Showing posts with label Jordan Elizabeth. Show all posts

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Review: Wicked Treasure by Jordan Elizabeth

WICKED TREASURE

Treasure Chronicles, #3

by Jordan Elizabeth

Curiosity Quills

YA Fantasy

311 pages

An asylum patient has a cryptic vision: Clark will overthrow the presidency. She's just insane...right?

When a clockwork lion kidnaps their daughter, Clark and Amethyst's calm new life shatters. Hunting down the beast leads the Grishams and Treasures to a conspiracy not just against Clark, but also against the country.

The conspirators attacked their little girl. An offense like that can’t go ignored. With his old gang at his back, Clark is ready to take on an abandoned circus, dethroned royalty, a corrupt orphanage, and the presidency itself.

WICKED TREASURE is the third installment of the Treasure Chronicles.

MY TIDBITS

This is one of those books which has so many different aspects that it's hard to shove it into one specific genre drawer.

A young woman, who's been locked away in an asylum for years, predicts that Clark will take over the presidency. This sets off a string of events, which leads to the kidnapping of Clark and Amethyst's daughter. These two will stop at nothing to get their daughter back, unleashing a wave of revealed conspiracy and adventure.

This is the third book in the series, and I was really looking forward to diving in. Although this book doesn't hang on to the plot from the first two, it's easier to understand the characters and their style after reading the rest of the series. However, it is possible to jump into this one as a stand alone.

Unlike the first two books, the steampunk elements back down and government conspiracy fills the left over holes. This gives the entire book a different direction, which leaves Steampunk fans a little unsatisfied. On the other hands, fans of conspiracy and history will be a little more in their element. The characters, Clark and Amethyst, are still as strong-headed and courageous as before. They don't back down and take on anyone and anything to get their daughter back. It's hard not to get caught up in their struggle and cheer them on. The dark style and romantic elements hold strong as they always have for these two characters.

The plot runs a little differently than in the rest of the series, but it grabs just as much. With a captivating writing style, the author brings the world to life and keeps the tension high. The characters and their motives are layered with intrigue and shadows, adding twists and turns at unexpected times. Especially the addition of Samantha brings a nice sub-plot and puts a new dimension to the story. There were a few moments when confusion sets in, and some characters' actions fell a bit out of sync, but it wasn't enough to make me want to lay the book down. I still needed to see how things turned out in the end.

Summed up, this book takes a different turn to the rest of the series but is just as engaging and holds many surprises. Especially fans of action, paranormal, history and conspiracy will enjoy giving this a read.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and enjoyed it enough to want to freely leave my thoughts.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Review: Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth

COGLING

by Jordan Elizabeth

Curiosity Quills Press

Middle Grade Fantasy

Date of Release: January 25, 2016

Cover Artist: Mandie Manzano

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads

When fifteen-year-old Edna Mather tears an expensive and unfamiliar pocket watch off her little brother’s neck, he crumbles into a pile of cogs right before her eyes. Horrified, Edna flees for help, but encounters Ike, a thief who attempts to steal the watch before he realizes what it is: a device to power Coglings—clockwork changelings left in place of stolen children who have been forced to work in factories.

Desperate to rescue her brother, Edna sets off across the kingdom to the hags’ swamp, with Ike in tow. There, they learn Coglings are also replacing nobility so the hags can stage a rebellion and rule over humanity. Edna and Ike must stop the revolt, but the populace believes hags are helpful godmothers and healers. No one wants to believe a lowly servant and a thief, especially when Ike has secrets that label them both as traitors.

Together, Edna and Ike must make the kingdom trust them or stop the hags themselves, even if Ike is forced to embrace his dark heritage and Edna must surrender her family.

MY TIDBITS

I've had the pleasure of reading several of this author's books, and although I was sure this would be a fun, steampunk adventure, I was surprised to find that it was so much more than that.

