Red Series

Monday 31 July 2017

Book Review: The Jumbies and Read-a-thon Wrap Up

Due to falling behind on post, Update Day/ Goals Hop will be done tomorrow. IWSG, Wednesday.

Title: The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

Publication Date: April 28, 2015

Source: Purchased Paperback

Purchase: Amazon, Book Depository


Summary on Goodreads: A spine-tingling tale rooted in Caribbean folklore that will have readers holding their breath as they fly through its pages.

Corinne La Mer isn't afraid of anything. Not scorpions, not the boys who tease her, and certainly not jumbies. They're just tricksters parents make up to frighten their children. Then one night Corinne chases an agouti all the way into the forbidden forest. Those shining yellow eyes that followed her to the edge of the trees, they couldn't belong to a jumbie. Or could they?

When Corinne spots a beautiful stranger speaking to the town witch at the market the next day, she knows something unexpected is about to happen. And when this same beauty, called Severine, turns up at Corinne's house, cooking dinner for Corinne's father, Corinne is sure that danger is in the air. She soon finds out that bewitching her father, Pierre, is only the first step in Severine's plan to claim the entire island for the jumbies. Corinne must call on her courage and her friends and learn to use ancient magic she didn't know she possessed to stop Severine and save her island home.

With its able and gutsy heroine, lyrical narration, and inventive twist on the classic Haitian folktale "The Magic Orange Tree," The Jumbies will be a favorite of fans of Breadcrumbs, A Tale Dark and Grimm, and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.

Book Review

There's no doubt that folklore and stories from the Caribbean are not as well known worldwide. But like all regions we have tales to tell and Tracey did this very well with The Jumbies. The author clearly wanted to tell a tale that made kids look behind them long after they finished. An MG, not afraid to deal with loss, monsters and making hard choices. The protagonist Corrine unwittingly brings terror to her island home by going into a forbidden part of the forest and catching the attention of a powerful Jumbie. What followed is an adventure that's both amazing yet rooted in reality. From fighting monsters to dealing with homelessness and child abandonment. Issues of both the supernatural and reality are explored in this story. In the end, Corrine has to make some tough decisions and every action she makes not only has consequences for her but her loved ones as well. Highly recommend and I'm looking forward to the sequel coming later this year.

Rating: 4 Stars

Read-A-Thon Wrap Up

I ended up reading two books in the Summer Biannual Bibliothon Reading Challenge this year. Dead Man: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love and The Jumbies. It was nice and also glad I took part in five of the seven days in the blog book tag last week. I'm definitely interested in taking part in the Winter version but only in the reading challenge. The blog part is kind of dead when it comes to participation and cross promotion.

Booktube-a-thon was great on twitter. I took part in reading sprints and even mini challenges and got retweeted by the main page a few times. A lot of fun. Sadly I didn't finish any books in the reading challenge. Definitely, want to take part next year. They have strong participation and cross promotion in all areas. Amazing.

Thanks for stopping by.

Thursday 27 July 2017

S.B. Book Tag: Day 5

Day four of the Summer Biannual Bibliothon Book Tag has arrived. You can go here to check out the host's post. The tag today challenges participants to discuss one to two characters that you have connected with on a more personal level. And then pick a situation that the character was in and discuss what they should have done differently if you feel that they should have done something differently. It is possible that you don’t think a character should have done something differently.

I am a fan of the Harry Potter books. They are a phenomenon for a reason. But there are character's that stand out more personally to me than most. Hermione is one but I'll discuss a different character today.



Snape from Harry Potter



To me Severus Snape was a complicated man. From the start, he was viewed in a negative light by the protagonist Harry Potter. Sometimes for fair reasons like having your house lose points just because a Professor prefers another. Other times less so like when Harry assumed Snape was evil in book one just because he wasn't a nice teacher. Evil is serious business and thinking your teacher works with Voldemort just because he's not a kind man and dabbles in the dark arts like other teachers (especially the one who teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts) is rather petty. Of course, later in the series Harry does get better reasons to distrust Snape. Still it was Hermione who had some issues with Professor Moody after he used forbidden curses in class but Harry played it off. I truly doubt he would have done the same if it were Professor Snape.

