A Prayer Unanswered {book review}

Hello, my friends! It has been a minute (and far too long) since we've seen each other, and for that, I do apologize. Today I return to review one of my most anticipated reads of the year, one that broke my heart in all the best ways.

The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy is a series that I've loved for a long time now, and this installment was no different. Especially considering that I just finished a re-read of At Her Fingertips less than a week before diving into this one. Which was both a great choice and also a very painful one, lol! (There may be spoilers ahead for the first four books!)

A Prayer Unanswered

Author: Kellyn Roth

Genre: Historical fiction

Content: Mentions of married couples being intimate, miscarriage and child loss, suicidal thoughts

Main characters: Alice Strauss, Peter Strauss

Synopsis:

   As Alice Strauss enters her first year of marriage - full of optimism and determination - she finds herself wholly unprepared for reality. In a new country, with a new family, she struggles to find her footing. Difficult relationships and situations batter her, but she is determined to establish a perfect life with the man she loves.

   Unfortunately, perfection seems just beyond her reach. An unexpected tragedy flings Alice out of control, and she struggles to rise from the ruins. Her world is full of spinning variables and agony beyond anything she has ever experienced.

   However, there is hope - in a God who loves her and a future established for her since before time began. Yet the devastation of Alice's life seems beyond even the touch of grace.

Add on Goodreads ~ Purchase on Amazon

What I Thought:

I find myself at an interesting place with this book, because I love it, and I hate it, and the hate almost adds to the love. This book broke my heart and made me cry and the characters that I already loved, I love even more. It's heavy and it's hard, and I love that it exists because it feels so important. 

Alice, I have loved for a very long time. And while, at times, she drove me a little crazy in this book, she's still so special for how flawed she is. She isn't always the kindest person, she makes mistakes and so much of this book I spent embarrassed and heartbroken for her. Peter is a wonderful guy that I want to be best friends with, but even he has to go through his own growth and struggles.

The struggles and hardships of this book felt very real and raw, the doubt and fear, the physical and emotional trials. It churns up generations of pain for the characters, but even in the hard things, there is so much hope written into this story, and it's beautiful. I have so much respect for the way Kellyn handled it, but be sure to check out the content and trigger warnings before going into it.

Like I said, I loved and hated this book, and that's the best way I can describe it. It hasn't changed my love of Kellyn's books, and I'm even more excited for book 6 than I already was. 

Overall Rating: 5 stars

God decides when our lives end, of course,

but before then, we must cling to life,

for while we breathe, we can be assured that

we have a purpose in life greater than simply living.

About the Author:

  Kellyn Roth is a historical romance & women's fiction author who writes about the empty places where hope has the most room to grow. Her novels include the inspirational Victorian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and the Kees & Colliers series, which follows a broken family in the tumultuous years of the first half of the 20th century.

  Kellyn is a student of the Author Conservatory and a writing coach. When not building her author career, she is likely getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, watching period dramas and facetious comedies, or spending time with her husband.

Connect with Kellyn: Her website ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

And there we have it! Thank you to Kellyn for sending me an early copy of this book for review! 

Let me know in the comments, have you read any of Kellyn's books?

~ Abby

Beyond Her Calling {book review}

Go back in time with me, if you will, way back to October of 2018, when I posted this review for a new book that I fell absolutely in love with. Fast forward a couple of years to where the author announced that she was re-releasing an updated version of the series, and I got excited. Now, I haven't read every one of the re-released versions (I will, I just haven't yet), but I'll admit this was the one I was looking forward to the most. And I'm happy to report, I wasn't disappointed.

If you're looking for a book with friends-to-more romance, Scottish accents, and fantastic faith content, look no further. (There may be spoilers ahead, since this is the fourth book in the series, but I highly recommend all the books!)

Beyond Her Calling

Author: Kellyn Roth

Genre: Historical fiction

Content: Mentions of past sins, not detailed

Main Characters: Ivy Knight, Jordy McAllen

Synopsis: 

  Ivy Knight feels that her life may never start. Though her loving family assures her that her place in the world is close to home, she still feels a push to move out of her comfort zone. Hoping against hope, she travels to her old friends at McCale House, seeking a purpose.

  Jordy McAllen has just returned to Scotland after his education in London. He fears that what everyone has always said about him may be true: he can't be a good doctor, let alone a good man. Determined to prove himself, Jordy snatches up the opportunity to become the doctor in the village of Keefmore near his parents' farm.

  When an old friend decides to travel to Keefmore and visit a relative, Ivy follows. She soon finds herself drawn to Jordy, but as their attraction grows, they both face doubts. A relationship between the two of them feels improbable - and might just require a step of impossible faith.

Add on Goodreads ~ Purchase on Amazon

What I Thought:

You know, it's kind of comforting to know that even though the world has changed a lot since 2018, my love for this book has not. I still relate so much to Ivy, I still want to visit Keefmore, I'm still a little in love with Jordy McAllen. (okay not even just a little, I'm fully in love with Jordy hahaha) Friends-to-lovers continues to be my favorite romance trope.

There's a lot to love about this story. The characters are wonderfully written and their stories are deeply moving, especially since the last time we saw some of them was in Ivy Introspective. They're growing up, and it's lovely to see them thrive. It feels like revisiting old friends, and it just brought me a lot of joy. As much as I love Alice, Ivy has always been the sister I relate to more, as an introvert who's slowly finding her own calling. Jordy, as previously established, has my heart. Violet drove me crazy the first time I read this, and to be honest, she still annoyed me at times, but I understand her character more now than I did then.

The faith content and messages were top notch. There are relatable struggles with contentment and calling from all the characters as they try to find their place in the world. The pasts are heavier in this updated version, haunting the characters a little more, and putting them into positions of overcoming and trusting in God's grace.

Overall, it was just delightful to be back in the world of these characters. I've long counted this series as one of my favorites, and I'm always glad to reaffirm that status.

Overall Rating: 5 adorable kittens out of 5

She always would be Ivy, after all, and what could she do

against all the cries of pain in all the countries in all the world?

Nothing. Still, there could be one small thing - one baby to

cuddle, one Agnes to love, one Aunt Daphne to humor,

one Violet to speak truth to.

