Desirablereads

Book summary:

When three strangers are brought together by the discovery of a common enemy, they must fight to keep the magic of the Phoenix out of dangerous hands before their world is destroyed forever. The Three must learn to unite in spite of what separates them, and unlock the magic of three stones that seem to harm as much as they help. But uniting will not be easy for Nicolai, the simple peasant with a powerful secret; Marcellus, the warrior prince who’s no longer heir to the throne; and Corren, a gifted wizard whose ambitions threaten to ruin them all. Full of magic, mystery, and a touch of romance, Gift of the Phoenix is an epic fantasy that takes the reader deep into the heart of a wondrous world and the three men destined to defend it.

Praise for the Book:

“An incredibly impressive book that grips you from the very start. There is plenty of action in the story, some wonderful characters and magical, atmospheric settings. Donna has created a fascinating realm in this story which, even if you don’t consider yourself a fantasy fan, you’ll definitely enjoy.” – Excerpt of Stephanie Dagg’s review at Books Are Cool.

“As an avid reader of fantasy, I often encounter boring or overused plotlines—this was neither! With a fresh new take on fantasy adventure, Cook constructs an enchanting world of magic, kingdoms, rebirth, and death.” – Excerpt a review by Artemis at Fantasy Book Lovers Unite

“Gift of the Phoenix reminds me of a mix of Paolin’s Eragon and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, but stands on its own as a unique fantasy-adventure. Cook creates a magic system that is intricate and unique, which can be hard to do in a genre littered with magic. The story is very complex, and yet very easy to follow… layers upon layers of intertwined plots that all culminate to a fantastic ending. I would recommend this book to anyone of any age.” –

Review:

Gift of the phoenix is an excellent book written by Donna Cook. It is a story about three brothers that were separated at birth so that they can grow up unharmed. These three brothers, the Wizard, the Prince and the Framer are destined to save the Pheonix that blesses their world with magic. They each have a stone that will help them on this strenuous journey.
I loved the characters, the story line and the Magic! Reading about Corran, Nicolai and Marcellus was like reading about my siblings and I. They are different but so alike as siblings are supposed to be. I could empathize with all the characters and thats what makes it such an enjoyable read. And then there is magic which makes this tale so much more special. I was halfway through the book and I stopped, realising the end was near and I wanted it to go on forever!
I loved Corran, he is someone I could relate to. He is a bit scholarly and his powers were pretty cool.There was this scene where goes in to a labyrinth to find out his destiny and his emotions and reaction to it was so human. As for Marcellus I completely understood why he was unwilling to trust Corran initially as Corran was a threat to everything he wanted to be, everything he had done to really deserve the throne. Corrans conflict of knowing Marcellus was the right person to be the King and wanting his own birth right as he already had to give up many had me in knots along with him. Nicolai reminded me so much of my younger brother I couldn't help but love him as well. Prea and Janus were not really the protagonists but they had their own important parts to play. Janus was what I would have been if I belonged to such a world. Atleast that is what I tell myself.
Anyway I recommend Gift of the phoenix to all those that love a fantasy tale and a story about torn family coming together despite their differences.

Three Gift of the Phoenix Excerpts
Excerpt 1:

The man’s eyes narrowed and he leaned in. “Have you ever seen the waters swallow an island?”

“What?” Nicolai asked.

He pointed to what Nicolai knew to be the Pearl and Crescent Islands, only a few miles out from the coast. They were uninhabitable rock for the most part, notable only because one island was shaped like a crescent moon while the other circular shaped island sat within its gulf. Only Nicolai didn’t see two islands. He saw only the crescent-shaped island.

“What happened?” Nicolai asked.

“I’ll tell you what happened. The Pearl is gone! Sank right into the sea it did!”

Nicolai tried to imagine an island in the cove of Crescent Island’s bay, then tried to imagine that island sinking into the sea.

“My brother says a monster ate it!” the little girl said.

Her mother hushed her. “Don’t listen to his tales.”

“It was an earthquake,” the first man said kindly, bending his reddened face down to her. He put his hands together and slid them back and forth. “The earth shook under the water and made the water come sloshing up over the edge. Just like shaking a cup.” She looked at him skeptically. Nicolai gathered she thought a monster sounded more credible.