Snape over time was revealed to not only not be on the side of evil. But was undercover for Professor Dumbledore and stayed the course even after the headmaster's death. Say what you want but that's loyalty. He did have a temporary alliance with the Death Eaters when he first joined. But when Lily was up for death he was willing to do anything to save her. Including indebting himself to Dumbledore right up to his death. Ironic but understandable, Harry ended up respecting his sacrifice after learning the truth. Snape's not perfect or anyone's soft sweetheart. But he was a warrior for good and too many seem to forget that because he wasn't sweet and dapper. 

A situation where he should have done things differently.

None. I believe everything he did lead to the hoped outcome. The end of Voldemort. Though I have a tiny wish he could have been nicer to houses that weren't Slytherin. But that's petty when it comes to the big picture.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday 26 July 2017

S.B. Book Tag: Day 4

Day four of the Summer Biannual Bibliothon Book Tag has arrived. You can go here to check out the host's post. The tag today challenges participants to find and discuss a book they had rated three stars. I chose The Secret Life of a Witch by Jessica Sorensen. If you want to know more about the book check out Goodreads.


The Cover when I read the book


The new cover

Summary: My name is Evalee, and I have a secret. I’m a witch.

Okay, maybe it’s not that big of a secret. At least not in Mystic Willow Bay where practically every paranormal creature lives.

Still, I have plenty of secrets. Like the fact that I suck at casting spells, which is a huge problem, considering I’m a witch. But I can talk to dead bodies and am secretly working on a spell that will hopefully revive my sister from the dead. Until I perfect the spell, I’ve hidden her body in the basement, something my parents are completely clueless about. 

I’m also in love with my best friend, Hunter, one of the most popular wizards in school and who’s completely out of my league in the dating department. 

But I’m not the only person in Mystic Willow Bay that has secrets. And some are way worse than mine. Like whoever has been stealing dead bodies from the morgue and the graveyard. For what reason, I don’t know, but I’m about to find out because they’ve stolen my sister’s body, and I need to get it back before I miss out on my chance at bringing her back from the dead.


Questions:

1. Why did you rate it so low?



I don't consider three stars a low rating. I see it as average. For the story had a cool concept but in the end was kind of meh compared to what the summary had claimed. More cheap teen romance with magic thrown in than a magical tale with romance and a dead sister's ghost getting kidnapped.

2. Is three stars low on your rating system?



No, it's average but once you fall into two stars territory then yes you've hit full on disappointment level for me. Unless of course, you got three stars because of too many issues. In this case, the story was just very average and less than what the summary promised.

3. What could have made your reading experience better?



A more honest summary of the story. The silly teen romance is all over the story yet the summary barely mentioned it. This book was advertised as a special witch with a missing dead sister, secrets, stealing of dead bodies and necromancy. Instead, there was a clumsy witch whose life seemed to revolve around moaning that her crush Hunter wasn't her boyfriend. The sequel was much worse. Plus the new cover better displays the book is about a pretty witch than the first cover which shows a girl with her finger to her lips surrounded by magic. I just don't understand why the promotion wasn't more honest early on.



Anyway, those are my thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and this book tag has been fun so far.

Tuesday 25 July 2017

S.B. Book Tag: Day 3

So day three of the book tag has a very interesting challenge. You can go here to check out the host.

Challenge:
1️⃣ Pick a book you love

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Sorcerer's Stone - in America)

2️⃣Imagine that the story was written from the antagonists perspective.

Voldemort

3️⃣Rewrite the books synopsis from the VILLAINS point of view.


Image result for harry potter and the philosopher's stone

Original Summary (Goodreads): Harry Potter's life is miserable. His parents are dead and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.

Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.

Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.

(My) Villain Synopsis

Voldemort thought he was unstoppable. One mistake trying to kill the Potter family proved him wrong. Weakened but not dead he's had to roam in the shadows hiding from those who would seek to destroy him forever. Yet he gets the chance to rise again through a host that not only obeys his commands but gets him into a place he should never be able to revisit. Hogwarts. Under the nose of Dumbledore he plotted a way to rise to power once again. Also to seek revenge against the one enemy he couldn't kill. The one who ruined his great takeover. Harry Potter.

A villain who will do whatever it takes to survive and reign once again. This novel will follow his journey for both power and revenge. Will he reclaim his former glory? Or will his lessers really rise up to challenge his plans?
_ _ _ _

So what do you think? Thanks for stopping by.

Monday 24 July 2017

Book Review: Dead Man: Dark Mansion and SBB Book Tag: Day Two

So here we are for day two and you can visit here for the blogger hosting. I have a double treat. I'm back with reviews and low and behold today is also a review challenge.

Title: Dead Man: Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love by Sarah Vaughn

Publication Date: June 6, 2017

Source: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon



Summary on GoodreadsRomance, mystery, and evil fill the halls of an old gothic mansion in New England. There's only one person in the world that can bring peace to this place: Boston Brand, a.k.a., Deadman! When a ghost cannot rest in the place that holds her, the DCU's authority on all things supernatural must help before all is lost!
In this tale that evokes tension tension of classic romance comics as well as supernatural superhero storytelling, DeadmanDark Mansion of Forbidden Love is a new take on the classic DC hero!

Book Review

Superhero and gothic and supernatural romance/mystery mixed together? A nice combination. Deadman himself is not the typical superhero being that he is dead. You heard that right, a dead superhero who can communicate with ghosts, possess the living, among other abilities. He has no idea why he hasn't crossed over but decided to use his time trapped on Earth for good. That little bit of info is helpful because I went into this graphic novel pretty blind. I don't recommend that.



Still, there was an amazing story to read. The start was a bit off for me which included my lack of pre-knowledge. But as I read the graphic novel grew on me and I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. The supernatural elements are different from usual superhero arcs and made this rather fresh. No hot, rich or living superhero to ogle at. He's just trying to help others and funny enough gets himself trapped in a haunted mansion for his troubles. But troubles are not over yet as there's a malevolent force inside with him. Meeting a living person who can see him as well as another ghost trapped like himself. Deadman not only works on unraveling the mystery, he has help in his living new 'friend' Bernice who gets to head this graphic novel most of the way. Along the way, there's mystery, romance, dark arts, love, friendship, and heartache. An intriguing read that I really liked. Plus the art was also pretty good, though for reading I had to zoom in because of poor colour choice of font.


Having a female protagonist, Bernice, star who can see ghost and witness her meeting and interaction with Deadman was compelling. Boyfriend Nathan was trying to complete a book in the mansion they were staying in and it turned out to be haunted. Sam her friend was non-binary and went by they/them pronouns. I'm happy to say they was treated like any other character and their sexuality was not pushed on every second. Sam was Bernice's dear friend, sold antiques and lived their own life. Deadman himself was a different superhero than most and brought both positive and negatives to the story. Sadly as someone not very familiar with him the writer's decision to just rush on with the story made me confused. I get that not every graphic novel can re-introduce you to the characters but as an e-galley on Netgalley, it is usually best not to leave those who choose to download your book in confusion. I wouldn't mind getting this graphic novel one day but not very interested in downloading another single issue until I'm well immersed in the character. There's also a ghost and a twist with both the mansion and a surprise villain. But those are things I think you should find out for yourself.

In the end, I would recommend this graphic novel but only if you are interested in supernatural or gothic stories. It's not a regular superhero book so you might want to prepare yourself for something different. I was given an e-copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4 Stars

Thanks for stopping by and see you tomorrow.