About the Author:

  Kellyn Roth is a historical romance & women's fiction author who writes about the empty places where hope has the most room to grow. Her novels include the inspirational Victorian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and the Kees & Colliers series, which follows a broken family in the tumultuous years of the first half of the 20th century.

  Kellyn is a student of the Author Conservatory and a writing coach. When not building her author career, she is likely getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, watching period dramas and facetious comedies, or spending time with her husband.

Connect with Kellyn: Her website ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

And there you have it! Have you read any of Kellyn's books? What's your favorite romance trope? Let me know all the things in the comments! 

~ Abby

Echo North {book review}

Fairytale retellings will always have a special place in my heart. I don't read as many of them now as I did when I was in middle school, but they always bring me so much joy. This was no exception.

If you're in the market for a book that features wolves, snowy landscapes, mysterious mansions, mirror books that let you live the story, slow-burn romance, and gorgeous writing, look no further. Have I got the book for you.

Echo North

Author: Joanna Ruth Meyer

Genre: Fantasy retelling

Content: Violence, some gory bits, malevolent magic

Main Character: Echo Alkaev

Synopsis:

Echo Alkaev's safe and carefully structured world falls apart when her father leaves for the city and mysteriously disappears. Believing he is lost forever, Echo is shocked to find him half-frozen in the winter forest six months later, guarded by a strange talking wolf - the same creature who attacked her as a child. The wolf presents Echo with an ultimatum: If she lives with him for one year, he will ensure her father makes it home safely. But there is more to the wolf than Echo realizes.

In his enchanted house beneath a mountain, each room must be sewn together to keep the home from unraveling, and something new and dark and strange lies behind every door. When centuries-old secrets unfold, Echo discovers a magical library full of books-turned-mirrors, and a young man named Hal who is trapped inside of them. As the year ticks by, the rooms begin to disappear, and Echo must solve the mystery of the wolf's enchantment before her time is up, otherwise Echo, the wolf, and Hal will be lost forever.

Add on Goodreads

What I Thought:

Y'all... I LOVED this. Which, considering I picked it up at the library sale on a whim, was a delightful surprise. I'd heard a few friends enjoy this, and the first paragraph of the synopsis hooked me right away. I knew I wanted to pick it up in the winter season, which was an excellent choice, let me just say. "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" is a fairytale I've loved retellings of for a long time (especially ones that have all the Beauty and the Beast vibes) so I had a feeling it was going to be a win for me. And it was.

Echo's story slowly but surely nestled its way into my heart. The writing was just gorgeous, the atmosphere is fantastic. I felt like I was in a snowy wood, or a crumbling mansion, or a gorgeous library. The magic was fascinating, mysterious and eerie, and hello? Books you can go inside of and explore the world within them? Yes please!! (granted the stories inside are darker than i'd prefer, but still. it sounds awesome.)

The characters are ones I have mixed feelings about, but in the best way. Do I love them? Yes, very much so. Did I trust any of them? ... no, not particularly, hahaha. Echo herself, though, I adored, and let me just mention that I am SO soft for her relationship with her brother. We don't see much of him, but I adored their bond so much. Hal and the wolf had me feeling all the things, and while I don't want to spoil anything, I have to say I loved the ending so much.

Overall, I was just completely enchanted by every moment of this story. There were definitely moments that were hard to read (there are some moments I would consider horror, but very mild horror), and I cried probably four times, but it's definitely a story I'm going to be revisiting in the future.

Overall Rating: 5 spools of magic thread out of 5

"If I'd thought this story wouldn't have a happy ending, 

I would have read something else."

His blue eyes lock on mine, suddenly serious.

"Must you always know a story ends happily before you feel equal to beginning it?"

About the Author:

Joanna Ruth Meyer is the author of the critically-acclaimed Echo North, as well as the companion novel duology Beneath the Haunting Sea and Beyond the Shadowed Earth. She writes stories about fierce teens finding their place in the world, fighting to change their fate, save the ones they love, or carve out a path to redemption.

Joanna lives with her dear husband and son, a rascally feline, and an enormous grand piano named Prince Imrahil in Mesa, Arizona. As often as she can, she escapes the desert heat and heads north to the mountains, where the woods are always waiting. 

Connect with Joanna: her website ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

Have you read this book? Do you have a favorite obscure fairytale that you'd love to see get a retelling? Let me know in the comments!

~ Abby

Gilded In Ice Review {Frosted Roses Blog Tour}

Hello, my friends! Welcome to the Frosted Roses blog tour, where you can find six amazing retellings of one of my favorite fairytales, Snow White and Rose Red! 

I, for one, am super excited. The tour has already begun, and you can check out all the posts right here to join in on the fun! There's also a giveaway where you can win four of the books in paperback! Yay!

I'm so excited to be one of the bloggers this year, and I'll have two reviews coming your way this week! (Who's hyped? I'm hyped!)

First up, one of my most anticipated releases of the year, the sequel to The Midnight Dance (which I reviewed in last year's tour!) Who doesn't need a mystery that's Snow White and Rose Red meets East of the Sun, West of the Moon? (everyone needs it, that's who.)

Gilded In Ice

Author: Sarah Pennington

Genre: Fantasy mystery

Content: Alcohol use, one character gets drunk

Main Characters: Bastian, Kona, and Roselle Dennel

Synopsis:

Bastian has two new missing persons cases. One is cold. The other is his own sister.

Since his success solving the Midnight Show disappearances, Bastian Dennel is sitting pretty. And with the new high-profile cold case that just got dropped in his lap, he's pretty sure things will stay that way for a while. But when he finds out his sister has gone missing without a trace, he's determined to find her and bring whoever's responsible to justice - even if his only lead is a stray cat with a knack for vanishing unexpectedly.

Kona Dennel's plans have already been upended, so when the talking cat she'd befriended asked her for help breaking an enchantment, she didn't see any reason not to say yes. She didn't expect to be trapped in a frozen mansion or to be drawn into conflict with a mysterious lady of the fair folk. Even the cat is hiding more secrets than she realized. It'll take a skilled detective to untangle this web... but since Bastian isn't here, Kona will just have to do it herself.

