Title: Merlin's Shadow
Author: Robert Treskillard
Publisher: Blink
Pages: 437
ISBN: 978-0-310-73508-3
Publication Date: October 1st, 2013

Synopsis:

Betrayal.

After destroying the sinister Druid Stone and freeing his people from its dark control, Merlin finds himself a royal advisor without a king. Along with his friend Garth and Natalenya, his betrothed, Merlin treks north with the orphaned Arthur in hopes of keeping the young ruler safe from soldiers misled by their turncoat captain. Relentlessly pursued by his old nemesis Vortigern, Merlin and his band make for the fortress of Dintaga.

But dangers multiply when Merlin realizes that Vortigern is not his only enemy. Even his own sister appears bent on Merlin's destruction. As the threat on all their lives increases, Merlin discovers their only hope is sailing to the lands of eternal darkness and once again cleansing the world from an ancient and powerful evil.

Review:
Merlin's Shadow picks up right after Merlin's Blade ends. Merlin and his companions are on the run from Vortigern and his men, but they are not the only ones after Merlin. Old threats emerge along with new threats. It seems wherever they turn, someone wants to bring harm to either Merlin or Arthur. It is a non-stop ride following Merlin and his companions as they race away from these threats and try their hardest to keep the young Arthur safe.

Robert Treskillard is able to weave the mythology of King Arther and supernatural aspects with a bit of historical fiction from this time in Britain when it is out from under Roman rule, but still settling into what it will become. The world that is presented is a dark world that Merlin lives in, full of battles, and grabs a hold of you as you dive further into the story.

Merlin through the story, has pushed forward as the leader of this rag tag group of five. However, through his strengths he reveals his weaknesses. One weakness in particular, which is witnessed in the beginning, I wanted to slap him for. Merlin promised Natalenya and her mother that he would protect Natalenya at the end of Merlin's Blade. However, when times got hard for them, and their chase intensified, Merlin pulled away from Natalenya and in doing so, left her vulnerable. I would like to say it was Merlin being naive, but I don't know. His thoughts shifted from where I expected them to go.

All in all, I really enjoyed Merlin's Shadow. It was a fast paced book from the very beginning and it kept me questioning, "What will happen next?" I'm interested to see how things will wrap up in the third book, Merlin's Nightmare.

Too Read
4 out of 5

About the Author:
Robert Treskillard holds a BA in Biblical &Theological Studies from Bethel University, Minnesota. He has been crafting stories from his early youth, and is a software developer, graphic artist, and sometimes a bladesmith.








Thank you to Booklook (formerly Booksneeze), I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Merlin's Blade
Author: Robert Treskillard
Publisher: Blink
Pages: 432
ISBN:978-0-310-73507-6
Publication Date: April 16th, 2013

Synopsis:

Merlin's Greatest Weakness Could Become His Greatest Strength

When a meteorite crashes near a small village in fifth-century Britain, it brings with it a mysterious black stone that bewitches anyone who comes in contact with its glow—a power the druids hope to use to destroy King Uthur's kingdom, as well as the new Christian faith. The only person who seems immune is a young, shy, half-blind swordsmith's son named Merlin.

As his family, village, and even the young Arthur, are placed in danger, Merlin must face his fears and his blindness to take hold of the role God ordained for him. But when he is surrounded by adversaries, armed only by a sword he's named Excalibur, how will he save the girl he cherishes and rid Britain of this deadly evil ... without losing his life?

Review:
I have always been intrigued with stories of King Arthur and Merlin. I've read the tales of the round table, I've watched anything from the old cartoon movie, to blockbuster movies, to the made for TV mini-series. Seeing this new series, I knew I needed to check it out.

Robert Treskillard is able to take such a well known story and make it new and fresh.Usually, when we think of Merlin, we think of him older and being an adviser to Arthur. Here, in Merlin's Blade, Merlin is just a young man, barely out of his teenage years. Arthur is just King Uther's young toddler son. With these ages, there is so much space to work in.

Unlike previous settings, Merlin's Blade is set during the time when Rome still had some control over Briton and Christianity was starting to spread. Knights and Ladies aren't exactly present, but warriors and soldiers are. Briton sits on the precipice of moving forward into Christianity or going back to its pagan origins.

