I am an aspiring book editor and a writer of many things, such as poetry, fantasy, fiction, and non-fiction. But no matter the story or point I aim to convey, I pray each word magnifies my King and inspires the hearts of those who are lost. Words are powerful, and with mine, I will use them to speak life.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV
My friend and I have been doing a Bible Study on the Armor of God and recently discussed the peace we receive as followers of Christ. We both know this peace; we’ve experienced it, but it was so difficult to put into words! You’d think it’d be easy to describe something so beautiful and simple, yet, I believe it’s because this peace is so pure and lovely that it’s hard to explain. I never knew what real peace felt like until I met Jesus, or rather, when Jesus came to me. I grew up knowing about God. I was baptized. I went to church every Sunday, the whole shebang. But it wasn’t until I was broken, when my eyes were opened to the truth, that I found true peace. The peace Jesus gives cannot be explained. It is calm when the world is chaos; it is light when only darkness surrounds you; it is hope when all else seems to fail. His peace consumes you from the inside out in a way that can never be replaced or destroyed. His peace outweighs any fear, worry, or anxiety. It keeps you firmly on your feet, and it’s available to everyone. Some would describe peace as a feeling that comes after hardships and chaos. But this peace is different. This peace appears and stays when everything seems to be falling apart, peace in the midst of chaos. Alas, because of the light Jesus is, we can still smile and persevere. There are no words in any of the dictionaries around the world that can fully explain the peace God gives because it is something only He can provide. But it is there, a light and warmth almost tangible enough to touch with your fingers.
Only Jesus can give true peace, and I am grateful beyond words to have been able to experience it and continue to.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
I saw this prompt and had to jump onto the responses. Goodness, I was almost too late, though, wasn’t I? If I were to open a shop, I would open a bookstore. I would sell books (obviously), bookmarks, and absolutely anything that had to do with books. Like those cute little nook shelf things that are like worlds inside a shelf; or creatures and objects made from book pages, although I don’t know if my heart can take the fact of that being book murder. They’re so pretty, though! Ever since high school, I’ve thought of opening my own bookstore one day. It was never really a passion or a dream, but more a sweet daydream I wondered would come true. This bookstore would be more focused on the independent and self-published authors of the world. Because sadly, Indie authors can’t always get their books into bookstores. Of course, I’d also sell traditionally published books along with self-published ones, but I think it would be lovely if most of the shelves were filled with the hidden gems in the world of books. Some of my favorite books I’ve read were written by authors no one has ever heard of, and my one review can only do so much. So few people know about these hidden gems because they aren’t trending on social media or were refused to be sold in physical bookstores. Perhaps, one day, God will open a door that leads to a bookstore such as this. Now, what would this bookstore look like, you may ask? It would be cozy—curled in a blanket on a rainy day cozy—and grand, filled with books on shelves that reached all the way to a two, or maybe three-story ceiling. This bookstore would be vintage but magical, like a hidden world in an enchanted forest. Children would get free goodies whether they buy something or not; once they walk through the door, and from the minute they leave, even if they were only inside for three seconds, they will leave with a lollipop. And every purchase will come with a scripture verse from the Bible. There would be desks and reading nooks where you can read before buying, like a library. But get this: you would be able to borrow books too!! I don’t know about you, but I love reading a book before I buy it. I’d call it Rose Books, Julia’s Books, or Julia’s Book Nook. Something memorable along those lines. Ooh, maybe even Julia Rose Books? Mind as well, right? That’s already every social media platform I have. Problem solved.
I hope you all have a fantastic week! Here’s a verse to start your Monday (even though it’s still Sunday):
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who called you out of the darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 ESV
Isn’t that beautiful? Chosen by God. Remember that whenever the enemy tries to darken your mood. Slap him across the face and say, I am chosen by God! Who are you to tell me who I am? The audacity he has, I swear.
“I would only regret not starting forever with you as soon as possible.” ~Positively, Penelope
I cry. No, truly, I did cry.
Dear humans, the lovely quote from above is only one of many. I was given an ARC of this book to borrow and, sadly, could not annotate (though, now I have an excuse to buy another book *cue evil laughter*). Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham releases today, August 1st, 2023!
