Fresh coming-of-age fantasy

Pariah’s Lament by Richie Billing is a fresh coming-of-age fantasy drama rife with fast-paced battles, kings, kingdoms, and medieval style politics. The storytelling balances the plot with bits of humor and a touch of romance laced with intrigue of two potential matches for the fair heroine. This novel takes place in the the realm of the Of Metal and Magic CORE (3 books) where this fantasy unfolds with a natural sense of discovery. The reader knows where they are, has a sense of what to expect, what to dread, who to trust, and where they might turn for help. 

The protagonist is a strong, complex female character by the name of Isy. In her home town and among her family she is identified by how she looks and bullied for it. She fits in nowhere, and has no friends albeit the librarian who treats her kindly when no one is looking. Her reprieve from the reality of life is found in the pages of books, until her hopeless world is turned on its head in a heartbeat as she steps into the role of reluctant hero when she finds her fate entangled with a persecuted race facing extermination and to her dismay, they believe she can help.

Book Hookup Review: Pariahs’ Lament

One of the best fantasy books I’ve read this year. The attention to detail is outstanding. You are there! Pacing is on point. No dragging, or rushing. Just caught up in a natural ebb and flow of events like a pulse delivering life into every page. The unique characters are interesting and engaging. Gripping battle scenes deliver one compelling climax after another with a plot that keeps the pages turning. This one makes it to my top 10 list for books read in 2023. Couldn’t put it down. I give it five out of five stars and look forward to more from this new author. Recommend to fantasy, action adventure fans.

I received a copy of this book through Black Phoenix Book Tours and have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

 

About the author

Richie Billing writes all kinds of stories, but mostly fantasy fiction. His tales often explore real-world issues, zooming in on the characters and their troubles. His short fiction has been widely published, with one story adapted for BBC radio. His debut novel, Pariah's Lament, was published by Of Metal and Magic Publishing in March 2021. Richie also hosts the podcast The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, a venture inspired by the requests of readers of his acclaimed craft book, A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook.

When not writing, Richie works as an editor and digital marketer and teaches creative writing both online and in his home city of Liverpool. Most nights you can find him up into the early hours scribbling away or watching the NBA.

Find out more at www.richiebilling.com. 

https://mailchi.mp/c8382d667538/join-richie-billings-community

https://www.instagram.com/richiebilling/

https://twitter.com/Magpie_richie

 

Page-turning suspense and drama

If you have not read the historical thriller, The Brittle Sea, book one in The Brittle Saga Trilogy, then know that this review includes spoilers related to book 1. My recommendation is to read The Brittle Sea before picking up The Brittle Land to get the full experience of the intricacies of the plot, but with that said The Brittle Land is written in such a way that it can be enjoyed without reading book 1.

About the book: The Brittle Land

The Brittle Land is the second book I’ve read by Tom Kane. Both are filled with page-turning suspense and drama with an underlying thread of romance that connects it all. Book two opens with the everyday life of Richard Blackmore as he picks up the pieces after being shot by the love of his life, Maggie. What he doesn’t know is that Maggie has a dual personality. The woman who tried to murder Richard was her alter ego, Magda Turner, but for The Brittle Land, Maggie has resurfaced. The plot has the reader cheering for the two of them to reunite even as Richard heads off to war. What he doesn’t know is that the personality that is the Maggie he loves has resurfaced following the trauma of his shooting. She escapes life as Magda Turner in search of Richard, but she isn’t alone. She brings along her young daughter (Richard’s daughter) with hopes of becoming a family.

 

Book Hookup Review: The Brittle Land

The plot is anything but predictable. It offers a Hitchcockian style theme that takes a dark and twisting turn as Magda’s husband sends his evil henchman, William Harker, after his wife who has now reverted to Maggie. Tension and intrigue build against a backdrop of World War I, the Spanish Flu, and Maggie’s personal struggle with mental health to keep Magda in check as she hopes to reconnect with Richard even as her world burns around her. If you’re in the market for a thriller, I recommend this book with four stars. I love the twist at the end that turned everything on its head. I can’t wait to read book 3, The Brittle Sky.

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As BookHookup I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from the author and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

About the author: Tom Kane

Tom Kane was born in the corner of the living room, behind the TV. So said his father many times, and the family agreed wholeheartedly. That seems to have set the tone for the rest of his life. In the corner or behind the TV, what is known about his birth is that it was on a dark and stormy night.

His mother inspired him to write. Doctor Who and Isaac Asimov inspired his love of science fiction. Monty Python inspired him to be silly and he blame Billy Connolly for his infrequent bursts of bad language.

Edge of your seat WWII fiction

Black Fox One is WWII historical fiction written with a twist. If you enjoy unpredictable romance couched in high-risk suspense, set in WWII’s political climate in Germany, this book will thrill you. It follows SS Officer Jonas Amsel and Ava Keller from mismatched childhood friends to young adults with bright futures as Nazis. As a gymnast, Ava hopes to compete in the Olympics for her country. Jonas has loved her since they were children, and his dream is to marry her and have a family. He has the ring, but then Eva and her family disappear. Jonas blames the Jews and throws all his time and energy into his career with the Nazi Party. Even in his work, he always looks for clues to find Ava. 

