jbronderbookreviews

I am lucky enough to have been given both Alice and Red Queen in Christina Henry’s The Chronicles of Alice series. I am a lover of all things Alice in Wonderland and jumped at the opportunity to review these books.

Alice (The Chronicles of Alice – 1) Christina Henry

A mind-bending new novel inspired by the twisted and wondrous works of Lewis Carroll…

In a warren of crumbling buildings and desperate people called the Old City, there stands a hospital with cinderblock walls which echo the screams of the poor souls inside.

In the hospital, there is a woman. Her hair, once blond, hangs in tangles down her back. She doesn’t remember why she’s in such a terrible place. Just a tea party long ago, and long ears, and blood…

Then, one night, a fire at the hospital gives the woman a chance to escape, tumbling out of the hole that imprisoned her, leaving her free to uncover the truth about what happened to her all those years ago.

Only something else has escaped with her. Something dark. Something powerful.

And to find the truth, she will have to track this beast to the very heart of the Old City, where the rabbit waits for his Alice.

My Review

5 stars

Alice has survived her trip to the Old City but has been driven mad in the process. We meet up with her in an asylum. Next to her cell is a murder called Hatcher. When I fire breaks out in the asylum, Hatcher saves both of them but the Jabberwocky was been released. It is now up to Alice and Hatcher to go to Old City and fight the Jabberwocky. Hopefully both of them can remember what has been forgotten to keep them alive.

Alice’s curiosity has been stopped after her trip to Old City years earlier. But when Hatcher breaks both of the out of the asylum, Alice finds that she does and doesn’t want to remember what has happened to her. Hatcher is clearly mad but he cares for Alice. He has Seer abilities and they are telling him to kill that Jabberwocky who was a Magician. But there is more to both Alice and Hatcher as they travel this dark world of Old City.

I love Alice in Wonderland and couldn’t wait to read this book. This story has basic characters from the original story but they have their own world. Old City is a brutally dark place filled with murder, rape, animal and human fights, abuse and so much more. I loved the story but just know that it is pretty brutal.

If you are looking for a great, dark, mad story with a hint of Alice in Wonderland check out Alice. I can’t wait to read the second book Red Queen.

To purchase Alice make sure to visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads and Christina Henry’s website.

I received Alice for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

If you loved Alice you need to check out Red Queen.

Red Queen (The Alice Chronicles – 2) by Christina Henry

The author of Alice takes readers back down the rabbit hole to a dark, twisted, and fascinating world based on the works of Lewis Carroll…
 
The land outside of the Old City was supposed to be green, lush, hopeful. A place where Alice could finally rest, no longer the plaything of the Rabbit, the pawn of Cheshire, or the prey of the Jabberwocky. But the verdant fields are nothing but ash—and hope is nowhere to be found.

Still, Alice and Hatcher are on a mission to find his daughter, a quest they will not forsake even as it takes them deep into the clutches of the mad White Queen and her goblin or into the realm of the twisted and cruel Black King.

The pieces are set and the game has already begun. Each move brings Alice closer to her destiny. But, to win, she will need to harness her newfound abilities and ally herself with someone even more powerful—the mysterious and vengeful Red Queen…

My Review

5 stars

Alice and Hatcher have escaped the Old City and are now looking for Jenny. But the land is not the expected green, everything is ash and burned, even the white rabbit and girls. It seems the Black King has been slowly burning the White Queens land. For what reason no one knows. But when Hatcher turns into a wolf and goes to the White Queen it is up to Alice to stop both the Black King and White Queen. Thankfully the Red Queen is there to help.

I think Red Queen is better than Alice. It is not as dark but there is a lot of room for Alice to grow as a person and with her magic. I loved the story between the Black King and the White Queen. Tragic but works well. And Hatcher, you can’t help but feel for the poor guy. He finds what he is looking for just to lose it again.

Just like Alice, there is just a hint of the original Through the Looking Glass story but this book is its own story. I loved how it progressed and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

To purchase Red Queen make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads and Christina Henry’s website.

I received Red Queen for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Read Full Post »

Nika: A Seychatka Novella by D.H. Gibbs

Taken off the streets Nika is thrown into an unknown world where she’s held captive. As an orphan, she has been on the run and must find her way out before they discover her secret. But these people held the knowledge of her family and who she is. Will she be able to find out before her secret is revealed? After hundreds of years, Demyan has finally found the rightful ruler of his race. Unfortunately, she doesn’t know who she is and is doing everything in her power to escape him. Time is running out and Demyan has to convince Nika to take her rightful place otherwise the battle will be lost and his race extinguished.

