Tag Archives: Nina Walker

Book Review: Fall of the Harvest Moon by Nina Walker and Kimberly Loth

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My Thoughts:
Fall of the Harvest Moon is the final book in the New World Shifters series by authors Nina Walker and Kimberly Loth. This book picks up where the last one left off and takes us on a fast paced journey towards the conclusion.

We follow Poppy as she navigates becoming a Lycan and deals with the after effects of having killed The King and biting Rhys. So many questions were left unanswered at the end of Book 3 with the clarification and conclusion coming to light in this book. Poppy starts to take control and stand up for herself and the other girls. Rhys is confused and trying to come to terms with a lot of things as well as handle being the alpha. There is also a bigger focus on the romance between the characters and an interesting twist to this equation.

The authors have done a great job in bringing the story together and tying up all loose ends. As a reader, we come away satisfied with the story and the characters and how they end up. This story is fast paced and we see much more action than in the others. In addition to this, we also see a lot of the characters grow into their own and take control of their lives. It is indeed a beautiful journey of four books that the readers will take with these characters whom they will grow to love or hate. But, it is all worth it in the end.

This is a world where werewolves, lycans and other shapeshifters come together and hopefully, eventually live in harmony with the humans. A truly wonderful conclusion to the series, I highly recommend this series and of course this book (if you have read the rest) to all fans of  books in the genres of paranormal romance.

Book Review: Rise of the Wild Moon by Nina Walker and Kimberly Loth

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Rise of the Wild Moon is Book 3 in the New World Shifters series by Nina Walker and Kimberly Loth. The book will be released on 18.01.2021.

I was provided with an eARC of the book in exchange for my honest review. Read on to know what I thought about this book.

(Hint: I loved this book and I love the series! The authors have done a magical job!)

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My Thoughts:
I must admit that with each book, the plot only gets better and better! This book picks up where Book 2 left off after the Lycans attack at the festival. Poppy escapes with help from Ryne who also sends Knox with her to take care of her. Having been bitten, Poppy is yet to discover how it will affect her.

In this book, we meet more of the shifters and get to know them better. We get to spend time among the Lycans as Poppy and Knox end up among a group of them. They have their own ways, but seem to be more concerned about the humans and about saving them (or so they say!). Can you truly ever trust anyone and assume that they do not have a secret agenda? This forms the crux of the plot as the story progresses.

As Poppy navigates her way with the Lycans, she ends up with the resistance and meets many of the players involved. We also learn more about the Lycans as Poppy learns to handle the transitions every Moon cycle. Thus ensues a journey to rescue someone and exact revenge while also trying to save the humans from their fate among the werewolves. I enjoyed reading about the various characters and I like how the authors have worked to develop them. They are well rounded and believable. I also like how Poppy grows as a character reaching a point where she takes strong decisions and initiative while also assuming the role of a leader. She is caring and compassionate and this turns out to be the best part of who she is.

I devoured this book in one night, enjoying the story completely and now eagerly waiting for the next book in the series. This is indeed a wonderfully written book with a new spin on the supernatural with a dash of romance that will have the reader hoping for more!

Book Review: Lies of the Blood Moon by Nina Walker and Kimberly Loth

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My Thoughts:

Note: I received an ARC from Nina and Kimberly in exchange for an honest review! A huge thanks to them for this opportunity.

Lies of the Blood Moon is Book 2 in the New World Shifters series, coauthored by two wonderful authors! This book picks up where Book 1 ended just after Madame Nova’s death. Poppy, our protagonist, is now a stronger person and suspects that the death was actually murder. Her suspicions grow stronger when another of the girls is killed putting everyone at risk. On the other hand, Ryne is trying to stay away from Poppy and is found to be betrothed to Elle, a Luna Wolf and the new teacher for the girls. Here we are introduced to the protective and jealous side of Poppy, a side I’m guessing even she didn’t know about.