Secrets abound, and the one creature who knows the truth isn't talking. Can Bastian and Kona outwit a fae who's been at this for centuries? Or will thawing out the long-frozen truth drop them in over their heads?

Add Gilded in Ice on Goodreads ~ Purchase on Amazon

What I Thought:

Mystery has quickly become one of my favorite genres in the past couple of years, and being that this series is mysteries but also fairytale retellings? It's the best thing ever! 

I fell in love with The Midnight Show last year, but I loved this one even more! Sibling relationships, mysterious mansions, and talking cats can only make stories better, tbh. The vibes are everything here, man. It's a noir detective story meets magical adventure, so it's full of jazz and speakeasies, but also ice queens and angry dwarfs. 

The relationships between the Dennel siblings made me so soft, I just love them! I honestly don't know that I could pick a favorite of the three. They're all so clever and daring and it's fantastic. Of course Bastian's sisters would be just as cool as he is. I also enjoyed the character of the cat a lot!

I loved seeing the references to and familiar faces from Midnight Show, but was fully invested in this new adventure instantly! The ending was the best! I started tearing up (happy tears), it was just so wholesome and made my heart so full! I already want to read it again, lol!

In the end, I am hoping so desperately that there will be more books in this series. I need more adventures with these characters, Sarah, please!

Overall Rating: 5 magic mirrors out of 5

About the Author:

Sarah Pennington has been writing stories since before she actually knew how to write, and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. She is perpetually in the middle of writing at least one or two novels, most of which are in the fantasy and fairy tale retelling genres. Sarah’s first published work, Blood in the Snow, received a perfect score and Special Unicorn status in Rooglewood Press’s Five Poisoned Apples contest. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys knitting, photography, and trying to conquer her massive to-be-read list.

Connect with Sarah: Her website ~ Her blog ~ Her second blog ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

Like I mentioned at the start of this post, the Frosted Roses blog tour will be going on all week, so make sure you follow along by clicking this link right here! 

Have you read a Snow White and Rose Red retelling before? What's your favorite? Let me know in the comments! 

~ Abby

Blood of the Seer {blog tour + book review}

Binge reads - how do we feel about them?  Personally, it depends on the series.  For this one, though, I can't recommend it highly enough.

That's right, my friends, it's time for another blog tour, and this is one I've been very much looking forward to!  I've had my eye on the first book for awhile, even purchasing it last time I had Kindle credit, and with the release of the second book (which is available everywhere now, yay!!), it was finally time to actually read it.  And boy, am I glad I did.  

This might turn into a review of both books... sorry not sorry. xD 

Blood of the Seer (and also, kind of, Oath of the Outcast) 

Author: C.M. Banschbach 

Genre: Fantasy adventure

Content: Lots of violence, some "he cursed" and a few other mild profanities, and one creepy-as-heck cult of evil dudes.

Main Characters: Rhys MacDuffy, Sean MacDuffy

Synopsis (Spoilers for book 1!) : 

A blood curse.
A shadow world.
An indomitable evil.
A forgotten bond.
Banished for a crime he didn’t commit, Rhys MacDuffy risked his life to rescue the little brother he no longer could claim as his own. Sean, the Seer of Clan MacDuffy, returns from his ordeal to war between the Clans and Lord Adam Barkley. Moreover, the Clan Lords refuse to lift the exile on Rhys. No outcast has ever been forgiven.
But the druids who held Sean captive have taken the key to controlling his powers—his blood. Rhys determines to keep his brother safe no matter the cost. Heedless of the war, he leads his rowdy band of Mountain Brigands on a hunt to destroy the druids before they destroy Sean with their dark magic.
The druids force Sean into a shadow world full of demons and danger, where their menacing god Deronis can consume him. Yet Rhys is able to follow Sean into the other world. There they discover an older magic that might be the key to stopping the druids.
The bond of brotherhood between Rhys and Sean runs deep. But is it strong enough to stand against the druid’s blood god?

Add Oath of the Outcast on Goodreads ~ Purchase Oath of the Outcast on Amazon

Add Blood of the Seer on Goodreads ~ Purchase Blood of the Seer on Amazon

What I Thought: 

How do I fangirl enough to get you to read these books but make it a somewhat coherent review? 

Like I said, I've had my eye on these for awhile now, but I really didn't know what I was walking into.  I have this habit of just... not reading the synopsis for books, especially ones I'm excited for.  Like, I'll glance at them to determine whether or not it intrigues me, but by the time I actually read them, I've probably forgotten at least 90% of what the blurb says.  Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, because it does make for a wild ride once I'm in.  In the case of these books, I had one expectation: I thought there would be dragons.  Alas, there are no dragons to be found within its pages.  But what I did find was a story so powerful it almost made up for it.  (Do I still think it could have been improved by dragons?  ... probably, but what story can't be, honestly?) 

This is a story of redemption.  A story of brotherhood.  A story of forgiving yourself.  And also a story about stopping a war before it starts, and epic fight scenes, and a lot of other really great stuff that I'm not going to spoil. 

I was invested in Rhys's story from the beginning of book 1, and seeing his arc come to a conclusion here was so perfect that it made me cry.  Which was unexpected, but not unwelcome.  It's part of why I can't recommend a binge-read of these enough.  Since book 2 picks up right where book 1 leaves off (thank goodness), it was nice to read it as a continuous story, and made the ending even sweeter.  The faith content?  Is so good?

The relationships between the leads was everything and I don't know how to stress that enough.  I'm very much a character-driven writer - make me fall in love with your characters and you've probably sold me on the whole book.  And these ones were great.  Relationships I loved: Rhys and his Cairns (the band of outlaws who are loyal to him and each other and no one else), Rhys and Alan (his ex-best friend), Rhys and Sean (I love them so much ;-; ), basically between Rhys and anyone he let into his circle.  I love a big angry man who has a secret soft spot for certain people.  What can I say? 

This is just a good old fashioned adventure story that was everything I didn't know I wanted.  If you're a fan of Tricia Mingerink's Blades of Acktar series, you're going to love these.  They gave me a very similar vibe. 

