Review: Karabos (The Timebound Duology Book 1) by Lyndsey Lewellen

SYNOPSIS

Enter a dangerous game of magic beetles, buried secrets, and shifting time.

Winslet Nubek knows bugs better than she knows people. The sixteen-year-old, homeschooled entomologist is determined to earn her place among the ancient and dangerous ranks of magical insect hunters. With her father’s failing mines pushing them toward bankruptcy, winning the Tournament of Scarabs becomes her only shot at securing her dream and saving her family from ruin. But when she touches a forbidden time scarab before the competition begins, she’s left with a mark she can’t explain and trips into the past she can’t control. Forced to hide her mistake, Winslet enters the tournament with a growing fear of being discovered. As her secrets grow, so do her slips through time.

Rafe Stormholt charts maps like other people write diaries, but his own future isn’t his to navigate. He needs the tournament prize to keep his grandfather’s company out of treacherous hands. After the preliminaries go awry, Rafe ends up on a team of academic misfits, including the bug girl he’s already judged as a liability. But when he’s dragged into the past alongside her, Rafe uncovers truths that shatter the faith his family has held for generations.

Bound by a time-slipping curse, Winslet and Rafe must navigate the tournament’s perilous trials while unraveling a conspiracy buried centuries deep. As enemies close in and the past begins to bleed into the present, they’ll have to decide what they’re really fighting for and what they’re willing to lose to win.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Karabos was such a unique, compelling, and unputdownable read. I loved it so much! It was fast-paced and has one of the best opening lines I’ve read in a while. I was hooked immediately.

The worldbuilding was fantastic. It felt familiar yet was unique too. It was never overwhelming, which I appreciated. I was able to slip right in and feel at home. I loved the Indiana Jones and Mummy vibes.

I really liked Winslet and Rafe. They had a bit of a grumpy-sunshine thing going on, which was a lot of fun. I loved seeing them get to know each other and understand each other better. I thought it was really cool that Winslet was homeschooled. I loved seeing her supportive family. I also really liked Rafe and Winslet’s teammates. They were a great group.

I really appreciated seeing how strong Winslet’s faith was in the face of so much adversity. It was really inspiring! It had me thinking about what I would do in her situation.

This book took some turns that I didn’t see coming, and with that ending, I’m so looking forward to the next installment! It can’t come out soon enough. I’ve read some really great books this year and this one is near the top. I can’t say enough good things about it. I highly, highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Review: The Secrets of Everlight (Shattered Kingdoms Book 1) by Julie Hall

SYNOPSIS

A thief turned spy must unravel an assassination plot against the fae prince by disguising herself as a princess competing for his heart in this entrancing romantasy by USA Today bestselling author Julie Hall.

For nineteen years, Rowan has fought to survive: first on the streets scavenging for scraps, then bound by a decade-long contract to a corrupt master. She longs for freedom but spends her days stealing from the highborn to pay off her servitude.

When a mysterious fae buys her contract, Rowan seizes her chance to escape. But her freedom comes at a price: she must uncover the assassin targeting Prince Dryden of the Ember Kingdom. To do so, she will pose as a princess among the royals competing for his hand in marriage.

Thrust into a world of silks and finery, Rowan has just weeks to master her role while hunting a killer hidden in plain sight. Eavesdropping and sneaking through gilded halls may come naturally, but the bonds she forms with the other princesses—and Dryden’s growing interest in her—are complications that threaten to unravel everything.

As whispers of danger beyond the kingdom rise, Rowan realizes the stakes are far greater than she imagined. And every stolen glance with the prince pulls her closer to a desire that could cost her not only her future but the kingdom itself.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I’m a big fan of Julie Hall’s Life After series, so when I first heard about this book, I was really excited. And, I’ve gotta say, I enjoyed it! I was invested right from the start and couldn’t read fast enough.

Rowan was a sympathetic character. I was fully in her corner and rooting her on. She was thrown into a situation that was so foreign to her, but I thought she adapted well. I liked seeing the growth she experienced from beginning to end. I really liked Neo. The chemistry between him and Rowan was off the charts!

I don’t want to say too much because of spoilers, but there was something that I think was supposed to be a shocking reveal, but it was actually really obvious. And it kinda made Rowan seem a bit clueless since she didn’t figure it out, which did not fit her character at all. But other than that, this was an enjoyable read. Well, except for that ending! I need the next book ASAP!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Friday Book Snippets: Karabos (The Timebound Duology Book 1) by Lyndsey Lewellen

Friday Book Snippets is a weekly blogging event co-hosted by Anne@HeadFullofBooks and Olivia at Bemused and Bookish. Directions: Share two snippets (a sentence or short paragraph) from a. the book's beginning and b. page 56 (or another page) in the book you are currently reading. No spoilers, please.

