leannarapier's reviews
114 reviews

I loved this book from beginning to end even though it was sad. Sad and magical. The author nailed the nostalgia, mystery, magic, and fear that makes up childhood. The boy reminded me so much of my childhood with his sad birthday party and how adults think they can just replace a beloved pet that I literally cried through the first two chapters. I just wanted to give him a hug and tell him it would be okay.

First I want to talk about the series as a whole since this is the last book. I would rate the series as a whole with 5 stars. I rated every book except this last one with 5 stars (I’ll talk about why next). What really made this series great, what makes any fantasy series great, is that the author managed to create believable characters in a “real” world, and with an intriguing plot. First her characters were well-rounded people whose thoughts and actions made them feel like real people. Second, she created a world that felt real. Sure it had fantastic elements, but it felt big and complete, and she did it without boring you with long descriptions. Finally, the plot had plenty of turns and wasn’t predictable. Sure the main character, Laia, I felt certain could not die. But the other two main characters Elias and Hellene, I was never certain of their immortality, and feared for them many times.

The reason I docked a star for this last book, is the first 3/4 felt slow. The last quarter was gripping and the end satisfactory. I think the reason it fell short with me is because my favorite character was Elias and he was not himself through most of the book since he was the Soul Catcher. Also, I really loved Keris as the antagonist, and she was absent till the end. The scene where she finally finds peace as a ghost brought me to tears, but it would have been even more powerful had she been brought into more of the story. I realize the Nightbringer was the main antagonist, but I didn’t identify with his story as closely as Keris’.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts on the story. Great fantasy series.

Christian fantasy that is clearly Christian

Creator’s Call is a fantasy novel with biblical elements. If you are uncomfortable with Christian themes, this might not be the book for you. However, for those looking for an unambiguously Christian fantasy, Creator’s Call fits the bill. It seamlessly marries fantasy with New Testament elements—a Creator God, a Deliverer that has recently come, preaching, and new found faith. It felt like reading a New Testament biblical fiction, but in a fantasy world with dragons. There isn’t magic in the traditional fantasy sense such as wizards casting magic, but rather powers of a supernatural source. On the side of the dark lord, there are those that are demon possessed and have unnatural abilities. There is also a woman who uses spells to seduce men to do her will. Those belonging to the Creator are given “gifts” but these come from God, and are not enchantments or something they can use at will. Creator’s Call clearly defines the lines of good and evil, and that the battle they are fighting is a spiritual one. I appreciate the author’s clear salvation message throughout the book.

Overall, I found the plot to be entertaining, although somewhat predictable. The main character, Edward, was likable and well-rounded. I felt like June and David were both a little too perfect. My biggest criticism would be that I felt the inner struggles and interpersonal conflicts of the characters were too easily and quickly resolved, which left the book lacking in tension in that regard. A minor criticism would be that their speech was too polite, making their conversations feel unnatural. I’m not in the dragon riding fan club, but nonetheless the dragons, their history, and the ability of a rider to bond with one was interesting, and the parts with Edward and Sarai (a dragon) were my favorite. That they made their armor from the dragon’s shed skin was cool.

As far as the villains were concerned, I felt Zane was a little flat in that a lust for power and control seemed to be his only motivation. Of course, those are very real motivations, I just personally like a little more depth. Rachel was the more interesting villain for me as her motivations went beyond just a desire for wealth and fame, but sprung from a desire to be loved, which led her to seek it from the wrong sources. Also there was a little plot twist with her that I had not suspected, so I won’t spoil that in this review.

I would recommend Creator’s Call to those looking for clean, Christian fantasy. It would be enjoyable and appropriate for ages 13-adult. I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review his book.

This is an ARC review, and my honest opinions. I was not paid for a particular response.

The Golem and the Jinni is a historical fantasy and one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It is a character driven story and although it’s not “action packed” it never felt slow because the characters are so compelling, even the minor characters. One of the things I liked about it was that the two main characters are not human. Somehow, nonhuman characters have a way of grasping human nature more effectively in the same way fantasy often reflects reality through the fantastic. I will definitely be reading the sequel, but it wraps up the plot enough to be a stand alone novel. I probably overrate the books I read, so I wish I could give this one 6 stars.