Honestly at this point I'm sad it's over.  I never want to leave.  Oh well.  I guess I'll just have to re-read them in the not-too-distant future.

Overall Rating: 5 swords out of 5

About the Author: 

C.M. Banschbach is a native Texan and would make an excellent Hobbit if she weren’t so tall. She’s a pizza addict, a multi-faceted fangirl, and a firm believer in being authentic—even if it means acting like a dork sometimes! When not writing fantasy stories packed full of adventure and snark, she works as a pediatric physical therapist where she happily embraces the fact that she never actually has to grow up.
She also writesYA/MG fantasy-adventure as Claire M. Banschbach.

Connect with Claire: Her website ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook

Thanks again to Uncommon Universes Press and the author for letting me participate in this awesome blog tour!  Mine isn't the only post you should check out - you can find the whole list at this link right here! 

Have you read these books?  Are you planning to now?  Let me know in a comment! 

~ Abigail

Lament {blog tour + book review!}

 Hello, my friends! Happy new year! It's been a bit since I've chatted with you, but today I have a super exciting blog tour to share! 

(Also, just to let you know, yes, I still have 2 parts of Silver Nights left to post. I haven't forgotten about it, things have just been kind of crazy around here xD)

Today, I'm reviewing one of my most anticipated books of the year, the sequel to Keen (which you can read my review of right here), the continuation of the story of a teenage banshee, this time as she travels the world of the faeries.

Let's jump on in! 

Lament

Author: Laura L. Zimmerman

Genre: Fantasy

Content: None

Main character: Caoine 

Synopsis: 

Half-fae banshee, Caoine, is devastated by the loss of her father, and graduation is just around the corner. Ignorant of an old enemy seeking revenge, she is whisked away to the Unseelie Realm where she learns someone dear to her is being held captive. She vows not to go home until he's free.
Then she finds out she's trapped, unable to return to the human realm.
In order to go home, she must set aside old prejudices and work with a nemesis to survive faerie tricks and fae creatures hungry for human blood. Only then will she discover the secret to her escape and her loved one's freedom.
Aided by an unlikely band of fae, she uncovers more about her banshee powers than she dreamed possible, even as the fae remind her just how human she really is.
She'll take the drama of high school over the pettiness of the fae any day.

Add on Goodreads ~ Purchase on Amazon

What I Thought: 

Like I said, this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year.  That cover didn't hurt my excitement either, lol!  And since time is strange in these strange times, I ended up reading the whole thing in less than 24 hours and thoroughly enjoying my time with it. 

The concept of a teenage banshee was what originally drew me to the series, and continued to keep me hooked in this one.  Caoine's powers are fascinating, even more so as she learns to control them rather than fight them.  Also her character growth! was everything! I'm so proud!

I'm not going to say names because spoilers, but I am always a sucker for the bad boy who gets a second chance, and that trope was in full swing here.  There are a few things at the end that I'm gonna have to get over emotionally, but that just proves that Laura writes excellent characters. 

There is one thing that I have to say I wasn't a fan of - the friends were left behind.  Part of the reason I loved Keen so much was the friend group that was built around Caoine, and in this one we just... left them in the human world?  When I said I wanted adventures in the faerie realm I kinda thought we'd all go, you know?  But this book did introduce a new and fascinating supporting cast, plus setting up for what I assume will be the plot of the third one (which I'm very intrigued to learn more about!)

I can't forget to mention the worldbuilding because it's so cool!  The Unseelie Realm sounds like a place I'd love to explore in theory, but in all reality I'd probably die within moments of stepping into it.  I am a soft and squishy human, lol!  The different kinds of faeries were so cool, and I did love getting to know, at least a little, the new supporting cast. 

Overall, it was a lot of fun to be back with this story, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next one!  If you're a fan of banshees, or just fun adventures in faerie worlds, I recommend this series for sure! 

Overall Rating: 3.5 mysterious books out of 5

About the Author: 

Laura L. Zimmerman is a homeschooling mom to three daughters, and a doting wife to one husband. She lives in a suburb of the ultra-cool Charlotte, North Carolina. Besides writing, she is passionate about loving Jesus, singing loudly, buying LuLaRoe and pretending to do yoga.
An avid coffee drinker, she gave up eating meat ten years ago and is a sucker for anything zombie related. She’s been married to her Mr. Darcy for 18 years and feels it’s her life goal to pass along her obsession with the Star Wars saga on to her offspring.
She loves to read sci-fi and fantasy for YA and MG, which in turn, bleeds through to her writing. (Watch your back: She occasionally writes horror, too!)

Connect with Laura: Her website ~ Instagram ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Thanks again to Laura and to L2L2 Publishing for giving me the opportunity to participate in this awesome blog tour!  There are tons more awesome posts in store for this tour, so check out all the info at this link right here! 

If you could see any mythological creature put into a modern setting, which would you pick? 

~ Abby

The Isles {blog tour + book review}

Hello again, my friends!  It's blog tour time again! *cue the happy dance*

Today I bring you a review of a sci-fi book that had me hooked from the first page.  With the recent release of the third book in the trilogy, Sara Francis put together a blog tour celebrating all things "Terra Testimonies", and I'm so excited to be a part of it today!  Check out this link right here to see the other awesome posts!

And with that, let's jump on in!

The Isles

Author: Sara Francis 
Genre: Sci-fi/Dystopian
Content: Some intense action
Main Characters: Alison, Sami, and Aaron

Synopsis: 
The Invader's left the world in ruin. Their first worldwide devastation, named the Accident, was unforeseen by everyone. Well, almost. Seven men knew of the approaching destruction and acted by preparing six islands as a place of refuge. Rescuing thousands of people, these Keepers decided to get the next generation ready for war; in their own way. Through training, experimentation, and study, the men created an army of young Bionics, Mutants, geeks, doctors, farmers, and militia to fight the battle.
However, things do not go as planned.
Alison is a Bionic who still has faint memories of her past life. These memories continue to haunt her and make her doubt the Keepers who saved her from an explosion eight years ago. She knows in her gut that something else is afoot, but cannot find out what. On the other hand, Sami and Aaron, a Mutant and a geek, have absolutely no memory of the world before and continue to do as they are told. Despite their obedience, their suspicions are aroused repeatedly and cannot shake the feeling of uncertainty.
The flame of these teens’ doubts is fanned by one interesting character that subtly creates chaos on the Isles.​
Read the record logs of Alison, Sami, and Aaron and join them on their journey to find the truth in their islands of lies. Follow them on their adventure as they put themselves in the lines of danger and learn to use their abilities in combat. The roller coaster of suspicions will have you on the edge of your seat until these teenagers find the answer and do something about it.

