Stanly Benson reads: ya fantasy

Book Review: Cry Wolf by Greta Stone // Giveaway

Cry Wolf
Greta Stone
Publication date: March 1st 2017
Genres: Gothic, New Adult, Paranormal Romance

Peter is a kitsune. Chaos follows him wherever he goes. Good intentions, bad intentions—it doesn’t matter. Even mimicking the howl of a friend he hasn’t seen in over a decade turns out to have disastrous consequences.
The wolf doesn’t have a name. For now, he goes by Luca. He has no past, and as an escaped slave, if he can’t stay hidden in the shadows, he’ll have no future. When someone steals his howl, he’s drawn to investigate, and ends up saddled with a mouthy fox who insists they used to be friends once upon a time.
Petty problems and a dubious reunion are pushed aside the longer they’re stranded together. The Underwood is a dangerous place.
They have two choices: work together or die.
Join Greta Stone in a dark paranormal MM romance retelling of Aesop’s fable, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and David P. Mannix’s classic novel, The Fox and the Hound.

Goodreads / Amazon

MY THOUGHTS:

Nostalgic...

Ok, hold up a second. I need to recover from this awesomeness that is Cry Wolf. Reading this book, i was constantly hit with some serious high level nostalgia. The story brought back memories from when i was younger. In fact somewhere between reading the book, i broke out into one of the old nursery rhymes i learnt way back in primary school about stories of the boy who cried wolf and that one about the old lady who lived in a shoe.

While i enjoyed the story, i must admit it took great effort as i had to concentrate on each word due to excess world building of New Gotham, overly detailed descriptions drawn from ancient fairy-tale and a whole lot of mythical creatures (not that it is necessarily a bad thing) but i must admit it kinda slowed me down and made the entire reading process very not so enjoyable. Looking past all of that, i found this book very unputdownable.

I give the author an A+ for brilliantly telling us about the main characters but not out rightly raveling them until much letter in the story. This technique kept flipping through the pages wondering what the heck was going to happen next. Greta slowly opened up the characters to us like an onion, each layer holding its own level of darkness which i loved (if you are a bit not into the dark side, you may want to read this one with the lights on.)

Because the main characters had been separated for so long, it took them a really long time to start trusting each other again and build back up a friendship. They didn't jump all over each other the second they met up again, which is the case with a lot of shifter romances. There was definitely attraction on both sides, but things developed slowly and carefully.

I highly recommend this book to all members of the dark side (if your not there, common over to the dark-side, we have cookies and awesome stories like Cry Wolf.) This book if meant 18+ only, there are lots of stomach rolling M/M action going on. I really hope that Greta Stone will have a lot more in store for Peter and Luca because i really feel that their story is not yet over.

Have you read this book yet? Let me know your thoughts about it in the comment section.

Thank you for reading.

~ Stanly.

Author Bio:
Greta is the unruly offspring of a tiger and a dragon. She spends most of her time reading, stalking her favorite musicians, and harassing other authors with pranks.
Underwood District Series (MM Romance/UF)
Cry Wolf - Book 1
Cry Wolf: Mating Season - Book 1.5
Take a Tour of New Gotham: www.brimstonepub.com
Sign up for GRETA STONE'S MAILING LIST and receive access to a bonus adventure featuring Peter and Luca.(Their fates might be changed forever.)
Copy and paste to join my newsletter: tinyurl.com/l99rh6m

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Newsletter

GIVEAWAYS!

eBook giveaways: The first 5 people to comment on ANY tour post (given on each day) will automatically win a free e-book copy of Cry Wolf. Greta will keep tally and submit prizes at the end of each tour day.

Take a trip to New Gotham!
A paid vacation to New Gotham is an expensive affair. I found a witch who specializes in crafting gatestones. These magical pendants are used for traveling between dimensions. The bauble offered as a contest prize should take the winner to Avaline’s Trees. Keep in mind, gatestones are touchy things. It might not do anything at all. Or you might up in oblivion. Good luck with that. We’ll read about it in the papers, no doubt.

Elderstone Keys – What’s the big deal?
There is a house in New Gotham that is rumored to be haunted. No one has lived in it since the Great Depression, and no one can recall what its last occupants looked like, what they did for a living or where they went. Only one is fated to enter and learn its secrets. Anytime I host a contest, I give away keys to Elderstone. The person who collects ten of them is fated to own the house. Among their keys, they’ll have the mystical key that opens the door. (More information)