My Review

4 stars

Nika is an orphan and knows nothing about her parents. She is kidnapped off the street. But the kidnappers say that they know about her parents and her heritage. Is this too good to be true or are they just trying to get her to stop fighting and trying to escape. Demyan has finally found their long lost last leader. Demyan is trying to tell Nika about her parents and that she has a brother but she is more intent on escape. Will he be able to get through to her in time?

I really enjoyed this story. Nika has had to get by on her wit. So when she is kidnapped all she can focus on is trying to escape, which if I was in her position I would be doing too. I loved this world; it was well written and drew me into the story. This is a novella so I easily read it in one sitting and was left wanting so much more. I can’t wait for more in this series.

To purchase Nika make sure to visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

I received Nika for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Read Full Post »

• Paperback:62 pages
• Publisher:CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (July 23, 2015)
• Language:English
• ISBN-10:1515181839
• ISBN-13:978-1515181835

ABOUT THE BOOK

All eleven-year-old Pip wanted was a best friend. When Pip gets a horse for her birthday, she’s delighted. She thinks that the horse she names Buck will be her best friend from the moment that they meet. But she finds out that friendship does not come that easily.

Pip’s father gently guides her so that Pip can discover for herself how to make Buck a true friend. Pip’s new friend, Buck, has a story of his own. After leaving his own herd, to move to Pip’s house, he is looking for a relationship that will help him feel safe. He, too, learns that making a friend takes patience and understanding.

Told from the perspectives of both Pip and Buck, The Gift is a heartwarming and valuable lesson about friendship, trust and love that will appeal to a wide variety of readers.

PURCHASE “THE GIFT” ON AMAZON

ENTER THE GOODREADS GIVEAWAY HERE

ABOUT REBECCA HUBBARD

Rebecca J. Hubbard is a master’s level Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over twenty years of experience working with children and their families. She began writing short stories as a child for her own amusement and enjoyment. Rebecca discovered that she could facilitate the healing of her young clients by writing stories for them.

Currently, Rebecca works at Spirit Reins as a clinician and as the clinical supervisor where she practices Natural Lifemanship, ™ a Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy™ model.

Rebecca is a native Texan, who enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her two dogs, Idgie and Sully, and her two horses, Cash and Cloud. She also loves to read, paint and garden. Rebecca encourages readers to connect with her via her website and Amazon Author Page.

My Review

5 stars

This is the cuties book ever. Pip wants a horse so badly that she is a little hurt that Buck isn’t sharing her feelings. I love how her father helps guide her. But the best part was how the second half of the story is told from Buck’s perspective. His behavior makes sense when you think about everything he has gone through too. Besides a wonderful story, there are amazing illustrations throughout the book.  They really add to the story.

I grew up on a little farm and always thought it would be great to have a horse and do the things you read about in books. How the horse is the person’s best friend and I wanted the same thing. But it didn’t work with me for most of the same reasons Pip had. But this also applies to all animals, not just horses. When adopting a new cat or dog the same thing happens.

This is a great story for any age but would be perfect for children. It is similar to a chapter book and would be perfect for children to read. It also teaches them how to be understand and patient with their new friend whether it would be a horse, cat or dog. Make sure to add this book to your collection.

I received The Gift for free from My Book Tour in exchange for an honest review.

Rebecca Hubbard Author Guest Post

 “Inspiration for The Gift”

I am asked frequently what was the inspiration for “The Gift.” Though it was not one thing, some interactions I witnessed between a girl and a horse made me think about the nature of relationships, how they develop and what causes them to begin well or never begin at all. I was struck by the girl’s immediate professed love for a being she just met, her need to have his attention, and her insatiable need to have his adoration. When the horse did not acknowledge her she was heartbroken and said she felt very rejected. The lopsided feelings in this interaction made me curious how that happened. What was the girl thinking that caused her to love the horse so much without knowing him? What caused her to feel so heartbroken and rejected when he acted as if she was invisible? What was the horse thinking and feeling that caused him to react in that manner? The girl after all was in his space. Yet, he did not acknowledge her, not with an eye, an ear…nothing. She did not exist as far as he was concerned. Why? He would have given a fly some attention but not her. What was it about this interaction that caused that reaction? These were the things I wondered about for a long time.

A year later that same girl stood across the fence from that same horse grazing in the pasture. She called lowly to him. He lifted his head and he considered her for a moment. Then he walked up to her and allowed her to rub and kiss his face. The tears in her eyes spoke volumes about what this meant to her. The horse was calm, his eyes soft and kind. He stood for a very long time soaking in her attention and love. What had changed? Was it the girl who changed? Was it the horse? Was it both? They That was the first time he had responded to her. Clearly something was very different for both of them. It was a beautiful moment of connection that I will never forget.