Add on Goodreads ~ Purchase on Amazon

What I Thought: 

Well that was quite the ride!  I honestly didn't know what to expect going into this, and now, having read it, I don't think I ever actually looked at the synopsis?  Which in some ways made this more fun.

I'm definitely a character-driven reader - I have to love the characters if I'm going to love the book, and I'm happy to report that these did not disappoint.  The story is told in the journal entries of our leads, Alison, Sami, and Aaron, each of which I loved from the beginning.  They're surrounded by a slew of interesting side characters, some good, some bad, most a mystery.  

The world of the Isles was a fascinating one to look into, and one I very much want to explore more of.  The darkness isn't shied away from, but there's light too.  Hope, and its power, is woven throughout the story, which I always appreciate. 

The only thing I struggled with was the sheer number of characters.  I'm all for a big cast, but where the Heroes of Olympus have their Seven, the Isles have their Seventeen.  And my brain sometimes struggled with keeping that many heroes straight. (not to mention the various other characters, villain or otherwise, who all have unique names but I cannot for the life of me remember who is who xD)  But I will say that the cast was super diverse, and each character did have enough to distinguish them that I eventually got the hang of it. 

Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book!  It was unique, the plot was well-paced, the story was intriguing.  I cried at the end, which is always great.  (No, I don't know if I'll ever forgive Sara for certain character deaths, but that's a story for another day xD)


Overall Rating: 4 bucket helmets out of 5  ((Donnie is my favorite, lol))


About the Author: 
Ever since she could remember, Sara Francis was always a storyteller. At first, she told them through music as a songwriter. In her early teenage years, Sara Francis felt called to tell stories through work as a writer and media communicator for an online magazine.
From there, everything fell into place.
Now, Sara Francis has a Bachelor of Science in Media Communications, is the author of several books, and is a speaker/presenter. Throughout it all, there is always a story she is trying to convey. Whether she tells them through her writings, art, or music, her stories always have a deep, truth-filled meaning behind them.
Every word she writes, everything she designs, every song she performs means something more and connects with the world we live in today. Through her work, she hopes to inspire people and encourage them to seek what is true.
Sara Francis is determined to light a torch in the darkness with the desire that people will do the same and make the world bright again. 

Connect with Sara: Her website ~ Her blog ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ YouTube

Thanks again to Sara for the opportunity to review your awesome book! 

There's also a super fun GIVEAWAY going on for the duration of this blog tour, so make sure you check it out right here! 

What's your favorite sci-fi book? Let me know in a comment below!

~ Abby

The Lady of Lanaria {blog tour + book review}

Happy November, my friends! It's blog tour time! 

We all know I love a good fairytale retelling, so when this lovely Rapunzel one came across my feed, I knew I needed to read it.  You can check out all the other amazing posts from this blog tour at this link right here! (Shout-out to Neverland Book Tours for hosting!)

Let's get into this review.


The Lady of Lanaria 

Author: Michaela Bush
Genre: Fantasy retelling
Content: Scenes of physical and emotional abuse, a bit of witchcraft and witchhunts are mentioned, but not glorified.
Main Characters: Evangeline and Gabriel

Synopsis: 
A kidnapped princess, a promise, and a kingdom cursed with mysterious plagues.
"Mark my words, Evangeline; if you set foot outside this tower, you will surely die."
Evangeline has spent her entire life hidden in an ancient watchtower, gazing through a window as the world passes her by. She heeds her mother's warning closely, the truth hidden from her always. When a young guard stumbles upon the tower, Evangeline's life is changed forever. As she strikes up a secret friendship with the guard, she learns about the Kingdom of Lanaria and the mysterious plagues that haunt all who live there. But as she delves into the world she barely knows, not everything her mother says adds up. Will they find the truth before it's too late? 

Add on Goodreads ~ Purchase on Amazon

What I Thought:

This was such a pleasant surprise!  I've never read anything from Michaela before, though I've had my eye on her books for awhile now.  And since I'm always down for a new Rapunzel retelling, this seemed like the perfect place to start. 

Evangeline's story was wonderful, heart-wrenching and soul-filling.  With a unique storyline that kept me hooked, and a ridiculously soft romance that I fell in love with, it paid perfect homage to the original fairytale, but wove in a story of God's love and deliverance beautifully.  

The evil "mother" was awful, which, in a way, makes her a great villain.  I haven't seen many Rapunzel retellings truly deal with the abuse that she suffers at the hands of the witch, but this one explored it, and Evangeline's realization of it, in a great way.  

Also I gotta talk about Gabriel because OH man I love him. xD I'm always a sucker for the protective but respectful boy, and he's no exception.  The way he cares for Eva is so darn sweet and lovely and I just adore them together. <3 I'd happily read a sequel, even though I don't think there will be one.

Ultimately, I really enjoyed myself while reading, and I'd happily recommend it to anyone who loves Disney's Tangled, soft romances, and girls who learn to stand up for themselves.

Overall Rating: 5 baby birds out of 5

About the Author:
Michaela Bush is an independent writer of Christian fiction. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2019 with a degree in English and a minor in Psychology. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and when she isn't writing, freelancing, or building her own editing business, she's out with her horses or playing violin. Writing has been her calling since the age of six and she hopes to touch lives and inspire readers with her clean, thoughtful, and impactful novels. Follow her blog at www.tangledupinwriting.com.

Connect with Michaela: Her blog ~ Instagram ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Newsletter

Make sure you check out the other awesome stops on this blog tour (find all the links here!) and check out Neverland Book Tours either as an author or a blogger! 

What's a fairytale you always love to see retold?