This week I'm featuring Karabos (The Timebound Duology Book 1) by Lyndsey Lewellen. This was such a fun and unique story. It's a fun mix of The Mummy, Indiana Jones, and Pokemon. I loved it!

SYNOPSIS

Enter a dangerous game of magic beetles, buried secrets, and shifting time.

Winslet Nubek knows bugs better than she knows people. The sixteen-year-old, homeschooled entomologist is determined to earn her place among the ancient and dangerous ranks of magical insect hunters. With her father’s failing mines pushing them toward bankruptcy, winning the Tournament of Scarabs becomes her only shot at securing her dream and saving her family from ruin. But when she touches a forbidden time scarab before the competition begins, she’s left with a mark she can’t explain and trips into the past she can’t control. Forced to hide her mistake, Winslet enters the tournament with a growing fear of being discovered. As her secrets grow, so do her slips through time.

Rafe Stormholt charts maps like other people write diaries, but his own future isn’t his to navigate. He needs the tournament prize to keep his grandfather’s company out of treacherous hands. After the preliminaries go awry, Rafe ends up on a team of academic misfits, including the bug girl he’s already judged as a liability. But when he’s dragged into the past alongside her, Rafe uncovers truths that shatter the faith his family has held for generations.

Bound by a time-slipping curse, Winslet and Rafe must navigate the tournament’s perilous trials while unraveling a conspiracy buried centuries deep. As enemies close in and the past begins to bleed into the present, they’ll have to decide what they’re really fighting for and what they’re willing to lose to win.

Book Beginnings / First Line

When magic came into our world, it wore the shell of a beetle.

Snippet from 55%

Sleeping on a bed of rocks wasn't my first choice, but it should have been.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Christmas Courier by Roseanna M. White

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Christmas Courier by Roseanna M. White releasing October 13.

SYNOPSIS
In World War II France, the future Madeleine Perrin and Daniel Raymond hope for is in grave peril when the Nazis imprison Daniel, a courier for the Resistance network. But a centuries-old law soon paves the way for a Christmas Eve wedding that becomes both a celebration and a daring rescue in this historical romance.

1943. Lyon, France. After bidding her students farewell for the holidays, Madeleine Perrin is looking forward to a quiet, simple Christmas at home with her mother. With the war raging on and rations tight, she knows it will be up to her to make the day festive and find special ways to remember the papa she lost and honor his love for Christmas. But first, Madeleine must smuggle secret messages hidden in her students' essays to the Resistance network. She never expects the person waiting to receive them is her childhood best friend, the man who broke her heart.

Daniel Raymond has thrown himself into his work as courier for the Resistance, carefully concealing his Jewish ancestry that, if discovered by the Nazis, could put his life at risk. Haunted by regret about the day Madeleine professed her love and he turned her away, Daniel longs to make things right. When he sees her again, he dares to hope for reconciliation―and realizes the love he once denied has only grown deeper.

As Christmas nears and Daniel recovers from a wound sustained in a courier run, forgiveness and romance soon blossom between Daniel and Madeleine and the two begin planning a future together. But when a mission goes wrong and Daniel is captured by the Gestapo, Madeleine must turn to her Resistance allies―and a centuries-old law―to attempt a dangerous rescue before it's too late.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Coordinates of Death (Arctic Protectors Book 2) by Darlene L. Turner

SYNOPSIS

A police officer will do anything to catch the serial killer that got away—even if it means playing a deadly game in the icy wilderness.

Sweetwood Falls, Yukon, has seen too much terror for one small town. Corporal Aurora Hunt still blames herself for not catching the Shadow Box Killer before five women lost their lives. The killings stopped two years ago, and her colleagues believe the murderer is dead. But Aurora isn’t convinced.

A chilling discovery on a winter’s morning confirms her fears. The crime scene is all too familiar—a woman’s mutilated body, and beneath it, a box containing a gruesome souvenir. But this time, there’s a special message, daring Aurora to play a game that will lead her into the wilderness to try and save the next victim.