5/5 Stars
(Spoiler-Free Zone)
~Review~
(Briefing) Castles, delicious pastries, irreplaceable history, unexpected love, and…sea monsters? Penelope runs on positivity, movie references, and theater, all of which must come in one total package. Her love for fairytales and magical places becomes a reality when she takes on an internship in Skymar, an island full of wonder and history. As she begins to rebuild the once magnificent Darling theater, someone awaits behind the scenes, plotting to stop any success of reformation. Amid all the chaos and magic, Penelope finds herself falling in love, a plot twist not even she saw coming. With her heart in two different places, she is faced with choices promising to tear it apart. But, like in any movie she has ever seen, love stretches beyond distance, no matter how many sea monsters she has to battle to achieve a happily ever after.
(First Impression 3/5) I loved this story SO MUCH, but the beginning started a bit strange. Pepper wrote the first hundred pages through the perspective of emails and text messages. It wasn’t poorly written, just a bit unrealistic at times, though Penelope was a great storyteller. I adored her from the first page and all her positive, fairytale-ness. I strive to be as positive as she is and as hilarious. Her humor carried the story, let me tell you.
(Character Development 5/5) Penelope’s character structure was beautiful and so unique because, as Penelope said so herself, there aren’t many stories with positive protagonists, at least not like her. Her character was refreshing. I loved Matthias. OMG. I- where are these types of men in the real world? Hello? (no offense intended towards the possible real-world men reading this, though that is highly doubtful). Also, is Skymar a real place? Because I swear, I’d travel there just to meet a Matthias of my own. Pepper wrote the supporting characters wonderfully, too, from adorable Iris to Grandpa Grey and Penelope’s hilarious siblings. Luke has got to be the definition of “best brother ever,” and Izzy is such a sweet and supportive sister. Pepper did an excellent job with the characters. They were genuine, intricate, and lovable. They completed the story into something delightful.
(World-Building 5/5) *Satisfied sigh.* What a lovely place Skymar is. This little island of history, deep community values, castles, scenic views, and vintage architecture made the story all the more entertaining. Penelope was me whenever she went on one of her many expeditions venturing out into the town. Skymar was the perfect place to spread some positivity. I love small towns with hidden gems and natural beauty. Oh! And let’s not forget those sea monsters. I, of course, didn’t love them as much as the castles, but they are part of Skymar too.
(Emotions 5/5) Whenever characters have to say goodbye, it rips my heart apart. This story was relatable in that distance between family and loved ones hurts. The grief and tangible sadness of being so far away from those you love is a pain sometimes too difficult to describe. But Pepper did an incredible job at expressing such emotions through this story. I loved the family concept and the love all the characters had for one another. Pepper conveyed the importance of authentic love and trustworthy relationships exquisitely (I’ve always wanted to use that word). It warmed my heart, even though it also made me shed a few thousand tears.
(Style 4.5/5) If I were to rate Pepper’s writing style based on page one, I’d give it a 4/5. After page one hundred, I’d rate it a 2/5. But the last half of the book brought the rating to a 5/5, which rounded up—by my unreliable calculations—to a 4.5/5 (anyone else lost, or just me?). As I mentioned earlier in the review, Pepper wrote the first 100 pages from the perspective of emails and text messages, which honestly wasn’t much of a problem; it was an eccentric and intriguing POV. But when the perspective shifted into a regular third-person POV, I was caught off guard. My attention was almost lost and I found myself debating whether to finish Positively, Penelope or not. I wondered if it’d be worth the read. But, you guys, OH MY GOODNESS. I am so glad I finished this book. Positively, Penelope is now one of my favorite reads, and Pepper Basham is one of my favorite authors! Though Pepper’s perspective and style choice were unique and a bit unusual, it was perfect for the story she needed to tell. I do think this book would’ve been even better if Pepper introduced the POV change sooner in the story, but in a way, it made the book what it was, and I ended up LOVING IT.
(Cleanliness 5/5) Positively, Penelope is classified as a Christian romance, and wonderfully clean. The romantic aspects contained just a smidge of kissing, though it was more passionate than what I’d recommend to, let’s say, a ten-year-old. It was a sweet romance that left me feeling warm and fuzzy. I do wish there were more Christian principles included, not to say there were zero. But they were minuscule enough to where the book could almost pass for a regular clean romance. I did see how Penelope’s positivity correlated with her relationship with God. There isn’t any profanity, as to be expected, and no violence unless you count Penelope using her Super Ultra Hairspray as a self-defense mechanism. There are a few emotional triggers, such as divorce, broken relationships, grief, the death of a loved one, and overall heartache.
