Publication date- 22 February 2017

Genre – Fantasy fiction, Comedy

Review by – Prakriti Singh

Source- Review copy

Rating- 4/5

Tom and his friends are all set for camping in the trails of Olympic National Park. Sarah, Tom's previously unknown granddaughter, goes along with them. She is stepping foot on the journey that her grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather had once taken. But strange things happen in the trail when she sees an extinct bear and then gets lost. 

Sarah wakes up in a world, thousands of years back, very different from reality, and does not remember anything about the past. She is involved in a months-long voyage across the sea. People have names according to their features and personalities, and Sarah is the Strong Heart. She travels in the canoe, fights wild animals, survives starvation, and just when she is about to reach the destination, she's back in the real world. 

Was it a dream? Will life be the same for Sarah after she encounters a different world, the world their legends have been telling them for centuries? Does this dream have anything to do with the scientific theories about the people thousands of years ago?

Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon is a riveting venture into the legends and history of people. The author uses his knowledge of expedition and wildlife to push the reader deep into the book. Initially, I had been hesitant to read the book, wondering it must be all about camping and trailing in the forest. But I soon found myself engaged with the plot and their adventurous journey.

The initial storyline follows a third-person perspective but changes to a first-person perspective when Sarah starts narrating her tale. At first, no one believes her, but they soon realize that she is the one guiding them. She is low-tempered, easily irritated but a great artist and a brave fighter. Twists and turns taking place in the story make the readers more lured and curious about what would happen next. 

My favorite part of the book was when the words made me feel that I live in their world. I felt as if I was walking with them or paddling the canoe on the voyage. I could see the scenes from the author's eyes. The action scenes were quite intriguing, and the mystery made me hold on to the story.  

Another appealing part of the story was that the author used legend and history to connect to the tale. The proper mentioning of places and wise use of geography was a plus point to the story. There is a brief account of conflicts taking place about the inheritance of the people. The book mentions the culture and descents of the people that make the reader more aware.

The storyline was appealing, but the book had many grammar errors and did not seem professionally edited. Sometimes, the speaker was absent, making it difficult for me to understand the text. It was the most unappealing part of the book that I came across.

I give the book 3 out of 4 stars. Reading the book was a wonderful experience, and I would have given it a full score had it not for the grammar errors and punctuation take it away from the book. The book is a suitable read for both children and adults without any profane language and erotic content. I recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure stories assorted with magic and mystery.

Publication date- 15 December 2020

Genre – Memoir, Humor

Review by – Prakriti Singh

Source- Review copy

Rating- 3/5

That Time I... by David O’Brien is a memoir of eccentric incidents throughout his life. The book is written as if telling the memories over a cup of tea. Each chapter is a new event beginning with ‘That Time I’ and gives full description of an incident loaded with humor.

The book wanders around various places from Los Angeles to Spain and covers the whole life of the author, from his childhood when his father died to the addicted adult he then becomes. His life is full of humorous events- he punches a cop, steals a taxi, eats with billionaires, and even gets kidnapped. The author describes himself to be suffering from hypomania. He is a spoiled rich, earns money by blackjack and tips waitresses, strippers, bartenders and doormen way too much. He is alcoholic and a total mess. He loves black limo and smoking weed. He is good with handling people but somehow can land in court or jail.

There were some really funny parts in the book which made me laugh hard. The author’s approach towards things and the way he traps himself in happenings is amusing. The words are impressive and the reader can see the actual characters and even the author himself doing a stupid thing. A normal person (like me) may find some incidents very vague to be true but they may happen to a person as crazy as the author.

What I did not like about the book is that it was not an actual novel-kind of book which I like to read. The stories are written randomly and not in chronological order so it is sometimes tough to relate names and places. In one chapter, the author is a 40-year-old and then in the next chapter he is a child and in the third one he is in his youth. This makes the book kind of confusing. Slang language is used a lot in the book making it an unsuitable read for kids. Some parts of the book were exaggerated than what was required.

I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. I was really not hoping this book to be an unorganized collection of stories but maybe some people would like it as well. The stories are fun to read yet confusing due to the pattern used. The slang language used may be profane to some readers but is compatible with the general idea of the scene. I would recommend reading the book if you like a collection of short humorous stories rather than a whole continuing storyline.

Author – Pejay Bradley

Publication date- 2 March 2019

Genre – Historical fiction

Review by – Prakriti Singh

Source- Review copy

Rating- 5/5      

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Korea inherits in itself a strict culture where the women are forced to obey the customs, and traditions without any exception. They are married, with or without their will, and are accustomed to follow obedient wife and mother rules till their last breath. The Koreans are very proud of their culture but the Japanese are taking away all of it from them. Slowly and gradually, Japanese are establishing control over the whole country and the Koreans are not happy. They are fighting: fighting for their freedom; fighting to win their country, their culture and their heritage back.

The Vanished is set in early 20^th century in Korea where the customs of the country are rigorously followed. The story starts with the birth of Embon, child of Lady Sougyon, grandson of Prince Aansoon. He lives a luxurious life till he is sent to study abroad and encounters the actual problems that the Koreans face in terms of freedom. The story also revolves around the life of a married but abandoned wife and a middle-class man who is working everyday to provide good future to his family.

The characters in the book are very well chosen so as to provide different perspectives to the same situation. It makes the reader more resourceful of what is happening in the country and also gives a clear insight into the story. The book is divided into parts to keep the reader from getting confused. I really liked how - many stories were connected to a single whole story of struggling for freedom in the country. It breaks the usual monotonous tone of going along a single path of view. In this book, each character had their own view and even the less important characters had their background represented to the reader.

