Screamcatcher: Sa’be Most Monstrous (Screamcatcher book 4) by Christy J. Breedlove

Screamcatcher: Sa'be Most Monstrous is the fourth book in the YA paranormal fantasy Screamcatcher series that was sent to me by the author. The Badlands Paranormal Society has received their next client. Tonya, who calls because her husband has gone missing after investigating what seems to be numerous violent Bigfoot- aka "Sa'be". Jory and her friends soon realize that there is more to the folklore than meets the eye, and helping their client will require more than firepower: willpower and empathy. 

After reading the previous book, The Shimmering Eye, I wondered how Breedlove would be able to top it. Interestingly, the author shifted from gunfights and explosives to killing the enemy with kindness. I think that strategic choice was a smart one so that the reader doesn't constantly compare the book to the previous one, which is common in series. Not to mention this concept was very unique. The choice Jory and her team made to instead show respect to the creature and its family and offer peace was I think incredibly smart. This also provided a test of wills to the characters of their level of self-control. Contrary to the mostly physical test of the previous books, this was a test of mental strength and agility, an interesting pivot point. 

Bigfoot is commonly portrayed in the media and in conversations in matters that are offensive (such as the name itself), ridiculing, or made into various jokes. Perhaps that is just my scientific/inquisitive mind, but I found learning about their intellect, social structure, and motivations fascinating. I am sure there are several mythology books that deal with Sasquatches, however I doubt that there are many with the level of empathy and detail as this. This book also serves as a lesson to not assume the worst in others or judge them on their differences. The Sa'be had their own motivations and reasoning that weren't purely violent, and the end reason for why they kept Kyle was ingenious.  It certainly wasn't as fast-paced or perhaps as exciting as the previous books, but I was very interested in learning about the Sa'be itself. I also know next to nothing of Native American culture and beliefs. Contrary to the obvious paranormal fantasy from the previous books, this could be labeled realistic fiction. Without evidence, I cannot say if I believe that Sasquatches exist, but it could be possible.

I highly recommend this series and this book! 

Title: Screamcatcher: Sa’be Most Monstrous
Author: Christy J. Breedlove
Publisher: Fire & Ice Young Adult Books
Pages: 246
Series: Yes, Book 4
Rating: 5 Stars
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Breakup From Hell by Ann Dávila Cardinal

Breakup From Hell is a new YA fantasy book that was sent to me by the publisher. It was released today! Miguela (Mica) Angeles is excited to get away from her small Vermont town and her strict grandmother by attending college in California. One day, she meets and falls for Sam, a new boy in town. Sam is not who he says he is, and Mica and her friends begin to experience supernatural strength, speed, and terrifying visions. Her plans and perception of herself and her friends' heritages will forever change as Mica is thrown into an ancient battle of good vs evil. 

Let me start out by saying that I am not at all religious, and I know absolutely nothing about Catholicism, a "Saint Michael" or any bible verses. The most education I have about archangels is the song's music video by one of my favorite bands, Amaranthe. I am very happy that the author did explain most of the religious references and bible quotes, otherwise I would have been very, very confused. I usually avoid books that center around religion, but I actually really liked this book. You absolutely do not need to believe in a god or have any knowledge of churches at all to be able to fully comprehend the story. I love discovering books that are unique and bring something new to the table. I've never personally read a YA fantasy book that was even remotely similar to this, but take that with a grain of salt since I don't often read books that involve religion.

I'm glad that Mica and her friends weren't extremely religious/evangelical, because it made it easier to relate to her. It felt like a normal YA fantasy book, a group of teens discovering their powers and ancestry. Zee was my favorite character. She is so sensitive and kind, and her visions and feelings played a key role in the mystery. I loved the mystery aspect. In many fantasy books that involve people with powers, the world-building is completely explained and established in the beginning. It was refreshing to see the teens come into their own while also having that suspense. Breakup From Hell definitely had some creepy moments, but I appreciated that the evil part of good vs evil wasn't too terrifying. 

However, I do have a few nitpicks. I would have wished we had some more background on the characters and perhaps had them showing some signs of powers before we met Sam, because I'm still not sure if Sam and Rona influenced them, or if their presence coincidentally activated their instincts. It would have been nice if their romance started for real, and then along the way we become suspicious of Sam and Rona. I also think that the feelings with Rage (Yes, that is a real character's name), came on a bit suddenly and could have been built up to more. Also, who actually names their kid "Rage?" Seems like you're dooming them to have anger issues. It took me like 20 pages from when he was introduced to realize that he was a character and not a metaphor or imaginary friend. Those aren't big things, just little things. 

I recommend this book! The way it ended, I am curious if we will receive a sequel eventually, and I cannot wait to read that if it did come out. 