The characters that move this story along are strong. Each offer much to the story and are based on the well known characters that most of us grew up with. There are changes, which I enjoyed. Merlin is a young man, having lost most of his sight in an attack when he was a boy. He has struggles, but he faces them well. He works and fights for what he believes in and has hope. He also relies on his faith and his belief in Jesus. Merlin is a strong male lead. He is surrounded by adversity in this story. He is smart and either fights with his brains and if need be his brawn.

There were a couple of sections in the story where in the beginning I got a little confused by the characters, but as the story moved along, everything eased together, and the story flowed. I'm interested to see where this series goes!

Too Read
4 out of 5

About the Author:
Robert Treskillard holds a BA in Biblical &Theological Studies from Bethel University, Minnesota. He has been crafting stories from his early youth, and is a software developer, graphic artist, and sometimes a bladesmith.








Thank you to Booksneeze and Blink, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Luminary
Author: Krista McGee
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 311
ISBN: 978-1-4016-8874-5
Publication Date: January 7th, 2014

Synopsis:

Thalli thought escaping to the surface would mean freedom. But is she any less of an anomaly aboveground?

After escaping an underground annihilation chamber, Thalli, Berk, Rhen, and John find themselves fleeing across the former United States, aboveground for the first time. As the defectors cross the for gotten landscape, the three youths see things they had only read about on screens: horses, rain, real books—and a colony of unsanctioned survivors living the ancient way in a town called New Hope.

When the citizens of New Hope reveal the truth of what happened years ago, Thalli is left unsettled and skeptical of everything she’s ever been told. Can she trust anything from the State, including her own feelings for Berk? When she volunteers for a peace mission to New Hope’s violent neighbor, Athens, her confusion mounts as the supposedly ruthless Prince Alex turns out to be kind and charming. Although everyone in New Hope warned her not to, she can’t help but fall for him.

Meanwhile, John’s unwavering faith in the goodness of the Designer begins to make its mark on Thalli’s heart. But can Thalli really come to trust in a generous, protective Designer who rules over all things? Would that not be setting herself up for another betrayal?

The time for her to decide is now . . . because the State is closing in.

Review:
The world that Krista Mcgee has created is interesting and detailed and keeps expanding with each book. In Anomaly, we only see a small amount of this world with the State. Now, we get to see what is left of a world ravaged by a massive war. Though desolate, the people are strong. In these two communities, there is so much that is different. In New Hope, they live as a community with their elders. In Athens, they are ruled by a king and his line and fear is the driving factor of submission.

We have several questions answered in Luminary which was great! Instead of waiting till the end to have all reveled, these revelations helped move the story along. It also offered a an opportunity for Thalli to learn from and question what she already knows. As the story progresses, her emotions and her knowledge grow, and you are able to watch her morph into a stronger person, both mentally and spiritually. Thalli has many questions and she does her best to find answers.

With Thalli, we have the return of Berk, Rhen, and John. Each offers much to the story. John is a sweet older man who just wants to share his faith. He has hope and is thankful to be free from his prison. Rhen, even though is still the quieter one of the group offers more in Luminary. She is slowly coming out of her submissive state and is offering her knowledge and help on her own and taking a little more of a lead. Berk is still strong and determined to lead and protect this little group, however when he is faced with physical injury, his intelligence can't seem to help him with Thalli determination to help.

I can't wait to see how this trilogy will end. The ending of Luminary left me with even more questions and I can't wait to find out the answers!
Too Read!
5 out of 5

About the Author:
Krista writes for teens, teaches teens, and more often than not, acts like a teen. She and her family have lived and ministered in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain. Her current hometown is Tampa, FL.










Thank you to Booksneeze, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Aquifer
Author: Jonathan Friesen
Publisher: Blink (Imprint of Zondervan)
Pages: 303
ISBN: 978-0-310-73182-5
Publication Date: August 6th, 2013

Synopsis:

Only he can bring what they need to survive...

In 2250, water is scarce, and those who control it control everything. And they’ll do anything to maintain their power – deceiving, dividing families, banning love... even killing those who oppose them.

But above all, they seek to control knowledge and communication – ensuring the truth that will bring their downfall will never be known. But one person verges on discovering it all.

Sixteen-year-old Luca becomes the Deliverer, the only one allowed to contact the people called ‘Water Rats,’ who mine the essential water deep underground and bring it to the ‘Toppers’ who desperately need it above.

