Changed by Trust (Razor’s Edge Chronicles, #7) by Celine Jeanjean – Review

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5 stars, Adventure, Book Review, Celine Jeanjean, magic, paranormal, series, urban fantasy

Review of Changed by Trust

Just when things are going so good with Apiya and Sarroch, things get complicated between the Mundanes and the Mayak. Well, it was complicated before, but now disaster is about to strike. It all begins when Apiya and her mortal enemy, Yue, are kidnapped by some mercenary Mundanes. If you must know, the kidnapping is just the beginning. Apiya has a huge task in front of her. Escape from the kidnappers, keep Yue from killing her and prevent an all-out war between the Mayak and Mundanes. No problem. And if that all works out, she an Sarroch might get to go on another date. I’m rooting for you two kids!

This series continues to charm me with its setting, quirky characters, ongoing (very slow burn) romance and Apiya’s menagerie. Changed by Trust even takes Celine Jeanjean fans to a place they’ve been before and perhaps did not expect to go again! I loved this surprise trip! I know, a little cryptic, but I don’t want to spoil anything!

Change by Trust is another short novel in this series. I have enjoyed every one of them. Reading the series in order is best. If you start with this book, you are just want to go back and start at the beginning. Trust me.

Many thanks to the author who provided a copy of her book. My review is my honest opinion.

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About Changed by Trust by Celine Jeanjean

How did I wind up chained with silver and pumped full of drugs to keep me unconscious? Good question.

I was under the impression that there was no crisis on the horizon, and that I was therefore free to go with Sarroch for our first proper date. Except that I’m clearly a glutton for punishment, because instead of just enjoying myself, I couldn’t help but feel like I needed to talk to Yue, to clear the air. So even though it went against every survival instinct, I set up a meeting with her.

Surprisingly, Yue didn’t end up being the biggest problem I faced, despite her very clear desire to rid the world of me. The masked kidnappers who injected us with drugs and silver in order to grab us are clearly far more dangerous.

Which is how I find myself groggy, chained with silver, with no idea of where I am or who kidnapped us and why. Now not only do I need to find a way to get out of this mess, but I need to do it while collaborating with Yue, which is a bit like trying to work with a rabid dog and hoping you don’t get bitten.

I really hope I’m able to get away from our kidnappers while surviving Yue so I can make it to a second date with Sarroch.

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Mayatte’s Catharsis: A Feathered Serpent Reborn by Jack E. Mohr – Review

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4 stars, Adventure, Book Review, fantasy, folk tale, Jack E. Mohr, young adult

Review of Mayatte’s Catharsis

Jack E. Mohr’s original young adult story has the feel of a folk tale.  It is set on a mythical island inhabited by people who prefer to keep themselves – a lesson they have learned from history. 

When shipwrecked explorers wash up on the island’s shore, the curiosity of youth has Naña and her friend Morchato greeting the strangers.  One of the strangers becomes ill, so Naña takes it upon herself to give aid.  A cure may be possible, but it will mean a dangerous undertaking to obtain it. 

Naña will encounter dangerous travel conditions, vicious creatures, and the magic of a goddess while being helped – and hindered – by one of the strangers.  This is very much a coming of age mission for Naña, one that will be the stepping stone to greater things. 

As often happens in these types of stories, Naña’s kindness toward the island’s visitors is met with the stranger’s greed, sparking yet another very important transformational mission for Naña.

The story ends quite abruptly (and frustratingly), leaving the reader to imagine how Naña becomes the savior of her people and a great leader.

Steeped in mysticism, emotion, bravery and discovery, Mayatte’s Catharis will appeal to young readers of fantasy. 

Thanks to the author who provide a copy of this book.  My review is my honest opinion.

About Mayatte’s Catharsis by Jack E. Mohr

The mythical Island of Mayatte was never meant to be discovered by anyone, and its natives are about to find out why.

When a ship of foreigners crashes along the coast, everyone but Naña is wary of their inexplicable arrival. While others are suspicious and fearful, Naña is curious and even helpful, especially when one of the outsiders becomes gravely ill. But her goodwill might be a fatal flaw that puts the entire island in jeopardy.

While she grows closer to the foreigners, they discover something that could revolutionize the outside world. A resource so powerful, they’re compelled to harvest it at any cost. Naña is now pit against forces that could wipe her people from existence. How can she stop an enemy that’s more powerful than any of them can handle?

Mayatte’s Catharsis is a bittersweet tale of humanity in all its madness. Follow Naña through mystic battles, political unrest, and acts of kindness with magic leading every step of the way.

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A Curious Invasion (The Adventures of Smith and Jones, #1) by Marie Andreas – Review

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4.5 stars, action, Adventure, aliens, Book Review, Marie Andreas, scifi, series, Steampunk, vampires

Review of A Curious Invasion

A Curious Invasion is pure fun! The fact that it is hard to pin down to a genre is half of the reason. Steampunk, scifi, urban fantasy, adventure – all of those! Steam-driven devices, little grey men, vampires, witches and clairvoyants all play not-so-nice together, making for pretty much non-stop action. Really, it never stops. I felt exhausted for the core characters by the end! And based on all these elements, you can only imagine the variety of scrapes the heroines and heroes get into.

The other half reason this book is so fun is Nettie Jones. Miss Jones, Dr. Jones, Agent Jones, or just Nettie. Whatever you call her, Nettie is full of spunk and curiosity. Nettie’s inquisitive and analytical nature is what appeals to me most. This is appropriate for an investigating agent of the Society for the Exploration of the Unexplainable. Though it does sometimes sidetrack the agent when the mission is critical. But she has several fellow agents to help keep her on track.

The evil vampires and invading aliens did not have much a voice in this story, which means I didn’t really get a sense of why they were doing what they were doing. Just that they needed to be stopped. Still, this gives the first book of the series plenty of room to haul out the whole team to show what they can do to save the day.

The series title, The Adventures of Smith and Jones, is misleading. At least for book 1. Jones is the one and only main character. Smith is pretty much secondary. It does make for a great series name though. Perhaps Smith will get a bigger role in the next book.

If you are looking for adventure, fun, absolutely no seriousness, and plenty of tea, A Curious Invasion fits the bill.

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About A Curious Invasion

In an Alternative Victorian London, England has a new queen–she just happens to be undead.

Dr. Nettie Jones is a new agent for The Society for the Exploration of the Unexplainable, a secret organization protecting England from unnamed sources. Being half-vampire is an added complication.

The Society doesn’t yet appreciate Nettie but fate steps in when invaders from a dying planet begin following her the same day Queen Victoria chooses to be turned into a vampire.

Things become dangerously interwoven when Nettie discovers that a supposed accident was in fact an act of betrayal by one of the agents of the Society. The first shot in a larger conspiracy

Nettie and her fellow Society agents must pull together to thwart the alien invaders, fight off the vampire infestation, and rescue the Queen from becoming the longest ruling undead monarch, even if that rescue is against her will.

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