Category: Fantasy

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling (Orville Wellington Mouse #5) by tom hoffman

1/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Tom Hoffman takes the reader into his wonderful fantasy world of Orville Mouse in his series of Orville Wellington Mouse Adventures, the latest of which is Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling. Orville Mouse, his best friend (and maybe girlfriend?) Sophia Mouse embark on another adventure through space and time, on this occasion, with his faithful companion Proto and the assistance of a rather unusual tree, we come to know as the Sagacious Sapling. There is trouble afoot in Muridaan Falls, when Orville and Sophie begin to experience some time flips, which they soon discover are the precursor to a massive time shift about to hit them resulting from an enormous explosion some hundreds of thousands of years ago. Somehow, the intrepid band of metaphysical adventurers must travel back in time to the prehistoric, jungle world of Ferus and prevent the explosion from ever occurring and releasing the Great Thaumatarian Time Wave, before it reaches their world and plunges them back into the past, some five thousand years.

Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Sagacious Sapling is my first foray into the work of Tom Hoffman and indeed his fantasy world of Orville Mouse. This book is the fifth adventure involving these characters and although it is not necessary to have read the previous books, it is always an advantage, I feel, to read a series in order. As a reader, once you get your head around the idea that this story is a fantasy adventure and indeed the two main characters are actually mice, the characters, their foibles and traits very definitely do grow on you. Orville and Sophia are truly sweet and adorable characters, but much of the humour and enjoyment I derived from the story came from the two offbeat characters, Proto (a robot of sorts) and of course, Leaf, the sagacious sapling. I loved the way they analysed Orville’s jokes and tried to replicate the humour themselves. The idea of logical thinking, programmed, machines beginning to adapt and understand humour while not novel was definitely intriguing. Hoffman has probably targeted the Orville Wellington Mouse sagas at the Young Adult market, but to be perfectly honest, I would suggest there is nothing in this book that would preclude it from being read at a younger age and also by older readers. It is a good, old-fashioned, swashbuckling adventure tale, whose two protagonists just happen to be a couple of mice. It was an excellent read and I would definitely recommend it.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check this very good book out, plus take a look at Tom Hoffman's full collection:

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the infinity mantle (lore of arcana #1) by elaina j davidson

9/3/2018

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Some authors write fantasy, Elaina J Davidson writes epic fantasy and she does it with the care and aplomb of a true master of the craft. Her books are usually wide, sweeping tales of fantastic worlds, amazing creatures and terrifying magic and sorcery. The Infinity Mantle, the first book in the Lore of Arcana series, is just such a book. It brings us the worlds of Valaris and Ardosia, both threatened by the evil Darak Or Margus. To battle this universal evil, Davidson brings together an ensemble cast of humans, guardians (Immortals) and even the greatest ruler of them all, the original being that ruled both Valaris and Ardosia from the very beginnings of sentience.

This story is massive in its scope and one thing I appreciated from the author, especially given that this is the first book in a series, was the time she spent to introduce and understand the principal characters in this strange new world. Too often fantasy authors leave us, the reader, to flounder along wondering who is this character and why is he/she reacting this way. Davidson takes the time to build her world, to set the scene and to explore her characters. I applaud her for this.

Once the adventure starts, the action is fascinating and beautifully written. We are able to follow the various arcs of the story and relate one to the other, which is the sign of a superb writer, which Davidson certainly is. I particularly liked the emotional nature of the interactions between both the humans and the humans to the immortals. There was always a deep feeling of mistrust and fascination between the two groups, which was wonderfully played by Davidson. The principal character (if there can even be one in such an ensemble cast) Rayne of the Mantle was perfectly complex and riddled with issues, especially identity issues. I look forward to exploring more of these fascinating characters in the next few books in this series.

Davidson is both prolific and talented as an author and I would certainly place her high up in the list of indie authors I have read and as a fantasy author, she is up there with the very best. An author to follow for sure. I highly recommend The Infinity Mantle, if fantasy is your genre - and even if it's not, I suggest you give this one a crack.

Do pop on over to Amazon and take a look at The Infinity Mantle, plus all of this prolific author's portfolio.

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metzra: a hybrid world (world of Metzra Book 1) by magnus phoenix

8/3/2018

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Metzra by M.U. Phoenix is a debut novella that introduces us to the fantasy world of Metzra. Following the murder of his mother and his father remarrying, Raivy decides he needs time out to sort out his emotions and to deal with the violent death of his mother. He retreats to a hut in the forest where he tries to come to terms with what has happened and to attempt to find out who killed the most wonderful woman in the world. In his quest for answers he is lead to an old sage who lives alone in the wilderness. What the sage tells him will lead him on a journey that will not only, to his shock and horror, expose his mother’s murderers, but will also make him question his very existence. He will discover a hitherto unknown, to him, dimension, Metzra and will come to understand that he is so much more than he thought he was. Metzra and Raivy will be permanently intertwined as this saga continues.

