Variant Series (Reckoning): Book 4 Review

Jena Leigh newest book is out! It is the fourth book in the series, and the wait for it did not disappoint. If possible, it is even better story. The title is called Reckoning, and it is another perfect title. 

The story takes place back from the past, but keeps roughly the same characters in play, but with a few new friends, namely Brandt. The man whom “tortured” Alex (although it was Sam Masterson wearing Carson Brandt’s face) is now newly minted on the team. While he was in the other books, this one you really get to know him better. You may even change your mind about him, a bit. Declan has now changed, and Alex has more issues than you might have thought possible. She is strong though, and that has never changed through any of the books; though she has grown into her own skin a bit better, so her troubles will only do so much. 

This time, fresh from the past, the Grayson co and friends are in a new home, along with some new faces, and old trying to keep Alex safe, and to keep the world from ending. A familiar “villain” will come into play, and you’ll get a bit of backstory with her as well. Trouble will be had, and time will tell the outcome. It ended on a cliffhanger, but a fantastic twist I did not see coming one bit, and a really extra sad part that I was almost in tears. Great writing on Jena’s part.

If you liked the other books, I recommend this one. If you have not read the others, I suggest you start. I do warn you: you will be addicted to these characters. Once the series end I’ll be sad to see them all go, but I’m excited to see how it will all end, in the end. I just hope it’s not incredibly soon. 

I still see the same characters. One problem though is the actor Brian is all grown up and looks way different. So would need to re-think him if this was made into a movie or series (which I’d be down to watch)...just saying. Netflix. Jena. 

I was going to add in a few new characters, but decided not to for the moment, because in honest, it is hard for me to pinpoint the right actors. 

Once Upon a Time Season 5b

Once Upon a Time or fondly called OUAT is back after its hiatus. Season 5 has seen a lot, and I am not surprised to see that it has reached a season 5; I am still fixed and I am beyond excited that there will be a season 6! I am not 100% sold on all the writers do, but I have always loved fairy-tales and the twists are so much fun to join in on. I think one of my favorite things to do is fantasize about different plot twists and see if they fit. Usually my far out ones do not, but I do go with two: one twist that I could see them doing and one that is so far beyond the realm of possibilities it could lead to a crazy epic twist.

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We are finally on to Season 5b and the first half portrayed a darker Emma and everyone trying to save her for once since she's become pretty good at saving everyone else. Although to be fair she has help saving everyone so it never is always just her: Henry and Regina being the top two, with an occasional help from her family and Rumple. I digress...season 5a focused on Emma being dark, but as much as I really think Jennifer Morrison's acting skills are out of the park; I felt a darkness lacking a bit. I'm thinking it was because she was not full on darkness, since she was one-half of a pair. I'm not sure how Killian did not realize he was the second, he was so good until he found out. I'm still confused by that.

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Season 5b has them traveling to the Underworld to save Hook: Regina and Robin Hood, Snow and Charming (anyone else find it annoying they all call Snow, Mary Margaret?), Emma and Henry, and Rumple (but not out of the goodness of his heart). So far there has been some pretty gut wrenching starts and some surprising twists: Regina has now been the savior twice (she broke her second curse and saved Emma), and looks to be going for a triple.  Regina seeing both her Mother and Father and gaining some sort of closure with both; at least her Father was a huge closure, and for all she's been through she deserves that (even if she was the one who put him their). I am uncertain why little Henry had to be their, but I'm assuming for a bit more dramatic affect. "Henry meet Henry" it's almost saying: see I did love you with all my heart. Although that was already clear when she ripped out his heart for revenge, but you know. Seeing Neal again, if only for a brief moment was beautiful. Emma and Neal's chemistry has always been amazing, but I just wished for him to see Henry too. A family moment would have been extra bonus. He warned her not to go to the Underworld (like she was going to jump off the boat once they landed and swim back: okay she could have told the boat to turn around), but of course she is going to: and he should have known that. She has always been brave and stubborn. It's not in her nature to give up, even if emotionally she flees. Seeing Hook even for a moment, must have strengthened that resolve. Peter Pan showing up (why isn't he old?) to see his dear son and act like he wants to start over. I can't wait to see what comes next for the rest of season 5b!

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With that said, I have some theories on that:

1. What if Hades planted that memory to get Emma to turn back and not save Hook? He did say he would do anything to not lose a single soul. He already lost Henry thanks to Regina and Cora.

2. Peter Pan has not changed, and will possibly take-over Rumple (if he can) soul or he is going to force Rumple to choose and he'll choose Emma or Henry. Although Emma is supposed to be so powerful that nobody can rip out her heart and supposedly was the "best" dark one due to her magical abilities. (I believe she is the most powerful if she ever got the chance to truly be 100% dark and 100% taught to use her abilities: she gave up). Henry because he'll still see him as a threat now that he is the dark one again.

3. Everyone will join together to free everyone from the Underworld, but more than one will be revived and not actually move on from limbo. I'm not sure how or why.

4. Emma won't be able to split her heart to give to Hook because she is all-powerful which makes her heart extra attached? Not sure if that makes sense.

*Any other theories? Or anything to add?

Variant Series Book #3: Review

 

Jena Leigh has done it again with her third book in the Variant Series aptly titled Redux. If you love sci-fi/fantasy then this book has it all. Powers (check), time travel (check), strong characters (check), villains (yep). Your emotions will fluctuate and you'll enjoy the ride the book weaves. 