As the plot thickens, we have a whole lot of emotions going around and the authors have done a brilliant job in building up the suspense. No-one is really as they seem and there is more to the people than meets the eye. With the Pink Moon Festival approaching and a few engagements announced, there is a whole lot of drama in this book! I like how the girls are portrayed in this book and the bonds that form, break and reform among all of the characters.

Be prepared to be shocked by the turn of events which leads to an interesting ending that lays a strong foundation for the next book. Though some of the plot is easy to guess, the authors have a few tricks up their sleeves just to throw us off balance. There is romance, action, drama and even death in this well-written sequel that makes the book absolutely worth reading! I am looking forward to the next book and all the events to come.

Book Review: Cruel Stakes (Vampires and Vices #2) by Nina Walker

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About the Book:

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Cross your heart and hope to live.

I should leave them alone and be done with vampires. I finally have my mother back, I’m dating the perfect guy, and I’ve parted ways with Adrian Teresi.

But I have an opportunity to help the hunters and hopefully learn something that could save more humans. Not to mention, I need answers about the venom burning through my veins.

So I go back to The Alabaster Heart to strike another deal with the vampire prince. The game of cat and mouse that follows is expected, and maybe even a little fun, but nothing prepares me for the day that our games end—and the consequences begin.

My Thoughts:

Cruel Stakes picks up where Blood Casino ends. Eva is at odds with what is happening and no longer wants to trust the vampires, especially Adrian Teresi. However, having been bitten, she is driven to find out more regarding her newly heightened senses. In the hope that this information will help with her position among the hunters, Eva once again strikes up a deal with none other than Adrian.

This story was a little less exciting than the first, but it drew me in none the less. There was more action and so much more romance in this book. The author focused a lot on the workings of the vampires giving us a glimpse into their minds. Eva is her usual rebellious self, torn between her long time crush on Felix and her growing attraction to Adrian.

This book shows us some rather negative sides of some of the characters and is filled with some unexpected twists. All this in the end ensures that the reader is in for a BIG shock thus justifying the title and everything that happens in Book 2. There are some unlikely friendships and bonds that form that the reader just wont see coming. This is what I liked most about the book, the elements of surprise which were very well executed!

I am truly excited for and looking forward to Book 3 which I am sure will take us on a big roller coaster ride if these two books are anything to go by!

WWW WEDNESDAY – 27/01/2021

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This is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

All you need to do is answer the following three questions:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Also, do follow the host and other bloggers who participate!

It is wonderful to know what everyone is reading and recommendations are always welcome!

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What are you currently reading?

The Last Queen

 

About the Book:

‘I am Rani Jindan, Mother of the Khalsa. That is my identity. That is my fate.’

Daughter of the royal kennel keeper, the beautiful Jindan Kaur went on to become Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s youngest and last queen; his favourite. She became regent when her son Dalip, barely six years old, unexpectedly inherited the throne. Sharp-eyed, stubborn, passionate, and dedicated to protecting her son’s heritage, Jindan distrusted the British and fought hard to keep them from annexing Punjab. Defying tradition, she stepped out of the zenana, cast aside the veil and conducted state business in public. Addressing her Khalsa troops herself, she inspired her men in two wars against the ‘firangs’. Her power and influence were so formidable that the British, fearing an uprising, robbed the rebel queen of everything she had, including her son. She was imprisoned and exiled. But that did not crush her indomitable will.

An exquisite love story of a king and a commoner, a cautionary tale about loyalty and betrayal, and a powerful parable of the indestructible bond between mother and child, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s unforgettable novel brings alive one of the most fearless women of the nineteenth century, an inspiration for our times.

What did you recently finish reading?

Blood Casino by Nina Walker

Meet Me in Bombay by Jenny Ashcroft

 

What do you think you’ll read next?

This is easy! I am going to dive into A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer. This is the final book in the Cursebreakers series and definitely one of the most awaited books which has just been released!

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Do stop by to share your thoughts or posts!

Book Review: Blood Casino by Nina Walker

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About the Book:

Keep your cards close and your enemies closer.

