Right, first things first, I must say I read this book several years ago and this review is based on that copy. The kindle edition is to be published sometime in the middle of January and may differ (though only very slightly)
The story is a continuation of the tale of Cinderella and what comes after.
As it begins, the ball is over, and Cinderella (now Queen Cinderella) is married to King Osman). This does not sit well with Royston - Osman's boyfriend of 15 years (yes, you read that right!). Also, the Wicked Stepmother is dead, the Evil Stepsisters are loocked up and the Fairy Godmother is banished to a tower by the sea.
There is everything you good want from a good fairytale here with just the right amount of twistyness. The land of Lamonsia is beautifully described and the weird and wonderful creatures that inhabit this world fit in just right.
So, treat your kindle, and come see what happens when "and they all lived happily ever after" has been and gone and life continues AFTER THE FAIRYTALE.
A 5* read
Friday, 18 January 2013
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Decision Maker by Vanna Smythe (a review)
Anniversary of the Veil book 2
Early in 2012 I read Protector (Anniversary of the Veil, Book 1) and found it to be a brilliant fantasy debut. I had high hopes for this, the second book in the series.....and I was not disappointed.
I usually find that trilogies (as I guess this will turn out to be) consist of a strong first book which sets everything up and gives you all the world-building and information you need, an equally strong third book which brings all the pay offs, climaxes and loose end tie-ups, and a second book. This second book usually consists of a lot of movement and general faffing around to get everything in place for book 3. Book 2's can sometimes be hard work and a bit of a drudge.
This is not the case with Decision Maker, not by a long way.
The story continues to tell of Issa, the Beacon, who is needed for a ceremony that will reinforce the Veil separaing the two worlds, and Kae, her protector, who knows what will happen and does not want her to take part.
With this book there is also a fairly wide cast of side characters, some good, some bad but nearly all a shade of grey between the two poles. People do things for reasons they think are right and, for me, this makes the story even better.
At the heart of all this though is a love story and this is the strongest thread. When all things play out at the end of the book a tear may well be shed, but fear not, all is nicely set up for the third book and I have every faith that the author will make it another wonderful read.
Protector was my choice for best fantasy book of 2012. We are only 10 days into 2013 but I already feel that anybody wanting to beat Decision Maker to the 2013 title is really going to have to pull out all the stops.
Early in 2012 I read Protector (Anniversary of the Veil, Book 1) and found it to be a brilliant fantasy debut. I had high hopes for this, the second book in the series.....and I was not disappointed.
I usually find that trilogies (as I guess this will turn out to be) consist of a strong first book which sets everything up and gives you all the world-building and information you need, an equally strong third book which brings all the pay offs, climaxes and loose end tie-ups, and a second book. This second book usually consists of a lot of movement and general faffing around to get everything in place for book 3. Book 2's can sometimes be hard work and a bit of a drudge.
This is not the case with Decision Maker, not by a long way.
The story continues to tell of Issa, the Beacon, who is needed for a ceremony that will reinforce the Veil separaing the two worlds, and Kae, her protector, who knows what will happen and does not want her to take part.
With this book there is also a fairly wide cast of side characters, some good, some bad but nearly all a shade of grey between the two poles. People do things for reasons they think are right and, for me, this makes the story even better.
At the heart of all this though is a love story and this is the strongest thread. When all things play out at the end of the book a tear may well be shed, but fear not, all is nicely set up for the third book and I have every faith that the author will make it another wonderful read.
Protector was my choice for best fantasy book of 2012. We are only 10 days into 2013 but I already feel that anybody wanting to beat Decision Maker to the 2013 title is really going to have to pull out all the stops.
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Disbelief by Angie Hulme (a review)
Oh, this is good!
This is Very Good!
This book was written when the author was just starting out and has been produced for Kindle with little or no changes. As such it reads like an early attempt at writing but don't let that put you off...........as I said before, this book is good!
The story starts out as a love story, but just as you are getting comfortable with it...................BANG!!!!!
it becomes a novel of revenge...........but then............BANG!!!!!!!!!!! gamechanger #2 and it becomes a horror novel.
As much as I wasn't expecting the sudden swerves in the storyline they benefit the work well and although "I couldn't put it down" and "It was a real page-turner" are phrases often overused in book reviews in this instance they are both true and relevent.
A very good earlyy effort for Ms. Hulme and one I will read again in the future
This is Very Good!
This book was written when the author was just starting out and has been produced for Kindle with little or no changes. As such it reads like an early attempt at writing but don't let that put you off...........as I said before, this book is good!
The story starts out as a love story, but just as you are getting comfortable with it...................BANG!!!!!
it becomes a novel of revenge...........but then............BANG!!!!!!!!!!! gamechanger #2 and it becomes a horror novel.
As much as I wasn't expecting the sudden swerves in the storyline they benefit the work well and although "I couldn't put it down" and "It was a real page-turner" are phrases often overused in book reviews in this instance they are both true and relevent.
A very good earlyy effort for Ms. Hulme and one I will read again in the future