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review 2021-11-01 01:16
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
The Rabbit Listened - Cori Doerrfeld

This book is so cute! The relationship between Taylor and the animals was adorable. Do you listen? I mean really listen. It might take a while. Are you willing to wait and hear the whole story?

Taylor had made an amazing structure out of blocks but as he's admiring it a flock of black crows knocks it down. Devasted, Taylor is sad, mad, upset…...you name it, Taylor is feeling it. One-by-one different animals come walking up to Taylor to offer him advice about the destruction. From the chicken who wanted Taylor to "talk, talk, talk about it!" to the bear who wanted Taylor to "shout about it! Garrr!" because he thought Taylor had to be angry about it, I thought this book was adorable. Every animal had a different way for Taylor to deal with the issue. Taylor listens to the animals but he doesn't follow their advice so each of the animals leave, leaving Taylor alone.

Finally, a rabbit hops in and snuggles next to Taylor. The rabbit says nothing but Taylor can feel the rabbit next to him. Taylor likes the rabbit and eventually Taylor starts talking to the rabbit. The rabbit and Taylor form this close bond as Taylor continues talking, moving, yelling, etc. as the rabbit listened. You need to see the illustrations to appreciate this book. It's the energy in this book, the feelings that we all can relate to, great illustrations and the relationship that the two of them form, that make this a great book.

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review 2018-12-01 00:58
A magically delicious start to a new adult fantasy series...
Kill the Queen - Jennifer Estep

๏ ๏ ๏  Book Blurb ๏ ๏ ๏ 

 

In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

 

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

 

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of war, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

 

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes clear: she must become a fearsome gladiator herself . . . and kill the queen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

๏ ๏ ๏  My Review ๏ ๏ ๏ 

 

This first entry in the Crown of Shards Series opens up with this magically fantastical and intriguing world that feels part medieval mixed with some modern flourishes.  The cover encompasses this medieval-modern-ness that it has going on, perfectly. This is billed as Gladiator meets Game of Thrones (albeit it's a whole lot cleaner than GOT) and from what I know of those works...it's a fairly apt description. 

 

This book doesn't burden you with a whole lot of info dumping, it cuts right to the action and doesn't let up until the end.  This fast-pace is paired with a 28-year-old heroine that isn't the typical teenager heroine that you get with Fantasy.  There is also only a splash of romance and it's kept fairly tame, but for me personally, I hope that the romance heats up a bit in the second book.  Overall this was exquisitely bad-ass and I couldn't stop listening and I totally can't wait to listen to the sequel.

 

 

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

 

☆5STARS - GRADE=A+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

 
Plot⇝ 5/5
Main Characters⇝ 5/5
Secondary Characters⇝ 5/5
The Feels⇝ 5/5
Pacing⇝ 4.7/5
Addictiveness⇝ 5/5
Theme or Tone⇝ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4.8/5
Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4.5/5
Originality⇝ 5/5
Ending⇝ 5/5 Cliffhanger⇝ "to be continued"
๏ ๏ ๏
Book Cover⇝ Love it!  It is rather badass...
Narration⇝ ☆4.5☆ for Lauren Fortgang, I liked her better in this than I did in the Grisha Trilogy.
Series⇝ Crown of Shards #1
Setting⇝ Bellona
Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
๏ ๏ ๏
Goodreads
Amazon
Booklikes
 

 
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review 2016-11-26 03:29
The Coldest Girl Coldtown - My Thoughts
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown - Holly Black

Rating 4.5 Stars - Audio Version.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. I just wanted to say Christine Lakin (the narrator) did a marvelous job with all the voices, she really gave this story life. The music was a wonderful touch as well, really added to the suspense & really should be included in more readings.

Tana was one of those characters that drive you nuts, but in the best of ways. At the beginning there she is sitting surrounded by corpses having a full on mental breakdown. Her brain just said 'nope, can't do this' & switched off for a few hours. Of course in turn I was like 'move you bloody idiot!' with the best of intention of course, I didn't want her to end up like everyone else. But the thing is her reaction, no matter how frustrating was realistic. You grab a teenager & throw them in a situation like that of course they're going to loose their shit. This is a big part of why I enjoyed this book so much, another factor was after Tana had her spaz moment, she picked her ass off the floor & planed her best course of action. No running around screaming, or being hysterical. Tana used her brains to improve her situation. Gotta love a girl like that!

This is pretty much how the rest of the story went - shit would go down and Tana would react, then use her noggin to improve her situation with the knowledge and skills she possessed at the time. Plus the girl had some Made self awareness. She knew she occasionally made reckless and insane decisions but she also knew why she did it. There's thousands of adults who wonder around on a daily bases doing this exact thing with no clue as to why they did it. 'It's just who they are'. Pfft. Tana (yes a fictional character, but the point still stands) could see when she was spiraling down hill and take maters into her own hands.

Anyways I'll stop fangirling over Holy Blacks talent to write fascinating characters (hello Gabriel) or her incredible skill at creating the scene, leaving me to be very concerned and creeped out throughout certain parts of the book..... okay after I say a few more things, then I'll stop!
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown could be pretty gory at times (makes sense being a vampire story) what sets this book apart from others was Tana's intimate fixation with said gore. She at times would go into hyper-awareness & just forget everything except what she was focused on with an unusual combination of lust and disgust. I'm not sure how H.B pulled it off to be honest but kudos! She did a spectacular job of it. Even I couldn't help but be dragged under and feel similar sensations when hearing from Tana's POV, which equaled a confusing mix of feelings and emotions for me. Which I imagine had probably been the point.

All in all I am a massive fan of this audiobook. It was perfect for Halloween (even if we don't officially celebrate here in Aus). I'm cut up that this isn't a series, I would have loved to read further adventures of Tana & Gab's. Bound to have been interesting that's for sure.

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review 2016-07-30 04:07
Something From The Nightside!
Something from the Nightside - Simon R. Green

Really enjoyed listening to this book. The voices were well done (for the most part... listening to a man try to create the voice of an upper class lady was more hilarious than successful).

I loved the characters, they all have creative and interesting names (well those from the nightside) and fascinating back stories, I wouldn't mine learning more about Sally Shooter's & Johns History! I believe there was a little bit of romance in it *wink wink, nudge nudge* lol. speaking of romance I did feel that the..... relationship was a bit odd between Johanna and John, obviously at the end you get a better understanding of why, but thats not what I'm talking about, even under all those circumstance John was so quick to use the L word, which for a character like him I imagine is rather odd, maybe it was because of the circumstance, (view spoiler) or because of what he thought he could have had. Either way it went from 0-60 very quickly.

I didn't get a strong idea of what John's powers were, except for the whole 'seeing' thing, which I imagine is definitely useful, but not quite sure how that makes him a big player? I was kind of hoping for more outlandish magical powers. Though I suppose it is more unique than the usual powers the MC is given.

The nightside itself was incredible! Green has a vivid imagination and looks like he put all his crazy, fantastic and sometimes horrid ideas all in the one place, the nightside. From the sounds of it, nightside is similar to a drug (except of course it's actually a place) its addictive, makes you feel alive and vibrant but bad for your health. Actually it vaguely reminds me of Kate Daniels' Atlanta except its filled with British people, and less furry creatures. Mainly expect nothing but crazy shit.

I also got a little sneak peak of book 2, and now I'm desperate to listen to it!! sounds amazing. Especially that Sorrow lady.

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review 2015-05-15 23:52
Master of the Mountain: Why yes Logan you are indeed, THE MASTER!
Master of the Mountain - Cherise Sinclair

I listened to this book while at work today, and on my way home. OOH WEE... HOT HOT HOT! It was a hot read I enjoyed a lot. Again another one of my quick mini reviews, but if you like hot alpha males who are protective and caring then you will love Logan's story! 

 

I am curious about his brother and hope he is the next in line for a story.... I may start Master Raoul's book from the Shadowland series first, but we shall see! Happy Reading all! 

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