Intriguing YA Sci-Fi steeped in mystery

An intriguing Sci-Fi steeped in mystery, The Journing Plague transports readers to the world of Pedora, where the wardlanders live under quarantine restrictions since the Pedorate government declared a plague claimed the lives of the entire crew of the Nether Supercontinental docked in Ularon City. Among the dead was the father of protagonist Kai Astada. 

 

The story unfolds from his perspective of Kai, now a young adult and a member of the Journer caste still living in quarantine in Ularon City under the umbrella of the Pedoran governing caste system. He graduates from the pilot training academy and is relegated to the job of Urban Pilot even though he is gifted enough to pilot a T-Class Continental. Two years into his job, he receives a message from one of his childhood friends to meet at the mythical Duck Down Club. The clandestine club is real and entering it turns his life upside-down when he is tricked into joining the Resistance. Those responsible have changed his birth-pid identity. His official record says he’s dead, and his new identity takes him way out of his comfort zone in more than one way with a task to accomplish. What he experiences opens his eyes to a trail of clues he would never have otherwise recognized.

 

 

Book review: The Journing by Shaune Lafferty

Shaune Lafferty Webb’s worldbuilding creates a unique believable sci-fi/fantasy backdrop infused with the need to explore the unknown to unravel a mystery in search of the truth. Pedora’s history, geography, culture, and characters raise a host of questions and keep you guessing. Did the crew of the Nether die of plague? Is the threat of the plague still real? Was it ever real? It’s a gripping unpredictable plot that unfolds a layer at a time drawing the reader deeper into the intrigue as Kai and a group of rag-tag cohorts take on the impossible task of disproving the destructive allegations made by the Pedoran government.

 

The Journing Plague works as a standalone read worthy of re-reading but leaves the door open to a continuation of the story of Journer Kai Astada. I didn’t want it to end and I’m happy to give it four out of five stars and recommend it to fans of young adult dystopian fiction like There Once Were Stars (Dome 1618) by Melanie McFarlane.

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As BookHookup I received a free review copy of this book from Black Phoenix Book Tours but was not 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.

Beautifully illustrated motavational book for dancers 12 and up

Ballerina Wisdom for Dance and Life is a short motivational book filled with creative inspiration and stunning illustrations. The illustrations paint a charming backdrop depicting the beauty and graceful expression of dance while the practical advice offers encouragement to help pre-professional dancers (ages 12 and up) to develop faithfulness and self-dedication in the face of the rigorous hard work required to reach their dreams and realize their passion with confidence and joy.

Book Review: Ballerina Wisdom for Dance

I’m happy to give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend Ballerina Wisdom for Dance and Life as a gift for dance students, as well as those who have practiced their craft for years and could use a motivational pick-me-up to rekindle their zeal and renew their devotion with a reminder to stay the course even when feeling overwhelmed or spent as they put on their dance shoes to perform this graceful expressive art form.

 

About the author: Once Upon a Dance

Ballerina Wisdom for Dance and Life is brought to you by the mother-daughter duo, Once Upon a Dance, named a Top 10 Author (2022) by Outstanding Creator Awards and honored with over 50 book awards and a Kirkus Star. They donate all royalties to charities through 2030. Teacher Terrel grew up dancing, and she taught dance for decades. Ballerina K is living her dreams as a professional ballerina.

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As BookHookup I received a free review copy of this book from Blackberry Book Tours but was not 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.

Must read murder mystery couched in a darkly fantastical world

I’m not a fan of explicit gore portrayed in much of today’s horror genre but I do enjoy elevated horror and dark fantasy thrillers that leave something to the imagination. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Umbrate by A.D Jones, but the back cover intrigued me. A detective story in a world with Humans, Dwarves, Elves, and “the shadowy Umbral populace.” I read the opening pages and decided to give it a read and so pleased I did.

The story unfolds through the perspective of the complex human protagonist, Detective Vanic Bradley. A good guy, but troubled and flawed, and full of regrets. But he is good at his job. The “shadowy” Umbrals are introduced through Vanic’s nightmares as he relives a haunting encounter. Its physical features sounded zombieish. I thought, Oh no! The Umbrals are zombies. (Zombies are my least favorite ghouls because they tend to be mindless, indestructible, decrepit creatures that kill and turn people into zombies often within a shallow predictable plot. That is not the case in Umbrate. The Umbraals are calculating humanoids that can be the good guys or the bad guys and live integrated into society elevating the question of who to believe and trust.

One of the things I enjoyed most in this story is Vanic’s growth as a character. As the plot unfolded I cared about him more and more as his viewpoint transformed. He faces difficult choices in an extremely high-risk situation that gradually brings about personal growth and an evolution of his Umbral perception and with it, mine.

I recommend Umbrate to readers who enjoy unpredictable, suspenseful, high-stakes murder mysteries couched in a darkly fantastical world. This whodunnit crime mystery is rife with action, danger, and adventure, with a dash of romance and plenty of drama. The writing hooked me at the start and pulled me along to a satisfying end. I highly recommend this book to people who like elevated horror, dark fantasy, and detective stories. I'm happy to give it 5 out of 5 stars.

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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.