This was a fast-paced, dark adventure into Neverland right from the very beginning.
The world of Neverland is expanded into a haunting oasis. BrimmingThis was a fast-paced, dark adventure into Neverland right from the very beginning.
The world of Neverland is expanded into a haunting oasis. Brimming with suspense. I love that books are now adding soundtracks, it adds a whole other layer to the reading experience, and the songs chosen in this were well suited and helped paint the story.
I liked the fact that Tinkerbell had an actual voice in the story and how Wendy is able to understand her speech, very clever! The character backstories were so intriguing and a real testament to the author's imagination.
These characters are so beloved to me that it was hard to read them as being dark or corrupt. The story is not fully fleshed out but there is opportunity to do so in the next book. The character diversity could have been executed better..
All in all this is a fascinating warped and dark tale of story we all know so well. I am interested to see where the author takes us next!
Merged review:
This was a fast-paced, dark adventure into Neverland right from the very beginning.
The world of Neverland is expanded into a haunting oasis. Brimming with suspense. I love that books are now adding soundtracks, it adds a whole other layer to the reading experience, and the songs chosen in this were well suited and helped paint the story.
I liked the fact that Tinkerbell had an actual voice in the story and how Wendy is able to understand her speech, very clever! The character backstories were so intriguing and a real testament to the author's imagination.
These characters are so beloved to me that it was hard to read them as being dark or corrupt. The story is not fully fleshed out but there is opportunity to do so in the next book. The character diversity could have been executed better..
All in all this is a fascinating warped and dark tale of story we all know so well. I am interested to see where the author takes us next!...more
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this read.
What happens if the Evil Queen and Snow White fell in love? Opposites and good vs. evil are 3.5
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this read.
What happens if the Evil Queen and Snow White fell in love? Opposites and good vs. evil are flipped on their heads for different and unique take.
I absolutely loved how the authors interwove other “Disney/fairytale” characters in her story, and how well it all worked together. There were so many interesting elements fused together; fairytales, elementals, mythical creatures etc.
Told in dual POV by the main characters, this worked particularly well building tension between the two as well as combining their feelings and thoughts for their surroundings and each other. (Although Snow did get irritatingly immature at times).
Whilst it is not a read to fully throw yourself in and the ending is quite rushed for all the action incorporated, it is still a quick and very entertaining read. The smut, however, was too spicy for me personally but did not effect the overall novel. I feel like this series has such strong potential and I am keen to read more from this series and see where other stories will lead to
Thankyou to NetGalley and Rose and Star Publishing LLC for this eARC in exchange for an honest review
Yeah...There was way too much hype for a book that couldn't deliver.
When going into this read you will be met with the typical chosen one storyline aYeah...There was way too much hype for a book that couldn't deliver.
When going into this read you will be met with the typical chosen one storyline and heavy elements of How to Train your Dragon and Harry Potter. There is nothing unique in regards to the fantasy genre that makes in such a stand-out read. Skandar is like one half Percy Jackson, the other half Harry Potter, his character lacks individuality.
BUT, in saying that I have to admit the murderous unicorns were and interesting take on these normally benevolent creatures making it an excellent twist. Steadman also has a very engaging writing style that incorporates the classic middle grade fantasy tropes; fantasy schools, chosen one, elemental magic etc.
I do think that this book will appeal to many tweens and become their hottest read, but for myself personally I found this to be lacking.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!...more
A completely magical and captivating read that is a promised fun-filled adventure!
Magical creatures, portal adventures, and a flying bus…Bound has noA completely magical and captivating read that is a promised fun-filled adventure!
