Showing posts with label MAGIC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MAGIC. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Rambunctious Real

Mr. Real by Carolyn Crane

Beginning to Middle of the Book Rating - 3 gnomes out of 5 gnomes
Ending Rating - 4 gnomes out of 5 gnomes

This book was rather vexing at first because the main character is abrasive (she definitely grows as the book goes along though.)  The magic circumstances in the book tie everything together well even if you’re still left wanting to question some of the main characters decisions.

I want to know more about Alix’s aunt that she inherited the house from. She sounds like quite an interesting lady.  From what happens in the book, I’d be curious to know whether she died of natural causes or something supernatural.

I’ll just go right to the point and say how dumb/reckless Alix seemed to me for a good chunk of the book.  I have a feeling that I’ll like her character better in later books but in this one I loathed her for about a third of the book.  She makes some choices that really had me questioning why exactly she would do something.  It was good to slowly see her becoming more responsible I just wish it had started sooner.

Having a fictional character as one of the points of the view for the book was fantastic because seeing how he operates in this world was intriguing. I was suspicious of him from the beginning but there’s a great twist to his character too.  He’s not real sympathetic at first but he does change eventually for the better.  Having this suave spy charm everybody was a lot of fun but he’s really more dangerous than Alix realizes.  

Paul, the MMA fighter, is a stoic guy who has a dark secret that he doesn’t want anybody to know.  His secrets catch up and pretty much smash him in the face when he takes a detour to a small town in Minnesota.  I loved getting to know more about Paul and seeing how he interacted with everyone else.  

This was probably the most inventive love triangle that I’ve read in quite awhile.  I’m glad it turned out the way it did and am curious to see what relationships happen in later books.  There are some steamy sections of the book and here's hoping there will be more of the same in later books.

The last part of the book was so good and really makes me look forward seeing what happens next.  I hope that the next book has more characters from the fantasy world. 

Friday, September 7, 2012

Angstful Adventures

* Book received from the author for review


Five out of five tiara wearing bats

This was one of those books that I knew by the synopsis that it was going to be a great read.  I had no clue though that it would have me completely hooked by the end of chapter one.  Chapter one is only five pages long. The story hooked my interest fast and kept me along for the ride.  The author was good at keeping you guessing.  Surprises were layered throughout about all characters.

I am an avid fan of the underdog hero and this book may have taken that even farther.  Humor abounds mixed with a good amount of action and fun to make up this story.  I like the setting, it seems like high fantasy but uses common language.  The twists and turns will take you on a wild ride in this world where Magic literally is running rampant.

I think the thing I like most about this book is the difference in the main form of magics that it shows.  Instead of spell casters it is different imbued abilities that some people have.  All with positives and negatives. My favorite character is Rose.  Although I was able to tell what her magic ability was early on I never saw the downside to it coming.  I love that if she had listened to Angst and not come along, they would have all perished at least once.  Score one for Victoria’s judgment in sending her.

I don't want to spoil anything so I’ll just leave it at this, if you’re looking for a great read pick up Angst (yes that really the main character’s name) and see exactly how much a stout, middle aged, stonemancer, office worker, with a  wannabe knight complex, and a
giant sword can do.  



Favorite Quote: “When opportunity knocks, it's typically hard and in the back of the head.” (pg. 61)


* You can find out more about Angst by checking out:

David J. Pedersen's Blog: http://gotangst.blogspot.com
Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/Angst-ebook/dp/B004D4ZZ54/
B&N: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Angst/David-Pedersen/e/2940011870057/

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