The Witcher: The Last Wish

 

Title: The Witcher: The Last Wish  Author: Andrzej Sapkowski  Pages: 400 (Audible) Genre: Fantasy

        Geralt is a Witcher. A special training in order to take on the monsters of the world that plague the land. Geralt is the best of them. This is the beginning of his journey. He helps with a "child surprise", he helps a small town plagued with a goat-man. Near the end you find out how he met Yennifer who helps his best friend stay alive. 

    I really enjoyed this book. In my opinion the person that reads the book makes Geralt sound like Rumpelstiltskin from the show Once Upon A Time. It had me on the edge of my seat even if at some points I would get distracted and get confused. It can bounce from past to present without much of a warning. It is a beautifully written story and can't wait to continue the series. I did watch the show before reading the books so it was nice to have that to help with the images in my mind of what was going on. The voices for each character was awesome! It's very descriptive and can  help you really see this world. One of the thoughts I had at one point of the story was how much different the world would be now if we separated from different races. We tried before here in America and it didn't work, but makes you think about those type of things. Or at least it did me. 

Pixie and the Green Book Mystery

Title: Pixie and the Green Book Mystery  Author: Coraline Grace  Pages: 103 Genre: Beginner Fantasy

~Review Request by Author~

     Pixie is a unique little 2nd grader that likes to read and wear apples. It's a bad day at school for poor Pixie. She races home so she can go to the library with her Mom (her favorite place). While she is there she sees a book that she hasn't seen before, this book isn't like any others. She soon meets Alice from Wonderland with that time crazed white rabbit and Cindi which is short for Cinderella. They quickly tell her that there is a  book guardian and he is trying to get them stuck in this new green book so their stories are erased forever! Cindi and Alice decide to trust their fate to little Pixie, good  thing she likes to read...but can she get them back to their books fast enough without getting herself caught by this mysterious book guardian?

I read this book with my twin 8 year old girls and they fully enjoyed it. They could relate to little Pixie and they loved the adventure she went on they can't wait for the next book in the series. I enjoyed the book and having a book that I can read to them and watch the excitement on their face was awesome as a Mom. It was lively and cute and I myself can not wait for the next book in the series to continue this bonding time with the kids and see what happens to Pixie next. So from this family Coraline is getting 6 thumbs up!!

Ruthless

Title: Ruthless  Author:  Carolyn Lee Adams  Pages: 248  Genre: suspense/thriller

Ruth Carver is a self driven teenager who takes the weight of the world on her shoulders. With this weight she doesn't let anyone close. One day she finds herself in the bed of a truck and not sure how, with a turn of events she finds out she has been kidnapped and needs to find a way out of this mess. As she fights obstacles trying to get back to safety she realizes that she has been taking her loved ones for granted.. now only if she could get home to tell them...

It starts off with a self involved teenager and it was hard for me to get into but as she starts fighting the obstacles and her character changes I enjoyed it more and more. By the half way point I hated putting it down.

Goosebumps: Trapped in Bat Wing Hall

Title: Goosebumps Trapped in Bat Wing Hall  Author: R.L. Stine  Pages: 137 Genre: Suspense/Thriller/Choose Your Own Adventure

It is done as you are the main character and you get to choose which path you take and how it ends. There are many different scenarios that can be played out. You get invited by a boy to go to "Bat Wing Hall" for horror story sharing. However it isn't story time its game time. How will you pick the ending?

I have always enjoyed the "choose your own adventure" books, I have however found it is harder and harder to find them. This is a book I will read over and over to see what different things can happen. The choice is yours :)

Diablo 3

Title: Diablo 3  Game System: Xbox One X  Game type: Fantasy

You create your character, you get to pick male or female along with your class. After you do that of course you get to pick your name. You follow the story line and there are some side quests along the way. The basic of the story is that Diablo has started wrecking havoc on the world and you are a nephalem and you are the only one that can stop him. With help from some people along your journey you get to not just take out Diablo but Death himself as well. After you finish the story line you are able to go through adventure mode and get some really cool gear!

