Quickie Novella Review: Goddess in Time

Goddess in Time
by Tera Lynn Childs
Oh. My. Gods Novella 

As a descendant of Greek gods, Nicole has attended the Academy alongside other students with magical powers on a Greek island. Life is pretty perfect—except for the fact that she was sentenced to stay there because of a childhood prank that also resulted in her parents' banishment. When Nicole discovers a book that teaches the forbidden magic of time travel, she knows she must take a chance to right her wrong. With the help of her friends Troy and Phoebe, Nicole sets off on a quest that will take her from the heights of Mt. Olympus to the ocean depths of Poseidon's home and to the bowels of Hades. Can she mend her mistakes? And is changing the past, what she really wants? The past and future combine in thrilling, unpredictable ways—especially when Greek gods are involved! (Description from Goodreads.com)

I was so happy when I finally got to read Nicole's story! Not knowing who her Greek God ancestor was had been driving me crazy with speculation. I loved who it turned out to be, too. Very clever TLC, very clever. It was neat to read a whole story from Nicole's perspective, too. It really fleshed her out into more of a fully-faceted character and made me feel more for her.  I truly loved diving back into this world and my only complaint was that this novella was too short! I hope there's more coming soon!! 

Full Disclosure: Purchased for my Nook 

Novella Review: In the Storm

In the Storm 
by Karen Metcalf

Abandoned by the world around her, Carly believes she is fated to a life of torment at the hands of her stepfather and is desperate for an escape. When she can bear the abuse no longer and gives in to a thunderous rage, she suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar, yet beautiful, storm world. This limbo between dimensions appears to be her private sanctuary, but it may just be her purgatory.

No one escapes fate without sacrifice, but is the price more than Carly is willing to pay? (Description from Goodreads.com)

This novella captures an intriguing premise.  Carly, trying to escape the horror of her abusive life, takes refuge in another world...only to find that even that haven may not be the wondrous place she'd hoped. Her one salvation may be the mysterious boy who seems to care more for her happiness than anything else in any of the existing worlds. 

Though this novella tackles a tough topic - physical abuse - Metcalf does a good job of creating scenes that are not too graphically violent, yet still keep readers on the edge.  Language can get a little rough, but that's to be expected when dealing with a horrific situation like the one that Carly can't seem to escape.  Metcalf's greatest strength, though, is the way that she weaves hope through the story and finally gives Carly a little peek into what may be a better future ahead.  

A quick, evocative read. Some readers may not like the subject matter, but in general things are handled well and with its short length the emotional toll to readers shouldn't be too overwhelming. 

Full disclosure: Review copy received from Author

Iron Queen and Summer's Crossing

The Iron Queen

by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Fey, book three

 

My name is Meghan Chase. I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it. This time, there will be no turning back. (description from Amazon.com)

I really need to catch up with this series! Every time I read one of the books, I enjoy it so much.

*Spoiler Alert* This is book three so if you haven't read the first two...stop here!!

Anyway, Meghan thought she'd be able to return to her human life without having any issues, but when she returns home to find the Iron Fey outside her house, watching her family, she freaks. She knows she can't go back. She and Ash return to the Fey world and immediately become embroiled in war. It's so bad that Summer and Winter have tentatively called a truce to fight off the Iron Fey. No one could have expected what eventually happens, though...least of all Meghan.

Full again of danger, intrigue, secrets, and romance, this was an excellent installment in the series. I can't wait to finish Meghan's story in Iron Knight. I'm excited, too, because this fourth book is from Ash's perspective, which should be interesting...

Full disclosure: From my personal collection

Bonus Review:

I also just read the ebook novella, Summer's Crossing, set between the books, Iron Queen and Iron Knight. If you have an ereader, you can get it that way, or it is now part of the print book The Iron Legends, which contains the series' three novellas.

I LOVED this one mostly because it was from Puck's point of view and he is my FAVORITE character in the series. It really breaks my heart that Meghan doesn't love him the way that he loves her, but...I guess I just have to get over it. This novella made me giggle and had some great interactions between Puck and Ash. Worth a quick read.

 



Sneak Peek at Carrie Harris' BAD YETI!!!!

