Review: The Web by Megan Chance

The Web is Megan Chance's second book in the Fianna Trilogy. In the first book, The Shadows, we were introduced to our main characters the Knox family, the Devlin family, and the Fianna or Finn's Warriors as they come to be known. Set in New York City in 1874, Megan Chance uses the turbulent times in Irish and American history as a backdrop for the introduction of legends and magic that these families had thought mere stories told to children. In the second book they have been confronted with the realities that these long ago legends pose on them in their present lives. In this Grace Knox must make a choice that will not only affect her life, but all of Ireland. In book one Grace thought that she knew exactly where her life was headed. She would enter society as planned, find a husband, and everything would be wonderful. The first part was going well, Patrick Devlin had come home from Ireland and made his intentions known and it seemed as if Grace's plans were set. Until an ancient ritual was set in motion and the Fianna were summoned from their long slumber. Now Grace was caught between the safe, comfortable life she thought she wanted and a powerful but dangerous magic that was her birthright. As a if that wasn't enough, she was also caught between two men who loved her and wanted to protect her, but were also fighting on opposing sides. They each wanted what was best for Ireland, but had very different ideas about what that meant.

Megan Chance weaves a beautiful web of mystery and magic In this series that not only keeps you guessing, but draws you in and makes it believable that elves and Irish legends could be roaming the streets of New York unbeknownst to the average citizen. She captures the atmosphere of the city during the late 1800s in a very vivid way. Not only do you see how the very rich live, or the very poor, but every type in between. In this series Megan Chance takes the reader from one side of the city to another in a variety of travel modes. The descriptions of people and places give you insight to the era as if you were there and the unrest and riots were happening in your city. Megan Chance incorporates everything you could want in a fantasy book with everything you could want in an historical fiction.

Review: The Shadows by Megan Chance

Set in New York in the late 1800s The Shadows by Megan Chance paint a picture of the economic and cultural issues being faced during that time of economic depression, specifically for those of Irish descent. The incorporation of the myths and legends into this novel pull the magic of Ireland's past into the more modern setting. Chance manages to balance the two in a believable fusion.

Grace Knox, seventeen year old Victorian debutante, is the focus around which the stories she had heard as a child have come to life in a time when she wants nothing more than to live without the fears the economic distress has had on her family. To her Ireland is very far away and has no bearing on the choices affecting her future, but there are many other Irish Americans who do not hold that opinion and are in fact helping the rebellion in Ireland to overthrow Britain and gain their Independence.

Megan Chance creates a rich world for readers to dive into. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Delphi Revelation by Chris Everheart

Picking up where the second book left off, Chris Everhart plunges the reader back into the mysterious and action packed world of Arcanville. Although some questions were answered in the first and second books, more questions remained and Zach and Ashley managed to find just as much trouble as the mysteries they uncovered. Joined by allies they start to plan the down fall of the committee, but will it be enough?

All ages will enjoy this tale of age old secrets being brought to light as a pair of teenagers find that the idyllic college town is anything but. Follow them in a race to uncover centuries of hidden agendas and a secret society.

Will Zach and Ashley break free of the Delphi Society, or be crushed by them? Discover new twists in this thrilling story.

Delphi Deception by Chris Everheart

Picking up where the first book left off, Chris Everhart plunges the reader back into the mysterious and action packed world of Arcanville. Although some questions were answered in the first book, more questions remained and Zach and Ashley managed to find just as much trouble as the mysteries they uncovered.

All ages will enjoy this tale of age old secrets being brought to light as a pair of teenagers find that the idyllic college town is anything but. Follow them in a race to uncover centuries of hidden agendas and a secret society.

I eagerly await the third book in the series. Will Zach and Ashley break free of the Delphi Society, or be crushed by them.

Review- Chase J. Jackson's Whispers in the Dark

Written for a young adult audience, Whispers in the Dark is a paranormal story surrounding a new teacher, Adrian Ramirez, and his students at the elite Finley Academy. The story is fairly fast paced and has several surprise twists that keep it interesting, but I had a few issues with it.

During the initial build up of the story there was some allusion to a mystery surrounding the school that went back many years. The rumors and mystery had existed when Adrian was a child growing up in the area, but never allowed near the school. When he returns as an adult to teach there he decides to uncover the mystery, but the one he finds is only a year old.

After an exciting climax, the ending is a bit of a let down. I will refrain from spoilers and simply say that I was expecting more from the hero of the story. Especially since it is written for a young adult audience the characters should grow and learn from their mistakes.