This is a very well made game. Blizzard always knows how to make some of the best games. This game is on all platforms. I have it on PC and have access to it on Xbox. I love playing with other people and just questing on my own. This is a game you can play over and over and it is fun every time. 

Brisingr

Title: Brisingr  Author: Christopher Paolini  Pages: 748  Genre: Fantasy

Eragon is needing to fulfill promises and he starts off by helping his cousin save the love of his life. Then he has to travel all the way to the dwarves town and help sway the vote for the new king in the favor of the Varden whom is fighting the Empire to free all the people so no one is slaves. After he helps with Dwarves he has to go and learn as much as he can about being a dragon rider and get some history of whom he really is by the elves. After all that he has to go back to the Varden as promised and go back to the war to try and save as many lives as possible. 

This book is war or history of the dragons and of course Eragon himself. Without history who are we? He had to learn a lot in this part of the story and myself along the way. It did take me a while to read it was hard to keep my attention at times. It is well written just dry at some points and it was hard to focus on. It wasn't my favorite in the series by far but Christopher has always been a great author in my opinion. 

Fable 2

Title: Fable 2  Game System: Xbox One  Game type: Fantasy

You pick if you want to be male or female and you start your story. Some of the story line can not be changed at all however you can pick how you react to things and it puts you closer to being angelic or evil. You can change your clothes but there is no armor with it. The clothes are for looks or to help you be evil, aggressive, attractive and much more. You go through and the main objective is to seek revenge on the man that kills your sister when you are just a child. You will go from being a child to a full grown adult with kids of your own if you so choose. After you defeat Lucian you have a choice to make out of three that effects the whole of Albion not just you. You can continue to play and maintain your character after you have beat Lucian. 

I really enjoyed this game. I have for many years from when it came out. The graphics when it came out were amazing and very lifelike, over the years the graphics don't seem as good but for the time it was made it was fantastic! There are a lot of side quests to help you along on becoming good or evil. There is also a lot of ways to make money to help you buy the best of the best. It is obvious there was a lot of time and effort put into the game and I enjoy playing it over and over. I hope you enjoy it as well if you play. Happy Gaming!!

Stoneweaver: A Clash of Sword and Stone

Title: StoneWeaver: A Clash of Sword and Stone  Author: Cabe Valion  Pages: 204  Genre: Fantasy

~Review request from the author~

De Mauriac is running an errand for his master to get a "package" he gets a group of thieves to go with him. After a long travel with not much going on they get to the package and get it with little effort. On the way back though this package is taking out the thieves one by one. Along the way there is also bog men, dragons, a quicksilver river and other nasty things that could get the best of them. De Mauriac however gets the package to his master with little time before his blood rage will take hold from being away from the vine for too long. At the last second De Mauriac has a change of heart and wants to keep this package...this boy safe from harm and away from his master. 

The imagery is wonderful and really takes you to another world. At some points it is hard to follow on whose head you are in whether it be the boys or De Mauriac. It is very well thought out and is a fast read due to how much you want to know what happens next. I applaud Cabe with his wonderful piece of work and look forward to reading the next book in his saga! 

Miitopia Demo

Title: Miitopia  Game System: 3DS/2DS  Game type: Casual Dungeon Crawler

You start by picking or creating your mii, you go along and instantly meet the bad guy. The villian takes faces of innocent villagers and puts them on beasts. You must defeat the beasts and monsters and the faces go back to the owner. The big faces that you see him take you have to talk to them to let them have their faces back. You upgrade armor to yourself and your party and feed them and sleep at Inns. The characters in your party interact with each other on their own and its a funny comic relief from the fighting. The closer your party gets with each other the more they will help each other in battle. Your objective is to go through and save everyone and their faces and defeat the boss. 

Now keep in mind this was just the demo so I haven't been able to play it all. However I am hooked and totally need to buy it now. The demo was a load of fun. Also a cool aspect is the progress you make with the demo can transfer to your actual game if you play like I did. I beat the demo in a matter of a couple hours. I was sad to see it end. This game was well thought out and super cute and fun. Great for all ages!!

