The Peculiar Peggs of Riddling Woods by Samuel J. Halpin

 

Book: The Peculiar Peggs of Riddling Woods

Author: Samuel J. Halpin

Genre: Mystery, Children, Middle Grade

ARC copy sent by USBORNEYA.

Goodreads Synopsis:

This is the story of a sleepy town called Suds. A place where stories fill the air of children who keep turning grey and disappearing without a trace…

Poppy and Erasmus are certain there’s something peculiar going on in Suds, and they’re determined to unravel its secrets. But when they discover the answers might lie in the darking and twisting woods, can they find the courage to creep inside and solve this riddling mystery?

My Review:

“Across the sky they fly by night in airborne wicker hamper. Once they’ve got you in their sight, there’s nowhere else to scamper.”

Sometimes, book covers and titles deceive you. But the title of this book is not deceiving at all. It’s more like spooky and mysterious. Just as the story line.

It was kind of slow paced but the mystery and suspense was maintained so well throughout the book until the end…when the big revelation came through. The imagination of the author, I could feel it through this story and the characters. This childlike, yet mature imagination was what got to me the most. The setting of the story, the way the author wrote it and created this amazing yet spooky tale of riddling woods was just out of this world.

I am so in love with middle-grade books now. This one is truly worth the read. Erasmus and poppy and Gran were my favorite characters. Also, Marley the dog and Churchill the pig. I just fall in love with the pet animals so much😍.

And oh my God! The ending was so gripping like I couldn’t stop reading and worrying about poppy and Erasmus. I was taken aback by the descriptions and all the background spookiness.

I am so thankful to USBORNEYA for sending me this review copy. Ya’ll should definitely read this book. It is not just for middle-grade children. It is a very captivating book and it will surely baffle you. There is this deep lesson about friendship and bravery, which the author portrayed so beautifully.

My Ratings:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5/5

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Fireside Chat with a Grammer Nazi Serial Killer by Ryan Suvaal

 

Book: Fireside Chat with a Grammer Nazi Serial Killer

Author: Ryan Suvaal

Genre: Thriller/Psychological thriller

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventeen gruesome killings across the United States, within a span of six months and there is one clear connection among victims. They were all writers.
While media is decorating the murders with sensationalist stories, and law enforcement is playing catch-up, the homicidal maniac remains elusive and secretive.
Things get very interesting, when one day she decides to appear on an internet talk show for an honest fireside chat.

My Review:

“But when you did not respect me as a reader, WHY SHOULD I RESPECT YOU AS A WRITER?” I rarely read short stories or books these days but when I was asked to review this short book, I read the blurb and instantly felt compelled to try and read it. So, thank you to the author for providing me with this ARC to read and review it. I literally finished this book within an hour, yes! Its so short. But it is equally mysterious with a unique story. Though, I wish it would have been more longer and detailed. When the story ended, I was craving for more. Fireside chat with a Grammer nazi serial killer might sound a weird and big name for a short story but please don’t go on the title. Like literally. Even a short thriller story can creep you out. Yes, it has that kind of power. The serial killer is a reader 😲. I am not saying anything else. But then I start noticing typos, comma splices, sentence sprawls, lack of parallelisms in sentence structures, overuse of commas or a complete lack of them. These gaffes just fuel my fire.  I bet if the author would have written a full novel on this plot, it would have turned out so good. Atleast, thats just my opinion. You all can disagree or agree. Well, you guys should definitely read this one. Its available on amazon. Many readers might find this story offensive too in a way but I am a huge fan of reading serial killing thrillers and this plot was so new and though fast paced but well written. My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5

Harmonies of War: The Guide by Ruby Fitzgerald

Book: Harmonies of War: The Guide

Author: Ruby Fitzgerald

Genre: Fantasy

Goodreads Synopsis:

Harmonies of War is your ‘Season 1 Recap’ for Descendants of War.