Canadian Watcher Squad survivalist Kordell Greene is part of the past that Aurora has tried to put behind her. He’s also the only person equipped to guide her through this deadly terrain. But somehow, the killer knows all their secrets. Solving cryptic clues as they battle the elements, Aurora and Kordell must confront dark truths they’ve withheld, even from each other. And always, the Shadow Box Killer is one step ahead, drawing them deeper into a twisted game where the slightest mistake may be their last.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Fast-paced, intense, and impossible to put down, Coordinates of Death was a truly compelling read. It had me anxious and holding my breath on several occasions. It definitely kept me on my toes.

I really liked Corporal Aurora Hunt and Canadian Watchers Squad survivalist Kordell Greene. They were so easy to root for. They had a past and some secrets, but they made a great team. They faced some incredibly dangerous situations, but I loved seeing them work together to bring down SBK, the serial killer terrorizing the area. And, I’ve gotta say, this villain was truly disturbing. We got a glimpse inside their mind a few times, and, my goodness, that was chilling!

There was twist after twist and surprising reveals I never saw coming. The danger kept intensifying, and my anxiety kept rising. Despite all the darkness in this book, there was light too. I loved the strong message of faith that was woven throughout the story. If you’re a fan of twisty thrillers, you’ll love this book. I can’t recommend it enough. I’m looking forward to more from Darlene L. Turner!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Friday Book Snippets: Coordinates of Death (Arctic Protectors Book 2) by Darlene L. Turner

Friday Book Snippets is a weekly blogging event co-hosted by Anne@HeadFullofBooks and Olivia at Bemused and Bookish. Directions: Share two snippets (a sentence or short paragraph) from a. the book's beginning and b. page 56 (or another page) in the book you are currently reading. No spoilers, please.

This week I'm featuring Coordinates of Death (Arctic Protectors Book 2) by Darlene L. Turner. This is a twisty and chilling romantic thriller. I'm loving it! 

SYNOPSIS

A police officer will do anything to catch the serial killer that got away—even if it means playing a deadly game in the icy wilderness.

Sweetwood Falls, Yukon, has seen too much terror for one small town. Corporal Aurora Hunt still blames herself for not catching the Shadow Box Killer before five women lost their lives. The killings stopped two years ago, and her colleagues believe the murderer is dead. But Aurora isn’t convinced.

A chilling discovery on a winter’s morning confirms her fears. The crime scene is all too familiar—a woman’s mutilated body, and beneath it, a box containing a gruesome souvenir. But this time, there’s a special message, daring Aurora to play a game that will lead her into the wilderness to try and save the next victim.

Canadian Watcher Squad survivalist Kordell Greene is part of the past that Aurora has tried to put behind her. He’s also the only person equipped to guide her through this deadly terrain. But somehow, the killer knows all their secrets. Solving cryptic clues as they battle the elements, Aurora and Kordell must confront dark truths they’ve withheld, even from each other. And always, the Shadow Box Killer is one step ahead, drawing them deeper into a twisted game where the slightest mistake may be their last.

Book Beginning / First Line

Corporal Aurora Hunt hated the cold, but what she hated more were senseless deaths at the hands of monsters who preyed on the innocent.

Snippet from 54%

"What do you mean you couldn't stop it, Mic? You're the best of the best."

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Elle's Magical Shoes (The Magical Things Collection Book 1) by Carla Reighard

SYNOPSIS

Fairies.
Foster kids.
One box full of magical shoes.

Eleven-year-old Elle has two things keeping her going in her Colorado foster home: her vivid imagination and an unshakable belief that her missing family will return. She just didn't expect her imagination to crash through her bedroom window in the form of a blue-haired fairy named Florena.

Suddenly, Elle’s stories are real, and she is handed an impossible task: give away a box of magical footwear, one life-changing pair at a time, to the people around her—including her worst enemy. It's a test to prove to a bitter fairy queen that humans are capable of generosity. If Elle succeeds, she wins a mysterious prize. But when the queen breaks her promise, Elle must journey directly into the heart of the secret fairy kingdom. To save everyone she loves, Elle will have to face a centuries-old grief head-on before both worlds tear apart

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I absolutely adored this book! It was such a sweet and encouraging read. So imaginative too. It’s the perfect read for young girls and their parents too!

Elle was an endearing character. I liked seeing her resiliency and imagination. And I loved seeing the growth she experienced. She faced a sometimes daunting task with the shoes, but I thought she handled it all very well.

I loved that even though this story has fantasy elements, the characters also believed in God. Despite some of the serious subjects that were discussed, it was all handled with care. I appreciated all the life lessons that were woven into the story too. I can’t say enough good things about it and am really looking forward to the next book!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS