My love for Christmas knows no bounds, thanks to my schooling. I am all about the Christmas spirit which was the foremost reason for me to pick up thiMy love for Christmas knows no bounds, thanks to my schooling. I am all about the Christmas spirit which was the foremost reason for me to pick up this book. As soon as I saw the author's request for ARC readers, I jumped in the bandwagon. And here we are.
The prologue was going great. Best friends, their blooming love and the onset of Christmas festivities along with the beautiful dance by Samuel had such a pretty picture painted in my mind. I was enjoying myself until the sudden death of a parent left a bitter taste in my mouth. This made me angry at the author and the only reason why I continued reading the story was because I hoped that the author wouldn't ruin bookish Christmas for me, but not before taking a much needed break.
The story is narrated from Niall's POV and I loved getting a glimpse of his thoughts. I liked Samuel from the very start and as the story progressed, I only liked him more. Their first kiss was so perfect, my brain didn't take a second to visualise it (I have hyperphantasia but the visualisation was fast even for me). It was a happy ending even though the start was heartbreaking. It's hard to choose a favourite character because everyone was special in their own way - Samuel, Niall, Sophie, Elijah...
Yay for more bisexual main characters. The indie author community has really upped their game in the past couple of years to bring forth more sexualities to readers than the traditionally published community ever did. Most of Annabel's characters, both main and secondary, belong to different sexual minority communities. Go check out her books....more
This is a short poetry book about the poet's experiences as a black person living in a white neighbourhood. Though the book is short, the experiences This is a short poetry book about the poet's experiences as a black person living in a white neighbourhood. Though the book is short, the experiences are detailed and impactful, revealing how difficult life had been for him. But he overcomes everything, including poverty, to be where he is today. These poems are autobiographical and inspiring, especially for those facing hardships....more
Ascending is the third installment in the Regonia Chronicles series and it only gets better. Olivia still has her struggles but the rest of the characAscending is the third installment in the Regonia Chronicles series and it only gets better. Olivia still has her struggles but the rest of the characters shine too. That being said, I have to mention Reginald and Rone.
The action in this one is a notch lower than the previous book, which provides a much needed breather for some readers. More loose ends tied but more cliffhangers for the final installment in the series. The short chapters make it fast paced and there's always the hunger to know where the story would head next. It headed in the right direction, trust me.
The adventure never stops in this book series....more
Interview is a short story about an environmentalist who has contributed and brought huge changes to the environment along with his husband of over fiInterview is a short story about an environmentalist who has contributed and brought huge changes to the environment along with his husband of over fifty years. The interview mentioned in the book is the one that he gives for their latest contribution - the San Jose Carbon Scrubber System.
I loved the representation - LGBTQIA+, disability and Asian. I also loved the way Ali kept repeating that he only wrote the cheques, as if that was nothing. I won't reveal much about it since it's a short story but if you're interested in knowing what goes on in the minds of people who contribute selflessly to the environment, give this book a try....more
Okay, what should I say about this one? It was a roller-coaster ride with too many emotions and had me questioning everything.
This one picked up from Okay, what should I say about this one? It was a roller-coaster ride with too many emotions and had me questioning everything.
This one picked up from right where the previous one ended. So many loose ends from Awakening were tied here but not before new ones were introduced. Olivia spoke as the main character to me. I could understand her on a personal level, especially the choices she made. This book is high on mental health and its effects, especially when it comes to her.
Did I mention that the previous book was a page turner? Wait until you pick this up. ...more
I am not into reading sci-fi but when Elexis Bell writes, I read. I love stories with multiple POVs and Awakening gave me six main characters to look I am not into reading sci-fi but when Elexis Bell writes, I read. I love stories with multiple POVs and Awakening gave me six main characters to look out for. And it spreads across the genres of sci-fi, fantasy, romance, suspense and a hint of dystopia. The world building and character development are done very well.
Just like the rest of her books, the imagery is vivid and it transports you into a world outside your own. The characters are flawed but that is what makes them who they are. The resemblance to real life human experiences, the raw depiction of emotions and the never ending consciousness questioning in times beyond our control is what kept me hooked to not just the first book but the entire series. It also has a playlist...
Elexis is one of my favourite indie authors. I love her writing style. The way her stories are raw and never sugar-coated is what makes me keep coming back to them.
