Fantasies can come true!
and this lunch was inspired by this article.
Book Review: Faery Swap by Susan Kaye Quinn
Faery Swap by Susan Kaye Quinn
A Middle Grade Fantasy Novel published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform (12/16/13)
Summary:
Finn is the protective older brother, but he can no longer protect his little sister when he’s tricked into the Otherworld by a faery Prince. Zaneyr doesn’t mind humans and performs the soulswap with Finn with little remorse because his plans are to save the human species. Zaneyr is in up to his elbows and the human world is much more complicated than he thought, but his father wants to merge the faery world with the human world and Zaneyr will stop at nothing to keep that from happening. Zaneyr is a warrior but with Finn consumed with getting his body back from the faery, things just got a bit more complicated.
Keywords:
Soul Swap, Exchange, Otherworld, Faery, Dimensional Energy, Warrior, Separation, Body, Self, Other Creatures, Power, Spell, Wand, Two Worlds, Tricked, Friendship, Loyalty, Brothers
My Review:
This book was fun to read, surprisingly fun to read as an adult since it’s marketed for a middle-grade crowd. It had more intent and attempted violence and evil than I would have thought for a typical middle-grade novel, more like a young adult novel actually.
The genre was also not quite a typical fairy fantasy because there were wizards and spells and wands. This book had everything! There were even creatures that were different. The fantasy world was separate from the human world and action took place in both. There was world building but it wasn’t off-putting because much of the action and the beginning of the novel took place in the close to reality human world.
There was only one true female but only because it’s about someone else, she isn’t a strong female type or a damsel in distress. Her character could almost also be another boy, she isn’t gender stereotyped into a female corner.
This book covered a lot in its longer than you would expect for a middle grade novel pages. There was a glimpse at friendship and family dynamics and loyalty as well as grief and emotional turmoil over loss and perceived loss of loved ones.
I liked Finn just as much as I liked Zaneyr and even though the faery boy was doing something seemingly wrong by soul swapping with Finn, I understood and was able to sympathize with his motives later on.
This novel was published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform on December 16th, 2013 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25
Links for more information:
Book Review: The Duality Bridge (Singularity #2) (Singularity Series) (Volume 2) by Susan Kaye Quinn
The Duality Bridge (Singularity #2) (Singularity Series) (Volume 2) by Susan Kaye Quinn
A YA Science Fiction Novel published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform (8/17/15)
Summary:
There is a duality inside you, and the merging of those two sides is your calling, Eli. (Kindle Locations 2802-2803).
“It means that you represent the possibility of more in a world very carefully balanced on the idea that more does not exist.” (Kindle Locations 3855-3856).
Elija Brighton now knows who he is and what his purpose was to be according to the faction of Ascenders who wanted to know whether they had souls, but what he doesn’t know is how he’s supposed to be the bridge or answer this question. He’s the face of the Human Resistance and the one concept that will create chaos among Ascenders if he really is the ‘prophet’ people think he could be. He is important. He must discover himself, what he can do and answer their questions and his own before he is captured or killed or worse.
Keywords:
Teenagers, Humans, Ascenders, Machines, Bots, Legacy, Technology, Science, Soul, Art, Dance, Painting, Meditation, Love, Friendship, Opportunity, Rebels, Fighting Back, Captured, Betrayal
My Review:
Marcus gets more in this book. Where we thought of him as singularly focused on his own purpose and incapable of being helpful, now we see him as furthering a different set of goals for the greater good of Ascenders, not just himself.
Eli has really developed into the persona, the Bridge, the unlikely and unprepared hero with the superpower that gives the book out of this world action and out of this world adventure and tension. Eli was a bumbling legacy human in book one that slowly came to terms with who he was and what he could do and in book two he embraces himself and furthers his abilities, realizing he serves a greater purpose than simply living his own life. He is still Eli, but he is also enlightened and wise.
Kamali also came into her own in this book. Before she seemed to be a reactive character, thrust into situations and not able to make her own decisions. Now she chooses to help. Now she chooses to be with Eli. Now she is part of his world and the world of the rebellion and the great question and answer that Eli embodies.
The only person I would have liked to see more of is Cyrus, he kind of drops off the radar in this book, gets left behind for most of the action and is not focused on by the narrator except for fleeting comic relief and to remind us that he still exists.