“It wasn’t a monster,” said a frail voice. They all looked around to see a withered woman resting on a bench next to the wall. “It wasn’t an earthquake either. What took that island was the same thing that made it.”

Excerpt 2:

Marcellus met Corren’s eyes and raised his sword in warning. “You will go peacefully.”

Corren raised his hands. “I do not wish to fight. I only want you to hear what I have to say.”

“You are in no position to wish for anything,” Marcellus said. “These guards may be afraid of your magic tricks, but not I.”

With that statement Corren understood something: the prince was an unbeliever. “What can it harm you to listen?”

“Nothing you say will persuade me. You are not who you say you are.”

Corren needed some way to reverse Marcellus’ resistance. He needed to prove who they really were. He could think of only one way to do that. “Are you willing to ask the king?”

Marcellus did not answer. He did not move. The tip of his sword held steady and his face gave nothing away. The guards looked at Marcellus, eyes wide at the events happening in front of them. They all waited. Corren held his tongue. Marcellus lowered his sword, but his face remained fierce. He drew near until he was only a hand’s breadth from Corren’s face. Corren could not help but feel the power of Caedmonia’s warrior prince.

“You will follow my commands to the letter,” Marcellus said lowly. “I will let the king decide whether or not he wishes to see you.” Here he lowered his voice even more, so no one but Corren could hear. “If you even attempt to harm my father,” he said, “I will gut you.”

Excerpt 3:

The woman Corren did not know leaned forward slightly and glanced at Aradia.

“Sage Kai’Enna,” Aradia said. “You may address the accused.”

Corren turned his attention to Kai’Enna as respectfully as he could. She was a beak-nosed woman with gray hair and keen eyes. Judging by appearance, she was the eldest member present. She had been studying him carefully all through his testimony. “You are considered to be an unusually skilled wizard, do I understand correctly?”

Corren blinked uncertainly. “Some have said as much to me, yes.”

She cocked her head at him. “Is this false humility on your part? You had no hesitation, apparently, about stripping down ancient barriers to a Bridge you knew to be forbidden to you. Curiosity alone would not drive a person to do this, neither would the lust for praise from those around you,” she said, this with a look toward Nicolai. “Only arrogant pride would drive such an act. That combined with high levels of skill can lead one down dangerous roads indeed.”

Corren looked to Aradia for assistance, but she sat as formally as she had all along.

“It is my suggestion, Sage Aradia,” but though Kai’Enna addressed Aradia, she did not remove her eyes from Corren, “that the Order take this fact into consideration when deciding upon the consequences, in addition to the timing of this incident, which may not be as coincidental as some would hope.”

Excerpt 4

They were shown to rooms by a page in a uniform. Corren disappeared into one and Nicolai entered the next, his mind in a haze. The page shut the door, and Nicolai stood alone in the center. He was aware of a rug under his feet, a bed with linens, a slender window, and a fireplace with a fire already ignited in its belly. The room was cold, the heat from the fire not yet warming the place where Nicolai stood.

Nicolai took out his stone.

It glinted in the firelight, a stunning yellow, cool in his hands, deep at its core. Nicolai remembered a line from the prophecy: Each stone has secrets only its bearer can unlock. Given what his stone had already done, did he want to know its power? If they were meant to stop this Cunning One, just what was he going to be asked to do? Part of him slid into the stone’s depths, and Nicolai could not resist it.

Author Bio: Donna Cook is an Arizona native transplanted to Boise, Idaho, where she is delighting in the change of scenery. When she’s not writing she spends her time chasing the kids, exploring delicious eateries downtown, and dancing with her talented husband. Her fantasy adventure, Gift of the Phoenix has won several awards, including Semifinalist in the Kindle Book Review Book of the Year Awards, and Notable Read in the Shelf Unbound/Half Price Books Indie Book of the Year competition. It was also nominated for the Whitney Award, which recognizes LDS writers. She’s currently working on the sequel to Gift of the Phoenix.
Book Trailer Link:youtube

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Website: http://giftofthephoenix.com/

