Rite of Revelation (Acceptance #2) by Sarah Negovetich Review

Hey Readers! Ethan here on this Sunday evening for the first of two reviews I'll be sharing. I've been on a reading spree lately and I am so excited to share my thoughts. First up is the sequel to one of my favorite reads from 2015, a novel from a debut author that really opened my eyes to an amazing part of the book world. This time on the chopping block? Rite of Revelation by Sarah Negovetich. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author!

Rite of Revelation (Acceptance #2)
Author: Sarah Negovetich
Release Date: December 4, 2015
Genres: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Dystopian

          

The Cardinal plans to execute seventeen-year-old Rebecca Collins, just as soon as he gets what he needs to solidify his rule over the United Territories. Faced with certain death, Rebecca discovers not everyone is under the Cardinal's control. A new alliance helps Rebecca and her friends escape the PIT, giving Rebecca a chance to live the life her Rejection took away.

But the Cardinal needs her in order to stay in power, and he doesn't care who has to die to bring her back to justice.

Her last fight was a push to survive. This time, Rebecca has a life that might be worth dying for.

Sarah Negovetich

Sarah Negovetich knows you don't know how to pronounce her name and she's okay with that.

Her first love is Young Adult novels, because at seventeen the world is your oyster. Only oysters are slimy and more than a little salty; it's accurate if not exactly motivational. We should come up with a better cliché.

Sarah divides her time between writing YA books that her husband won’t read and working with amazing authors as an agent at Corvisiero Literary Agency. Her life’s goal is to be only a mildly embarrassing mom when her kids hit their teens.

You can learn more about Sarah and her books at www.SarahNegovetich.com.

Goodreads * Website * Twitter * Facebook

*****

My Thoughts:

In a bookish world gone crazy, it takes a whole lot for a debut series to stand out above the crowd. For a while now, nay-sayers have been howling that "dystopian is dead", pushing people away from the genre in fear of no original content. To this people I say, ARE YOU CRAZY? Woah. Flashback to one year ago when I got my hands on, and devoured, the first installment of this series, Rite of Rejection. I was absolutely astounded. Blown away to the point where a book I read at the very end of 2014 became one of my favorite books all year. Crazy right?

How could Rite of Revelation ever hope to live up?

Book one ended us on a humongous cliff hanger. Probably one of the biggest ones I've seen in the genre, but boy did it pay off! While I will admit that I was slightly disappointed that book two doesn't pick right up where book one left off (can't say why for spoiler reasons), Negovetich more than makes up for it with the incredible twists and turns we see right from the first pages of Revelation. It's a fast-paced non-stop plot that keeps you moving until the very end. There is not a lull in this story at all. Action packed sequences of turmoil and heartbreak will forever change your views on revolution from the eyes of Rebecca and the gang. 

One of the most intriguing aspects of Revelation was Negovetich's methods of developing her characters. We still follow the same gang (now with a few new additions), but each and every character trait we discovered in book one is magnified tenfold. We can really see each character's tragic flaw in such full detail that makes their development at times much like a disaster, so hard to watch, but so hard to look away. Negovetich really upped the ante this time with her characters. Emotions are explored, uncertain futures are tried, and we find our characters facing the toughest decisions of their entire life. Sure, life in the PIT was awful, but is the outside world any better? Can a rag-tag group of outcasts really hope to make a difference?

I don't know about other readers, but the biggest themes I got out of Revelation were the theme of forgiveness and redemption. Acceptance is key in the lives of Rebecca and the gang, but the ability to forgive those who have done them wrong, their society, their world in an effort to move forward. Not only forgiveness, but their individual character's respective journeys towards redemption is such an emotional crutch in this series. That takes strength the likes of which most novels never scratch the surface. I think that's quite possibly the reason this series is so close to my heart. It is so much more than a 'surface' level story. There is a lot at stake her, but on the forefront and the background for all the characters involved. 

Negovetich really brought her A-game with the setting in book one. As I previously have noted, her setting of the PIT was one of the most well-written settings I have read. While book two took us away from the PIT, we still see some incredible writing on Negovetich's part. The descriptions alone are enough to have you smelling the pine of the forests and feeling the thick tension in each dramatic scene. I am really excited to see what Negovetich can do with the next installment of the series which will take our gang to new places with new adventures on the search for justice in revolution. 

Original, thought-provoking, and exceeding all expectation, Negovetich soars with Rite of Revelation. An action-packed sequel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, begging for book three! 

As you can clearly see, I absolutely loved each and every second of this second adventure with Negovetich and her beautifully crafted tale of dystopian amazingness. Rite of Revelation was everything I wanted and more. It should come as absolutely no surprise that I am granting this incredible novel a well-deserved 5-star review! I highly recommend this read to all fans of dystopian, young adult, or sci-fi fiction. You will not be disappointed. Add this series to your TBR today!

