The Gift of the Quoxxel by Richard Titus

Goodreads Synopsis:

King Norr was not content. He longed to know the world beyond his tiny, island
kingdom of Nibb. The Nibbians, however, were not a seafaring people and had no desire to travel elsewhere. Why bother, they said. What could be as perfect as Nibb?

Even so, Norr watched foreign ships come and go. They approached, hesitated, then sailed away without ever coming ashore. Why was that?

And that wasn’t the only mystery.

Who was the prankster who had set the palace afloat?

Was there a sea monster skulking the waters along shore?

Who was the little girl who sang but would not speak?

Had the Minister of Science been eaten by migrating drumbkins?

This was not the average Nibbian day. King Norr was unprepared and only hoped to get through it with as few “haddocks” as possible.

Set sail on this armchair adventure of wit and riddle. It’s an imaginative voyage to
the Isle of Nibb whose only flaw is being a little too perfect — or, at least, it was
until today.

My Review:

Firstly, thank you to the author for providing me the e-copy of his book. When I read the plot of this book, the story seemed so exciting and unique. No doubt that the story and the characters were unique. So when I started reading the book, I was having a hard time in understanding what is actually happening. Also, I was having a hard time in understanding the characters. I really enjoyed the dialogues between the characters. The dialogues were funny, sarcastic and very light hearted. Pearl and Yill became my favorite characters. The illustrations in this book were very different and vibrant and unique, so I enjoyed the illustrations as well. Overall, the story did not lived up to my expectations. But it was a fun and light hearted read, indeed.  My Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3.5/5 stars.

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The Crowns of the Croswald by D.E. Night

Goodreads Synopsis:

In Croswald, the only thing more powerful than dark magic is one secret…

For sixteen years Ivy Lovely has been hidden behind an enchanted boundary that separates the mundane from the magical. When Ivy crosses the border, her powers awaken. Curiosity leads her crashing through a series of adventures at the Halls of Ivy, a school where students learn to master their magical blood and the power of Croswald’s mysterious gems. When Ivy’s magic––and her life––is threatened by the Dark Queen, she scrambles to unearth her history and save Croswald before the truth is swept away forever.

My Review: 

I was so happy to finally win this book in a giveaway by the author who partnered up with a blogger. This book was so hyped on Instagram since last year when it came out. The book is as beautiful on the outside as well as on the inside. Literally so magical. Only minutes old, the child changed the color of her blanket to match her mood as we watched. The new born was as enthralled with the magnificent moon as we were; her eyes lit up with delight.  I am not giving any spoilers in my review. This is one of my best and top reads this year. I hope this book gains as much hype and praise as harry potter because the author deserves it. When I started reading it, I felt so magical and I felt like I am back to the Harry potter world but the world of croswald is very different from harry potter. Its very magical and enchanting. I cannot wait for the next book to arrive. I am so excited for the next book. The author literally created a new magical world of scrivenists and royal bloodlines and dark queen. My favorite characters from this book are: Ivy Lovely (she was so brave and curious and down to earth), Rebecca, Fyn, Humbolt (the scaldron dragon) and Derwin Edgar Night. I read this book so slowly because I was cherishing every minute of reading it. Just by holding the book I felt magical. Aahh… the wonderful magical feelings this book gave me. You might be wondering, how can a book be that good? Trust me, I ask myself the same thing. I didn’t find anything bad about this book. Just as I said earlier, this book deserves the praise and hype. Thank you again to the author who is so wonderful and a kind human being to giveaway so many copies of her books to the readers in the world and then making these magical boxes for us book bloggers. Then sending them out to the book bloggers. Constantly conducting giveaways with the book bloggers to give out the magical boxes. So yeah, she is a kind human and an amazing author. She inspires me so much. I feel honoured to have a signed copy of her first book.

Ratings:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Follow the Author at:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15108914.D_E_Night

https://www.instagram.com/author.denight/

What your soul already known by Salma Farooq

I was given a copy of this book by the author Salma Farook to read and review it.