Magical creatures, portal adventures, and a flying bus…Bound has no shortage of imagination. I was utterly enthralled from the very first page. It’s like Nevermoor meets The Magic School Bus. (I seriously love Bonnie the bus!) Samantha-Ellen really know how to capture the reader, taking them on a fantastic, whirlwind adventure that bursts with magic across every page. This book is like a rainbow in every sense; its characters, shenanigans, creatures, the lot, and so beautifully rich in folklore. What’s even better is that this will be a series! (begins happy dance)
What I really liked, which was refreshing, was that the characters already know about this world, they’re not discovering it for the first time. It’s like we as the reader are being accepted to come on an adventure with these lovable characters. The characters are just as colourful, strong, and quirky as the book. Ferd gives me Doctor Who vibes and I am all here for them! The dialogue is phenomenal; witty and expressive, written very naturally.
Classed as an ‘epic portal series’, it certainly lives up to it. This was an instant hit! Excuse me while I go take up residence at Seven Wherewithal Way.
A sweeping fantasy romance filled with pirates that makes an impressive debut novel.
Pirates should start making a come-back! The author has taken the A sweeping fantasy romance filled with pirates that makes an impressive debut novel.
Pirates should start making a come-back! The author has taken the language of the sea and spun it into a new and yet familiar tale. The imagery is immersive and Katherine Quinn knows how to write. Her world-building was by far the best and most interesting aspect.
The writing is very wistful, sometimes a bit too much to fully absorb the words, and at times the story was a little bit cliché. It is a slow and lagging pace and the main characters did not particularly stand out to me compared to others I have read (in my opinion).
I can appreciate this book for what it is even though I'm not madly in love with it (if that even makes sense?) I know it will still capture interest and love from other readers, just not from me to continue the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and City Owl Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review...more
Compared to other reviews, I definitely did not like this.
For starters, the story basically throws you in full throttle into the plot, basically smackCompared to other reviews, I definitely did not like this.
For starters, the story basically throws you in full throttle into the plot, basically smack bang on page 1. There is no build up whatsoever. I don't who the character is, who was very 1 dimensional to me (personal opinion) and I don't know about setting, not until you continue though finding out tiny piece by piece.
I was very confused by the target audience. The context has YA (albeit very simplistic) themes but the writing has no depth to it, especially the dialogue, which is filled with so many single sentences!
After reading reviews from others, it is clear that this is an appealing and enjoyable read, so I would still urge people to give it a go, if you are interested by the synopsis. The cover is gorgeous too. This just was not a read for me.
Thankyou to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for this eARC in exchange for an honest review...more
There is a good appeal to younger readers, it's like the School for Good and Evil but set in Camelot.
Filled with adventure, magic, and secrets. The stThere is a good appeal to younger readers, it's like the School for Good and Evil but set in Camelot.
Filled with adventure, magic, and secrets. The story takes a while for it to start, there is a lot of building to get there. Tess has the potential to develop and come into her own as the series progresses, but at this stage she felt more of a character filler and the main bully is a blonde named Brittney, I mean really? Cliché much?
At times it is sometimes too similar to other works (School for Good and Evil, Harry Potter etc.) to really appreciate this as something new. The plot can be halted due to some confusing features in the storytelling, events happening without detail or explanation.
A promising new series, but for me just not promising enough to continue. For anyone who loves Arthurian lore, chosen ones, and magical schools....more
3.5 Wow, this was an epic fantasy. Blends steampunk and high fantasy together with representation of older MC's
It is carefully planned and written exc3.5 Wow, this was an epic fantasy. Blends steampunk and high fantasy together with representation of older MC's
It is carefully planned and written exceptionally in narration. What I really liked is that the main character, Ellaria, is aged in her forties, which we don't see in a lot of fantasy genres, and is still a badass. There is not a lot of representation in women of middle age in fantasy, which I found to be delivered well and made for a compelling main character.
It is very detailed-orientated, which I found to be too much sometime. Everything is described is in minute detail.. At the start it is quite confusing and often overwhelming meeting all the characters and the info-dumping of the world and its history. There were too many elements happening at once
A good start to this grand new saga.
