Book Review: The Caretaker of Imagination by Z.R. Southcombe

The Caretaker of Imagination 

(The Caretaker Series Book 1)

by Z.R. Southcombe

Series: The Caretaker Series (Book 1)
Paperback: 94 pages
Publisher: Z. R. Southcombe; 1 edition (April 3, 2015)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 2252 KB
Print Length: 108 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: ZR Southcombe; 1 edition (March 20, 2015)
Publication Date: March 20, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★  

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Z.R. Southcombe. 

My thoughts:

Let me start by saying that my kids rate the books that I read to them. They loved the story though they're surprised to learn that the main character is actually around 40-ish already. Had a hard time explaining the child-like attitude of the man, it did bother them for a while but eventually they liked him and the cat! They find the illustrations cool as it helped them visualize the story. Pirate story is all new to them and it was really, really nice to see them imagining the story while I read this to them. 

Mommies, if you are looking for a good adventure book for your kids, pick this up!

About the book:

For kids looking for a fast-paced, crazy adventure, and grown-ups who want to be lost in childhood magic just one more time. Fans of the whimsy and magic of stories like Alice in Wonderland, or The Chronicles of Narnia will resonate with this story. 

Bored with his normal life, John Carroll runs away with his faithful cat in search of adventure. When he meets a real-life pirate, John realizes there is much more to the world than he’d ever thought possible – magic is real, and in desperate need of a hero. 

John must convince the (once fearsome) Captain Simon Peabody to join him on a fantastic and perilous quest to find the only person who can save magic from being lost forever: the Caretaker of Imagination. 

This wondrous tale harks back to the style of classic children’s literature. Perfect as a read-aloud, it is sure to delight readers of all ages. 


About the author:

Z.R. Southcombe is a writer and artist. She is the author of the wordless picture book What Stars Are Made Of and children's chapter book The Caretaker of Imagination.

Her books are written for children, but with their wild sense of imagination, rich vocabulary and emotional resonance they are loved by readers of all ages.

A true creative, Z.R. usually has a few creative projects on the go, but no matter what project she is currently working on, Z.R. is usually accompanied by a cup of tea.

www.zrsouthcombe.com

Book Review: Unelmoija: The Dreamshifter (Weeia) by Elle Boca

Unelmoija: The Dreamshifter (Weeia) 

Author: Elle Boca
Kindle Edition
File Size: 3262 KB
Print Length: 157 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Poyeen Publishing (November 24, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Kindle Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Elle Boca. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.



Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

My thoughts:

The Dreamshifter is the first book in the Unelmoija series.

The book tells the story of two young people, Amy and Duncan, with special super powers. Amy is able to manipulate dreams, Duncan on the other hand is able to heal and move fast. Of these two powers, what would you like to have? 

The story and twists are interesting. The paranormal-ish stuff gets more interesting, too intriguing past half of the book. I like story lines like this, having super powers and fighting enemies using them. I want my own super powers too! LOL

As for the plot, it is not that complex, easy to follow. I liked Amy and Duncan's friendship. They remind me of the movie, Push, with Dakota Fanning and Chris Evans. This is an enjoyable read. If you are into stories with super powers, you might want to pick up this book. 

About the book:

Unelmoija: The Dreamshifter a pretty yet ordinary young woman's life is transformed beyond her imaginings when a traumatic incident changes her forever. An unexpected encounter with the father she never knew and a mysterious man that repels and attracts her at the same time leads her to discover she's not who she thinks she is. 

About the author:

Elle is the author of the Unelmoija urban fantasy series set in Miami, Florida in the United States. Growing up the only child of a monkey mother and a rabbit father she learned to keep herself entertained and spend time reading.

Elle makes her home with her king cat husband in South Florida. When not writing and creating fantastical beings she likes photographing nature and wildlife, eating baked goods, watching movies, and dreaming of going on safari.