Goodreads Synopsis:

We live life like automatons, moving with reckless inattentiveness through the preset motions. We have lost touch with our inner selves, the self that has all the answers, that is imbued with the natural balance of joy and productivity. What have we forgotten? What have we lost to this mechanical lifestyle?

The secrets to joy, aren’t secrets at all. They aren’t being whispered. You are just not listening loudly enough to the wisdom of your inner voice.

This book is a reminder to listen.

It is a detailed exploration of elements such as personal qualities, interpersonal skills and healthy habits that make up the path to intuitive happiness and productivity. 

My Review:

Only when we trust without a doubt that we can do whatever we want to do, however fantastic it may seem, will we commit to giving our full efforts towards it. And only when we give our all, can we attain a better reality. So the next time you find yourself plagued with uncertainty; remember to consciously put them aside. Imagine your dream happening, picture it in your head again and again; envision even the tiny details. “What your mind can conceive and believe, It can achieve.”  These words are so inspirational and positive. I received this book by the author at such a right time. I was going through some depressing thoughts, these past few weeks. Reading this book made me feel positive and motivated me to keep moving forward and keep fighting these depressing thoughts. I have read many other self help books like these. These kinds of books literally give you a new perspective on life and helps you in more ways than one. I am sure those who will read this book, they will see life in a new way, they will feel inspired by this book and their own strength will be renewed. The kind words of this book will help you grow as a person in a positive manner. The author wrote this book in such a graceful manner and I loved how before each chapter there was a topic of focus and a related quote by an inspiring person. I loved the little stories she mentioned from her life and used them as an example. This is one of the best self help and motivational books I have read so far. Thank you so much to the author Salma Farooq for sending me your book to read. It is truly a beautiful book that I will always cherish. ☆☆☆☆☆/5

Ren Awakened by Brittany Quagan

I won this book in a giveaway on Instagram. This book was my first ever giveaway win. I am so thankful to the book’s author “Brittany Quagan” for sending this book to me. Here is my review for this book.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Ren Nagel knows that the strange things she’s seen are real–even if no one else believes her. But, when she’s locked up in a psychiatric hospital; she loses hope that anyone will ever truly be on her side.

Then everything changes. With the help of a new friend, Ren breaks out. It’s when she’s on the run that she learns who she really is.

Hunted by evil, Ren must learn to control a power she never knew she had, organize a coalition of people she never knew existed, and remind humanity why fighting the darkness is a big part of being human.

Sometimes, feeling different is much more than just a feeling. For Ren, it means the fate of the world.

Book Review:

We come to those who’re true of heart

We shalt doeth what is right

To reinstate the peace there was

And fight the dark with light

From the moment I started reading this book, I was caught up in its spell. I dived right into the book because the author built suspense and thrill right from the beginning.

Who was Ren actually? That was a mystery. She knew she was different since she was a child. She believed in herself more rather than what people told her. What I loved about her? Her bravery, stubbornness, sarcastic nature and her acceptance of being different and unique.

So when I read about the whole concept of Implements, Orums, existence of different planes alongside earth, I was a goner. I was hooked to the story even more. Obviously, I fell in love with other characters too. Kiki (she reminded me of my 2 friends Maze and Lindsey), Gage, Al and Hope.

I loved how the author incorporated the end of the world into a kind of sci-fi concept as well as light fighting the darkness. I literally had dreams at night related to this book.

Ren felt so many emotions and the way her character developed throughout the book was literally amazing. I loved how strong she was and she had such great powers. I can now imagine what the author must have gone through while writing her character and this story. It must have been such a roller coaster ride.

I felt so much with Ren, laughed out loud at moments, felt like crying when Ren had recollection of her painful memories and felt the unconditional love of Ren and Al.

I totally fell in love with this book.

You cannot stop

A path that’s weaved

Regardless of your strife

You must come back

Complete the work

And finish in this life

Your work’s half done

We’re glad to see

You’ve been such strong achievers

But the Tapestry’s

Still incomplete

For you cannot cheat the Weavers

Giving this book a 5 star because the author deserves it. Cannot wait to read Ren Reposed.

