jbronderbookreviews

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.

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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.

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Defiance (Regina Shen – 3) by Lance Erlick

Abrupt climate change melted ice caps, flooded coasts, and expanded deserts. Outcast Regina Shen is a fugitive the World Federation believes has DNA that can stop human extinction. Rival Federation agents fight over capturing Regina to gain power amidst turmoil over who will become the new World Premier. Regina has to flee from Virginia through desert and wilderness to Alaska to hunt a treasure big enough to barter for her freedom and that of her sister. Can she find allies and tools to remain free long enough to find something to trade?

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

4 stars

It has been two months since we left Regina. She is still on the run from DeMarco and Volpe. She has been in hiding with an outcast group but it’s time for her to head to Alaska to save Colleen. There are also rumors of a vault that has genetic samples that may stop the fertility crisis without Regina becoming a lab rat. If only Regina and Ester make it to the vault and solve the puzzle before getting caught or locking in the vault.

As I read Defiance I didn’t think it really flowed as well as the last two books. The first part of the book seemed a little disjointed as Regina and Ester are trying to make their way to Alaska. There are a lot of close calls where both girls almost get caught; thankfully they had a lot of help. Now, when they make it to Alaska and Regina has to puzzle through the vault, then we had the old Regina back. But one thing I really liked is seeing that most of the country has turned into a desert since we have been in the swamps on the coasts.

Along with Regina we also have Ester. You could tell that Regina does love her in her own way and protects her like she would have Colleen. But Ester seemed to be a bigger hindrance at times than she was worth. Also, Regina’s mother is back. If I didn’t like the woman before when she abandoned Regina and Colleen, I sure the heck am not impressed with her now.

Defiance didn’t feel as strong of a book as Resilience or Vigilance but it was still a good story. I can’t wait to see how thing work out in Endurance.

To purchase Defiance make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

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

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