Find me on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/elleboca

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26277297-elle-boca

Book Review: Blood and Thunder by Isabella Fontaine and Ken Brosky

Blood and Thunder 
The Grimm Chronicles Book #5

Authors: Isabella Fontaine and Ken Brosky
Kindle Edition
File Size: 341 KB
Print Length: 118 pages
Publisher: Brew City Press (December 7, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the authors, Isabella Fontaine and Ken Brosky. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

Whoa! I just love this book #5! The story was awesome, definitely a must read for readers looking for a quick but nice read. I just love how the author wove the story incorporating the Grimm's "The Fisherman and His Wife" to Alice's "normal" life. 

Alice caught a magic fish that could grant wishes. . . one wish that she has in mind is to be free. . .  to live a normal life again and to pass the hero stuff to other people. After informing Br'er about this, the rabbit went AWOL, leaving Alice to deal with the hero stuff all by herself. 

The story had my full attention from the first page til the last. It was really fun to see Alice enjoy her life once again and be with normal people. I enjoy seeing her with friends and Seth! I love that guy! Anyway, another interesting character was introduced, Chase. There were some revelations and twists here. Absolutely no boring part, one time reading all the way!

I read about the author's rules about the romance part and was a bit disappointed. I am not that into love triangle thing-y but I think this can be a good one. I look forward to reading more from these authors!  Highly recommended for readers looking for a clean and enjoyable YA stories.

About the book:

Upon making a surprising discovery in a Corrupted's lair, Alice finds herself torn between her responsibilities as the hero and her desire to live a normal life. She's been granted a unique opportunity to leave the entire world of the hero behind. But before she can make her ultimate choice, her nightmares return ...

A ship is coming. And aboard that ship is one of the most terrifying Corrupted creatures Alice has faced yet. In order to face her foe, Alice will have to do without the help of her scorned friend, Br'er Rabbit.

At school, a miraculous recovery by the star of the baseball team prompts more questions, all of them bringing Alice back to that fateful encounter at the orphanage of doom. To make matters worse, a school bully has taken his terrorizing too far, a friend is in trouble, and the mysterious ship in Alice's nightmare holds a terrible secret ...

This story also contains:
- "The Fisherman and His Wife," by the Brothers Grimm
- Chapter one of "Moby-Dick," by Herman Melville.

About the author: 

I received my MFA in fiction writing from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. I've had over a dozen short stories published.

In addition to regularly contributing literary fiction to various journals and magazines, my current project is a Young Adult series called The Grimm Chronicles. Maybe you've heard of it? No? Really? Well ...

My co-author Isabella Fontaine and I devised 3 "rules" for this Young Adult series. They're important to us.

1. There are no love triangles. We've set this as an explicit rule. Our main character might find love, but she won't be hounded by topless boys and she certainly will never spend her time deciding who to spend the rest of her life with.

2. Our hero, Alice, must use her brain to overcome her obstacles. That doesn't mean she can't kick some butt (she definitely can!), but she does have to rely on her knowledge to win the day.

3. Alice will never commit an act of violence against another human being without there being consequences. Sure, she can do battle with evil monsters ... but violence against human beings has real consequences. Too often our heroes of today cause physical pain to people around them in order to achieve victory. Alice is different. Alice respects nonviolence to solve real-world problems, and only uses violence to rid the world of the evil Corrupted.

Book Review: The Orphanage of Doom (The Grimm Chronicles, Book 4)

The Orphanage of Doom 
(The Grimm Chronicles, Book 4) 

Kindle Edition
Authors: Isabella Fontaine and Ken Brosky
File Size: 380 KB
Print Length: 136 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Brew City Press (October 9, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Amazon Link


Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the authors, Isabella Fontaine and Ken Brosky. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

Orphanage of Doom is the 4th book in the Grimm Chronicles. Alice is back in school, she's doing good pretending to be living a normal life but then again, there's this "hero thing" she must attend to. Alice cannot ignore the "hero tasks" because even in her dreams, she sees the Corrupted ones doing bad things to people... and she can't let the Corrupted live knowing people are in constant danger. 