(Conclusion 5/5) *Cue the sobbing* Positively, Penelope was a delightful adventure and one I highly recommend. It was heartwarming, funny, sweet, thrilling, and left me smiling more than once. I loved the theatrics and creativity, especially the onslaught of movie, book, and musical references. Not only did this add depth to the story, but the characters as well. I’m not a massive fan of romantic comedies, especially cheesy and predictable ones, but I loved Positively, Penelope. I laughed and cried so much. It was honestly one of the funniest and most heartwarming stories I’ve read in a long time. Positively, Penelope concluded in the most perfect way, with lots of tears and the healing of old wounds. I look forward to reading more of Pepper Basham’s books, especially after reading this one.
I love an entertaining fantasy story with a Biblical foundation, and Heartmender by far gave me that!
~Review~
(SPOILER FREE)
4/5 Stars
(Briefing) While the Land of Barracks sees trading human hearts as a means to “success” and “fulfillment,” Adelaide Tyde sees but an enemy who stole her brother. After years of despising Heart Reign, when the time comes for Addie to trade her own heart, she finds herself caught between various choices, life-threatening battles, and a spiderweb of lies and deceit. But amongst all the darkness and heartbreak, there is a light beside her every step of the way. As Addie searches for her lost brother while fighting through the Seven Choices, she learns there is so much more to life than being afraid. Alas, when all seems right, evil and darkness leap at the opportunity to thwart any noble cause.
(First Impression 4/5) In the beginning, I was unsure if I would like this book. Heartmender is a strange concept, but also so creative and entertaining. After a few pages, I was instantly teleported into the wondrous world of Heartmender. Each scene and chapter was unexpected, filled with suspense and adventure. One of the most unpredictable books I’ve read in a long time, and it was great!
(Character Development 5/5) Addie excelled far past her characteristics from page one, and although she stuck to her original structure, she also transformed into a powerful, fearless young woman. She defeated her fears and grew stronger with each chapter. Her journey was amazing. I loved to see her overcome her faults and come out like the warrior she is. The other characters were lovely, too, like Claire and Eman, even the antagonistic characters were well written—evil and frustrating, yes, but realistic; they brought the story to life and made the reading journey wonderful.
(World-Building 4/5) The setting for Heartmender is very complex and imaginative. Though I found myself a little confused at times, it didn’t compare to the fantastical journey Burton brought me through as Addie conquered the Seven Choices. The symbolism of life and the Biblical aspects in Heartmender were some of the best I’ve read so far and my favorite details from the book. It was easy to see how this story related to real life—the battles of temptations and how light never fails to overcome darkness. While putting a magical twist into Heartmender, Burton kept the most critical aspects illuminated beneath an adventurous journey. Not every author can create an entertaining story while retaining morality and Biblical attributes!
(Emotions 5/5) I may have cried a few times, and if you ever read this book, you will know why. Emotions are a big part of Heartmender and are very well interpreted. Addie truly does have so much love to give, while also battling with the emotional strains life throws at her. It was beautiful to witness her overcoming doubt, loneliness, anger, greed, lust, and so much more. Heartmender is undoubtedly an intense and emotional journey.
(Style 4/5) I found Burton’s style easy to read, apart from a few mistakes/typos. I read through this book easily and often forgot I was reading a book at all, which is how you know it’s good!
(Cleanliness 4/5) As mentioned above, this book deals with many emotions, including lust. For the most part, Heartmender is a clean read, but one scene does portray a struggle with lust, which provides a steamy situation between Addie and a-person-I-shall-not-name. There is also a good amount of violence. Fortunately, it is a Christian book, and the things above, I believe, are necessary ways of bringing to light just how tempting and dangerous life can sometimes be. It also shows just how involved our God is. He is always there, reminding us we are never alone—a sword for a battle, a lantern in the dark, a friend and protector.