This ground breaking Epic Fantasy Series opens the door for mental health. The majority of society will experience anxiety or depression at once point in their lives. There are so many negative voices that come with, and the rare hopeful ones. Imagine you could take the voices of depression, and create a world where the most oppressed in society co-exist with a different set of rules. Magic.

The Descendants have been gifted magic, The Nine Energies, and when an evil leader is dead set on conquering The Temperate Lands, the only chance they have is a fiery haired Descendant and broken pieces of an Ancient Prophecy.

Aurora is left for dead by an evil King Zagan, Eleanor believes in protecting her Queendom through sheer manipulation, and an army of brainwashed Descendants will stop at nothing in pursuit of freedom. In a world where self doubt, isolation, and zero loyalty rule the day, can love and hope prevail? 

My Review:

“The Scarlet Prophecy tells of a young woman, hair as red as flames, who will be chosen to receive all nine gifts of energy. And with all gifts, she will be more powerful than even the ancients were.” At first, i thought this book is the sequel to descendents of war: magic’s demise but when I started reading, I discovered its the prequel to the book. It was very slow paced in the beginning and I kinda forgot about it for a while because of the excitement of starting other books. Then I remembered I left this one after reading half of it :p This happens with me rarely though. Since its the prequel, i got to understand the characters even more through this book. I discovered that my dislike for queen Eleanor was right because omg! the games she played to do the right thing…. Ahh! well not giving spoilers. I really enjoyed reading this prequel, it was actually very compelling. The events of the war of venom were unfolded in this prequel. I loved how the author brought forward the origin of the characters. Thank you again to Ruby Fitzgerald for entrusting me with her books and letting me to read and review them.  My Ratings: ☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ 4/5 stars. Find the Author at: 📸Instagram

Saved by the Page by J.D. Netto

Book: Saved by the Page

Author: J.D. Netto and other various authors

Genre: Contemporary

A huge thanks to J.D. Netto who provided me and many other reviewers with this anthology of 45 stories by various authors. This book is a masterpiece and I feel honoured to read and review it.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Do you remember the last time a book changed your life?

Maybe you had just lost a loved one? Or an unexpected turn of events had left you overwhelmed? No matter the reason, the book you’re thinking about right now changed the course of your life in a way you can’t put into words.

But these people have.

Saved by the Page is an anthology written by readers for readers about the life-changing power of books and the impact they have on us. Profound, thought-provoking, personal, and heart-wrenching, these forty-five stories are giving a voice to people all around the world.

Get ready to crack the spine and flip through the pages of this whirlwind anthology as readers take you on their journey. 

They’ve been all been saved by a page, and hopefully this one will save you too.

My Review and thoughts:

From the introduction of this anthology by J.D Netto till the last story, I felt deeply captivated. At one point, I started feeling so surreal, it was like I went through each of the lives of every author who was telling his/her story. Because I could feel all their emotions while reading their personal stories. I found reflecting myself in each of those stories.

Reading about how books saved these people in so many different ways. These stories were so very personal to them, yet they had such a courage to share their stories with the world. Not only these beautiful readers + authors shared their stories with the world, but all readers out there express their stories about how books save them, in their own unique ways.

The world should know, about how books and story world saves a person from their doom and brings a kind of hope and light which you cannot get from anywhere but books. Books and stories are our salvation, they heal us from the most deepest heartbreakes, makes us strong when we feel the lowest and weakest, makes you believe in love and forgiveness, gives you the courage to live life and fight your own battles, brings you back from depression and restores your mental health.

From these stories and my own experience with reading so many different books, books become our best friends and they are a source of a deep connection with our fellow readers. We all have lived thousand lives, and we are reborn in another realm, face another life and battle.

Each book was a person, the pages filled with accounts of their every triumph and turmoil—hidden secrets, dreams, untold desires. Every period carried a purpose, every comma a breath. I used to tell myself that someday, someone would pick up my life’s book, read it, and learn from it. The more I ran toward the written word, the more I recognized the truth in my imaginings.