The Debt: Catch The Zolt

Title: The Debt: Catch The Zolt  Author: Phillip Gwynne  Pages:  275  Genre: Young Adult

At 15 you look forward to all the new gadgets for your birthday. Not a long standing debt your family has. However dear Dominic gets the debt passed down to him on his 15th birthday from his Dad. If he doesn't pay his part of the debt they will take his leg and for a runner that isn't a great thing. In order to save his leg unlike his grandpa he has to do his tasks. First task? Only catching the most notorious online criminal "The Zolt" Now he has to team up with people he doesn't like to keep his leg...great birthday right?

I have a love hate relationship with this book. I enjoyed it to the fact I want to read the rest of the installments however, there isn't as much depth as I would like. There were parts it was hard to continue and not want to throw the book across the room and call it quits. The voices of the characters are great but there is not a lot of depth to Dom and I am hoping there is more depth to come for him. I can see a ton of room for improvement on him.  However it was a quick and fast read and I hope you guys enjoy it as well. 

click here for the book

Stray

Title: Stray   Author:  Andrea K. Höst   Pages:  273  Genre: Sci-Fi

Cassandra was walking home from school like any other day but when she looks up she notices she is not in Australia anymore. She starts a diary documenting her time in this weird place from when she gets there to when a strange guy comes to her and tells her he can take her home. She makes some great friends while learning a new language that is implanted in her brain.
I enjoyed this book for the most part but there were parts I couldn't follow. I liked that she had a way to learn the language but still had difficulties with it. Cassandra was very relate able and was a joy to read through her eyes from her diary.

Soda Dungeon

Title: Soda Dungeon  Game System: Computer  Game Type: Casual Dungeon Crawler

In this game you are you. The tavern keeper and everyone else talks to you and you upgrade the tavern from your winnings from running the dungeon. It is very simple. You can turn on auto and let it play for you. You pick up to 5 people to fight in this dungeon. With each new soda type you buy in the tavern you can get a new type of fighter. There are different type of monsters in the dungeon that you will have to fight, you can warp to other parts and can be caught in sleeping or poison traps. 

This game is very simple and very entertaining to watch and to play. Although it isn't very complicated or interactive you do buy things to help make the dungeon trips easier on you and to get more loot. It's fun to have going on in the background as you are doing other work or playing another game. 

A Discovery of Witches

Title; A Discovery of Witches  Author: Deborah Harkness  Pages: 579  Genre: Fantasy

Diana wasn't your typical witch (if she was would their be a book?) She lost her parents at a young age and didn't want anything to do with magic even though her Aunt tried to get her to. It's not until she is an adult working at a college in England where the twists start. She gets a manuscript that changes everything and to top it off a Vampire is watching her. The vampire Matthew turns into a great ally and friend to keep Diana safe from the new foes that come around because she brought out this manuscript that has the beginning of time of how the creatures were created. From this all of Diana's powers start letting themselves be known and there are a ton of creatures she has to face alone and with Matthew to survive.

I absolutely loved this book. It was recommended to me by a friend and I hated being an adult and having work and kids and responsibilities where I had to put the book down. It got my attention pretty early on and caught my attention more and more as the story was reaching its climax. Deborah did a wonderful job of the story, characters and imagery. I really hope I can find the second book soon so I can continue this story to see what happens next! 

After Disasters

Title: After Disasters  Author: Viet Dinh  Pages: 266  Genre: Fiction

4 gentlemen run towards the disaster that happen and go to help those less fortunate when a natural disaster happens. 

I was not a fan of this book. The images came to life and it made you feel like you were there but to me it jumped from point of view to point of view and it jumbled in my head how it was going and how I got there. It was a wonderful idea and out of my normal books but this isn't one I don't think I can recommend. 