Title: Breakup from Hell
Author: Ann Dávila Cardinal
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 304
Series: No
Rating: 4 Stars
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Screamcatcher: The Shimmering Eye (Screamcatcher Book 3) by Christy J. Breedlove

Screamcatcher: The Shimmering Eye is the third book in the YA paranormal fantasy Screamcatcher series that was sent to me by the author. Moving on from just dreamcatchers, Jory and her friends' Badlands Paranormal Society travel to a large ranch in Montana to help Ambrose, a homeowner struggling to fight against physical and mental attacks from something... evil. What the teens face is nothing the have ever seen before. Are they ghosts? Aliens? Spirits? Interdimensional beings? As Jory's team works to learn what is causing the paranormal events plaguing this property, they are pushed to their breaking points. Whatever it is, it has been around for thousands of years- and it and its army of horrific creatures aren't going down without a fight.

In a twist, the characters are no longer facing evil spirits inside dreamcatchers, but paranormal beings in general. This separated the installment from the rest of the series and stepped up its game, sending the characters into seriously freaky, unknown territory. I don't even know how to describe this book except a mix between Gremlins, Scooby-Doo, and Ghostbusters. I will say, if this was a movie, I probably wouldn't be able to deal with actually looking at the grotesque creatures! What also strikes me is that these teenagers do not have magical powers or abilities, and still manage to hold their own against monsters that look like they could have come out of a Marvel movie or Star Trek. 

I was very impressed with how despite the horrors of what the characters were facing, the writing still managed to have light-hearted moments, and at times I laughed at some of the metaphors and just how utterly bizarre the scene was. I typically do not read horror, and I think this is what sets it apart from other books that may deal with paranormal investigations/hauntings/invasions is its ability to be utterly terrifying while also having moments of calm and lightness. 

In my review of the previous book, I wrote that I thought the characters were insane for going back into a another dreamcatcher after what happened in the first book, and that I would have run away as fast as possible. Now, I say that they are seriously brave, and yes, sort of insane, for choosing this for the rest of their lives and not going to college. I'm surprised they didn't go to college first and major in something like Cultural Anthropology or Folklore and Mythological Studies (yes, that actually does exist as a major, even Harvard has it). They're just kids, facing what no person should ever have to, let alone want to. I'm not saying that its unrealistic or unbelievable, but that it is admirable and extraordinary. The psychiatric toll of what they have seen and experienced should be immense, and I was glad that the book continued to deal with changes in their personalities and decision making, both for the positive and negative. It will be interesting to see if Darcy has any lasting repercussions in the next book. 

I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next, Sa'be Most Monstrous.

Title: Screamcatcher: The Shimmering Eye
Author: Christy J. Breedlove 
Publisher: Fire & Ice Young Adult Books
Pages: 224
Series: Yes, Book 3 of 4
Rating: 5 Stars
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Jonathan: Prince of Dreams (The Jonathan Trilogy Book 1) by A. Corrin

Jonathan: Prince of Dreams is the first book in a YA fantasy trilogy. This book was sent to me by the author. Teenager Jonathan He'klarr's life is not ideal. His mother was murdered before he was born, and his father is an abusive alcoholic. Not to mention Griffin, the notoriously evil bully, seems to be escalating his attacks. Paired with one disaster after another and callings in his dreams of a heroic destiny, Jonathan senses that everything he knew about the world is about to change.

Corrin is a very talented writer, and I am surprised that this is her first book! The writing quality is stronger than many other books that I have read. This book is wild- both literally and figuratively! This was such an insane story, and I admire the author’s vast creativity to come up with such a tale! Jonathan: Prince of Dreams reminded me in first impressions to Lisa McMann's Unwanteds series.

I really hope that in the next book he can find a way to reconnect with Niki and Tyson and make amends with his father. I have no idea how I would be able to cope with everything he's been through. I appreciate that the author wrote Jonathan with a short temper, but made sure that his anger was always justified. I hope those in the real world keep searching for him and never give up hope that he will return. Apparently the previous king could go into other's dreams and warn leaders about future catastrophes. It would be amazing if Jonathan could work together with his friends and family, embracing both sides of him.

I highly recommend this book and am excited to read the next!

Title: Jonathan: Prince of Dreams
Author: A. Corrin
Publisher: A. Corrin
Pages: 340
Series: Yes, Book 1 of 3
Rating: 5 Stars
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The Sword of the Spirit (Spirits Book 3) by Rob Keeley

The Sword of the Spirit is the third book in the middle grade Spirits series sent to me by the author. When Ellie and her mom are relocated to Holiley Castle for the digging of the mythical St Merrell Sword, Ellie literally runs into a knight- Sir Francis from the medieval times, transported into the future. When the sword is recovered, dark secrets from the past and an evil is unleashed, requiring the help of Sir Francis and others in his time to defeat the demon.

One thing I enjoyed was how funny Sir Francis was with his reactions to modern day items like forks and carrots! Many of these funny instances reminded me of the 2001 movie Kate & Leopold. It is also interesting to notice his character development of honesty. The Sword of the Spirit proves that those who make bad choices are not bad people, and that there is the possibility for redemption no matter how great your crime. The biblical references and interpretations of vague myths were intriguing.