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Book Review: Trapped in Silver by Emily Sowden

book reviews

BOOK TITLE: Trapped in Silver

AUTHOR: Emily Sowden

GENRE: YA, Fantasy

PUBLISHER: OfTomes Publishing

RELEASE: February 2017

RATINGS: 5 stars

Synopsis:
Courage comes from a shadowed place in our hearts; a blurred line that straddles love and sheer stupidity.
To seventeen-year-old Ava, wild woodcats, hungry stragglers, and simple-minded townsfolk are the evils she’s grown accustomed to. But when Ethan, an unusual man with eyes of smoke and fire opal, enters her world she quickly understands that there are worse things out there than drunken men and carnivorous forest creatures. She’s a specialised liar and a hell of a fighter, but against a group of animalistic men called Berserkers she struggles to survive the encounter as the desperate swing of a dagger is all it takes to change her life for good.
Half-dead and hunted by the Berserker’s leader when he forms a monstrous obsession with her, Ava escapes his pursuit in an unfamiliar land full of impossible creatures, unlikely allies, and the man she doesn’t know whether to kiss or kill.
But after dreadful news of her missing brother surfaces, Ava becomes more involved in the centuries-long war and begins to unravel the reasons behind her relentless nightmares, discovering truths long-buried in a violent history of love, loss and betrayal.

MY THOUGHTS

"Compulsively unputdownable, cancel all your plans, get ready to be obsessed. Good bye real world." _ Stanly Benson

This book has got it all; from the amazing world building to the fast paced, page turning action and magic with a hot dish of romance served on the side.

I got to to read an advanced readers copy (ARC) late year and re-read it last week, I remember hitting twitter to confess my undying love for this compulsively unputdownable book to the author. Trapped In Silver will be sure to hit lots of best seller lists after it's released in a few weeks.

This book has such a strong voice that stays consistent through out, the main character Ava is an amazing kick-ass lead that readers are going to fall in love it - I did from the first page of the book -. Trapped In silver is filled with intrigue, suspense and mystery which had me on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out what will happen next (sadly with little success) and I think this is a great element for any story. Also, the fascinating mix of characters, the seamless blend of creatures both common to popular culture and new fictitious ones just got me dying over and over again for the brilliance of Emily Sowden.

Another element I loved about the book has to be how the author cleverly incorporates family life into this story which is something I think more YA authors should do especially in high fantasy. It kinda gave the book a lot more natural feel while reading it. Don't even get me started with the relationship drama, seriously the question will they or won't they get together? burned through my head as I raced against time to finish this book. I kept convincing my self that I'll drop the book immediately after the next chapter (am sure you know how that turned out),next thing I know it's 5 am and I remember having an early meeting slated for 8 am that morning.

Emily has created a world with characters that will edge you to keep trying to seek out exactly what makes them tick (good bye real world.)

Then there was the whole #TeamDemon and #TeamBerserker thing which just sky rocketed my emotions (great marketing @OfTomes publishing.) Btw I was put on team demon (duh!) Actually i think am just on #TeamEthan... That guy is my new mancrush everyday.

I don't want to give anything away and trust me it is really hard not to, the book comes out February 7th in print and e-book. I've already put myself on auto buy mode for it and other books in the series. Seriously if someone sent me this book as a valentines day gift I would flip out. Trapped In silver is definitely one of the books that made my 2016 awesome.

Emily has defiantly got something strong going on with this book and I can bet that she is about to become the next big thing in High Fantasy. I highly recommend this book to everyone, add it to your TBR list, trust me, you won't regret it. As you know it's not everyday I dish out 5 stars. Now Go! Go!! Go!!! And experience the amazingly heart racing work that is Trapped In Silver.

AUTHOR BIO

Ever since I was a kiddie there have been four things I've been obsessed with: reading, writing, video games and tea.

Coming from a large, scatty family, Mum gave me a love of reading (judge that from the book piles creeping up the walls and shoved under desks) and Dad gave me a grand love of technology.

When I'm not sneaking in time to write another chapter I can be be found news editing for Pocket Gamer and flailing about the new products coming out. I'll also be found getting slowly suffocated by my fluffy ragdoll cat, Indy.

My debut novel, Trapped in Silver, is due for release February 2017.

NOTICE: I received a eARC of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. All of the preceding are without any influence of the author or publisher

Thank you for reading,

~ Stanly.

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Release Blitz:Emerge Beyond Circles by John Geers

Blog tour

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Author Spotlight: SJ Kincaid

Author spotlight

Happy New Year to all of you. I hope you are had a graceful transition into the new year. I wish you the most prosperous New Year.

Now to business.

The first time i saw the work of Kincaid, i literarily fell off my chair. So imagine my shock when she agreed to do an interview for SB Reads. Usually i would rand for a bit about who she is but i will let you read it for yourself. Check it out.

1.) Hi! Welcome to SB Reads. Can you tell us about your background as an author?

Thanks, Stanly. I'm the author of the INSIGNIA trilogy, and THE DIABOLIC!

2) What got you into writing?
I started writing when I was very young because my sister loved writing, and I wanted to be just like her. Fortunately, I kept writing! After having a few pretty awful jobs out of college, I threw myself into trying to get my writing published. It was a job I could actually envision loving-- and I do.

