Inside the Wong Mind

Book Review: Siren’s Fury by Mary Weber

Siren’s Fury
by Mary Weber
Rating: 3/5
Book Two of the Storm Siren Trilogy
Thomas Nelson – Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic | General

After saving Faelen from Draewulf, Nym finds herself without her special Elemental powers and finds her love, Eogan, has been possessed by Draewulf. As the new king of Bron, Draewulf (as Eogan) has more influence than Nym is willing to allow. She finds a way to travel with a group of delegates from Faelen to monitor and try to stop Draewulf as he returns to Bron.

When Nym forms an alliance with Lord Myles who promises a way to unlock more power and free Eogan from Draewulf’s power, she opens a door that may require more from her than she could even imagine. Can Nym discover a power that will give her the strength to save the man she loves and prevent Draewulf from gaining more power?

I really enjoyed the first book, Storm Siren, and was excited to read the second in the trilogy since the first book ended on a cliffhanger. Nym is such an interesting character and I really enjoyed the glimpses into her inner thoughts and her journey to finding her powers. As much as I enjoyed the continuing saga, I didn’t feel this book was as gripping as the first. It was good but it wasn’t like I couldn’t put it down.

I still recommend the book to anyone who enjoyed the first in the series and enjoys a good young adult story with fantasy and magic.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

June 16, 2015 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: In Firefly Valley by Amanda Cabot

In Firefly Valley
by Amanda Cabot
Rating: 4/5
Book 2 in the Texas Crossroads series
Revell – Fiction | Contemporary Fiction

After losing her job, Marisa St. George returns to her hometown of Dupree, Texas, where she has accepted a business manager position at the newly renovated Rainbow’s End resort. The resort is about to have its grand opening, but they already have one mysterious guest, Blake Kendall, a friend of the owner’s.

Blake is in need of some rest and relaxation, since he’s tried everything to get over his writer’s block. His trip to Dupree could be just what he needs to feel inspired again. As a successful author, he’s kept his identity a secret by using a pseudonym. He believes his stories are just entertaining and nothing more; however, Marisa unknowingly hates his books and how his main character glorifies smoking and especially drinking. The attraction between Marisa and Blake is practically electric, but will Blake’s secret drive them apart? Can Marisa learn to forgive and forget the past?

Amanda Cabot really knows how to create characters that I want to root for and get to know. In this second installment in the Texas Crossroads series, I got to reconnect with the characters from the previous book, At Bluebonnet Lake, and find out what’s been happening. I was immediately thrown into this small Texas town with its quirky but lovable characters and nuances. The characters have to deal with real life situations that make them so relatable. She expertly weaves faith throughout the story in a way that makes me want to read more!

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys light, fun, contemporary romances.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

May 22, 2015 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: Storm Siren by Mary Weber

Storm Siren
by Mary Weber
Rating: 4/5
Book One in the Storm Siren Trilogy
Thomas Nelson – Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic | General

There’s just something about the first book in a series by a new author that is so fun and exciting to be a part of. Meet Nym, a 17-year-old slave who is living in Faelen, a kingdom at war with Bron. Not only is she a slave, she also has insane powers that she can’t control — she is an Elemental and she should not even exist since there has never been a female Elemental before. As an Elemental, she can influence the weather depending on her moods, but she can’t control her powers. Probably one of the last of her race, she is an anomaly and a self-proclaimed murderer. When a woman of importance sees her powers in action, she immediately buys Nym and has Eogan train her to control her powers. Caught up in a political war, Nym is Faelen’s secret weapon if she can learn to control her powers.

After seeing that this book was nominated for a 2014 award, I knew that I had to read it — YA and by Thomas Nelson? Count me in. I looked the book up and found it was available at my local public library! Woohoo! I had it put on hold for me and was able to go pick it up and read for FREE. I do love a good library find.

I absolutely loved this book. The story is fast-paced and exciting. I loved all of the fantasy and magical aspects of the story. I wish Nym and Eogan were real. HAHA. I enjoyed Weber’s world building and am definitely excited to read more. Of course, the ending had me running to read the ARC for the next book, Siren’s Fury, which comes out next month; it also does not disappoint (review to come).

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun, exciting, young adult read with fantasy and magical elements.