After reading this anthology, I gained the courage to share my own little story with you all. Living in a small country like Pakistan, being from a middle class family, I was still privileged to study in an English medium Christian school. So naturally, the habit of reading was instilled in me since I was a kid. Novels started in our english course from I think 3rd or 4th grade and I used to finish reading even before we were scheduled to finish.

I somehow made friends easily since I was a kid and I was mostly a happy go lucky girl and still am. Stories kept me sane, contended and my mind was filled with thousands of imaginary worlds and friends. I was an only child and loved my solitude. I used to borrow horror books from the library and enjoyed every one of them. Yeah! I was a horror freak and still am.

My teenage years were so rebelious, weird, full of all emotions and then I dealt with depression and self hate too in those years. Because so much happened with me and it took 4 to 5 years to work on myself and reinvent myself into a whole new me but still be the real me. Books played a very important role in those years. Because thats when i discovered different genres of books and craved for something new to read. I never comprehended that I would actually become a blogger. But becoming a blogger, was the best decision I made and I hope to become a poet and an author soon.

I had a big dream of travelling the world which I am trying to fulfil and I know I will conquer all my dreams.

So If you haven’t started reading yet, then I suggest you pick up a book this instant and dive into the magical world of stories. Believe me, your whole life will change. Books are the reason why i am filled with si much energy and unlimited hope and love that I want to keep spreading with my writing.

Ratings:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

5+++++++stars😍❤

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The Train to Impossible Places by P.G. Bell

Book Title: The Train To Impossible Places

Author: Peter G. Bell

Genre: Middle Grade, Childrens, Fantasy, Adventure, Fiction

Publisher: Usborneya

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share with you all about this middle grade fantasy book that I got from Usborneya a few months back and its one of the best middle grade children’s book I have ever read after Matilda, Alice in the wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate factory.

Thank you so much Usborne books for sending me this beautiful book to read and review.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A nonstop middle-grade fantasy adventure, The Train to Impossible Places by debut author P. G. Bell is as fun as it is full of heart, and the first book of a planned trilogy.

A train that travels through impossible places. A boy trapped in a snow globe. And a girl who’s about to go on the adventure of a lifetime.

The Impossible Postal Express is no ordinary train. It’s a troll-operated delivery service that runs everywhere from ocean-bottom shipwrecks, to Trollville, to space.

But when this impossible train comes roaring through Suzy’s living room, her world turns upside down. After sneaking on board, Suzy suddenly finds herself Deputy Post Master aboard the train, and faced with her first delivery―to the evil Lady Crepuscula.

Then, the package itself begs Suzy not to deliver him. A talking snow globe, Frederick has information Crepuscula could use to take over the entire Union of Impossible Places. But when protecting Frederick means putting her friends in danger, Suzy has to make a difficult choice―with the fate of the entire Union at stake.

My Review:

“A broad mouth, as wide as a toad’s, was pulled into a sneer beneath it, while two small yellow eyes squinted at her over the top. This strange face was set in a round, bald head, with skin as dark and knotted as old tree bark. A huge pair of pointed ears stuck out on either side. Even more grey hair sprouted from inside them.”

First of all, I was awe struck by this book since I started reading it. You know what else amazed me? The beautiful illustrations in between the pages. Omg!! They were just so wonderful and fantastic, I was literally drooling over them while reading. Also, the fantasy world that the author created in this story was just mindboggling. All science fiction, parallel worlds stuff was mixed with fantasy and magic. (By now I was totally lost in this book world).

And Don’t even get me started on the characters…. like OMG!! They were even more fantastic and so cute!!! I actually took my precious time, reading this book. Lets get back on the amazing characters. Suzy, Wilmot, Fletch, Stonker, Ursel, Frederick, Crepsula (sounds like an evil character right? Well I am not giving spoilers. You gotta read the book), Lord Meridan (You are already curious about them I know🤣🙌), H.E.C (This is the train and yes I consider it a character too cause it was the main part in the story. I loved this train).

