Precisely Terminated: Book Review

Title: Precisely Terminated
Author: Amanda L. Davis
My Rating: 5 Stars
Buy The Book:
-HERE-

Did you know Amanda L. Davis and her father, Bryan Davis, are on tour together right now?
Check it out here!

"With microchips implanted in their skulls at birth, the slaves of Cantral and Cillineese have labored under the tyrannical rule of the Nobles and their computers for decades. Monica, a Noble who avoided the implanting and escaped a death sentence at the age of four, is now sixteen and is in hiding. She lives with the slaves inside the walls of the Cantral palace, pretending to be one of them while the slave council plots a way to use her chip-less state to destroy the all-powerful computers that strike down any hint of rebellion.

The Nobles hear of Monica’s survival and try to exterminate her before she ruins their upper-class utopia. The rebels send her to find a missing paper bearing instructions on how to shut down the computers that control the chips in Cillineese, a major city-state. The Nobles are alerted to the plan and prepare to seal Cillineese in a giant dome to gas the inhabitants, including Monica.

The fate of millions rides on Monica’s shoulders. As the only chip-less person in the world, she must find the paper, destroy the computers, and free Cillineese from the Nobles’ iron fist before they strike with the ultimate punishment—death for everyone inside the city walls."

When I heard that one of my good friends was going to have her book published, I was extremely happy. Amanda Davis's writing has always been something that I've admired and the plot to this book sounded very intriguing. As soon as I received an advanced reader's copy, I picked up the book and began to devour it. From the first chapter, we're given great description and storytelling. I got into the book right away and hated putting it down. Unfortunately, I did not finish this as fast as I would have due to a very busy schedule.

Before Precisely Terminated, I had never read a dystopian novel before. For a first-time dystopian reader, I was very impressed. I loved the theme of the whole story and the different way things worked. It was so unlike any other fiction I've read. Not only was the storyline intriguing, but the characters equally so. Our main character is like none I've ever encountered before. I loved her progression throughout the story.

I am already very much looking forward to the next two books in the series. Following Monica's adventures to save everyone is going to be an incredible journey, I can already tell. In so saying, I highly recommend this book!

What's Coming Up Next?

The Horse and his Boy, by C.S. Lewis

Raising Dragons, by Bryan Davis

Skeleton Key, by Anthony Horotwitz

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck, by Kathleen Y'Barro

Torrent, by Lisa T. Bergren

Life Support, by Robert Whitlow

And a special in-depth review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling

The Bridge to Neverland: Book Review

Title: The Bridge to Neverland
Authors: Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson
My Rating: 3 and A Half Stars
Buy The Book:
-HERE-



"Aiden and Sarah Cooper have no idea what they're getting into one afternoon when they discover a mysterious coded document in a secret compartment of an antique English desk their father recently bought at an auction. Something about the document seems familiar to Sarah, and that night she realizes what it is: the document seems to be referring to some books she has read -- the Starcatchers series, about the origin of Peter Pan. But how could that be? The document seems far older than the books. And of course, the books are just stories...

Curious, Sarah and Aiden begin to decipher the mysterious document. At first it's a game -- unraveling the mystery piece by piece, each piece leading them to a new, deeper puzzle.

But soon the game turns strange -- and scary.
They discover that the "stories" are real, and that what they thought was a fictional battle between good and evil is still going on. And the scariest part is: They have become part of it.

Pursued by a being that can take any form and will stop at nothing to get what it wants from them, Aiden and Sarah embark on a desperate, thrilling quest for help -- a quest that leads them to some unforgettable people in some unlikely places, including one that's not supposed to exist at all. At each step they must solve new puzzles and escape new dangers, all the while knowing that if they fail, the evil they are fleeing will be let loose on an unsuspecting world."

While hunting through the library bookshelves for a completely different book one afternoon, I stumbled upon this. The title was the thing that did me in. I'm a huge fan of anything Peter Pan, so naturally, this appealed to me very much. After I had read the description, I got even more excited. It was sort of a sequel to the Starcatchers series I so much enjoyed. So, totally ditching the other book I had come to get, I got this out instead.

Unfortunately, as much as I was excited about this book, it did not turn out to be very great, in my opinion. For one, it didn't seem to have the general feeling of the previous book's writing. I took into account that this is supposed to happen a long, long time after the other book took place, but I still couldn't get into it. The pace went far too quickly, the characters didn't catch my immediate attention and draw me in, and the writing didn't stand out to me at all. I really wanted to give this the benefit of the doubt and enjoy it, but I just couldn't get into it. The adventure was fun, I will admit, but it wasn't my cup of tea.

There were several negative things that I think might have added to the feeling I came out with. First of all, I did not enjoy the general lying, stealing and treatment the children gave to the parents. It was very disrespectful and I did not appreciate that. The second thing I really did not like in the book was the fact that the Lord's name was taken in vain more than a dozen times.