The first story didn't hold my attention probably because I am not familiar with this particular Grimm story. I had to skip to the next and I found the Orphanage story to be better than the first one. I'm happy that Seth is helping Alice do her "hero tasks". I hope they'd be together, like in a relationship *yaaay!* in the next book and I'm so annoyed with Trish! Wish she would leave Seth alone - forever! 

The first in the Grimm series that I did skim through *insert sad face*. Now reading book #5, Blood and Thunder, so far, I'm enjoying it!

About the book:

Senior year of high school has begun. For most students that means settling into classes, doing homework and maybe working part-time over the weekend.

For Alice Goodenough, it means navigating the tricky cliques of her high school, staying on top of her studies and making new friends ... in addition to experiencing more nightmares, more sword training and more doing battle with the Corrupted. 

After facing off with the dreaded dwarf named Sam Grayle, Alice finds her dreams plagued by two separate visions. In one, she's floating through a massive mansion filled with old, dusty furniture and drafty windows. Shadows dance across the wall. Children cry out in terror. A mysterious animal growl echoes through the halls.

In her second dream, a terrible smoke-like creature roams the streets of Minneapolis, feeding off human victims while it plots a terrible revenge that threatens to have far-reaching consequences. Alice must decide which dream to pursue: does she foil the smoke-creature's plot or try to rescue the children from an unseen evil?

This book also contains the following Grimms' fairy tales:
-- The Juniper-Tree
-- The Mister in the Bush

About the author: 

I received my MFA in fiction writing from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. I've had over a dozen short stories published.

In addition to regularly contributing literary fiction to various journals and magazines, my current project is a Young Adult series called The Grimm Chronicles. Maybe you've heard of it? No? Really? Well ...

My co-author Isabella Fontaine and I devised 3 "rules" for this Young Adult series. They're important to us.

1. There are no love triangles. We've set this as an explicit rule. Our main character might find love, but she won't be hounded by topless boys and she certainly will never spend her time deciding who to spend the rest of her life with.

2. Our hero, Alice, must use her brain to overcome her obstacles. That doesn't mean she can't kick some butt (she definitely can!), but she does have to rely on her knowledge to win the day.

3. Alice will never commit an act of violence against another human being without there being consequences. Sure, she can do battle with evil monsters ... but violence against human beings has real consequences. Too often our heroes of today cause physical pain to people around them in order to achieve victory. Alice is different. Alice respects nonviolence to solve real-world problems, and only uses violence to rid the world of the evil Corrupted.

Book Review: Happily Never After by Isabella Fontaine

Happily Never After
The Grimm Chronicles Book #2


Author: Isabelle Fontaine 
File Size: 277 KB
Print Length: 99 pages
Publisher: Brew City Press (June 10, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.



Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Isabella Fontaine. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

This is the second book to The Grimm Chronicles. Both stories are entertaining but I like this Happily Never After better than the first one, Prince Charming Must Die since I just don't have any idea what will happen next, not that familiar with this Grimm story. At some point, I got confused with Cinderella's story. Funny because I had to ask my husband about it if she has dwarfs. It was only at the end of the story that I remember it is Snow White that has seven dwarfs not Cinderella. 

Again, the book did not disappoint like the first one, Prince Charming Must Die. If you are looking for a quick and funny read, try these books. I can't wait to read the next installment!

About the book:

200 years ago, the Brothers Grimm unleashed their stories upon the world.

Literally.

Now the characters of the Grimms’ stories walk among us. With every day that passes, they grow more evil. They are the Corrupted, and only a hero can save them.

For 18-year-old Alice Goodenough, that means taking precious time off from her summer vacation. In addition to volunteering at the local library, Alice must stop the Corrupted who are now actively hunting her down. With the help of her magic pen and her trusty rabbit friend, the world has suddenly gotten a lot more complex. The Corrupted are everywhere, and only Alice can see them for what they truly are!