(Conclusion 4/5) I can’t wait to read Heartbreaker. The ending of Heartmender had me smiling in excitement and beautifully concluded the story. I look forward to reading the next book in Addie’s story!
“But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” James 2:18-19 ESV
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 ESV
What does make a teacher great? I would say someone who values compassion over education. Not to disregard education or make it less than it is. Of course, knowledge and understanding are essential, which is evident in Scripture (Eph. 6:4, 2 Tim. 3:16, Col. 3:16, Pro. 1:5, Pro. 1:7). Teachers are no doubt necessary in this world too (Titus 2:7-8, Matt. 28:20, Pro. 9:9, Pro. 11:25). Although, any real impact a teacher can make would be Christ working through them. Hence why we so desperately need teachers who fully envision and understand the morals and Biblical principles of the Lord. But I think sometimes we overvalue education above the spiritual and emotional needs of a person. Especially today, going to school and learning 24/7 has become something that defines a person, as if our education and degree or professional certification guarantee a successful life. But there are so many different ways and things to learn, regardless of what degree we do or don’t pursue. Like learning about what truly matters in life and learning to follow the passions and dreams God designs specifically for us (this, of course, sometimes entails further education, and there is nothing wrong with that, nor is there anything wrong with wanting to pursue higher education). What I mean to say is our focus is often on the wrong things. Living the life God wills us to live…now that is true success.
The educational system, I know, is a pretty controversial topic. But I can’t help the topic from surfacing to the front of my thoughts, the results of this prompt. However, I think the majority of people can agree it’s become corrupt. Whether we’re talking about the education itself, or the exposure to bullying, drugs, smoking, and alcoholism. But amid all that darkness and pain, who do you think could make the strongest impact on a student? Teachers. Lord willing, He’d use people so deep in the system, so near to the tender lives of the students, to spread His love and light through the darkness. Teachers can either choose to value and love their students and be a light in a place that desperately needs it. Or, they can contribute to the darkness and further corruption. What makes a teachergreat isn’t only their capabilities of performing education, but also being an example to those students. An example of love, kindness, self-control, compassion, motivation, inspiration, patience, and a genuine drive to not only further improve the students’ education, but also to be a guiding hand in their personal, spiritual, and emotional lives.
Showing someone we care, that we’re listening and we’re happy to be there with them (even if, in all honesty, we are quite the opposite of “happy to be here”); showing someone we understand and we’re willing to help; prioritizing these things above regular education is more important. Because having compassion towards a person simply opens another doorway to understanding. A doorway and an open floodgate to more education, but on the important things. Teaching love and compassion is an education in and of itself. How much more would the education system succeed if its foundation was built on inspiration, love, kindness, and compassion? How much more would the students succeed, not financially, not academically, but as future children of God? How many more young lives could be saved if just one person decided to reach out to that hurting child who was suffering in silence? It’d be a different world, and public schools would be a place kids wanted to go to. Alas, this world is a sinful one, and the enemy runs rampant, but by the mercy of God, satan is limited in his capabilities. Nothing overtakes God’s sovereignty, no matter how many tears we cry as we gaze back at the broken lives and hearts of the lost people on this earth.
Even though the educational system is horrifyingly corrupt, there’s a reason for it. There are simply more opportunities and situations for the glory of God to shine, and I trust His perfect plan. This evil, by no means, was brought by God, but humanity and its sinful nature; brought by the evil one and his forces of darkness. But my God, our God, is sovereign. Unlike satan, He sees everything. Nothing gets passed Him, not even the darkest depths of this corrupt and evil world. I have hope and joy because He is going to make something beautiful out of these ashes. For who can make such a beautiful masterpiece apart from the greatest Teacher of them all?
“I wasn’t aware that words could hold so much. I didn’t know a sentence could be so full.” ~Where The Crawdads Sing
This book was a poetic masterpiece. The way Delia writes is beautiful and so unique. She is a painter of words, and a vibrant storyteller.
