“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
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
Heirs of Neverland Book One, Dust, by Kara Swanson
”You were created for more than to bear the weight of your shadows—but you have to choose to no longer let them define you. You have to choose to let the light shine through the shattered pieces.” ~Dust
~Review~
(SPOILER FREE)
5/5 Stars
This book pulled me right out of a reading slump and took me on an adventure in the sky of imagination. Kara Swanson writes magic and beauty with her words.
(Briefing) Dust, a Peter Pan retelling, full of magnificent twists and turns, shapes the classic fairytale into something beautiful and original. It follows the life of Claire, a girl afraid of the shadows lurking beneath her skin, and Peter, a boy running from his past and the acceptance of growing up. Darkness is a familiar concept to both. For Claire, it’s the chasm of loneliness left behind when her brother was stolen away. For Peter, he’s trapped on earth while his home is being torn apart. But when Claire meets Peter her world has new light to it, and Peter finds Claire to be so much more than a means to saving Neverland. However, there’s something else lurking in the corners of their hope, a dark shadow following too close behind both of them. The grief in Claire’s life overflows in her heart, and one more chip in the dam she’s built may send her over the edge. Neverland is falling apart at the seams, and Peter is nearing the end of his options to save it. With the magical island close to ruin, Claire may be the only light to break through the shadows. Can she save Neverland, and her forgotten brother? Will Peter finally face his past and overcome his selfishness to save the ones he loves? Or will the shadows overtake their lives once more, drowning out the light for good?
(First Impression 5/5) My goodness, I love Kara Swanson’s books. She is undoubtedly a favorite author. She never fails to pull me into the stories she creates. From chapter one, it was like I jumped into an ocean of mysterious wonder. Breathing while submerged, I could see everything so clearly beneath the surface. It was no difficult task putting myself in Claire and Peter’s perspectives.
(Character Development 5/5) Kara did amazing with the diversity between the characters. It must’ve been a challenge to create two people from such culturally different backgrounds. One person from London, England and Neverland, the other having grown up in California. Not to mention all the side characters and the antagonist of course. There were similarities lightly brushed throughout Dust that correlated with the classic Peter Pan story in some way, but the characters were delightfully different. For instance, Tiger Lily. We love a tribal queen who can hold her own against a group of angry Lost Boys and violent shadows. And let’s not forget Captain Hook! However, in this book, he pulls out surprising twists that had me at the edge of my seat, and he wasn’t the only one. For what is an antagonist without henchmen and unlikely allies? I loved reading from both Claire and Peter’s POVs. Seeing how they view things and the way their thoughts worked and differed in dialect added a depth to the protagonists that many books sometimes lack. Peter’s slang was by far one of my favorite details in this book, a great replacement for crude language and far more entertaining in my opinion. I also loved how relatable the protagonists were with their thoughts and reactions to the plot twists (though I must say, the way Peter handles dire situations was a smidge idiotic. What with him laughing his pixie dust off as he’s being chased through narrow alleyways by guys with guns and knives, one carrying a freakin HATCHET. I can’t help but love how different and how ”Peter” Peter is. Gotta love him and his childish antics). The humor tossed in with the danger was hilarious and perfect. A modern twist to the classic fairytale I love, and a great way to solidify characters to make them seem even more real. Both Peter and Claire change and grow tremendously in emotion, mentality, and boldness as the story carried on, all the way to the second book (Shadow). From Claire being afraid to let go and fly, to soaring high above the shadows that had anchored her to her past for so long. And Peter, the boy who refuses to grow up, afraid to look reality in the eye, becomes a person everyone can rely on, and realizes growing up isn’t all bad, but simply ”a new adventure”.
(World-Building 5/5) I was with Claire, Peter, and Lily in every word I read. Kara painted a beautiful picture with her words. London, England—though a normal, somewhat easy setting to imagine—in this book held a magical twist that sent my heart on a wondrous soaring adventure. Now, Neverland is a different story. This Neverland is so very different from the one we all know. In Dust, it is shrouded in a shadow of uncertainty and fear, with an underlining of hope and light straining to breach the surface. It is a place full of wonder and magic, but also darkness and pain. A perfect representation of how the past can drag us down with its vicious claws, but not forever if we find that spark of hope and let it ignite in our hearts.
(Pace 4/5) For the most part, the plot and subplots flowed flawlessly, but there were a few moments I thought had been a little rushed, and moments that had dragged a bit. Nevertheless, it’s a challenge to find any major errors in this book. It’s just that incredible.
(Emotions 4/5) I didn’t cry as much with this book as I have with others, but there were tears shed. No doubt the emotional level in this retelling is as intense as the storyline. The grief, the betrayal, the loneliness, the love…it all mixes so well together. A story that doesn’t fail to tug at your heart and create a gushing wave of sympathy for our protagonists.