*****

Book One, Rite of Rejection available now! Click the cover to see my thoughts on book one!

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of Rite of Revelation by the incredible Sarah Negovetich. This is one series that you do not want to miss. Add this to your TBR ASAP! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

On the Accidental Wings of Dragons (The Dragons of Eternity #1) by Julie Wetzel Review

Hello again readers and happy Monday to you yet again! I'm on a roll with my reviews and and so excited to keep the positive vibes coming. Up next I'll be reviewing the latest novel from an author who has quickly become one of my all time favorite, this makes my SIXTH journey with her and I'm looking forward to so many more. What am I raving about now? On the Accidental Wings of Dragons, the first novel in the new The Dragons of Eternity series by Julie Wetzel. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the book and our author:

When Michael Duncan is sent to investigate the disappearance of several dragon subjects, he finds himself in a bind. Locked in a dungeon, his only hope lies wrapped in a bundle of cloth tossed at his feet. One kiss and his life is changed forever. Hunted by his own people for crimes he didn’t commit, Michael has to learn a whole new life at the hands of a beautiful woman. Can she help him clear his name, or will just being in her presence get him sentenced to death?

Carissa Markel doesn’t know who this man chained to the wall is, but he’s her only chance for escape. She has power, but, born without a voice, she lacks the means to wield it. One choice, made in desperation, sends them running for their lives. Does she have the strength to help him clear his name? And what will her brother, the King of Dragons, do if he finds out what she’s done? The real questions is… can she keep her hands off him long enough to find out?

          

Julie Wetzel

Originally from Ohio, Julie always dreamed of a job in science. Either shooting for the stars or delving into the mysteries of volcanoes. But, life never leads where you expect. In 2007, she moved to Mississippi to be with her significant other. 

Now a mother of a hyperactive red headed boy, what time she’s not chasing down dirty socks and unsticking toys from the ceiling is spent crafting worlds readers can get lost it. Julie is a self-proclaimed bibliophile and lover of big words. She likes hiking, frogs, interesting earrings, and a plethora of other fun things. 

FIND JULIE WETZEL

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

*****

My Thoughts

Okay, I'll go ahead and say it. I don't do dragons. I'm just not a dragon person. Well... I didn't think I was. Having only ever had one positive experience with the reptilian behemoths previously, I really didn't know what to expect from this latest series from Julie Wetzel. As any of my regular readers will know, I love me some Julie Wetzel. Her Kindling Flames series is an all-time favorite of mine, but could she follow up vamps with dragons and still have me love it as much? I'm admit, I was hesitant. I let this read sit on my TBR shelf for far too long before I took the plunge. After devouring the entire novel in just one sitting, I can safely say without hesitation that I am a dragon person.

Julie Wetzel has made a believer out of me!

While I will touch more specifically on the aspects of the plot later, the overall plot itself is that is more than difficult to describe without spoiling anything. Allow me to just say this, this was a quick read. Though I found myself flying though the pages of this story, I was not left disappointed. The plot is simple, with enough wrenches thrown in for good measure and plot development to keep even the hardest to please readers excited. No cliffhangers will be found here and the story really wraps everything necessary up into this single volume, while leaving the reader more than excited for the next installment. Nothing moves too fast or slow, and each chapter builds on itself, leaving the finale atop a summit of astounding writing by Julie Wetzel. 

In true Julie Wetzel fashion, the characters for this novel were awesome. Each was written with the greatest of traits that was exemplified in their characters in the greatest of ways. Each had their flaws as well as their uniqueness that made them stand out. Each title bestowed resonated clearly with the characters voice. Incredible! Michael and Carissa may be my new favorite literary power-couple of 2015, but we'll get to that in a minute. 

I will say this about Dragons, it was probably the most 'adult' novel I have read from Crimson Tree. There is cursing and some extreme adult situations. While there is no explicit sex, there is some very sexual content. Overall, I enjoyed it. It was such a step up from what I am used to reading from Crimson Tree and their counterpart Clean Teen Publishing that it did take me by surprise at first, but I was very excited to see this kind of content in one of their NA titles. Wetzel doesn't turn down the heat, and I can only imagine the flames will get hotter with each passing installment. Carissa and Michael's relationship was such a fascinating one from the beginning. Forced with a difficult decision, Carissa does what she feels is necessary in order to save not only her own life, but that of a complete stranger's as well. From there we see such a development in each of their characters that by the end of the novel I was shipping them hardcore. I can't wait to see more of them. 

