The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson [Book Review]

StormCrowIt has been two whole days since I finished the book and I still have so many feelings and am trying to gather my thoughts because this book was full of so many amazing things I don’t know where to begin! In this moment I’m happy for the ability to highlight and make notes on the Kindle App because I’m honestly going through everything I noted and highlighted hoping I can write a review that describes my love for this book.

The story itself blew me away and my dumb ass didn’t realize until I was nearing the end of the book that there is going to be a second book…I think…I hope… But anyways! I was drawn in with the first page and in that moment, I felt like I too was flying and oh, how I longed to after that. The craft and skill in which Kalyn Josephson wrote this book gave me no choice to be dragged into the story and get invested with it and these characters from the first sentence.

Thia is the main character of the story and as the POV character her voice was established and remained there the whole way. Very strong narration in which I  felt a very real connection with her and I saw a lot of myself in her in that she is feisty and quick to stand up for others even if she gets in trouble for it.

Now let me take a moment to address what I think is one of the most important things in this story. Depression. Yes, you read that right… Depression. Kalyn Josephson has done what so many have tried to do and has taken it and blown it out of the water! It’s safe to say that this is one of two FANTASY books/series in which I have seen an accurate portrayal of mental illness/depression. As someone with depression seeing this accurate portrayal and seeing Thia kick depression in the ass was so empowering to me because throughout the book you see this process on how it really is like living with a mental illness. Some days you feel like you can conquer the world and your mental illness but then others it’s a fight to simply get and stay out of bed and for this I APPLAUD the author because the way she portrayed this is so real and SO. SO important. Everything Thia felt I have felt too and it just felt so real.

Essentially this book was beyond amazing and went above and beyond what I thought and expected from it! (and I expected many great things)

 

**I was provided this book by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own**

5stars

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AVAILABLE NOW! || Healer’s Curse by Kathrese McKee

Hello Readers!

I must say I love street teams becasue it means I get to help spread ALL the news about these fantastic books 🙂

So, yesterday I did a cover reveal of Heather Manning’s novel Carried Home and today I announced the release of Rajdeep Paulus’s Soaring Through Stars and I get to announce ANOTHER release today! How much fun is that???

So, about a month or two ago, I reviewed Kathrese McKee’s novel Mardan’s Mark and today, I am proud to announce the release of Kathrese’s novella short story called Healer’s Curse.

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As, the graphic/picture thingy says. It’s avaliable on Amazon! Which means you can buy it here!

Buy on Amazon Now!

Also, A quick mini review going on here for this novella starting……. NOW!

 

Mini Review of Healer’s Curse

I LOVED Healers Curse. It was a fantastic look into what was happening back as the Prince and Princesses Kingdom while they were journeying home. (During the events of Mardan’s Mark) Having this short story was a fun little filler (as in while waiting for the second book) and was beautifully crafted! I loved seeing this story play out and there were many times where I was sitting there just rooting for poor Elilan and cheering her on. It was such a sweet short story with amazingly crafted characters and a plot.

If you loved Mardan’s Mark then you will LOVE Healer’s Curse.

Time To Share The Love! || The False Reflections Trilogy Review by Laura L. Smith

Hello Readers!

So lately I’ve been plugging away at a bunch of novels I’ve bought or been given and I am finally making a dent in my TBR pile…Until I add like ten more books per every one I complete…Anyways. I have FINALLY read the whole novella series of Laura L. Smith’s, The False Reflections Trilogy. So today you are getting three mini reviews of the novellas! Now, it’s time to meet the three main characters (who are best friends) and learn about their stories. (Aka. Lets get this review started! 😀 )

 

Skinny: She was starving to fit in… (The False Reflections Book 1)

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Teenager Melissa Rollins seems to have it all, and now she’s got the eye of the cute new guy in school, Beau Pointreaux. The one thing Melissa doesn’t have is a perfect body. There are ways to fix that, though. Strict dieting and throwing up can’t be all bad, can they? Melissa soon finds the consequences are devestating, but turning back isn’t so easy. Will she hear God’s voice before it’s too late?

This book really touched me. It was very beautiful and so well done. Knowing a couple people with anorexia and struggling with eating and such has really made this book hit home for me. This book was really well done and shone a light on eating disorders and a struggle in many teenagers these days. *cue sadness*

Anyways. This book was absolutely fantastic and a well written, thought provoking, novella. Once again, Laura Smith’s writing is amazing and really draws me in instantly!

