to have them posted before #COYER and my Sci-Fi Summer reading challenge start.  Normally, I would think that wouldn’t be a problem, but I’m still struggling to find enough free moments I can string together to concentrate on a single piece of writing.  While some people can start and stop writing a blog post as other things demand their attention, I’ve found that I’m at my best when I write a review in one go.  Otherwise, I can’t remember what I wanted to write and I wind up staring at the screen in confusion.  What book was that?  Why did I enjoy it?  DID I enjoy it?  What do these chicken scratches in my book journal mean? *sigh*  Hopefully signing up for the Infomagical challenge will help.  Thanks, Andi, for mentioning it!

Thinker_Small
Image: Kevin McCauley

What are you reading this week?

#COYER Summer Vacation!

Published on by Rachelle4 Comments

COYER Summer

The COYER Summer Vacation reading challenge is from June 18th to September 2nd, and I’ll be participating!  The lovely hosts of COYER have decided to throw out the rules and allow ANY book, regardless of price or format.  I’m super excited about this because during most of the challenge, I’ll be hosting my Sci-Fi Summer reading challenge, and a large chunk of the Science Fiction titles I own are physical editions, which is what I want to concentrate on clearing from my TBR mountain since I’m also participating in the Shelf Love reading challenge.  That’s THREE awesome challenges!

Since the rules for COYER have been tossed like hot potatoes for the Summer, I’m not setting any goals.  I’m just going to read as much as I can, mostly Sci-Fi, but also a few of my ARCs that have publication dates between June and September.  This is going to be a wonderful Summer! 🙂

Are you participating in the COYER Summer Vacation reading challenge?

Sci-Fi Summer Reading Challenge

Published on by Rachelle1 Comment

SCI-FI SUMMERReading Challenge

There’s Sci-Fi November, and Vintage Sci-Fi January, but for me, the Summer is the time of year that is best for reading Science Fiction.  I don’t know why.  Do you think I make the rules of when I read certain genres or books?  Oh…wait…I do.  Or maybe my cat Dresden does?  He seems to be Lord and Master of the rest of my life, so it stands to reason that he does.  Regardless,  from June 20th, the official first day of Summer, to the 21st of September (the day before the Autumnal Equinox), I’m reading as much Sci-Fi as possible.  I’ve got a lot of it on my TBR shelves, and I’m inviting all of you to join me.

Since I’d like to make this a legitimate annual reading challenge, below are the levels:

  • Red Shirt – 1 to 5 books
  • Viper Pilot – 6 to 10 books
  • Jedi – 11 to 15 books
  • Time Lord – 16 or more books

Any book of at least 100 pages that is classified as Science Fiction, including any Sci-Fi subgenres, qualifies for this challenge.  That means audiobooks, physical books, ebooks, library books, free books, other borrowed books, anthologies, and graphic novels are all acceptable options.  You may also count any Sci-Fi book that counts towards another reading challenge.  On June 20th, I’ll post the link up for your reviews, and it will stay open until September 25th.

Are you up to the Science Fiction Summer challenge?  Link up your sign-up posts below:

 

The sign-up will remain open until September 14th, a week before the challenge ends.

 

#FitReaders Check-In

Published on by Rachelle2 Comments
FitReaders2016
  • This check-in is for May 13th – 19th.
  • My weight is still holding steady.  As I move into week 8, the final week, of the I Quit Sugar program, I’m thinking I’ll begin tracking the number of calories I’m eating again.  I may not make any changes to what I’m eating, but I want to see if I’m taking in more calories than I’m burning.
  • This week, my goal was to average 8k steps per day.  Thanks to some laziness over the weekend (which I think I needed, so no regrets there) and some foot pain after I did a 5K, I didn’t make any of my goals.  However, I still did well the days that I did exercise, and I’m proud of myself for accomplishing that 5K.

May 2016 5K

May-2016-5K

  • If you’d like to add me as a friend on FitBit, you can find me HERE.
  • Steps: 37,231/56,000
  • Miles: 15.33/21.00
  • Flights of stairs: 68/70
  • Active Minutes: 170/210
  • Monthly 5K Races Completed: 2/10
  • Monthly 1 Mile Fun “Runs” Completed: 2/10
  • Total Money Donated: $17.69/$100.00

Review: Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea

Published on by Rachelle

Mother

  • Author: Diana Marcellas
  • Publisher: Open Road Media
  • ISBN: 9781497631335
  • Pages: 398
  • Genre: Fantasy (Science Fiction?)

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I’m just going to say that you probably shouldn’t name one of the races in your book using the same word for Islamic law.  Perhaps take 30 seconds to type the word into any search engine before choosing it, just to be on the safe side.  Especially when those people are witches persecuted by the other race of people in your story.

Since I began reviewing books, I have loved or at least enjoyed every book I’ve read that has been published by Open Road Media.  So, when I chose Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea, I was expecting that experience to continue.  Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.  Besides the horrible choice of name for the race of witches, the book suffers from far too many lengthy and unnecessary passages that either could have been cut in half or removed altogether.  On top of that, there’s a quickly formed and somewhat ridiculous romance.  To make matters even worse, there are hints at the possibility of some Science-Fiction type elements, but then no other mention of them and my questions were left hanging there with no answers; not even a further suggestion that might make me want to pick up the next book.

I was disappointed in Mother Ocean, Daughter Sea enough that, while I’m not giving up on Open Road Media books, I will not read any more of the series.  I wish I could say differently, but there it is.  I just don’t care enough to find out if this is indeed Fantasy or Sci-Fi, or some strange mixture of the two.

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Review: Let’s Pretend This Never Happened

Published on by Rachelle

Pretend

  • Author: Jenny Lawson
  • ISBN: 9780399159015
  • Pages: 318
  • Genre: Memoir/Humour

The above ISBN is for the hardcover edition, but I listened to the audiobook I purchased.

For fans of Tina Fey and David Sedaris—Internet star Jenny Lawson, aka The Bloggess, makes her literary debut.

Jenny Lawson realized that the most mortifying moments of our lives—the ones we’d like to pretend never happened—are in fact the ones that define us. In the #1 New York Times bestseller, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor. Chapters include: “Stanley the Magical, Talking Squirrel”; “A Series of Angry Post-It Notes to My Husband”; “My Vagina Is Fine. Thanks for Asking”; “And Then I Snuck a Dead Cuban Alligator on an Airplane.”  – Goodreads

I’ve been a fan of The Bloggess for a very short time, having only come across Jenny Lawson’s blog a little less than a year ago.  Not long after reading a few of her posts, I wanted to read her books.  I especially wanted to read Furiously Happy, but being the crazy type of person that has to read things in order, I chose Let’s Pretend This Never Happened first.  I also decided to go with the audiobook instead of the paperback because Jenny narrates it herself.

I love audiobooks narrated by the author.  While sometimes that’s the last person who should be narrating a book, most of the time, they’re the best option because, hello, they wrote the book.  The author knows all their own natural pauses and cadence, and so you find out how the book should sound.  Also, there’s no way I’m listening to a humorous memoir by a Texan narrated by someone who isn’t a Texan.  Had Jenny Lawson not narrated her own audiobook, I probably would have just waited to buy the paperback next year when, and if, I was no longer participating in the Shelf Love Challenge.  Instead, I used my Audible credit like it was about to expire or the audiobook was going to be removed or something.

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened is for everyone who has had a crazy life or thinks they’ve had a crazy life.  It’s also for everyone who suffers or has suffered from Depression, PTSD, anxiety, or rare diseases for which there is no cure.  For you, get ready to meet a person who understands just what you’re going through and will make you laugh until you’re rolling on the floor, crying, and probably peeing your pants.  I don’t know how I was able to drive to and from work for the week it took me to get through this book, but I didn’t have any road rage while I did it.  I was too busy laughing.

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