His success at locating members of the Black Foxes, and anti-Nazi resistance group, earns him the nickname “the Fox Hunter.” When he is tasked with capturing the deadliest Black Fox, the operative known as Black Fox One, he dreams of being awarded a coveted Nazi ring and hopefully one step closer to finding Ava. But the mission leads him to more than he bargains for. He comes face-to-face with the hardest choice of his life: His love for the Reich or the truth he discovers.

@donnasundblad BookHookup Book Review Black Fox One #booktok #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #historicalfiction #wwiifiction #bookish #readersoftiktok #readersofbooktok ♬ original sound - Donna Sundblad

I recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction, a strong female protagonist, and an impossible romance amid an unpredictable plot, all couched in high-risk suspense set in Germany’s WWII political climate. It’s an edge of your seat read that pulls you in. I award it five out of five stars, and also recommend The Vengeance of Samuel Val, the first book in Project 613 series.

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As BookHookup, I am a long-time book reviewer and I received a free review copy of this book and have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. This review is posted in collaboration with Black Coffee Book Tours. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites. 

 

About the Author: Elyse Hoffman

Elyse Hoffman is a best-selling author who strives to tell historical tales with new twists. Having studied WWII since the age of thirteen and with interests in fantasy and Jewish folklore, she loves to combine them in her writing. Elyse started writing novels at fourteen and finished her first historical fiction work at fifteen. She studied English, History, and Law at George Mason University. In her spare time, she loves to read, work on pretty keyboards, and hang out with her co-authors - her Goldendoodle Ari and her ex-feral cat, Echo. Other books to check out include the five books of The Barracks of the Holocaust series and The Book of Uriel.

Inventive approach to storytelling for 4-9 year olds

Joey Finds His Jump is a delightful children’s picture book in the Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers series. The colorful full-page illustrations pull out all the stops and include details designed to capture and hold the imagination as Joey transforms from a sad young kangaroo into a confident jumper filled with the joy of jumping. 

 

Book Review: Joey Finds His Jump

But Joey’s story is more than a happily ever after tale. It not only engages the imagination; it encourages the whole body to participate in Dance-It-Out movements. Throughout the story, the authors incorporate creative movements related to Joey and what he is experiencing. 

It’s an inventive approach to storytelling that introduces another level of active fun while reading and is a perfect choice for kids who get fidgety while being read to, those with an interest in dance, and children who like to play make-believe. And this sweet story is entertaining enough that young readers will enjoy reading it again. I’m happy to award 5 stars for this wondrous picture book. Once Upon a Dance donates all proceeds to charity, and I recommend the entire Dance-It-Out! Creative Movement Stories for Young Movers

 

About the Authors

Once Upon a Dance offers movement, breath, joy, connection, and imagination through stories.

Their catalog of 25 interactive dance books highlights positive messages and role models throughout four main series:

• Dance-It-Out! stories combine whimsical tales with movement and subtle life lessons (spans ages 4-9)
• Dancing Shapes peeks at a professional ballerina's journey, teaches ballet, and explores detail and form (spans ages 6-11)
• Ballet Inspiration and Choreography Concepts deep dives into technique, tips, and insight for aspiring dancers (ages 8-12)
• Prop-Based Dance Stories for Classroom and Anytime Fun debuts in 2023 to encourage scarf and parachute play.

Once Upon a Dance was named a top 10 author of 2022 by Outstanding Creator Awards, and they’ve been honored by over 40 book awards, 1000+ 5-star reviews, and a Kirkus Star. They donate all royalties to charities supporting the arts, animals, environment, or people. Visit DanceStories.com for more info.

https://onceuponadance.com/

https://www.instagram.com/once_uponadance/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/20931758.Once_Upon_a_Dance

https://twitter.com/Terreld2

https://www.facebook.com/OnceUponADanceViralDancing

https://www.amazon.com.br/Once-Upon-a-Dance/e/B08PCB7FRN/

 

As BookHookup, I am a long-time book reviewer and received a free review copy of this book in collaboration with Blackberry Book Tours. I have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

 

Fast-paced YA fantasy/sci-fi, complex unpredicable plot

Crystal Shards by I.O. Scheffer is book 2 in the Fearghus Academy YA Science Fiction/Fantasy series. In book 1, I met a wide cast of diverse characters and I looked forward to seeing what magical adventures and threats they would endure in book two. I was not disappointed.

About the book: Crystal Shards

The series follows the life of Artesia Addison who, when the story opens, lived in 1864 London in an orphanage as a young teen. When adopted under unusual circumstances, she is taken to another earth-like world where magic is part of life. She attends Fearghus Academy, a school for students gifted with magical abilities. Chrystal Shards picks up where Book 1, October Jewels, left off. It presents a wide range of uniquely flawed characters in Artisia’s life including her best friend Eilam DeForest. Many of these gifted kids carry emotional baggage from life before Fearghus and it adds elements of external and internal conflict that leaves the reader cheering the kids on. 

Book review: Crystal Shards

Crystal Shards delves deeper into the mysteries of the past hinted at in the first book, but the theme is much darker. In some areas, the story may be too troubling for more sensitive readers, as the plot does include the torture of children. It wasn’t super graphic, but I’d say if it were a movie, I’d rate it PG13.

I recommend Crystal Shards to readers who enjoy fast-paced fantasy/sci-fi, a complex plot written with multiple unpredictable threads, and young characters that develop, grow, and change as they learn lessons of life. I think fans of the Magical Arts Academy Series or the Blakemore Paranormal Academy Series will find the mysteries and adventure of Crystal Shards captivating.

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As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from BookTasters and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.