(Writing Style 5/5) Love, love, love the way Kara writes! When I first began Dust, I was unaware it would be multiple point-of-view. Various perspectives in books can either be amazing, or they drag on to infinity as though you were floating in outer space for years begging for a chapter in your favorite character’s POV. It’s a very complicated way to write, keeping each character with their knowledge and experiences. How easy it could be to totally warp it all in one big mess. Kara destroyed those messy possibilities and made a work of art.
(Cleanliness 5/5) We adore a clean, fantastic read. There is no crude language unless you count the creative back talk of Peter. I’m still not sure what he meant in various parts of the book, but he never failed to bring a laugh from me. Mentions and debating self-harm are incorporated in the story, which I think is a beautiful way to bring hope to those who are lost in the darkest parts of themselves, to show people there is a way out and you can be free. The violence, I suppose, was probably the most dramatic; a bit of a dark twist to the airy Peter Pan story, but nothing too extreme. The romance was sweet and innocent. One kissing scene and it is SO CUTE OMG…HDHFJWSHFHJ Sorry, anyways… Yes, a clean read for sure. (I won’t blog my review of Shadow, but know it gets even more intense and romantical, in a clean way, don’t worry. There’s more than just one teeny kiss *smirky face*. Also, a 5-star read.)
(Conclusion 5/5) I think this lengthy review speaks for itself. I adored this book, this duology. I highly recommend you read the Heirs of Neverland and explore the amazing stories of Kara Swanson. This author creates beautiful adventures that leave you craving for more.
Genres: Retellings, Fantasy, Christian, Young Adult, Romance
!TRIGGER WARNING! Mentions of self-harm, self-deprecation, mild violence
Follow author on Insta: @karaswanson Follow publisher on Insta: @enclavepublishing
”The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 ESV
“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” Genesis 28:15ESV
~Review~
(SPOILER-FREE)
5/5 Stars
I had the pleasure of reading an ARC copy of this book thanks to my manager from work. I loved this story. The imagination and creativity practically flooded off the pages and splattered onto my lap. It was beautiful. ❤︎ (Briefing)
Once Upon A Wardrobe is a heartwarming story about a brother and sister, who partake on an adventure to find the origin of Narnia. With George—the brother in this story—dying from heart failure, Megs, his sister, sets out on a journey to fulfill his request of finding where Narnia came from. Throughout her search, she has the opportunity to meet C. S. Lewis, who takes her back in time with stories of his childhood. As Megs listens to these stories she not only learns more about the author but herself as well. She soon discovers there’s more to life than logic and mathematical problem-solving. ❤︎ (First Impression 5/5)
I fell in love with George the moment I read the first sentence. His childlike, yet mature wonder and imagination warmed my soul. I could feel his longing and wanderlust through the pages. George’s positive outlook on life while struggling with his health brought tears to my eyes. I loved his bravery, as well as the love he had for his sister, and vice versa. Megs would surely do anything for her little brother. ❤︎ (Character Development 5/5)
It was insane how much the characters grew in only a couple hundred pages. Though George has an old soul, he grew in his imagination just like his sister. Megs soon fell in love with the creative parts of the world, acknowledging life is more than logic. She discovered not all questions have straightforward answers, and sometimes they don’t always make sense; alas, indirect answers in life can be some of the most powerful. ❤︎ (World-Building 5/5)
Not only did Patti create an amazing setting around George and Megs, but the world of C. S. Lewis and his past was astounding. I could picture everything so clearly. The snow of Oxfordshire England, the Kilns, the castle ruins, and enchanting libraries! I can’t think of a word to fully describe the beauty of it all. I may be biased considering I’m obsessed with castle ruins, Ireland, England, and all that fun stuff, but my word it was gorgeous. ❤︎ (Pace 5/5)
I’m always skeptical when I read shorter books, however, Once Upon A Wardrobe flowed with ease. Conflicting situations and memorable interactions were precisely written. Nothing felt rushed or dragged on for never-ending ages of immortal time. ❤︎ (Emotions 5/5)
*Cue the tears* Oh dear, this book had me sobbing from the first page, though not as much as the last. Nevertheless, sorrow wasn’t all I experienced. I laughed and smiled! I squealed many times too *smirks*. ❤︎ (Style 5/5)
The writing style Patti chose, as well as the perspective, was perfect for the story she needed to tell. I was absorbed into the story of ink with minimal effort. ❤︎ (Cleanliness 5/5)
Once Upon A Wardrobe is an adventurous story with unbreakable sibling bonds and mystical discoveries, worlds bigger than words; however, Patti still managed to slip in a sprinkle of romance that I figuratively died for. I’m a sucker for a good, clean romance. Patti by far gave me that. ❤︎ (Conclusion 5/5)
I almost sobbed uncontrollably while reading the ending. I had to force myself not to so I could finish the book. Once Upon A Wardrobe felt somewhat relatable to me. Perhaps because I, myself, am a writer and get lost in my imagination all the time. However, I recommend this book to all readers and non-readers. Who doesn’t want to go on a European adventure in search of a fantastical land? An adventure that douses one in the past and reveals the compilation of a book is so much more than imagination, but a mixture of all sorts of things. Something else I took from this book is how there’s so much more to life than any of us could ever know. We have our daily routines, our weekly tasks, and goals to complete, yet there is so much more out there. And even though we find ourselves face-to-face with the obstacles of life, even though we get lost and frustrated, scared or lonely, we have a lion watching over us, preparing a way for a greater future.