But when he meets a Water Rat who captures his heart and leads him to secrets – secrets about a vast conspiracy, and about himself – the net around him tightens. Luca and those around him must uncover and share the truth needed to overthrow tyranny – even as they fight for their lives.

Review:
The idea of this book caught my attention. I'm always on the lookout for new futuristic/dystopian books. I love the genre. Aquifer sounded promising.

Luca is a fifteen, soon-to-be sixteen year old boy. However, once he reaches sixteen, Luca will be considered a man in the society he lives in and he will be able to take up the roll of Deliverer, as his father and grandfather before him. As a Deliver, Luca has grown-up memorizing a path that leads down into the earth to the only remaining source of fresh water, the Aquifer. One day a year, the Deliverer descends into the earth to deliver a tribute to the underground works, who keep the Aquifer supplied and running, the Water Rats.

This year, Luca's father Massa starts his journey like normal. He sets off into his boat to the secret entrance. While he is away, Luca waits. When the time for his father to reappear from the underground, something goes wrong and his father never appears. He is told that his father needed to rest, while another tells him, his father has been undone, killed.

Luca doesn't know what to believe. He goes on living life by himself in his small shanty, till one day he is approached by Seward, a pirate and one who occasionally works for the government, retrieving the ones who have been undone. On an expedition for recovery, Luca and Seward find that the Council is trying to make it look like that Massa is dead when they recover a body that is dressed like Luca's dad, but doesn't have the same markings.

That part of the story I enjoyed. It was different and the story was an interesting premise. However, I had several moments where I was confused. In this future society, each person had a dial that sent out wrinkles if their emotions fluctuated to much. However, I was confused if they were set up for kids on the wall of their classroom, or they were on their person. There wasn't enough information to the background of these devices and how they came about.

Luca also was hard to understand as the story progressed. You could say that it was teenage hormones that happened, but the speed for which his thought processed change was a bit to quick and hard to follow. It was first about finding his father, then it changed to, I need to keep this girl by me, we can not be separated no matter the cost. She is far to important. Tayla, the girl who Luca became attached to was a bit fickle at times and I could not connect with her.

I also couldn't place who the villain of the story was. At one point it was the police of the system, then the council, then to a third at the end.

I really wanted to enjoy the story. The originality was there, but I was disconnected from the jumpiness of the story and characters.

2.5 out of 5

About the Author:
Jonathan Friesen is an author, speaker, and youth writing coach from Mora, Minnesota. His first young adult novel, Jerk, California, received the ALA Schneider Award. When he’s not writing, speaking at schools, or teaching, Jonathan loves to travel and hang out with his wife and three kids.







Thank you to Booksneeze and Blink, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Peace on Earth: A Christmas Collection
Author/Illustrator: Mary Engelbreit
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Pages: 40
ISBN: 978-0-310-74340-8
Publication Date: October 8th, 2013

Synopsis:

I surely wish with all my heart,

This day of Jesus' birth,

That peace and love and happiness

Soon cover all the earth.

Mary Engelbreit rings the holiday with a Christmas collection that includes many of her favorite carols, the story of Jesus' birth, and beloved poems that touch the heart and celebrate the miracle of the season.

Review:
What a wonderful Christmas collection Peace on Earth is! Mary Engelbreit has brought together many Christmas carol classics, the story of the nativity, and poems from Christmas. It was all arranged in a way that the story, poems, and songs flowed together to bring the Christmas story in a fun way and colorful way that can really be enjoyed for any age.

I was introduced to a couple of new poems through the Peace on Earth, and what a treat it was to read "Friendly Beasts" which focused on the animals in the barn, and "Don't Waste the Miracle" by Jan Miller Girando, which was a good reminded to focus on what the season is really about. Peace on Earth also included many of my favorite Christmas carols...but let's face, I love Christmas, so almost all of them are my favorite!

Mary Engelbreit also brings her wonderful illustrations to Peace on Earth. Each page shines with love for Christmas through her drawings. The colors are fantastic to keep the eyes of little kids on the page. My little one has loved Mary Engelbreit's The Nutcracker and I have a feeling that Peace on Earth will be joining the ranks with same whimsical drawings.

Peace on Earth: A Christmas Collection is a wonderful addition to anyone's Christmas library!
Too Read!
5 out of 5

About the Author:

Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother’s own childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. Mary’s distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions, who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more. Mary’s dearest wish has always been to illustrate for children. Her New York Times bestselling The Night Before Christmas is already part of the holiday tradition for families across the country.