When the idea for “The Gift” came it was born partly out of all these questions and the hours I have spent with horses, getting to know them, and how wonderfully sensitive they are to the beings around them. Their ability to use pressure and sense energy and communicate subtly are things I admire so much about them. So, the inspiration for the “The Gift” was all of these things.

Read Full Post »

Psychopomp and Circumstance (Books of Nethermore – 1) by Adrean Messmer

It starts on Facebook—an update that Nell doesn’t remember making. It’s bad enough that she’s dying and none of her friends know. Now, she’s pretty sure she’s going crazy too. She sees the Sewercide Man everywhere she goes.

The bright, safe little town of is Bandon descending into darkness, dragging the inhabitants along for the ride. Death follows madness for those bound to the Sewercide Man’s will.

But the Sewercide Man is more than just a ghost or a monster. He is death without justice. He is destruction without remorse. He doesn’t have a plan.

He just wants to bring everyone home.

My Review

3 stars

This story is about several teenagers that have just graduated high school and don’t really know what they want to do with their lives. Nell is one of these kids that has been recently diagnosed with a brain tumor along with several others that have their own demons. But Nell keeps seeing the Sewercide man, this is the local serial killer that Nell discovered dead a couple years earlier. The Sewercide man seems to be everywhere Nell is and initially she thinks she is seeing him as a side effect of her tumor. Then people start end up dead in a gory kind of way. What is happening to the small town of Bandon?

This is an interesting story. It reminds me of the slasher films from the 90’s. Teenagers from different walks of life with their own personal demons that become the targets of a serial killer and meet their end with a bloody, violent death.

I’m sorry to say that I was expecting a little more of a story. I didn’t really relate or even care about these kids. They seemed self-absorbed and I was actually excited when they were killed. But I would have liked to know a little more about the Sewercide Man. He seemed like an interesting killer but when I know more about their background it tends to draw me into the story more.

If you like bloody, gory stories, if that is what you are looking for, look no further. This is the book for you. It was a good story and although not what I was expecting I did enjoy it.

To purchase Psychopomp and Circumstance make sure to visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Adrean Messmer’s website.

I received Psychopomp and Circumstance for free from Sage’s Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Read Full Post »

H.A.L.F.: The Makers (H.A.L.F. – 2) by Natalie Wright

“The Makers” is the follow-up to Natalie Wright’s multiple award-winning debut science fiction novel “H.A.L.F.: The Deep Beneath.” “We’ve seen grey aliens on T.V. and in movies. We may think we know all about them. But what if everything we think we know is wrong?” Erika Holt dodged death and departed Earth in an alien ship. It wasn’t how she’d planned to spend her senior year. Is Erika on her way to paradise? Or to a hell worse than the underground lab she escaped? The greys rescued Tex from A.H.D.N.A. and promised him a life he could never have imagined. But what will he have to give up to become one with The Conexus? Jack Wilson is still Commander Sturgis’ prisoner, but a promise of freedom comes from an unlikely source. Will his liberation cost more than he’s willing to pay? Caught up in their personal battles and focused on our war with the grey aliens, will any of them realize the true threat that looms over us all before it’s too late?

My Review

5 stars

Erika and Ian have been taken by the greys. They have been infected by a virus and have to find the antidote. Tex has caught the eye of the alien queen. She is showing him how compatible they would be together as long as his human side disappears. And Jack has been left on Earth. With the greys attacking it is up to him to protect those that held him against his will.

There is a lot happening in this story. But it is not that hard to keep up with the different characters. I love how the chapters have each person’s name so you could follow along. There is a lot of action and some great fight scenes and what would you expect from a race of aliens that would rather eat us than help us.

I loved this book but I do recommend starting this series with book 1, H.A.L.F.: The Deep Beneath. It did take me a little to catch up to the story but I will say that the glossary in the beginning did help.

If you want a great alien story that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning, look no further. This is a great book. Now I’m going to read The Deep Beneath to get caught up.

To purchase H.A.L.F.: The Makers make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads and Natalie Wright’s website.

I received H.A.L.F.: The Makers for free from Sage’s Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Read Full Post »

Endurance (Regina Shen – 4) by Lance Erlick

Outcast Regina Shen is caught between rival Department of Antiquities’ inspectors amidst political struggle over who will become the new World Premier. Used for her ability to find hidden ancient treasures, Regina hunts rich enough barter to free her sister. Stretched to her limits, her new journey tests her endurance and her ability to recognize opportunities and avoid getting captured.

Lance Erlick

He was raised by a roaming aerospace engineer, growing up in various parts of the United States and Europe, as well as traveling through Asia. He took to stories as his anchor, including the works of Asimov, Bradbury, and Heinlein, and has been writing since age eleven.

Growing up, he was inspired by his father’s engineering work on cutting-edge aerospace projects to look to the future.