The story takes place in the past, but keeps roughly the same characters in play as the first two books (haven't read them? check book #1 and #2 out), but with a twist: only two are from the future. Alex is desperate to change the past and make a better future for her friends and family. Declan is determined to not let Alex do it alone. The problem? The jump did not go as planned. So while trying to fix the past, Alex is desperate to find Declan too. Throughout the book there are difficult choices to be made, new friends to be had, and revelations that will throw you in a scramble hoping that all survivor this new/past adventure. Will everything change or will it be as it was supposed to be all along?

You’ll feel it all. The hope, the struggle, the possibility of loss; but ultimately you’ll see fate at its finest in this tale of the past the will most likely lead to book number four. And you will hope for a redux and that the book does not end.

 

I hope you enjoy my old and slightly new version (second) to the newest book.

The Indigo Stone

Simone Snaith, as I have stated before is an amazing writing (check out her books). So when I heard about her next installment I knew I had to read it. It did not disappoint in the least.

(buy the book here)

The Indigo Stone is about a young girl named Eine who is orphaned and alone for most of her seventeen years living on the streets in a city where it almost never stops raining. She has never ventured far from her little home under a cart that was filled with garbage (picking it knowing others would not try to take it), unless to steal food from shops around town. She was not extravagant in her thieving only taking what she needed, which was heartbreaking in itself. All that changed when she met a boy that she named "Noname" for he would not tell her his actual name - although some called him "Ney". From then on she was whisked away from her life and into another learning all she could from her companions (Ney traveled with a friend Anda). She was smart and knew things (memories) from her past, but that still did not stop her from being confused about the outside world often. A quick study, and a heart of gold made her two companions treat her fairly. They both cared for her very much, although it took some convincing to let her go with them out of her original city. There journey through the pages is a great big fun puzzle that you have to figure out with every twist and turn that comes the "heroes" way.

If you like paranormal fantasy's then I think you'll like this one. Filled with powers, relate-able characters, and a beautiful world detailed well by the author. You root for the good guys, and if you are like me, you'll enjoy watching Eine become the person she is suppose to with room to grow.

My first choice was Robin Williams for Anda (R.I.P.), and I know Noname is suppose to be 20 with no scruff on his face, but that is easily fixed.

OUAT (Once Upon a Time)

                            

(photo found via google search: not up to date)

Grimm mixed with Disney? Yes please. This show has become my greatest obsession since it aired (along with a few other lovely shows). There are so many reasons I am drawn to this show (the costumes; both fantasy land and “real world”, the wit, the drama, the fantasy…), but to me it is a really inspiring show on so many levels. I also truly love how it's not just a Grimm/Disney hybrid; it is it's own show that uses it's own spin on the stories we have known via either outlet (or both).

It makes you have characters you love, ones you hate and then by a switch you are loving the ones you hated. That is good writing!!

The quotes! How many great quotes are there? A TON.

I do not know about you, but once OUAT comes back my writing seems to sky rocket. I love love when inspiration bamboozles you and kicks your butt into high gear even if the content is not the same as your own.

So thank you OUAT for continuing to bring out the little girl in me, the writer in me, and to have an hour to lose myself in the fantasy of your world.

I cannot wait to see what next season holds!! Ah summer breaks seem so long. Maybe it'll be re-watch via Netflix. And than more writing for me.

Who's your favorite characters?

(Fairville Woods Series) Into the Ashes & Through the Eyes

 

(click to buy)

Book #1: Besides being a fantasy junkie, I also love "olden times" based books. What I truly love about From the Ashes is that both characters were born in another time (early 1900's), yet it takes place much later than that. Olden times with a modern day twist! It also consists of romance, supernatural, and curses. From the moment you start reading you want to see what happens to Lundy, a beautiful young girl that is possibly dying. This is not just her story, but the captivating Harlan's as well. You root for them every step of the way in hopes of a happy ending. Simone Snaith does not disappoint with her twists and turns, and beautifully written words. Without giving too much away, the story guides you on a special journey the two take together not just for love, but for Lundy. Soul mates if it ever existed would be these two, and it is shown from the first moment they meet. It is not just a love story though, it is about overcoming destiny and making it up as one goes along. Just wait until you get to the ending, and the great thing is you do not have to wait for the second in the series!

First off: Congratulations to author, Simone Snaith for finishing and getting the sequel out. 

Book #2: Through the Eyes is the thrilling sequel to From the Ashes and it is filled with all the greatness of the first, but continued further. Simone Snaith has really taken the time to nurture the series and remain true to the first book. Although the curse has changed, which changes one of the characters slightly (enough to tell even from the beginning), it does not differ from the hopes one might have for Lundy and Harlan to get their happy ending. If anything, it makes you convinced they will, but with all the twists within you get the elusive feeling it may not end as well as you thought. I also loved how new characters are added, which makes it a bit more realistic, and lends to the new content fairly well. The ending wrap up of the book was fantastic, and although I wished for a few things to be different; it was a great ending. 

Vampires. Ghosts. Curses. True Love. = A recipe for greatness. 

*Another wonderful read that you do not want to put down and you definitely do not want to end. It will suck you in and possibly keep you an insomniac due to not wanting to put the book down and dreaming of a love like there's. 

 

OR

 

Harlan has not changed (although he'd need a wig) for my pick for the actor, but for the actress I'm torn between the two of these.