“From Trollville to the five corners of reality, my dear. No package too big, no postcard too small. Come rain, shine or meteor shower, the Impossible Postal Express will deliver.”

This adventurous book had a mystery too, can you imagine? It also had twists and turns and I died screaming inside. This book was so diverse with little life lessons for not only children but adults too, if you can read between the lines that is…

I can definitely say that this book was one of my best reads of 2018. Omg!! I can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you Peter Bell for writing this amazing book and taking me back to my childhood imaginary world where anything is possible.

I strongly recommend this book to all of the readers out there and not just children. Trust me, you will enjoy this book so much.

My Ratigs:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

5/5 ❤😍

 

Descendants of War: Magic’s Demise by Ruby Fitzgerald

Goodreads Synopsis:

Thousands of years ago, the Ancients bestowed the Nine Energies of Magic to certain humans known as Descendants. When Aurora, briefly in possession of all Nine Energies, defeated King Zagan during the Battle of Venom, peace returned to the ravaged queendom of Thurnadan. Eleanor has been placed back in charge of her queendom, and although the war torn country has been ravaged, the strength of the community is bringing things back to normal, piece by piece.

Until a new adversary has emerges: The Jinx. Far more threatening than Zagan and his army, The Jinx is a disease with a one hundred percent mortality rate. The race to find a cure is on; it is only a matter of time before the disease mutates and becomes capable of killing every living thing in its path. Terror spreads. The Jinx seems to be unstoppable, especially when fate rests in the hands of the disheartened. A disturbing Seer’s vision and long-neglected maps are the only guidance the people of Thurnadan have in their frantic search for a cure. Turning to lore of the Ancients for answers, a dark Prophecy threatening the end of mankind’s reign is discovered, but a sliver of hope is also found within its riddle of verses. Do the Ancients still live? Will the disease mutate and grow more powerful? And how much time does the queendom have before all are certain to perish?

My Review:

“Stuck in the crossroads of magic, secrets, and time lies the blank banks of a dark and icy river, lined with the shed scales of our departed Ancients…”  First of all, thanks to the author for sending me the e-copy of her book in exchange for an honest review. To be honest, the storyline was really captivating and the concept of magic was a bit different. Also, the concept and background of the descendants and ancients was something new to ponder upon. My favorite characters: Aurora, Xenos, Ipo, Gwendolyn and King Malcolm. I felt such evilness from queen Eleanor. Now I am excited to know about her character in the next part. The story becomes a bit boring in between and a bit slow paced too but then suddenly towards the end the events took a drastic turn. I really love that when this happens. I took too much time reading this book because I procrastinated alot and then this whole month of November was so busy for me. But I am happy to finally complete this book and start the next part.  My Ratings: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars Connect with the Author: 📸 Instagram: Ruby Fitzgerald 📸 Goodreads: Ruby Fitgerald   For more bookish updates, follow me on 📸Instagram

Time Crawlers by Varun Sayal

Goodreads Synopsis:

Alien Invasion, Dark Artificial Intelligence, Time-Travel, High-Tech Mythology, Djinn Folklore, Telekinetics, and life-consuming Cosmic Entities are some major themes in this book which has six tightly-knit, fast-paced Sci-Fi stories.

1. Nark-astra, The Hell Weapon
The weapons he possesses make him the destroyer of worlds, and he burns for revenge. A high-tech take on ancient Indian mythology.

2. Death by Crowd
The dark desires of the masses; darknet websites fueled by a crypto-currency. What lurks in the background – an advanced artificial intelligence?

3. Genie
He rubbed a lamp alright, but what he got was the shock of his life. An entirely sci-fi take on the djinn myth.

4. Time Crawlers
There are individuals who existing in multiple time periods at once, and there are those who know about them….