I read this aloud to my 12-year-old daughter after we finished The Secret Garden by the same author. She enjoyed this book, though slightly less than the previous. She had unfortunately already seen a movie version of this book, which has the father alive at the end. The book is clear that he died. I think she was disappointed by this. Although I much prefer the book over the movie. We occasionally had to pause to look up a meaning of a word, but I consider this a good thing. I think it’s important to build a child’s vocabulary and too often books meant for children are dumbed down. Burnett does not make this mistake. But it is not a difficult book to read, and it was easily comprehended by my daughter.

I first read Frankenstein as a Great Illustrated Classic as a child. I felt in the mood to revisit it and read the full version. It was an enjoyable read in the relaxing and thought provoking manner of writing employed in older books, and full of plenty of quotable material. Rather than the fast paced plots and frequent cliffhanger chapter endings used by modern writers as if they feared losing the attention of their readers, Mary Shelly instead develops the character slowly from childhood until you feel you know him and are wholly invested in his outcome. The only thing I disliked was the first 4 Letters it took to get into the main story, which I thought too long and filled with trivial information that didn’t pertain to Frankenstein.

I read this book as a child. I don’t remember a whole lot about it other than I was confused and thought the book was weird. But I think I was only 10 and struggled with comprehension. I decided to give it another go as an adult. I actually enjoyed it immensely, and found it relevant to today’s events. Based on my experience, I would recommend this book for ages 13+ unless a child is at a higher reading level for their age.

I am embarrassed to say that this was my first time reading an Agatha Christie mystery. I watched the movie adaptation to Murder on the Orient Express and loved it. I didn’t want to read the book of a movie I had seen recently, so I decided on this one. It kept me glued to the pages, and I was completely puzzled by the end as to who committed the murders. Superb mystery.

Malfunction is a fast-paced, post-apocalyptic sci-fi where humans face extinction. The world has been stripped of its atmosphere. Humans live underground in a strict society. Dangerous aliens live on the surface devouring any that would venture up. Scientists conduct questionable experiments on humans with alien genes and tech in an effort to survive.

The story follows three people: Menrva, a geneticist; Cowl, an outcast; and Bas, a Cyborg. Together they discover a terrible secret that the City has kept from its people.

I liked the characters. Menrva seemed shallow at first, but she grew on me. Cowl occasionally got on my nerves, but maybe he was supposed to. He’s a bit morally gray, but he has a soft spot for his friend. I adore Bas, who is both strong and sensitive.

I do wish there was a little more descriptive writing. I had to use a lot of my own imagination to picture the City and the Pit. However, I thought the contrast between the sterile City and Dust Town was really good.

The plot and the stakes quickly ramp up toward the end of the book with a surprising and heart wrenching ending.

Notes: There is a lot of swearing in this book, mostly S***.

I really enjoyed this story. It’s something I would have fallen in love with at 13, but was still a superb story to read as an adult. There’s perhaps a little bit of a Narnia vibe to it. Though the protagonists is a girl, it’s not a girly story. Not because Cora isn’t feminine, but because she faces trials that anyone can empathize with. I think my son would enjoy this fantasy too, and I’m going to recommend it to him.

Even though the entirety of the story takes place almost solely within the limits of a remote town, you get the impression that it’s part of a much larger world. The town lives in fear of their Winter King and Cora is determined to confront him and uncover the truth. I appreciate how Cora grows to realize that sometimes doing the right thing, but in the wrong way, hurts those she wants to help.

I also really like the two male characters Peder and Marten. The romantic elements are mild and don’t drown the story. They are really more about friendship than romance. Both boys show kindness to Cora, but there is a clear distinction between the respectfulness of Peder and the arrogance of Marten. Peder is the sort of boy I’d like my son to be like, while Marten is the sort I’d want my daughter to steer clear of. However, despite the underlying cruel nature of Marten, I don’t think he’s completely irredeemable. He is sadly a product of his cruel father. I would love to see a future story with his POV where he comes to see the error of his ways. Also, hopefully a glimpse of the southern lands.