Genre: Adult | Fantasy | Dark Fantasy | Adventure | Paranormal | Vampire
4 out of 5 stars!
The Unworthy Blood Knight is a different vampire tale.
Most Vampire stories I have read or movies I have watched human’s fear this superior creature, knowing we don’t stand a chance against them. In this unique read Vampires are seen as the scum on earth and man kind is the dominate creature.
Zurie is misunderstood and seems to mess up a bit and when she fails to warn the only group that has truly accepted her of an attack, she loses everyone and ends up alone. More than anything Zurie wants to become a Blood Knight and to gain whatever bit of higher respect she can. This is where the story takes off as you follow Zuire through her experiences of doing just that.
I enjoyed this story and Negus’s writing was done well. At first when I picked this up I found it to be a bit slow and I was not really invested in any of the characters nor was I consumed by the story line. Until I got to one paragraph in particular that was written so well it pulled me in.
“We are the superior creature, and yet you let them sleep in peace during the night. They should be cowering behind their crosses every single night. Not sleeping in silk threads and marble towers, while you what? You eat rations you hate and live in servitude to the boot on your face. Forced to live huddled together in rat-infested dens.”
This is where I thought, YES! we as humans should be in fear of their kind and not dominating them. At this point I was intrigued and wanted to dive deeper into the story.
If Vampires are you thing! I say give this a go.
Thank you so much Negus for sending me a copy to read and review, I greatly appreciate it!
First off I have to start by saying how proud I am of Nick! Nick is a fellow BookTuber and it’s always exciting to see people whom I consider friends making their dreams become a reality. Now to all my readers out there, although Nick is a friend this will not stop me from providing an honest review.
Graymatter is a fun collection! and by that I mean dark, gruesome, spooky but loads of fun. Some great concepts here! These short stories are those type of stories narrated by the main character that end with a big cliffhanger….leaving you wanting more. Oh and I can’t forget each has a great moral to the story as well.
While reading this collection I felt as if I was chilling with Nick while he told me some truly eerie stories. Nick has a way of writing different characters and really bringing their personality traits forward. For example one story is about a dognapper, he makes a living taking other people dogs and than just hangs at home until the owner puts out a reward. Once they do he jumps on it claiming his prize. The guy is an honest dirt-bag and I was appalled the whole time I read this story! Honestly, if you can feel those emotions while reading that’s when you know the author did something right. These are things you just don’t forget even after finishing the read.
There is one tiny negative that pulled my star rating back on this horror collection. Although an editor was hired there seems to be a lot that was missed. Spelling mistakes, grammar, repetitiveness and some sentences weren’t even proper English. Although I can understand these mistakes as everyone is human and while the author is pouring their thoughts and passions out onto paper it takes a lot of time to make the story crisp and clean. Multiple read through’s alone, even before editing (if it’s an option, which isn’t the case for most indie authors). That being said even after taking these steps and even hiring an editor a lot was missed. Although I am not one to talk negative about others or tell them how to do their job, I really feel whoever did edit this collection for Nick did not provide the service he paid for and I hope this won’t deter people from picking it up. Editing can really hurt an author! Some people won’t even finish a read or give it an awful review solely on the editing.
All in all honestly this collection was great! Again, Nick had great concepts, awesome characters and not to forget your mind and emotions will be stirred. I say it’s totally worth giving it a go. Also if you would like to check out my video review on my BookTube channel that would be awesome!
Thank you so much Nick for sending me a copy to read and review. I am so proud to own a physical copy and to have it sitting on my shelves. I can’t wait to see what else you have for us in the future.
Poetry is something I really need to strive to read more of!
Even the most simplest poetry pieces can find a way to enrich our lives. Poetry can have the most powerful, hard hitting words. Divan of Shah is no exception! Shah has created this flow of emotions and uses some brilliant examples throughout his collection. Helping the reader to truly connect with what is being said.
Poetry is incredibly intimate! Each reader will consume the pieces different and find a way to relate it with their own personal lives.
Poetry is something we can come back to time and time again. It can be that pallet cleanser in between reads, the uplifting words needed during hard times or even that warm hug we may need. Poetry adapts to what we may need in that very moment.
Divan of Shah is full of love, lose, pain, life and will truly warm the heart.
Whether poetry is your jam or not I say pick it up! You may be presently surprised on how much it can touch your heart.
Genre: Young Adult | Fiction | Fantasy| Powers/Magic | Romance
4 out of 5 stars!
A great young adult fantasy with a unique concept.