Thank you to Booksneeze and Zonderkidz, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for and honest review.

Title: City on Fire: A Novel of Pompeii
Author: Tracy L. Higley
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 386
ISBN: 978-1-4016-8752-6
Publication Date: September 17th, 2013

Synopsis:

As Vesuvius churns, a slave girl-turned-gladiator joins forces with an unlikely source to seek justice.

In the coastal town of Pompeii, a new gladiator prepares to fight. But this gladiator hides a deadly secret: she’s a runaway Jewish slave girl named Ariella, disguised as a young boy. A savvy fighter,
Ariella determines to triumph in the arena, knowing her life will be forfeit should anyone uncover the truth.

Cato, a wealthy politician, moved to Pompeii after tiring of the corruption in Rome. But he soon learns that Pompeii is just as corrupt, and if he doesn’t play the game, his family could pay the price. Determined to bring about justice for the citizens of Pompeii, Cato searches for allies. But what he discovers instead is a confounding group of Christians . . . and a young female gladiator whose fame is growing daily.

Political unrest reaches a boiling point as Christians are jailed and executed, and the mountain in the distance threatens to destroy the city with its river of fire. Cato and Ariella must act quickly and courageously to save their loved ones before all is lost.

Review:
Wow! This was the first book that I have read by Tracy Higley and I'm looking forward to reading more by her.

City on Fire takes you all the way back to the time when Jerusalem fell to Rome and the people inside were either slaughtered or taken into captivity. Ariella, is one of the few left alive, after everyone, but her brother is slaughtered. She is shipped off to Rome and for the next 9 years, she is forced to work in the home of a greedy and disgusting individual, who thrives on the most heinous acts. However, Ariella finds her means of escape with a gladiator troupe and is able to flee Rome, to Pompeii.

Quintus Cato has suffered personal loss in Rome and has decided to leave that life behind and head to Pompeii with his mother and littler sister. Not long after arriving, Cato is introduced to Maius, a leader of Pompeii. It isn't long after that through Maius, Cato sees the corporation he viewed in Rome hasn't left him. Wanting to help the city to get out from under Maius thumb, Cato takes up a personal campaign that leads him to meet and interesting young gladiator named Ari.

The paths that Ariella and Cato face are different, but at the same time, similar. Cato wants a quiet life. Ariella just wants to be free again. To find the right way, they both end up using their smarts and their brawn, and in the end, they are both led to a home, full of caring and compassionate people. The home is full of people that the Emperor of Rome wants to see killed, Christians.

Ariella and Cato grow through out this whole story. Cato, not wanting to get back into the political world, only to see that is where is needed to help those he cares about. Ariella after her years of abuse, fights to trust and depend on people.

City on Fires brings you into the everyday world of Pompeii and just as you are settled in, the story begins to build, like that of a mountain, slowly giving away signs that chaos and destruction is on the way. As the book takes you along, the more you need to know and find out.

A fantastic book!
Too Read!
5 out of 5

About the Author:
Tracy L. Higley started her first novel at the age of eight and has been hooked on writing ever since. She has authored nine novels, including So Shines the Night, Garden of Madness, and Isle of Shadows. Tracy is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Ancient History and has traveled through Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Italy, researching her novels and falling into adventures. See her travel journals and more at TracyHigley.com.

Thank you to Booksneeze and Thomas Nelson, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Snow on the Tulips
Author: Liz Tolsma
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 336
ISBN: 978-1-4016-8910-0
Publication Date: August 6th, 2013

Synopsis:

A stranger’s life hangs in the balance. But to save him is to risk everything.

The war is drawing to a close, but the Nazis still occupy part of the Netherlands. After the losses she’s endured, war widow Cornelia is only a shadow of the woman she once was. She fights now to protect her younger brother, Johan, who lives in hiding.

When Johan brings Gerrit Laninga, a wounded Dutch Resistance member, to Cornelia’s doorstep, their lives are forever altered. Although scared of the consequences of harboring a wanted man, Cornelia’s faith won’t let her turn him out.
As she nurses Gerrit back to health, she is drawn to his fierce passion and ideals, and notices a shift within herself. Gerrit’s intensity challenges her, making her want to live fully, despite the fear that constrains her. When the opportunity to join him in the Resistance presents itself, Cornelia must summon every ounce of courage imaginable.