Bad Yeti

by Carrie Harris

Kate Grable series, novella

 

Set in the world of BAD TASTE IN BOYS and BAD HAIR DAY, this digital story is the perfect introduction into the funny high school world of Carrie Harris, where humor meets horror (and sometimes zombies, werewolves, yetis, and yes, even unicorns).
 
Jonah Grable hasn’t minded living in the shadow of his older, zombie fighting sister Kate, but this weekend he’s definitely raising his profile. A weekend of epic epicness — waving swords and flirting with girls in elf ears at his LARP club event — is totally up Jonah’s alley. But when his alter ego, Sir Talatien Maguirier, Nightdark Clanlord, comes face to face with a real, live Yeti, Jonah — or, rather, Tal — has to take matters into his own hands. So he sets off with gamer goddess Lady Amethyst, brown-eyed Europa, and Calamity, a braid-wearing barbarian in fur into the great unknown on a search for yeti-related awesomeness… (description from Carrie's website)

Okay, so you may have seen my slightly gushy review of Bad Taste in Boys (here) and my Gold Star review of Bad Hair Day (here)... you may have seen me on the webs having a slight author crush and stalking, I mean constantly chatting up Carrie Harris, herself.  What can I say? Carrie and her books are officially awesomesauce and on my MUST BUY THE DAY THEY COME OUT list.

Well, I am beyond stoked to be one of the lucky bloggers that is able to give you all a little sneak preview at the above-mentioned novella, Bad Yeti!  I'm so excited to read this because, I mean come on not only are there Yetis involved, but it also has to do with LARPing (which I am totally fascinated with in that can't quite wrap my head around it way...) and is told from the persepective of Kate's younger brother, Jonah, who I LURVE. 

Want a sneak peek? Well, here you go. This is the beginning of chapter one and is a perfect little teaser, LOL...



If I’d known that girls go crazy over zombie slayers, I would have gone medieval on some undead a long time ago.

Sure, I’m the smallest guy in the freshman class, smaller even than Kai Tipton, and his mom is a bona fide little person. And maybe I’m addicted to computer games, like Dragons of Roargan Kross, and yes, the jocks sometimes duct-tape me to toilets for fun. But once I’d kicked some zombie butt?

The ladies loved me.

Of course, going to homecoming with the Kiki Carlyle, our homecoming queen, hadn’t hurt either. And Kiki was definitely on my mind this morning. I slapped some gel on my hands and ran them through my do. I looked a whole inch taller. Now I’d come all the way up to Kiki’s shoulder.

“You’re going to miss the bus, dorkwad.” Kate—my sister—stuck her head into the bathroom, ruining the nice Kiki-related daydreams I’d been entertaining, and ruffled my hair. I shrank about a quarter inch.

“Die, lich spawn!” I yelled, throwing the bottle of gel in her general direction.

She took off, and I tore down the stairs in hot pursuit. I would have caught her too, if I hadn’t turned the corner and nearly bulldozed Kiki herself. If Kate had wanted to motivate me, she should have known that the presence of a goddess in the house would have worked. I skidded to a stop and almost swallowed my tongue as I took in the view.

The girl of my dreams stood in our entryway. Her blond hair was pulled into a ponytail, exposing a slender neck. That neck killed me. I’d spent a whole night staring at it while we danced at homecoming. But her looks weren’t the best thing about her. What got me the most was that she smiled every time she saw me. Always had.

This time, she laughed outright. I grinned back. Kate kept on going toward the kitchen, cackling madly like she’d won something. Maybe she’d won the battle, but no way would she take the war.

I knew a lot about battle tactics from playing Roargan Kross.

“Kiki!” I grinned up at her. “What’s the girl of my dreams doing in my house this fine morning?”

She blushed a little. “I thought you and Kate might like a ride. It’s better than the bus, right?”

“Thanks!” My voice squeaked, but I pretended not to notice, and so did she. “I’ll be sixteen next month, so maybe then I’ll drive you around.”

 
She might have been out of my league, but she didn’t scoff. She totally liked me; I could sense it.

“Maybe.” She jingled her keys, smiling. “So listen. I wanted to ask you something.”

“Anything.” I meant it too. At that moment, or any moment, really, I would have died for her.

 

I don't know about you, but I am DYING to read the rest now. I'm not even really sure that I can wait until November 13th!!