Thankyou to Netgalley and MysticHawk Press LLC for this eARC in exchange for an honest review...more
3.5 A great and concise way to bring classic literature to early readers.
The illustrations are perfect to capture children's engagement.
It's pretty ba3.5 A great and concise way to bring classic literature to early readers.
The illustrations are perfect to capture children's engagement.
It's pretty basic in the storytelling, of course it's not going to be as substantial as the original, but for kids it is a good summarization. Kudos to the author for adapting such a powerful, dark, and melancholy story into something simple and easy to read for youngsters. Also great as a quick refresher if you need to know the basis of the classic.
I hope Baudet's novel gives its readers the interest and the urge to find out more and to read the original tale. Everything is diluted for a much younger audience or for people who have difficulty reading the orginal text. Because of this the characters are slightly understated.
Thankyou to Netgalley and and Sweet Cherry Publishing for providing me this eARC in exchange for an honest review....more
I don't normally go for graphic novels, and I'll admit this was an accidental click, but it was actually a really delightful read! It's like FerngullyI don't normally go for graphic novels, and I'll admit this was an accidental click, but it was actually a really delightful read! It's like Ferngully meets Spiderwick Chronicles as a graphic novel.
The artwork is super cute and enchanting, perfectly harmonizing with the sweet story. I loved all the wonderful and colourful creatures that were pure magic. The little beings were depicted like true fae folk.
The story has such a heart-warming relationship between Elina and her grandmother, and the magical bind that they share together. Something I think most children think with their own grandparents. I know I did, and still do!
Children in search of magical reads have found their next obsession!...more
Out of all Margaret Rogerson's books this would be my least favourite, however it is still a good read.
It has an interesting concept that mixes religiOut of all Margaret Rogerson's books this would be my least favourite, however it is still a good read.
It has an interesting concept that mixes religion and necromancy, although sometimes confusing as a magic system. I mean you have to give an applause to the author for her outstanding imagination. The world-building is solid and once again we are graced with another stunning cover!
For me there wasn't a strong connection to the MC but it does have the potential to develop into something better. The story just wasn't as engaging and it took a while for the story to build and start.
I would still encourage people to give this a go as I'm sure it will capture most readers, just not for me. Thankyou to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for this eARC in exchange for an honest review...more
Thankyou to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me this eARC an exchange for an honest review.
I'm glad this was just a sampThankyou to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me this eARC an exchange for an honest review.
I'm glad this was just a sample copy because I DNF.
This is basically a story of the MC's narration. He is telling the plot which means every single sentence as quotations marks and it makes for a dull and boring start to the read. I personally do not like the style of narration. A lot of telling within telling.
After reading the bits that I did and seeing the author's description of the book it is just way too much me. There is some really vile stuff that goes on and what has been implied further on to reading. Also if the book's first page has the 'C' word, it's already lost my attention. (Personal Opinion)...more
A sweet and charming story that blends traditional and modern fairytales together to create a masterful new story. A new re-telling of the 12 dancing A sweet and charming story that blends traditional and modern fairytales together to create a masterful new story. A new re-telling of the 12 dancing Princesses.
Comparable with the Princess Bride. It has a good dash of fantasy and romance, more so a different take on romance. Classic fairytale vibes with entertaining antics and humour. There are great and imaginative cameo appearances from other fairy tale characters.
This is a very short but refreshing read. I would call it a palette-cleanser, something after a heavy read. The writing is delightful and magical.
A classic plot which entails a magical quest, witch's curse, cute romance, whole lot of comedic gold, and that happily ever after does not mean its without its struggles....more
This story and it's set up was really messy. The premise sounded so good, but its delivery was not so good.
Every few pages are filled with info dumpinThis story and it's set up was really messy. The premise sounded so good, but its delivery was not so good.
Every few pages are filled with info dumping. There were way too many characters that had no depth to establish any sort of connection. The world-building was sooo messy; it's labelled as an alternative history mixed with well know literary place that just became altogether butchered. The story was trying to be too many things at once which made it very confusing and poorly executed.