Now a days it’s truly difficult for authors especially when writing in a heavily popular genre and reading age. Finding something unique to the story, something to keep the reader engaged and wanting to read on. Almost every story has been written; so what can an author do to set it aside from other fantasy reads, to make sure it’s not just a clone of the book it sits next to on the shelf. M.L.Greye found a way with Of Rioters & Royals.
At first I thought “Hm… eye color determines your abilities?….So blue is this and brown is that…?” Man was I wrong. M.L. went into a bit more detail than just one color. Even the flecks of different colors in your eyes can choose a mix of abilities .. all depending on how many colors you have blended into those eyes of yours. This concept pulled me right in! I couldn’t help but want to know the characters and what abilities they may have been blessed with.
The story started off with destruction; the world felt a lot like what we are dealing with in today’s life. Sickness, disease, isolation, rationing, desperation and more. The only tiny, slight problem I had with this read was the story started out with chaos and than slowed right down until we got closer to the ending where it started to pick up again.
Now I understand world building is crucial for an author! Introducing their readers to this world they have created (especially when its a series, not a stand alone) the first book or two is the authors chance to set the world up, introduce the characters and this can tend to slow the pace of the read down. This being said, it didn’t take away from the read or make it bad in any way. I just wanted a bit more buzz.
Emory and Declan are fantastic characters! I love how Declan is out to betray Emory but finds out that it may not be as easy as he planned and Emory may have an idea of exactly what is going on. Their connection in the story is something to cherish. As the story goes they become closer, more connected and in ways that they could never have expected. Of Rioters & Royals is pretty romance heavy and rightfully so. If romance is not your thing, you may not enjoy this read. Although I say it’s still worth giving it a go since there is so much more to the story and you may just devour it.
Thank you so very much to M.L. Greye for sending me an e-copy to read and review. I look forward to seeing where their story goes from here in book two.
Genre: Adult |Fiction | Scifi | Space Opera | Fantasy
4 out of 5 stars!
Fascinating read! Amazing world building.
Not to mention the cover is absolutely breathtaking but once you dive into the story you see just how vivid the true guts of this story is!
When Palmer Pickering reached out to me to see if I would review her book, as soon as I read the synopsis I was sold. Of course I would, then she mentioned to me that if I enjoyed Dune at all she thinks I would enjoy her read since Dune is one of her favourite books. Then I was REALLY REALLY sold!
Palmer doesn’t focus on any one particular item in this story. Every piece of it is done just right! From the story line to the characters it’s the perfect balance. You have the twins, you have their connection, you have the people and their loved ones around them and you have chaos running rampant throughout. Fear was placed upon their people and all hope was placed upon Cassidy and Torr. Moon Deeds is the perfect mix of relationships, friendships, romance and hardship. Such a magnificent world both on and off the Moon.
I would be lying if I didn’t say there weren’t times I was confused. There is so much going on in MoonDeeds and if you aren’t concentrating you may miss a vital piece of the story. This was not a slight against the writing itself. My confusion was 100% my own, I was picking the book up at the wrong times while too many things were happening around me and interruptions were unavoidable. So, if I could give any tip on how to truly soak up each bit of this incredible read it would be to make sure while reading that you are able to give every bit of your attention to this busy world you are about to dive into.
I can’t wait to read on with this saga and to sink further into Palmer’s deep, in-depth world! Thank you again Palmer for sending me a copy for review!
Photo from my Bookstagram account: Nichi.I_ReadPastMyBedtime
Publisher:ย Mythology Press
Release Date: May 25, 2019
And of course thank you all for reading
Your BRIGHT Book Worm
-Nichole
Photo from my Bookstagram account: Nichi.I_ReadPastMyBedtime
LINK BY LINK: A SPIRITED HOLIDAY ANTHOLOGY, from Filles Vertes Publishing. The anthology features short stories from the following authors: M. Dalto, Pam Dunn, Myra Fiacco, Marlena Frank, Kristin Jacques, C. Vonzale Lewis, Jess Moore, Candace Robinson, Leslie Rush, Lauren Emily Whalen and Beth Worsdell.
“Perhaps so. I prefer his chances of it to those of a dancing kitten.”
Genre: Adult | Fantasy
5 out of 5 stars!
Brilliant world building!
I’ll be upfront and say I have not read many books written in a medieval setting and I now know I need to read more! JP Harker’s exciting read Wildcat has brought this to my attention.
Right from the first page I was sucked into this exciting world filled with powerful characters. Wildcat gives you a little taste of everything… from vicious, life sucking battles to love and deceit you never know what will come next. You may even find some taking the lives of their very own loved ones.