At least that’s what my mom always told me. Becoming a vampire hunter was never in my cards, but it is now that she needs my help. A decade ago vampires seized control of the bars, casinos, and the dark underbelly of society. Now they deal in addiction and bargain with blood, and humans over twenty-five can’t fight back against their compulsion. It’s made my mother vulnerable––the only family I have left.

To save her, I’m forced to make a deal with the devil––one who lives above a casino, wears a crown, and wants to drink my blood. Andrianos Teresi may be dangerous and alluring but I’ve got a stake hidden up my sleeve. I’ll go all in and play his game, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

What I don’t expect? The heart that needs guarding is my own.

My Thoughts:

Blood Casino is the first book in a new series by Nina Walker. With a focus on vampires and humans alike, this book bring to us a fresh new take on the supernatural. The story focuses on Evangeline, a human who is dealing with her mother’s gambling addiction. In the city of New Orleans, we are introduced to a world where Vampires live in the open and there are rules to ensure harmony. The vampires own businesses, some which deal with gambling and such in the form of Casinos. When Eva’s mother ends up spending more time in the Casino owned by Adrianos Teresi, it is inevitable that Eva has a run-in with one of the most powerful vampires.

While trying to lead a normal life, take care of her mother and protect her, Eva is torn between the world of vampires and her own. Forced to make a deal to save her mother and at the same time trying to work against the vampires is not easy and this puts Eva in a very difficult position. The author also brings to us slowly developing romances which leads to a lot of intrigue. A love triangle is definitely interesting and one where there is the option between a human and a vampire is even more alluring.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how the characters are developed. The author does a great job in describing the various relationships in the book and giving us the background of each character. This book is worth the read and ends with a twist, giving an opening for the next book! I am totally looking forward to this!

Round-up 2020 – YA Fantasy Fiction books!

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Having read a whole lot of books this year, I have decided to do a sum up of the different genres and list my favorite books among those read in 2020!

These posts will help me with the final round-up of favorite books read in 2020 at the end of the year (in another 15 days! :D)

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In this post, I am summarizing the list of YA Fantasy fiction books that I read and enjoyed this year! They are not listed in any particular order and I truly enjoyed all of them.

In recent times, I have enjoyed reading all the new YA fantasy fiction series that have come out. Some have really stood out and stuck with me, some were so so, but I still enjoyed them. I think that this means I enjoy this genre no matter what! 

I have provided summaries or snippets from my reviews of the books. To read the complete review, you can click on the book title.

Read on to get to know some of the books I read this year!

A ​Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes #4) by Sabaa Tahir

A ​Sky Beyond the Storm (An Ember in the Ashes, #4)

A Sky Beyond the Storm is the conclusion to the epic Ember Quartet, a tale that began with an introduction to characters who have become beloved to us! We have gone on long journeys with them through this series and Sabaa Tahir does a brilliant job bringing everything together in this epic conclusion.

This is a story of loss, yes a lot of it, sadness, hatred, but also understanding and forgiveness. The author weaves a magical and spell-binding tale keeping the reader enthralled until the very end. This is a fitting conclusion and culmination of the events that happen across all the books in the series!

 

 

 

Finale (Caraval #3) by Stephanie Garber

Finale (Caraval, #3)

 

The most awaited conclusion to the Caraval series, Stephanie Garber brings us a well-crafted ending! This is definitely one of the most talked about series in today’s world!

There is so much happening in this book that it will keep the reader hooked until the very end. The entire concept of the series is intriguing and it’s a pleasure to meet our favorite characters one last time!

I thoroughly enjoyed this conclusion and loved the way the author has crafted the plot of the entire series. A well-written fantasy fiction, this series will take the reader on an adventure that is amazing, with colorful characters whom we cannot help but fall in love with! This series is indeed a must-read and is well worth the time spent on it.

 

House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. Maas

House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1)

 

 

House of Earth and Blood is a well-written, fast paced story that has it’s ups and downs. The story is gripping and is a wild roller-coaster until the very end. The author ensures that the readers attention is on the book and nowhere else!

One message which is persistent throughout the book is the meaning of friendship and loyalty. The author also shows us the true power of love above all else.