To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Goodreads Synopsis:
The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.

Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior – to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos. Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into forty languages, this regional story by a young Alabama woman claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.

Book Review:

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

Many of you must have read this book in high school or middle school as a part of your curriculum. But I got a chance to read this book in my 20’s and I am glad I finally read this book. It is one of the best classic books of all time. As the title suggests otherwise, this book does not discuss mockingbird or how to kill it. It is mainly about different human behavior in the historical era. The location of the story is set in a small town called Maycomb County. The families that live in this town have been living there for a few generation, so everybody knows eachother very well. The whole story is based upon the day to day life of the Finch family as well as their neighbour.

I got really attached to the main characters (Atticus, Jem and Scout). They were so different from the other people living in the town. I loved Scout’s and Jem’s bravery as well as their thirst for knowledge. They kept asking questions and they just tried to be their true selves. And thats what their dad Atticus taught them to be. There was a lot of discrimination going on, throughout the story. Specially, how in that era negro people were treated very poorly by the white people.

“As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash”

Atticus did not believe in discrimination and thats why he decided to fight the case of Tom Robbinson who was a negro and an innocent. This was a biggest hurdle, the Finch family faced.

There was a little mystery about their neighbour, Boo Radley which is revealed at the end of the story. I actually loved how the story ended.

Overall, it was actually very intriguing to read about the human behaviours of that era. Like how life unfolded day to day in Maycomb county. I would recommend everyone to read this book in their 20’s. Believe me, you will have an entirely different experience of reading this book.

Ratings: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Under the Dome by Stephen King

Goodreads Synopsis:
On an entirely normal, beautiful fall day in Chester’s Mill, Maine, the town is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into it and fall from the sky in flaming wreckage, a gardener’s hand is severed as “the dome” comes down on it, people running errands in the neighboring town are divided from their families, and cars explode on impact. No one can fathom what this barrier is, where it came from, and when — or if — it will go away.

Dale Barbara, Iraq vet and now a short-order cook, finds himself teamed with a few intrepid citizens — town newspaper owner Julia Shumway, a physician’s assistant at the hospital, a select-woman, and three brave kids. Against them stands Big Jim Rennie, a politician who will stop at nothing — even murder — to hold the reins of power, and his son, who is keeping a horrible secret in a dark pantry. But their main adversary is the Dome itself. Because time isn’t just short. It’s running out.

Book Review:

I started reading Stephen King books 2 years back because his books are really famous and I love reading horror/mystery/thriller novels. I think I probably started with Dream catcher but did not really liked it. I loved The Shining and IT. So this is my 4th Stephen King book. I do intend to read all of his books.

Basically when I first read the synopsis of Under The Dome, it really piqued my interest. I put it in my to read list and now when I have finally read the book, I am like ‘What the hell was that?’

“Murder is like potato chips: you can’t stop with just one.”

From the synopsis, its clear that the town is surrounded by a dome and nothing can break it. So there is a whole mystery about this dome which continues throughout the story. The big reveal comes at the end of the story. This mystery was so intense that I couldn’t put the book down. When the murders started happening, I was like ‘Ooh this is getting even more bloody. Mystery with a little bit sciencefiction.’

“When the dawn was still long hours away, bad thoughts took on flesh and began to walk. In the middle of the night thoughts became zombies.”

When it comes to the characters in horror/mystery books, I love read about bloody ones the most. Yes, you are thinking correct, I bloody well enjoyed the killings and murders.

In this story, there were some really smart kids who try to solve the dome mystery. I really enjoyed reading that.

My favourite characters from this book are: Big Jim Rennie, Junior Rennie, Colonel Barbara, Joe McClatchy, Julia Shumway, Rusty Everrat, Carter, Colonel Cox.

As you all know King’s novels are lengthy, so was this one. It took me a week or two to complete it. That was a bummer but the intense mystery and suspense kept me going and ofcourse the bloody scenes. I was a tad bit dissapointed at the ending. I was hoping for a big revelation or something and it turned out to be a bit mediocre.

So what was the big mystery about this dome? Read the book to find out. Not giving up spoilers here. This book is definitely worth reading.

My ratings: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Walk Beside Me by Christine Handy

I was given this book by the author herself to read and review it. I must say, it was an emotional ride for me. Read on for the synopsis and my review.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Willow Adair has a picture-perfect life or so it seems. A stunning model-turned-wife-and-mother, she lives in a beautiful home with her husband and two kids in historic Bexley, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio. On the outside, she has everything. On the inside, she struggles with issues of self-worth. Spurned by her neglectful husband and hated by her rebellious teen daughter, Willow never feels she is good enough. She fears everyone she loves will leave. Piece by piece, the cornerstones of Willow s life begin to crumble. A routine colon operation goes horribly wrong. A yoga injury leads to a series of surgeries and misdiagnoses, ultimately ending in permanent loss of motion in her right arm. And then Willow is diagnosed with breast cancer. Convinced that no one will stand by her for one more day of sickness and depression, she prepares to end her life. That’s where the Angels come in. Willow s friends lift her spirits when she is sad, and weep with her when she is hurting. They walk beside her quite literally, on sidewalks from Cleveland to Miami. And they walk beside her spiritually and emotionally, soothing her heartache and reminding her that every single minute of her life is abundantly worth living. Walk Beside Me is the story of a woman who peels away the layers to find her inner warrior, a woman who faces insurmountable odds and thanks to her earthly Angels learns to treasure the gift of God’s infinite light and love.”

My Book Review:

From the title of the book, it may seem like its a romance novel but it’s not that at all. The story is quite different here. When I started reading the novel, honestly I felt frustrated because the woman who was telling her story, she just did not love herself and downgraded herself so much. She was going through severe medical conditions and while reading, I felt like her husband was just tired of her and her conditions.

I took my time reading this novel because I knew there’s a positive side and a deep message in this story. Then I realized, why I felt frustrated in the beginning. It was because this novel was an emotional ride and it took me time to absorb all of the emotions pouring out of the story. The truth is, I was reading this deep and emotional novel after such a long time.

When you get cancer. . . EVERYTHING changes. . .

Your emotional self.

Your physical self.

Your spiritual self.

Your friendships.

All your relationships change, really.

People treat you differently, some better, some worse. . .

So the woman Willow went through a breast cancer, after her stomach and arm surgeries. She thought she will suffer through this alone. She did not want to burden her friends or family. She was going to take an easy way out. But her friends and family did not leave her side. She was loved by everyone. It was not an easy ride, she went through hell but she fought her way through.

By killing yourself, Willow, you would rob us of the memories that we get to make with
you. Walking through your suffering alongside you, supporting each other – that’s a gift. This is the love we can share together—don’t rob us of that.”

This book made me realize what a person goes through when he or she has cancer. How painful and nerve wrecking – chemotherapies are. Love and support of friends and family help you fight your way through cancer. When finally the battle ends, you become a completely new person. You learn to love yourself, body and soul. Every scar, may it be physical or mental; is a part of you. It is a part of who you are as a human being. Loving yourself is not enough, you have to give out and share all the love that you receive or feel. Life is a gift from God and we need to cherish it, live it fully. Pain is a part of life. You need to take control of your life and decide how you want to live it. Its all about your willpower and your faith.

Author Review:

When I went through such an emotional ride while reading this book, I can imagine what the author must feel while creating this story.

The author wrote an inspirational story by creating a story about the struggles of breast cancer. The message she tried to portray was crystal clear and very deep. The lacking I felt was the part played by Willow’s husband. I wanted more of their husband-wife moments because husband plays a very vital role when his wife is going through cancer. Overall, this book will be very helpful for those who go through cancer or any difficult period in their lives.

In the end, I would like to thank the author for sending me her book to read and review. Hope you like my honest review.