Sunday 23 July 2017

Summer Biannual Bibliothon Book Tag: Day One

I don't usually post on Sunday but I decided to take part in the Summer Biannual Bibliothon Book Tag and they have both a reading and blogging challenge among their roster. So I'm taking part in both until July 29. So I'll be blogging every day until then. For more info visit the blog with the first day's challenge by clicking here.

Blogger Book Tag Questions:

1. What are you planning to read for the Summer Biannual Bibliothon?

I plan on doing everything in the reading challenge. Already started reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and plan to also finish The Jumbies (a Caribbean Mermaid novel MG/YA).


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2. What is your favourite genre to read in Summer?

Fantasy.
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3.Where is your favourite place to read in the summer?
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In my bedroom.

4.What is your favourite challenge done in the Summer Biannual Bibliothon?
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Diversity read and movie adaptation challenge.



5.What fictional character would you hang out in the summer if you could?
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Hermione and Professor Snape from Harry Potter. I know that's two.

6.What are your plans for summer?
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Make it to September. Kidding, sort of. Writing and expanding my brand.

7.Do you have summer reading playlist, If not what would be on it?
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Hands Clap song from Despicable Me 3 trailer on a loop. I don't generally listen to music while reading or writing.



8.What is your favourite summer movie?
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The movie I enjoy the best over the summer. Or the series I'm watching on Netflix.

9.What book do you read every summer, if not what thing do you do every summer?
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Writing. Always.


10.What other book tags are you planning to do this summer?

Booktube-a-thon 2017. First timer just like with this summer tag.

Thanks for stopping by.

Friday 21 July 2017

Booktube-A-Thon TBR 2017 and Updates July 2017

Hey everyone. So nice to be back with my blogging people. Missed me?

Booktube-A-Thon TBR 2017

I was inspired by Jesse the Reader's recent booktube video to take part in this event. It's a fun week of reading and I'm excited to be a part of it. Feel free to check out the video below.



The challenge is read seven books in a week based off of different themes.

1. A book with a person on the cover

Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan

2. Read a hyped book.

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

3. Finish a book in one day.

Hell's Bells by Tatum Flynn

4. Read a book about a character that's very different from you.

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

5. Finish a book completely outdoors

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

6. Read a book that you bought because of the cover

Riders by Veronica Rossi

7. Read 7 books

Wink Poopy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

Keep up with my progress on these links

Right here on my review blog Queendsheena

Main Author Site (Mid Week update and completion)

Instagram (Random updates and perhaps an answer to the video channel)

Twitter  (My tidbits during the challenge)

Updates 

1. Waiting to find out if I'll become an official contributor for the Mary Sue. Really hope I get in so I can write articles.

2. Planning to also submit proposals to other online magazines. Bustle is among them.

3. Waiting on the results of an online story contest I entered.

4. Missed July IWSG by accident. Promise that won't happen for August. Awkward.

5. Will start dropping reviews again soon and also bringing back movie and Netflix reviews. Slowly but surely.

6. Getting ready to work with Najla Qamber, an amazing cover designer in August and September. Self-publishing plans are looking up!

7. Freelance work is a go. Taking it one day at a time.

8. Watching my health day by day. Also going to look after my mother starting Saturday when she returns from having surgery. Let's see how I get a workaholic to stay in bed.

 9. Writing for myself started in July then stalled but I hope to get things going again after the weekend.

10. I'm back on Netflix after a hiatus and catching up on my series and movie watching.

11. Finally started going back to the movies. I have seen Transformers: The Last Stand, Captain Underpants, Spiderman: Homecoming and Wonder Woman. I'll have to put most movie going on pause to watch mom but when others are home I plan to try and squeeze in a few more including War for the Planet of the Apes, Despicable Me 3 and Dark Tower. Also I think there's some subliminal messaging going on because I'm getting the urge to go see The Emoji movie. The fact that there's news of a Transylvania 3 Short in front of it isn't helping. Fight the urge, you know the movie's awful.