Although a fantasy and although very short, Metzra reminded me in many ways almost of a new sub-genre that is gaining popularity – RPG Adventures. As a debut novella, M.U. Phoenix was clearly attempting to introduce a new world to his potential readers and pique their interest in reading the future books of this series and the further adventures of Raivy. From that perspective, Phoenix clearly achieved his/her objective. The world of Metzra is different and fascinating. The three types of beings, hybrids are it seems to me unique, especially the hybrid types i.e. horsnake (combination of a horse and a snake). I felt it was clever and bodes well for future interesting episodes. I know this is becoming a common technique amongst some authors – to serialise their novels as novellas, however, as a reader, I’m not overly certain I’m comfortable with it. That being said, Metzra is a good, if a somewhat unsatisfying length of read. I look forward to more from Phoenix.

Pop on over to Amazon and check out the debut novella by Magnus Phoenix - Metzra:

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there be demons by m. k. theodoratus

5/2/2018

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There Be Demons By M. K. Theodoratus
Editorial Review for the Author Resource Centre
Prepared by Grant Leishman

There are demons among us and we aren’t even aware of it. In the city of Trebridge, Andor, demons seek to take over the world, to inhabit humans and to wreak havoc and destruction everywhere. All that keeps these foul-smelling, evil creatures at bay are a squad of Gargoyles, attached to a Church in Trebridge and four young teenagers, led by the feisty, but shy, fourteen-year-old Britt, who will become the Gargoyle gang, as they find themselves pitted against some of the most evil creatures the Universe has ever spawned. In “There Be Demons” by M. K. Theodoratus, we are introduced to this unlikely band of demon hunters.
All four live in the “Towers” project, a high-rise that is inner-city slum territory. Britt lives, in a two bedroomed apartment, with her Mum, two younger brothers, her half-sister Pietra and Pietra’s two young babies. Crowded, poor, and often hungry, after being abandoned by their philandering father, Britt has everything stacked against her, getting ahead in life. A scholarship to St Cecilia’s High School ensures she will receive the education she needs to find a way out of the projects. Life in Trebridge is tough and uncompromising, with violence everywhere, but it is only as Britt and her friends come to learn from the Gargoyles, that most of the pain and suffering the people are under, comes directly from the influence of the demons, that they truly understand the importance of the task they have been chosen to undertake. Overseeing this mess is the elusive and recalcitrant Angeli, who must be obeyed, but seem unwilling to help the young people, or the Gargoyles, in any practical sense
“There Be Demons”, is an exceptionally readable and exciting, young-adult fantasy. M. K. Theodoratus, an author I have not come across before has done a superb job at creating some very realistic young protagonists/heroes that the reader is immediately able to identify and empathise with. The real standout, for me, was the character of Britt. The author managed to convey the lead protagonist, as a strong, able, and incredibly feisty young woman, who still retained all the shyness, angst and fears of any young fourteen-year-old girl, who equally, longs to be normal, accepted and loved. Britt and her friend/boyfriend Cahal were definitely the star turns in this story. The developing romance and awakening between the pair certainly helped to temper the more violent and vicious parts of the story.
A real highlight was Theodoratus’ descriptive writing when characterising the demons. As one read, one really felt they were there, with Britt, facing down these slimy, disgusting, evil and vile creatures. Her detailed physical descriptions of the many different types of demons; definitely brought them to life, for me. Equally, the fight scenes were realistic and believable. Not once did I find myself scoffing about how a victory was achieved, as is often the case when reading books of this ilk.
“There Be Demons” was a pleasure to read and if fantasy is your thing, you will definitely enjoy this offering. I found intriguing the concept that this battle against demons was something happening all over the Universe and I have little doubt that gives the author plenty of ideas for future projects and stories. All in all, a very satisfying read and something a little bit different in this genre. “There Be Demons”, is definitely a must read for fans of the genre.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out There Be Demons, as well as the rest of M. K. Theodoratus' offerings.

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Visions (almana book 2) by julayn Adams

30/1/2018

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Visions (Almana Book 2) by Julayn Adams is the second of a planned trilogy following the adventures of Almana an Angel who is sent to a dystopian earth to try and help humanity recover from its ails. Heaven has almost given up on humanity, but Almana (Ali) still believes there is enough good in humanity for them to overcome the evil. She fell in love with a human, Cam and their souls were entwined, but when Cam was killed, Ali had to face the bleakness of a life without her soulmate.

Ali and her friends live in the forest, hiding from the evil ruler of Los Angeles, Equis, who they fear will one day send his Armageddon army against them. Ali and her friend Alexa dream of taking back Los Angeles from the evil that has befallen it and restoring humanity to a loving, caring community. For now, though, survival is the key and Ali, with help from her brother Patrick will do their best to ensure their community survives and flourishes.