~Review~
(SPOILER FREE)
3.5/5 Stars
(Briefing) Kya, also known as the Marsh Girl, has lived her whole life trapped in the marsh in Barkley Cove, North Carolina. But it’s far from a cage. After being abandoned by her family as a child, Kya is thrust into raising herself and soon becomes an expert in many things, but especially the marsh. Her life goes on in the same rhythm for many years, until one day she meets a boy. Love is a new concept and something she never knew possible. But there’s more than love she has yet to discover. Being an outcast, Kya never desires to indulge in the frivolity of the village a few miles from the marsh. However, when she’s suddenly accused of murder, the life she had so carefully cultivated hangs in the balance, and the final verdict will determine whether or not she can go home to the gulls, live a life behind bars, or the worst of them all: death by another’s hand.
(First Impression 5/5) After the first few sentences, I immediately saw how beautiful of a writer Delia is. The storyline was clear from the beginning and kept me reading for more. I’ve already said this, but it’s because it’s the best way to describe Where The Crawdads Sing: poetic, lyrical. A beautiful song about a girl who was abandoned, talentless, and lacking understanding, soon growing into a woman of knowledge, creativity, and fierce love for her home.
(Character Development 5/5) Kya by far surpassed her old childhood self as she grew in knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and creativity. From being illiterate and secluded to a marsh like a wild animal to painting images and writing accurate, factual books to change the world. Although the choices she made as a young adult were frustrating, and I often became annoyed whenever she fell into an obvious trap, I also think the circumstances Kya grew up in made it understandable why she would be naive.
(World-Building 5/5) The world-building in this book exuded more beauty than any of the other aspects. Each word, each sentence, each paragraph, each page, was woven like a piece of poetry that flowed like the tide of the marsh. The beautiful images of the marsh and nature scenes described in this book were stark in my mind like I was looking at it all in person. Delia’s eccentric way of describing things and the analogies she chose made this book unique and lovely to read.
(Emotions 4/5) There were many points in this story that tears would fall from my face. Where The Crawdads Sing is unmistakably an emotional piece of work, filled with heartbreak, abandonment, fear, love, grief, loneliness, and so much more. Kya’s life is one not many can imagine, and it makes my heart ache just to think about it. Her childhood ended so suddenly and her life was full of hardships. But the joy I had when she achieved her goals and made a name for herself brought to light that there is always a reason for trials in this life.
(Style 5/5) The perspective of this book—the third person omniscient—made me nervous in the beginning. It’s tricky, writing in such a way, and I have a hard time indulging in stories like those. However, Where the Crawdads Sing was worded to near perfection. The only part I had a hard time understanding was the dialect, as it was unique to reflect the setting of where the characters were. The people of North Carolina had a unique accent that I’m not sure is entirely accurate. It wasn’t something I minded much, but it made some sentences jumble together.
(Cleanliness 2/5) The first half of Where The Crawdads Sing isn’t too bad, apart from swearing. But after Kya turned 15 it seemed to be all about sexual desires, reproduction, heated romantic moments, and lust. There is one sex scene that doesn’t last very long, but the last half of the book had many scenes that got so heated to the point where it almost reaches that level. There’s a lot of removal of clothing, touching, and lustful thoughts. The details of the physical aspects of the romance seemed to never end (and I didn’t even full on read it but skimmed. So you can imagine how profuse it was, or perhaps don’t imagine…). I wrote down the pages for each sexual scene at the end of this blog in case any of you plan on reading this book but wish to steer clear of the spice. Those scenes do kind of just jump out of nowhere in the beginning, so you have been warned. Profanity was used, but not too drastically, and violence isn’t out of the picture either, as it is a murder mystery. There is also an attempt at rape/sexual assault.
(Conclusion 3/5) I started out adoring this story and the elegant writing style, but my attention and adornment were lost amid the secular aspects (hence why I gave the book 3.5 stars). The ending wasn’t a favorite. It was a bit of a drag, frustrating, and tiresome, though it did make my heart pound to finally reach the end. I have a mixture of feelings about this book, and the ending no doubt stirred them all the more. I was utterly shocked and had to take a few minutes to think it all over. So, to end this review, I must say Where The Crawdads Sing was a beautiful story, but also filled with many unnecessary and awkward sexual scenes, foul language, and plot twists I was not expecting (well, obviously. That’s, of course, the whole point of a plot twist). This book didn’t exactly meet my expectations nor did it fall below them. It was a story I will remember, but one I don’t believe I’ll read again.