As I mentioned before, fantasy is not my genre of choice. Unlike other genres, it's very seldom rooted in reality, which usually makes it hard for me to follow. There are rules and history building, sometimes an entire world has to be crafted. While that works for lots of fantasy novels, Dragons was like nothing I've ever seen before. Are there dragons? Yes. Is there magic? Yes. Is this a fantasy? Of course. What makes it different? While other authors bog their fantastic writings with lore and governing laws, Wetzel washes her hands of the science behind her world and gets down to brass tacks. There are dragons and magic, and they coexist. End of story. The beauty of it is just how perfect it works. You don't need the grueling backstory to realize how the dragon shifters work, Wetzel has broken it down in the simplest of terms for her readers: just go with it. I don't think I could approve any harder of her tactic. For skeptical readers such as myself, this was an amazing literary device that Wetzel has utilized. 

While this story does have some castles and kings and whatnot, it takes place in a relatively modern world, complete with helicopters, Harley's, and modern technology. Imagine Eragon mixed with 007. Right? The best of Paolini and Fleming tied into one. Interesting combination, no? Trust me, Wetzel writes it to perfection!

Another thing that really took hold with me were the themes that Wetzel was able to emanate in this story. While love was certainly a big one, others included accepting responsibility, fate, and family. It isn't that I was surprised that Wetzel was able to deliver on some hard-hitting themes, it was how comfortably her story moved around such delicate subjects. The end result was truly a thing of beauty.

While I may not know the authors long-term plans for this series, I do know there are several more coming in the near future. I can see a long and prosperous series on the horizon for Crimson Tree with Julie Wetzel at the helm. Prequels, sequels, and spin-offs are all possible in this world Wetzel has crafted. I cannot wait see what comes next!

While I will probably never be able to say that fantasy is my favorite genre, Julie Wetzel has proved to me through this novel that it isn't a genre to shrug off and for that I am grateful. To Mrs. Julie Wetzel, I bow and exalt. You ma'am are truly the queen of your domain. Through creative words, intricately woven plots, and reflective characters, Wetzel has crafted a fantasy novel for the ages. 

It should come as no surprise to anyone reading this that I truly loved every page of this novel and haven't a single negative thing to say about it. I am anxiously awaiting more Dragons from Julie Wetzel. That being said, I am granting On The Accidental Wings of Dragons a near-perfect 5-star review. I may have been leery in the beginning but all my fears were abated after plowing through this incredible tale. A highly recommended read to all loves of fantasy and the new adult genre!

*****

Well readers, as you can see, I had lots of thoughts on On the Accidental Wings of Dragons by Julie Wetzel. I was extremely hesitant about it going in, but WOW I was blown away. Like I said in the beginning, this is my SIXTH 5-star read from Julie Wetzel, she's about half a second away from becoming my all-time favorite author and person on this planet. Seriously. You guys go add this one to your TBR and go give Julie a viral high-five. Tell her Ethan sent ya, she doesn't bite... hard! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Queen of Tomorrow (Stolen Empire #2) by Sherry Ficklin Review

Hey readers, Ethan here with a review that's sure to light up your Summer TBR! The second installment in what is, quite possibly, my all-time favorite YA historic fiction series, Stolen Empire. What am I raving about today? Queen of Tomorrow by the amazing Sherry D. Ficklin. Let's learn a bit about the novel and our author before we get to my thoughts:

Sophie—now Catherine, Grand Duchess of Russia—had a tough first year at Imperial Court. Married at sixteen to Grand Duke Peter, heir to the throne, and settled in their own palace, things are finally looking up. As a new day dawns, she thinks only of securing her future, and the future of their country, during one of the greatest political upheavals of her time. Fighting desperately against forces trying to depose the Empress Elizabeth and put the young Prince Ivan on her throne, Sophie soon finds herself in the middle of a war brewing between her beloved Prussia, and her new empire. But even as she navigates the fragile political landscape, she quickly realizes that she has only begun to discover the tangled web of deceit and infidelity woven over the lavish court of Oranienbaum Palace.

When a strange and delicate alliance forms between the young couple, she glimpses a future of happiness, only to see it lost in a moment at the hands of those who still seek to end her life—and prevent her reign. Out of favor with the empress and running out of options, Sophie will have to sacrifice her own innocence on the altar of Russia if she is to save the nation, and herself. To survive, she will have to do the unthinkable, betray those closest to her and become something greater and more dangerous than she ever imagined she could be… a queen.

Sherry D. Ficklin

Sherry D. Ficklin is a full time writer from Colorado where she lives with her husband, four kids, two dogs, and a fluctuating number of chickens and house guests. A former military brat, she loves to travel and meet new people. She can often be found browsing her local bookstore with a large white hot chocolate in one hand and a towering stack of books in the other. That is, unless she’s on deadline at which time she, like the Loch Ness monster, is only seen in blurry photographs.