It is some time since I read the first book in this series, but I remember it well as it made a significant impact on me at the time, as Julayn Adams' debut novel. I know I tend to repeat myself a little, but watching an indie author grow and develop throughout a series, is one of the most rewarding things about being a reviewer. Almana was a good debut novel, but Visions, its follow-up is simply superb. Adams' writing has tightened and credit to her editor, the editing is faultless in this book. The characters that I grew to love and identify with in Almana are all back in Visions and we have a whole new cast joining the band of survivors which adds diversity, interest and significant conflict. I love watching Indie authors get even better and Adams definitely has, with visions.

There are some neat little twists and turns in this story, that I particularly enjoyed and the book sets the scene perfectly for the final installment in the trilogy, Insurgence, which I am waiting for, with bated breath. Having written a trilogy myself, I know how hard it is for the author to sustain the tempo right to the end, but thus far Adams is showing every ability of being able to do just that. Julayn Adams has rocketed toward the top of my favourite indie authors with Visions and I have every confidence she will bring the series home, with a bang, with Insurgence. Great stuff!

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out Visions by Julayn Adams. I would strongly recommend you read Almana first, as Visions flows on perfectly from Almana. It's well worth taking a look.

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william wilde and the necrosed (the chronicles of william wilde) by davis ashura

24/1/2018

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Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

When seventeen-year-old William Wilde’s mother, father and brother are killed in a car accident, with William as the sole survivor, his life changes forever, but in ways he could never possibly have foreseen. The accident was, in fact, no accident; it was orchestrated by an evil zombie-like creature, known as a Necrosed. In William Wilde and the Necrosed, by Davis Ashura, William must not only cope with the death of his family, but as time goes on he becomes aware that this evil Necrosed, Kohl Obsidian, is actually after him, for something he wasn’t even aware he possessed. William, along with his friends from High School are all, your typical, quintessential nerds and along with the beautiful and mysterious Serena, who is also much more than she seems, embark on an expedition to kill the Necrosed and to introduce William to his true identity and his true heritage.

William Wilde and the Necrosed is a fantastic coming-of-age novel, with a massive dollop of fantasy and fun thrown in. With Davis Ashura setting the novel in the mid-1980’s and having the main characters as nerds, it was inevitable that many of the iconic movies, songs and heroes of the period would find their way into this story. If anything, that served to give the story more character and depth than would have otherwise been the case. The main character of William Wilde was beautifully drawn, as the sensitive, caring, yet geeky High School senior who slowly but surely discovers his true self, his strength, and his true destiny. The close and caring friendships and inter-friend banter was certainly a highlight of the story for me. Don’t lose sight of the fact, though, that this is also a fantasy, adventure story that absolutely rollicks along at a fantastic and, at times, dizzying speed. The fight scenes in the book were carefully orchestrated and choreographed. Ashura’s knowledge and clever writing certainly made these scenes a highlight of the book. An excellent read and I look forward to the second book in this series.

Why not pop on over to Amazon and check out William Wilde and the Necrosed, along with Davis Ashura's full, impressive body of work.

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khdz by david r. beshears

12/1/2018

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

KHDZ by David R. Beshears is a short novella that whimsically explores the after-life and more specifically, Hell. John Smith has died and is sent down below, apparently an administrative foul-up. John was a good man and should never have ended up in Hell - Heaven was definitely the right place for him, but unfortunately the paperwork got mixed up and here he was - in Hell. He is told to report to the Hades Television Station, KHDZ, where he will be employed for the interim (until the paperwork is sorted out). Whilst at KHDZ John meets a variety of quirky and even downright weird characters who all influence his thinking and understanding of the afterlife, in some way. When John realises that any administrative foul-up in Hell will take some considerable time to rectify, he must adapt to fit in and survive in this strange environment.

KHDZ is definitely a quirky, little, short story/novella, that I did enjoy. The premise itself was interesting. How would someone who had every expectation of going to Heaven when he died, cope with ending up in the other place, even if it was by mistake? The main character of John Smith was reasonably well expanded and explained in the short span of the book, but I think given the length of the story, there was not enough opportunity to develop and flesh out the other characters, especially those of Janice and Mr Horn. I would have liked to have seen more. Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable read and something distinctly different from the usual fare I am served up. For that the author deserves considerable credit. Beshears has an interesting and dark sense of humour, which definitely appeals to me.

Why not pop on over to Amazon and check out KHDZ and all of David R. Beshear's prolific portfolio.