So that's all I have to say today. See you all next week and take care.


Wednesday 19 July 2017

Cover Reveal: Turn to Dust and Ashes

Today I'm revealing the cover for Amy McNulty's upcoming novel. Turn to Dust and Ashes is sequel to Fall Far from the Tree. The author enjoys titilating readers with tales only she can tell. I've already enjoyed her rendition of a Jack in the Stalk prequel and can tell you she has a way with words. Now behold the cover!


Also a quick look at the full cover



Title: Turn to Dust and Ashes (Fall Far from the Tree #2)
Author: Amy McNulty
Publisher: Patchwork Press

Publication Date: 09/05/2017

Impassive. Devious. Besieged. Naive. In the ashes of their parents’ cruel sovereignty, four teenagers are left holding the reins with no idea how to lead their peoples to peace and prosperity.
Rohesia, told she is the true heir to Hanaobi, must choose between ruling the duchy in her father’s place and returning with her cousin to seek the throne that is more rightfully hers. Without her father figure, she has little interest in either, but there is no escape from the infamous legacy of her parents on both sides of the sea.
Fastello, left to lead both his father’s people and to seek the rule of the entire duchy, has never had so much responsibility in his life. Grappling with heartbreak the likes of which he’s never experienced, he doesn’t know if he has it in him to try to fill the hole so many people so desperately want him to fill.
Kojiro, adrift in a strange land and emboldened by the actions of the people he met there, is determined to find his courage and free his people from the tyranny of his mother’s reign. However, with her number one foe defeated, the empress of Hanaobi is more unstoppable than ever.
Tomiko, the perfect daughter to the strict and controlling empress, is sheltered from the reality of the world but eager to discover the truth. Before the war is over, she must decide between fealty to her mother and loyalty to her brother, knowing full well that either way, her family will never be whole again.
The goals of each of these four young adults are bound to clash—but there’s no escaping their destinies, no matter the destruction left in their paths.


Amazon Pre-order Link Coming Soon

Catch up with Fall Far from the Tree, Book One in the series!



Thanks for stopping by and see you on Friday. I'll have updates (been out for a bit) and talk about a little thing I'll be participating in next week.

Monday 10 July 2017

Cover Reveal: The Princess and the Pizza Man

Well, there must have been some crazy adventures going on in Cassie Mae's life since the cover reveal email only arrived in my inbox 6 a.m. this morning. Since my health issues often keep me in bed til close to noon, I got to posting this as soon as I saw it. Cassie has been a long time blogging friend of mine and I've watched her progress becoming an author. Both traditional and self-published. So happy for her and all her success. Now she has a book coming out in the fall (as Americans say, I believe) and I get to show you the cover. But not before the fun montage she made. If anyone knows Cassie, you must know she has a great sense of humor. So read on and enjoy. Congrats Cassie.

Once upon a time...

A pizza man and his sister embark on a journey to find her a husband.



She's desperate and hears of a murder mystery mansion that's been haunted with Cupid's ghost. Someone ALWAYS falls in love after their stay.



Meanwhile, at the mansion, the "princess" gets ready to match another pair of guests together during the murder mystery.



But when that pizza man shows up unaware that it's all an act, things start to get a little messy... (and hilarious.)



Can the unlikely pair help match his sister up before their stay is over? Or will they end up falling for each other instead?


*drum roll for the cover!* 
                    

If you want to see the actual blurb, go HERE


And the release day?
                                                     
Add to Goodreads
                                                                        

Also, add to your Goodreads shelf and be automatically entered to win a signed paperback copy after release! 


So what did you think of the cover? It looks cute to me. Thanks for stopping by. See you tomorrow.

Waiting on Wednesday: Reconnected

Please Note: The final WOW on this blog as I take my final bow this month. I want to thank all readers of this post and all my blogging. I r...