Here, Ellie becomes further invested in the spirit world and helping ghosts and spirits from the past, despite a direct order not to interfere. In The Sword of the Spirit it becomes clear that the kind-hearted decision to help someone can cause significant damage to both worlds. When torn between saving the world and saving her friend, both have lasting consequences that Ellie and her family will have to live with. In this book readers also see Ellie become even braver and willing to take bigger risks. There the suspense was strong and I loved the climatic fight at the end!

I highly recommend this book! I am excited to read the fourth book in this series, High Spirits!

See my reviews of the first and second books in this series!

Title: The Sword of the Spirit (Spirits Book 3)
Author: Rob Keeley
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Pages: 128
Series: Yes, Book 3 of 5
Rating: 5 Stars
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Dwarf Story by W.W. Marplot

Dwarf Story is a middle grade fantasy book involving Welsh mythology that was sent to me by the publisher. Eastward Manor, the fairies' world of all mythical and legendary creatures, is no longer pure, but made dark and war-torn by Gwyllion, the Old Woman of the Mountains. So they gather to America, emerging to befriend the last children in the legendary ancestry line to help them defeat Gwyllion and ensure the restoration of a peaceful home for all worlds. These children include Arty, Mary, Cry, Emma, and Ted.

The writing style was unique in the sense that it writes rambling but also controlled at the same time. The reader is thrown instantly into these children's heads with their (often strange) thoughts, dozens of rhetorical questions, and one or two word sentences. When it transitions to another chapter with a new narrator, they often speak very matter-of-fact and interrupt each other, like "I am Ted. You know what’s great about me? I can get involved in any story whenever I want" or "I’d rather have Emma handle this chapter, but I couldn’t find her." This structure initially put me off a bit, but eventually this narration grew on me to be very entertaining.

This was a very funny book, and I enjoyed the author's use of creative puns like "a pain in the axe". I was extremely curious to find out how these fantasy creatures emerged into the "real world" and why this group of teens were chosen. It did take much longer than I thought to find those answers, and the book could have been shorter. But alas, I was hooked to the end. The huge battle at the end was mind-blowing and exciting. The climax was worth the wait.

I recommend this book!

Title: Dwarf Story
Author: W.W. Marplot
Publisher: Waxing Gibbous Books
Pages: 388
Series: No
Rating: 4 Stars
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Esme's Wish (Esme Series Book 1) by Elizabeth Foster

Esme's Wish is a middle grade fantasy book that was sent to me by the author. 15-year-old Esme refuses to move on from her mother's death and accept her new stepmother, with a deep suspicion that something terrible happened to her. Esme, harboring her magical gift to look into the past, travels to the world of Esperance to find her mother. Little does she know that her gift may be the key to saving Esperance and finding the pearl that keeps their world at peace.

I enjoyed the deep thematic connections to John Steinbeck's The Pearl. Greed is one of the foundations that draw people to evil actions, and love and friendship is a major foundation and power for light and virtuous actions. The world-building was skilled and full of creative imagery that was wonderful and easy to picture. It is obvious that Foster spent a long time being thorough with all the details of the setting. The magical elements of the town were wonderful. Esme's Wish is certainly a fun, relaxing read! The hint of Greek mythology was interesting to say the least, and I liked the involvement of dragons!

Esme is a sweet, lovely protagonist who is determined to find her mother and will not let anything get in her way. As a character, what makes her unique is her devotion and love to her mother, no matter the danger. Esme's emotions are powerful, however she always manages to think clearly despite them. I will say that I wished the description of going through the portals to and from Esperance were more vivid, and with higher intensity of emotion. In addition, I wish the climax with the pearl's power at the end was more powerful.

I recommend you read this book!

I look forward to reading the second book in this series, Esme's Gift.

Title: Esme's Wish (Esme Series Book 1)
Author: Elizabeth Foster
Publisher: Odyssey Books
Pages: 252
Series: Yes, Book 1 of 2
Rating: 4 StarsGoodreads

The Boaters' Club by Deanne Baker

The Boaters' Club is a middle grade mythology book that was sent to me by the author. One day, Russian teen Matt and his friends run into Rusalka, a water zombie. Initially they hope it was just a hallucination- but when a house start catches fire and friends of theirs start losing their lives, it becomes clear that Rusalka and the monstrous mythical lizards must be stopped. Not by the police- but by Matt and his friends, Amy, Joe, and Tyler.

I enjoyed the foreshadowing, and while I could predict most of the events, it was awesome when something unexpected happened. I enjoyed learning about the Ruslka and other Russian mythology and culture, which made The Boaters' Club unique and fascinating to read. I also loved the frightening imagery of the creatures! The story was certainly terrifying at times and was very fun!