3.) What was the first idea you had for your book, and how did the story grow from there?
My first idea was a YA take on an old BBC series called I, CLAUDIUS, focusing upon a man who survives his murderous royal family by playing a fool. I gave several shots to writing this story, starting with a fantasy version of Rome, then a comedic take, then a serious space take that wasn't working, then I abandoned the idea and focused upon this intriguing character named Nemesis... Then I realized she was going to be the main character of my YA I, CLAUDIUS and the rest were going to be background to her.

4.) Among your characters, who's your favorite? Could you please describe him/her?
I would have to say Cygna. I absolutely love diabolical villains, and she is my 'Livia' character (I, CLAUDIUS reference). Scheming old grandmothers are great fun to write.

5.) What's your favorite scene from your novel? Could you please describe it?
My favorite has to be a big moment when Nemesis makes a decision to begin pursuing a different sort of life than she's ever lived before. It's a big turning point for the narrative and for her, and it just came to me so smoothly.

6.) What's your favorite part of writing? Plotting? Describing scenes? Dialogue?
I love first-drafts. They are so much fun for me, and it's only in rewriting that I agonize at all. I love envisioning the scenes ahead of time and then materializing them on paper. It's a real joy.

7.) How long does it take you to write a book? Do you have a writing process, or do you wing it?
I took my time with THE DIABOLIC and wrote here and there as I was inspired, so it took about six months. I've taken as long as two years, and as little time as nineteen days... Though my nineteen-day books are generally not so good. Taking my time allows ideas to percolate in my brain longer, but often I'm just really into what I'm writing and want to charge through it.

8.) What is it about the genre you chose that appeals to you?
You're writing about characters in their formative years, when they are becoming the adult they will be, rather than needing to focus upon someone already rigidly formed. You're also writing about people with a thirst for autonomy but a lack of it, and I find that contrast so interesting.

10.) Are there any books or writers that have had particular influence on you?
LEGACY by Susan Kay. That book changed my life.

11.) Did you ever surprise yourself when you were writing your book? Characters who took on lives of their own? Plot elements that took unexpected turns?
Yes, my original big bad (evil Emperor) was not really catching my interest, and I found myself stoking a secondary big bad (my evil grandma) that I enjoyed so much more... So I went with that. And I loved it. Those parts that surprise you are a joy of the writing process that as a plotter, I think I've come to appreciate much more.

Thanks, Stanly!

That's it guys. SJ is such an amazing person. Let me know what you think of her down below in the comment section.

Thank you for reading
- Stanly.

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Book Review: Magnus Chase and the gods of asgard - THE HAMMER OF THOR

book reviews

BOOK TITLE: Hammer Of Thor

AUTHOR: Rick Riordan

GENRE: YA, Fantasy,

PAGES: 471

PUBLISHER: Disney Hyperion

RELEASE: October2016

RATINGS: 5 stars

Synopsis:

Thor's hammer is missing again. The thunder god has a disturbing habit of misplacing his weapon--the mightiest force in the Nine Worlds. But this time the hammer isn't just lost, it has fallen into enemy hands. If Magnus Chase and his friends can't retrieve the hammer quickly, the mortal worlds will be defenseless against an onslaught of giants. Ragnarok will begin. The Nine Worlds will burn. Unfortunately, the only person who can broker a deal for the hammer's return is the gods' worst enemy, Loki--and the price he wants is very high.

MY THOUGHTS

When I got the first book in the Magnus Chase series, I thought there was no way Uncle Rick was going to top what he created in the Percy Jackson series. Boy was I wrong! He topped it and then some. Now I've finally had the chance to read the second book in the series and I understand why a lot of bloggers and booktubers gushed so much about this book.

As always uncle Rick dropped some serious serving of hilarity in this book. Jack the sword who is my favourite character btw was ever present to lighten the mood when things got heated or inappropriate. Then there was the unconscious thought process, remarks and comebacks from Magnus that got my entire body reverberating from laughter at 3am in the morning.

The story kicks off a few weeks after book one, Thor`s almighty thunder and lightning blasting hammer with a high res screen and a subscription to Netflix is still missing (don't ask.) Magnus and his gang have settled into a somewhat normal life but with high alertness. Our favourite goat gets assassinated by a goat assassin causing Magnus and the gang to get thrust into chain of pulse raising life and death situations. A new character joins the group, Alex a gender fluid son/daughter of Loki who hates his/her father just as much as Sam does, you'd think sharing such intimate hatred like that would be enough to make them get along famously but sadly it's quite the opposite.