Melissa was such a sweet, adorable character who struggled with her weight. She constantly compared herself to her friends and those around her and that didn’t help with her insecurities. As Melissa went through everything and started (eventually) on her road to recovery my heart just went out to her. At points it just screamed reminders of someone I know who was going through the same thing and at points I was afraid to admit that my line of thought and such were the same as the characters. Laura did a fantastic job of really making the characters relatable (Whether or not you struggle with an eating disorder or anything like that) This book was beautifully done and a great read that I finished very quickly indeed.

My Rating for this novella is:

five-stars

 

Hot: She was tempted to give in… (The False Reflections Book 2)

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Lindsey is gorgeous and dresses like a model, but inside she feels alone. She feels as though no one truly understands her — until she meets Noah. Noah possesses a calm self-confidence that Lindsey craves. But what price will she pay to escape to the comfort of Noah’s soft words and strong arms? Drawn into a world where fashion, boys, and popularity rule, will Lindsey discover what truly matters before it’s too late?

 

Once again, another amazingly thought provoking novella about the struggles of many these days.( This book deals with sexual purity.)

Lindsey’s family is far from perfect or even amazing. Most her parents time is spent on her older sister who is on a path of self destruction. That takes up so much of her parents time that Lindsey feels very alone, really only having her friends in replacement of her family. Seeing this relationship with her friends and seeing the damaged relationship with her family made me feel for Lindsey. Not having a family who cares is just so saddening indeed. I really felt for this character as she struggled to make many decisions that may or may not have taken her down a road she never originally wanted.

My rating of this novella is 4.5 stars. Why? Just because it wasn’t my favorite…BUT it was still fantastic and I did really like it! (I feel terrible for rating a book I liked 4.5 when comparing it to the other book! *gasp* )

4.5 Stars!!!

4.5 Stars!!!

 

Angry: She was screaming to be hear… (The False Reflections Book 3)

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Who do you blame when your world is crashing down? Watching her parents go through a divorce is devestating for Emma and has turned her life into a tailspin. She’s angry at everyone around her. She’s angry at her siblings who she always has to babysit, her parents who are ruining her life, and herself for not measuring up to anyone’s standards. Will she turn her torment over to God and put her trust in Him before it’s too late?

 

Emma, Emma, Emma… such a sad girl just screaming to be heard (see what I did there? 😉 ) I just wanted to hug her so tightly and fix all her problems….but I couldn’t cause she’s fictional 😦 *sniff sniff* (The struggles of a reader, I tell you.) Angry is the third book in the series and a great, though heart shattering, end to the trilogy.

Emma’s family is falling apart and she’s left to clean up the damage and try to put her life back together. Amidst the struggle, she just wants everything to be normal even though that couldn’t happen. (this book made me cry!) When bad things happen all one wants is for things to be normal right? Yeah, been there. Bad stuff happens and if everything could just fix itself that would be great! My point? totally relatable. Once again, amazing writing and a great read! 😀

My rating:

five-stars

Once again, with all her works, Laura Smith ceases to amaze with her beautiful writing just overflowing with God’s love and how we are all his creation.

Amazing author, amazing writing, amazing trilogy. Go read now!

 

 

Until Next Time,

Adriana Gabrielle

Time To Share The Love! || Mardan’s Mark Book Review

Hello Readers!

So I am finally back on track with my blogging as you can see and I am so excited to finally be back on track. ( Wooh!) Now, quickly before I jump into this review I want to mention my two, brand new linkups I have! One on Antagonists and the other on Story Worlds. You can check them out by clicking on the ‘Link Ups’ Page I have up 🙂 Now! On with this book review, because I am SUPER excited for this one!

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Epic cover, am I right?

 

Srilani is second in line to the throne, and she’s always known what is expected of a princess — bring honor to her family and marry well. Aldan has been a pirate’s slave for as long as he can remember, and all he wants is to be free. The Twin Kingdoms have been sister nations for centuries, but now their unity and existence are threatened by enemies both inside and outside their borders.

After pirates abduct Srilani and her three siblings, they are stranded behind enemy lines and across the Great Gulf. As the eldest, Srilani is faced with the dangerous task of bringing her father’s heir home. She convinces Aldan and his two fellow slaves to share their journey to freedom. These unlikely allies — seven young captives — must defeat the web of lies, murder, and betrayal tearing the kingdoms apart.