Naked In Death

Title: Naked In Death    Author: J.D. Robb   Pages: 306   Genre: Fiction

Eve Dallas is a great detective, the best New York could get when the world isn't the only place anymore since its in the future and they have space stations. After wrapping up one case she gets thrown into a homicide case. A note says one of six. The leads take her each which way but the most prominent one keeps pointing her to a self-made billionaire named Roarke that every girl wishes she could have. The cases also make Eve remember childhood past that she thought she had forgotten. Is this billionaire so into power he is doing the killings? Is Roarke the person Eve can depend on to help her with her feelings and finally coming to accept the terms of her past?

I had read one of these before and enjoyed it emmensly and decided I needed to start from the beginning. So, here I am reading book one and going to go through the whole series! I loved the relationship that builds between Roarke and Eve and how the case unfolds and how the truth comes out about the killer! Highly recommend this series to everyone that reads or wants to read! 

Big Book of Little Stories and New Spring

Title: Big Book of Little Stories By: Various Authors  Pages:  359 Genre: kids

There are some great stories in this book. From Gingerbread Man to Pinocchio. My kids loved having a small bed time story. It was short and funny and held their attention and they couldn't wait to read another story.

Title: New Spring Author: Robert Jordan Pages: audiobook  Genre: Fantasy

This story is how the world is changing and a new hero is about to be born. Moiraine is set out to find the baby before the dark power can.

I enjoyed this book. It is the first I have read/heard from Robert Jordan. I have been meaning to read Wheel of Time for a while now just haven't gotten to it with so many other books out there! It was a great thing to hear with my husband on our roadtrip with our kids in the car as well :)

All Over The Place

Title: All Over the Place Author: Serena Clarke  Pages: 252 Genre: Fiction

Livi was just looking for her happy ending when her life got turned upside down with media in the middle. She moved to the other side of the world to avoid the embarrassment. Coming home from a long day she runs into a wonderful American and can't get him out of her mind. Accidentally keeping his bag, her friends put her on an adventure to find true love. The love is found but in the least likely of places. I enjoyed this book for the most part but I believe some of the time line was funny and it should have been more clear. It made me laugh and put me on the edge of my seat at others and I have to say I was quite happy with the ending.

Arena One

Title: Arena One   By: Morgan Rice  Pages: 213  Genre: Fantasy

Brooke has been raised by her military father and her Mom just stands by. Thankfully she retained it. America goes crazy and goes to another civil war. A type of people take control called Slaverunners, you join them or you die. Brooke took her sister and her dog up into the mountains and stayed hidden, but then the slaverunners take poor little Bree which sets Brooke into a mission to save her little sister and she meets Ben whom is on the same mission. 

I enjoyed this book, I enjoyed reading like I was Brooke and I was on the mission, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and had a hard time putting it down. Only reason I did was because I had to go to work and take care of my kids. Sometimes it isn't fun being an adult and having responsibilities when all you want to do is read. 

Clockwork Angel

Title: Clockwork Angel   By: Cassandra Clare   Pages: 479   Genre: Fantasy

Tessa is  your ordinary girl, being summoned to London from New York by her dear brother she hasn't seen in a long time. The rest of her family is dead. She gets held captive by some horrible sisters that make her use her power she wasn't aware she had and she got thrust into a world she never knew exsisted! 

This book did hold a lot of the same similarites in character development that Cassandra's other series The Mortal Instruments is. There is enough differences between the two however that you can enjoy both series! I enjoyed it and will continue to read this series!

One of Us

Title: One of us  By: Michael Marshall Smith pages: 349 Genre: Science Fiction

Hap has a job of taking on dreams but what happens when he is willing to take on a memory of a murder? In this time period its not if you did it but what you remember. Hap gets chashed by police and some guys in suits because of what he knows.
It took me from October to beginning of Feburary to read this book, so I'm going to go with I wasn't a huge fan. The writing was great and the thoughts were fluid but I really wasn't into the talking kitchen appliances. I wish it would happen in real life just because that would be pretty cool, but to just drop it in like it was normal on page one confused the crap out of me.