Hexen's Binding

Hexen's Binding by J. Kowallis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I finished reading Hexen's Cross, I was very happy to start the sequel the next day. The journey gets better with each turn of the page. Taran faces chaos as her life is altered from her experiences in Bryden. Relationships with the Donovans and her own family members take on new paths that continue to force Taran to grow and develop into a powerful Hexen, trying to understand her role in an ancient prophesy. The ending is a cliff hanger, so now I'll be counting down the days for the next book in this fantastic series!

I received Hexen's Binding ARC in exchange for my review.

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Hexen's Cross

Hexen's Cross by J. Kowallis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! I loved this book - the characters, the story, the action. Everything was woven together into a fantastic reading experience. Taran is a strong female lead, pulled into a magical whirlwind adventure. She is uprooted from the world she knows, and learns to stand strong in a new and challenging environment. I don't want to give anything away. Just go read this book!

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Life After: The Complete Series by Julie Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just finished listening to the audiobooks for the Life After series. Such a wonderfully engaging story weaving together fantasy, faith, and love. Audrey is a captivating main character, and it is easy to fall in step with her journey. Each of the books adds layers and new dimensions to Audrey's time learning about herself, her spirituality, and her relationships with those around her.

Honestly, I was not a big fan of the narrators using multiple character voices. When either narrator was speaking as a character of the opposite sex, I was immediately drawn out of the story. So much so, that I often had to pause the book, go back and listen to refocus on the words and try to ignore the voice. That feature was disappointing, as the story itself was highly engaging. I do wish I had just been reading the digital book, rather than the audio.



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Huntress by Julie Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just finished listening to the audiobook, and I must admit, I am intrigued. Audrey is a strong female character, perfectly flawed. Her journey is intriguing, and worth following.

During my original scan of the reviews, I didn't pick up on the "Christian writer" label, but did notice as the story unfolded. However, it wasn't a preachy style - it was an inquisitive, cautious, and engaging adventure into an afterworld that combines ancient and modern cultures and myths (from Pandora's box to Star Trek), into a questioning (not challenging) approach towards the role of God in the afterlife.

I am new to audiobooks - and I wasn't particularly thrilled with the "voices" of the supporting characters. The contrast in voices pulled me out, rather than drew me in, but the story arc kept me listening.

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Redeeming the Darkness

Redeeming the Darkness by Whitney Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a fun and quick read. Fate brings together an unlikely couple, Ivy and Zane, in a quirky romance that starts with a flat tire. To be honest, I kept wishing there was more to the book. It was like glaze on a cake - a sweet story touching the surface - but I wanted it to be more filled out with greater character depth, and a more fluid timeline. It was like reading a fun 30 minute tv show that would have been much better as a full 2 hour movie.

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Covenant : A YA Dystopian Novel by Jim Miesner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sam is part of the the Shell, living in a segregated world that is supposed to be untouched by the 7 deadly sins. Her attempt to convert a younger girl, Jenny, result in Sam questioning everything she has known to be true, and an attempt to take a small stand to do right by Jenny. This small stand for one girl quickly escalates into the start of a full battle between two polarized communities.

Similar in style to the Silo series; Jim Miesner does a solid job of introducing us to the Covenant, a fantastic dystopian story with a very strong willed female character leading the way.

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SpellBound: Tales of Naimonet: Book 1 by Thalia Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just finished reading SpellBound by Thalia Blake. I must admit, I was captivated by the cover design of this book - the artwork is mesmerizing. The story itself was good, but not as captivating as the book cover. The story is interesting, but seems to be lacking in sufficient backstory about the loving (?) family relationship between Ezabelle (and her obsession with ruling), and Merione (and her mystical powers). The storyline timeline seems to jump, with little explanation, making it difficult to truly connect with the characters. The overall plot is engaging, but the ending felt rushed and chaotic. I believe this could be a riveting book, if there was more focus on character development and relationships, as well as expansion and greater depth to the conclusion. I'll be interested in seeing how the writing develops in upcoming books in the series.

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