This novel was published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform on August 17th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50
Links for more information:
Book Review: The Legacy Human (Singularity #1) (Singularity Series) (Volume 1) by Susan Kaye Quinn
The Legacy Human (Singularity #1) (Singularity Series) (Volume 1) by Susan Kaye Quinn
A YA Science Fiction Novel published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform (2/19/15)
Summary:
“…the gift isn’t something separate from you. It’s your work that brings the gift into the world, not the other way around.” (p. 169).
Elija Brighton is a painter and a legacy human or a human descendant that was left behind when many Ascended to a higher and ‘better’ state of being. Legacies are given one chance in this future world to Ascend, by winning the ‘creative’ Olympics. Eli has a real chance to win because he is the best painter in the world – when he’s in the fugue state that is. He doesn’t know how to control the fugue state or what makes it happen. Understanding and controlling the fugue state is the only thing standing in the way of him winning, or so he thinks.
Keywords:
Teenagers, Humans, Ascenders, Machines, Bots, Legacy, Technology, Science, Soul, Art, Dance, Painting, Meditation, Love, Friendship, Competition, Games, Chance, Opportunity, Rebels
My Review:
I love that this story discusses the soul in a science fiction (futuristic/technological) context and in a way that ties it directly into the importance of the plot. The concept of a soul is not made to feel overtly religious or overtly philosophical.
At times the plot did feel mildly contrived and the concept of Ascender versus Legacy was brought up again and again. Eli’s thoughts go again and again into the fact that Ascenders (especially his Ascender crush Lenora) don’t give Legacies the time of day unless it suits their purposes.
I liked how Quinn connected the fugue state to channeling Eli’s inner creativity and getting in touch with his inner self, his very soul.
As the book and the Olympic games went on, they reminded me more and more of the Hunger Games, just with less violence and more philosophical/moral questions involved around the end goal of Ascendance.
I loved Basha and wanted more of her in the book, she seemed like more of a dynamic character than Kamali, but I liked Kamali as well.
This novel was published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform on February 19th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75
Links for more information:
Book Review: Love Never Dies by Loren Lockner
Love Never Dies by Loren Lockner
A Dark Romance Novel published by Tyan Wyss-Lockner (1/05/13)
Summary:
“Marriage is for others— the lawyers, the children, the parents. A soul mate, that’s just for the couple, no one else.” (Page 78).
Julia was always helping her twin brother out, as he was constantly biting off more than he could chew, but the tables turn when his roommate turns out to be the best thing Julia could have found: her soul mate. Seth is everything Julia wasn’t even looking for and they fall in love almost instantly. Then, just as suddenly as their meeting and their romance, he is killed. It wasn’t an accident and neither was his more wild twin brother showing up in Julia’s life after Seth’s passing an accident.
Keywords:
Romance, Love, Soul Mate, Introspective, Caring, Death, Fleeing, Victims, Architect, Murder, Twins, Sibling Connection, Lust, Mystery, Rival, Competitive, Disguise, Tattoo, Grief, Meant to Be
My Review:
The characters struck me as peculiar, as if the setting was Europe or England or maybe Seth just seemed like he was from a different culture. His personality and actions were very stiff and different from a familiar character or known “American” personality. In this difference, he was kind of an enigma and mysterious and more distant as a person.
The dialogue also seemed a bit peculiar. It was stiff and formal most of the time and stood out to me.
The idea of soul mate as Lockner has made it is just that, an idea and to build a whole novel around that one concept didn’t work out entirely well, in my opinion. The story lacked something. They’ve only known each other four months! And dated for less! How can you love someone without even truly knowing them? It’s instalove, but the wooing takes a couple of weeks. Then the I Love You’s come pouring forth.
The sibling connection was much more interesting to me than the soul mate connection – philosphically/spiritually speaking according to how Lockner described it.
I did very much enjoy the story telling aspect of the novel and how Lockner described everything and the environment she placed her characters into.
This novel was published by Tyan Wyss-Lockner January 5th, 2013 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 3.50
Links for more information:
Gifts for Geeks II Pictures at the AFK in Renton – Book Selling!
Photo by Jackie Faye
I put up flyers around town (can you guess where this board is?)
My little setup next to Sheri
My outfit for the day! I had been waiting to wear this one since October!
*Overall I had fun but sales were low and customers were elsewhere in town*
Si View Holiday Bazaar and Maple Valley Holiday Bazaar Pictures
I had a lot of fun dressing up and helping at the Mt. Si Holiday Bazaar. I found some really neat presents and even some donut swag from other vendors! After heading out early I was able to catch the end of the other holiday Bazaar FreeValley Publishing was selling books at, along with AJ Downey, Lee French, and Sechin Tower.