Along the way, we are introduced to New friends and foes across the nine worlds. We get a glimpse into Hearths life when the gang made a pit stop at his home in Alphiem (if I went through the ordeal Hearth had to endure, am convinced I would be part of the bad guys.) After all these years we find out that Hearth`s father still blames and resents him for the death of his little brother, we see just how "fatherly" his father truly is. Utgard-Loki aka big boy the most powerful sorcerer of Jotunheim; king of the mountain giants whom we met in book ones makes an appearance in this installment. In beginning I was uncertain about his true intentions especially when I discovered who was disguised as in the beginning of the story.

A surprise wedding is sprung on Sam and a certain gross giant named Thrym who is the son of Thrym who was the son of Thrym who was also the son of Thrym (apparently three male giants in his family before him bore the same name) by her father Loki who shows us just how crafty and tricky he can be. And then there is that epic ending that just made my brain blow up into a gazillion pieces.

Magnus later meets up with Anabeth who tells him it's about time he gets introduced to Percy (I DIED.) If my predictions are correct, we should be expecting to see a certain familiar Greek demigod with green eyes and messy hair aka seaweed brain, aka hero of Olympus aka son of Poseidon aka PERCY JACKSON.

Uncle Rick kept the tone of the story light and very appropriate for the teenage character POV it is told through. As much as I loved the story, I have to admit that I felt as if there were too many unnecessary evilness going. Sure the characters were alive and very carefully created, I could not help but feel like they were always just reacting to whatever the author threw their way, it did not feel as though they were all very actively involved or have any kind of say in what happened to them. In the Percy Jackson series, although it's a suicide act, we often find Percy and his gang standing up to the gods and building their own path. Not that am trying to compare the stories but am sure you get the gist.

All in all, I loved the book and and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. I've put my self on auto-buy mood for the next book in the series titled: The ship of the dead, slated to be released in the fall of 2017.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

RICK RIORDAN, dubbed “storyteller of the gods” by Publishers Weekly, is the author of five New York Times #1 best-selling series, including Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, based on Norse myths. He is best known for his Percy Jackson and the Olympians books, which bring Greek mythology to life for contemporary readers. He expanded on that series with two more: the Heroes of Olympus and the Trials of Apollo, which cleverly combine Greek and Roman gods and heroes with his beloved modern characters.

Rick also tackled the ancient Egyptian gods in the magic-filled Kane Chronicles trilogy. Millions of fans across the globe have enjoyed his fast-paced and funny quest adventures as well as his two #1 best-selling myth collections, Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods and Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes. Rick lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with his wife and two sons. For more information, go to www.rickriordan.com, or follow him on Twitter @camphalfblood

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New story alert!: Descent by J.D. Netto // Giveaway

book recommendation

YAAASSS!!! Am not sure about you but am already building my 2017 "can't wait books" TBR and Descent is definitely one of them.

Before i begin, If you have not read any of the books in the whispers of the fallen series yet, feel free to head to your fav' ebook sites and purchase a copy, take a photo of the book and tag me in it and be entered into a giveaway to win a FREE copy of Descent when it comes out. This contest is international so you can enter from any country.

I only recently discovered that amazing world created by J.D. Netto when OfTomes publishing blessed me with a copy of the first book in the whispers of the fallen series. The book follows two characters as they try to uncover the rumor of the secret diary of Lucifer (yes, THAT! Lucifer...) I already have a review coming up so i think it would be kinda spoilery if i give so much away about the first book i just recently read, be sure to check back soon.

Although i have not yet read the second and third book in the series, i am already looking of forward to read Descent because it is told from the perspective of Lucifer who is kinda the bad guy. Am excited to read his side of the story and see how the story unfolds.

Though I've only read the first book, i can tell you that the whispers of the fallen series is a heart stopping, pulse racing, no dull moment read. I can guarantee that you will be immediately reeled into the riveting world of Elysium.

Have you read any books in the series? If you did i'd like to know your thoughts. And are you looking forward to reading Decent? Let me know in the comment section.

Thank you for reading,

~ Stanly

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in a small town in Brazil, J.D. relocated to the United States during the late years of his childhood. At an early age, J.D. discovered his passion for fantasy stories and alternate universes. Immersed in worlds created by Tolkien, Michael Crichton, C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowling, J.D. found his own writing voice when he had the idea for his first book series. 'What if Lucifer had a Diary? What if the Diary was a secret? What if the secret was a reality?'

These simple questions were the initial spark of inspiration for J.D.'s first literary work. After six years, he self-published his first novel, The Whispers of the Fallen, on November 30th, 2012, which was then picked up by Untreed Reads and re-released in August 2013. The Whispers of the Fallen series has become a prominent presence in YA literature, captivating thousands of readers worldwide. The sequel, Rebellion, was released at BookCon 2014 in New York City. The third book in the series, The Gathering of Shadows, was released on Halloween 2015.

Today, J.D. Netto joined the OfTomes family, a micro-publishing house founded by internet sensation, Benjamin of Tomes.