Category: Reviews

Synopsis (Taken from Amazon)

Racism, climate change, and violence are in the past. The new world values respect and collaboration with others. But are there secrets lurking in the shadows of the Land of Hope? What truth about the past is being covered up?

When fifteen-year-old Fania returns from Immersion, she is shattered to learn that the next phase of her education is at home with Alicia, her granny. She had hoped for something far grander that would prepare her for an important role with the Earth Project. Their two strong personalities clash as Fania begins to learn more about the past and her family’s role in it.

As Fania grows in confidence and power, she starts to wonder exactly what secrets Alicia is keeping in her underground lab. After Fania discovers the truth, she finds her calling: one that has the power to change everything.

Review

The book’s concept holds important messages that the author has woven throughout the story. A-M Mawhiney does a great job sharing valuable life lessons about caring for the Earth, discovering your own gifts and strengths, and learning to love and accept people for who they are. This is the type of book that could be shared in classrooms, helping spark conversation.

One of my favourite parts was how the author explained the plagues during the homecoming event. Instead of simply telling readers about them, the information was incorporated into an event within the story, which made it more engaging.

The book contains a lot of detailed descriptions, so there wasn’t as much dialogue as I typically enjoy, and the pacing felt a little slow at times. However, the slower pace allows readers to absorb the lessons and themes the author is presenting.

If you enjoy a book with great description and life lessons, this is the book for you.

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

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

Experience the beginning of a thrilling epic fantasy series in RANGER’S OATH, where friendship fights failure – and the monsters thought to be only legends.

The barrier between worlds is broken. Only he knows the truth…

Magic has protected Tarsynium for a thousand years, shielding its people from being ravaged by bloodthirsty demons. When a young ranger’s apprentice named Owyn Lund discovers that the Arc of Radiance has been breached, he tries to warn anybody who will listen.

But legends aren’t supposed to be real.

When a village is mysteriously destroyed, rangers, mages, and rebels all point the finger, blaming each other for the demons’ brutality. However, Zara Dennel, a mage’s ward, has heard Owyn’s tale—and she’s inclined to believe him.

Together, they must prove that friendship is greater than intolerance, unity is more important than division, and that even the most powerful magic can sometimes not be enough.

Failure means the end of all things. A second—and lasting—Doom.

Experience the beginning of a thrilling Epic Fantasy series suitable for all ages.

Review

I really enjoyed how this book was structured, with each chapter alternating first-person narrative between the two main characters. Getting both perspectives kept things fresh and made it easy to stay invested in what was happening on both sides. It was especially interesting that one character is a ranger and the other is a mage. The two roles are basically raised to distrust each other. That tension adds a subtle layer to their interactions and keeps you wondering how things will play out.

The pacing worked well, the battle scenes didn’t feel overdone or dragged out, and they pushed the story forward. There’s just enough description to clearly picture what’s going on, with a lot of dialogue.

I also liked that the story surprised me. I had a suspicion about one of the characters early on, and while I was partly right that something was off, the full reveal wasn’t what I expected. 

By the end, the main storyline wraps up nicely, but there’s also a small tease of what’s coming next.

If you enjoy a fun, fast-paced young adult read, this is the book for you.

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

Synopsis

A prelude to the Kingdom Journals…The Edict of Châteaubriant, signed 27 June 1551 by King Henry II of France, censored Protestant rhetoric and enabled seizure of funds for punishment. The Edict of Compiègne, of 24 July 1557, allowed the death penalty for crimes of heresy. The witch community, garbed in the Catholic faith, hunted and killed vampires under the guise of bringing the pagans to justice. Anne’s family is among the vampires targeted by the witches. She escapes with the help of a loyal friend and they hide among the humans. At seventeen, another atrocity ignites her passion for justice. Anne circumvents the globe in a quest to unite her people and build peace. Although she attracts powerful enemies, her friends number many, including a mysterious hero. In a war for survival love feels elusive and extravagant, and even heroes don’t always prevail. Can she best her enemy and find happiness at last?

Review

This book was a fascinating and unique take on vampires and witches. There is nothing traditional about the way the vampires act, and the author does a great job of developing entirely new lore. 

The characters are well-written and easy to connect with, and their dialogue feels natural and sharp. The first-person perspective pulls you right into the story, making everything feel more personal and immediate. When you start getting attached to certain characters, the story takes a different turn.

The story spans centuries, but it is not boring and keeps readers intrigued. It also spans the world, and we are visually brought along for the journey. The author does a wonderful job describing the various countries.

The ending wraps things up while leaving you eager to jump straight into the next part.

If you enjoy myths and new lore this is a great book for you.

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

Synopsis (taken from Amazon)

DOES IT FEEL LIKE YOUR SONGWRITING DREAM IS SLIPPING AWAY?

You write. You pour your heart into it. But somehow, it’s never enough.

Rejection stings. Comparison eats you alive. The dream you once lived for now feels buried under the grind of everyday life.
I get it. I’ve been there. Back in 2003, I almost walked away from music completely. The rejection was constant, and I was tired of feeling like I wasn’t good enough. But I learned something powerful: the only thing standing between me and the life I wanted was the belief that it wasn’t possible.

This book is for the songwriter who refuses to settle — the one who knows there’s more inside of them: more songs to write, more connections to make, more chances to take.

Inside, you’ll discover:

🎵 How to turn rejection into fuel, not failure
🎵 The brutal truth about the music business (and how to survive it)
🎵 Why showing up matters more than talent
🎵 How to finish your songs and stop procrastinating
🎵 The mindset shift that sparks accountability
🎵 How to protect your creativity so you don’t burn out
🎵 And most importantly — how to reconnect with the dream that got you started

This is a straight-talking, heart-on-sleeve guide for songwriters who are done waiting, done making excuses, and ready to claim their place in the music world.

If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I’m not cut out for this,” this book is here to prove you wrong.
Your dream isn’t dead. It’s waiting for you to fight for it.

Pick up your copy today and start turning the songs in your head into the career you dreamt of.

Review:

I loved how it started with a bit of the author’s own story. It feels like someone sharing the messy, learning-as-you-go parts of life. That really ties into one of my biggest takeaways: being self-taught isn’t a weakness. If anything, it’s proof that you’re showing up, figuring things out, and growing – which is what being a human is all about. 

There’s a line that stuck with me: “Grieve a little in this moment and never give up.” I read it more than once because it applies to everything in life. It acknowledges that things are hard sometimes, that you’re allowed to feel that, but you don’t stop. Very similar to my motto: “Don’t tap out to tired.”

The part about putting your phone down felt a little too real. I actually laughed because I was reading (and now writing this) on my phone. But it makes such a good point: if we want to truly relax or create, we need space from the constant distractions. It’s one of those obvious truths we all kind of ignore until someone calls it out.

What I really appreciated is how the wisdom is woven into real-life stories. It’s not just tips thrown at you by someone who has never been in the industry. 

Even though the book is aimed at songwriters, it honestly applies to any creative pursuit. Writing, art, music, there’s something here for you. It’s really about creativity as a whole, and the mindset behind it. Some parts are very specific to songwriting and will help a new songwriter break into the industry.

If you are looking for a how-to book that brings real-life experience, this is the book for you.

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