~ Abby

The Midnight Show Review {Tattered Slippers Blog Tour}

Hello again, my friends! Welcome back to the Tattered Slippers Blog Tour! Today I've got a review for you, and I'm pretty jazzed about it.  (sorry... I couldn't resist)

As always, make sure you check out all the other amazing posts from the tour so far, and the new ones from today by clicking this link right here!  There's also information there to do with the giveaway where you can win 3 of the releases in paperback!  How cool is that?? 

Okay, let's jump on in to the review! 


The Midnight Show



Author: Sarah Pennington
Genre: Urban fantasy mystery
Content: Alcohol consumption
Main Characters: Dayo Temitrope and Bastian Dennell

Synopsis:
This mystery is the case of his dreams - and her nightmares.
By day, Dayo Temitrope is a swinging singer, an up-and-coming star with a shining career ahead of her. By night, she’s . . . well, she’s not sure, but whatever she does leaves her every morning with sore feet and worn-out shoes. And after six months, she’s had enough.
Enter Bastian Dennell, a private investigator just trying to get by. When Dayo hires him to find out where she goes at night, he’s sure it’s his big break: his chance to establish himself and get the funds to pay off his family’s debt. Plus, he gets to work with his favorite singer, even if she isn’t exactly what he expected. What could be better?
But first he has to solve the case — which means navigating a tangled web of strange dreams, fair folk schemes, and show business. It will take all Bastian’s wits, along with the shining talents of Dayo herself, to figure out the truth before the curtains close for good on Dayo’s career.
A jazz-age-inspired twist on the Twelve Dancing Princesses from the author of "Blood in the Snow".

Add on Goodreads ~ Purchase on Amazon

What I Thought: 

This was so much fun!  It felt very much like an old black-and-white detective movie, complete with trench coats, jazz music, and shadowy figures.  But at the same time, it was full-on fantasy novel, which made it even more intriguing. 

The world was so rich, and I just wish I'd gotten more of a chance to explore it.  Obviously, Dayo and Bastian's plot was the focus, so there wasn't much that we get to see outside of their sphere, but I would definitely be interested in seeing more stories set in this city at least, if not outside of it.  There seems to be so much depth there that I just wanted to dig into, you know?

The characters were great, honestly.  I loved Bastian from the first moment he stepped onto the page (what can I say, I'm a sucker for a man in a fedora), and Dayo fascinated me.  There basically isn't any romantic subplot between them, which I thought was neat. There's a bit of attraction, and I would absolutely read a sequel to see if it goes anywhere, because I'd be here for this relationship, lol! 

The actual mystery was SO intriguing, and kept me glued to the page the whole time.  Maybe my favorite thing about this whole Tattered Slippers blog tour has been seeing how each author weaves different elements of the fairytale into their stories, and the choices made for this book were so unique and perfect!   

Basically, this was just delightful, and I'm so glad I picked it up.

Overall Rating: 4.5 swinging jazz tunes out of 5

About the Author: 
Sarah Pennington has been writing stories since before she actually knew how to write, and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon. She is perpetually in the middle of writing at least one or two novels, most of which are in the fantasy and fairy tale retelling genres. Sarah’s first published work, Blood in the Snow, received a perfect score and Special Unicorn status in Rooglewood Press’s Five Poisoned Apples contest. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys knitting, photography, and trying to conquer her massive to-be-read list.

Connect with Sarah: Her website ~ Her blog ~ Her second blog ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

Make sure you check out all the other posts from the blog tour - there have been some really fun ones! Oh, and make sure you enter the giveaway! Click this link for more info!  

And there you have it! What fairytale would you set in the jazz age? 

~ Abby

The Dark King's Curse Review {Tattered Slippers Blog Tour}

Welcome to my second stop for the Tattered Slippers blog tour!  Today takes us deep into the Dreammidst, following a lady-in-waiting determined to stop a curse.

Since this is a blog tour, make sure you check out all the other amazing posts so far from my fellow hosts by clicking this link right here!  There's also information there to do with the giveaway where you can win 3 of the releases in paperback!  How cool is that?? 

And with that, let's get into the review.


The Dark King's Curse



Author: Wyn Estelle Owens
Genre: Fantasy fairytale retelling
Content: None
Main Character: Ailsa

Synopsis:
A darkness seems to hang over the lands of Conall, slowly but surely growing in strength with each passing year.
It all comes to a head when the twelve daughters of King Muir begin to disappear each night. None will admit where they go, and the only clue is their shoes; new in the evening, tattered and torn by morning.
When no one can stop the disappearances, Ailsa--lady-in-waiting to the youngest princess--volunteers to try and solve the mystery, or she and her peers will pay the consequences for failing to watch over their charges.
Armed with nothing but her gift of Fae-sight, Ailsa ventures forth on a quest to free her lady and the other princesses. With the help of an grumpy, glamoured gardener, a cursed faerie cat, and the mysterious Lord of Autumn, she may discover both the secrets and the truth behind the Dark King that lies at the root of the curse.

Add on Goodreads ~ Purchase on Amazon 

What I Thought:

*happy sigh* So I binged this book in less than 24 hours, partially because I needed to get this review up today, and partially because I was so engrossed in the story.  It's been a long time since I've read a fae-centered book, but this one was something special.

First thing, I need to talk about the characters because I am obsessed with them!  Ailsa and Fionn's friendship is everything to meee (oh and Siobhra, obviously), Ailsa's friendship with the princess is so cute, the ships are so soft and wholesome, and just like... all the relationships are perfect.  I am soft.  I just appreciate so much how most of the time, 12DP retellings follow a solo hero, who's doing it on his (or her) own, but in this book it's a whole questing squad, and I'm here for it.

There are a looot of dream sequences in this book, which normally I'm not a fan of, but I didn't mind too much here.  There were still bits that confused me, but overall were still intriguing enough to keep me going.  I loved the whole concept of the seasonal courts, and the King of Autumn was one of my favorite characters, tbh.  The magic system was epic, the mystery was intriguing, the banter was everything.  I was unsure how I would feel about this book, but I'm happy to report that I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Recommended for fans of fae magic, talking cats, friendly banter, and gentle romance.