The chapter titles are cringy and eyerolling juvenile. The Carly Rae Jepsen chapter title was so cringeworthy and was when I first lost interest in the book. I don't even know what the actual plot was about, was there any?
It did have a good dose of diverse characters which was its only redeeming point but even that fell flat at completion.
An exciting and engaging adventure that masterfully weaves Shakespeare's iconic characters together to create and original story. This is a great w3.5
An exciting and engaging adventure that masterfully weaves Shakespeare's iconic characters together to create and original story. This is a great way for younger readers to be introduced to Shakespeare's classics.
The narration is written quickly which gets straight to the action but fails to grasp a connection for the reader with the two protagonists. I was also slightly confused at times in the beginning with the time/place jumps.
Still an interesting and creative read for bard enthusiasts and beginners to the world of Shakespeare...more
Thankyou you to NetGalley and One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
To all my fellow witches, this is a woThankyou you to NetGalley and One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
To all my fellow witches, this is a wonderfully whimsical and magical read!
Alice and Lily have this amazing friendship (reminds me a bit of Agatha and Sophie (opposites attract) but a lot more wholesome and beautiful). It has smart and strong female characters at its core. This gives of strong ‘Anne of Green Gables’ vibes but more fantastical and mystical.
It is filled with a whole lot of heart, journey of self-discovery, classic good vs evil trope but witches style, and definitely what others have been describing it as cottagecore fantasy (calmly sips tea while trying to reign in the ecstatic feels). A very sweet story that represents LGBTQI+
A great debut of a novel, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am so excited that this series will be continuing. I am one keen bean!...more
A great addition to add to a child's classic library.
This is a very simplified and good collection of Shakespeare's acclaimed stories. Personally I woA great addition to add to a child's classic library.
This is a very simplified and good collection of Shakespeare's acclaimed stories. Personally I would have liked more depth to the stories, but it is a great introduction to the world of Shakespeare for children, and covers the basic plot.
The plays are captured in brief chapters, accompanied by many charming illustrations (which were particularly my favourite part of the whole book) It's admirable seeing writers bring new simplified versions to children of the greatest literature classics. Target audience recommendation 7-11 years.
A wonderful way for kids to appreciate the writing genius of William Shakespeare....more
This was so bloody and so gruesome…and yet I could not stop reading! Is thing going to be a series? Because it really should be, I want more!
An epic aThis was so bloody and so gruesome…and yet I could not stop reading! Is thing going to be a series? Because it really should be, I want more!
An epic adventure filled with pirates, sorcerers, demons, and monsters, a real diverse and imaginative cast. Our protagonists are NOT the heroes, far from it, they are morally corrupt and totally evil in some cases, broken and tormented, but united against one powerful foe.
The story’s is so original! It’s like suicide squad but 10 times more darker, funnier, and grisly. I am really surprised by how much I loved this book! Most of its content is a big turn off for me but somehow Cameron Johnston has just made a gripping read that uses certain elements in just the right way! I made so many sound effects while reading this: from laughing, to gasping, to sniffling, to gagging.
I was entirely hooked and engrossed. It has violence, language, gross bodily descriptions, highly immoral characters, and hilarious banter, makes up for one crazy action-filled ride!...more
A wholesome fairy adventure full of magic! A great introduction to fantasy and the classic 'portals to worlds' trope for young readers.
I wouldn't callA wholesome fairy adventure full of magic! A great introduction to fantasy and the classic 'portals to worlds' trope for young readers.
I wouldn't call this a stand out novel but it does have its merit to a much younger age group who will really adore this story. It's simple and easy to understand. A perfect light read for children transitioning to chapter books.
It reminded me of reading similar magical books when I was a kid, which was really nice to reminisce.
It's an incredibly fast-paced read, at only 110 pages. Adult readers will finish this within 30 minutes, but for children it's a good starter for them....more
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