book review
Books reviews of the best science fiction stories, texts, educational texts, and journals.
Cinderella is Dead - Review
Cinderella is Dead is the debut novel from African American author Kalynn Bayron. Bloomsbury YA brought the rights to it in 2019, as part of a two-book contract which was recently extended to five books. Since it was published last year, Cinderella Is Dead has been critically acclaimed and nominated for several literary awards, with online book retailers Wordery declaring it their Children’s Book of The Year for 2020.
By Fairy Tale Fanboy5 years ago in Futurism
Review of 'The Queen's Assassin'
Caledon Holt is the Kingdom of Renovia's deadliest weapon. No one alive can best him in brawn or brains, which is why he's the Guild's most dangerous member and the Queen's one and only assassin. He's also bound to the Queen by an impossible vow--to find the missing Deian Scrolls, the fount of all magical history and knowledge, stolen years ago by a nefarious sect called the Aphrasians. Shadow has been training all her life to follow in the footsteps of her mother and aunts--to become skilled enough to join the ranks of the Guild. Though magic has been forbidden since the Aphrasian uprising, Shadow has been learning to control her powers in secret, hoping that one day she'll become an assassin as feared and revered as Caledon Holt. When a surprise attack brings Shadow and Cal together, they're forced to team up as assassin and apprentice to hunt down a new sinister threat to Renovia. But as Cal and Shadow grow closer, they'll uncover a shocking web of lies and secrets that may destroy everything they hold dear. With war on the horizon and true love at risk, they'll stop at nothing to protect each other and their kingdom in this stunning first novel in the Queen's Secret series.
By Cyn's Workshop5 years ago in Futurism
Strands of Existence: Island Girl by Aino Lahteva
What is Strands of Existance: Island Girl about? Strands of Existance: Island Girl is the first of a series of two fantasy books. It’s second book, Strands of Existence 2: Sea of Shadows is not out yet, but is availible to pre-order on Amazon Kindle. It’s due to be released in September 2021.
By Chloe Gilholy5 years ago in Futurism
Review of 'City of the Uncommon Thief'
A dark and intricate fantasy, City of the Uncommon Thief is the story of a quarantined city gripped by fear and of the war that can free it. Guilders work. Foundlings scrub the bogs. Needles bind. Swords tear. And men leave. There is nothing uncommon in this city. I hope Errol Thebes is dead. We both know he is safer that way. In a walled city of a mile-high iron guild towers, many things are common knowledge: No book in any of the city's libraries reveals its place on a calendar or a map. No living beasts can be found within the city's walls. And no good comes to the guilder or foundling who trespasses too far from their labors. Even on the tower rooftops, where Errol Thebes and the rest of the city's teenagers pass a few short years under an open sky, no one truly believes anything uncommon is possible within the city walls. But one guildmaster has broken tradition to protect her child, and now the whole city faces an uncommon threat: a pair of black iron spikes that has the power of both sword and needle on the rib cages of men has gone missing, but the mayhem they cause rises everywhere. If the spikes are not found, no wall will be high enough to protect the city--or the world beyond it. And Errol Thebes? He's not dead and he's certainly not safe.
By Cyn's Workshop5 years ago in Futurism
Through Hell & High Waters by Victoria Liiv
What is Through Hell & High Waters about? Through Hell & High Waters is a fantasy YA novel set in a university called Volo Noscere. The students of this campus range from elves, to werewolves, to vampires and orcs. Pretty much all your favourite fictional characters from your childhood would be eligible to be a student here, if they possess any kind of magical qualities.
By Chloe Gilholy5 years ago in Futurism
Review of ‘The Companion’
The other orphans say Margot is lucky. Lucky to survive the horrible accident that killed her family. Lucky to have her own room because she wakes up screaming every night. And finally, lucky to be chosen by a prestigious family to live at their remote country estate. But it wasn't luck that made the Suttons rescue Margot from her bleak existence at the group home. Margot was handpicked to be a companion to their silent, mysterious daughter, Agatha. At first, helping with Agatha--and getting to know her handsome older brother--seems much better than the group home. But soon, the isolated, gothic house begins playing tricks on Margot's mind, making her question everything she believes about the Suttons . . . and herself. Margot's bad dreams may have stopped when she came to live with Agatha - but the real nightmare has just begun.
By Cyn's Workshop5 years ago in Futurism
'Klara and the Sun'
Author Kazuo Ishiguro's latest novel, Klara and The Sun, is a masterful parable on humanity—whether that humanity is flesh and blood or, in Ishiguro’s futuristic story, is found within Klara, an “Artificial Friend,” built of metal and integrated circuits. With Ishiguro’s elegant brushstrokes, the story unfolds gracefully, an intricate watercolor of translucent colors layered one upon another, until the image coalesces, revealing a tale of anguish and desperation.
By K.E. Lanning5 years ago in Futurism
Flicker World
Flicker World by Brian Cramer is a lovely romance novel. It is about a newlywed couple who are just starting out in life with a new house. The husband gets a new job with an old friend which pays very well. However, his new job has a secret which turns his whole world upside down and messes with the timeline of the story. It is a Sci-Fi romance novel with time travel involved.
By Tangerinehippiestudios5 years ago in Futurism
Review of ‘Graceling’
Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. She never expects to fall in love with beautiful Prince Po. She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace—or the terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone. With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.
By Cyn's Workshop5 years ago in Futurism