“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45
~Review~
(SPOILER-FREE)
4/5 Stars
No doubt in mind, Living Water is a story of sorrow, brokenness, mistakes, and growth. It just goes to show no one is defined by their pasts, but who they are in Christ. ❤ (Briefing) Living Water, authored by the talented Allison Wells, is a reimagined Bible story. Inspired by The Woman at the Well we read about in the New Testament, Living Water takes you deeper into the life of the woman who met Jesus at the well. With a twist of moderation, this story doesn’t fail to entertain its reader. ❤ (First impression 5/5) From the first chapter, Roxie’s (protagonist) personality was easily portrayed. It was also interesting to be reading from a perspective belonging to a person whose father was a person of status. After reading Roxie’s first romantic relationship, it’s obvious just how lost she is, and how she’s trying so hard to find satisfaction in life, in flesh and love, but searching in the wrong place. Her mind was obscured by lust and the idea of finally having something to do with her life. ❤ (Character development 5/5) When I first heard about the plot of this book, I wondered how all five marriages would differ from one another. And I must say, Allison does an excellent job at creating different romantic scenarios and relationships. Each one was unique in its own way. They didn’t get boring or repetitive. They kept me turning the pages. Along with the various relationships came personalities and characteristics. The character growth in this book was phenomenal. Every person was different and complex, adding something new to the story. Alas, though many of the characters were admirable, it was frustrating and heartbreaking to read how fast Roxie would fall for a man. Over and over she just threw herself and her worth away. Once the ending hit me, it was like I was there with Roxie every step of the way. I was amazed to see how far she had come from where she started in the first chapter. ❤ (World-building 4/5) I don’t remember there being a lot of world-building, yet I imagined everything with ease. It wasn’t at all a struggle to get lost within the pages. Although, I sometimes forgot what era the story was centered on since there weren’t many details to remind me and transfer me into the late 90s/early 2000s. ❤ (Pace 4/5) This book moved forward very fast. Certainly never a dull moment, however, with such a quick pace, one must be careful with rushing things that should’ve taken time to progress. Throughout the majority of the book, I thought Allison did a good job with pacing situations. Even so, I found moments seeming too rushed for me. Many scenes could’ve been drawn out more. Although, I suppose that’s how a novel usually is. Quick-paced and straight to the point. ❤ (Emotions 3/5) I believe the emotional aspect could’ve been written more discretely. In the beginning, I found it challenging to make emotional connections. I understood the emotions of the characters perfectly, but some sad situations happened so fast I didn’t have time to get attached to the characters enough to feel their pain. It’s not hard to make me cry, yet I struggled with this aspect in the first couple of chapters. Nevertheless! Near the middle and end, I made the emotional connection effortlessly. Soon, the waterworks came bustling in at full speed, my goodness. ❤ (Style 4/5) I thought the dialogue could’ve been lazier. For example, instead of saying things like, “I am here,” I feel it would’ve been more realistic to say, “I’m.” Though, this is simply a minor flaw compared to how beautiful everything else is written. Perhaps that was the way one spoke in the late 90s? I wouldn’t know…(2002 baby). I love the modernistic twist of Living Water, and the writing style Allison chose; how Roxie is reciting all the happenings of her life. Telling a story. The wording was always fresh, easy to read, and get lost in. A few repetitive words and statements here and there, but for the most part the sentences flowed smoothly. ❤ (Cleanliness 4/5) Living Water is a clean read, though I suppose it depends on one’s definition of cleanliness. The few sexual situations—if you can even call them so, considering how vague they are—are only suggestive and not at all described. Other than that, it’s just kissing, which isn’t profusely described either. There’s not a large amount of foul language, besides some name-calling falling into the grungy category. ❤ (Conclusion 5/5) The book concluded better than I could’ve guessed; the definition of one picking up their cross, giving up their life, to follow Jesus. This could mean something different to everyone, for God has a unique plan for each of our lives. Reading this I’ve realized, following Christ means leaving OUR path behind and letting God direct us toward a new one. A better one. This path might not be what we had planned, but in the end, it’s more extravagant than whatever we originally thought was in store for us. The ending made my eyes flood. It struck me deep in the heart, so deep I was close to sobbing. Truly an uplifting story. Thank you, Monster Ivy Publishing and Allison Wells, for giving me this gift of encouragement and inspiration.
Genres: Christian, fiction, retelling, romance
!Trigger Warning! Alcohol abuse, violence, physical abuse, suggestive sexual abuse, some foul-name calling, mild gore, anxiety, depression, death.
Go follow: Allison’s Instagram (@whatallisonsaid) Monster Ivy Publishing’s Instagram (@monsterivypublishing)
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 16:24
Julia Rose Books 