Genres: fiction, murder mystery, romance, young adult, new adult
!TRIGGER WARNING! Death, murder, attempted rape, sexual abuse, sex, abuse, child abuse, language, sexual insinuations, emotional
Sexy scenes: page 133, 134, 161, 184, 185
Sex scene: 193-194
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made in perfect love.“ 1 John 4:18 NIV
My answer would depend on the time period. Like, for example, the Victorian Era is so lovely, or the early 1400s and 1800s. Any clothing from those eras would be find and dandy to me. Unfortunately, we are in the year of 2023… I’ll have to go with a baggy shirt and comfy shorts. Comfort over fashion is a necessity if I have to wear it for the rest of my life.
The idea and storyline of the Red Queen is genius. It was a slow start, BUT THEN I kept going, and the longing to keep reading hit me hard in the face. But don’t worry, nothing’s broken yet.
~Review~
(SPOILER FREE)
4/5 Stars
(Briefing) In a world where humans are separated by the color of their blood, Red and Silver, there’s one girl who isn’t one or the other, but both. Mare Borrow has only ever known life as a Red until, suddenly, she’s watching that life from the window of the Silver Palace. After discovering she’s neither Red nor Silver, Mare is thrown into the world of Silvers, forced to learn the court rules, how to be the perfect lady, and to keep in the shadows of her superiors. Through the various training she partakes in, she discovers more about herself than she ever dreamed possible, all the while still wondering what her heart wants as it fights between the two Silver princes. Along the path of her precarious life to finding a place where she belongs, Mare falls into a plot twist no one saw coming. A twist she may never escape from.
(First Impression 4/5) I immediately loved the whole concept of red and silver blood. That’s such a neat idea and creates so many unexpected twists and turns. Again, the beginning was slow, and it took me a few chapters to soak in all the details. Then, I was thrust into a world of war and hardship, love and fear. Betrayal and vengeance. “Anyone can betray anyone.” *laughs mischievously*
(Character Development 5/5) WOW. Okay. I say this a lot, but Mare and Cal, Maven… They all grow and change so much. Skyrocketing growth. There is so much complexity built into each character, and you can’t help but try to guess what they’ll do next, only for them to do the exact opposite, leaving you wondering how you can possibly wait to read the next chapter.
(World-Building 4/5) Both the world of Reds and the world of Silvers are tied together with beautiful imagery perfectly fitting for the story. It’s somewhat dystopian with the technology and advancements in science, yet fantastical and mysterious with all the unique abilities the characters have. I do wish there were a map attached to the book, for the world Victoria created is so vast I found myself getting lost in the beauty of it. (I’m awful with directions.)
(Emotions 4/5) I’m sure I cry from every book I read. I did with this one as well. Mare has such a sweet relationship with her family and her friends. It’s hard not to cry when a cloud of difficulty befalls them all. The ending certainly twisted my emotions, squeezing until I gasped in outrage.
(Style 4/5) Victoria’s way of writing is lovely. She drops just the right amount of information at the perfect moments. The words link together as they were made to. Though, again, I found it hard at times to be transported into the setting, but eventually I drowned in my imagination.
(Cleanliness 4/5) Red Queen was surprisingly one of the cleanest YA books I’ve read in a long time concerning romance. There is kissing, but it doesn’t go any farther than that. The violence takes the stars of cleanliness down, for it is on the darker side of the scale. Language isn’t too crude.
(Conclusion 5/5) If the ending of the first book in a series doesn’t make you buy the next book, I’m not sure what went wrong. Red Queen ended in a way no one saw coming. A cliffhanger I almost fell off of. Perfectly suspenseful and dramatic.
!TRIGGER WARNING! Violence, gore, enslavement, death
“The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”Matthew 26:24 ESV
“Because you’re like a story that hasn’t happened yet. Because I want to see what you will do. I want to be part of the unfolding.” ~The Cruel Prince
…this quote though MY GOODNESS *chef kiss*
~Review~
(SPOILER FREE)
3.5/5 Stars
(Briefing) After watching the murder of her parents, Jude and her sisters are taken away from all they know and are brought to the world of the High Court of Faerie. There, they grow up to be humans in a world of powerful creatures, submissiveness being their most reliable form of defense. They learn how to live with the Fae, and how to survive, but when Jude challenges the youngest Fae prince of the High King, Prince Carden, she becomes ensnared in a plot more deadly than anyone anticipated. Her choices of survival are slim, and she may have to rely on a person she could never trust. She’s good at deceiving, and her swordsmanship is some of the best, but to achieve a spot on the High Court to prove she’s strong enough to be a knight, she may have to choose a different tactic to reach her goal. A strategy surely to bring nothing but death.