Find Sherry F. Ficklin

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE

***

My Thoughts:

You guys may remember earlier this year when I devoured and raved all about Queen of Someday, book one in this series. As several of you guys will remember, I am a huge history buff. Russian history and culture has always been interesting to me so as soon as I heard of this series, I knew I'd fall in love. I was right. Immediately after reading book one, I realized this series was truly something special. I couldn't say enough great things about it. Not know exactly what Ficklin had planned for book two, I'll admit I was a little nervous, there was a lot of ground to cover. I'll tell you what folks, Ficklin definitely did a очень хорошо job on this novel! Ah-maz-ing! (That's a 'very good' job for my non-Russian speakers out there.) 

Oh wow guys. The plot for Tomorrow is one emotional roller coaster ride. Twists, turns, unease, heartache, and heartbreak follow our cast of characters as Sophie continues to rise to the occasion, growing from poor German-born Sophie to Empress Catherine the Great. The story sure isn't without its' hiccups, but Sophie, now Catherine blossoms from the ashes and become the heart of Russia. Outshining even the brightest stars in power. It isn't easy to craft these characters, but it's even hard to watch them endure the hardships they do. Ficklin does note that this novel is not suited for young readers, and she is very right in saying this. Forced sex, physical abuse, and harsh language will follow Catherine on her journey to win the heart of Russia. It certainly isn't an easy ascent up the mountain.

Ficklin does an absolutely amazing job with the characters in this novel. Anyone who remembers book one will remember the huge cast of characters involved. Thankfully in book two, Ficklin doesn't throw many more at us, but rather dives deeper into the psyche of the ones she previously crafted. Not only do we see the crucial development of Sophie to Catherine, we see amazing strides in the characters of Empress Elizabeth, Sergei, Peter, and others. Like I said before guys, it's non-stop emotion and tension. Expect the absolute unexpected because nothing is as it seems!

Set in eighteenth century Russia, Ficklin pulls out all the stops. From palace to the forests of Russia, each setting is beautifully crafted with just the right amount of description to set the tone of the novel. I was very clearly able to close my eyes and imagine myself in the palace of the Empress Elizabeth, right alongside Sophie and the gang. Everything from Russian architecture to food was described in such a fantastic way as to leave the reader more than impressed. 

I can honestly say that I am in absolute awe of Sherry Ficklin. Never before in my bookish history have I seen an author go to such lengths for a story. The research Ficklin has done on every facet of Russian history and culture is sure to please even the harshest of critics. It is noted in the novel multiple times that this is a historic fiction and that Ficklin has taken some liberties in interpreting the tale. In all honesty, I believe that Ficklin's tale is probably closer to the truth than the history books have led us to believe, plus they give these historical figures a story for an entirely new generation of learners. Save a spot on your bookshelf of favorite, Ficklin has more than earned that empty space! 

This novel deals with some strong adult themes including rape, domestic violence, torture, murder, adultery, underage drinking (by our standards), and more. If any of these things offends you, please take caution that this may not be the series for you. For those of you who are able to embrace these elements as truth, you will be greatly rewarded by this gripping tale Ficklin has crafted. The lessons learned by Sophie in this series are reflective on our own lives in the 21st century, we can all learn a lot about life from Mrs. Catherine the Great.  

There is only one more novel left in the Stolen Empire series, Queen of Always and it just so happens I had the great pleasure of beta reading it for Sherry Ficklin earlier this month. Guys, if the final installment ends up being anything close to what I read, we may have a contender for all-time favorite series on our hands. I'm not kidding when I give this series such high praise. Written with the greatest eloquence, sophistication, and flair, Sherry D. Ficklin has truly delivered a literary masterpiece of our time. 

Writing this review has really made me fall in love with this novel all over again. Queen of Tomorrow really is beyond special to me in every facet. As a history scholar, as a reader, as a human being. It spoke to me. Sherry Ficklin is a national treasure. To write such beautiful words in such a well-crafted story is amazing beyond any words I could possibly write here. Here's to you Queen Sherry Ficklin, well done ma'am. Well done. It is for these reasons, and many, many more, that I am granting Queen of Tomorrow by Sherry D. Ficklin a near-perfect 5+-star review. You'll be seeing much more about this series for me in the future. Don't worry folks, it only gets better from here!

***

Click the cover below to see my 5-star review of 

Queen of Someday (Book #1 in the Stolen Empire trilogy)

Alright folks, that's all I have for you on the topic of Queen of Tomorrow by Sherry D. Ficklin. As you guys can clearly see, I am absolutely enamored with this entire series. It's almost perfection. I highly recommend it to any and all readers mature-YA aged and up. Don't miss this incredible read. Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

The Forgotten Mountain by Heather Lyons Recruit Tour

Hey readers! Ethan here with a special post for you guys today! I am proud to be a host on the special RECRUIT tour for Heather Lyon's The Forgotten Mountain. In this special tour, we will not only be promoting the novel itself, but also picking OUR OWN recruits to join The Collectors' Society. Before we get to my recruit, here's a bit about the novel and Heather:

After years spent in Wonderland, Alice Reeve learned the impossible was quite possible after all. She thought she left such fantastical realities behind when she finally returned to England.

