Mommy and Daddy's Day with Running With the Wolves by J.E. Reed

Every so often, I have a Mommy and Daddy's Day here on Bookworm for Kids. After all, parents like to read too. These books do not have content any more or less appropriate than a young adult novel...in other words, nothing you need to hide under your bed. Today's book is a fantasy/gamer novel and it's packed with action. There are absolutely no 'elicit' scenes. There is violence, but nothing over the top or overly gory...just fitting to battles with monsters, magic, swords and such.

RUNNING WITH THE WOLVES

The Chronopoint Chronicles, Book 1

by J.E. Reed

BHC Press/Indigo

Fantasy/Gamer

296 pages

Ten realms will test everything.

For two years she led an alliance, forming bonds with people from around the world—but someone was watching. Chronopoint was only meant to be a game, until she found herself trapped in that world.

Fighting to survive, Kiuno discovers she’s not the only player who has been thrown into this strange land. Hideous, twisted monsters only seen in nightmares plague their every move. Untold powers lie at the hands of the chosen and flames dance at her fingertips.

Can Kiuno find the players from her alliance or will she be too late and discover death has taken far more than she ever imagined?

       

MY TIDBITS

Survival, magic and the unbreakable desire to save a spouse, make this into an action packed read full of heart.

Kiuno wakes up to find herself in the real life version of her favorite game. While the rumors and theories about how everyone was transported to this game are terrifying all on their own, this problem is shoved to the back of the line thanks to the basic need to first survive and win the game...if that's even possible. With a few new found friends, she starts the search for her husband, hoping he's survived not only the game's threats, but the unknown ones as well. When the run-in with a traveling group not only brings more information, but also reveals her ability to wield magic, things take a difficult turn. Kiuno not only has to head for the 'front line' of fighters, who are trying to win the game to save everyone caught inside, but she wears the stone, which identifies her as the mysterious magic wielder, who has the ability to save them all or destroy everything.

I'd read a novella, which belongs to this series, first but was left confused. After diving into the real first book, however, I'm now a fan. Kiuno is a thirty-something woman, who loves her husband and seems to be a pretty normal person, who simply enjoys gaming. She has a good head on her shoulders, knows basic survival skills thanks to a few camping trips, and is capable of learning. She's kind, listens, loyal and will give anything to protect those she cares for. And it's the later of these, which draws so many people to her side. She's a power-girl, who doesn't start out that way and is thrust into the position thanks to fate...and embraces it as well as she can. Which isn't always perfect, and that's what makes her a great heroine.

Kiuno has a knack for drawing others, especially men, to her side, and while she allows strong friendships to form, it never crosses the line into anything else. Her loyalty to her husband was inspiring and simply nice to see. And it doesn't hurt the story in any way.

Action is ever present because this is a dangerous world. It builds slowly as the levels in a game would, starting with a gentle realm and growing more deadly every step up. Creatures aren't the only threat as the author displays the ugly side of human nature and the desire to survive as well. Still, friendship is key and gives tons of hope. We get character depth, inspiration, a story that keeps the reader at the edge of their seat, and heroes/heroines who are easy to connect with and root for.

I'm giving this one two-thumbs up and looking forward to diving into the next book in the series.

Review: Feral Magic by J.E. Reed

FERAL MAGIC

The Chronopoint Chronicles, Origins

Volume 1: Vixen

by J.E. Reed

YA Science Fiction / Fantasy

A deadly race for survival. Not everyone will win.

Vixin isn't her real name and this isn't home. Unlike most girls her age, Vixin never found herself fascinated with pretty dresses or shoes. She much preferred the feel of a blade in her hand or the rush of the kill while hunting. But that was before this world. Now those skills are the only thing separating her from predator or prey.

Thieving isn't exactly what she had in mind, but when Vixin runs across a small band she joins them, her attention shifting from survival to the young man leading their troupe. But death lingers and what started as a fun endeavor quickly turns her into the hunted.

With new allies, Vixin is forced to implement everything her father taught her, not only to keep herself alive but her newfound friends as well.

Can Vixin learn to control her magic and work with a team or will they all be added to this world's ever-growing body count?

Feral Magic is the first spinoff from Reed's gripping Chronopoint Chronicles YA/NA fantasy series. If you like strong heroines, fast-paced action, and unique magic, then you'll love J.E. Reed's thrilling tale.

This book can be read as a standalone.

    

MY TIDBITS

A fierce, gamer world comes to life in a mixture of science fiction and fantasy in this fast-paced tale.

Vixin wakes up to find herself in the middle of a forest. Alone. Although trained by her father for survival since birth, he's never left her side. But not only is her father missing, the world is one which she doesn't recognize. After rescuing two boys from an attack, she decides to raid a settlement for much needed supplies but finds herself caught up in a larger group, which planned the same thing. These claim she's caught up in a game, one which can only end when someone makes it to the last level and wins. But not only does the game hold extreme dangers, the other players are just as deadly. Add the sudden influx of magic, which she needs to learn how to control and emotions for the head of the group, which she doesn't understand, and the game becomes much more complicated that it first appears.

Vixin is a pure, kick-butt heroine, who is a force not to be ignored, and when magic is added...hers, of course, exceedingly strong and easy for her to control...she's downright deadly. Her attitude matches this, thanks to the fact that she was raised alone by her father and had little outside contact. So, she's a bit snarky, thinks very highly of her skills (and rightly so), and would be a bit intolerable if it weren't for her hidden heart of gold...which she hates to admit to. Her love interest is the exact opposite. He might be a deadly force all on his own, but his eyes are on helping those who need help. The contrast between the two causes high tension and sparks to fly, which promises to make an exciting mix and the romance front for this series.

Outside of the romance, this tale packs tons of fight scenes. It's a deadly world and the author keeps it that way most of the way through. The action is well described and makes it hard to put the book down, since something deadly is bound to pop up just around the next bend. So, action fans, this book will fulfill your desires on that end.

While the romance is strong and the action pulls from one scene to the next, the other aspects paled a little in comparison. The world building, description wise, is well down. It's a treat to head through the forests and raid the settlements or hide in the dark places right along with the heroes. But the background behind the world and the characters is missing. Vixin pops up in the first chapter, but we learn very little about her other than that she's kick-butt and raised alone with her father. The other characters don't hold much more depth. It's also not clear why they are in a game, how they got there, what the purpose is...nor are they concerned about it. Vixin isn't even really concerned about returning to her father. The plot is just as loose. They need to make it through, but it's not clear how or to what end.

Writing wise, the book is well done. The dialogue sits, the scenes sit and the tension is high. It is a fun book to read but simply missed the 'meat' of the tale for me. But those who love action and are thrilled to simply dive into a building romance and follow that the whole way through will enjoy the fun.