In an ideal world, Lance would find time loops where he could step out for a week at a time to read and write. Then he would return to the moment he left, without life getting in the way. Of course, since everyone would have the same ability, he suspects life would still sneak in.

Lance is also the author of short stories and novelettes.

Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter   Facebook   Goodreads

My Review

5 stars

After the last vault was destroyed, Regina has decided to trek to the great desert and try to find the vault hidden there. Thankfully Ester has trucker friends to help them along with others. But DeMarco and Volpe are still fighting to get their hands on Regina and the government is still trying to figure out who is going to be the next World Premier. But things are going to get tough when Regina’s mother makes another appearance and Regina has to make some tough decisions.

Regina is still holding out hope to rescue Colleen. She still hopes that finding this vault could be enough to save Colleen. But Ester and Regina are trying to find a hidden vault in the middle of a huge desert and if they do find it all they can do is hope that it has survived time. The real question is if she does find the vault would the government accept it.

I love this series and have heard this is the last book. I hope not since somethings were left open and I hope to see how they are finished. I am very proud of Regina, she has grown into a strong woman that is needed to survive in this world. This is a great series and one that I strongly recommend for those that like the post-apocalyptic/dystopian books.

To purchase Endurance make sure to visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

I received Endurance for free from iRead Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

Read Full Post »

Narine of Noe (Faerie Tales from the White Forest – 4) by Danika Dinsmore

Narine of Noe should have had her whole life to train to take her father’s place as High Sage. But when a mysterious force falls from the skies, sending the world into elemental chaos, the fate of every living being lands on her shoulders . . . even that of the Eternal Dragon. Without the Dragon to maintain the Balance of All Things, an elaborate plan to save Faweh must be hatched, and Narine is forced to take charge in a world gone mad.

Before the White Forest was born, before the Great World Cry, the story that started it all …

My Review

4 Stars

We start the story at an initiation ceremony where Narine is chosen to be a keeper and the future high sage of Faweh. But then an alien substance falls down to earth and those plans are quickly changed. Although she is not ready, Narine must learn the hard and fast way to protect her world.

Narine is headstrong and doubts herself, which impedes here growth into her role as keeper and high sage. One she gets past that, she becomes the savior that her people and world need. I liked how she was very realistic, I could see part of my own stubbornness in her. But I liked that she did her best and although she didn’t save everyone she tried her best for those that are there.

Narine of Noe is the fourth book in the Faerie Tales from the White Forest but it is actually the prequel to the series. I was hesitant to read this book since I have not read the other books in the series but being a prequel it gave me a good layout to the rest of the books.

The only thing that was challenging was the fact that there was an index in the back of the book. Since I read an ebook I didn’t know this until the end. I think it would have been easier in the beginning of the book so I knew it was there and I could skim before and during reading.

Beyond this, I really liked Narine of Noe. I am really curious to read the rest of the series and see what happens next.

To purchase Narine of Noe make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Danika Dinsmore’s website.

I received Narine of Noe for free from eBooks for Review in exchange for an honest review.

Read Full Post »

The Golden Owl (Clockwork Calico Book 1) by Lana Axe

Calico Cogg is a cat like no other. Rescued from the streets of Ticswyk by esteemed inventor Lionel Cogg, she has been fitted with implants to enhance her natural feline abilities. When Lionel is kidnapped, Cali must put her skills to the test to free him.

Dark schemes are in the works—a plague of tiny clockwork spiders are wreaking havoc on the city’s inhabitants. Only Cali, with help from her trusted mouse friend Emmit, can get to the bottom of it all. With a criminal mastermind planning a major heist, Cali must race against time to unravel his plot before he escapes with the city’s greatest treasure.

My Review

5 stars

Cali is a cat that has been tinkered on by the master tinkerer Lionel Cogg. Cali is friend with both Lionel and her mouse friend, Emitt. But then nefarious Jameson Morcroft kidnaps Lionel. It is up to Cali and Emitt to rescue Lionel. But there is much more to this plan than just a kidnapping. It is going to take Cali, Emitt, and all of their friends to stop Morcroft from using his clockwork spiders from stealing the Golden Owl from the museum.

Cali has been altered to improve upon her natural talents. You can tell she has a wonderful friendship with both Lionel and Emitt and I love how she will go out to help rescue both Lionel and to stop the clockwork spiders.

I love cats and do like the steampunk genera. This book was a great story of unlikely friends, lots of suspense, and action. The story is for mid-grade readers but it will easily become a favorite of all ages. I will definitely be looking for book two in this series.

To purchase The Golden Owl make sure to visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Lana Axe’s website.

I received The Golden Owl for free from eBooks for Review in exchange for an honest review.

Read Full Post »