5. Eclipse
No attacks, no blood-shed, yet there was an invasion and a conquest. Who are these shapeshifter aliens being hounded by an eclipse?

6. The Cave
The fate of an advanced imperial race hangs in balance as a dark celestial entity meets a legendary protector. 

My Review:

“Billions of universes run slightly parallel to our own universe; worlds full of infinite possibilities. There are many humans living in those parallel worlds, leading their lives, in a very similar way to how we are leading ours. But their respective realities differ from ours in some very peculiar ways.”  The stories that the author created about aliens and other planets in the universe were like mind boggling. It was like, he took thoughts right out of my mind and put it into words. The best story was the genie one and the last story. I was just so intrigued by this book. The stories brought so many possibilities and theories about multiverse, parallel universe, aliens and the planets in space. The names of the characters were though very difficult to pronounce but they were very unique …nonethless. I literally read this book in 1 day cause it was short and yet so amazing. I really think a lot about space travel, aliens, planets and multiverse. Thank you so much to the author for providing me this e-copy of his book. Really loved reading this book.  I rather love reading about aliens, parallel universe, space travel and different planets. My imagination is very wild like that. So naturally I believe in all these stuffs. I love books that cater these out of the world topics. My Ratings:  🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 You can find the author at:  🌏Instagram 🌏Goodreads

Alice, Angel of Time by E. Graziani

Thank you so much to the author E. Graziani for sending me your ebooks to read, in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Their love transcends time, space, and conflict.

Alice Ferro did not travel 500 years into the past to save her soulmate from persecution only to discover her journey had been in vain! Forced to return from 1512 Italy to 2029 Canada without him, she cannot focus on family, school, or friends as thoughts of Claudio constantly flood her mind. When she discovers her love’s future is dire, Alice decides she must return to the past to save him once and for all.

With some help, a bit of deceit, and a lot of determination, Alice sets off to rescue Claudio. Unfortunately, she hadn’t planned on things going so terribly wrong, and she soon finds her own life in peril.

Written with charm and intelligence, the sequel to Alice of the Rocks encompasses everything you could want in a young adult, time-travel romance. Adventure, true love, intrigue, and dynamic characters fill the pages alongside the elegant landscape of Renaissance Italy. 

My Review:

“Their love was five hundred years in the making, and if she had anything to do with it, it would last five times five hundred more.” Even though I took my time starting the second part of this duology, after reading the first, I knew I will love it and be mesmerized by the time travelling all over again. This duology was kind of a first scifi romance that I read in a while. At first, I was hesitant that whether I will like it or not. What will I feel like while reading YA romance after so long. Honestly, it did feel like a clichèd romance but the scifi and time travelling element made it unique. When I was well into the end of this book, I knew how it will end but well I still liked the book overall. All the history stuff about the renaissance era, the culture and the way royals and ordinary people spoke…all of this had me intrigued. I liked the little twists and turns in this part, specially the truth that Alice learns about herself, the way she travels back in time again and the whole time machine concept like the lightning bolt, wormhole and the theories…this stuff made the book even more amazing. Overall, I enjoyed reading both the books and I did not get bored. I am really, thankful to the author for sending me the e-copies of her books to read and review. Ratings:  🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars Find the author at: Sharing her goodreads and twitter links. I already linked her insta above. Goodreads: E. Graziani Twitter: E. Graziani

A Darkness of Dragons by S.A. Patrick

First of all, thank you so much USBORNEYA for sending me this advance review copy.

Goodreads Synopsis:

After playing a forbidden spell-song to save a village from rats, 12-year-old piper Patch Brightwater is thrown in jail. But there he meets Wren – a noble girl under a rat-shaped curse – and together they befriend Barver, a fearsome dracogriff, and set off on a grand adventure filled with sorcerers, dragons, bandits…and one very deadly enemy.

From the depths of the Tiviscan dungeons to the highest peak of Gemspar Mountain, this stunning book reminds us of the soaring joy of adventure, the captivating danger of magic, and of the delight of finding friends in unexpected places. 