This book is definitely a must read, especially for fans of Fantasy Fiction and of Sarah J. Maas.

 

 

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh

 

The Beautiful has to be one of the most talked about books! I was quite intrigued by the book cover and premise that I had to pick it up! It is a dark and sultry romance with murder, mystery and thrills all thrown into the mix!

The story is a roller-coaster of a ride as we navigate the sub-plots and various supporting characters who add such flavor to the story!

Though there were some ups and downs with the story, it is definitely worth the read!

 

 

 

 

The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising #1) by Kiersten White

The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising, #1)

 

 

The Guinevere Deception, Book 1 in the Camelot Rising series, is a re-telling of the famous King Arthur story from Guinevere’s point of view. However, this is a story with a twist. Here, the focus is on the heroine, but the story is placed at a time when all magic has been driven out of Camelot and Merlin is no longer present. Arthur sits on the throne, but needs to wed and produce an heir to ensure that his line continues. 

I did enjoy some parts of it and I would recommend this book for those who want to try out a re-telling.

 

 

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen (Red Queen, #1)

 

 

The Red Queen is another first in a series of fantasy fiction that caught my attention. This book has garnered a lot of attention and it talked about a lot. The story follows Mare as she navigates life in the poverty-stricken Stilts. The author has created an interesting Dystopian world, divided based on the color of a person’s blood.

However, one thing about this book is that even though some aspects are predictable, the author keeps throwing some curve balls as us. This brings some intrigue into the mix and thus makes the book an enjoyable read.

 

 

 

Prism (The Color Alchemist #1) by Nina Walker

Prism (The Color Alchemist, #1)

 

 

Prism by author Nina Walker introduces the reader to an intriguing concept of magic and magical abilities and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. The story is well-written and fast paced, keeping the reader hooked until the very end.

The story will draw the reader in until the very end and is not without some well placed twists and turns. With everyone having their own agenda, what happens to the story and all the characters remains to be seen. This book is well worth the read and I am looking forward to finishing the series!

 

 

 

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil #1)

 

Author Soman Chainani brings us a very dark take on fairytales with several twists and turns. the story follows Sophie and Agatha as they are kidnapped and brought to the School for Good and Evil.

If we go by cliches, one would expect Sophie to end up at the school for Good and Agatha at the school for Evil. But fate has a different plan and the two are swapped.

The climax is interesting and leads to many questions which lay down a good base for the next book.

All in all, give this book a shot! It will take you on a rather enchanting journey!

 

 

Dragon Connection (The Stone Crown #1) by Ava Richardson

Dragon Connection (The Stone Crown, #1)

 

 

Dragon Connection is the first book in the Stone Crown series by author Ava Richardson. It is a well-written, fast paced, YA fantasy fiction novel that follows the life of Narissea as she navigates the mines as a slave and later embarks on a journey to find the Stone Crown.

With a strong desire to thwart Lady Inyene’s plans, Nari embarks on a journey that involves an injured dragon, the Lady’s brother and a mage. Add to this mix some magic and we have the perfect recipe for an enjoyable read! I truly cannot wait to pick up the next book and find out what happens!

 

 

 

I would love to know what you all think about these books, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts on this post! In addition, I am open to book recommendations in this genre, so do stop by and comment!

November 2020 – Book round-up!

Posted in Book Reviews, BookWorld by

A huge shoutout to all my readers and fellow bloggers.

I was inspired by other bloggers to post a recap of the books that I read or reviewed during November, 2020 and to highlight my favourite ones. I am hoping to continue this trend and post something similar every month.

I managed to read and review a good number of books last month. I usually do not manage to read so many due to time constraints. Nevertheless, some of them were wonderful and I truly enjoyed all the books!

Books read/reviewed in November 2020:

Finale (Caraval #3) by Stephanie Garber

The most awaited conclusion to the Caraval series, Stephanie Garber brings us a well-crafted ending! This is definitely one of the most talked about series in today’s world!