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eyes of the hunter by rosa marchisella

7/1/2018

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Eyes of the Hunter by Rosa Marchisella is a fantastic young adult adventure tale about a young Prince who may not be all that he seems. After years of giving birth to girls and no heir to the throne of Simanthea, finally the Queen produces a boy to claim the throne. Prince Erin is special, not only because he is a boy and able to rule when his Father, the King dies, but also in ways that will surprise. An overprotective Queen chooses a young lad, Caley, to be Prince Erin's friend, companion, and bodyguard to ensure the Prince's safety. As Erin grows he quickly realises something is wrong and ultimately he must run to escape the clutches of the King, as well as his now furious friend Caley, who feels angry and betrayed by the lies and deceit of the Queen and Prince Erin. What follows is a chase across many lands, by Caley - who is now known as The Hunter to seek Prince Erin and destroy the boy who ruined his life.

This is a wonderful story with a fascinating premise that had me hooked from the very beginning. Eyes of the Hunter is a very suitable story for young adults as it explores the aspects of relationshps and hpw they can be affected by lies and deceit. Rose Marchisella did a tremendous job with the two main characters, Prince Erin and Caley in developing the relationship between the pair and showing how love and hate can be two sides of the same coin. The action is fast and frenetic with plenty of little twists thrown into the story to keep the reader guessing. I found the writing to be tight and compelling, drawing the reader into the story and ensuring he/she just wanted to keep reading. This story could well be the basis for a series of books one feels and I for one would love to read more of the story of these two characters. The author definitely set the scene for a possible sequel, which is great. An excellent read that is as equally suitable for adults as it is for young adults. A great job Ms Marchisella.

Do pop on over to Amazon and check out Eyes of the Hunter by Rosa Marchisella as well as this authors full portfolio of books on offer.

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becoming animals by olga and christopher werby

5/1/2018

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Becoming Animals by Olga and Christopher Werby explores an idea that probably few of us have ever thought about. What would it be like to inhabit and share an animal's brain? Would the humanity overtake the animal, would the animal display dominance or would it be possible to co-exist and to share their experiences, understanding and view of the world. When eight-year-old Toby Crowe is left alone in her father Will's lab to play with the lab rat, it soon becomes obvious to all those involved in the BRATS project that Toby has an affinity with not only the animals, but the idea of joining minds and "riding" the animals. Dr Will Crowe heads up the BRATS programme, which is funded by the Army. The plan, initially, was to use rats or other animals to assist the Army in searching for survivors in the rubble of buildings as part of their disaster relief programmes. Other member of the Armed Forces, though, have ulterior motives for trying to meld human minds with animal minds. For Toby, who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and whose mother is terminally ill with the illness, the idea of becoming part of another animal seems one way of leaving something of herself behind, when her illness eventually claims her young life.

As a concept for a novel I found the idea of melding with an animal's mind, in Becoming Animals, to be utterly fascinating and was excited to see how this would develop for young Toby. I became very invested in the characters created by Olga and Christopher Werby and consequently enjoyed this children's/young adult book even more than I thought I would have. The amount of honest research that had clearly gone on before penning this novel lent real authenticity to the tale. Much of what was discussed, I had heard in broad details in various places, but had perhaps not realised the possible implications - this was especially true of the idea of neuroplasticity and our brain's ability to reset and remake neural connections, at will, or as required. The book was an incredibly easy read and although the science might be above the understanding of some of the authors' intended audience, it in no way detracted from the understanding of the story. This story was unique, in my opinion, a rare quality in today's book market. I commend the two authors for their ingenuity and creativity and can highly recommend this read. A great job!

Be sure to pop on over to Amazon and check out this amazing story plus the full selection of books available from Olga and Christopher Werby.

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faviAN'S lAW (tRUTH TELLER SERIES - BOOK 3) BY k CHAMBERS

5/1/2018

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Charlotte is a normal nine-year-old girl, excited by the start of the Christmas break from school and three week's of fun and leisure. When her Dad announces to the family that they are off to visit the local Christmas pantomime, the following evening, Charlotte and her little sister Beth are besides themselves with excitement. Charlotte, however, has a secret - a pendant that allows her to travel between her earthly realm and the magic world of Elves, Trolls, Dwarves and Fairies. Reading Favian's Law by K. Lawrence it soon becomes apparent Charlotte has visited this world before, in earlier stories. When the family do visit the pantomime, Charlotte is accosted by the man from the next show on the evening's bill, a mind-reader, psychic, named Favian. Recognising the pendant Charlotte is wearing, Favian steals it and travels to the other realm, where Charlotte later discovers her has created havoc and set the various inhabitant races of the realm, one against the other. Somehow Charlotte must make this all okay again - somehow she must must fix it and undo Favian's Law.

This was a delightful read as we travelled, through the author's imagination, to the world of elves and the like. I particularly liked the little twists, with time-travel, that the author threw into the story. Charlotte was believable, both as a scared child who just wanted to make things right, as well as the feisty and famed Truth Teller from an earlier story. It is always a good measure in a series such as this if a reader can say, "you don't have to have read the earlier adventures, to understand and enjoy this one." That was certainly the case with Favian's Law. K Lawrence had done an excellent job in filling in the gaps in a reader's understanding of what had preceded this tale. Some of the interactions with the elderly lady later in the story were just a little too understanding and accepting of what was clearly an extraordinary happening to have been dumped on her lap. That having been said, it didn't detract from the excitement of the story and the pace and action of the read. I think this book would be extremely suitable a read for any children from ten upwards. Charlotte was a very modern, with-it young lady, who I'm sure all young readers would identify well with. A very good read.

Pop on over to Amazon and check out Favian's Law plus all of K Chamers' portfolio

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the children of when (florisia #1) by Jennifer Redmile

29/12/2017

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Children of When by Jennifer Redmile is a delightful children's coming-of-age story that takes us into the fantasy world of Florisia. When three disparate children, all growing up in different versions of the village of Naissence, turn fourteen, it is time for them to cross-over. On their fourteenth birthday they must leave their village and go to "The Circle" where they are transported to a new world that will shape their future. Three children, Leah, Raff and Belle all have different backgrounds and mixed emotions about the upcoming journey. Their friendship and camaraderie will develop and mature as they discover they are part of a thousand-year prophecy that will pit them against all manner of evil and dangerous creatures.

The Children of When is a spell-binding tale that even someone well past their childhood can enjoy and relate to. Described by one as a cross between Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and the Adventures of Narnia, I could certainly see elements of that in Redmile's story. The three characters are from such differing backgrounds and their mindsets about the journey they have undertaken make for a fascinating and interesting clash of motivations. The author does well to meld them together into a cohesive team. I especially liked some of the interplay between the three main characters. Although not a terribly long book, it is certainly one that is impossible to put down and can be easily read in one sitting. It is suitable for children of pre-teen age, although some of the situations described by Redmile could be seen as frightening, there is always the feeling that Belle, Leah and Raff will succeed. As a non-child, I enjoyed this read and can highly recommend it to stimulate young, enquiring minds.

Be sure to pop on over to Amazon to check out The Children of When, plus Jennifer Redmile's other works, here on Amazon:

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people of dirt (Dirt, Series 2, Book #3) by C. C. Hogan

29/12/2017

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Regular readers of my reviews will know that I am a long-time fan of C.C. Hogan's magnificent fantasy series set in the land of Dirt. My latest read from Hogan, People of Dirt is book three in series two of the story of this amazing fantasy world. As such, it appears to be the last in this particular story, which does sadden me somewhat. I have come to love and enjoy the principal characters from Dirt, especially the three women; Silvi, Ferrett and Mistry. These strong, young (although one of them is actually over 500-years-old) are a wonderful portrayal of leadership. They all have their weaknesses and their faults, but deep down they are driven by the search for peace and justice. I love all the characters in Dirt, but, of course, especially the dragons. I mean, who doesn't love dragons? The dragons of Dirt are drawn, by Hogan, with the characteristics, mannerisms and morality of humans, but even more so. They are more moral and upright, it seems, than us.

In this final iteration of Dirt, things are coming to a head. As Dragon Leader, Sylvi, tries to unite the bulk of Preland against the invaders from the north, led by the fanatical priests, the True Path, who have corrupted the legends of Pree for their own benefit, you can tell the final battles will not only be climatic, but bloody and action-packed. People of Dirt is a substantial book, but at no time did I notice the length of the story. Hogan's ability to keep a reader entranced with both action and great dialogue is well known to me.

I am in awe of the incredible depth and detail of the world created by C. C. Hogan. This author has made real a world of fantasy and dragons that few authors are capable of achieving. Without giving away the plot, at all, I would just say this: "Any author who can make a reader physically cry over the death of an imaginary dragon character is an author worthy of respect and following." C. C. Hogan IS such an author. I can highly recommend People of Dirt and the entire, wonderful, Dirt series. I will miss it. Kudos to Hogan.

Do shoot on over to Amazon and take a look at People of Dirt and all of C. C. Hogan's magnificent selection. You don't have to read the Dirt books in order, to enjoy them, but I would definitely recommend it if you want to get the most from this amazing series.

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the ruby blade (eleanor morgan #3) by amy cissell

15/12/2017

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Ruby Blade by Amy Cissell is the continuation of the fantasy tale of Eleanor Morgan and her quest to reopen the gates and allow magic back into the world. Eleanor, a Fae Princess and her sidekicks, Florence, a Mage, and Raj, a thousand-year-old Vampire are joined in this episode by Emma, a werewolf, the former girlfriend of Eleanor's werewolf mate Isaac, who is currently being held by the Dark Queen and being horribly tortured. In The Ruby Blade Eleanor will open two more of the gates, travelling across the eastern seaboard of the United States to do so, a country that has lost most of its technology due to the power of the magic she has released back into the world, thus far. Raj will continue his ongoing efforts to try to woo Eleanor away from her mate bond with Isaac, as the sexual tension ramps up in this iteration. Arriving late, to assist is Raj's daughter Petrina, herself a powerful vampire and mage.

I thoroughly enjoyed the previous episode of this series and was keenly anticipating the next two gates being opened. Amy Cissell does not disappoint with The Ruby Blade. The characters continue to develop and I particularly love the simmering relationship between Raj and Eleanor as she tries to deal with the many twists and turns this story takes. Emma is a welcome addition, as a character and some of the best dialogue in this book is the snarky, and sarcastic, to and fro, between Isaac's ex-girlfriend and his current mate. This is an epic fantasy and fans of magic and mayhem will lap this up, but the by-play and the strong, positive characters, especially the women is so refreshing to read. This is one of those books that is impossible to put down as one exciting scene just literally drags you into the next, but for readers with a thirst for witty, sassy, dialogue, that's all here too. I cannot wait for the next edition of this tale, where Eleanor will attempt to open the next gates - what trials and tribulations will befall these characters that I've grown to love and hate. Excellent stuff from Cissell.

You can pop on over to Amazon and check out The Ruby Blade, as well as the full Eleanor Morgan series to date:

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the font of jasmeen: elk riders volume III by ted neill

13/12/2017

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Prince Haille has always been made to feel responsible for the death of his beloved mother and Queen, since she died giving birth to him. Coupled with the stigma of his mother’s death is he is considered a cripple, an invalid, a freak even, because of his “shaking sickness” (I’m assuming this is probably epilepsy). When Haille discovers his father, the King, plans to send him away to an orphanage for afflicted children, he determines to seek out and find the legendary Font of Jasmeen, where it is said the enchanted statue can cure and heal any afflicted child. Along with his classmate, Katlyn, the two fourteen-year-old’s head out into a land beset by the threat of war and ruled by duplicitous and self-serving Lords, only loyal to Haille’s father when it suits their purposes. So begins Ted Neill’s young adult adventure, The Font of Jasmeen.

I’m certainly not a young adult, The Font of Jasmeen’s target market, but I’m happy to say this book is suitable for all ages. This is the first book of Ted Neill’s that I’ve read, but I hazard a guess it won’t be the last. I loved the rollicking style of this adventure, as Haille and Katlyn lurched from one crisis to another, never sure who their allies and friends really were. The two principal characters were easily identifiable with, both mercilessly bullied at school for varying reasons. One thing I particularly liked about the story was that Neill allowed his “hero” (Haille) to be exactly what he was, a fourteen-year-old boy, full of angst, self-doubt and often making the wrong decisions, for what seemed the right reasons to his teenage mind. This book was a fantastic read and will have appeal to anyone who likes Epic Fantasy and certainly not just to its intended target market of Young Adults. I am excited that The Font of Jasmeen is part of a series and a quick glance at its companion volumes, on Amazon, tells me the other stories in the series focus on some of the bit-players in this book. Excellent – on my TBR list now.

Pop on over to Amazon and check out The Font of Jasmeen, plus Ted Neill's excellent portfolio of novels, on his Amazon page:

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harmless by katherine dell

12/12/2017

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Rachel Barnes’ life seemed to change forever after her elder brother Eric was killed in a car crash, when she was just fourteen; her parents divorced and she and her Mum set about moving house, time after time, trying to find a place to settle down again. In Harmless, by Katherine Dell, they’ve now left Vancouver and settled in her Mother’s small home town, with Rachel’s grandmother – a full-blooded native of the area. Despite being there for five months already, Rachel has yet to even unpack her boxes of stuff that she brought with them. When Rachel and her friends open a spirit box given to her by her Grandmother, strange things begin to occur. The spirits released; the white deer, crow and bear offer wishes to the young people, but also released is the evil “soul reaper”, the mythical black Wendigo. Rachel just wants to find her place in the world – can the spirits help her in that?

Aimed fairly and squarely at the young adult market, Harmless finds its mark. The characters of Rachel and her friends are clearly archetypical high-school seniors, unsure of where there lives will head after school and nervous about the prospects of leaving their home town and their friends to venture out into the world. Dell has done a good job of building the characters. Rachel especially was easy to identify and empathise with. Her angst over her brother’s loss is the centre of this story and Rachel’s friends merely bit players who aid her in her quest for freedom from the pain of her loss. I particularly enjoyed the supernatural portion of the story and the exploration of the Native myths and legends that created the spirit box and its contents. From a target audience perspective, this is a very readable book, with the usual teenage angst and love interests. I did enjoy the tenseness and conflict of Rachel’s relationships with the two male characters in her life; Mason and Nate. I think Katherine Dell has related an interesting and easily read tale here in Harmless and as the first book in a planned series, it’s a good start.

You can discover Harmless for yourself, here on Katherine Dell's Amazon page:

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the black river chronicles: the ursvaal exchange (black river academy book 2) by david tallerman

1/12/2017

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Durren Flintrand and his three questing team members, Tia, Arein, and Hule have just been promoted to Level Two in their studies at the Black River Academy. In The Black River Chronicles, by David Tallerman, their reward has come for unmasking and defeating a creature thought wiped out centuries ago – a shapeshifter. Rather than basking in the glory of their achievement, the team find themselves unceremoniously transferred to a sister school, the Shadow Mountain Academy, on a student exchange, where they quickly discover things are run very differently at this Academy. Why were they transferred and what secrets is Tia holding out on her friends with? Durren realizes the mysterious and unpredictable Tia is acting even stranger than usual, but he’s loathe to broach the subject knowing her quick temper and sometime violent nature. What is the secret of Ursvaal and what can the quartet do to solve the problems facing the region?

Described as a Young Adult adventure, The Black River Chronicles is a fast-paced story that never lets the reader take a breath, as the characters move from one exciting encounter to the next. I think this book may also be described as an RPG (Role Playing Game) story and although I’ve never been a great gamer, even I could recognize the standard RPG characters; Durren (The Hunter/Scout), Arein (The Mage/Wizard/Healer), Hule (The Fighter/Brute) and Tia (The clever rogue or scoundrel, who nobody really knows what she is capable of), as well, of course, that of the Big Boss, who must be defeated at the end of the game. I think this book would appeal greatly to those interested in fantasy adventures. The characters are well defined and the action fast and furious. Certainly, I found the story impossible to put down and it kept me turning pages well into the night. An excellent novel and one that is clearly the basis for a series involving these young students. Highly recommended!

Do pop on over to David Tallerman's Amazon page where you can check out the full portfolio of this prolific author.

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taeowolf (zentrin Book 1) by kris moger

15/10/2017

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Taeowolf by Kris Moger is a world of fantasy straight from the author’s own imagination. Aiden Murphy is a young Wolvean attending University when he gets caught up in events beyond his understanding and control. The four main species of this world; Wolveans, Elveans, Hunaens and Feleals live together in a thin veneer of peace and civilisation, but dig just a little way down and all the hatred, prejudice and blind ignorance are just below the surface. Clan and species come first – far before unity as inhabitants of this world. A fifth species, the evil Dracons, were supposedly destroyed and wiped out as punishment for their evil, but one still survives. Myeselin dreams of a time when the Zentrin Guard, comprised of one member of each species, ruled and provided balance to the world. She wants to resurrect the Zentrin Guard and Aiden, as the final member of the Zentrin Guard is caught up in a race against time and against those who would stop this occurring, at all costs.

This is a wild and wonderful fantasy that introduces us to a variety of characters and species, each with their unique talents, but each with their equally obvious flaws and faults. I love the way Kris Moger drew her characters so clearly and gave them each qualities and indeed flaws that were readily identifiable to any reader. Aiden was a wonderful character as we watched him essentially embark on a journey of self-discovery. The author, through her characters, investigates and illuminates the most powerful of all emotions; love, friendship, betrayal, pain, prejudice, and universality. The author’s words are, at times, beautiful and poetic, but equally very descriptive and draw you into her fantastic tale. Aiden, as Taeowolf shows us how to go beyond the strictures of life and to be the best we can be, flaws and all. A wonderfully compelling tale that I enjoyed very much. I look forward to the next story in this series.

You can check out Kris Moger's full portfolio of novels here on Amazon:

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time will tale by s.c. barrett

12/10/2017

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Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Nathan’s entire life he had dreamt of the possibility of time travel. For him, though, this was not some idle fantasy. Considered one of the top five scientific minds in the world, Nathan had the capability to make this happen, but not the resources. In Time Will Tale by, Nathan had been ostracised by the scientific community, after a drunken misadventure caught on video and was now working as a humble physics teacher in a local High School. When he is offered unlimited money and time, by an unknown benefactor to produce his dreamt of time machine, he is wary but ecstatic to finally have the opportunity to see his lifelong dream fulfilled. Thus begins a fascinating, at times harrowing journey through time to the period of the American Civil War.

Time Will Tale by, is a classic time travel story full of the usual conundrums and paradoxes that make time travel so fascinating for authors and readers alike. Nathan, the principal character is beautifully drawn by the author Barrett. Despite having a “beautiful mind”, Nathan has all the flaws, uncertainties and self-doubt of us mere mortals, which I found immensely reassuring. The story is clearly the first in a series based around the adventures of Nathan and as such sets a wonderful platform for what is undoubtedly yet to come. This is a fast-paced, exciting adventure through a very popular genre, yet it is softened and rounded by Nathan’s self-discovery in the past as he comes to grips with his unusual childhood as a child prodigy and for the first time in his life begins to understand the meaning of family and love. This is a very good debut novel by Barrett and I am keen to see what the rest of the series has to offer.

