Book Review: Seeking Unseen, by Kat Heckenbach
A lot of water has gone under the bridge since this book was released. Released in 2012, that makes it seven years to be exact. I haven’t done justice to some of my writing friends by putting off reading their books, but I’ve recently made a commitment not only to read more, but to purpose to read more of those books I should have made time for long ago. Kat’s books are at the top of my list, as someone who has poured a lot into me professionally. I read and reviewed the first book in her Toch Island series, Finding Angel, way back in 2013. This morning, (having reread Angel over the summer) I finally finished the second book. I’ll have to put a book or two between this one and the third, but I’m determined to finish this series within the next few months. I’ve also been notoriously critical in most of my reviews. Since 2013, I’ve sort of mellowed in this department. I reread my review of Angel and cringed a little. Maybe I was too critical. Upon my second reading, I’ll gladly take most of that back.
Book Review: I Am Ocilla, by Diane M. Graham
Open your heart and mind to the simplicity and complexity of a name. I know only my name. Beyond that is confusion, a void where fantasy and reality swirl together. Fairies, Giants, Elves, Dwarves, ancient Keepers, and…Dragons? A dark soul threatens the Five Kingdoms, but I am powerless to stand against him, overwhelmed by phantom memories, broken and lost. Somehow, I must live. I must find my purpose. There are friends to love and battles to fight. I know my name. Perhaps that is enough. I am Ocilla. This is my story. In our current book economy, where writers can rush to publication, by-passing the traditional gatekeepers, and throwing good writing principles to the wind, there’s a lot of junk out there. And the problem is, you can’t tell anymore what is a properly good read and what is a waste of your time and money. It’s become a mine field, a dart shoot, a flip of the coin. So more than ever, the educated reader must depend on good solid honest reviews before taking a chance. Sadly, most reviewers are just as random now as the books they review.
Book review: Finding Angel, by Kat Heckenbach
After what seems like an eternity (almost two years), I finally finished Finding Angel by my friend and editor Kat Heckenbach. And now I owe her a review. I owe others reviews too and I intend to get to those quite soon. Kat would scold me if I wasn’t honest in this review, because after all she’s written blogs about being honest in reviews and I don’t think she’d appreciate me holding my punches. So here’s my honest opinion (you asked for it) about this YA Fantasy, available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Check it out here. http://amzn.com/1927154138 and Kat’s website www.KatHeckenbach.com.