Now Alice has become a member of the clandestine Collectors’ Society, and the impossible has found her again in the form of an elusive villain set on erasing entire worlds. As she and the rest of the Society race to bring this mysterious murderer to justice, the fight becomes painfully personal.

Lives are being lost. Loved ones are shattered or irrevocably altered. Each step closer Alice gets to the shadowy man she hunts, the more secrets she unravels, only to reveal chilling truths. If she wants to win this war and save millions of lives, Alice must once more embrace the impossible and make the unimaginable, imaginable.

Sometimes, the rabbit hole leads to terrifying places.

Heather Lyons

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—she’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Find Heather Lyons

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE 

*****

The Forgotten Mountain Recruit Tour Schedule

June 22

QC JO'S go to books In A Bookish World

June 23

BFF Book Blog TSK TSK What to Read

June 24

Book Junkie: Not-So-Anonymous Ramblings on Readings

June 25

Lost in a Book Blog The Book Trollop

June 26

Lovin' Los Libros Desert Divas Book Addiction

June 27

Prisoners of Print Seeking Book Boyfriends

June 28

One Guy's Guide to Good Reads

June 29

The Room Behind the Bookcase

June 30

Book Starlets Pandora's Books

July 1

A Literary Perusal Resch Reads and Reviews

July 2

Books galore

July 3

Library of a Book Witch Typical Distractions

***

One Guy's Guide to Good Reads Society Recruit...

As outlined in the document above, my choice for potential Society recruit is Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End, Hobbiton, Middle Earth. Baggins resides in timeline 1937/55TOL-HOB, or, at least did as of his last known whereabouts. Baggins held many hats during his adventures in 1937/55TOL-HOB before departing Middle Earth on one final journey. It is assumed that Baggins is still out there, searching for adventure. Of all the literary worlds and creatures we at the Society have visited and uncovered, Tolkien's Middle Earth has been both a Timeline of great interest and much debate. It was originally decided this Timeline was too dangerous to be disturbed, for this reason no liaison has been chosen. No contact has been made with this timeline. Due to extreme circumstances in stopping the villains who have placed us in such unspeakable peril, it is my belief that the time is nigh to make contact. Through the help of Baggins, we could do much good in our endeavors. 

While it is not known at this time the specifics of this timeline's catalyst, it could be a number of relics including Sting, Bilbo's coveted blade, the Arkenstone, or the Crown of Gondor. Protection of each of these relics is vital to ensuring stasis within the timeline. As evident in the map to the left, we can see that Tolkien's Middle Earth is among the most developed and civilized Timeline's available. It is with great caution that we disturb this Timeline. 

While not known to be aggressive, Baggins has extremely powerful allies, including one of the greatest Wizards of all time. Through Baggins' extensive knowledge and marketable skills, I am confident his addition to the Society would prove to be invaluable. 

"In paginis mundus invenimus. In verbis vitam inveniimus." In Tolkien script.

***

Click on the covers below to be taken to my 5-star reviews of all three novels in this series.

     

          

   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Alright guys, that's all I have for you on my stop on the recruit tour for The Forgotten Mountain by Heather Lyons. This series is one of my all-time favorites so I am honored to share my choice of recruit on this tour. Some amazing characters have already been chosen. Be sure to head to the other blogs and check out their choices! Huge thanks to Heather and the team at InkSlinger PR for allowing me to participate!

Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

The Forgotten Mountain by Heather Lyons Review

Hey everyone! HUGE day today! You guys have seen some great posts this week and I am so excited to keep the ball rolling! Today is the release day for one of my most anticipated (if not the) most anticipated novel of the summer. The third installment in one of my all time favorite series. Today I am so excited to share my thoughts with you all. What are we racing about? The Forgotten Mountain, the third novel in The Collectors' Society series by my good friend and one of my favorite authors, Mrs. Heather Lyons! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and our author:

After years spent in Wonderland, Alice Reeve learned the impossible was quite possible after all. She thought she left such fantastical realities behind when she finally returned to England.

Now Alice has become a member of the clandestine Collectors’ Society, and the impossible has found her again in the form of an elusive villain set on erasing entire worlds. As she and the rest of the Society race to bring this mysterious murderer to justice, the fight becomes painfully personal.

