Review: What the River Knows

 

Series: N/A

Author: Isabel Ibanez

Publisher: Wednesday Books 

Publication Date: October 31, 2023

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Reading Source: NetGalley

Length: 416 pages

Format: e-book

  Cover Art: 5/5

 Overall: 5/5

 

Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind.

When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and an ancient golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe.

With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her.

The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in this lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.

Review:

What the River Knows is a richly designed historical fiction story set in Egypt with an enemies to lovers trope. I can not stop raving about this book, it is so good. What the River Knows is a beautiful tale of Inez Olivera, a girl who seems to have it all, her world traveling parents. After the death of them, Inez is left with a fortune, a curious guardian and a partnership to an archeologist. Inez sails to Egypt to find answers to her mother and father's death. Upon arrival she finds a strong magic pulling her down a path of her parent's disappearance.  

 

I loved The Mummy movie and when that was in the description I knew that this book was for me and I was right! I can’t say too much about Death on the Nile because I don’t know that reference.

 Aside from Japan, my favorite setting to read from is Egypt, this one didn’t disappoint me. I loved the world. It was beautifully written. The writing seemed to just flow. The story was so entertaining from start to finish. The characters just seemed to come alive, they were so engaging. 

A huge thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this advanced readers edition in exchange for an honest review! 

 

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Review: Rebel Girls

Title: Rebel Girls

Series: None

Author: Elizabeth Keenan

Publisher: Inkyard

Publication Date: September 10, 2019

Genre: Young Adult

Reading Source: NetGalley

Length: 432 pages

Format: e-book

  Cover Art: 5/5

 Overall: 4/5

“Echoing the punk-rock feminist movement of the early ’90s, debut author Keenan creates a timely narrative that will challenge teens to reflect on their personal values and engage in respectful discourse. A must-read.” – Kirkus , starred review

When it comes to being social, Athena Graves is far more comfortable creating a mixtape playlist than she is talking to cute boys—or anyone , for that matter. Plus her staunchly feminist views and love of punk rock aren’t exactly mainstream at St. Ann’s, her conservative Catholic high school.

Then a malicious rumor starts spreading through the halls…a rumor that her popular, pretty, pro-life sister had an abortion over the summer. A rumor that has the power to not only hurt Helen, but possibly see her expelled.

Despite their wildly contrasting views, Athena, Helen, and their friends must find a way to convince the student body and the administration that it doesn’t matter what Helen did or didn’t do…even if their riot grrrl protests result in the expulsion of their entire rebel girl gang.

Review:  

Rebel Girls is about Athena attending Catholic School in the 90s. When the rumors about Athena’s little sister start to fly, it’s hard for Athena to stay under the radar.

Rebel Girls is a blast from the past. My nephew says I need to get my head out of the 90s all the time and this novel just solidified my 90s obsession. Kids of today’s age just don’t understand.

Athena was such a down to earth girl, I could really relate to her. Helen was headstrong and had a lot of personality. Rebel Girls touches base with some pretty serious issues including bullying, racism, teen pregnancy, and abortion.

Thank you to Inkyard Press and NetGalley for this e-copy for my honest opinions.

 

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Review: The Lodge: A Horror Novel

 

Title: The Lodge 

Series: None

Author: Jeremy Eads

Publisher: Wicked House Publishing

Publication Date: July 28, 2023

Genre: Adult, Horror

Reading Source: NetGalley

Length: 258 pages

Format: e-book

  Cover Art: 3/5

 Overall: 3/5

A demon runs a bed and breakfast in southwest Virginia where sin never needs a reservation. A guilt-ridden retiree, two little boys, and a pair of meth making cousins will challenge America's most wanted black widow, a haunted southern town, and the Devil himself. The quest for salvation will lead to the darkest parts of themselves as well as the beating black heart of Summit Valley, Virginia. The Maple Lodge, a B&B where the turn down service is to die for.

Review:

Welcome to The Maple Lodge, a Bed and Breakfast where the service is to die for.

 

In this gothic horror novel, we visit a B&B set in a haunted town in southern Virginia, not just any B&B but one that is run by a demon. We follow a colorful cast of characters from a couple of little boys, a retiree, cousins dealing in some illegal activity, an infamous black widow and the Devil himself. 

The book just didn’t really click with me. The book jumped around a lot and the ending felt rushed. It had a lot of potential, but I don’t think it lived up to it. 

 This book is currently on KU (Kindle Unlimited) as of 9/7/23.

Thank you to Wicked House Publishing and NetGalley for this e-copy for my honest opinions. 

 

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Review: Parasite

 

 

Series: Parasitology #1

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit

Publication Date: October 29, 2013

Genre: Adult, Horror, Science Fiction

Reading Source: NetGalley

Length: 513 pages

Format: e-book

  Cover Art: 5/5

 Overall: 4/5

A decade in the future, humanity thrives in the absence of sickness and disease.

We owe our good health to a humble parasite - a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. When implanted, the tapeworm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system - even secretes designer drugs. It's been successful beyond the scientists' wildest dreams. Now, years on, almost every human being has a SymboGen tapeworm living within them.

But these parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives...and will do anything to get them.