 

I loved this book so much! It was a beautifully written and engaging book. At the beginning I felt a little lost because for some reason I didn’t make some sort of connection or something but that was quickly fixed because I simply realized a little mix up and confusion on my end. (Oopsie 😛 ) but anyways my own mistake aside I loved this book so much and you simply must go read it right now! I demand you do! Already I have probably talked a million peoples ears off about the amazing-ness of this book, and now its your turn! haha 🙂

The plot was amazing and beautiful and I loved it! Royal children kidnapped by pirates and they end up escaping by the help of three slaves aboard the ship and then the whole adventure begins! It was beautifully written and so well done! Eeep! Loved it so much!

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Sorry not sorry… I just had to.

 

Lots of shipping happened on my end for this book (I love ship-able characters! Its my favorite!) and the characters! Oh the characters how I just loved them all! There may or may not have been a fictional crush or two developed in the readings of this novel…But when isn’t there? I mean really. This is me we are talking about. Anyways. I loved the characters. I don’t really know who was my favourite. I loved all the characters for so many reasons… The twins were just plain old adorable and I loved them very very much!  Srilani was an absolutely wonderful character. I really loved her character development. To start off she seemed very arrogant and very…well princess-y? But that didn’t last long. She proved that there was more to her that meets the eye. And as the story went on you came to realize more and more how much this tough cookie was hiding behind a mask and really it just broke my heart. The poor girl. I just wanted to give her a big teddy bear hug!

Rene was also such a great character. Very unlike her sister in way’s that she didn’t pick as many fights and was definitely more timid but boy, did she prove she could be just as protective and tough as her old sister too. Those moments were the best.

As for Aldan, Sam and Linus. I love them all! They were awesome. All three very different personalities (Yet they all shared a similar stubbornness trait XD ) I don’t even know where the begin I loved them all. Linus was a very quiet character and at points you would forget he was there. He was more of a listener than anything really. Often times Linus would use that to his advantage and sneak off to do something or whatever so I mean I guess that works too. As for Aldan, I loved him! ( I very much pictured Aidan Turner playing him in a movie adaptation) Definite fictional crush developing there…and oh my word! I ship him with another character so hard! (I’m not gonna say who. Heehee) the same goes with shipping Sam with another character! Sam was a great character too. He liked to pick fights with Srilani a fair bit but it was always amusing heehee.

Basically though, when it came to all the characters and all they went through and suffered (and all the shipping feels) this one GIF basically describes it. (I will warn you. GIF usage may or may not increase in the future)

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So, what is my rating of this book? 5 stars…I don’t think I will ever be capable of doing a rating any lower than 4 stars…I fear that if I keep rating things 5 stars people will not trust my reviews…That does worry me, but its alright I suppose. If you don’t trust me and read these books then you are missing out 😉

Anyways! 5 shiny stars! I was thinking about 4.75 stars just because of the feels-y cliffhanger but I just decided on 5…

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Meet the author!

KathreseTexas author, Kathrese McKee, writes epic adventures for young adults and anyone else who enjoys pirates and princesses combined with life’s difficult questions. She is committed to exciting stories, appropriate content, and quality craftsmanship.

Mardan’s Mark is the award-winning first book in the Mardan’s Mark series.

Once upon a time, Kathrese worked as a systems engineer for EDS and various oil and gas companies. Then, she taught Reading and ESL at the middle school level. These days, she edits fiction, home schools her children, and turns a blind eye to the feral dust bunnies lurking beneath her desk.

Cover Reveal!

Hello Fellow Readers!

Today I am posting on behalf of Playlist Fiction to give you a cover reveal!

*crowd cheers*

Today I will be showing you the cover for ‘It’s Addicting‘ by Laura L. Smith. (The book releases July 14th)

It’s Addicting is book 3 in the Status Update Series by Laura L.Smith.

So, with out further ado… It’s time to reveal the cover!

Drum roll, please.

*drum roll*

*fanfare as I pull away the imaginary curtain covering this beautiful cover*

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Ta-da! Isn’t it beautiful? I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this cover! It’s so simple, yet so cute!

I cannot wait until the 14th of July to share a full review of the book with you guys! It’s hard to not say anything here cause this is just a teaser….if I’m excited I can’t even begin to understand how excited the author is about this book 🙂

Also, since I haven’t reviewed the first two books in the Status Update Series I will be doing that in these next few weeks! So keep an eye out for that!

Until then we can just stare at this cover :p

Until Next Time!

Adriana Gabrielle