Photos by Sheri J. Kennedy:
Get Your Chopsticks Challenge Pack at the AFK in Renton, WA on Saturday December 12th
Show your Indie support! Buy any two books at the event and come by Rachel Barnard’s table to claim your chopsticks challenge pack for FREE (while supplies last). What is a chopsticks challenge pack? It’s only the most awesome little fun game to try while you wait for your food at the AFK. The pack comes with a pair of disposable chopsticks, one set of world records to try, and several packs of Smarties. You can also purchase a pack for $1.00.
Book Review: Free Souls (Mindjack Saga Book 3) by Susan Kaye Quinn
Free Souls (Mindjack Saga Book 3) by Susan Kaye Quinn
A YA Science Fiction Novel published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform (12/22/13)
Summary:
“Jackertown Code: no kill jacks, no stealing, no mental or physical assaults, no forced jackwork, no contracting to mindreaders, no unauthorized memory wipes, and no vigilante justice.” (Kindle Locations 7966-7970).
Kira didn’t want to be part of a clan or conspiracy. She just wanted to live her life, but mindjacker obsessed agent Kestrel and the human rights’ violations of the government have made that impossible. Kira also wants to keep her family safe and so joins the Jacker Freedom Alliance under the leadership of Julian, a powerful and different kind of mindjacker entirely. In Jackertown central they are gearing up for war, but when war comes to their door, will they be ready?
Keywords:
Abilities, Skill, Mindjacking, Future, Telepathy, Technology, School, Love, Friendship, Clan, Power, Special, Female Main Character, Mind Reader, Mind Control, Mind Powers, Paranormal Abilities, Hard Choices, Danger, Fighting
My Review:
There was more going on than anyone knew. Quinn closes all loose ties in this third and final book in the Minjack Saga Books. There were a few things I didn’t realize were going on that were explained in this book and everything was wrapped up nice and neat. The twist at the end creates the possibility of an entirely new trilogy based on this world.
It felt like Kira and her mindjacker rebels were always one step behind Kestral/the government and were never able to outsmart or outjack or out-action anyone. I would have liked to see them triumph in some way, instead of continually being on the defensive and being pushed back and back. Was there no way around the mind shields? I really wanted Kira and her super strong jacker buddies to figure this problem out, but they never had the time.
Overall I enjoyed the wrapup this final book presented and the concept and story in the series overall.
This novel was published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform on December 22nd, 2013 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25
Links for more information:
Book Review: Closed Hearts (Mindjack Saga Book 2) by Susan Kaye Quinn
Closed Hearts (Mindjack Saga Book 2) by Susan Kaye Quinn
A YA Science Fiction Novel published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform (12/20/13)
Summary:
“Different isn’t a crime, you know.” (Kindle Locations 7202-7203).
After announcing herself and many others as mindjackers, Kira is hidden to the world no longer. Some of those that can only mind read are wary, scared, and prejudiced against the mindjackers. Some powerful politicians are attempting to take away the mindjackers’ rights as citizens, to lock them up and keep the general populace safe. Kira can’t live in hiding forever, either she will have to help the mindjackers in their political crusade for rights or in their physical war for freedom unless she’s discovered by the government first and they have more than just imprisonment in mind for mindjackers.
Keywords:
Abilities, Skill, Mindjacking, Future, Telepathy, Technology, School, Love, Friendship, Clan, Power, Special, Female Main Character, Mind Reader, Mind Control, Mind Powers, Paranormal Abilities, Hard Choices, Danger, Fighting
My Review:
As with most trilogies, I liked the first book (Open Minds) better, but Closed Hearts stuck with Kira and the story of jackers versus regular mind readers – with the government interfering in the middle. I like Kira’s story and wanted to watch her grow in her abilities and within her changing world. I wish more had happened with the love story in this second book. I also thought Kira was not as good a role model, leader and protagonist in this book. She became wishy-washy and an emotional mess. What I love about dystopian kick-butt female characters is their ability to rise above the world-in-the-toilet messe and be someone you root for that is amazing. Kira was less amazing in this book as she worked through consequences of her actions in book one and dealing with a world that thinks she and her fellow jackers are to be feared.
This second book also contained Julian, the leader of the rebels and I liked seeing different types of jackers. Kira is certainly not alone in her exceptional abilities. We also get to know more about Kira’s dad and his background working as a jacker.
The story of the mindjackers was still continued and it’s always exciting to watch the good guys versus the bad guys and to wonder how good the good guys really are…
This novel was published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform on December 20th, 2013 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.00
Links for more information:
Rachel Author Barnard 