Blog: http://donnacookauthor.com/

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Buy Pages: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ERRF5I

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gift-of-the-phoenix-donna-cook/1113366634

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/gift-of-the-phoenix/id564103469

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/Gift-of-the-Phoenix/

IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780988208902

Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Gift-Phoenix-Donna-Cook/9780988208902

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/237480

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Thursday, 10 April 2014

Spirit rider by A Grace Martin

Blurb:

Nabrie lives in a farm and leads a simple life with Gregory’s, her adopted family. For her the world of magic and powerful creatures exists only in books, when one day a Wizard comes along and she realizes that such a world actually exists. But that world is threatened by a black witch Agrona who also happens to be her aunt. Now Nabrie is to travel across the strange world to cultivate her powers and prepare for a battle against Agrona and her minions.

On this journey Nabrie will come across trolls, dragons, warriors….. a particularly arrogant Prince and a talking Falcon. Nabrie has to leave the world she knows for the one that is a stranger, to her to realize her true destiny….

Review:

Reading Spirit Rider by A Grace Martin was a great experience. It is a book that will be enjoyed by both children and adult. It takes us to a world where we all wish to escape to, a world of magic and powerful beings. A Grace Martin has managed to create a storyline full of interesting characters that are connected to one another forming an intricate web. Her writing is simple and she has great storytelling skill which will leave the reader completely invested into the tale. Her protagonists; Nabrie, Jerick and Dart are on a journey that will take the reader all over the land of Ralshur.

Nabrie who was initially a bit timid gains confidence, courage and wisdom needed to wage a war against a powerful black witch. She had powerful parents who were murdered when she was very young and she lives with a poor family in the Kingdom of Mar. At the end of the book she comes far away from the girl she was in the beginning. I really enjoyed how her character evolved though at time I did wonder about how some things came so easily to her. All such questions are answered as the reader progresses realizing the full extent of her power. I really look forward to finding out more about how Nabrie and Jerick will resolve the issues between them.

Jerick is obviously meant to be her soul mate but they know though they travel along with each other their destinations are different. Jerick is meant to be the ruler of Ralshur someday but he has spent his whole life in the city of Clearwater which has made him ignorant of the outside world. His grandfather seizes the opportunity to send him across country and to become a major player in the politics of the Kingdom when Nabrie comes in to their city. I liked Jerick but sometimes I wished to read more about him. I felt Jerick was not good for much at times. A hero needs to become at least an equal to the heroin to get her. May be in the next book we will get to see more development of his character.

Dart is amazing. I loved his attitude and he was just the right kind of teacher Nabrie needed. He was a bit helpless at time, the depth of his knowledge of all things magic made him a good companion.

I really liked the scene where Nabrie reached the Great Sea and it tries to drown her. She recovers when Dart pecks her and she removes some of the blood from the small wound with sea water. The sea water suddenly turns blood red and storms until it forms in to a hurricane.

I cannot wait to find out Master Peters secret agenda and whose side Myra will choose in the end. And what role will Iquedor play in the inevitable battle against Agrona?

Yours sincerely,

Ashi.

