My reader ranking

Fireblood (Frostblood Saga #2)

Fireblood by Elly Blake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this books. The book did start out a bit slow but when it started to get going the action and revelations came thick and fast. I can't believe this is Elly Blake's second novel. I though Frost Blood was a great debut she carries the momentum on in this novel.

The character development is great, but the characters still stay true to themselves from the original story. In the first novel we were introduced to Ruby the outcast a Fireblood in a kingdom ruled by ice. Here we lean more of her origins as well as the land of fire. Prophecies, magic and destiny combine to create a great story.

The stunning revelations of the story just kept coming and I was just hungry for more. Till the last page I cannot wait to see what happens next. I hope book three does justice to the great first two book of the series.

This book is a great combination of storytelling, twists and character development. If this was the prelude to the war I really cannot wait for the next chapter. There is not as much action in this book as the first book, not the development of both the characters and their powers as well Ruby's origin more then make up for it.

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The Boy of the Mosque

The Boy of the Mosque by Ahmad Ardalan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great book, this was much more then I was expecting. Despite all the book I have read all the Muslim heroes have been from the olden days. This is the first time have read a book of modern day Muslim hero who I felt represented Muslims properly. The fact the he fights against evil people who misuse religion for their own personal games gains is even better. I think they are given the right name the devils.

The book is cleverly written, and full of suspense and excitement. It is written like a diary account from Khalid (the Boy of the Mosque), and a couple of other people later on. Ahmead Ardalan does a great job of explaining in detail where and how Khalid learned all of the skills he puts to use in this story.

This book is a Muslim man fighting against terrorist who have taken over his village. It had a great feel of a man achieving his destiny. I am a big believer in everything happening for a reason, this is a theme done very well in this book all the skills he has learned in the past have brought him to this point. This is a excellently thought out short story. I especially like the line drawn between this freedom fighter and terrorists (who do not represent any religion, but misuse religion for their own purposes).

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Wings of Fate (Protected by Dragons, #4)

Wings of Fate by G. Bailey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It was okay. I was expecting a lot more from this book. This story was very slow then when things happened they were over very quickly and after all the setup I was thinking was that it? I think this was a bit of a cheeky way to promote another series.

The thing is I really do you like this series, there were 4 important point that happened in this book which really made this okay then a disappointment for me. The thing that I am not happy about is there is was a so much setup and then when and event happens it is a paragraph or a page at more. Except a cross over with another series I think the important part of this book could very easily have been incorporated into the another book, I personally thing the story should have been moved on a lot further then it was in this book.

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William Shakespeare's Jedi the Last: Star Wars' Part the Eighth (William Shakespeare's Star Wars, #8)

William Shakespeare's Jedi the Last: Star Wars' Part the Eighth by Ian Doescher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I admit I do not know all the pros and official structure of Shakespeare, but I did recognized some of the lines and more famous passages that had been re-purposed, and they fit perfectly into this story.

Like the Empire Strikes Back I think this book and Rogue One, are the best candidates for the Shakespeare treatment. The dark themes really do come out here. I really like the "asides" in this story, these were spot on in getting the characters across for me.

Ian Doescher did a great job on this conversion, however you have to be in the Star Wars fans side that already liked The Last Jedi, This will not do much to convert people that did not like the movie. For me I agree with Ian's assessment in the acknowledgement page. One of the things we both loved about the Last Jedi, was it would get to a point I was sure was going to be the cliffhanger ending but it just kept going, and getting better. Even knowing what was going the happen I still got goosebumps on these parts of the book. I loved the illustrations in the book as well. Like any book book it enhanced my experience. Also I think fans of Shakespeare will love this finding easter eggs of his hidden lines, there are also these for Star Wars fans.

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Catwoman: Soulstealer (DC Icons series)

Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

SJM writing Catwoman what could be more awesome? Was expecting this book to be great and it was better than anything I could have though it would be. This incarnation of Selina Kyle is brilliant. I just have one complaint/request can SJM please write a Batman book!!!! Please!!! All the elements I love of the Batman character including his will, intelligence, toughness, use of identities, tactics and all round bad@$$ery are present in Catwoman. Every chapter I read in this book I could not wait to see what happen next and the last 60 pages I just could not put the book down.

Street fighter Selina Kyle was force to leave what little she had left in Gotham City. Now she is back older wiser, deadlier and with a purpose. Nothing in this book is there just to fill space, everything links together. I also like the way the relationships between the characters developed. The book is fast paced but definitely not rushed. I also like the conflict in Selina, though she did had not love for the richer citizens of Gotham, some earned her respect with the genuine good they had done, making her think about what she was doing.

SJM not only did a great job on Catwoman/Selina/Holly but used other classic Gotham villains and side characters perfectly. She also used the new member of the Bat-family brilliantly. I think having Catwoman running circles around the new kid of the Bat family was a great idea, as we Batman fans know this would never happen to the man himself. Who is on a private mission during this book that we are not told about really. The perfect setup for another book right? Hint hint.

This is a great book. This is definitely the best of the DC Icons books so far, and I cannot think of a better incarnation of Catwoman. I would give this 10 stars if I could. After she finishes the Throne of Glass series can someone please get SJM to write Batman.

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Mazahl's Ascent

Mazahl's Ascent by S.V. Atla
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I have no conection to S. V. Atla.

I would have rates this book 3.5 stars simply as it took me so long to get I to it. It was the last 25% of the book that pushed this to round up. The story highlights the dark side of Saudi Arabia. Even today or especially today many if these issues are prominent. The discrimination faced by women, treatment of expatriates, and the poorer classes in general. There is a lot of darkness in this book so if you are offended by real world issues you probably will not enjoy this book.

After finishing the book I can see why it was more slow moving at the beginning, as Atla was developing Mazahl's character and "powers" slowly. I can understand and appreciate this though I was a bit too slow for me. The only other complaint I had about the book is almost in the same paragraph I was reading from one characters perceptive, then almost on the next line it changed to another characters perspective. I did get used to the the more of the book I read.

A good book full of not so hidden real world issues. One of the things I am glad Atla does point out in the later chapters is the issues are based on culture not religion. Even though religion is what is blamed or misquoted/twisted for bad people to justify the evil things the do. This book is more for people who do not mind controversial and dark themes in their books.

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