(First Impression 4/5) The book has obvious intrigue, and if you read the beginning of The Cruel Prince you’ll understand what I mean. I was drawn in easily with the first page. I love the idea of Fae and magical worlds full of creatures. Jude’s feisty spirit made me laugh, though her boldness got annoying after a while whenever she almost DIED, which was quite often. Sadly, something was missing in this story. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would, and it was different from what I had expected it to be. There were many good points in this book, and I did finish it. One of the best points was the fantastical atmosphere and wonder of the storyline. Who doesn’t love magical worlds full of these magical creatures known as Fae?
(Character Development 2/5) For me, character development is vital to any story, and if not achieved, will drag the book down with it. Jude was what I’d call a “Superman” character. Though Jude had faults and struggles (she is human after all), the strength and power she had over one of the most “aggressive” species on planet earth made her flaws minuscule. There isn’t much to review on the growth of the characters; they stick to their beginning personalities and structure. I didn’t see much change apart from Jude going from a powerless child to a stronger young woman, but still “powerless”. There were meager portions of growth in all of the characters. Cardan was, of course, insanely attractive, as all Fae are, but his character was never enhanced. He did change somewhat—or I should say, parts of his life and reasons for his behavior were discussed—probably the most out of all the characters. Nevertheless, it felt like Cardan and the others were stuck in one spot, permanently, resisting moving forward. Plus, Cardan shifted from flirty prince to murderer in a span of two sentences. I may be acting unfairly, in fact, I am. I only read book one of this series, after all. Even so, there still should’ve been some growth, right? I believe there is a possibility I haven’t read the full depth of each character’s foundation and structure. Undoubtedly, there is so much more to this story and its characters, but I’m sad to say I won’t be reading any further into this series.
(World-Building 4/5) The world-building was amazing. It wasn’t hard to find myself walking beside Jude in Faerie, with all its glamor and deceiving habitants. It was a beautiful place with beautiful sights, and even though it was dangerous I wish I could travel there. But (*cries* yes, I’m sorry, there is yet again another “but “) I was caught off guard when it suddenly jumped to the human world, and I mean THIS human world. They went to JC Penny’s and Walgreens… Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that, it was just a weird curve in perspective I’ve never come across before, at least not in this way, and I didn’t like it much. The beginning had me thinking it was a historical period of time, which I admit is my own brain’s fault. I wish the modern aspects of their world had been introduced sooner in the story to make it all tie together better.
(Emotions 3/5) Jude never seemed to catch a break, which made me sympathize with her, even though it was usually her fault whenever she fell into a trap. Her vulnerability and frustration of not being able to take action made me frustrated with her. And of course, the beginning of The Cruel Prince started tragically and was surely traumatizing for the protagonist. But it was so soon in the story it was hard for me to connect to those emotions.
(Style 4/5) The style was easy to read and flowed nicely! There’s not much to note here. I thought everything was worded well. The author’s creativity was eccentric and new, not at all predictable, apart from the romantic aspects (which were very little). But, I suppose stories with the “Enemies to Lovers” troupe sometimes work that way. The story itself just wasn’t for me.
(Cleanliness 4/5) The Cruel Prince was pretty clean where sexual romance is concerned. It is on the violent side of YA, and a little dark, as well as some crude language. This is also the first book, and with most Fae-oriented stories, I have a feeling it may get worse. They tend to be on the more *steamy* side of YA.
(Conclusion 3/5) I did finish this book because I read expecting more, and the ending was probably my favorite part. It was exciting and I wish there was more of that in the book. I won’t be continuing with this series, but I don’t regret reading The Cruel Prince. I’m sure countless others would love this series, but for me, it wasn’t my cup of tea, or perhaps hot chocolate…I like hot chocolate more than tea.
Genres: young adult, fantasy, romance, Fae, magic
*Disclaimer* This is an honest review and in NO WAY an attempt to bash the author!!
“‘It’s okay, I’ve got you,’ he said. ‘I promise you will come to no harm as long as I have breath.’” ~Toward A Secret Sky
This book was a brilliant adventure. One I couldn’t put down. You may be wondering why I gave it four stars…I shall tell you… THE ENDING RIPPED MY HEART OUT OF MY CHEST AND TORE IT INTO A MILLION PIECES *clears throat* It was a great read, but when I tell you I sobbed…
~Review~
(SPOILER FREE)
4/5 Stars
(Briefing) After her mother’s death, Maren is sent to live with her grandparents in Scotland. There, a mysterious plot crawls around the village, and she takes it upon herself to uncover its secrets. With the help of an Angel, a coded journal, and new friends, Maren discovers nothing is as it seems.
(First Impression 5/5) There are three reasons (excuses) why I had to buy this book…
1. One of my favorite authors wrote a review on it. (I love you, Stephanie Garber) 2. The synopsis made my eyes water with excitement. (Does anyone else sneeze when they get excited? Just me? Okay.) 3. I probably shouldn’t say this, but yes. I bought it for the cover. Can you blame me? There’s nothing wrong with wanting a pretty book.
It’s been a bit since I read Toward A Secret Sky, which just goes to show how memorable this book is. I have a horrible memory, as my friends and family know, so this review alone is solid evidence that Toward A Secret Sky is an amazing read. I rest my case. I loved the mysterious and fantastical atmosphere of this story. It was a great balance of all things entertaining. A beautiful story, albeit emotional. The first sentence sucked my mind in, and the rest of the words wouldn’t let go. And then the ending whacked my brain with a hammer…
(Character Development 4/5) These characters were great. Gavin stole the show, what with his muscles and attractive facial features, but Maren…gotta love a queen protagonist. All the characters grew in some way, and I love following along on those journeys. Walking beside a character as they overcome their obstacles, find their voices, and discover their goals and strengths is no easy thing to conjure up, yet Heather achieved this.
(World-Building 5/5) SCOTLAND. Need I say more? I LOVE all things Scotland, Ireland, England, and anything abroad. It’s just so magical and I wish I dared to live in a place like those. Heather did a fantastic job at creating the perfect setting for this mysterious fantasy novel.
(Emotions 5/5) Maren had gone through so much in such a short time. The depiction of her emotional and mental stability was so heart-wrenching. The pain Maren was in, the loneliness and loss she was overcome with, brought me to tears. But the ending was what had me drowning in my sorrows.
(Style 5/5) You know when you read a book, but you’re not REALLY reading it? It’s as if the words all click together like a puzzle piece and suddenly, you’re looking at a complete picture in your mind. That was this book. The words were simply parts of a vibrant image I will never forget. I also have never come across a book both fantasy and mystery with such a solid foundation.
(Cleanliness 4/5) There were no major heat waves of inappropriate situations. The romance wasn’t sexual in any way, but sweet and pure. There is a scene where sexual abuse is vaguely implied/attempted (nothing happens, but almost) and violence isn’t out of the picture, though nothing too dramatic. Just a bit of…demon fighting… But I don’t like gore, or demons, and this book didn’t unsettle me. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch any Christian principles sewn between the lines—I had purchased this book from a Christian bookstore—apart from the angels (and attractive demons…? Oh, that’s right. Demons probably bring the clean scale down a bit. They are depicted as hot though, which is a little weird and extremely unfair.) Even so, for the most part, this book was a clean read, especially compared to today’s YA world. It was refreshing.
(Conclusion 4/5) No. No no. We won’t talk about this. The plot was written precisely and had a beautiful consistency. I enjoyed this story very much. Alas, the ending was a disappointment. And I mean the near, near end. After the heartbreaking conclusion, all I was left with was half a paragraph of an epilogue. No SeCoNd BoOk. *cries in a desperate plea for help* It wasn’t all bad, but my heart aches in remembrance.
I still, wholeheartedly, recommend this book. Especially if you’ve fallen into a tragic reading slump as I had.
Genres: young adult, romance, fantasy, fiction, mystery, supernatural
!TRIGGER WARNING! Emotional, demons, violence, abuse, mentions of sexual assault
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10NIV
Julia Rose Books 