If you are a sci-fi lover looking for a thought-provoking story with strong female characters, this is your book. It is a page-turner and I definitely recommend it....more
Own voices stories are definitely my thing and if you have read any of Vincent's stories, you will realise how they are heavily inspired by his personOwn voices stories are definitely my thing and if you have read any of Vincent's stories, you will realise how they are heavily inspired by his personal life and the people around him.
This is the story of a POC, from his life as a young gay man during the AIDS epidemic to an adult. It narrates his experiences in this ever changing world, his relationship with another man and his life in general. The characters are real and flawed, making the story raw, heart touching, and full of emotions and hope. The character growth and development is amazing. I liked the pace of the overall story.
Both Nathan and Mateo have my heart and I rooted for them throughout the story. They are both struggling in their own ways but the story is from Nathan's POV. Don't worry, Mateo's story is never left behind since that is also narrated through Nathan's POV only.
If happily ever afters are your thing, you must definitely pick this up. Definitely recommended....more
This was my second book by the author and just like the previous one, my kids loved this too. Infact, we liked this one better. The author has wonderfThis was my second book by the author and just like the previous one, my kids loved this too. Infact, we liked this one better. The author has wonderfully woven facts about different animals through this story as well which makes it easier for the kids to learn. When they enjoy what they read, they learn what they enjoyed.
Harry is Sophia's pet tortoise and the adventures he goes on are so funny. All for strawberries. Yes, that's right, Harry's love for strawberries is unparalleled, so much so that he doesn't mind risking his life for them. And he has friends who share his excitement and are partners in crime.
Since this is a short story, I don't want to divulge much about the exact storyline but I can say that this is a very good way to teach the younger kids the importance of being passionate about something in life and trying to achieve it. That's a very important lesson here.
I read this book to my kids with no modifications (for a change) and they loved the story. They recommend it and so do I. This was a quick read and I finished it in half an hour. I loved the illustrations. Oh, and did I mention that Harry has his own song, originally sung for him by Sophia?...more
Far From Home is a collection of twelve short stories about LGBTQIA+ people from around the world, mostly homosexual men, trying to go about their daiFar From Home is a collection of twelve short stories about LGBTQIA+ people from around the world, mostly homosexual men, trying to go about their daily lives while living in places where their gender and sexual orientation puts them in different types of dangers.
Two of these stories are set in the US, the home country of the respective main characters, but even after that their lives are comparable to those that have left for foreign lands. The safety that one's home should provide is clearly lacking while the individuals navigate their ways in life.
This book was all about the lives and journeys of individuals belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, but it was also about love - the literal and the perceived. So often, our definition of love and where and in whom to find it is dictated by the society. Most of us have to fight these to not just experience love but to also be able to keep it. This book portrays that in such a beautiful but often heartbreaking way.
Like Vincent's other books, this collection of short stories seemed we'll researched and I loved delving into the lives of all the characters. I wish all endings were happy but fiction imitates reality. The characters, as for real people, are often in their own countries, their houses, but it isn't home if an individual is not safe and loved, is it?
Another very unexpected story from the author, and just like First Born Sons, this one too touched my heart. This is the coming of age story of a Boy Another very unexpected story from the author, and just like First Born Sons, this one too touched my heart. This is the coming of age story of a Boy Scout, Nathan, and covers the years from when he's a teenager at school until he's through college and involves all the physical, mental and emotional transitions one goes through. His struggles and pains are beautifully described, so much so that I was transported to the 1960s when being yourself was a crime almost all around the world. Sadly, it still is at a lot of places.
Nathan is living in Illinois during the Vietnam War, which means music and drugs are on the high while homosexuality is a secret. He is unaware of his sexuality until he falls for a doctor living across the street and that's when his world first starts changing while the doubts arise. He tries to keep his feelings aside and focus on the acceptable thing, which is "liking" girls, but fails miserably. He is kind of a social outcast so to increase his likability, he starts taking diet pills which soon turn addictive. One day, he discovers the doctor having sex with another man while his wife isn't home. This incident affects not only him but also the doctor who is forced to leave town to protect himself but he never leaves Nathan's mind. All of this leads to him drowning more in drugs once he leaves home for college in New Orleans.