Lives are being lost. Loved ones are shattered or irrevocably altered. Each step closer Alice gets to the shadowy man she hunts, the more secrets she unravels, only to reveal chilling truths. If she wants to win this war and save millions of lives, Alice must once more embrace the impossible and make the unimaginable, imaginable.

Sometimes, the rabbit hole leads to terrifying places.

Heather Lyons

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—she’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Find Heather Lyons

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE 

*****

My Thoughts

"Madness- that old, dear friend of mine- has come home for a visit. And I welcome its' return with open arms."

I'll be honest with you guys, I don't even know where to begin. This novel is all over the place (in the best way possible) so my review is probably about to make a whole lot of no sense. 

If someone was to tell me a year ago that one author would completely change the face of my literary world, one author would completely change the way I look at the world of fiction, that one single author would forever alter my bookish mind, I'd tell you that you were crazy. No author and no series since I've begun my blogging has had the effect on me that Heather Lyons The Collectors' Society series has had. I don't say things like this often guys, so you best be paying attention. Heather has not only struck gold once, but she did it again in February with The Hidden Library. The third time was no exception, Heather Lyons has raised the bar yet again, proving that with each passing installment, her talent continues to grow. What a blessing she has bestowed upon we mere mortals!

The Forgotten Mountain was everything I was hoping for from Heather and so much more. 

Being the third book in the series, I have to try hard to make this review as spoiler-free as possible. When it comes to the plot, Heather blew me away. Having pretty much laid out all the ground rules for the series in books one and two, I had a good idea of what could possibly happen in this world. Wrong. And then Heather threw in a wrench and blew me away. Expect the unexpected people. This installment finds out gang on yet another timeline-traveling adventure! With our villains so close, Alice and the gang must do everything they can to stop the destruction of the timelines, and the loss of millions of lives. Our last novel ended with huge uncertainty and some huge cliffhangers. I can proudly say that in book three we do get some much needed resolution, that is, until Heather throws another wrench in the plan! I won't spoil the plot, but I will say that everything you thought you knew about the TCS series? Throw it out the window. Heather Lyons is the woman in charge and she's got a goal to keep us reeling until the very last page!

So by the time we've gotten to book three in a four-part series, we've met a huge majority of the cast. That being said, Heather still managed to throw a few shockers in there and really got the literary juices flowing. A few characters did not see coming finally made their debut in this installment, including one of my all time favorites. One I had been waiting for since the beginning (and yes, he's from Wonderland). Even without a bunch of new characters, Heather does an incredible job of building on her previous development and creating even more complexities for her Collectors' Society recruits. In this novel we see some amazing character development from the A.D. that I was really excited to see. We see a whole new side of Victor, and finally learn more about Mary's life pre-society. It was a lot of fun. I would love to see Heather write spin-offs of this series one day!

When speaking of the setting, I find it hard to write without spoiling anything for new readers. Let me just say that when I found out the title for this novel was The Forgotten Mountain, I had a very specific idea in mind for where Heather was going with the story. I had gone so far as to write my thoughts down in preparation for book 3. Well, I was wrong. In fact, even with my super 'out there' thinking, I was nowhere close to figuring out Heather's plan for the remainder of the series. She got me good. The new primary timeline for this novel may possibly be my favorite one yet. It's so... perfect. Again, not spoiling anything, but Heather really did her homework for this one guys, it shows. Nobody is going to finish this read and think "I wish Heather had put more thought into this." Because geez... Even my head is hurting. This series involves taking quite the plunge, but I know that everyone will be well-impressed by the tale that Heather Lyons has weaved!

As you guys well know, this was the third novel in the series. Each novel brings a little something different into the fold: new characters, new timelines, new emotions. With each installment, the plot thickens, the character become more developed, and the emotional toll rises. This is true of any series, but this one is more than a little special. All stories strive to tell one singular story, however some series make it a point to make each individual novel a story in its' own (Harry Potter, for instance). While that style of writing may work for some, I'm a huge fan of the epic-style of writing used by authors such as Heather Lyons. One of my favorite parts about this series is that the whole thing tells one story. I can't even begin to say what happens in books one or two if you asked for specifics, because Heather has so beautifully tied these stories together. While that may not make sense to some of you, I know those that do will agree with me 110%. It only makes me even more excited for the final installment of the series. So many questions to answer, and after such a jaw dropping cliff-hanger in this novel, I'm chomping at the bit for more!

If I had to sum up The Forgotten Mountain in as few words as possible, it'd be 'simple astounding'. Whenever I think Heather Lyons has done the very best work she can, she raises the bar even farther. Heather Lyons is a national treasure, forever securing herself on my list of all-time favorites. A novel for the ages, The Forgotten Mountain is sure to make a big splash on YOUR summer reading list! 

