Book Review: Protogenesis ~ Alysia Helming

Title: Protogenesis (The Protogena Chronicles, Book 1)
Author: Alysia Helming
Rating: 1.5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Mythology, Sci-Fi
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Date of Release: March 29, 2018
Pages: 398
Format: Kindle (NetGalley)

There aren’t many books on my DNF list, but the books that are on that list are there for a reason. Unfortunately, this book will have to join the list. Protogenesis has a very promising synopsis about a young girl who loses her mother and goes on a journey to find her. Instead, what you get is a story about a young girl who loses her mother and goes to Greece to find her, but gets sidetracked by two young men, whom she can’t decide who she wants to be with. It seemed like Helene spent more time being in a love triangle than finding her mom. Helene came off as a whiny brat, who didn’t treat people very well. The author creates a love triangle that just didn’t work for me. Both Nick and Ever were treated poorly by Helene. I understand she is going through something rough… but her rudeness was off-putting and made it hard to have any kind of sympathy for her.

The Greek mythology was there, but I don’t think it was enough to save this book. The writing was a bit immature, and ironically, didn’t take away from anything, but the execution was off. I made it the 62% mark and no longer cared about what happened. I will try to finish this book at a later time, but to get to 62% was a struggle.

Thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for approving me to read and review, but I don’t think I was the intended audience for this one.

 

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Book Review: The Immortals ~ Alesha Escobar

 

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Title: The Immortals (The Immortal Brotherhood, Book 1)
Author: Alesha Escobar & H.M. Jones
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal
Publisher: Creative Alchemy, Inc.
Date of Release: March 26, 2018
Pages: 170
Format: Kindle (Lizzie Black)

What is more badass than a woman who moonlights by stealing precious items from powerful people? How about being a badass whose family legacy is helping save the world from evil? Meet Raina Black. She is a spy that works for a company called Hyperion (I, for one, will never see Disney the same anymore…) but moonlights after hours to help pay her sister’s medical bill. On her recent assignment, things go wrong… very quickly. The item she was hired to procure is a part of her family legacy and has fixed itself to her. The Immortal Brother to her aid. Meet Noah. He has a powerful and dangerous gift. He can regenerate! (I thought of Doctor Who, but it’s a bit different!) Noah helps Raina escape, but convincing her she needs the Brotherhood as much as they need her… well… he’s out of his depth. Will Raina be able to save her dying sister and help the Brotherhood, or will the two conflict? If so, who will she choose? The life of her sister, or the fate of the world?

There is chemistry between Raina and Noah. While it is acknowledged, it doesn’t go beyond the acknowledgment. On one hand, I’m glad it didn’t. Romance isn’t the focus of this story, so to take it beyond the two noticing the other is attractive would have definitely taken away from the story. On the other hand, I so wanted them to be together, and perhaps they will be. THere just wasn’t room in the first book for every element. I would like to know more about the organization Raina worked for, Hyperion. How do they tie into The Brotherhood and the evil forces they are up against? The characters are quite interesting and I need more of them (particularly Bev) in my life. I will be continuing this series because I need to know what happens to the bad guy?! This is a good start to a series!

Book Review: From the Farmhouse Kitchen ~Dawn Stoltzfus; Carol Falb

 

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Title: From the Farmhouse Kitchen
Author: Dawn Stoltzfus; Carol Falb
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Cookbook, Food & Wine
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers;
Date of Release: March 6, 2018
Pages: 226
Format: Kindle (NetGalley)

This book, this MAGNIFICENT book, is a LIFESAVER y’all! I’m being very serious and sincere when I tell you this. It is a lifesaver! From the Farmhouse Kitchen came in extremely handy as I made the decision to give up takeout for Lent. Every meal I eat has to be prepared by me. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into!

The recipes are easy to follow and simple. For those of us who do not eat meat or dairy products, the recipes can be adapted to your diet. While that was not the purpose of this cookbook, it can be done. The dishes were delicious and I look forward to the constant use of this book! It was fantastic and Lent is becoming a breeze!

 

Book Review: Dragon School: Dusk Covenant ~ Sarah K. L. Wilson

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Title: Dusk Covenant (Dragon School, Book 6)
Author: Sarah K.L. Wilson
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, YA
Publisher: Unknown
Date of Release: March 12, 2018
Pages: 96
Format: Kindle (Six Queens)

As everything goes horribly wrong very quickly, you learn a lot more about Savette and what she is. Amel is tasked with her first message as a sworn Dragon Rider. Boy, does she have a lot to learn! Leng is off on his own mission, and Savette still needs healing. The healing she requires comes from no Dragon Rider, full or sworn, nor any Magickas. She needs the healing arches, but it’s in the complete opposite direction of where Amel needs to go to deliver her message. Will she make the right decision? What is the right decision? As Prince Rakturan joins the small group, what is his role? Does he have a hidden agenda?