Just like the author's other books, this deals with reality in a raw and honest manner without sugarcoating the struggles of the characters. When life is not a bed of roses, why should fiction be? Another similarity with the other works by the author is that this too surrounds a real life tragic incident - First Born Sons had the entire story against the COVID-19 backdrop, Colton's Terrible Wonderful Year had the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement and The Mayor of Oak Street has arson fire at the Up Stairs Lounge in New Orleans in 1973, the deadliest attack on a gay club in the US until the mass shooting in Orlando in 2016. Just like the AIDS epidemic, the government was ignorant of this incident to the level that churches didn't hold funerals and media didn't cover the tragedy, all because of homophobia.
This was a quick read for me, one that I was completely engrossed in. It was unputdownable. Although the ending was more hopeful than happy, I am content with it. Definitely recommended. Oh, and if you were wondering, Nathan does cross paths with the doctor again ...more
This is a collection of poetry of different themes and topics in a single book without segregation. Love, loss, kids and nature are prevalent but thisThis is a collection of poetry of different themes and topics in a single book without segregation. Love, loss, kids and nature are prevalent but this is also an account of the author's life as a person with a chronic illness, his life as a writer and his companions through it all, his cats. And very importantly, there are poems about mental health.
This is the first book of poetry by the author that I've read and I was really intrigued. The way Daan talks lightly about his condition and how it affects his daily life took me by surprise. He exuberates positivity even after being a permanent wheelchair user, inspiring others to fight for a life of their dreams. I could relate to the author several times while I could only imagine what he was going through the rest of them.
I am into more serious poetry, more soul touching kind whereas here, the author deals with pain and problems in a fun and sarcastic manner. It comes out as being a bit light hearted while handling heavy topics.
Ms Perfectly Fine is the story of child prodigy Autumn, a brilliant pianist, and Elijah, an equally brilliant video game designer. One morning, AutumnMs Perfectly Fine is the story of child prodigy Autumn, a brilliant pianist, and Elijah, an equally brilliant video game designer. One morning, Autumn finds a stranger moving into her rented apartment and the adventure (or misadventure, if you will) begins. Autumn is a strong female character in several aspects and she doesn't budge. I know how uncomfortable and irritated I would have been if I was suddenly forced to live with a stranger. She was calmer than me, though ...more
Synopsis - Vega climbs an obsidian cliff to save Namid, only to find Namid is not being sacrificed to the sea serpent.
Review Star Dancer by Astrid VJ
Synopsis - Vega climbs an obsidian cliff to save Namid, only to find Namid is not being sacrificed to the sea serpent.
Review -
Star Dancer is one of the many fantasy short stories in the Twice Upon a Name anthology releasing on 20 April 2023, all the proceeds from which will be donated to international literacy programs.
Star Dancer is inspired by the Polynesian culture, of which I had no idea before this. Since this is a short story and the book isn't released yet, I don't want to reveal much about the plot as the synopsis is enough for that. Rather I'll tell you what I felt. I felt loved but also heartbroken. I understood where Namid came from and felt bad for him but my heart broke into a million pieces for Vega. The friendship, the love, the found family, the misunderstanding, the pain, the acceptance, the healing... This story had it all and so much more. It is less than 20 pages and I finished it in half an hour. A true page turner, I just wanted to know what happened next. And I want to know what happens after this story ends so if there's more to it, I will be the first in line to know.
Astrid is a very talented writer. She weaves magic with her words. I have read a handful of her works and I am so impressed. She has never let me down as a reader. If you are a beginner at reading, a fantasy lover, an aspiring author or just a regular lover of well written stories, do check out Astrid's works. She writes fantasy series and all her books are interconnected in some manner. You won't be disappointed....more
The Waxing Moon is the story of Lilah, a 19 year old having a regular life and Cain, a vampire she encounters. Lilah struggles with her family and wisThe Waxing Moon is the story of Lilah, a 19 year old having a regular life and Cain, a vampire she encounters. Lilah struggles with her family and wishes to go somewhere far away from them. When she meets Cain, she sees it as a chance to do exactly this by becoming a vampire and gaining immortality.
I love stories with strong female protagonists and this story is one of those. Lilah is opinionated and brave. She wishes to turn into a vampire amidst Cain’s resistance to make her one. In her journey to become one of them, she meets the strongest of vampires while traveling throughout Europe.
The story is fast paced, intriguing and action packed. This is a promising debut novel....more
I have read very few books about twins, let alone identical ones, so I was pleasantly surprised with this story. The main character, Hyunsuk, a high sI have read very few books about twins, let alone identical ones, so I was pleasantly surprised with this story. The main character, Hyunsuk, a high school student, has a twin brother who is better than him in every way, so much so that even their parents consider him to be an extra. This leads to him always feeling lonely, especially because he is not involved in anything at all. Abandonment is a huge part of his life, and that's the only thing in this story that triggered me because I am Hyunsuk, with a younger brother instead of a twin, but you get the gist.
A new student enters the school and makes Hyunsuk seen for the first time when she shows interest in him. He is so shocked that he thinks that Hialeah had mistaken him for his twin. But she wants to be friends so he moves ahead but with caution. Once burnt twice shy, but what about being burnt constantly? Slowly, he falls in love with her.
I once read an article in a newspaper, probably a decade and a half or so ago, titled "Siblings Rivalry: Are Parents Responsible?" and I had written a large "Yes" below it with my blue gel pen. This book reminded me not just of that article but of my very own life. It was just so relatable. Getting bullied by your own family? Yeah, been there. Never want to go back. But that's a story for another day.
This is a love story between two lonely people who go from being friends to lovers and it has all the feels. The writing is simple and easy to understand. It was a short and a quick read. Recommended for beginners of romance genre....more
A story with a female writer as the main character? Yes! Nadzia is a wonderful writer, creating fantastical worlds with amazing storylines. She hits hA story with a female writer as the main character? Yes! Nadzia is a wonderful writer, creating fantastical worlds with amazing storylines. She hits her first roadblock when her friend reads the story for the first time and instantly dislikes it. This breaks Nadzia's heart. Sad that her story didn't receive the kind of response she wanted, she somehow finds herself in a world different than her own. There's only so much time before she realises that she's inside her very own story. She knows the where but she doesn't know the how. Her only goal becomes to get out of the world she had so diligently created. Which should be easy right, because she's the one who wrote it so she already knows all the characters and working of the world at large? Only that she's gravely mistaken. Both her characters and the world they live in have so many layers that go deeper than what Nadzia created.
I loved the character development and the world building. I have not read many books with polyamory so reading about Nadzia's relationship with two of her own characters was intriguing. It is fast paced and overall very interesting. I liked how the characters go from simple to complex as Nadzia tries to find her way out of their world.
A writer falling into their own story only to realise they don't fully know about it although they wrote each word themselves? Sold. The story ends on a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to the sequel. Recommended....more
Ever seen a swimmer and a volleyball player together? Well, a water animal and a land animal interacting is less common, isn't it? But not here becausEver seen a swimmer and a volleyball player together? Well, a water animal and a land animal interacting is less common, isn't it? But not here because our swimmer had a heated argument with our volleyball player at their sports university where they are students. The best part is how this is depicted from the perspective of a neurodivergent person, how an incident keeps playing in their heads and how difficult it is to get it out, if ever. So relatable, I read it twice. I loved the neurodivergent representation. I have anxiety, among other things, and I could relate to those scenes a lot. Very well written.
I wanted to write so much about this book but at the end, I just can't put my feelings into words. Guess you'll have to read it to understand. I loved every part of it. Characters having meltdowns, characters questioning their identities, characters feeling like a burden, characters self-harming, parental neglect... There was so much happening. So relatable because this was real life. Incidents are never isolated, there's always an overlapping and that overlapping is so well depicted in this story.
I haven't read many sports romances so this was a welcome change. This book was character focused and driven. I loved the character development and their interactions with each other. They might be questioning themselves but they do try to understand each other. There is a rich cast of LGBTQIA+ characters. And the found family? Yes! A hundred times yes. I might have cried an ocean.
This book took me by surprise. Because I never read blurbs, I had no idea what this was about and it turned out to be something I have always been intThis book took me by surprise. Because I never read blurbs, I had no idea what this was about and it turned out to be something I have always been interested in - the Sphinx. This story is about a father-daughter duo where Alyssa helps her archeologist father, Kade, with his research. They have a beautiful relationship although there is some past baggage.