This book opens up to a wondrous, fantastical world, where hags, magic, kings, humans and all sorts of other amazing things fall into place as naturally as if this world had always been there. Even new creatures fall smoothly into place, never feeling forced or foreign. And the characters. . .well, let's just say they are a real treat.

Edna Mather had my complete attention from the very first page. Her background is one of courage, hardship and love. She has a fighting spirit and is ready to sacrifice all to save her brother. It's impossible not to cheer her on as she storms off against all odds to save him, but still, never really takes on an overly self-assured role. She has moments of doubt, moments of weakness, and a secret which she's sure will ruin everything if ever found out. Her reactions are always level-headed, and there are times where fear almost gets the better of her. In other words, she feels very real and is one of those characters which burrows their way into a reader's heart.

There's also a heroic young man, Ike, who never wavers from Edna's side...one that will have girls reading this wrapped around his finger. Rachel is a girl Edna will never come to terms with but fate seems to have fun with the idea that they might. And there's the brother, a sibling even the reader's will want to protect. Even the other characters, and there are many of them, each have their own personality and add a nice touch whenever they appear. I've found favorites among them too.

This is an adventurous story with lots of action, danger and simply tense scenes. I was so drawn in that I couldn't put this book down until I hit the very last page. There were tons of twists and turns, unexpected moments where I sat on the edge of my seat, insurmountable odds and times when it seemed like the main characters might just have to give up.

Readers ages 10 and especially tweens will enjoy this. I wouldn't recommended it to readers younger than this due to a few gruesome scenes. But the older end of the middle grade audience will appreciate the sweet romance, slightly older characters (15 and 17), and the longer story length.

Summed up, this was a read that not only met my expectations but blew them away. The steampunk elements are present, but there are so many other magical and mystical creatures involved that it takes on more of a fairy tale feeling. Readers ages 10+ who enjoy getting lost in fantasy worlds with princes and magic and heroines with hearts of gold will love getting lost in these pages. I hope there are more adventures like this one to come.

And here she is. . .

JORDAN ELIZABETH!!!

Jordan Elizabeth, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, writes down her nightmares in order to live her dreams. With an eclectic job history of working as a college professor; historic costumed interpreter at Fort Stanwix, Victorian Leisure Fair, and Mayfaire on the Green; office specialist; sales clerk; election inspector; and trainer, she is now diving into the world of author.It happens to be her favorite one.

When she’s not creating art or searching for lost history in the woods, she’s updating her blog, Kissed by Literature. Jordan is the president of the Utica Writers Club and maintains JordanElizabethMierek.com.

She roams Central New York, but she loves to travel. A great deal of time has been spent in a rural town very similar to Arnn, the setting of her novel ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW.

Find the author Online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Curiosity Quills Press (CQ) is a small hybrid publishing company specializing in genre fiction of the highest quality. With 150+ titles in our catalog already and approximately 6 new books coming out each month, there’s never a dull moment at CQ. We work with major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible to ensure that you, the reader, can find whatever you are looking for at your convenience.

Founded in 2011 by Eugene Teplitsky and Lisa Gus, CQ was initially a resource portal for writing and publishing, created in an effort to help writers, like themselves, survive the publishing industry. After rapid success, CQ morphed into publishing press that over time has solidified its share in the market. Now we spend our days searching for the next great escape!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Review: Born of Treasure by Jordan Elizabeth

BORN OF TREASURE

Treasure Chronicles, Book 2

by Jordan Elizabeth

Curiosity Quills Press

YA Steampunk Fantasy

252 pages

Clark used to be a miner, until he drank from a vial he swore was
absinthe but was actually an invention to give him the ability to
raise the dead. Now Clark seeks to fulfill his father's wishes to
keep other inventions away from Senator Horan.
His beloved Amethyst is along for the ride.
Deceit, drama, romance, the insidious
underbellies of gangs...How can she not be involved?

