Posted in Blog, Reviews

Review: The Convergence by J. M. Shaw

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

The Winter War is over, but another battle has begun—the tug-of-war between the darkness and the purveyor of light. Theia, The Goddess of Light, steward of goodness and life, must square off against her counterpart, Omus, The Eternal Darkness, fomenter of corruption and death.

Following the ravages of warfare, Esme, the elven queen, is desperate to maintain her hold on her kingdom. Desiring uncontestable power to maintain her reign, she sells her soul to The Eternal Darkness, Omus. This spirit of darkness tricks Esme into becoming his vessel, dominating and suppressing her in his own pursuit of ultimate, unchallenged authority over The Goddess of Light, the warlock, and the world at large.

After narrowly escaping death, Callum Walker has reluctantly accepted his destiny as a warlock, but he struggles to understand and manage his arcane power. Attempting to regain some normalcy in his chaotic life, Callum leaves the magical realm, crossing the hidden veil and returning to the land of humans. Soon after, he is begrudgingly dragged into another conflict. Guided by Theia, The Goddess of Light, Callum commits to using his magic to ensure that the light will prevail over the darkness.

Confronted by orcs, harpies, and other obstacles, Callum forges on, seeking to discern who his true enemies are, who will betray him, and who will aid him in saving the world from damnation.

Review

Author JM Show gets better the more they write. I enjoyed the first book introducing us to Callum Walker and the magical realm; the second book was even better. I couldn’t put it down, and I truly loved it from start to finish. 

As I hoped, Callum and the others introduced in book one continue their growth. Character development is an integral part of creating a memorable series. Just as we change through life, when it is reflected in a book, we can relate to the characters on a deeper level. 

The book was chock-full of moral dilemmas. Do the means justify the ends? Is the world black and white?

Titan, my new favourite character, comes to life in this book. He is a large wolf, which I imagine is gorgeous and super soft. His attitude and way of ‘speaking’ are just as I imagined my animals would speak. I want to see more of him! 

Overall, this was a great read. If you enjoy fantasy, pick up the Callum Walker series!

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thank you for the support).

Posted in Blog, Reviews

REVIEW: The Ascension: First Novel in the Callum Walker Series by J.M. Shaw

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

A magical war is brewing. While humankind is blissfully unaware, two evil brothers, a sorcerer and a necromancer, are marshaling deadly supernatural forces and armies of mythical creatures in a bid to destroy one another. The triumphant warlord will be free to impose their dominion over Earth’s natural world and a coexisting magical realm concealed from human knowledge behind an ethereal veil.

Meanwhile, Callum Walker is an introverted young man born with gifts that he struggles to understand. As monsters begin wreaking havoc in his city, Callum is compelled to use his unmastered arcane abilities to combat the growing menace. Unfortunately, the scheming warlords notice his vigilante escapades, and both see Callum as a potential threat.

While coming to terms with his extraordinary powers, Callum discovers a hidden world of magic and a cryptic prophecy that proclaims he will end the warfare now breaching the veil. However, Callum soon finds himself pursued by the agents of both factions, plus those seeking personal sanctuary or offering to help.

Ultimately, Callum Walker must overcome his fears and doubts if he hopes to survive, let alone bring the conflict to an end.

Review

This book is the first step in what I am sure will be a great series. The story is interesting and captivating. I read until my eyes were so heavy I couldn’t keep them open, but I wanted to keep reading. The main character, Callum Walker, is likeable and down to Earth. Even though he is touted as the one to end the war, he is still clumsy and unsure, but willing to stand up for what is right. Throughout the book, he showed remarkable character growth, which I hope to see continue in the following books.

Knowing that this is not the end of the Callum Walker series could make a reader unsure to start it, as I often like the whole series out, so I am not left on edge. However, this part of his journey has a finish while still setting up the next one without leaving the reader completely on edge. I appreciated that I was given a satisfactory conclusion and look forward to what else will happen. 

The rest of the characters, both human and magical, were diverse and had quirks, making them likeable (even bad-guy likeable for a book). 

If you enjoy fantasy, this is a great read!

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thanks for the support).

Posted in Blog, Reviews

REVIEW: Outfoxed by Peter Thomas Pontsa

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

Sometimes Inspector William Fox likes to go off script, like when chasing gangsters in his cigarette boat on the St. Lawrence River. For one case, the RCMP officer with a penchant for luxury fashion finds himself teamed up with FBI Special Agent Patrick Reilly, an Irish lad who prefers absinthe to Guinness. The pair travel overseas to track down members of a gang who have kidnapped Tracy Jordan, an American academic and archeologist with teenage ties to William. In China, Tracy has been stealthily searching for evidence of Admiral Zheng He’s 15th-century connections to the area that would later be known as Nova Scotia. It’s here that Tracy and her team discover what might be Ming dynasty artifacts transported by Zheng He’s “massive treasure ships” left behind on Mi’kmaq peoples’ ancestral land.

Outfoxed – a William Fox Adventure is a slick, globe-trotting adventure that involves the RCMP and FBI chasing the Foo Dog Triad operating in Hong Kong, mainland China, and New York City. Like Tracy and Kevin Steptoe, a Mi’kmaq lawyer, the gangsters are after the ancient Chinese treasures. Outfoxed is also a political thriller, diving deeply into the power struggles of the Communist Party of China and its shadowy operatives. It wades into the Fox family’s political past in South Korea, where a tragedy took place that still haunts William years later.

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Review

I was excited to read this book, having enjoyed the last Inspector Fox book I was given. I unknowingly jumped into the second book (Sanctity of Freedom) before reading book one (Outfoxed); either way, I enjoyed both books.

Like Sanctity of Freedom, chapter 1 starts with a bang and grabs the reader’s attention. Having read the second book first, I found it interesting to read how the relationships began. Inspector Fox became acquainted with Patrick Reilly in Outfoxed, and the relationship was strengthened in Sanctity of Freedom, much like many of the other relationships in the series.

The book has a good balance of description and dialogue, helping the reader travel the globe with the characters. There is action and intrigue throughout as the author intertwines multiple storylines into one exciting book. 

If you enjoy well-written cop books, this is a great one! Once you read one Inspector Fox, you will want to keep reading.

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thanks for the support).

Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized

REVIEW: When Things Collapse by Emma Jean Rowan

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

When Things Collapse: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Survival, and Strength

In 2014, while grocery shopping with her two young children, Emma Jean receives a life-altering phone call: her estranged ex-husband has become an active shooter. His subsequent incarceration causes her to confront the painful past she hoped she had long buried, forcing a reckoning with the way their shared history collides with the fragile peace she has spent years building.

Emma Jean’s journey with Alek begins as a charmed romance, one many people only dream of. But after the birth of their children, Alek’s mental health deteriorates, spiraling into a terrifying transformation from successful professional to disheveled conspiracy theorist and doomsday prepper. Trapped in a relentless cycle of fear and emotional abuse, Emma Jean struggles to keep herself and her children safe under the cloud of Alek’s mental illness.

When he begins indoctrinating their son with a dangerous, warped worldview and a loaded gun ends up in the hands of their 5-year-old, Emma Jean finds herself faced with an impossible decision, grappling with whether to sever her children’s relationship with the man she had once chosen for them to love.

In this unflinchingly honest memoir, Emma Jean sheds light on the complex emotional ties that often blind us to the dangers lurking in our relationships. When Things Collapse reveals how our own misplaced empathy and our children’s unconditional love for the abuser can bind us to toxic, destructive cycles, making it harder to escape. With its shocking twists and psychological depth, this memoir will captivate both true crime enthusiasts and readers drawn to compelling, real-life stories of survival.

Review

I was not expecting to be sucked into the book on the first page, but I was and didn’t want to put it down. This powerful book shows the actual ups and downs of the author’s lived experience. We often wonder why people stay in these relationships. There is no one easy answer, but author Emma Jean discusses this in her interview on the Write or Die Show

The author does a great job early on describing how, growing up, it was about what the outside world saw. So long as the outside thought they were a good couple, everything was fine. Her description of a common truth was spot on, making it easy to understand how it progressed from love-bombing to desperation. 

I was not expecting the twists and jaw-dropping moments. I can not imagine the strength it took to live through it and share it with the world in a raw and powerful book. 

If you enjoy non-fiction, this is a fantastic book. 

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thank you for your support).

Posted in Blog, Reviews

Review: The Girl Who Changed the World by Machiel Hoek

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

Dive into “The Girl Who Changed The World,” where Lisa’s journey of self-discovery unravels the mysteries of life, guided by her enigmatic grandfather and the secrets he holds.

Explore the balance of ancient wisdom and modern insights as Lisa navigates through the complexities of truth and reality, reshaping her understanding of herself and the world around her.

In this book, you will:

  • Discover the power of thoughts and actions to shape your reality.
  • Learn the importance of balance between doing and being in life.
  • Explore the transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
  • Uncover the secrets of fulfillment and personal growth.
  • Embrace a narrative that celebrates the influence of feminine energy in changing the world.

 

The Girl Who Changed The World weaves a tapestry of inspiration and allegory, appealing to readers of all ages with its message of empowerment and transformation. This book challenges perceptions and invites readers on a journey of self-reflection and empowerment.

Embark on a journey of discovery and empowerment and discover the power within you to shape your reality!

Review

This meaningful book is more than a story; it is powerful without being “self-help.” It is written in an easy-to-understand way, using realistic examples.

The life lessons are easy for younger readers to understand, as well as adults who are relearning things and improving themselves. It would be an excellent book for a bedtime story to read together and explore complex concepts in a story format.

I thought it was so cool that there were note pages when the main character was writing in her notebook. Not only did it break down the concept into its core parts, but it also gave the book an appealing look. 

The dialogue pushes the story (and life lessons) forward. As someone who has read a few self-help books, I loved that it is a conversation between a grandpa and granddaughter (with other characters throughout). 

If you want a heart-felt book, this is the right choice.

Get your copy here (affiliate link – thank you for your support).