I love how each main character had extremely distinct personalities. Amy is my favorite character in the story, mostly because of Amy's involvement in commanding a scene and being a leader. She is an inspirational character and I enjoyed following her brilliant personality and her humorous, proactive approaches to troubling situations. Baba, the supernatural woman, was creepy and mystifying. I loved the wide range of emotions and character types in the story. For Matt, I was disappointed with the how his Synesthesia did not hold immense significance to the plot, and while it provided him with some internal conflict, he seemed much duller than all the other characters. However, him being the narrator with a calmer, constant temperament held the story together and allowed for more extraordinary scenes.

I recommend you read this book!

Title: The Boaters' Club
Author: Deanne Baker
Publisher: Sunbury Press
Pages: 205
Series: No
Rating: 4 Stars

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Dream Chasers (Screamcatcher Book 2) by Christy J. Breedlove

Dream Chasers is the second book in a YA fantasy series sent to me by the author. After Jory and her friends escape her dreamcatcher, the group of teens decide to create The Badlands Paranormal Society, so those in their neighborhood who also have evil spirits inside their dreamcatcher can receive help. So into another dreamcatcher they go to save those trapped inside and banish another evil spirit.

This one is super creepy and much more intense than the last! Simply reading the horrific giant insects eating them alive surrounded by snakes made me feel as if I was in a nightmare and sent shivers down my spine. The added boost of skillful imagery certainly makes this read perfect for a spooky campfire story or Halloween. It's like a voluntary, fantasy, less-evil version of Lord of the Flies- not that I'm complaining. Similarly, I appreciated the increase in violent tendencies from the characters and the darkening of the boy's personalities.

These main characters are insane for signing up for going back into another dream catcher after last time. Even if I was Jory and had a special heritage connection to these, I would have run away as fast as possible. These teens went though pure agony and never gave up. They are absolutely incredible characters. The diversity in the characters' personalities is enjoyable to say the least. Choice is the fun, comical relief from the madness, and Darcy contributed scientific facts that made the book more fascinating.

I highly recommend this book! The next book will be released in summer 2020, according to the last page of the book.

Read my review of the previous book in this series, Screamcatcher: Web World

Title: Dream Chasers (Screamcatcher Book 2)
Author: Christy J. Breedlove
Publisher: Melange Books, Fire & Ice
Pages: 240
Series: Yes, Book 2
Rating: 5 Stars
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Voyagers: The Third Ghost by Yvonne Ventresca

Voyagers: The Third Ghost is a collection of 10 diverse historical fantasy short stories that was sent to me by the publisher. Voyagers will be released on May 5th, 2020!

This book is an interesting concept because not only does it introduce 10 emerging authors in a skillful publicity angle, but contains unique stories that redefine traditional historical fiction by including magical elements from time travel to talking trees. Voyagers was super fun to read and I hope that you read it, too when this book is released next month!

1. The Third Ghost by Yvonne Ventresca
This story was suspenseful and epic! I loved the twist at the end and the careful foreshadowing. Now I can't wait to read her first book, Pandemic!

2. The Ghosts of Pompeii by Sherry Ellis
This is based on Ellis' main book, Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China. This story was very unique in the fact that it was not only historical fiction, but mixed in elements from fantasy and scifi novels, like ghosts and time travel. Part of it was also really funny!

3. The Blind Ship by Bish Denham

I appreciate the morals of the young boy, viewing African Americans as humans and not slaves. The story is inspirational and highlights some of the terrors of slavery. This was a bizarre, wonderful story with the Opthalimia dilemma. The Blind Ship was very suspenseful and fun! 

4. Dare, Double Dare by Louise MacBeath Barbour

The genetic aspect of the magical ability to time travel was intriguing. I enjoyed the diversity with French being frequently spoken. Dare, Double Dare is also educational, as before I did not know about the Habitation at Port-Royal.

5. Return to Cahokia by L.T. Ward
The plot was super creative! I loved imagining the children creating weather and changing lives. It sounds like such a giant responsibility, being Weather Gods, and I enjoyed the abundance of painful emotion, but also hope and happiness from the characters. Return to Cahokia stands out with its Native American heritage of the Cahokia tribe and their Nahuatl language. The village is thought to have demised due to extreme weather (https://www.pnas.org/content/116/12/5461), so I love the mixing of mythology and historical fiction.

6. Feathered Fire by Ronald Clarke
Feathered Fire is my favorite story of them all. The mythical legend of the Zharptica (firebird) partnered with a powerful, inspirational female heroine in the middle of a war zone made this story epic! I loved the symbolism of the firebird and the central idea of being "reborn" from the flames, free and safe after this war.

7. The Orchard by Beth Anderson Schuck
The Orchard is the most beautiful story, a calming bliss that nature can provide. In the story, Nels is a girl who has a unique connection with nature, who can hear the trees speak to her. I found the idea lovely.

8. Simon Grey and the Yamamba by Charles Kowalski 
I read Kowalski's Simon Grey and the March of a Thousand Ghosts, so I was very excited to read a sequel of sorts! I was not disappointed. It had the perfect balance between creepy and funny. This short story was cute, satisfying, and educational in Japanese folklore.

9. A World of Trouble by Rebecca Douglass
I didn't necessarily enjoy this one as much as the previous stories, as it sent conflicting messages- on one hand, it is bad to sneak out of your house and travel without your parents at such a young age, but on the other hand without these kids, this disaster would have been a whole lot worse. However the dilemma of saving themselves and their homes from drowning was interesting to read about- I was definitely holding my breath by the end!

10. Winter Days by Katharina Gerlach
While taking place in Germany, the concept is still very relatable with border conflicts. I enjoyed the themes of family and the ideals of having the brightness in humanity inside everyone. I loved the description of almost freezing to death- I almost felt as if I was!

Title: Voyagers: The Third Ghost
Author(s):  Yvonne Ventresca, Sherry Ellis, Bish Denham, Charles Kowalski, Katharina Gerlach, Roland Clarke, Rebecca M. Douglass, Beth Anderson Schuck, Louise MacBeath Barbour, and L.T. Ward
Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press
Pages: 168
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
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Website

Poseidon's Trident (War on the Gods Book 2) by A.P. Mobley

Poseidon's Trident is the second book in the YA Greek mythology trilogy, War on the Gods. This book was sent to me by the author and will be released next week on December 3. While Andy and Zoey have managed to steal the Helm of Darkness from Hades, they will need much more than that if they have any chance of defeating the Gods and restoring humanity's freedom. Next on their list is Poseidon's most powerful weapon: the Trident. In order to get it, the teens will have to enlist the aid of the Giant Prometheus and battle demigods, all whilst discovering the truth of their past and why they were chosen to complete the prophecy.

I love that contrary to Percy Jackson or most other mythology books surrounding demigods, this series uniquely discusses the potentially evil side to the Gods and the moral conflict that surrounds their children as a result, like Karter. While he has experienced terrible tragedies due to his father's (Zeus') selfish, horrific decisions, he still feels indebted to him and tempted to serve out his destiny and make his father proud. I vastly enjoyed watching him struggle with his choice to save humanity or to stand with his family. As consistent with the previous book, the imagery was substantial and Mobley has created a full world packed with intense action and emotion.

I also enjoyed the major plot revelations regarding Zoey and Andy's past and their true destinies. Choice verses destiny was a huge theme of this book. Speaking of Zoey and Andy, they are truly inspiring characters who never gave up, no matter how bleak their future looked. The dedication they had to keep fighting and save the ones they love is a rarity. Something else I enjoyed was the added hint of romance between Andy and Zoey, and I love how all the characters and their worldview keeps evolving.

I highly recommend this book! If you would like to know how to enter to win the presale/giveaway prizes, click here. It expires on December 17th, 2019.

Read my review of the previous book in this series, The Helm of Darkness. I can't wait to read the final book in this series, The Master Lighting Bolt!

Title: Poseidon's Trident (War on the Gods Book 2)
Author: A.P. Mobley
Publisher: Sea of Ink Press
Pages: 320
Series: Yes, Book 2 of 3
Rating: 5 Stars
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Simon Grey and the March of a Hundred Ghosts by Charles Kowalski

Simon Grey and the March of a Hundred Ghosts is the first book in a middle grade series with a creative mix of historical fiction and mythology. This book was sent to me by the author and will be released in two weeks on August 1st.

In 1620, Simon Grey has always been able to see ghosts and spirits. Desperate for them to stop haunting him, Simon boards a ship set for the spice islands, but crashes on a Japanese coastline instead. He soon learns that he can see yokai, spirits and shadows- not just ghosts. He also learns that an evil sorcerer and shogun want to steal his ability to gain immortality, and must learn to fight back to free his friends and his life.

I learned briefly about yokai in my A.P World History class when we discussed animism and the Edo Period of Japan, and I was excited to learn more about them! I loved the historical accuracy of the story, like including the Sakoku Edict of 1635 and their war on Christianity. I found this book very educational on Japanese folklore, but fun and light at the same time. I enjoyed the very imaginative concept that provided lots of entertainment!

I found many of the scenes very funny and mystifying. The adventure continuously raised the stakes and I was anxious to find out the ending! Simon was a sincere narrator with tons of character development. He goes from feeling alone and expressing hatred for his ability to appreciating the need of it to save his new friends. The story is very empowering and can teach young readers to embrace who they are.

I recommend that you read this book!

Title: Simon Grey and the March of a Hundred Ghosts
Author: Charles Kowalski
Publisher: Excalibur Books
Pages: 192
Series: Yes, Book 1
Rating: 5 Stars
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The Helm of Darkness (War on the Gods Book 1) by A.P. Mobley

The Helm of Darkness is the first book in a YA Greek mythology trilogy. This book was sent to me by the author and will be released on June 3, 2018.

The Greek gods are real, and they are angry because humanity stopped believing in them. To take control, the Gods created a storm that destroyed most of humanity and allowed them to rule once again. Andy and Zoey are two teenagers who are killed in the storm. However, thanks to a demigod's sacrifice, they are awakened 500 years later to help lead a war against the Gods and take back the rights of humanity. With the help of two demigods, Diana and Spencer, they must travel to the underworld and steal the Helm of Darkness from Hades.