Clark can't hide behind the Treasure name forever and the army still
wants him for his secret abilities. If Captain Greenwood can't snare
Clark, then he'll use the Treasures as collateral. Saving his
father's inventions will just have to wait, especially now that the
Treasures have been kicked off their ranch and driven into exile.
Clark knows how to survive on the run, but that’s not the fate the
Treasures deserve. He can surrender to the army or fight for his
freedom, but Amethyst has other plans for fixing their troubles.

She’s come across another one of the vials that gave Clark his
abilities, and it looks mighty tasty.

MY TIDBITS

After reading the first book in this series, I had high expectations of what was to come. Fun characters, tons of action and steam-gear fantasy which leaves one dreaming for days--yep, this is what I hoped for, and I wasn't disappointed.

Clark and Amethyst are a couple to fall in love with. They have a wonderful bond which is, of course, romantic (a little), but mostly fun. Their personalities are like grease and water, so different and not seeming to co-exist. But they do. Marvelously. And it's exactly this opposition of poles which makes them entertaining to follow as they head off into adventure.

And they definitely have adventures.

Clark is still being ruthlessly pursued by the army. . .and the Senator. . .and others too. This time, they back him into a pretty good corner. The chase is thrilling and each time it looks like Clark finds a way out, a new predicament has him in even more trouble than before. I especially appreciated that not all of the heroes plans were flawless, and some lead them to more trouble than before. These mishaps had me cheering for the heroes more than before.

This isn't a deep, emotional story but rather an exciting ride. Still, the characters aren't flat as paper. We see Clark still struggling with his past, and more of him trying to come to terms with who he might be (although not always in the way one might expect). Amethyst is ever true to her lovely, spoiled princess self, but never ceases to surprise with actions which point to more than superficial goals. Although at times frustrating, Amethyst is a true delight.

As to the believability--well, this is steampunk. So fantasy is required, but in general, the logic works well. I never found myself wondering about holes or sudden jumps, and felt fairly planted in the world. The gadgets are fun. Some far fetched, but it all remained in the same sphere and played along with the story nicely, especially when the action is going full swing.

Summed up, this is a fun story. The action is non-stop, the characters are simply enjoyable, and the plot keeps the reader on their toes. I can definitely recommend this to any Steampunk fan and wish them a thrilling ride.

And here she is. . .

JORDAN ELIZABETH!!!

Jordan Elizabeth, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, writes down her nightmares in order to live her dreams. With an eclectic job history behind her, she is now diving into the world of author. It happens to be her most favorite one yet. When she’s not creating art or searching for lost history in the woods, she’s updating her blog. Jordan is the president of the Utica Writers Club. She roams Central New York, but she loves to travel.

Facebook Author Page

Pinterest Author - Check out my albums based on the books!

GoodReads Author Page

Twitter Author Page

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Review: Treasure Darkly by Jordan Elizabeth

TREASURE DARKLY

Book 1 of Treasure Chronicles

by Jordan Elizabeth

Curiosity Quills Press

YA Steampunk

254 pages

Seventeen-year-old Clark Treasure assumes the drink he stole off the captain is absinthe… until the chemicals in the liquid give him the ability to awaken the dead.

A great invention for creating perfect soldiers, yes, but Clark wants to live as a miner, not a slave to the army—or the deceased. On the run, Clark turns to his estranged, mining tycoon father for help. The Treasures welcome Clark with open arms, so he jumps at the chance to help them protect their ranch against Senator Horan, a man who hates anyone more powerful than he.

Sixteen-year-old Amethyst Treasure loathes the idea of spending the summer away from her bustling city life to rot on her father’s ranch, but when a handsome young man shows up claiming to be her secret half-brother, her curiosity is piqued. He’s clever, street smart, and has no qualms jumping into the brawl between the Treasures and Horans. Caught in the middle, Horan kidnaps Amethyst, and all she gets is this lousy bullet through her heart.

When Clark brings her back to life, however, the real action starts, and Amethyst joins him in his fight against the Horan clan—whatever the cost. Defeating the Horans may seem easy at first, but going up against men with the same fighting vengeance as Clark, and a Senator with power he’s obtained by brainwashing the masses?

Well, Amethyst’s boring summer at home has turned into an adventure on the run, chock full of intrigue, danger, love, and a mysterious boy named Clark.

MY TIDBITS

With the great cover, and an obvious steampunk line, I was excited to get my hands on this book. It starts out with an intriguing setting--a young man in a brothel, helping his mother steal from one of her clients. The scene is dark, and so well described that I could smell the dust and alcohol. But we don't stay there. In the next pages, we're transported to Amethyst's world. . a wealthier one. The switch threw me a bit and it took a couple of chapters until I really understood how all of this ties together. But it does like a careful knot.

The plot is complex, and the action never stops. Clark lands himself in trouble those first pages and by the end of the first few chapters, has an entire army on his tail. There was a bit of a time-skip before he lands at the Treasure's estate (which jaunted), but after that, the story rides like a steam cart roller coaster. As said, there's a lot going on, and the story seems to slide from one lane to the next as Clark's pursuits change as the situation requires. This not only adds a lot of depth and layers, but also leaves several holes that I can't wait to see filled in book 2.

My favorite character was definitely Clark. Although first presented as a thief, he has all the great points a hero needs and is easy to root for. His inventiveness is a delight to read, and his shining ethics make him noble even with all his rough corners. His relationship with Amethyst threw me for a loop for awhile but was generally exciting to follow.

As to the steampunk end of things, this story has the fantastical machines nailed. The world is set in rich fantasy and based in a time frame, which brings out the innovative thrills. And although not every technical wonder made sense, it was still fun to read the great descriptions and see the machines operate in the Wild West world.

Summed up, this is a book Steampunk fans will devour. There's tons of action, great heroics, and wondrous machines which will ignite a reader's fantasy.

And here she is. . .

JORDAN ELIZABETH!!!

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Review: Escape from Witchwood Hollow by Jordan Elizabeth

ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW

by Jordan Elizabeth

Curiosity Quills Press

YA Fantasy

183 pages

Everyone in Arnn - a small farming town with more legends than residents - knows the story of Witchwood Hollow: if you venture into the whispering forest, the witch will trap your soul among the shadowed trees. After losing her parents in a horrific terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, fifteen-year-old Honoria and her older brother escape New York City to Arnn. In the lure of that perpetual darkness, Honoria finds hope, when she should be afraid. Perhaps the witch can reunite her with her lost parents. Awakening the witch, however, brings more than salvation from mourning, for Honoria discovers a past of missing children and broken promises. To save the citizens of Arnn from becoming the witch's next victims, she must find the truth behind the woman's madness. How deep into Witchwood Hollow does Honoria dare venture?

MY TIDBITS

This is a short book packed with quite the story. Honoria is a city girl, whose life has been turned upside down. Her parents are dead (died in the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers), she's moved to a renovation needy stone house in small country town, and she's thrown in to a school where she doesn't really feel comfortable.

This book is written in three different time lines, told from three different characters' lives. At first, I found this a little jaunting but the dates at the beginning of each chapter help to keep track of which person's story is going to be told next. After this gets sorted out, the story is amazing.

Honoria has a rough go at things. She sort of tries to fit in but is still in mourning, and despite some new friends, can't really find solid footing. But she's sweet and caring, and it's exactly these true to life problems which make her so interesting. She's not a heroine up on a pedestal, but a girl teens will be able to understand and grasp.

There's a nice sense of family and friendship, and even a little bit of inspiration thrown in. The characters are not evil, but simply make wrong choices or are find themselves in difficult positions. Still, they find understanding and support from the people around them--even the witch has qualities which make her human and in some ways, likable. And there's nothing better than bad guys that one can slightly understand.

The ending to this story takes quite the twist and may not be satisfying to all readers. Still, it hits and leaves one thinking days after the book is closed. And, in my opinion, this lasting impression is exactly what makes a story good even if it might not be the kind of ending the reader would like to have.

And here she is. . .

JORDAN ELIZABETH!!!