Faces of Betrayal: Symphonies of Sun & Moon Saga Book 1
by Daniele Cella
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
In another world, in another place, in another time warriors and clans rule the world. Marriage is a contract to bond clans and ensure peace, but sometimes betrayal taints the contract. In Faces of Betrayal by authors Daniele Cella and Alessio Manneschi, we follow a number of different players in a complex tale of war, peace, marriage and betrayal, power and greed. There are a number of characters and each has a chapter(s) to tell what it going on from their view. Through all these different views we learn of greed, the want for power, and detailed plans to wrench power from those who have it instead of taking it through peaceful means. There are also some complete innocents in this story that are swept up in the aftermath of the betrayal, and even though they don't know the full extent of the betrayal, they have to forge a way in this new world on their own, without knowing who they can actually trust.
Authors Daniele Cella and Alessio Manneschi have created a unique world with its own history of war and peace that is slowly unraveled as you travel through the Faces of Betrayal. Each person that we meet in the story has a different view, a different knowledge of what is happening and a different connect to each of the other people. Everyone is intertwined together, yet it is not until the end of the book that you finally realize how they are intertwined together and what their roles were in the fate of the other people. This is a well written story that keeps you reading because you feel the need to fully understand what is going on, and you only get glimpses of the big picture until the very end, even then you are left reaching for the second book to figure out more. There is some sex and lots of violence as there is a war taking place, but it is all well written and definitely fit in the story. Given all that, I would recommend this to adult readers.
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The Taming of Adam: Part 1: The Path to Envale
by Jason Hubbard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
In a world where technology is slowly replacing magic, Adam is more inclined to magic. He is a black mage, and all he wants is to learn what he thinks he needs to know. He is enrolled at the Magical College, but he skips most of his classes, thinking they are nothing but a waste of time. He has no use for people either, he'd rather be alone. A conversation between two professors over lunch one day will change the course of Adam's life forever, as they realize that he is a good student in one class, albeit a bit of a showoff, and always leaving early in the other. The professors make it a point to talk to him and explain why they classes all work together and how much better of a mage he could become. The Taming of Adam: Part 1: The Path to Envale will follow his path as he either learns to become a part of society or not. Jason Hubbard creates a story filled with magic, society, betrayal and redemption.
The Taming of Adam centers around the life of one man, Adam which is strange in the beginning as Adam wants nothing to do with other people. He is perfectly fine being an annoying outcast of society and hating everyone else. As author Jason Hubbard builds the story we are introduced to other people who will play parts in Adam's taming, each having a motive of their own, some for good and others for their own purposes. It is a story of magic, but it is more a story of finding oneself in the world, coming to terms with your own actions and setting things right in the face of problems. Wonderful book for young adults and older.
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Second Skin (Skinned) Book 2
by Judith Graves
My rating: 4.4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite
Through the visions of Marie, Alec's mom, and Alec himself, and the sights given to her by Wade, Eryn knew what was to come, and she didn't like it one bit! In order to save the town of Redgrave she would have to give in to her inner wolf, and it would cost someone she cared about their life. She wasn't ready to face that, but whether she was ready or not, the showdown was approaching. Second Skin (Skinned Book 2) finds Eryn still caught between Alec and Wade, still trying to find out what happened to her parents, and still unsure of herself. Things are getting more hairy and deadly in the town of Redgrave, this time, all the parties are going to have to work together if they want to save the town. Author +Judith Graves weaves teenage feelings into this story of friendship, betrayal, romance and good vs evil.
Second Skin is the second book in the Skinned series and continues right where the first book, Under My Skin left off. It has the main characters, a small band of teenagers fighting the paranormal in the town of Redgrave and keeping most of the town from knowing anything about it. Of course there is the local sheriff, Logan, a vampire of the worst sense that has his own agenda keeping the kids on edge too. Author +Judith Graves weaves many layers of story into this novel, friendships, romances, family, betrayals, and so much more. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning page after page until all the sudden you are at the end and wanting more! This is a wonderful book for young adults and adults alike. I also feel comfortable in recommending it for middle school readers and younger as parents see fit.
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