Wundersmith Review

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend is the second book in her Nevermore middle grade fantasy series. We follow Morrigan as she begins her studies in the Wonderous Society with the other 8 kids chosen at her trial.



I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. This was a fantastic read. As sequels go, it was super strong. The characters were quirky and fun and interesting. I really like Morrigan and seeing the world through her eyes. We don’t get to know many of the other characters in much depth, but I hope that will change in the future books. What I do know of them I like, so far.

The story was gripping and thrilling and fast paced. It had major Harry Potter vibes (which is a good thing). The plot twists didn’t really take me by surprise, but I didn’t mind that too much. Overall it was lots of fun, eliciting a wide range of emotions and I am so eager to see what the next book in the series will hold.

Come Spring Review

Come Spring by Tim LaHaye and Gregory S Dinallo is a Historical Christian Novella. It is about Scottish photographer Dylan Cooper living in Boston during the first world war and trying to make it as an artist and Scottish Grace MacVicar who works at a prestigious art gallery there.



I didn’t like this book and only gave it 2 out of 5 stars. The male characters were all varying levels of dislikable and the one female character was “perfect” (except for not being a believer and being in love with the main male). I don’t mind if characters aren’t believers at the beginning of the story (I enjoy a good redemption story), but the only character that was a “Christian” from the beginning was rude, arrogant, selfish and a prude. Furthermore, they never did come to the Lord, so it didn’t feel like a Christian story at all (which would be fine if that is what I went into the story expecting). But the only Christian elements included were what I would expect to see in a “culturally” Christian time like it was set in and lacking any spiritual depth or feeling.

The writing style was strong, but the story was quite dissatisfying. To be honest, I found it fairly boring up to the end which then felt incomplete. It truly feels like they left the ending off. It wouldn’t have taken another 50 pages to solidly end the story in a satisfying way and that wouldn’t even have made it 200 pages long in total. This, along with the character issues, rendered me unable to enjoy the book or to recommend it.

Flamebringer Review

Flamebringer by Elle Katherine White is the third and final book in her Heartstone trilogy. We continue to follow Aliza and Alistair from where we left them in book 2 as they face this new threat to Arle.



I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. What an end to the series. The characters are still wonderful and complex and flawed. I loved watching them continue to learn and grow through their experiences. It just felt incomplete in where we left them. I wish we could see further into their development and where they decide to let these events bring them (emotionally, personally and as a family).

The plot was interesting and brought full circle understanding from many of the hints and development of the first two books. The story is full of action and suspense; I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation. There were just a few things that weren’t fully explained, were dropped and never returned to, or left disconnected to the rest of the story.

There were so many things about where White took this story that I loved, from the wonderful character development to the strong plot and world building. The only reason this book didn’t get a 5 star is for what was left out. To me the ending is incomplete. This should have been a longer book with a fuller, fleshed out conclusion. Even so, I still highly recommend this series, or at least the first book as it can be read as a standalone, to fantasy lovers.

The Princess and the Goblin Review

Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald is a children’s fantasy story. I classify this book as Christian fiction as George MacDonald was a Christian. It follows the adventures of 8-year-old Princess Irene and the goblins that live in the mountains by her home.



I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. I love the writing style. It gives me the same feeling as original fairytales. The plot was smooth and interesting, if a bit slow (but not distractingly so). The ending is solid, but with the clear message that there is more to come (presumably in his book The Princess and Curdie).

The characters were quite varied, being funny and cute and sweet and fascinating. The princess did feel a bit “too good”, but it worked here. The goblins were over the top horrible (both in looks and deeds) but I liked that for the fairytale aspect. I liked seeing the development of the Princess and Curdie (as people) in how they grew and learned through their experiences.

There are some wonderful lessons taught through the story that I felt were very well done. They were clear enough to understand the importance of the issue as well as showing how to properly handle it. At the same time, they weren’t directly stated like ‘this lesson is what you should get out of the story’. I feel it was written in such a way as to open dialogue about the issue between parents and children.

Overall, it is a lovely children’s story and I look forward to reading it with my children.

Dragonshadow Review

Dragonshadow by Elle Katherine White is the second book in her high fantasy Heartstone saga. We continue the story of Aliza and Alastair Daired. Their honeymoon at Pendragon manor is interrupted by a call for aid that they can’t ignore and sets them on a journey to the north and an unknown enemy.



I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed this deeper look into the characters and the aftermath of all they went through before, as well as how they learned to face what was to come together. There was a lot of character development here that was very different from the first book (as it wasn’t limited to a retelling) and I found it wonderful to witness. I came to like the characters even more and am eager to see what will come for them in future books. I also appreciated getting to know the world better. I feel like White had the opportunity in this book to really expand her world building and I found it fascinating.

The plot was interesting and fairly gripping. The ‘twists’ to the plot were all quite predictable, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy it, because I did. My only frustration was that it took more than half the book for them to reach their destination and therefore we end with them acquiring the information they have been searching for: who their enemy is. Not that the ending is left too open, but it makes the unknown length of waiting for the sequel much harder. If all the books were already out and I could move straight into the next one, I would probably love it (but that is just a personal preference).

I was a little hesitant and worried with this being a sequel to a retelling (especially of a well beloved story), but was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it especially because it was freed from the restraints of a retelling. This is looking to be a new favorite series.

The Husband Campaign Review

The Husband Campaign by Regina Scott is the third book in her Christian historical Master Matchmaker series. We follow Amelia Jacoby a noble woman as she is forced into a marriage of necessity with Lord Hascot a Baron famous for his horse breeding.



I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.  I love a good marriage of necessity or marriage of convenience story. This one was lovely and heart-warming.  The characters were interesting, went through reasonable character development and I felt invested in their story right from the beginning. It was a quick and easy read that can be read as a standalone, but I feel is better to be read at least after the second book for full context. I loved the journey of emotions that we are taken on. As for the faith element: it was light, but doesn’t feel forced or out of place. Overall, a delight to read.

March Overview

Poetry:

An Inkling Hope by Erin A Thomas

Love Poems for Married People by John Kenney



Classics:

Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope

Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott



Christian Non-Fiction:

The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers by Amy Hollingsworth

Spurgeon’s Sorrows by Zack Eswine



Christian Fiction:

A Gathering of Memories by Lori Wick (historical)



General Fiction:

Come Tumbling Down by Seanen McGuire (young adult fantasy)

Cherish Hard by Nalini Singh (adult contemporary)

Rebel Hard by Nalini Singh (adult contemporary)

Rock Hard by Nalini Singh (adult contemporary)

Act Like It by Lucy Parker (adult contemporary)

Reckoning by Jeaniene Frost (adult paranormal)

One for the Money by Jeaniene Frost (adult paranormal)

The Bite Before Christmas by Jeaniene Frost and Lynsay Sands (adult paranormal)

A Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands (adult paranormal)

Love Bites by Lynsay Sands (adult paranormal)

Single White Vampire by Lynsay Sands (adult paranormal)

Tall, Dark & Hungry by Lynsay Sands (adult paranormal)

A Bite to Remember by Lynsay Sands (adult paranormal)

Bite Me if You Can by Lynsay Sands (adult paranormal)

The Accidental Vampire by Lynsay Sands (adult paranormal)

Vampires are Forever by Lynsay Sands (adult paranormal)

Dance With a Vampire by Ellen Schreiber (middle grade paranormal)

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare (adult historical)