Traitor's Hope by Virginia McClain

AUTHOR: Virginia McClain
SERIES: Chronicles of Gensokai
PUBLISHER: Artemis Dingo Productions
PUBLICATION DATE: October 14, 2017
PAGES: N/A
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:
Traitors lurk around every bend. Mishi’s mind is betraying her, and she fears her kisō and katana will betray her next. Taka’s heart abandons her for a person she cannot possibly trust. Now that the two friends are obliged to help re-establish peace in the land of Gensokai, the only question is where the next betrayal will come from and if Mishi and Taka will have the strength to survive it.

 

 

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MY RATING: I was not aware that the Traitor's Hope is the sequel to the Chronicles of Gensokai series. But despite that this is second installment already and that I still haven't read the first book in the series, Blade's Edge, I was able to still follow what the story is all about. After the battle in Roju City, Mishi felt that she's broken because of what happened, but she still wants to seek out new female kisoshi, or an elite warrior. During the battle, Mishi would have died if Taka, a healer, wasn't able to save her. Mishi used so much of her kiso (fire) power during the battle that results to her fear that she might harm others because thought that she can't control it. However, Tsuku-san and Yanagi-Sensei told her that she must her kiso daily because it will help her channel it and will make it grow. Mishi was tasked by the New Council to fight once more, but she tried to decline because she thought she can no longer do it. Nevertheless, she still accepted the offer and together with the natural tracker Mitsu, they were assigned by Tsuku-san to track the group(s) of sanzoku or the mountain bandits. The former enemy Kusuko, a hishi or an assassin, became an ally during the battle of Roju. Yet, Mishi was still cautious of this former ex-foe because Kusuko killed Sachi, which can be read in Blade's Edge. But Kusuko was able to prove that she's no longer an enemy when she was able to protect Taka from her own father, Mamushi-san. Traitor's Hope is quite a long novel and I'm not familiar with the Japanese words/terms, but the author included a glossary of terms in the beginning of the book for easy access. The storyline is unique and those who are fascinated with the East Asia or Japanese culture, as well as fantasy fiction novels, this book by Virginia McClain will certainly enthralled them.

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Stella Maris by Marita A. Hansen

AUTHOR: Marita A. Hansen
SERIES: The Legendary Rosaries
PUBLISHER: Brave New Words
PUBLICATION DATE: September 9, 2017
PAGES: 438
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:
At her first Confirmation lesson, Catherine Lovich is given a beautiful rosary known as the Stella Maris. Unaware of the danger attached to it, she accepts the gift, soon discovering that each bead on the rosary holds a unique power, powers that only Merges can use. Descended from angels and demons, Merges have the innate ability to manipulate the elements as well as bring the past to the present through dreams.

After meeting Christopher Laboure on her first day back at Agnaru High, Catherine learns that the arrogant but heavenly-looking boy is a Merge—like herself. But unlike Catherine, Christopher is a Seraph, a Merge who controls the fire beads.

When a heated kiss goes wrong, Christopher finds out that Catherine is wearing the Stella Maris—the water rosary his grandfather wants to destroy.

Along with its owner.

STELLA MARIS will transport you into a realm where nothing is what it seems and everything holds hidden danger.

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MY RATING: Stella Maris has a solid foundation as a novel because the plot is quite intriguing and Hansen made the story very appealing; especially to those who are fond of paranormal topics, e.g. seraphs and fallen angels. I love the story, it's just that the pacing is slow and I can't believe that there will be a succeeding book after this.  Stella Maris has a solid foundation as a novel because the plot is quite intriguing and Hansen made the story very appealing; especially to those who are fond of paranormal topics, e.g. seraphs and fallen angels. I love the story, it's just that the pacing is slow and I can't believe that there will be a succeeding book after this. I was anticipating the battle between Catherine and Christopher's father, which was put near the end and I'm a little dismay because it was not what I've expected it to be. I envisioned some action-pack duel among them but it was like a petty fight when I've read it. One major complaint I have about this young adult fantasy novel of Marita A. Hansen is that it's quite long! I reckon I skipped almost 30% of the book because some parts are not really that important and could be remove without making any drastic effect to the novel. Lastly, I believe that the author could have squeeze the whole story of Catherine and Christopher in one single novel. There's no need for second installment if Hansen would have omit trivial and dragging parts in this book, especially the numerous necking scenes of the two protagonist.

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Morning Sun by Jeremy Flagg

AUTHOR: Jeremy Flagg
SERIES: Children of Nostradamus
PUBLISHER: Brave New Words
PUBLICATION DATE: May 1, 2017
PAGES: 270
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:
Before their paths crossed…
Before a fragile thread connected their futures...
Before they found themselves humanity's last hope...

The Nighthawks stood alone.

Armed with visions from the future, Eleanor P. Valentine is about to change the fate of eleven would-be heroes in a last ditch effort to save mankind.

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MY RATING: Morning Sun, the first novel in the Children of Nostradamus series, is quite unexpected to be this astonishing. It is a prelude to the series which narrates the stories of each mentalists or the so-called children of Nostradamus, and it also compiles all the individual letters of the psychic Eleanor to them. Some of these extraordinary people possessed different kind of special abilities, just like the power to become invisible or super strength, which the government tries to suppressed. Because of this, they have to hide their identity or they will be subject to the government's experimentation. If you enjoy reading suspense and action-pack scenarios as much as I do, then this book is for you to devour. This introduction of these children of Nostradamus was incredibly written and you'll certainly want to read the succeeding book, Nighthawks, after you're done reading this.

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