As you guys can, very clearly, see, I am absolutely in love with The Forgotten Mountain by Heather Lyons. This series has become extremely special to me, but this one may be my favorite one yet! If you guys can remember, The Collectors' Society was actually voted my favorite fantasy read of 2014, and trust me, it wasn't an easy category. For these reasons, and so many more that I may be missing, I am granting The Forgotten Mountain a near-perfect 5-star review. Folks, I'm here to tell you that if you aren't reading this series, then you are seriously missing out. Don't delay, add this to your TBR ASAP!

*****

Alright everyone, that's all I have for you on the topic of The Forgotten Mountain by Heather Lyons. Don't worry, this isn't all you'll be hearing from me about this incredible read though. Later this weekend, I'm on the recruit tour and then in a couple of weeks I'll be on the blog tour! Who is pumped!? I know I am. Serious guys, I cannot put into words how incredible this series is and what it means to me. If you haven't taken the plunge down Heather Lyon's rabbit hole, what are you waiting for? 

Click on the covers below to be taken to my 5-star reviews of the first two novels in this series.

     

Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan

Earth God (World Aflame #4) by Jon Messenger Review

Hello readers and a very happy Friday evening to you all! I have a very special review to share with you all tonight. One that really is a bittersweet experience for me to share, as it was the series finale to one of the best series I've picked up in a very long time. What am I raving about tonight? Earth God, the thrilling conclusion to Jon Messenger's World Aflame series! Before we get to my thoughts, here's a bit about the novel and out author:

THE EARTH GIVES WAY TO THE SEA,
THE SEA BOWS BEFORE THE WIND,
THE WIND FEEDS THE FLAME,
THE FLAME BURNS THE WORLD OF MAN DOWN TO THE EARTH.

The Fire Elemental has risen and its followers, the Fire Caste, have destroyed the planet. Humanity hangs on the cusp of extinction; their only hope now lies with the troubled Wind Warrior, Xander Sirocco.

Xander has absorbed the power of the Wind and Water Elementals but at great personal cost. Finding Sammy has been his anchor through the chaos around him, but now he finds himself wondering if saving her is enough.

Sammy remains a prisoner of the Fire Elemental, her mind trapped, as the dragon possesses her body. Her love for Xander keeps her going, but will her passion be enough to stop the Elemental from killing Xander once and for all?

Humanity's last hope rests in Xander finding the Earth Elemental. Claiming the power of the Earth is the last step before he can confront the dragon holding Sammy hostage. Unfortunately, he's not the only one who knows the location of the Earth Elemental.
It's a race against time between Xander and the dragon to claim the last of the Elemental power and bring an end to a war that's spanned millennia.

Earth God is the exciting conclusion to the bestselling and award-winning World Aflame series.

Jon Messenger 

Jon Messenger (Born 1979 in London, England) serves as an United States Army Major in the Medical Service Corps. Since graduating from the University of Southern California in 2002, writing Science Fiction has remained his passion, a passion that has continued through multiple combat and humanitarian deployments. Jon wrote the "Brink of Distinction" trilogy, of which "Burden of Sisyphus" is the first book, while serving a 16-month deployment in Baghdad, Iraq.

Find Jon Messenger

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Goodreads *

*****

My Thoughts:

Anyone who has read my reviews of the other three novels in this series will tell you that it seems as though I've really had a love-hate relationship with these novels. I just went back and read those reviews from all those months ago in preparation of crafting this one. I found myself really having trouble with many of the elements in the other three novels and really hoped Messenger would rectify every concern I had before he rounded out this series. I may have found some huge faults with this series, but it's still among my favorite in the genre. I can say without a moment of hesitation that Earth God was exactly what I have been waiting for, and so much more!

The entire World Aflame series has been building up to this heart-stopping climax. With the powers of the Wind and Water Elementals merged inside him, Xander almost has what it takes to stop the Fire Elemental and his Fire Cast from burning the world of man down to the ground, wiping away all traces of humanity in an effort for the next stage in evolution to take hold. Only by locating and obtaining the powers of the final (and arguably most powerful) Elemental, Earth, can Xander finally have what he needs to take down Fire and, hopefully, save Sammy in the process. Confused? It's an important book. Basically the entire thing is a near-300 page action sequence. Battle after battle, trial after trial. Things always look darkest before the dawn and it's time for the sun to rise for Xander Sirocco as it sets on an incredible series. 

The plot to Earth God was amazing. It wrapped up nearly every loose end the story had and left me so satisfied. It's like Messenger took the best parts of each of his works and compiled them into this and then multiplied it by a hundred. Earth God is Messenger's best work to date!