Overall Rating: 4 silver tree branches out of 5

About the Author:
Wyn Estelle Owens is the penname of a young woman who’s still figuring out what this whole ‘adult’ thing is all about. She lives in a big, old house in Maryland by a Hundred Acre Wood (dubbed Neldoreth) with her parents, three occasionally obnoxious brothers, her dog Jackie, and her personal plot bunny, Joker.
She is fond of reading, writing, drawing, speaking in dead or imaginary languages, playing videogames, quoting classic or obscure literature, being randomly dramatic, and generally making things out of yarn. Her dream is to write stories that inspire people to chase after the wonderful world of storytelling.
Her favorite all-time authors are Anne Elisabeth Stengl, Christa Kinde, and above all, J.R.R. Tolkien, who first inspired her to pursuing novel writing when she read the Hobbit at the age of seven.

Connect with Wyn Estelle Owens: Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Amazon 

Don't forget to check out all the other amazing Tattered Slippers blog posts at this link right here, and stay tuned for more reviews from me this week!

~ Abby

Poison's Dance Review {Tattered Slippers Blog Tour}

 Hello my name is Abby and I've been emotionally compromised by Tricia Mingerink yet again.

In other words, welcome to the Tattered Slippers blog tour!  Get ready for not one, not two, but SIX amazing Twelve Dancing Princesses retellings that are releasing this week!  The tour is already in full swing, so make sure you check out the full schedule to join in on all the fun! 

There are a ton of amazing bloggers involved in this tour, and I'm so excited and honored to be one of them!  So for four of those six days, you can stick right here for reviews of these new releases! (Who's hyped? I'm hyped!)

We begin with one of my most anticipated reads of the year, the third book in Tricia Mingerink's Beyond the Tales series, which continues to solidify itself as one of my all-time faves.

** I'm gonna stick a spoiler warning right here because there are spoilers for at least the first book in the series (Dagger's Sleep) from this point forward. 
So... you've been warned. **

Poison's Dance



Author: Tricia Mingerink 
Genre: Fantasy fairytale retelling
Content: Some violence
Main Characters: King Alexander, Princess Tamya, Daemyn Rand

Synopsis:
If he falls to the lure of the curse, the dance might trap him forever.
Alex has survived his first year as high king. The new counsel has improved cooperation between the kingdoms, and peace seems achievable. When the Tuckawassee queen sends him an invitation he can’t refuse, Alex must once again face his greatest threat for the sake of peace.
Princess Tamya of Tuckawassee, along with her eleven sisters, has danced from sunset until sunrise every night of her life. It is her gift and her curse. When Queen Valinda wishes to use the power their cursed dance gives them to rule all of Tallahatchia, Tamya must decide if she will do what is right even if it betrays her own sister.
Daemyn Rand has survived a hundred years' worth of battles. All he wants to do now is safely marry his princess. Will he be forced to choose between the love of his life and the high king he has loyally served for years?
They have faced certain death before. This time, they might not make it out alive.
Don’t miss this re-envisioning of the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale.   

Add on Goodreads ~ Purchase on Amazon ~ My review of book 1 ~ My review of book 2

What I Thought:

This book broke me.  In the best way.  I finished it at 3:30 AM because there was no way I was putting it down.  I was a sobbing, snotty mess.  It was basically everything and I don't know how I'm supposed to just go on with my life now? 

Being back in Tallahatchia was so good for my soul.  Like, I started reading and seeing familiar names and it just gave me so much joy.  I didn't realize how much I missed it.  The world itself is so cool, and seeing it unfold throughout the series has been everything.  Each book we get to explore a different kingdom, and if this means that we'll eventually potentially get 7 books for the 7 kingdoms... you would not hear me complaining, that's all I'm saying.

Speaking of things unfolding throughout the series, can we talk about Alex for a minute?  Because I'm so proud of him??  Watching his journey from the first book to now - he was a big part of why I cried from about the 75% mark onward because I'm just so proud of who he's becoming with the Highest King's help.  I'm not okay.  *melts into a puddle of feels*  He's never been my favorite character of the series but that might change now, honestly, idk.  Also his relationship with Daemyn is everything to me and I'm quickly becoming a sucker for the king/lord/important person + his guard/servant friendship dynamic, it's one of my faves. Also Daemyn and Rosanna continue to be wonderful together. 

The character of Tamya was amazing.  We've had three very different female leads in the series so far, and I'm here for it.  Her relationship with her sisters was so well done - the princesses is always something I judge 12DP retellings on, and they were great here.  There were a couple who faded to the background, but for the most part, each one was unique and distinct enough that I didn't have trouble remembering who was who.  

The fairytale elements were woven in so perfectly, as they always are in these books.  The worn dancing shoes, the underground world, the silver and gold trees, the sinister eldest sister, it's all here and it's all just as iconic as it should be. 

All in all, I'm never going to stop talking about this series.  I know this book just came out today but I wish I had book 4.  The ending made me squeal with happiness on several occasions, and I'm just really happy, okay? 

Overall rating: 5 goblets of maybe-poisoned wine out of 5 

About the Author: 
Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn't writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country.

Connect with Tricia: Her blog ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest

As I mentioned at the top of this post, the Tattered Slippers blog tour will be going on all week!  So keep your eyes peeled for more reviews coming your way from me, and click this link right here to see all the amazing posts! 

Have you read the Beyond the Tales books?  Are you excited for this one?  Let me know in a comment below! 

~ Abby

One Bad Apple {book review}

 Y'all should know by now that I love fairytale retellings (and if you didn't, now you do).  Especially if that fairytale is put into a unique setting.  Thus, I knew I was going to love this book.  Happy to report, I was right.

I've been wanting to read one of Rachel's books for what feels like forever, and her newest release seemed like the perfect place to start.  A Snow White retelling set in the 1873?  Yes please! 

One Bad Apple

Author: Rachel Kovaciny
Genre: Historical Fiction 
Content: Some threats of violence, and a few moments of racial prejudice
Main Character: Levi Dalton 

Synopsis:

When a wagon train of Black pioneers rescues the seven orphaned Dalton cousins from the side of the trail, it seems like an answer to their prayers. As they roll west toward Kansas, fourteen-year-old Levi Dalton is dazzled by the beautiful Mrs. Mallone. She's a healer, and her knowledge of medicines and herbs inspires Levi to want to become a doctor. Maybe then he can stop people from dying of fevers and illnesses like his folks did.
But Mrs. Mallone's stepdaughter, Hopeful, warns Levi not to become too attached to the healer. Levi dismisses her warnings and his own misgivings until the day he sees something dreadful.
Levi knows he needs to tell someone what he’s seen before it’s too late. But will anyone believe the story of a fourteen-year-old orphan? Will anyone stand up to evil, no matter how beautifully it’s packaged?

Add on Goodreads ~ Purchase on Amazon

What I Thought:

I don't think I've ever read a Snow White retelling from the point of view of one of the seven dwarves, but golly was it a lot of fun.  Levi was such a unique protagonist - I always love when a story is told from a very specific point of view, which in this case was that of a 14-year-old boy.  The whole book would have a completely different flavor if it had been told from the perspective of Hopeful or Jacob or Ness.  But because it's Levi, the viewpoint is so unique. 

The plot was fascinating, and I loved the way the fairytale was woven into the non-magical setting.  Hopeful was such a perfect Snow White (plus her relationship with her Dad was so soft, my emotions ;-; )  She's just a good person, but she's not naive.  Also her dad is an absolute sweetheart and I love them together.  Also the Daltons are so wholesome and I just want these kids to be happy is that too much to ask? 

Mrs. Mallone was an excellent villain - I absolutely hated her.  Which, in my mind, is one mark of a well-written antagonist.  What an awful person she is. xD 

The historical element of this book was everything, you guys.  You can truly tell that Rachel took her time researching - my inner ten-year-old that dreamed of being part of a wagon train was thriving as I read this.  It was definitely educational, while also being entertaining, so basically my favorite thing ever?  Oh, and the fairytale elements?? I mean?? One of the most unique Snow White retellings I've ever read while also including every important motif from the original?  Heck yes!!

Basically, I absolutely devoured this book, and I need more of Rachel's books in my life as soon as possible please and thank you. 

Overall Rating: 5 baskets of apples out of 5

About the Author:
Born only a few miles from where Jesse James robbed his first train, Rachel Kovaciny has loved the Old West all her life. She now lives in Virginia with her husband and their three homeschooled children. In her free time, Rachel writes for the magazines "Femnista" and "Prairie Times," reads, bakes, blogs, watches movies, and daydreams.

Connect with Rachel: Her website ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook

Well there you have it, friends!  Have you read this book or any others from Rachel?  Let me know in a comment below! 

~ Abby

Ivy Introspective {blog tour + book review}

Hello my friends!  Today's the day!  It's officially time for my post for the Ivy Introspective blog tour!! *cue the fanfare*

I've loved this series so much since what feels like forever, but somehow I never managed to read this book?? Idk what happened?? But now it's finally made its way into my life and I couldn't be more thrilled.  It's also available right now so you can go and read it yourself!  Yay!! But before you do that, here's my review:

Ivy Introspective



Author: Kellyn Roth
Genre: Historical fiction
Content: None
Main characters: Ivy Knight and Nora Chattoway

Synopsis:
Ivy Knight lives her life in a blur of confusion as the world passes her by in a tumultuous melody. She isn’t the perfect daughter or student, but as long as she can be with her family, she doesn’t mind watching rather than living.
Mrs. Chattoway treasures both of her granddaughters now that they’re reunited. When Ivy’s parents enroll her in a Scottish school for unique children, she’s happy to chaperone.
In a new place with a new guardian, Ivy discovers a special talent that helps her see the blurred world in a new way. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and Ivy becomes determined to find it—and help others do the same.

Add on Goodreads ~ Purchase on Amazon

What I Thought:

I'm not crying, you're crying.  (that's a lie, I'm totally crying)

This was so WHOLESOME.  my HEART.  I'm EMOTIONAL.

Okay hold on let's get a hold of ourselves here.

So this was pretty much perfect.  A couple of years ago, I read At Her Fingertips and Beyond Her Calling and fell in love with both of them.  (And yes, I read The Dressmaker's Secret too)  But somehow this one got missed in the shuffle, and in a lot of ways, that just made reading it now so much sweeter.

Ivy is one of my favorite female protagonists, okay?  She's just such a pure little bean, I want to protect her from everything.  She's also an introvert through and through, and I related to her so much.  As much as I love Alice, she can be a lot, but Ivy is just out here doing her best and I'm proud of her for it.  (Also, I thought I'd gotten over being in love with Jordy MacAllen, but noooope.  what a precious baby boy. my face lit up when he walked onto the scene and I have no shame.) ((although let's clarify, I'm in love with grown-up Jordy, not 16-year-old Jordy.  that would be weird.))

I also loved Nora's storyline so much?  It made me so emotional?  The way she was so desperate to be loved by her family, how much she and Ivy were alike and didn't know it, the way God used those around her to heal her, it was all beautiful and such a pleasant surprise. 

Oh, and Violet!  I didn't care much for Violet in Beyond Her Calling, but now I can't wait to re-read that one, just to see if my opinions of her have changed.  I understand her so much better now.  I'm so sad. 

The faith content was beautiful.  It wove perfectly through the story, the message of God's grace and love becoming apparent as the characters discovered it. 

I just kind of loved everything about this?  The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy is seriously one of my favorite historical fiction series ever, and I've missed it, tbh.  It's nice to be back with these characters. <3

Overall Rating: 5 piano playing prodigies out of 5

About the Author:
Kellyn Roth lives on an Eastern Oregon ranch with her parents, little brothers, border collies, cats, and a few dozen cows and chickens.  Always a lover of a good story, and especially of telling one, she's been writing since she was seven and published her first novel at fourteen.  Now a homeschool grad, she divides her time between penning her next Christian historical fiction novel, creating professionally silly articles for her blog, and her actual life.  Actual life plays second fiddle sometimes, though.

Connect with Kellyn: Her website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Amazon ~ her personal blog


A huge thank you to Kellyn for sending me a copy of this book for review!  Have you read any of Kellyn's books?  Let me know in the comments below!

~ Abby