I loved how each character turned out. There is action and adventure driven by the sheer motivation to find something that might be non-existent. The story is fast paced with not a single dull moment. Truly unputdownable. The theories given by the author regarding all the mystery surrounding the Sphinx is really logical. And I love me some logic.
Mythology and mytho-fiction are two of my favourite genres and I have always had a keen interest in Egyptian mythology even though it's scary at times with all the stories surrounding the curses for anyone who tries to find answers to the pyramids and the mummies, among other things.
I loved this story. If you're a mythology lover and a seeker of answers to the unknown, pick this up. Definitely recommended....more
**spoiler alert** Dinoboy is put in a Lost and Found room where he finds several other toys. This is his journey of getting out of that place and find**spoiler alert** Dinoboy is put in a Lost and Found room where he finds several other toys. This is his journey of getting out of that place and finding a "home". This very short lyrical/ rhythmic story about toys at a summer camp contains so many valuable lessons that I was pleasantly surprised. There is the heartbreak of getting rejected, the process of meeting strangers and making them into friends, the struggle of finding a better life, the love of found family, the sadness of being unsuccessful and the miracle of everything ending up in one's favour.
One theme that I found the most important and the main reason why this story appealed to me so much, is the mental health representation. Not just one, but two characters struggle with mental health issues. Dinoboy finds a unicorn and a hippo in the Lost and Found room. The unicorn changes colours based on its mood while the hippo eats whenever it is stressed. Why are they struggling with mental health issues? Because who knows for how long they have lived in that dark room where everyone has forgotten them. Because there's nobody in there to play with them and to love them. And, because none of them knew if they'd ever be able to get a better life. It was not a search for a house but for a home - a place to belong to and to be loved. Teaching our kids about mental health illnesses while they are young will definitely contribute to their overall personality and make them better individuals. Stories like this one play a very important role in ending the stigma. As a person who has suffered with binge eating disorder for almost a decade now, I could totally relate to the hippo. And how could I not relate to the unicorn with my depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, ADHD and a dozen other mental health issues? I cried after finishing this book because the toys finally found a home. Home is a feeling, and I have struggled a lot to find one myself.
There was a point where everything comes full circle and Dinoboy and his friends reach the place where they started at, and it was then that my heart dropped. Was it going to be another sad story because I definitely didn't want it to be? But I can reassure you that it has a happy ending. Not a single dull moment or out of place word. It's easy to read and understand. And a big yes to the inclusivity.
I read this book to my tiny humans and they loved it. This made for a beautiful bedtime read, providing enough food for thought for them. They recommend this book and so do I. Such a heartwarming story.
This was a quick read and I finished it in ten minutes. And those beautiful illustrations are probably the best I have seen in a long time. Very well done with both the story and the illustrations. Definitely recommended.
I do understand that my review is over twice the length of the story but that's how you know how much I appreciate this book. Oh, and don't forget to take into consideration the book that the twins read with Dinoboy ...more
This book was a pleasant surprise. I did not know what to expect of it but there were so many things happening that it almost overwhelmed me. That's wThis book was a pleasant surprise. I did not know what to expect of it but there were so many things happening that it almost overwhelmed me. That's what life is, there is so much happening all at once and we cannot afford to take breaks. We have to deal with everything as it comes.
I like how none of Colton's fathers are disciplinarians. Dad is hard on the outside but soft on the inside while Papi is soft through and through. Both of them are easy going and always have their son as their first priority. I love how Colton knows and acknowledges this but doesn't take advantage of them. The mutual love and understanding in the family was very heartwarming.
Being a woman in my community, and country at large, I have and still deal with discrimination and prejudice on a regular basis. When I was Colton's age, I didn't always understand this because a bed of thorns was usually wrapped in red roses. But the way in which Colton understands at once that his friends are using racism at his expense to get an advantage is just eye opening. I am almost a decade and a half older than Colton and before I even finished the first chapter, I was so proud that the younger generation is already woke. The future is in good hands and that's such a relief.
I understand and completely sympathise with Colton. It's a lot to take for a young teenager. And doubts are inevitable depending on how quickly things were happening around him. One thing after the other, almost non-stop, so much so that it seemed neverending. But Colton comes out victorious and his parents play an important role in it. This story reminded me what it was like to be a child when everything bad felt like my life was falling apart. Recommended....more
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