My Review:

There is magic in music, listen.. ….

This was my second Arc from usborneya and oh boy… did I love it!!!!
The story captivated me from the first page because it was such unique fantasy story…I took my time completing this book. Now I am sad that it ended. I think this was a good october read.

The concept of pipers was literally so amazing…music wielding magic from pipes (kind of flute). This whole concept was mesmerizing but well any kind magic does have its dark side…
I always fall in love with the mythical creatures and pets. In this case, there was a dracogriff and a rat. You must be thinking why did I love the rat… well I am not giving any kind of spoilers here. So you will find out when you read this book.
Can you imagine a piper, a dracogriff and a rat being best friends? Seems impossible right? It isn’t really. Believe me, their friendship was the best and I loved their adventure. Just when I thought that the book will end in a boring way or something…bammm!!!! The story took a drastic turn and the way it ended…ahhh I need more …
The best thing about this book? Music and magic moulded together into one…
At one point, I really was scared that this book will disappoint me but no….it damn well did not…it was epic. Get ready to jump into the world of pipers, an adventure, magic and music. A dark and captivating tale of courage, friendship, magic, music and adventure…

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

5/5

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Kindness is Contagious -Holly Bourne’s New Book Message

Advance Review Copy from USBORNEYA:

First of all, I want to thank Usborneya for sending me this ARC of Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes by Holly Bourne. This was my first ever ARC from Usborneya and I am so happy to be a part of their bloggers/Reviewers team. Thank you so much for this, Usborneya

Are you scared to discuss or talk about mental health?

Even to this day, in our modern society, we all still get scared to discuss about mental health. Specially here in our Pakistani society, it is not openly discussed as yet. Although, the awareness is spreading fast and people are starting to come out of their shell. With the help of social media, many people gave words and voice to their stories. I, myself went through some depressing and self-loathing stuff few years back. But thankfully, I came out of it. Worked on my self real hard, to be a better human and be kind and humble. So, don’t suppress your feelings. Try and talk it out. Listen to the stories of the people around you, as this one of the kindest thing you can do. Mental health is very important and it is nothing to be ashamed off. For all the people out there, be kind to yourself and spread kindness.

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Welcome to Camp Reset, a summer camp with a difference. A place offering a shot at “normality” for Olive, a girl on the edge, and for the new friends she never expected to make – who each have their own reasons for being there. Luckily Olive has a plan to solve all their problems. But how do you fix the world when you can’t fix yourself?

My Review:

Every one is fighting a battle. You cannot see on the outside, so be kind.

This is the first Holly Bourne book I read and Oh My!!! I fell in love with the book and the author, instantly. I need to read all of her books now.

This book was such a roller coaster ride. Olive’s mind was full of every kind of thought. While reading this book, I kept going back to the past me. I have always been the kind of girl who’s mind is always flooded with all kinds of thoughts. I have always been so energetic and happy go lucky kind of person. But, in my teenage years, I did went through a lot of things. I used self loath a lot. So, while reading Olive’s story, relived my past.

I would literally recommend this book to everyone. Whatever your circumstance maybe, you really need to read this book. It gives such an important message to the world. The world really needs kindness. Be kind to yourself first, and then spread this kindness around you.

Reading Olive’s story will give you all a peak into your own minds as well. Even after all these years, I still struggle with my thoughts sometimes. Its so hard to accept yourself, eliminate the negative thoughts and feelings and trying to stay positive. It is a constant struggle. But the key is to not ever give up.

By reading this book, you will literally develop more compassion in yourself. This book gives an insight about mental illness and the people who go through it. The way Holly bourne wrote this book, I was literally blown away by it. She is now one of my favorite Authors out there.

Go and buy all her books people, specially this one, “Are we all lemmings and snowflakes”. I bet her books will open your mind to a whole new level.

I give full 5 stars to this book. The book and the author deserves it.

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