Time Will Tale is available here on Amazon:

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4 years trapped in my mind palace by johan twiss

11/10/2017

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As a fairly prolific reviewer who reads almost exclusively Indie Authors, a lot of books cross my Kindle over a year. I can honestly say that many of them are the equal or better of the Legacy Authors' books, but every so often a book appears (often out of the blue) that absolutely speaks, as a reader, beyond my mind and touches my heart and even my soul. 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace by Johan Twiss, is such a book. Unexpectedly, it took me by storm and transported me to a different world, a world that resonated with things and emotions that were as strong to me and as important to me, as I'm sure they were to Twiss.
Fourteen-year-old Aaron Greenburg receives what appears to be a life sentence when he contracts a rare form of meningitis that leaves him totally paralyzed and unable to communicate. The doctors and his parents are convinced that Aaron is a virtual vegetable, unable to interact in any way with the outside world. His parents have given up on Aaron and as he lays unable to move even a muscle, his mind is very much alive and very much active. To Aaron, his life has lost all meaning strapped to a hospital bed, unable to communicate and make the outside world understand that he is very much alive and his brain is still able to function. The intense loneliness and frustration this brings him causes him to create a mind-palace inside his head where he can retreat to whenever the loss of his freedom threatens to overwhelm him. In Aaron's mind palace he is able to move, to talk and to interact. It keeps him sane.
Aaron's life changes forever when an elderly man suffering from the early stages of dementia is moved into his rest-home room to share with him. Soloman Felsher can hear Aaron's thoughts and suddenly Aaron is no longer alone. What follows is a fascinating and wonderful journey, in Aaron's mind palace, through the life of this amazing man, as he and Aaron undertake a tour of the twentieth century, as seen through the eyes of Solomon Felsher.
This is a stunning tale, beautifully told by Twiss. As a reader, I was moved and deeply touched by the depth of the relationship that developed between this elderly man and his teenage friend. This story is chock full of good lessons for life on relationships, happiness, sadness, and many other emotions. Twiss has managed to tell a wonderful story and impart some great life lessons to his readers. What more can an author aspire to?
I take my hat off to Johan Twiss and know that this book - 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace is sure to be a strong contender for this year's third annual "Grunter" awards. This is a stunning story and a wonderful read that I cannot recommend enough. A great job, Mr. Twiss.

Do go and visit Johan Twiss' Amazon page and see his full portfolio. If the rest of his work is as good as 4 Years Trapped in My Mind Palace, it will be well worth your while.

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the waning moon (eleanor Morgan #2) by Amy Cissell

6/10/2017

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Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Magic has almost disappeared from our world due to the influence of first the industrial revolution and then the technological revolution, but unknown to most of us mere mortals, magic creatures; werewolves, shifters, vampires, witches, and Fae, still live amongst us. Eleanor Morgan is a Fae Princess whose task it is to open the gates and allow magic back into our world to try and restore the balance to earth, destroyed by humanity’s relentless drive for power and technology. Assisted by her mate, a werewolf called Isaac, a witch called Florence and a rather gorgeous, ancient vampire by the name of Raj, Eleanor must fight off those determined to stop her opening the magic portals. In the Waning Moon by Amy Cissell, Eleanor will attempt to open two more of these portals. As each gate to the magic world is opened, more and more of man’s technology will die, leaving humanity struggling for survival in a world without electricity, communication and the comforts of the modern day world.

I’m not a regular reader of fantasy, werewolves, and magic, but Amy Cissell’s The Waning Moon certainly captured my attention. I found the humour and gentle sarcasm of the characters right up my alley. By writing this in the first person, through Eleanor’s eyes, the author has given us entry into her mind, her thinking and her turmoil with the task she is entrusted with. I found this totally refreshing and exciting. For me, the best character had to be the thousand-year-old vampire Raj. His constant innuendo and double-entendre kept Eleanor on her toes and me, as a reader, totally engaged with the story. The Waning Moon is the second in the Eleanor Morgan series and I think I can pay Cissell no greater compliment than to say reading this book inspires me to read the first book in the series and to continue with the entire series, as it is completed. This is a winner and one of the best in its genre, I’ve read of late.

Be sure to check out Amy Cissell's first two books in the Eleanor Morgan series, here on Amazon.

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faviAN'S lAW (tRUTH TELLER SERIES - BOOK 3) BY k CHAMBERS

the children of when (florisia #1) by Jennifer Redmile

people of dirt (Dirt, Series 2, Book #3) by C. C. Hogan

the ruby blade (eleanor morgan #3) by amy cissell

the font of jasmeen: elk riders volume III by ted neill

harmless by katherine dell

the black river chronicles: the ursvaal exchange (black river academy book 2) by david tallerman

taeowolf (zentrin Book 1) by kris moger

time will tale by s.c. barrett

4 years trapped in my mind palace by johan twiss

the waning moon (eleanor Morgan #2) by Amy Cissell

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