While the plot to Earth God was incredible, it was really the characters who really helped to make this story shine. In the beginning, as evident by my Wind Warrior review, I hated Xander Sirocco. I found him to be lazy, boring, immature, and pretty much everything that causes me to roll my eyes at a story. Over the course of these three stories, Xander has grown exponentially. He's not just more mature, Xander is a hero. He has truly come into his own with this series. Sean and Jessica took some huge strides in this final story and really shaped their own destiny. They played a huge role in Xander's final battles and their involvement was so much greater than I expected it to be! I was not a fan of Jessica in the beginning and by the time the story ended, she was one of my favorites! The Fire Elemental, General Abraxas, and Lord Balor played huge roles in this novel. I think one of my favorite things about Messenger's writing is that we get to see everyone's side of the story. It isn't all about the good guys, it's about every character, their struggles, their triumphs, and their demises. Everyone gets a share of the spotlight and Messenger writes them to perfection. But what of my favorite character, Sammy? Unfortunately we really don't get to see much of 'Sammy' in the finale. Having been possessed by the Fire Elemental, she's been reduced to a mere 'inside voice'. While Sammy does still play a huge role in the story (one of the biggest), I was a little bummed to see she wasn't able to get more of a time to shine. I would have liked to see her weird her incredible powers one last time! She's still my favorite and I'm so glad Messenger say her story to such amazing completion.

This is the first novel in the series that the 'New Adult' aspect was really evident in my eyes. The language was harsher, the situations more dire. There were a few adult scenes and a whole lot more adult level thinking. I applaud Messenger for pushing the limits to make this novel really reflect its' New Adult classification. This was probably one of my biggest complains about the previous installments in the series, but Messenger really stepped it up in this final novel. 

Like the other novels in this series, the setting for Earth God turns out to be a globe-encompassing adventure. Europe, Honduras, the Pacific Islands, and Los Angeles all play huge roles in the story and Messenger writes each setting to perfection. The post-apocalyptic world, scorched beyond recognition: dark, scary, and unforgiving. Messenger creates a landscape full of fear and still finds a way to supply us with a beacon of hope, a silver lining in a tunnel of darkness. 

Of all the themes that Messenger emulates in this series, I believe the most important one is to embrace your destiny and control your fate. It is only through our characters learning to accept their ultimate responsibilities and places within the world that they are able to fully succeed. Friendship, love, forgiveness, and revenge are all also thoroughly explained. Messenger really dives into the mental and emotional tolls of war, death, and violence on the human psyche in this series, his military background shining through in a beautiful light. It's written with such raw honesty that it is sure to open the eyes of reflection for all readers. 

As a whole, this series was a roller coaster for me. In the beginning I really didn't care too much for it. My problems with Wind Warrior almost caused me to not go any farther. A full series later, Messenger really came into his own and delivered a finale that really displays his talent. This is, by far, my favorite work of Messenger's to-date. Each installment of the series got better with time and I am so glad I was able to finish the final novel feeling whole and satisfied. 

After having finished the story, I still have lots of questions. What happened after the climax? What becomes of humanity. Are the residents of White Halls still alive? What does the future hold for the Elements? I was really anxious to hear what would become of the elemental castes after the conclusion of Xander's story, but alas, we really don't see much about it. Thankfully Messenger did write a short Epilogue that left me rearing for more! It seems as though one day a spin-off series may not be out of the question! If that day does come, I'll be one-clicking, that's for sure!

It is an extremely bittersweet experience to read the final book in a series you loved. This year has been hard on me and I've not seen the finales of FIVE of my favorite series. 2015 has not been good on my 'feels' level. I keep catching them everywhere I turn. I am so grateful for authors like Jon Messenger. Authors who can write honestly without fluff. It's such an honor to read from a male author like Messenger who gives me hope for male authors writing in the genre. With so few on the market, I am blessed that I've found an author like Messenger to add to my shelves.

It is with great honor that I am granting Earth God by Jon Messenger a well-earned near-perfect, 5-star review! Seriously folks, this novel blew me out of the water. From cover to cover, I was completely captivated and couldn't put it down. I know this isn't the end of the amazingness we will be seeing from Jon Messenger. I can't wait to see what journey he takes us on next! Be sure to add this one to your TBRs people, you will not be disappointed!

*****

Check out my reviews of

Wind Warrior (World Aflame #1),

Flame Caller (World Aflame #2), and

Water Shaper (World Aflame #3)

by clicking the covers below!

          

Alright readers, sadly, for now, that is all I have for you on the topic of Jon Messenger's World Aflame series. This series has meant so much to me over the past year. It is through my discovery of this series that I found my place among the great folks at Clean Teen/Crimson Tree Publishing who have sense opened my eyes to a whole new world of reading. I owe Messenger and this series so much. I have considered it a great honor to review them here on the blog. Thank you all so much for stopping by. Hopefully one day we'll see more of these characters, and I'll be right here raving about them as well! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan