Tag Archives: Easy Reading

The Unicorn Herd by Arizona Tape

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Unicorn Herd
Author: Arizona Tape
Series: The Griffin Sanctuary #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, LGBTQI, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I honestly just read this because I’m going through the alphabet when I’m picking books at the moment (I have no idea why). So, of the “U” books, this one looked like the most fun (and I’ve enjoyed my forays into Tape’s writing before). And wow, am I glad that I picked this story. It was a great read, and the premise of being a keeper at a paranormal zoo – I seriously need more! I honestly couldn’t put this down, not just for the joy of meeting the different characters, but I loved the day to day reality of being an apprentice zookeeper.

As I was reading this, I was really worried that this was going to be a series that follows a different couple each book – I hadn’t really read much about the series overall. And, I’m glad to say that that’s not the case. Rather, at the conclusion of this, Charlotte is poised to continue her awesome work and continuing to make the relationships that I really enjoyed throughout. Plus, there are more animals to discover and fall in love with.

Although I primarily fixated on the animals in this story, because I’m animal obsessed, I also loved the development of the characters. I love that when Charlotte’s love interest reveals that she is interested, she reminds Charlotte to not just make assumptions. We’re all guilty of it, and I loved that gentle way that Charlotte is reminded to stop and think about what she is assuming. And how both the women are able to build themselves up together, even if they have a bit of a rougher start to their relationship.

The Unicorn Herd was a beautiful story and one that left me feeling content and happy after I finished the final page. It was a fairly quick and easy read, but that’s sometimes all that you need. And I’m glad that I had the privilege of diving into this world. Being swept away in the fantastic world building of Tape and just finding yet another enjoyable series to leave on my TBR.

<- The Fairy FestivalThe Phoenix Nest ->

Image source: Amazon

The Griffin Mission by Arizona Tape

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Griffin Mission
Author: Arizona Tape
Series: The Griffin Sanctuary #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, LGBTQI, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This was a very short and easy read, one that told the tale of how the Griffin Sanctuary came about. The founders, Ella and Starlise were introduced to my knowledge in The Unicorn Herd (because I read this first), so it was fun to see how they fell for each other and created the sanctuary. Plus, there is some massive fangirling about the couple and their dedication to animals in The Unicorn Herd, so I kind of liked reading about the very beginning of all of this.

The Griffin Mission also gave more context to the world building of the Griffin Sanctuary. I thought it was a world that was nestled just beneath our own and existed side by side – because most of the fantasy genred books I read tend to do this. Instead, it’s actually based in a parallel world. One that works much like ours, but with some differences. I actually quite enjoyed the way in which this worked. Plus, the idea of portals between worlds and the fact that there are those who just stumble onto them sometimes.

Alongside the cute little romance and world building, I mostly just loved the idea of griffins. I love how Tape has taken a paranormal creature that pops up into a lot of stories and just kind of expanded on them. Like all animals, she’s given them different species and subspecies. Each with their own unique challenges and needs. Something that was ridiculously cute and adorable, plus, it made the whole idea of a paranormal sanctuary even more appealing. And now I can’t wait to read more of this series again.

<- More Arizona TapeThe Fairy Festival ->

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Tiger Crown by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Tiger Crown
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Sabre Woods Academy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Kayra was mentioned briefly in Shifting Forms for Clumsy Felines, and, honestly, I was completely intrigued by her story. All I knew was that the lead male in Shifting Forms for Clumsy Felines was her ex-sort-of-fiancé, and that she is the centre of a major scandal in the shifter world. That was honestly enough for me to be drawn in and fascinated. So, when I realised that I actually had her story on my shelves, I was ready to dive right in. And what a fantastic beginning to her story!

I don’t always love when there is a story line which features two women being pitted against each other – it does tend to get over done, but I did like this version. I mean, they’re pitted against each other because of Kayra’s mother. It’s the mother’s actions and horribleness that lead to these two young women to be constantly at odds, and it’s also Kayra who is constantly just trying not to show interest in the nonsense and the drama. It’s still a little bit of a cliché personal challenge, but not painfully so. In fact, I actually look forward to seeing how this conflict continues throughout the rest of this trilogy.

Even as a mum, wife and woman in my thirties, I still think fondly of my high school and university days – they are a period of great change and growth, so I think that everyone honestly does. And, although I wouldn’t ever want to go back to that awkward angst, it is a point of time that is kind of unforgettable. And, since I’m that little bit older now, I do struggle to read stories set in high school. But the new adult stories set at university / college? They are the perfect sweet spot. I love that Kayra is starting a whole new life and looking forward to spreading her wings in this. You can tell immediately that she has found her forever friends and people. The fact that there is extra ‘political’ conflict that enhances her coming of age story, makes it an even more engaging and unforgettable read.

As the beginning of Kayra’s story and journey to a serious powerhouse, this was phenomenal. I am both excited and terrified to read more of the story, particularly to find out more about how her mother is planning on destroying her. I mean, what a horrible (yet brilliant) villain in having the mother of the main character out to destroy her… I’m just not sure how.

<- More Laura GreenwoodTiger Throne ->

Image source: Dymocks

Drinking Blood for Squeamish Vampires by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Drinking Blood for Squeamish Vampires
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Obscure Academy #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Bernie and Shane are a good insight into the world of vampires that Greenwood has created. I mean, there’s obviously a whole heap of series that feed into this one, but for me, this is my first introduction to Greenwood’s version of vampires. The fact that they are both turned, not born makes it all the more interesting. And then, there’s the fact that Bernie can’t actually drink blood. I mean, I loved the characters anyway, but I’m loving that in the Obscure Academy series there’s always one character that doesn’t conform to the expected. In this case, it’s Bernie and her blood aversion.

As someone who absolutely loves cooking, I’ve never actually taken a cooking class, and, after reading about Bernie’s awesome experiences, I kind of really, really want to. I mean, the fact that she gets with the super hot student teacher does help. But, I also love the idea of cooking with someone else and learning some new tricks – a bit like Home Ec when I was in high school I suppose. It was fun to think about the different paranormals that want to learn to cook and just why they want to. Particularly since this cooking class is vegetarian!

As much as I enjoyed the romance of Shane and Bernie, I really inhaled this book so quickly because I wanted to know the cause of her blood squeamishness. I mean, you get introduced to the idea in Shifting Forms for Clumsy Felines when Bernie and Krissi become friends. Then you get to actually find out just what is going on. And how Bernie is going to live the rest of her very long supernatural life with this issue. I can’t imagine not being able to enjoy some of the foods that you have to eat!

This was yet another quick and rewarding venture in the Obscure Academy world. I mean, it’s two made vampires falling in love over food. I’m pretty much sold as soon as there is food to be totally honest. Add in the fact that both characters are learning to come into their own and figuring out their new lives. It’s definitely a fun little journey.

<- Bonfire Night for Flammable DragonsEnchanting Songs for Silent Sirens ->

Image source: Amazon

Shifting Forms for Clumsy Felines by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Shifting Forms for Clumsy Felines
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Obscure Academy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

This was yet another great book by Greenwood that was just an easy and pleasant read. One that was a really great diversion. A really sweet story. But with almost no angst – which I kind of needed when I read this. I’m actually loving this style of writing at the moment, where there is enough action to keep you engaged, but not enough that you are even remotely worried about how the happily ever after will pan out. There is a whole lot less stress than some of the other romances that I sometimes read.

I like that this is a couple that start off as really good friends, and there are the questions of how and when to transition into a couple. I know that when I met my SO, he was a great friend, and it was a pretty big leap to take that plunge. Bigger than any other, because his friendship met a whole lot to me. And, like Jeremy and Krissi, I was pretty damn young. I love how Greenwood is able to write about a couple taking that plunge and being scared to do so! I think that for everyone who meets someone extra special that young… it’s a bit of a concern.

The cliché of two ‘jocks’ ending up together works really well in this novel – they both understand each other’s dedication to their chosen sports. I also love that, even though both Jeremy and Krissi start out not understanding much about each other’s sports, they both make the attempts to get to know more. It’s such a beautiful concept – that you try to get to know more about each other’s passions, not to join in, but to just appreciate each other all that much more. Plus, there is something fun about fitting into the expected cliches, but in a really cute and sweet way.

When we think of sporty types, there is always an assumption that the sporty individual is actually really coordinated. It was fantastic to have a storyline in which the sporty person is not graceful. That (in this case) in their shifted form, they are the clumsiest and most terrifyingly uncoordinated individual to be found. It kind of made me feel better to read about someone who is just that damn uncoordinated, and yet thrives in a physical way as well, it’s a great reminder that none of us can fit into just one box.

<- More Laura GreenwoodBonfire Night for Flammable Dragons ->

Image source: Dymocks

Blood Hunt by Lucienne Diver

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Blood Hunt
Author: Lucienne Diver
Series: The Latter-Day Olympians #5
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

I wanted to like this book a whole lot more than I did. I got through it, just, but it was so “eh” that I really am struggling to even write a review. I’m not sure if it’s because for me, this series has run out of steam. Or the fact that I just wasn’t necessarily in the right headspace to read this book. But all in all, I was disappointed.

I think part of the reason I was so driven to read this is because it rounds out the series. But admittedly I struggled with getting through Battle for the Blood. Again, I wanted to love this more than I did. Maybe it was just that my expectations were too high. After all, the premise is brilliant.

As with all reviews of books I’m not ridiculously into, I’ll keep this review short. I just struggled to feel attached to the characters and didn’t really care what the outcome of the story line was. But it might be amazing for other readers.

<- Battle for the BloodMore Lucienne Diver ->

Image source: Amazon

The Crown of Ptolemy by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Crown of Ptolemy
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles Crossover #3, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #8
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology, Mythology, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2015

Thoughts

This was a nice way to end the Demigods and Magicians trilogy. It was a fun and kind of epic battle. A quick read. Something that I just found all around enjoyable. Plus, a quick read, which sometimes I just need to keep my brain firing happily.

I like that although this was a good, kind of epic battle, it still wasn’t intense and insane. It was just the perfect level of intensity to suit the length and tone of these novellas that I’ve been reading.

I love the voice of Percy Jackson, I always have in Riordan’s writing. The fact that he refers to the villain as a Elvis impersonator was just brilliant. It also somehow helps to diminish the scariness of the villains in Riordan’s writing that could otherwise be really scary.

<- The Staff of SerapisThe Lost Hero ->

amazon.com.au/Crown-Ptolemy-Demigods-Magicians-Book-ebook/dp/B00RUSH6SO

The Staff of Serapis by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Staff of Serapis
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles Crossover #2, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #7
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology, Mythology, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2014

Thoughts

I thought that Carter and Percy teaming up in The Son of Sobek was a wonderful moment that I thoroughly enjoyed. But I didn’t account for how amazing the teamwork of Annabeth and Sadie would be. Particularly their dialogue and interactions with one another. I mean, both are fiercely intelligent and independent young women, so their sass, wit and awesomeness left me feeling ridiculously happy.

This was a fantastic novella (aren’t they all by Riordan?) that made me want to dive right back into my collection all over again. I have that many other books to read at the moment that I probably shouldn’t… but man it is tempting after reading yet another wonderful story by this master craftsman.

I love that both The Staff of Serapis and The Son of Sobek are about the two counterparts of the duos meeting and fighting together. But it is ultimately about the great battle that we are about to enjoy in The Crown of Ptolemy. This mixing of Egyptian and Greek mythology alone is wonderful, but the fact that it’s about to end in an epic battle? I’m very, very excited.

<- The Son of SobekThe Crown of Ptolemy ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

The Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Son of Sobek
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles Crossover #1, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #6
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology, Mythology, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This is a very quick and easy read – maybe 90 pages. Since I haven’t read anything by Rick Riordan in quite a while, it was a wonderful return to his world. One that makes me want to pick up all of his books and do a reread… which I don’t exactly have time for, because there are also thousands of books I’ve never read yet…

I love that this is a story about Percy Jackson, but from Carter’s POV. It’s intriguing to see a Greek demigod through the lens of an Egyptian wizard. Also, the lunacy of just how quickly Percy is able to throw himself into situations is beautifully highlighted. Actually, the lunacy of any of the demigod battles is kind of highlighted. And its pretty damn humorous. Like I said, enough to make me want to jump into this world all over again.

This is literally one little chapter, one battle. But, it’s got hints of more dramas and stories to unfold in the future. Ones that I’m seriously looking forward to reading.

<- The Last OlympianThe Staff of Serapis ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Battle for the Blood by Lucienne Diver

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Battle for the Blood
Author: Lucienne Diver
Series: The Latter-Day Olympians #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

I’ve definitely left a little bit too long between reading the third and fourth (this) books in this series. I mean, I eventually reminded myself of where I was in the series and what had happened. But it probably took half the book. I should probably make sure I don’t let quite as much time pass before I read the final part of this very fun series.

Tori has spent the first portion of this series in a pretty complex love triangle. And although Battle for the Blood does pretty much resolve this, there’s still a lot of lingering emotions. I’m not always a fan of the messiness of some love triangles. But I have enjoyed this one thus far. Plus, Tori’s reason for choosing who she finally does and that farewell… it was very well done and doesn’t make anybody out to be the bad guy.

Tori’s pretty insane transformation is a pretty big driver throughout this story as a secondary plot and mystery. I’m hoping that a few of the potential challenges and secrets are concluded in the next novel. Particularly the wings. I mean, how in the he’ll are you supposed to live with a pair of giant damn bat wings flapping out of your back?

Battle for the Blood was a great adventure. There was love and lust, lots of Greek mythology and a whole apocalypse waiting at our doors. I was unable to put it down from the moment I picked it up, because I just needed to know what was going to happen next!!! And now, deep breath, I need to dive right back in and find out what insanity is going to occur next in the world of Tori.

<- Rise of the BloodBlood Hunt ->

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