Melhara- Jocelyn Tollefson

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

Melhara is the story Kyra- half witch, half angel. Ever since being a little girl, she's had dreams and nightmares of angels and demons battling it out. She also has powers she's been keeping secret. Grown-up, Kyra has a husband and a son and appears to be somewhat removed, living in her own land of daydreams. Everyone notices, but can't quite put their finger on what's going on with her.

On a family roadtrip, they stop at a "western style" motel and Kyra is attacked by men trying to kidnap her. She uses her powers- to her husband's and son's surprise- but is none the less kidnapped. She is delivered to Alastor: a demon claiming that Kyra and him will be King and Queen and free the souls of hell together. Turns out Kyra's nightmares are real. She refuses Alastor and subjects her and her family to brutal torture. In the end, she submits herself and basically becomes a pawn of the demon. Alastor and Kyra plot world domination and slaughter all that are in their path, including the President and Kyra's husband. Her distraught, confused family speak with priests from the Vatican who enlighten them as to what's going on and why Alastor needs Kyra. The priests tell of a prophecy of a demon breaking forth from Hell once a female Melhara is born and letting loose the demons of Hell to rule the Earth, bringing the biblical Apocalypse. The only way to stop the demon is either by killing the Melhara or convincing the Melhara to betray the demon and send him back to Hell.

The rest of the book is how Kyra's family saves her and concocts a plan to rid the Earth of Alastor and his minions.

Overall, I thought this was a decent book. The first part of the book really grabbed me with the action, Kyra's nightmares, and the motel scene. I was intrigued and enjoyed the fast-pace. About half-way through it became a little harder to read. The pacing was almost too fast, there were some pieces of the plot that needed a little more explaining, and I started getting really tired of Alastor.  I do think that's a good thing though...you're not exactly supposed to like demons. I enjoyed the pieces about Xavier- Kyra's son. We find out he inherits some of his mother's abilities and also is Alastor's downfall- no one can come between a mother's love for her child. I found that bit very pleasing. Besides Xavier's role, I found most of the other characters a bit immature. Kyra's husband seemed removed. Kyra's had an affair and her lover seemed quite petty. Her mother seemed a little out of touch. I liked Kyra though she was possessed for most of the book. She was an easy character to buy into.  The book is a little violent- beheading, mass murder, possession and such. Also, there are some sex scenes between Alastor and companions.

If you're into paranormal, angels, demons, heaven, and hell and a fast-paced easy read, this may be a good book for you.

3 Stars.

The Swan Maiden- Heather Tomlinson

This was a pleasant read. Originally I picked this book up reminded of the 90's cartoon "The Swan Princess."  My goodness, I was wrong- but charmed none-the-less.

Doulcette is a young noble, teased by her older, sorceress sisters due to her lack of "swan skin."  Swan Skins give the girls the ability of magic and to transform into swans or any flying creature of their magical choosing.

Doulcette is a sweet girl and clearly appreciated and respected by the castle employees for her respecting them. Her mother intends for Doulcette to be a chastlaine- a perfect nobleman's housewife.  She wanted Doulcette to be unsullied by her father's side of the family, who just happens to be magical. Doulcette dreams of having her own swan-skin and having her own magic. Meanwhile, an unlikely romance begins with a local shepherd and he completes 3 challenges to win her hand- being a low-born. In the meantime, Doulcette finds her swan-skin hidden by her mother and achieves magical abilities. However, her mother finds her out and burns the skin, removing Doulcette's powers. She helps her beloved (Jaume) complete the final task by entering a magical spirit's cauldron and regaining her magic at the price of her toe.

Jaume wins her hand-against her spiteful mother's wishes- and they set off as newly weds. Doulcette is torn between her love for Jaume and her love of magic. Eventually, she leaves him on the journey to his home and constructs a castle of magic where she abides in freedom. A season later, she learns Jaume is to be married. Realizing the selfishness and folly of her decision, she returns to claim Jaume as her husband. Basically, they live happily ever after.

SO....I gave this 3 stars because it was simply pleasant. I loved Jaume's love for Doulcette and up until she leaves him, I think his love is well-placed. I did cringe when she left though. Up until that point, I very much enjoy her as a character. Doulcette longed for freedom and magic- she wanted to be a free-bird, but couldn't shake her love for Jaume. I thought she was an absolute spoiled brat. Jaume literally moved heaven and earth  and his very life to become her husband. I guess what did I expect? She was born a noble...

Anywho, I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did initially. I knew this was going to be a rather easy read and it was. It reads just like a Disney fairy tale...and it basically is. It's not a complex book, but it's enjoyable if you like fairy tales. This is appropriate for any aged reader due to the innocence and simplicity of the story. I gave this a 3 star due to it's simplicity as well. The characters were okay, but not completely flushed out. The magic needed a little more explaining. The family seemed more like archtypes than actual characters. It was not very dimensional. However, it was a fun, easy read.

3.5 Stars.

Queen of Tearling- Erika Johansen

Where do I even begin?
Every once in a great moon a book comes and rips you up inside. It moves you and things change. You can't move on. You can't read more. Things have changed. My friends, I've recently learned this is called a book-hangover.  This made me feel things on a very deep level. I had dreams about this for weeks and could not pick up a book for a good 3-4 weeks after I finished this series. I ate it up and read the 3 books in 5 days.  Thanks Scribd!!! That being said, I plan on reviewing each book. The first one wasn't as compelling as the last 2. But it definitely lays an exceptional foundation for the roller coaster that is to come.

Anyways, in the first book we are introduced to Kelsea. A princess who has been hidden away (like Sleeping Beauty) for her safety (people really want her dead). When she is of age to become Queen, the Queen's guard grabs her and brings her to The Keep (the castle).  When she gets to the castle she is horrified by people being herded into cages- sold into a form of slavery as tribute to the Red Queen. If one stops the tribute of slaves, the Red Queen invades the depressed, impoverished Tearling kingdom. It does not matter the age of the person- children or adults can be a slaves.  Kelsea's first act upon riding into court is putting a stop to this madness, knowing full well the consequences.

This act grabbed me instantly because it was sudden and also well-thought out by Kelsea. Again, I'm not going to go into great detail, but one of the reasons I love Kelsea is because she weighs out everything and thinks ahead. She always is thinking of who she wants to be and balancing it with whatever consequences that may bring her people. She is an exceptional leader- no thanks to either of her unfortunate parents.  Kelsea idealizes her mother only to find out she was vain and weak in the face of great terror. No one except a tiny few know who Kelsea's father is. The only thing we really know is that Kelsea's mother loved her male concubines and her father was one of these sad men.

The first book deals with the coming consequences of Kelsea's decision to stop slavery. It also deals with her cleaning up the criminal activity of court, learning of her mother's disgraceful decisions, and also that her Tearling jewels have some sort of power she can and can't control. Some good powers and some bad- we don't really know the complete nature of these jewels. We are briefly told about William Tear (the founder of the Tearling Kingdom) and his so-called Crossing.  We don't know completely what that means except that the Tearling came from a different place that was worse. Thankfully, the second book expands upon this completely.

Why do I love this so much? Hmmm....how to explain.
Kelsea is an ever-growing character full of complexity. She's torn, she really doesn't know her family history, and she really doesn't know much about real-life Tearling except what she read in books. You see a naive 19 year old girl grow into a strong woman by the end of the book. She is a hero we can love and respect. I also loved Mace and Andalie. Andalie is an interesting character- also saved by Kelsea. Andalie's husband is basically a pedophile and abuses her and her children. She is very mysterious in the first book, but useful. Mace is basically Kelsea's number one. He's stubborn, strong, and is full of brute force.  The Red Queen is intriguing too and turns out to be just as complex as Kelsea in the end. If Kelsea had an evil alternate ego, the Red Queen would be the answer.

The themes of redemption and consequence run through this book as well. Everything has a consequence. Is the cost of freedom worth the coming terror from the Red Queen? This is Kelsea's struggle. But each choice she makes leads to her people loving and respecting her more. You do see this and her struggle becomes that much more disheartening. Tearling will be invaded. Tearling has no real army.  Their weapons are bad. Their resources are worse....they will not win. And basically this is where the book ends. My heart is stopping already and the real story hasn't even began.





A couple more things...real quick. This is a fantasy book. For now. If you like fantasy, this is for you. But for those dystopian-loving fans, I encourage you to stick around for book 2 and 3. Oh yeah. It most definitely goes there.

5 star rating.

Pearl in the Sand- Tessa Afshar

What originally led me to this was the desire to read some good biblical fiction- particularly about the "bad girls" of the bible.  I love retellings and I was hoping to find another Marek Halter (Zipporah, Sarah, Fatimah). So, I set out looking for a book about Rahab. I've read her story in the bible lots of times, but wanted a new take on it.  I came to several books, but my Scribd membership brought me to "Pearl in the Sand."  I loved the cover, so I thought why not?!

The book opens by showing us the hardship and poverty Rahab's family is going through- ultimately leading her father to sell her into prostitution. So, forgive me for being gritty,  but I did wish Afshar expanded in this section. I wanted to feel Rahab's pain and hear about her first experience in prostitution. However, she quickly moved past this and into Rahab's purchase of the inn and her meeting the Hebrews. The seeds of her faith in the Hebrew God were planted early on and I realized while this was a book about Rahab, it was also a book about faith and redemption. The book follows the biblical story (Jericho destroyed, Rahab & Fam spared.) 

Then it slowly progresses to her relationship with Salmone. Again, I felt like this developed quickly and there were details that could've been added. I do like their relationship and the redemptive quality between Salmone and Rahab. I think this was my favorite aspect.  To me, their relationship and Salmone's dealing with her being a former prostitute was probably the most intriguing to me. I appreciate Afshar flushing this aspect out. How does one come to terms with a new wife that just happened to make a good living as a prostitute...and continue to love her well? Afshar explored the intricacies between both of the characters.

In the end, I would say it is a decent book. It definitely has a religious Jewish/Christian slant....so if you're not into that, I'd skip it. I think the pacing was difficult in this book. I understand why she didn't go into detail of Rahab's early prostitution years because this book was moderately long. I also feel like the ending came a little too quickly. I found myself at the last page thinking "THIS IS IT?!"  Overall, I think it's a good book for those into Christian and biblical fiction. It did satisfy me, but I would have preferred a grittier retelling of a prostitute. Often the most beautiful redemption stories come from the darkest of places (Alice, by Christina Henry, I'm looking at you!!!).

I gave this a 3 star rating.

For Fans Of:
Marek Halter
Francine Rivers
Redeeming Love
Christian Fiction
Christian Literature

Girl From The Woods- Chris Keane

I received "Girl From The Woods" from the author for an honest review. 

GFTW is quick and easy read. I do think it's an entertaining read- but let me preface that by saying this is not my preferred genre at all. This was billed as a paranormal romance. I see why, but it hardly kept my interest and wouldn't necessarily classify this as paranormal. Keep in mind I've been on a paranormal/fantasy kick for months now and have been having trouble not comparing books to my favorites.

I don't think this is entirely the fault of the author either- I think it's my age. I would've probably enjoyed this more in high school- not as a 30 year old, divorcee, remarried ex-stepmom. The characters were, however, realistic enough to me. I've definitely met people like this. Angie is okay. I like her sassiness and I think is smart to dish it to underachieving Dante. The premise is fun. But generally speaking I never choose to read books about male leads. Males bore me....to be completely honest. I know that sounds sexist. I love men. Just don't prefer them as the leads....and especially how Dante & his brother are portrayed right off the bat. Let's just say I agree with their parents' decision to leave them. 100%! But Dante does eventually grow to be his age.  Anywho, high schoolers/early college ages probably would enjoy this. It's a fun, fast-paced read. Just not really for me.


I gave this a 2 star rating on Goodreads.




For:
-Juniors & seniors in high school
-Early college

Cruel Beauty- Rosamund Hodge

"Cruel Beauty" is a retelling of the classic "Beauty & The Beast."
However, this is definitely not your average "Beauty & The Beast." It veers off from the regular path and is much more complex. Much more. I don't want to give it away...it's definitely is a bit of a mind-bender and fantastic world building. I loved the writing, image descriptions, mythology, characters and all.

I really love Nyx's character development. She starts off pretty immature but throughout the book she grows. When she gets back home, you see how different she has become. I've heard a lot of complaints against her, but given her upbringing, I think it is expected that she is whiny and angry in the beginning. The relationship between her and Ignifex is fantastic and twisted. He is so wounded, cold, and manipulative. This does change and eventually you do see him for who he truly is.

Another thing that really stood out to me was the descriptions of Ignifex's castle. LORDY! In my imagination, that "castle" is terrifying and beautiful all at the same time!  The scene that stands out the most is where Ignifix is showing Nyx her homeland and she realizes what his real job is. I can't tell you...I'll ruin it. But it's good.

If you like time-travel, re-tellings, mind-benders, and fantasy, this is for you!

4.5 Star Rating.

For Fans Of:
Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Any retelling's
Queen of Tearling
Great & Terrible Beauty

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