Although the story started off well, over all it was rather disappointing. I would not read it again. It makes a good read if you are bored and looking for something with lots of unexpected plot twists.

The Ways of the World by Robert Goddard

Robert Goddard has brought the intrigue of politics in the aftermath of World War I to life in this thrilling murder mystery. We follow young James Maxted as he pursues the truth of his father's death during the Paris Peace Conference. James has manages to survive the war as a fighter pilot only to be plunged back into danger. The aptly name book shows that James has much to learn about the Ways of the World now that the war has changed Europe.

Action and adventure await readers in this historical fiction that shows a side of the Paris Peace Conference not told in history books. Robert Goddard will keep you guessing as diplomats become traitors and trusted friends turn into spies. Will James Maxted survive peace?

Lynn Carthage, Haunted

Haunted is not your average ghost story. Lynn Carthage takes the reader on an emotional and action packed roller coaster as we follow Phoebe in her explorations of the Arnaud Manor. There is terror and romance in plenty as Phoebe discovers that her families move from California to the quiet English countryside is anything but. Lynn Carthage keeps you guessing and is sure to pleasantly surprise mystery lovers.

Review: Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton

Seeker by Arwen Elyse Dayton is an imaginative cross between the modern world we know, the past we fantasize about, and a futuristic technology we wish for. Seeker is full of action and adventure with a bit of mystery and romance thrown in for good measure.

The main characters are true to life with both good and bad sides in full. It makes the reader sympathize with them while at the same time wanting to shake them for doing the wrong thing. It is this mix that makes these characters more real and three dimensional.

 I look forward to seeing what Arwen Elyse Dayton does next.

Book Review...

Gill Jepson has released three out of the four books in his Out of Time series and I eagerly await the conclusion to this adventurous time traveling tale. Without going into detail, this series centers on the Furness peninsula in Britain and is wonderfully rich in details about the history of the area. Gill Jepson's family is from the area and he grew up on its stories. He uses the people and places from the area and his own family history to create a backdrop of colorful characters that help the heroes on their quest.
   With regards to the writing style, there are a few issues with scene transitions that seem a little abrupt. They do not impact the story line, but it can be disruptive for readers. The plot twists and quest elements involve the reader in the chase. The series is well suited to middle school and high school readers of both genders.

The League of the Delph Book Review

The League of the Delphi by Chris Everheart is a thrilling mystery that keeps you guessing right to the end. Follow Zachary White as he delves into family secrets that lead him into the distant past to uncover a dangerous present. Chris Everhart's writing balances the thrill of the chase with the mystery of an intricate puzzle. The characters are wonderfully developed and the town comes alive on the page. Rich with a variety of culture, Everheart brings a wider world to small American town. Excellent read for young adults. This book has it all, action, romance, history and mystery.    
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15766944-the-league-of-delphi" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The League of Delphi (The Delphi Trilogy #1)" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1343076856m/15766944.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15766944-the-league-of-delphi">The League of Delphi</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2854680.Chris_Everheart">Chris Everheart</a><br/>
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Hello readers. I hope everyone has had a great holiday season. I have been busy with parties and family, but now I am ready to get back to business.
   My first book review of the year is on Ronit Lowenstein-Malz's novel Escape in Time, translated from Hebrew into English, and illustrated by Laurie McGraw. Set to publish April 2015, this young adult novel is based on real life events surrounding a Jewish-Hungarian family and their struggles during World War II.
   This wonderful narrative revolves around two main characters, Miri and Nessya. Nessya is a young Jewish girl living in modern day Tel Aviv with an understanding of the Holocaust, but no real connection to it. Miri is her grandmother who lived through the events of World War II as a young girl herself, but has kept this from Nessya. The story unfolds in a vivid and memorable way as Miri's recollections of the war and its horrors are brought to life.
   Although marketed to young adults, I believe it would be well suited to all ages as young as 12 and up. Young readers today will have no trouble understanding the events and details of Jewish-Hungarian life as Miri explains them to Nessya. Unlike many Holocaust novels, this one gives just enough detail to show what it was like to live through a war without becoming too morbidly gory and giving nightmares making it better suited as a first introduction to the events for young readers. It also shows the fighting spirit of Miri's family and what can be accomplished even in the darkest of times.
   Historical fiction such as this enriches our understanding of the past and helps to give clarity to the future. Encouraging younger generations to better understanding the past is how we can try to ensure that such events to not happen again.