She is as terrified of loving Gerrit as she is of losing him. But as the winter landscape thaws, so too does her heart. Will she get a second chance at true love? She fears their story will end before it even begins.

Review:
In 1945, the allies have finally gained ground and have pushed Hitler's army back and they are freeing the people who have been shoved under Hitler's imposing thumb. When I think of WW2, I think of the tragedy of the Holocaust, the landing of Normandy, the perseverance of England. Those are the most well known events of the war. Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma brought to my attention the hardship that Netherlands faced as they were occupied by the Nazi's.

Cornelia is a widow, she lost her husband in battle with the Nazi's and has lived her life quietly through the war. As quietly as a person can live anyway as she hides her younger brother from the Nazis. Cornelia is content to live the quiet and unnoticed life, waiting for the allies to release the Netherlands. She is a woman who cares deeply for her remaining family and is willing to help them anyway possible. Cornelia is a strong woman in her own way, she resists the Nazis, she refuses to speak German, even though she is fluent.

Gerrit is not a person who wants to sit quietly by till the end of the war, he wants to fight anyway he can. Because of that, it brings him to Cornelia's door, wounded and on the verge of death. He is nursed back to health by Cornelia and her siblings and with their help is able to avoid being caught by the Nazis again. Gerrit is a strong believer in fighting for what you believe in, no matter the cost. His passions give Cornelia something to think about with their time together. His faith is also a strong part of who he is and guides him in his toughest circumstances.

This story is based on true events that happened in Liz Tolsma's own family. It is awe inspiring to me, hearing stories of survival during this nightmarish time in our history. This was a good story and set in a background I hadn't thought of, when considering WW2.

Too Read!
4 out of 5

You can purchase Snow on the Tulips at ChristianBook, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble

About the Author:
Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life. She and her husband have a son and two daughters, all adopted internationally. When not busy putting words to paper, Liz enjoys reading, waling, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family. You can see more at www.liztolsma.com.







Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Booksneeze, I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Anomaly
Author: Krista McGee
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages:320
ISBN:978-1-4016-8872-1
Release Date: July 9th 2013


Synopsis:

Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.

Decades before Thalli’s birth, the world ended in a nuclear war. But life went on deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. Since then, they have genetically engineered humans to be free from emotions in the hopes that war won’t threaten their lives again.

But Thalli was born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far thanks to her ability to hide those differences. But Thalli’s secret is discovered when she is overwhelmed by the emotion in an ancient piece of music.
She is quickly scheduled for annihilation, but her childhood friend, Berk, convinces The Ten to postpone her death and study her instead. While in the scientists’ Pod, Thalli and Berk form a dangerous alliance, one strictly forbidden by the constant surveillance in the pods.

As her life ticks away, she hears rumors of someone called the Designer—someone even more powerful than The Ten. What’s more, the parts of her that have always been an anomaly could in fact be part of a much larger plan. And the parts of her that she has always guarded could be the answer she’s been looking for all along.

Thalli must sort out what to believe and who she can trust, before her time runs out…

Review:
Talk about starting a series off with a bang! Krista McGee nailed it with Anomaly. I have read many different kinds of dystopian books and Anomaly is now at the top.

Thalli is a seventeen year old girl, who lives in a place called The State. The world as we know it is gone. People are no longer created in the "primitive" way. Instead people, like Thalli, are genetically created. There are no mothers, no fathers, no families. Just groups of people created for each generation. Thalli, is apart of the third generation. People are bred to bring a specific specialty to each generation. Thalli's is music, since it has been shown that music helps productivity. With the genetic enhancements, sickness is almost eradicated, along with emotions...or so The Ten thought. Every so often, an Anomaly occurs.

When Thalli is discovered as an anomaly, she is brought to the Ten. They want to test her out and find out why she is different, and during her time, she meets an old man, John. He introduces her to thoughts and ideas that she had no idea were there. She learns from John about the Designer and the things that the Ten wanted to eradicate from their new way of life.

Anomaly had several twist in the story and the ending I didn't see coming at all. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Too Read!
5 out of 5

For more information about Krista McGee check out her site HERE.
And for more information on Anomaly or you would like to pre-order, check out Thomas Nelson or Amazon.

Thank you to Booksneeze and Thomas Nelson, I received this book for free for an honest opinion.