All in all, the age range recommended by the publisher for this book is ages 9-12. I do not highly recommend it, though.






What's Coming Up Next?

The Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis
Raising Dragons, by Bryan Davis
Skeleton Key, by Anthony Horowitz
The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck, by Kathleen Y'Barro
Torrent, by Lisa T. Bergren
Life Support, by Robert Whitlow
Precisely Terminated, by Amanda L. Davis
And a special, in-depth review of, Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, by J.K. Rowling

Cascade -- Book Review

Title: Cascade
Author: Lisa. T. Bergren
My Rating: 5 Stars
Buy The Book:
-HERE-

Watch the book trailer
-HERE-.

"Gabi knows she's left her heart in the fourteenth century, and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, months have passed, and Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence -- while their enemies will go to great lengths to see them dead.

Even in the midst of the battles, Gabi's heart is increasingly drawn to Marcello, just as Lia's is to Luca. In medieval Italy, the sisters discover things inside themselves that they couldn't seem to find in the present -- connection with their mom, courage within, and the understanding that a life well lived often means encountering sacrifice. But in a world long past, many things still keep Gabi from giving Marcello her heart forever...and one thing in particular calls all three of the Betarrinis home."

Lisa T. Bergren has created yet another compelling story! This sequel to Waterfall is as intriguing, action-packed and romantic as the first! The return of our heroines, Gabriella and Evangelia, is grandiose. This time, we're introduced to Mrs. Betarrini, the only-spoken about mother of the two girls. The three are whisked back several hundred years only to find three months has passed since the leave of Gabi and Lia. Reunited with Castello Forelli and their Lords, Gabi and Lia once again find themselves in the midst of a battle. The return of their grave enemy, Lord Paratore, will haunt them. This second installment boasts more battles, more dangers and more mystery than the former book.

I can not compare either Waterfall or Cascade. Both kept me riveted and sitting on the edge of my seat. The character's depth was as rich and incredulous as before, the story as compelling, the plot as intriguing, and the action as intense. I highly, highly recommend these books! They have quickly made their way up to almost my #1 favorite series! I loved them so much, that I am, in fact, going tomorrow to pick up from the bookstore the recently released third book in the series, Torrent.

I highly recommend these books to lovers of historical-fantasy-time-traveling lovers aged 14 and up.






What's Coming Up Next?

The Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis
Raising Dragons, by Bryan Davis
Skeleton Key, by Anthony Horowitz
The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck, by Kathleen Y'Barro
Torrent, by Lisa T. Bergren
Life Support, by Robert Whitlow
Precisely Terminated, by Amanda L. Davis
The Bridge to Neverland, by Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson
And, a special, in-depth review of: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling

Waterfall: Book Review

Title: Waterfall
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
My Rating: 5 Stars
Buy The Book:
-HERE-

Watch the book trailer
-HERE-.

"Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. Stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, dusty archeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds… until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

And thus does she come to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Forelli, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?"






To put my thoughts of this book in a short blog post is near impossible. All I can say is: WOW. What an incredible piece of fiction! Lisa T. Bergren has given teen and adult readers alike a great adventure to follow along to. With characters true to their individual times, it is hard to not fall in love with them all. Well, except for the bad guys.

For one, I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and tone of the book. Mrs. Bergren gave us a clear definition between the culture now in modern times versus the culture over six-hundred years ago. While the style has a bit of a different flavor, it is very refreshing and helps set the mood of the book.

A second thing I loved was the reality of the characters. As mentioned before, they are very believable to their times. It can be hard to delve fully into a book when the characters seem completely unrealistic to the period of history they are placed in. Mrs. Bergren has done a fantastic job in having them act out perfectly what one would act like in their time.

The journey was also incredible. There wasn't a time that I didn't want to read several chapters, if not the whole book, in one sitting. The flow of the action sequences and the sections of story where battles and adventures aren't happening are paced just right and keep you wanting to flip the pages even faster.

As a fun little side note -- Mrs. Bergren mentioned on her River of Time Series Facebook Page that she thought, if ever there would be one made (please, Lord, this would be the BEST movie ever), Ben Barnes might play a good Marcello. With that in mind, I imagined Marcello's character being played by Ben Barnes. Since the dude is so incredibly handsome, imo, it might of made the book 10 times better. Silly Tippie!

I highly, highly recommend this book for adventure/time traveling/romance fans ages 14 and up.






What's Coming Up Next?

The Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis
Raising Dragons, by Bryan Davis
Skeleton Key, by Anthony Horowitz
The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck, by Kathleen Y'Barro
Cascade, by Lis T. Bergren
Life Support, by Robert Whitlow
Precisely Terminated, by Amanda L. Davis

The Sweetest Thing: Book Review

Title: The Sweetest Thing
Author: Elizabeth Musser
My Rating: 5 Stars
Buy the Book:
-HERE-

"Anne "Perri" Singleton's world is defined by the security of family, the camaraderie of friends at an exclusive Atlanta girls' school, and an enviable social life. She isn't looking for new friends when Mary Dobbs Dillard arrives from Chicago. Besides, "Dobbs", the passionate and fiercely individualistic daughter of an itinerant minister, is her opposite in every way.

But just as the Great Depression collides disastrously with Perri's well-ordered life, friendship blossoms--a friendship that will be tested by jealousy, betrayal, and family secrets..."






Elizabeth Musser has woven a tale that will enchant readers from the first word all the way to the last. A story so real and touching, it's hard not to shed a tear or let a laugh slip out. Not only is the story gripping and entertaining, but it contains incredible lessons that everyone can learn something from.

The characters are deep and real. It's hard to come across a book such as this that allows you to feel this deeply connected to the characters. Mrs. Musser has created persons that are much like you and I with pain and struggles we can relate to.

The story is one of great depth as well. There is not only real history woven in, but every day struggles, adventures, and even a bit of mystery included in this enchanting tale. A person can't help but fall in love with the style and flow of this book. You'll be turning the pages eagerly long into the early morning hours.

What I admire most in a book is the strength of the writing. Was there passion poured into it? I can definitely say that Mrs. Musser's style is impeccable. She is an incredible storyteller filled with a true writer's spirit.

The Sweetest Thing has quickly made its way to being one of my top favorite books of all time. I can't begin to describe how enthralling it truly is. In fact, I was so impressed with Mrs. Musser's talent, skill and passion for writing that I am going to look up her other books immediately.

I highly recommend this book for people interested in touching tales of faith and perseverance aged 15 and up.

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for posting a review about it. I am not required to post a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

What's Coming Up Next?
The Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis
Raising Dragons, by Bryan Davis
Skeleton Key, by Anthony Horowitz
Waterfall, by Lisa. T. Bergren
The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck, by Kathleen Y'Barbo

The Skin Map: Book Review

Title: The Skin Map
Author: Stephen R. Lawhead
My Rating: 5 Stars
Buy The Book:
-HERE-

(Read a sample on Stephen R. Lawhead's Facebook page!)


Watch the incredible trailer to The Skin Map -HERE-!

"Kit Livingstone's great-grandfather appears to him in a deserted alley during a tumultuous storm. He reveals an unbelievable story: that the ley lines throughout Britain are not merely the stuff of legend or the weekend hobby of deluded cranks, but pathways to other worlds. To those who know how to use them, they grant the ability to travel the multi-layered universe of which we ordinarily inhabit only a tiny part.

One explorer knew more than most. Braving every danger, he toured both time and space on voyages of heroic discovery. Ever on his guard and fearful of becoming lost in the cosmos, he developed an intricate code -- a roadmap of symbols -- that he tattooed onto his own body. The Skin Map has since been lost in time. Now the race is on to recover all the pieces and discover its secrets.

But the Skin Map itself is not the ultimate goal. It is merely the beginning of a vast and marvelous quest for a prize beyond imagining."





This was one amazing read! As a huge sci-fi/fantasy fan, I'm drawn in easily to these kinds of books. Time-travel and adventures in other worlds has a certain draw to me. Yet, this was unlike any I have ever read. My first major compliment goes towards the descriptions and the flow of the writing. As an aspiring author, I'm always looking for well-written books, and try to figure out how each author's style works. Stephen R. Lawhead's writing is impeccable. He uses wording so unique and broad, yet easy to comprehend and understand. I don't usually fly through chapters quickly, but I found myself enraptured by the narrative and was at the next chapter mark in no time. Good job, Mr. Lawhead! Your writing is incredibly inspiring!

The adventure of the book was mind-numbly thrilling, as well. I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this. I mean that in a very good way. I was left at the end of each chapter wanting to know what would take place next. In fact, I stayed up quite late last night willing myself to finish the book. I read over two-hundred pages yesterday. I can honestly say I have never read that much in a single day. You've left a good cliffhanger for us readers to dwell on, Mr. Lawhead. I'm eagerly anticipating the release of The Bone House this fall!

I just have a few negative comments (more like warnings for those who might want them). One, the main character Kit notices a little too much the attractiveness of a woman he must travel with later on. Second, while there is no foul language, there is a few repeated uses of the British slang word, 'bloody'. :)

All in all, I give high praise to this book. I recommend it to people who love a good adventure mixed in with sci-fi aged 15 and older.


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.



What's Coming Up Next?

The Horse and His Boy, by C.S.Lewis
Raising Dragons, by Bryan Davis
Skeleton Key, by Anthony Horowitz
The Sweetest Thing, by Elizabeth Musser
Waterfall, by Lisa T. Bergren
The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck, by Kathleen Y'Barbo