These are ordinary kids who just lost everybody and everything they knew and loved, thrust into a war that they handled with surprisingly vast amounts of mental strength. They are just mortals, normal teenagers. There is no god-complex about them, and they don't have any powers, which makes the story more interesting and is a differentiator to most other books in the mythology space. Each of the characters also have had something traumatic or tragic happen in their lives, and it is interesting to witness how their past shapes their future roles and decisions. 

I enjoyed seeing a darker side to the Gods. Mostly in books and in real life, we picture Gods as being heavenly light and pure with good intentions. I liked how the readers for once see the greedy, hateful, controlling side as well. There is always two sides to a person, and I enjoyed guessing which Gods were actually trustworthy and relatively good. I also liked all the different scenery and the variety of the places that they went. I was able to picture almost their whole world. The imagery of that storm was intense and captivating as well as the word choice and usage. The metaphors were really good, and I loved the repeated fixation with the word "myth."

I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read the next book in the series, Poseidon's Trident!

Title: The Helm of Darkness
Author: A.P. Mobley
Publisher: Sea of Ink Press
Pages: 268
Series: Yes, Book 1
Rating: 5 Stars
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Blackout (T.O.E. Trilogy Book 2) by Al Stone

Blackout is the second book in the YA fantasy T.O.E. trilogy. The author sent me this book to review. Charlie's life is not going well for him. Even though he has the Legion of light and the Talisman to protect him, trying to save mankind is harder than he thought. His visions of the future intrude, and soon he can barely tell the difference between reality and dreams.

He thinks his powers are just activating, but he is really showing signs of a deadly disease. Worse, his nemesis, Gaddis, plans on spreading the disease to all humans and ending mankind. In order to save humanity, Charlie must find the Stone of Raphael, the air diamond. It has healing powers. But Gaddis will stop at nothing to destroy Charlie's family and everyone he loves.

I absolutely loved Blackout, and I'd gladly read it again! Every page grabbed me into their world, and it was really hard to put down! The imagery and suspense in Blackout were even better than the previous book, The Talisman of El. 

Everybody's emotions were way more intense. Every character is highly stressed throughout the book and leads to lots of revelations about who they truly are. Readers explore Alex's varying emotion and the chaos in her family. Charlie loves Alex, and I loved watching him try to protect her and face his feelings about her. This book goes faster paced, and the battles with demons and evil angels explode into what felt like a live-action movie. 

The mystery aspect was highly internalized for Charlie. Again, he's trying to figure out who he is. He is constantly debating with who he once was as an angel and who he is as human. Not to mention the whole good-vs-evil thing. It is quite overwhelming for him to attempt to control destiny.

I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to reading the next book, Ground Zero! 

Read my review of the previous book, The Talisman of El!

Title: Blackout

Author: Al Stone

Publisher: Centrinian Publishing Ltd

Pages: 449

Series: Yes, Book 2/3

Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads

Hurry Up, We're Dreaming (The Muse Chronicles Book 2) by Sara Crawford

Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is the second YA urban fantasy book in the Muse Chronicles. This new book was sent to me by the author. Sylvia Baker used to love music. Listen to it, write it, sing it, and embrace it. She used to believe in Muses, goddesses of the arts that inspire artists such as Sylvia. But after staying in Ridgeview, Sylvia now believes that Muses' don't exist, and that Vincent was just a fragment of her imagination. She has ripped all music from her life, and tries to be a normal teen, with a job, friends, and loving nature. 

But in her dreams, she is forced to question all this, and wonders if maybe, just maybe she really is a half-muse, and maybe Vincent really did exist, as well as the war between traditional Greek Muses and modern Earthly Muses. And maybe Vincent's life is in grave danger, and Sylvia is the only one who can save him.

I loved Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, possibly even more than the first book! The cover art is stunning! I loved how in the last book, we watched Vincent save Sylvia, and now in this book, it's the other way around. Now Sylvia's the hero, a confident side of her that I adored!

It explores in more depth the damages of life without music, and expands upon the therapeutic side of singing and writing. For about the first half of the book, readers see Sylvia lost, sad, and confused, struggling to figure out who she is. Then she evolves into strength and determination, set on bringing back Vincent from an unconscious sleep. Her character development was extraordinary and her internal conflict and pain will strike a pin in the hearts of readers. I also enjoyed how the author incorporated LGBT themes, and also encouraged the acceptance of others.

I highly recommend this book, and I cannot wait to read the third and final book, You and the Night, coming out sometime in 2018!

Watch the YouTube video the author made talking about the book.

Read my review of the first book in this series, We Own the Sky.