I thoroughly enjoyed this conclusion and loved the way the author has crafted the plot of the entire series. A well-written fantasy fiction, this series will take the reader on an adventure that is amazing, with colorful characters whom we cannot help but fall in love with! This series is indeed a must-read and is well worth the time spent on it.

Dinosaur Adventure: A Field Trip to Remember by Kelly Santana-Banks

This story can be used as a picture book for younger children and as an interactive learning book for older ones. It is truly well-written and interactive making it a wonderful teaching and learning aid.

Prism (The Color Alchemist #1) by Nina Walker

Prism by author Nina Walker introduces the reader to an intriguing concept of magic and magical abilities and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. The story is well-written and fast paced, keeping the reader hooked until the very end.

337 by M. Jonathan Lee

A wonderfully written novel, the story follows Sam as he goes through the motions of living every day. However, not everything is at it seems, and this is a constant theme running in the background of the plot.

This latest book by the author is a pleasure to read and though it raises many questions that ensure the reader is kept engaged long after finishing the book. This book is a must read!

Vampire Royals (Books 1-3) by Leigh Walker

Overall, this series is fun and enjoyable especially for those who love the idea of vampires and human’s together, though there is not a lot of focus on the supernatural aspect of the characters. The books are short and easy to read. They can each be read in one sitting and are a good stress free read!

Ten Days with a Duke by Erica Ridley

This book is a pleasant and quick read set in the time of Christmas in a rather picturesque village! It is indeed the season of love!

The Guardians of the Halahala by Shatrujeet Nath

A truly fascinating story set during the rule of Samrat Vikramaditya, this book is the first in a series of four books. In this book, the author has taken a tiny part of mythology and merged it with a historical setting to bring us this entertaining plot.

The book pulls you in until the very end as each character’s personality unravels and their dynamics together are established and later shift.

This book is truly a wonderful start to a great series and I cannot wait to read further!

Book Review: Prism (The Color Alchemist #1) by Nina Walker

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About the Book:

Prism (The Color Alchemist, #1)

What if color held the secrets to powerful magic?

Forced to move into the palace, Jessa begins training as a Color Alchemist under the direction of the kingdom’s most eligible bachelor, Prince Lucas. As an alchemist, Jessa must capture and harness the color of living things. Every color has a unique purpose, except red. Red is the untapped magic no one can access—until Jessa.

Prince Lucas is running out of time. His mother is deathly ill and healing magic hasn’t worked. When Lucas suspects someone is using alchemy to control her, he sets out to discover the truth, no matter the cost.

PRISM is the first installment of a unique young adult romantic fantasy series where a dystopian world with a Victorian flair meets the dynamic magic of color!

My Thoughts:

Prism by author Nina Walker introduces the reader to an intriguing concept of magic and magical abilities and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. The story is well-written and fast paced, keeping the reader hooked until the very end.

We are introduced to Jessa, who accidently discovers that she is a color alchemist and tries to hide the truth from everyone. Once discovered, we come to know that she might be very powerful and is brought to the palace for training. The author introduces us to a dystopian world where the King rules the New Colony and a certain order is established. Anyone who shows an inclination towards Color Alchemy is brought to the Palace at a very young age and then undergoes rigorous training to join the Guardians of Color (GC).

Jessa faces a lot of push back from everyone at the palace including the other alchemists as she is already sixteen. It seems to be quite late for her to be here. There are many interesting characters including Sasha and Reed who are not easy to get a read on. The reader will not know what anyone’s intentions are until the very end. But, one thing is clear, Jessa is special and an asset to the King for whatever plan he has up his sleeve.

In addition, we are introduced to the Prince, who seems to have a different view of things than his father and is trying to find a way to save his mother who is quite ill. Add into the mix some chemistry between the two main characters and the author provides us with the perfect recipe for a book filled with magic, romance and a wonderfully new concept of magic drawn from colors!

The story will draw the reader in until the very end and is not without some well placed twists and turns. With everyone having their own agenda, what happens to the story and all the characters remains to be seen. This book is well worth the read and I am looking forward to finishing the series!