Cherry Mischievous

Thursday 18 April 2024

DRAGON'S REACH

Dragon's Reach by JA Andrews
Book 1 in the The Keeper Origins series
Narrated by Kate Reading
Genre: fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Dragon's Reach:

Sable would do anything to protect her younger sister Talia from Kiva, the ruthless gang boss — including keeping secrets: a money stash, a family secret, and her own magical ability to sense the truth in people’s words.

But when Sable disobeys Kiva and he begins to unravel her secrets, her entire world unravels with them.

With Talia torn from her and Kiva’s henchmen at every corner, Sable stumbles into the most unexpected help — a traveling theater troupe. Far more than a means of escape, the mismatched band of actors quickly becomes the family Sable so desperately needs.

And with their help, the true power in her magic begins to awaken.

When Sable and the troupe come face to face with a looming danger that threatens the entire land, they risk everything to return and warn the city. Against time and her own self-doubts, Sable must perform the lead role in a play powerful enough to gain the attention of the entire city — including Kiva, who’s still hungry for her blood.

Source: Info in the "About Dragon's Reach" was taken from amazon on 18/04/2024.

Buy Link(s):

My Thoughts:

At the first sign of too stupid to live (tstl) element in the story, I was very apprehensive! But, I continued on reading in the hopes that it won't appear again...

Unfortunately that is not to be...

The story telling quality is good enough for me to keep reading. However, I also needed frequent breaks from it. Some breaks are longer than others. When I have forgotten my annoyance, I'd pick this book up again. Because the world building is beautiful!

And then there is Purnicious. The best way to describe her is Harry Potter's Dobbie. Same character. Only this time Purn is a kobold instead of a house-elf.
Purnicious

Might not be the most original of ideas. Might be a Harry Potter rip-off. However, Purn is still loveable as all get-out!

Then the ending is a cliffhanger. I don't like cliffhagners!

I am an old Kate Reading fan and she gave a wonderful performance with this book!

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 3
Character development = 4
Story itself = 3
Writing Style = 3
Ending = 3
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = 3
Plot = 3
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries

Books In The Keeper Origins Series:

Meet The Author

About JA Andrews:

A Andrews is a writer, wife, mother, and unemployed rocket scientist. She doesn't regret the rocket science degree, but finds it generally inapplicable in daily life. Except for the rare occurrence of her being able to definitively state, "That's not rocket science." She does, however, love the stars. She began writing stories and creating coloring books because these sorts of things need an outlet. And now good markers are a deductible business expense. She spends an inordinate amount of time at home, with her family, who she adores, and lives deep in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, where she can see more stars than she ever imagined.

The Narrator

About Kate Reading:

Kate Reading is an Audie Award–winning narrator who has recorded hundreds of titles in many genres. She has received numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, in addition to being named Narrator of the Year and Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy. She has been recognized as Reader of the Year by Publishers Weekly and has appeared on Booklist's 2019 Top of the List for the American Library Association. She and her husband, narrator Michael Kramer, record at their home studio in Maryland, Madison Productions.

Born: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Spouse: Michael Kramer
Children: Vivian Kramer, Henry Kramer

Our home studio, Madison Productions, is located in Maryland.

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

Wednesday 10 April 2024

OWL'S FAIR

Owl's Fair by Leanne Leeds
Book 2 in the Owl Star Witch Mysteries
Narrated by Naomi Rose-Mock
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Owl's Fair:

I get the divine talking owl bit. I understand the part about star magic. But if the “goddess” knows someone’s going to die, couldn’t she send a file with information on how to stop it instead of a sparkly card?

As a witch who was used to being told where to go and what to do for the greater good — after all, that’s how the witch military worked — being told what to do with the rest of my life by a goddess I didn’t believe in and a talking owl with a chip on his shoulder wasn’t all that far-fetched. The military prepared me to accept all sorts of things that make no sense.

But at least in the military, I had a manual.

During Alice Windrow’s card reading with my sister Ami, the glowing star card announces she is marked for death by someone and marked for rescue by the “goddess Athena.” Mom tells me the cheerful girl is known throughout Forkbridge for her philanthropy (funded by a distant relative’s substantial inheritance.) Alice claims she only wanted assurance that the marathon she sponsored will come off without a hitch. Nothing crazy going on in her life.

And yet someone wants her dead.

Can we unravel the plot in time to stop Alice’s murder? Or will the generous girl find that her marathon is officially over — for good?

Source: Info in the "About Owl's Fair" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60560022-owl-s-fair on 14/05/2022.

Buy Link(s):

Pistachio

My Thoughts:

Like the first book, this one has more than just from A to B plot. For an urban fantasy, this series sure is good in the plot department! It is also good in the character development department. None of that "too stupid to live" (TSTL) nonsense where the protagonist acts out of character to create a dilemma in the story to the point of unrecognizability. Take Pistachio for example... beautifully crafted character! I recommend this book to all urban fantasy readers!

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = (6 hrs and 24 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 4.5

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries

Books In Owl Star Witch Mysteries:

Meet The Author

About Leanne Leeds:

Leanne Leeds writes witty, funny, and exciting paranormal cozy mysteries that are light-hearted explorations of offbeat small-town America. With a cast of quirky characters inhabiting her fictional world, Leanne provides a unique blend of comedy, clues, and twisty action — all with a touch of magic that keeps readers turning pages.

You can also visit her at leanneleeds.com for free stories, to join her newsletter.

The Narrator

About Naomi Rose-Mock:

Hi! I have recorded 100 plus audiobooks, I specialize in fiction with large casts of distinct characters. I am also an acting/dialect coach with over a decade of professional experience.

website | twitter | facebook | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.