With each book, Amel grows stronger and stronger, learning new skills and gaining allies as she goes along. Her bond with Raolcan grows deeper and deeper and I love it. He is truly my favorite character! He is funny, witty, and dares anyone to try and harm Amel. Also, I love his willingness to always want to flame someone. Who couldn’t use that on their side? I haven’t been this emotionally invested in a series since The Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout! I need the next book stat! Hopefully, I don’t have long to wait!

Book Review: Dragon School: Sworn ~ Sarah K. L. Wilson

 

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Title: Sworn (Dragon School, Book 5)
Author: Sarah K.L. Wilson
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, YA
Publisher: Unknown
Date of Release: February 22, 2018
Pages: 93
Format: Kindle (Six Queens)

Amel has done the impossible: she saved not only Savette, but she also saved Leng! Both were taken by The Dusk Covenant which is a group of rogue Magickas with a dark, hidden agenda. They kidnapped Savette and captured Leng, both being tortured… Savette, mentally and Leng physically. With the help of Lenora and Raolcan, both are free of the Magickas and The Dusk Covenant, only to discover The Lightbringers, a group of Dragon Riders who fight The Dusk Covenant. However, like The Dusk Covenant, once you know too much, you can never leave. In the process of rescuing Savette and Leng, Amel gets a helping hand from the Dark Prince, Prince Rakturan, who was also set on saving Savette.

While Leng is being healed, we meet Dragon Rider, Hubric Duneshifter, a fellow purple and leader of The Lightbringers. While not happy with the circumstances, he takes Amel on as an apprentice. Amel has been tasked with being a double agent. Can she do it? Will she do it? Where will her loyalties lie? As Amel swears her loyalty to the Dominar, things go horribly wrong. What is Amel’s next move? Are Raolcan and Savette okay? Can Savette be healed?

I’m slowly coming around to Prince Rakturan. While he is not my favorite, you do get to know him a little bit more. Also, there’s a small scene between Amel and Leng and I need more. Talk about two people who deserve and have earned happiness! Hopefully, they get what they are looking for, in spite of the impending war being waged. A select chosen few will fight this battle. Are they up to the task?

Book Review: Dragon School: The Ruby Isles ~ Sarah K. L. Wilson

 

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Title: The Ruby Isles (Dragon School, Book 4)
Author: Sarah K.L. Wilson
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, YA
Publisher: Unknown
Date of Release: February 4, 2018
Pages: 81
Format: Kindle (Amazon)

Okay, so… things get real very quickly at the end of The Dark Prince and no one is happy! The Magickas have kidnapped Savette, but no one seems eager to rescue her… except Amel it seems. Due to Leng’s interference (even though he really was trying to help), Savette was taken from the prince’s side. Unfortunately, that’s not the only problem. Starie was able to explain her side in all of this and it completely contradicts Amel’s version of events. Just like before, social and economic status plays a role. Because she’s not a High Castelan, the Dragon School is not going to believe her. But Amel has bigger fish to fry! The Dark Prince wants to speak with her… and that’s never a good thing, especially since she was just threatened by Grandis Elfar, a full Dragon Rider and teacher. If Amel reveals anything to the prince, whether true or false, she’ll be expelled from Dragon School, lowered to the life of a servant, and will lose Raolcan forever. Plot Twist The prince knows Amel knows both Savette and Starie and wants a full report on both. Who can he trust and rule with? Amel has three days to come back with that information or not only will she forfeit her life, she’ll forfeit Raolcan’s as well. The plot thickens!

On top of dealing with all of this, Amel still needs to rescue Savette. However, the only person who knows her location… Starie. Sigh Can Amel get the information to rescue Savette or will she succumb to the pressure put on her from every which way? There is so much happening in these 81 pages! While it’s not overwhelming, a lot is happening. Everything that is happening has to happen and Amel finds allies in the most unlikely people. Every page was a page turner and left me wanting more.

Book Review: Dragon School: The Dark Prince ~ Sarah K.L. Wilson

 

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Title: The Dark Prince (Dragon School, Book 3)
Author: Sarah K.L. Wilson
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Shakera
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, YA
Publisher: Unknown
Date of Release: January 17, 2018
Pages: 96
Format: Kindle (Amazon)

We pick up where we left off and Amel learns the repercussions of acting too slow. A war is brewing and the Dragon Riders mean to stop it. The best way to do that, you may ask? Offer up your High Castelan Dragon Rider, Savette as a bride. Obviously, there’s a problem. There’s an uprising against the current regime and one way to keep the uprising going, the Magickas have to offer up their own bride, Starie, another High Castelan, with loyalties to a different party. Can Amel, along with Leng and Raolcan save Savette in time? Or will she be too late? What role does the school play in this? The Dark Prince, friend or foe?

Wow, wow, WOW! To watch Amel, a young girl no one thinks too highly or see as a threat until it’s too late, grow and become strong is amazing. She is definitely coming into her own and only becomes stronger as her partnership with Raolcan strengthens. Raolcan is quite possibly my favorite character. He’s witty and charming… and being a dragon doesn’t hurt! I’m loving where this series is going!