Review:

Parasite was an adult futuristic horror. In this world SymboGen Corporation has developed a genetically engineered tapeworm. The tapeworm keeps people safe from illnesses and increases the immune system. Years after most everybody has a tapeworm thriving within them. And for the most part they are out of harm’s way until the parasites start to get restless. 

Parasite is the first book in the Parasitology series by the same author as The Feed series, I have not read that series yet. The thought of a parasite inside is just disturbing. It reminded me of the t.v. series Monsters Inside Me mixed with the book The Host. The strange thing about it is that it was a real “diet” plan back in the 19th century. People really did buy and swallow tapeworms. 

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions. 

 

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Review: Birth of the Storm

 

Title: Birth of the Storm 

Series: Demon Storm #1

Author: Valerie Storm

Publisher: Shadow Spark Publishing

Publication Date: June 13, 2022

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Reading Source: NetGalley

Length: 322 pages

Format: e-book

  Cover Art: 5/5

 Overall: 4/5

A  bolt of lightning. And a dream of vengeance.

For wolf-demon Kari, these define her every waking moment. Her parents are dead, slaughtered by human hands, forcing their only daughter to masquerade among their killers to save her own skin. Now she dwells among them, hiding her lightning-based abilities and plotting a terrible revenge, believing her schemes are all she's good for now. But when she discovers unexpected solace among a group of humans who look past her monstrous nature, Kari finds herself questioning everything. Her mission. Her dreams. Even the hatred festering in her heart.

Is it possible for a creature like Kari to find happiness in a world that despises her?

Review:

Birth of the Storm was a ya novel about Kari who is a wolf demon who has lost her parents by humans. Kari must blend in with the humans in order to survive at least until she can get revenge for them. She has lightning powers. Can she possibly find happiness in a world who despises her. 

I liked the characters. Kari was such a great character. The book was very dark.

This book reminds me of an anime, Spice and Wolf. It read like an action 

If you like anime you would like this book. 

Thank you to Shadow Spark Publishing and NetGalley for this eCopy.

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Update.

 Hello, this is a hard post to make, but I think it is time, far past time for an update to the blog. 

I know that I have not been active on the blog for a while, I could make an excuse but I'm not going to do that. I can say I'm sorry, it's been different than when I started my blog. Sometimes it's hard to get motivated to post anything, I've been pondering whether or not I should update it for months now. 

 I appreciate everyone who has been here to support me and my blog. It's still hard to believe that I still have the blog going.

Change can be good sometimes, I'd like to change it around, change everything about my blog. The layout, the colors, everything including the name of the blog. I have both my instagram as well as my twitter names the same and I'd like to my blog to have the same name. 

I just wanted to make a post before I went up and changed it all. I don't really know how long it will take me to get everything changed, seeing as it's just me working on it and I'm not all that smart when it comes to computer codes and stuff, but we'll see how it goes, wish me luck.  

 So next time you go to check out Wondrous Readings, it will be no more, instead it will have a new color, a new layout even a new name. 

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Review: Downpour

 

Title: Downpour 

Series: Standalone

Author: Christopher Hawkins

Publisher: Coronis Publishing

Publication Date: October 3, 2023

Genre: Adult, Horror, Science Fiction

Reading Source: Edelweiss

Length: 245 pages

Format: e-book

  Cover Art: 5/5

 Overall: 4/5

A sudden storm appears above an isolated farmhouse in rural Illinois, bringing with it a relentless and unnatural rain. A rain that eats away at everything it touches. A rain that turns people into monsters.

Trapped inside his crumbling home, a father must do everything he can to keep his family from falling apart. But the rain calls to them, and not everyone wants to stay inside.

Haunted by memories of loss, he must put aside his painful past and find a way to keep them all safe. But the rain shows no signs of stopping, and time is running out.

Review:

Downpour is a novel set-in rural Illinois on a farmhouse that is under attack. 

 When a mysterious raincloud comes into view the citizens think it’s nothing special, just your run of the mill thunderstorm but it’s actually much worse. When the rain touches anything it erosions away the houses and it changes not just people but also pets. Once they get wet something changes in them, they turn into wild, strange monsters.  

From the cover I thought this book was about something else entirely, (because I am a horrible person who judges books by their covers; I didn’t read the synopsis of the book) with the “roots” covering the walls, but I was surprised when it wasn’t. Downpour is a mix of science fiction and horror that I think works very well together. There was an eerie feeling while reading but I kept coming back to it. (it was like a wreck that I couldn’t look away from). It was part Bird Box part The Rain from Netflix. 

 Normally I read YA or fantasy or romance novels where the MCs are young-ish/er, almost always female (not that I’m against male MCs or anything) but Scott, an older adult man, was a very refreshing character. I enjoyed the other characters as well. Tallie, while understandable whiny, she is only a little girl, but she was brave as well. Jason, the older brother; a typical teenager, rebelling against his father in the beginning but he soon grows up some. He (Jason) is helpful to his Scott when he needs to be though. 

 If I had to nit-pick, the ending was a little rushed, I didn’t read to get the satisfying end that I felt it needed. 

Thank you to Coronis Publishing and Edelweiss for this early review e-arc in exchange for my honest opinions. 

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