Title: Hurry Up, We're Dreaming (The Muse Chronicles Book 2)

Author: Sara Crawford

Publisher:  Amazon Digital Services LLC

Pages: 283

Series: Yes, Book 2
Rating: 5 Stars

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The Talisman of El (T.O.E. Trilogy Book 1) by Al Stone

The Talisman of El is the first YA fantasy book in the T.O.E. trilogy. The author sent me this book to review. Charlie Blake has had a tough life. Both his parents have died, and he is starting a new school. He is also not your average 14 year old; he can predict death in his dreams. The night before his father died, he dreamt it. Four years later to that day, he dreams of another death.

Things take an even stranger turn when he meets the boy whose father died in that dream, Derekin. It soon becomes very clear that Charlie does not belong in this world. He belongs in Arcadia, a dimension in the center of the Earth; he belongs with the angels. He embarks to Arcadia in a mission to find out the truth about who he really is.

This fun book combines many myths into one, including werewolves, angels, demons, Greek God/Goddesses, and reincarnation. It uses lots of illusions such as the Garden Of Eden. The author managed to combine all of these and more into one comprehensive, rounded tale. Be sure to suspend your disbelief, though!

The imagery was out of this world, and I loved viewing the surface of the Earth, as well as a dimension within it. All the characters had distinct personalities and were extremely relatable. From the first sentence of the Prologue, I was instantly hooked into Charlie and his epic expedition of self-discovery. I connected with him easily and all of his obstacles seemed very realistic. I cannot wait to watch him grow.

The Talisman of El also contains lessons and themes of what a family is, and shows the importance of friendship. The light, frequent humor added tremendous value, and I laughed out loud quite a few times. The pacing shifted frequently and accurately conveyed the mood of that section. This book is a real conversation-starter, and leaves readers with lots to think about, including interpreting the incredible cover!

I highly recommend that you read this book, and I cannot wait to read the next book in this trilogy, Blackout!

Title: The Talisman of El
Author: Al Stone
Publisher: Centrinian Publishing Ltd
Pages: 398 Pages
Series: Yes, Book 1 of 3
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

We Own the Sky (The Muse Chronicles Book 1) by Sara Crawford

We Own the Sky is the first book in a YA urban fantasy series that was sent to me by the author. Sylvia can see the "flickering people." Nobody else can see them but her. She sees them around other people, too, especially artists and musicians. During chorus class, she sees another one. Sylvia later learns that his name is Vincent, and he is a Muse. Muses are minor goddesses of the arts and literature. There were nine original Muses, but when special artists and musicians die, they can choose to go to heaven or be a Muse. They inspire creation, and can choose somebody to inspire. With Vincent's help, she is able to write music and sing better than she ever could.

However, soon the original nine Greek Muses wake up to a world of the internet where anyone can be an artist. This is a problem, especially to Clio, who wants to go back to old traditions. As a war ensues, Sylvia learns the real reason why she can see all Muses, and discovers that this conflict puts her in serious danger.

This story shows the power of music, and how it truly can save a life. The purpose of music is to touch others and convey emotion. Just like reading, music is a way to escape our problems. We Own the Sky proves how life changing music can be. Speaking of music, the artists and songs that Sylvia likes are still around and popular with teens today, which also makes the book connectable on another level. There is also a band called Muse, and I thought it was ironic how their music was tied into the story.

We Own the Sky is emotional and will touch the hearts of many teens. High school life and its struggles are a big element, and I could definitely relate to a lot of it. It has a little bit of everything: magic, mythology, romance, and it even hit mental health issues.

This book was super original, and I loved learning more about Muses! I love Greek mythology. I have not read much about Muses before. Sure, in sixth grade we had a Greek mythology unit and briefly went over them, but I have never known more than the fact that they are children of Mnemosyne (Goddess of memory) and Zeus. And I still had to press my memory hard on that.

I learned a lot more fascinating information about them. It is hard to come up with a new concept, and I applaud the author for that. I asked her how she came up with the idea, and in 2006, she wrote a play called Painted. It followed a similar story line, with some of the same characters, including Vincent. In the play, it never specified what Vincent was. But while Crawford was in college, she was reading a poem that talked about Muses, and it clicked that he could be a Muse.

Watch the YouTube video that the author made talking about the book!

I highly recommend that you read this book! It comes out on August 15th, 2017.

Title: We Own the Sky (The Muse Chronicles Book 1)
Author: Sara Crawford
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Pages: 297 Pages
Series: Yes, Book 1
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Champions: Under Fractured Brilliance (Champions Book 3) by Charlotte Jain

Champions: Under Fractured Brilliance was sent to me by the author, and is the third book in the YA Greek mythology Champions series. Following the last major conflict between Kyle and April, Caria is in grave danger. The Sky Realm is deteriorating, causing darkness and detrimental lightning storms. The moon even disappeared, and several Gods are losing their immortality.

While Noah works with Apollo to try to stabilize the sky, Kyle and April head on separate adventures to find special objects in the Underworld that will turn the tides in their war.

This book's main focus is adventure. Basically, it is as if they said, "Let's put a pause on all this fighting, and go into the Underworld and find magical objects!" I am not saying that in a bad way. I actually really enjoyed the adventure, and it showed a different side of the author's writing. Imagine The Hobbit infused with Greek mythology. This was very unique.