JP Harker’s writing is captivating! The battle scenes are so detailed and vivid it really sets the picture in your mind. His characters are so engaging you can’t help but love them all and I’m not just talking about the protagonists, the supporting characters are also intriguing.
Rhia’s story line has a connection to the modern day. She struggles wanting to be fighting along side her people but also with wanting to start a family of her own and keeping her children safe. I saw this as today’s working Mom’s who love the idea of being home with their kids all day but have that urge, that want to be out in the working world. Rhia’s challenged throughout the whole story, she’s put through tick and thin and still she pulls through somehow. Memories and people linger with her, impacting so many of her future life decisions. She truly is a stunning character.
I can’t wait to get my hands on the next two completed books in the saga (#2 Leaping Wolf, #3 LionCub). Book #4 is currently in the works!
If you are a fan of medieval type reads with a mix of romance among many other things. I would highly recommend picking up book 1: Wildcat, see what you think.
Thank you very much to JP Harker for sending me a copy to read and review. I am now a new dedicated fan to his work and I am excited to see what else he comes out with in the future.
Today’s bookish post is going to be a bit different. Normally when talking about an authors work I review the work itself. Today we will be reviewing the author himself!
A while back Rob Shepherd reached out to me asking if I would be willing to read some of his work. Of course I said yes and he was so kind to send over 5 e-copies, a good variety. Now Rob never once asked me to review any of what he sent over, he was just happy to have another reader interested in checking it out. BUT… I am a blogger, so of COURSE I am going to review it.
I read one peace closer to the end of 2019 and really enjoyed it, jump ahead into 2020 and I still had not finished the other 4 pieces. I knew this was not fair of me and I needed to work hard to get some reviews out for him. So…..in the month of April I went on a bit of a Rob Shepherd reading binge. While reading through I thought instead of doing an individual review of each read separately, why not review them and the author all together.
I have had the privilege of getting to know Rob over the last year or so and honestly he is so very laid back, chilled and easy going. He also loves getting to chat with his readers and just getting to know them in general.
Now Rob’s writing style may not be for everyone. He really loves those odd, eerie, gruesome, horror-esk type reads but I myself love them. Also a lot of Rob’s work is short stories or novellas but honestly they are packed FULL of creepy goodness! Each of the 5 stories I read from him got a 4 or 5 star out of 5 stars!
On to the books I read and my individual star rating for each.
I thoroughly enjoy Rob’s work! His imagination is so dark and unique. I can’t wait to get my hands on more and I feel if those unusual, chilling reads are your thing than you may also enjoy reading Rob’s stories.
Thank you so much Rob for sending these e-copies to me. I appreciate it more than you may know!
Candace Robinson spends her days consumed by words. When sheโs not writing stories, she Googles all things nostalgic. Her life consists of avoiding migraines, admiring Bonsai trees, and living with her husband and daughter in Texasโwhere it can be forty degrees one day and eighty the next.
In The Hills Above The Gristmill is one intense book.
Kalvin has shown his true talents as an author with this read. Which might I add is book one in a series I am now obviously VERY excited for. On top of this my mind is truly boggled knowing this is Kalvin’s debut novel!
The main character Paisley is absolutely fearless, she’s your ideal modern day paranormal investigator. At the request of the towns beloved preacher Hollis Grim, Paisley rushes to the very small, incredibly odd, extremely unusual town of Grey Water Ridge.
I was devoted to this read from the very first page…. Kalvin’s writing is immaculate. Each character introduced is so unique and different from the next. The story is eerie and the setting is purely chilling. I don’t think I have ever read a book where I was suspicious about so many characters all at once. Not once did I know for absolutely certain who was the true evil in this story….. Well maybe aside from one scene, but I guess you would have to read it for yourself to know what part I am talking about.
Never a bored moment in this book, the story never falls flat. Even while Kalvin provided some history on the town of Grey Water Ridge I was intrigued. Usually (for myself anyhow) when an author is trying to add that extra knowledge and incite into the plot I find it drags a bit. More like excess filler that doesn’t really need to be there and may create the reader to lose interest. That was not the case with In The Hills Above The Gristmill. The history added to the story, rivalries were present even back when and horrible things happened. This information only helps you understand this town and the people in it even more. I also enjoyed the direction Kalvin took while writing this into the story.
Highly recommend this read. I can’t wait for book two in the series….. Kalvin, if you’re reading this.. hurry up! ha..ha. I guess you can call me a big fan of his work!
nichi.i_readpastmybedtime 