Tag: survival
Book Review:'Merry Apocalypse' by C.A. King
A sobering tale set on Christmas Eve.
What happens to a world where things are valued more than people? In the midst of songs and stories about jolly old Santa comes a tale of foreboding and darkness that speaks to a materialistic and selfish world.
The story immerses the reader in an environment where "naughty" far outweighs "nice", and where the consequences affect all of humanity. Yet still, even in the depravity and darkness, a small flicker of hope survives— perhaps just for one more night.
'Merry Apocalypse' is a well-crafted short story with a powerful message. We may not be experiencing the apocalypse, but its warning is relevant and timely.
'Merry Apocalypse' has been awarded a Silver Acorn.
Find your copy here.
Author bookssquirrelPosted on December 29, 2018 December 31, 2018 Categories Acorn Awards, Book Review, Books, Dystopian, Fiction, Great Reads, Novelette, Post-Apocalyptic, Short Reads, Short Story, Silver AcornTags Book Recommendations, Book Suggestions, Books For Christmas, Books With Strong Female Role Models, Books Worth Reading, Dark Fiction, Indie Authors, not for kids, survival, violence, What To Read, What To Read Next, Women Authors, Women Writers, WorthReading, WritersWorthReadingLeave a comment on Book Review:'Merry Apocalypse' by C.A. King
Book Series Review: The 'Dragonhall Chronicles' by Mirren Hogan
A beautifully written and evocative fantasy series.
'The Dragonhall Chronicles' consist of three novellas that introduce Hogan's 'Reasoner Trilogy' that takes place in the same world.
Nerra's Flight' introduces Nerra, a young adult magin, living in a world in which even the ability to use magic is punishable by death, and tells of her attempt to escape those who would punish her for her abilities. Dragons, suspense and adventure await! The story is engaging and interesting, and the reader quickly warms to both Nerra and her sister. It's a brief but enchanting introduction to this series of stories, of which I am definitely keen to read more.
More suspenseful than the first novella, 'Nerra's Run' picks up the tale some years later. Children with magical abilities are still being captured and killed, and the authorities are still pursuing Nerra. The author establishes a strong sense of foreboding that continues to build as the story develops. Older and still determined to defy those who want her captured and killed, Nerra remains a character whose bravery and determination are admirable, and with whom the reader can sympathise strongly. She is developed with additional depth in this story in ways which both increase the reader's affection and support for her, and fill them with anxiety for her future.
The third short story of the Dragonhall prequels to Dragonhaze, 'Nerra's Children' is darker and more sobering than the others. The magin are still being persecuted and put to death, and Nerra faces challenges more heartbreaking than ever before. Although older and less impulsive, Nerra remains the strong, loyal woman that we have seen her become in her first two stories.
The action in each story moves at a steady pace, carrying the reader along as the tension rises.
By the time the reader finishes this third instalment, they are familiar with Nerra and her world, and keen to discover more in the pages of Dragonhaze, the novel that starts the Reasoner Trilogy.
This beautifully written and evocative fantasy series has been awarded a Gold Acorn for overall excellence in storytelling.
Find this series, and other excellent books by Mirren Hogan, on Kobo, Amazon, Nook, and other stores.
Author bookssquirrelPosted on August 5, 2018 August 4, 2018 Categories Acorn Awards, Australian Author, Book Review, Book Series, Books, Books for Grownups, Books for YA, Brilliant Reads, Dark Elements, Fantasy, Fiction, Gold Acorn, Great Reads, Highly Recommended, Magical, Novelette, Series, Short Reads, Short StoriesTags Book Recommendations, Book Series Worth Reading, Books With Dragons, Books With Great Female Characters, Books With Strong Female Role Models, Books Worth Reading, Fantasy Series, Magic, survival, What To Read, What To Read NextLeave a comment on Book Series Review: The 'Dragonhall Chronicles' by Mirren Hogan
'Nerra's Children: A Dragonhall Chronicles Story' by Mirren Hogan
Nerra's Children is the third short story of the Dragonhall prequels to Dragonhaze,
The third short story of the Dragonhall prequels to Dragonhaze, 'Nerra's Children' is darker and more sobering than the others. The magin are still being persecuted and put to death, and Nerra faces challenges more heartbreaking than ever before.
Although older and less impulsive, Nerra remains the strong, loyal woman that we have seen her become in her first two stories. By the time the reader finishes this third story, they are familiar with Nerra and her world, and keen to discover more in the pages of Dragonhaze, the novel that follows.
Like the others in the series, this evocative story is very well written.
This poignant and evocative story has been awarded a Silver Acorn.
Author bookssquirrelPosted on April 20, 2018 April 18, 2018 Categories Acorn Awards, Australian Author, Book Review, Books, Books for Grownups, Books for YA, Dark Elements, Fantasy, Fiction, Great Reads, Magical, Series, Short Reads, Short Stories, Silver AcornTags Book Recommendations, Books Worth Reading, Magic, Short Stories, survival, YA BooksLeave a comment on 'Nerra's Children: A Dragonhall Chronicles Story' by Mirren Hogan
'Nerra's Run: A Dragonhall Chronicles Story' by Mirren Hogan
Nerra's Run is the second of three short story prequels to Dragonhaze.
The sequel to 'Nerra's Flight', this second instalment in the Dragonhall Chronicles short story series is set some years later. Children with magical abilities are still being captured and killed, and the authorities are still pursuing Nerra.
'Nerra's Run' is darker and more suspenseful than the first. The author establishes a strong sense of foreboding that continues to build as the story develops. Older and still determined to defy those who want her captured and killed, Nerra remains a character whose bravery and determination are admirable, and with whom the reader can sympathise strongly. She is developed with additional depth in this story in ways which both increase the reader's affection and support for her, and fill them with anxiety for her future.
The action in this short story moves at a steady pace, carrying the reader along as the tension rises.
Once again, Mirren Hogan has excelled in her storytelling craft.
This beautifully written story has been awarded a Silver Acorn.
Author bookssquirrelPosted on April 19, 2018 August 4, 2018 Categories Acorn Awards, Australian Author, Book Review, Books, Books for Grownups, Books for YA, Dark Elements, Fantasy, Fiction, Great Reads, Magical, Series, Short Reads, Short Stories, Silver AcornTags Book Recommendations, Books Worth Reading, Magic, Short Stories, survival, YA BooksLeave a comment on 'Nerra's Run: A Dragonhall Chronicles Story' by Mirren Hogan
'Nerra's Flight: A Dragonhall Chronicles Story' by Mirren Hogan
Nerra's Flight is the first of three short story prequels to Dragonhaze.
Nerra's filght introduces Nerra, a young adult magin, living in a world in which even the ability to use magic is punishable by death.
The first of Nerra's stories, 'Nerra's Flight' tells of her attempt to escape those who would punish her for her abilities. Dragons, suspense and adventure await!
The story is engaging and interesting, and the reader quickly warms to both Nerra and her sister. It's a brief but enchanting introduction to this series of stories, of which I am definitely keen to read more.
Author bookssquirrelPosted on April 18, 2018 Categories Acorn Awards, Australian Author, Book Review, Books, Books for Grownups, Books for YA, Dark Elements, Fantasy, Fiction, Great Reads, Magical, Series, Short Reads, Short Stories, Silver AcornTags Book Recommendations, Books Worth Reading, Magic, Short Stories, survival, YA BooksLeave a comment on 'Nerra's Flight: A Dragonhall Chronicles Story' by Mirren Hogan
Book Review: 'The Celtic Curse: Newgrange' by D.J. Doyle
A gritty read for lovers of dark fiction.
This is a dark, gritty and fatalistic story of ancient beliefs, rituals and powers that grapple for control of the future of the world as we know it. Doyle builds the story masterfully, complete with twists that take the reader's breath away and a sense of urgency that grows as the action escalates.
The contrasts between the different characters and their personal ethics are really interesting, and serve as a reminder that human nature is flawed and can, when devoted solely to an ideology or even to oneself, be truly evil without any additional help from the spiritual realm.
'The Celtic Curse: Newgrange' is a highly original and often macabre tale crafted from strands of legend, religion, ancient culture, sex, superstition, loyalty and friendship.
It does contain adult content and violence, so is suitable for an adult audience. If you like your fiction dark and your endings darker, this book is for you.
Book Squirrel has awarded this book a shiny Gold Acorn.
Find it on Amazon.
Author bookssquirrelPosted on January 9, 2018 January 15, 2018 Categories Book Review, Books, Books for 18+, Books for Grownups, Dark Elements, Fiction, Gold Acorn, Great Reads, Horror, Indie Authors, Mystery & Intrigue, Supernatural ElementsTags Adults Only, Book Recommendations, Books, Books Worth Reading, Dark Elements, Fiction, Horror, Indie Authors, Reading, survival, Suspense, violence, Women Authors, Women Writers, WorthReading, WritersWorthReadingLeave a comment on Book Review: 'The Celtic Curse: Newgrange' by D.J. Doyle
Book Review: 'Souls Asunder' by Miranda Brock
Miranda Brock has definitely cemented her place in my shortlist of "one click authors" whose books I will buy in a heartbeat.
It is a skilful writer who develops the characters in such a way that the reader visualises them in all their different expressions, holds their breath in moments of suspense, and only realises they were doing so when they let that breath go.
Miranda Brock is one such writer.
The sequel to Souls Discovered, this is the second in Miranda Brock's The Keeper's Way series for young adults and older. Brock has crafted another exciting and deeply involving story in which The Keeper, Autumn, and her Searchers confront the terrible powers of evil in their efforts to rid the world of those very powers. There is plenty of action to keep the story going, and there are a number of absolutely gut-wrenching moments that keep the reader absolutely enthralled.
Just as Autumn and her Searchers know each other better and have a stronger connection in the second book, the reader also feel a stronger bond with the central characters because they, too, know them better now. I didn't even realise how much I had invested emotionally in this book until I finished it.
After reading Book 1, I knew better than to expect a predictable ending in the sequel, and Souls Asunder does not disappoint. I'm so keen for Book 3 and dead keen to know what happens next.
Because Book Squirrel was giving star ratings rather than Acorn Awards when he reviewed Book One, both books in The Keeper's Way series are receiving a shiny Gold Acorn today.
The Keeper's Way series is available on Amazon.
Author bookssquirrelPosted on November 15, 2017 November 15, 2017 Categories Acorn Awards, Books, Books for Grownups, Books for YA, Dark Elements, Fantasy, Fiction, Gold Acorn, Novel, Paranormal, Romance, Series, Supernatural ElementsTags Books, Fantasy, Fiction, justice, Magic, Novel, Paranormal, Reading, Romance, Series, survival, violenceLeave a comment on Book Review: 'Souls Asunder' by Miranda Brock