The whole central being of this book was darkness. The sky was all dark and the moon vanished, and the Underworld is all dark and death. Even some characters, especially Kyle, were depressed! (The cover is dark, too.) I thought it was pretty cool, and the darkness was very symbolic of the dark, tense time in the war.

Kyle was really struggling. His girlfriend's mind is breaking, his dad is locked away in the Underworld. He had a lot on his plate, especially given Caria's destruction. I loved his unwillingness to quit. I also liked that the Gods were more involved. Readers got to see drama in the immortals' life, and it showed that being a God and being immortal is not easy.

The only thing I did not like is that there was too much explaining. The majority of the dialogue was really Apollo or Ares explaining historical events or Gods in mythology, which felt a little too educational.

I cannot wait to read Champions: Into Shattered Ice, which comes out in November 2017!

Read my review of the first book in this series, Champions: At Fire's End.

Read my review of the second book in this series, Champions: Amid Ember's Betrayal

Title: Champions: Under Fractured Brilliance
Author: Charlotte Jain
Publisher: Charlotte Jain
Pages: 250 Pages
Series: Yes, Book 3
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads

Champions: Amid Ember's Betrayal (The Champions Book 2) by Charlotte Jain

Champions: Amid Ember's Betrayal was sent to me by the author, and is the second book in a YA Greek mythology series about a modern twist on the famous Olympian and Titan war. For decades, the Olympian Greek Gods have fought the Titans. Desperate to just stop the fighting, the Gods come up with the Champion Solution. Four mortals would be given control of one of the elements, and fight the war for them. With control of fire and water, April and Kyle were raised from birth by the immortals.

After a major twist was revealed, the line between friend and foe is thin. The four Champions are divided and conflicted. To add on to the new circumstances, everyone is getting impatient for the war to finally end, and two powerful immortals come to Caria, set on destroying the Champions and taking control for themselves. The Champions must figure out how to work together again before their town is destroyed, and finally end the war. 

It is hard to pinpoint exactly why I loved this book, but I just know that I do! Everything flowed together nicely, and I could not stop reading it! The writing is amazing, and if it was turned in for a grade in school, the teacher would give it a perfect score.

The pressure on the characters to finally end the war forced them to a breaking point, and I greatly enjoyed the action towards the end! April's bravery and strength tripled in the second book, and readers saw more of her powerful side in this book, rather than being more vulnerable in the first. I love the characters, but I know that somebody has to die. I really hope it's not going to be who I think it will be, given which side wins in Greek mythology.

The ending was satisfying, and I am excited to read the next book, Champions: Under Fractured Brilliance. 
 

Read my review of the first book in this series, Champions: At Fire's End

Title: Champions: Amid Ember's Betrayal
Author: Charlotte Jain
Publisher: Charlotte Jain
Pages: 350
Series: Yes, Book 2
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads 

Champions: At Fire's End by Charlotte Jain

Champions: At Fire's End was sent to me by the author, and is the first book in a YA Greek mythology series about a modern twist on the famous Olympian and Titan war. For decades, the Olympian Greek Gods have fought the Titans endlessly, causing destruction visible to mortals.

 

Desperate to just stop the fighting, the Gods come up with the Champion Solution. Four mortals would be given control of one of the elements, and fight the war for them. With control of fire and water, April and Kyle were raised from birth by the immortals, raised for the single purpose of winning the war by defeating the other champions. But the mortal body is not made to handle such power, and they must win before their powers corrupt them to a point of no return.

 

The imagery in this book was fantastic! I could effectively picture every scene in the book. It is fast paced and full of suspense. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, anxious to find out what happened.

Champions: At Fire's End was not what I was expecting. I was pleasantly surprised! It is nothing like the Percy Jackson series, or really any Greek mythology I have read. It focused more on the teens and their conflicts and their journey instead of just on the war. The four elements were the main difference, which I loved. It is unusual for fantasy and Greek mythology to be combined.

April has major character development. The pressure of having to solve somebody else's war really took a toll on her, and she had to make tough choices. Everyone can relate to her and the struggles she faced. Kyle had major internal conflict as well. He loved Kim, but she was on the other side. He has to choose between April and Kim, which does not settle well for him. 

Controlling the elements has always sounded amazing, but now I realize the consequences and sacrifices that comes with them. I have always wanted to control air. I also feel bad for the Champions since they are basically puppets.

The ending of this book is possibly the best ending I have ever read! A major twist was revealed that changes the whole game. The way that the author chose to end the book was brilliant, and really showcased how hard this war is and will continue to be.

I highly recommend that you read this book! I cannot wait to read the next book, Champions: Amid Fire's Betrayal!

Title: Champions: At Fire's End

Author: Charlotte Jain

Publisher: Charlotte Jain

Pages: 334 Pages

Series: Yes, Book 1

Rating: 5 Stars

Goodreads