Tuesday, 1 April 2014

Strega by Karen Fernandes

"You have been reborn to us. To end this war. Jay, mia cara......
You are the Triune."
Blurb: Jay Banifacio is just an ordinary girl living with her grand mother. She has friends and career aspiration like most girls her age. Then one night her grand mother is brutally murdered and some one starts attacking her whenever she is alone. Then one night after waking from a terrifying nightmare she finds a dagger (of sorts). Sick and tired of the nightmares and the attacks she sets out to find the truth. The more she finds out about the dagger and her family the more she realizes she has been living a lie....
Jay is no ordinary girl. She is Strega. She has mortal enemies who will kill any one she loves to get to her. She can trust no one. She is a reincarnation of a hero destined to kill the one who hunts and preys on her family, Invidia. As long is she is alive no one jay cares about is safe. She has only her family to rely on and.....Vince. Vince is her one true love, her protector and they are made for each other. but they are also cursed and as long they are together one of them will die.
Jay has a choice to make either embrace her destiny and face what she has feared her all life or run as she had in all her nightmares.
Review:
Strega is beautifully written tale of a girl on a journey to find the truth behind every bizarre thing disrupting her life. Karen Fernandes has done a very good job of setting the mood. I felt like I was watching a horror movie at times, especially during the part when Jay goes into the basement when the fuse blows out. I actually started saying " Don't go into the basement, haven't you seen movies to know it never ends nicely???', that earned me worried looks from my family :P Anyways I enjoyed the part where Jay is researching her origins ( which I do not her envy) and realizes her powers of precognition, acceleration and invisibility at will (which I do envy). The author has given a good roman mythology spin to the story.The way Jay researched her family kind of reminded me of Da Vinci code and Angels and Demons. It was going really well until the author decided to add a bit of Romeo Juliet story line in to it. I did not like Vince. He was heroic, protective and all things nice but with no personality of his own. I like it when authors add funny quirky habits to the characters makes them more real, more human. The author paced the climax to fast while some parts I felt were being dragged like a dead body.
Karen's debut is actually really good but now that she has experienced writing her first book I hope the next one is bit more polished.
What do you think?
P.S: I decided not to write a synopsis for this one because I would have spoiled a lot of fun for you guys.
Yours sincerely,
Ashi.

Friday, 28 March 2014

The Miranda Contract by Ben Langdon

Blurb: Dan has been running away from his past his whole life but people do not forget a young super villain that easily and they definitely do not forgive. He finally finds some semblance of normality when he finds out his grand father, a supervillain has returned. Dan now must fight his own blood for his freedom because this time he does not have the option to run away. The Mad Russian is threatening everything he has spent years building, a normal life where most people do not care about who he is. His grand father wants Dan to accept his birth right and embrace his power. He will go to any lengths to achieve that goal even make his grandson fall in love with a reigning pop star and then use her as a leverage against him.
Synopsis: Dan lives in a world where people with special powers exist, where super-villains make peoples lives miserable and super heroes fight them. Unfortunately, Dan used to belong to the former category. His grand father is The Mad Russian, the leader of all super-villains. His grand father was the only one Dan ever looked up to but the Mad Russian manipulated him and ended up losing him forever. Dan now leads a seemingly ordinary life but those close to him know he is far from ordinary. He has the ability to control electric energy around him but he wants to stay hidden far from worlds attention. Even though he has separated him self from everything evil he is still being judged for who he was but everything changes when the Mad Russian comes back and this time he wants Dan to become his heir.
Miranda is a super star who has come very far from her origins, so far that she does not even know who she is any more, she is on a world tour when her path intervenes with Dan's. she is caught in the crossfire between Dan and The Mad Russian.
As Dan and Miranda survive the Mad Russians attacks one at a time they find unexpected allies in each other. They work as a team in their journey to defeat Dan's grandfather and come across many foes and friends. But sometimes it is very hard to distinguish between the two. Will Dan be able to let go of his past and come forward as hero from this battle of wills?
Review:
*I was given a free copy of the book for an honest review*
The Miranda Contract is a book I fully expected to enjoy. To make reviewing easier I have decided to divide the book in to two parts:
The first half left me dizzy and confused as to what was actually going on. Somewhere near 25% of the book I realized the author was writing in a comic book style. The thing is comic books have drawings to help readers visualize the scenes and characters when you are writing about such characters you have to give a bit more info as to where they are coming from. The Mad Russian who is supposed to be a super-villain does not speak proper English. I get that he is a Russian but his English did not need to be so poor, he is a very old experienced mastermind after all. So why did I not stop? I am a huge sucker for super heroes and a good story line, that's why.
The second half was the saving grace of the book. The characters became more real and things start to make sense. The pace got faster and action a lot better. I just wish it had not taken 100 or more pages to get there. The detachment I felt in the beginning was gone by the end and I became invested in characters.
I really enjoyed Dan and Miranda's chemistry though there was scene where they were supposed to be fighting on street. I never found out what they were fighting over. I would have enjoyed more scenes between them where they snap at each other.
All in all its a book with great potential and with good editing it can become a lot better.Best of luck to Ben Langdon!
Recommended comic book and super hero fans.
Yours sincerely,
Ashi