I like the book very much. By the end of the book, I was feeling with the characters, mourning if something bad happened and enjoying with their success (though there are only handful of insights of joy in the story). I got carried along well and was feeling more and more curious about what would happen next in the story. The book is quite engrossing.

The book changes from the explanation of the strict customs and traditions in the country to the fight of Koreans for their freedom. I found the beginning of the story quite boring but later on realized that it was for good understanding of the story. If anyone reading the book wants to give up just because of being bored in the beginning, please don’t, the book will surprise you a lot in the later parts.

I give the book 5 out of 5 stars. This book was recommended to me as the book of the month for January and I am quite satisfied with their selection. But the reason why I give this book 5 stars is that it contains in itself some instances involving many other countries too like Russia, America, and China and may connect to the history of all. It also gives a brief account of the people of other countries. In all, this book is very resourceful and a good read for anyone who likes history and to study different cultures. This book is a good one from its genre and defines it well.

Author – T.J. Klune

Publication date- 7 January 2020

Genre – Fantasy fiction, Comedy

Review by – Amanda Hyde

Source- Review copy

Rating- 5/5

Linus Baker lives a quiet and solitary life with his Cat and his old records working tirelessly as a Case Worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. Until one day he is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management. He's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wy vern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days. Can Linus stay professional and not fall for these children and their charming caretaker? Is this orphanage safe? Is it an orphanage at all?

Oh my gosh! I’m in love the hype was real, how could I have thought it be anything but? Welcome my first 5 star of 2021! This was a nonstop pleasure, that wrapped me in a toasty warm embrace and had me smiling and giggling through out!

Klune has created an achingly compelling cast of “misfits” from Linus all the way to Zoe, each having erratic qualities yet oh so vividly colorful in this whimsy way, even while the kids express how they could kill Linus. I mean truly kids do say the darnest things.

While this story was so warm and fuzzy it did tackle difficult questions and problems; differences, prejudices, and following “rules” that are old and out of date. You see so much of our own world here and it’s heartbreaking. How easy it can be to go with the status quo and believe stereotypes and others views because that’s “easier”.

We ended with hope and love and the completely depressing knowledge that this is a stand-alone.

IN A HOLIDAZE

Author – Christina Lauren

Publication date- 6 October 2020

Genre – Fiction, Romance

Review by – Amanda Hyde

Source- Review copy

Rating- 4/5

Author – J.J. Rossanno

Publication date- 22 December 2020

Genre – Sci-fi, Romance

Review by – Prakriti Singh

Source- Review copy

Rating- 5/5

Samantha Norton, captain of the Intrepid is captured by the Athleans, residents of a faraway planet from Earth. The two leader brothers are executing their plan of revenge but their method and opinions are different. Their relationship changes when one of them, Dyllan Avertus falls in love with Sam. He realizes that this cruel brother Pyrus is mad and is now determined to help Samantha and her friends escape his cruelty. Will they succeed in it? Can enemies become friends and then lovers? Will their interplanetary relationship work?

Samantha is portrayed as a strong and intelligent woman who takes actions with presence of mind. She is kind and cares a lot about her co-workers. Dyllan is also portrayed as a strong character who has the guts to go against his own blood for a good cause. He is super-intelligent and protective. Their chemistry can be seen early from first parts of the book but it only grows stronger till the end. Their love story at times, made me question, can I fall in love with an alien and still be happy?

Love Conspiracy is one of the most exciting sci-fi novels that I have ever read. Every chapter blew out new scenes which made me more inclined to the story. Reading the love story of an alien and an earthling, supported by intimate scenes described in the novel makes it a good read for romance genre too. The book explores various areas that are yet to be discovered but may be possible in this universe. The author had a wide imagination to portray all characters with varying appearance, specialty and power. It also touches scientific terms and explanations necessary for the plot but dig no deep so as to keep the book from entering the scientific textbook genre.

The book keeps the reader engaged and excited at all times. I highly recommend this book.

Author – Paul G. Tremblay

Publication date- 7 July 2020

Genre – Horror fiction, Suspense, Thriller

Review by – Amanda Hyde

Source- Review copy

Rating- 5/5

When is a zombie novel not about zombies? When Paul Tremblay writes it! In a matter of few weeks, Massachusetts has been overrun by an insidious rabies-like virus that is infecting humans, but also unlike rabies, this virus has an extremely short incubation period, it's a matter of hours maybe less before you lose your mind and are driven to infect anything moving. Hospitals are overrun, hysteria has taken hold, and to help stop the spread quarantine and curfews are put in place. So, when pregnant Natalie’s husband is attacked and killed and she is bitten as well she is racing the clock to get to a hospital, to get help. Her friend Ram’s, will do anything to help her, but can they beat the clock of incubation?

This book was terrifying in such a realistic way. They are in quarantine, 3 days later my state went into lock down, they do not understand the virus that is rampaging the country, we didn’t either. To say I was a little spooked would be an understatement! But the ride of the novel was amazing!! I was scared and curious and I didn’t have nightmares, you had nightmares!

It is a horrifyingly rapid ride, where everything in this fear base action packed story takes place in a matter of a few hours! Because the spread and symptoms happen so quickly. With a rapidly spreading rabies virus infecting animals and humans it’s definitely a little bite.