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Book Review: The Girl In Between by Laekan Zea Kemp

Hey everyone! Samantha here!  I'm one of the new bloggers to Belle's Beastly Book Blog!  You will see me posting review from time to time.  Let's get started on my first review!

 

 

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Synopsis

Bryn Reyes is a real life sleeping beauty. Afflicted with Klein-Levin Syndrome, she suffers episodes of prolonged sleep that steal weeks, and sometimes even months, from her life. But unlike most KLS patients, she doesn’t spend each episode in a catatonic state or wake up with no recollection of the time she’s missed. Instead, Bryn spends half her life in an alternate reality made up of her memories. For Bryn, the past is a place, until one day a boy she’s never met before washes up on the illusory beach of her dreams with no memory of who he is.

 

But the appearance of this strange boy isn’t the only thing that’s changed. Bryn’s symptoms are worsening, her body weakening as she’s plagued by hallucinations even while awake. Her only hope of finding a cure is to undergo experimental treatment created by a German specialist. But when Dr. Banz reveals that he knows more about her strange symptoms than he originally let on, Bryn learns that the boy in her head might actually be the key to understanding what’s happening to her, and worse, that if she doesn’t find out his identity before it’s too late, they both may not survive.

 

My Review

  

   

This is the first book in the three book The In Between Girl series by Laekan Zea Kemp. This book is 289 pages long.

 

Bryn is not your typical teenager. Unlike most teenagers, she spends a lot of time in bed sleeping. She has an illness called KLS which means she falls asleep for days, sometimes weeks, at a time. She has missed a lot of her teenage life because of the illness and is struggling just to finish her senior year of high school while dreaming of college.  During one of her episodes, she encounters something odd. There is a boy in her mind who isn't supposed to be there.

 

 

I really liked this book. It had me guessing and wanting to skip forward to see what the heck was going on.

  

The only thing I really didn't like was that it ended with a huge cliffhanger that made me turn the page and wonder where the missing pages were. But it only made me want to get book two more.

Book Review: Arrow of the Mist - Arrow of the Mist Series

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Synopsis

Terror strikes the Celtic inspired kingdom of Nemetona when barbed roots breach the veil of a forbidden land and poison woodsmen, including 15-year-old Lia's beloved father. Lia and three others embark on a quest to the forbidden land of Brume to gather ingredients for the cure. But after her elder kinsman is attacked and poisoned, she and her cousin, Wynn, are forced to finish the quest on their own.

Lia relies on her powerful herbal wisdom and the memorized pages of her late grandmother's Grimoire for guidance through a land of soul-hungry shades, trickster creatures, and uncovered truths about the origin of Brume and her family's unexpected ties to it. The deeper they trek into the land, the stronger Lia's untapped gift as a tree mage unfolds. When she discovers the enchanted root's maker, it forces her to question everything about who she is and what is her destiny. Ultimately, she must make a terrible choice: keep fighting to save her father and the people of the lands or join with the power behind the deadly roots to help nature start anew.

"Baneful Straif, tree of strife;

Wicked thorns cut like a knife. 
Beware its roots in their menacing twist; 
Beware jagged pricks from this arrow of the mist."

My Review

This is the first book in a two book series by Cristina Mercer. This book is 270 pages long.

Lia has spent most of her time with her grandmother making remedies using the 'ole magick ways, until these strange poisonous rots came from the fogs of Brume. Most of the places around Lia's village have fallen to the strange roots. A few days later, Lia's dad gets poisoned and only has some time to live. After Lia's grandmother died, she gave Lia her Grimoire full of riddles and remedies to many illnesses and injuries. Lia's grandfather suggests a trip into Brume to find a possible cure for the many ill. Lia, grandfather, Wenn(her cousin), and Kelvin, the horse trainer and her biggest crush. As they make their way into Brume, there is many hardships and obstacles needed to pass. Something is blooming between Kelvin and Lia. Lia's Grandfather is poisoned and the journey hasn't even began. There is twelve parts to the cure and no one will get out of Brume unchanged. What changes will occur to Wenn and Lia? Will they find the parts to the cure? Will Lia and Kevin fall for each other?

This was an awesome book! The plot was very well-written and full of surprises. I loved the concept of them being casters and using poultices. Lia's appearance after being in Brume for so long was great. I wish that I was that pretty. This was a great read for all ages and there was only mild cussing. I really want to read the next book and see how Lia fares.

Book Review: Family Secrets - The Family Secrets Series

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Synopsis

Sophia Morganthal’s senior year is full of surprises. A family she never knew existed, magical powers she never even dreamed of, and a legacy she’s not sure she wants. Amidst all of the upheaval in her life, Sophia also finds one source of happiness – Connor. The last thing she needs is more complications, but Connor is the only person who makes her feel wanted for herself and not for what she stands for. As Sophia learns more about herself, and what being initiated into Blackthorne coven really means, she discovers more questions than answers. After a devastating revelation, Sophia knows she needs to make a choice—support her family or follow her heart. 

Either could have deadly consequences. Will she play it safe or play to win?

My Review

This is the first book in the Family Secret Series by Kat Nichols. This book is 311 pages long.

Sophia lost her parents a while ago and her mom's friend took her in. He mom's friend had a daughter her age and soon they become like sisters. Sophia's life is full of surprises. She learns of a family see didn't know existed and learns that, not only is she a witch, but her family, too.To become the next leader of the coven, she must learn to use her magick and pass a series of tests. At her new school in a new place, she falls in love with a boy named Connor. He isn't who he says, but he wants to help Sophia. Sophia is more powerful than her grandmother and her grandmother wants to have her power. Will Sophia survive being with her family? Who is Connor?

This was a great book. Kat Nichols really did paint the perfect picture of my image of a witch. Witches have talismans and the stones are a perfect fit. I hope to read the second book. I really loved the suspense at the end. Such a cliff-hanger. There is mild cussing and mild violence. This is a book for all ages.

Book Review: Hook's Little Mermaid - The Untold Stories Series

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Synopsis

Captain James Hook was once a good man trying to make a somewhat honest living. He is a pirate, after all. However, after getting word that a boy named Peter Pan played a part in the death of a dear loved one, Hook makes it his sole purpose to hunt down and destroy the fiend. 
On his journey for vengeance, the captain encounters many new comrades, including a young girl named Red and a fairy called Tinker Bell, and both push him to reconsider his desire for justice. 

The accidental rescue of a mermaid leads him on a whirlwind adventure in Neverland. The journey is not a simple one, considering Pan, the Lost Boys, mermaids, and magic all come into play. After several misadventures, Hook must choose between the possibility of a new life with love and his much-desired retaliation against Pan. 

Once everything is said and done, will the captain be able to overcome his need for revenge? Will he let compassion steer him toward love? Or will Captain Hook live up to his villainous reputation?

My Review

This is the first book in the Untold Stories Series by Suzanna Lynn. This book is 260 pages long.

Captain James Hook is what most fear, a pirate. Once a low boy working as a petty little deck cleaner, he now runs the famous "Jolly Roger". Hook is on a strike for vengeance and he won't stop until he can drive his sword through the heart of Peter Pan. To find Pan, he has to get to Neverland. How can he get to Neverland without flying? On Hook's quest, he meets a cute fairy named Tinkerbell and she promises him a favor. When Hook and his crew are out on the ocean, he meets a sea witch with the beautiful revenge in her mind. Hook meets another mermaid, one with the power to change his pirate ways. He might have to sacrifice his vengeance for her. Can Hook really give up his pirate ways? Better yet, can Hook give up revenge for Peter, the mermaid's friend?

I loved this book. There are many different versions of the original fairy tales and this is one of the best ones yet. Incorporating multiple fairy tales makes it even more interesting. There is mild language. It didn't have anything bad to really say. For those who don't know, this is my mom's book. Many would say this is a conflict of interest, so I am not going to post my review to Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Her next books are going to connect to this book too, so I'm excited. I helped her edit it and I was the second person to read it. This is a book for all ages.

Book Review: Bound by Duty - The Bound Series

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Synopsis

Amelia grew up in a world of half-truths. She knows she's an Elder, but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must maintain control, but he refuses to explain why. Even worse, she's betrothed to the prince of the Immortals and doesn't even know his name. 

Finally breaking free to live a few normal years at a community college, the last thing Amelia expects is to find her best friend in a cheeky southern girl, or fall for a self-assured human who sees her for who she is, not what she will become. 

As she learns more about herself, Amelia realizes the line between love and duty is a thin one. As her power continues to increase exponentially and her questions are slowly answered, Amelia must make the ultimate choice. The question is, will her head win the battle, or her heart?

My Review

This is the first book in a three book series by Stormy Smith. This book is 391 pages long.

Amelia has been kept in the dark for most of her life, only getting glimpses of her Elder powers. When her father makes a deal with the "she devil", Amelia has until her 21st birthday to live a little. She is betrothed to the prince of the immortals and she doesn't even know what he loos like. Her power is taking a hold on her and it is hard to control, but her brother, who is also and immortal, helps keep her under control. Then, when she goes to college she becomes friends with B and meets a handsome human that will do anything to get to know her, even the worst parts of her. Immortals are forbidden to tell humans about themselves or others, so Amelia should just cut him loose. He isn't who he seems and neither is her friends. Someone she knows well will betray her and her love for this human makes more things confusing. He isn't what he seems, either. Will she be with the human? Is she really the Elder of all the Prophecies?

This was a great book and I really want to read the next book. I was really mad that everyone was keeping secrets from her. She would have been more prepared if her dad and brother would have just told her about her powers. I was really surprised at multiple parts in the book. And I really felt like Amelia's emotions were perfect for what she was going through. Stormy Smith did a great job with this book.

Book Review: Reclaim - The Harvest Saga

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Synopsis

The Greaters have ruled over the Lessers since The Fall. They’ve taken Abby’s family. They’ve taken her friends. They’ve taken her hostage and threatened the villages. Enough is enough. Freedom is worth fighting for. Love is worth dying for. And the Lessers are done taking orders from the Greaters. 

Reclaim…the epic conclusion of the award-winning Harvest Saga. 

My Review

This is the third and final book in a three book series by Casey L. Bond. It is 200 pages long.

The Greaters have reached the last straw.... The Lessers will have their revenge!! Abby finds her mom and dad, but they aren't who they seem. Abby's mom wants to help Abby relieve the King of his duty, because of his "suicidal missions", but she is just as power-hungry. Abby is going back to the Greater city to get all of the Lesser females back to their villages, but there is a surprise that Abby just figured out.... She's pregnant!! She has to get the females out and kill the Greaters with a poison that only effects the Greaters, but she could possibly infect herself. She is both Greater and Lesser. Kyan has finally found "the one", but all could be jeopardized with a simple mistake. And Kyan could just have signed Abby, his love, Abby's mom, and the child's death wish. What will happen to Abby? Who is the father? Will Abby's mom become just as power-hungry as the King?

This was my favorite of the books and I was so surprised at the ending. I wish there could be another book to talk about a few years after this book took place. I like how Casey L. Bond added lots of twists and turns. The maze of a book was large, but all was explained at the end. Bravo, Casey L. Bond!