Cover Reveal: Gauntlet by C.L. Denault

 

Gauntlet

by C.L. Denault

(The Prodigy Chronicles, #3)

YA Dystopian, Romance, Science Fiction

COMING...

AUGUST 25th!!!

In 2160, humanity is divided. The ruling class of prodigies dictates law and order for all, while normals fight to survive. Only the Councils in charge of advanced Core cities can decide the fate of a traitor.

A life of luxury is Willow Kent’s destiny. As long as she plays within the boundaries of the Core’s game, she can have anything she wants. Anything except for her friend Kane to avoid execution. Driven by guilt, she negotiates a secret Meta-X exchange to free him. But when a new threat emerges—one even her rare skill level cannot withstand—the stakes become dangerously high. To save Kane, she must navigate the slippery political terrain that surrounds her House, her mysterious Guardian, and the corrupt, unforgiving Council.

The most lethal terrain, however, lurks inside her own mind. Can she overcome her skillset before its savage intentions spiral out of control?

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Author Bio:

C.L. Denault is a speculative fiction writer who loves dreaming up tales of adventure and intrigue. A former systems analyst, she gave up her nerdy code-writing skills to care for her family (including a son with special needs) and currently lives among the vast stretches of cornfields in Illinois.

Writing and working out are her biggest passions, along with coffee and sci-fi. When she’s not hanging out with her husband and kids, she can usually be found at a library or tucked away in the shadowy corner of a hip coffeehouse. She’s also been glimpsed sneaking into her garage, late at night, to work on her time machine.

She enjoys connecting with people—especially those from other planets, nearby dimensions, and the future. To find her, just visit her website or social media pages. Or use a Stargate. Whichever is easiest.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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Review: Lost in Nowhere by Barbara Pietron

 Time for a bit of historic, ghostly pleasure...oh, and with a dash of romance thrown in. Today's review hits the third book in a series (which I haven't read so far...as I tend to do). But this one wasn't a problem to sink into all on it's own. Ready for some historic moments leaning toward eeriness?

LOST IN NOWHERE

by Barbara Pietron

Scribe Publishing Company

Young Adult Paranormal

Jeni has fully accepted her spiritual ability, and yet she's unnerved by the apparition of Marielle, the ghost of a pioneer girl asking for help. As the ghost’s tragic love story unfolds in her dreams, Jeni's resistance melts and she resolves to save the soul of Marielle’s lost love. When she discovers her own impulses cause Marielle to act uncharacteristically, Jeni believes she can change the past. Despite warnings against meddling with time, Jeni's convinced she can save the soul of Marielle's lover. Deep inside a dream and intent on her quest, Jeni is lured into a trap that binds her soul to Marielle’s. With no allies, no knowledge about crossing through time and with limited 18th century resources, Jeni is terrified: failure will leave her soul trapped in the past, or worse . . . lost in nowhere. 

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON   /    B&N   /    BOOK DEPOSITORY    /    KOBO

MY TIDBITS

 I have not read the first two books in the series, and while it is clear when reading this book that there are other books in the series, not reading them does not cause any issues. In other words, this one can be picked up on its own.

Jeni stays clear of the Mississippi River, knowing that a spirit connected to the river can cause issues for her, but a family event makes this impossible. Accustom to seeing ghosts, she isn't shocked when Marielle, a ghost from long before, appears. Touched by the story Marielle shows her through dreams, Jeni finally decides to help her but finds herself transported back in time and placed in Marielle's body. Now, she needs to find a way to help Marielle or suffer the consequences.

This was a lovely read and does draw in with it's unique twist. Jeni has come to accept her abilities and, thanks to her concern for the ghost, hard not to like and root for. The zap through time is also well done...something I wasn't sure would work. But it does. Very well. There is a bit of confusion whenever Jeni comes back, but then, it's no wonder that Jeni would be confused. So, it comes across naturally.

The writing is well done and flows, while drawing in. There is enough tension to keep the pace quick while still allowing enough depth to draw into the characters. One of the side characters does come across a little inconstant in her reactions, but then, it could be part of her personality since one doesn't really know much about her...nor does the reader have to. Even the romance works and doesn't go along the usual swoony thread but shows more of a realistic side. 

This is an engaging read with a wonderful historical twist.

Review: Sleepy Stories by Mario Levrero

Today's review waves from Argentine and will be released in English this coming July. I love these translated tales, since they probably give the best impression of the richness of other cultures and the way they see the world. The artwork in this one is quite original and will offer young readers something beyond the 'normal' picture book illustrations they're usually exposed to...but they probably still aren't as unique as the tales in this book are. Plus, this one is great for those parents who enjoy making a read-aloud come to life, since it does a type of switch-back between the reader/parent in the tale and the child.

Curious to learn more? 

SLEEPY STORIES

by Mario Levrero

Illustrated by Diego Bianki

Translated by Alicia Lopez

Elsewhere Editions

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 5 to 10

COMING...

JULY 6th!!!

A buoyant account of the nightly tug-of-war between a sleepy father and his son, and the richly imaginative sleepy stories they create

Each story told in Sleepy Stories drifts deeper into a beguiling dream world, telling of an elastic gentleman who stretches his body across town to effortlessly slip into bed, or of another sleepy young man who curls inside an upside-down umbrella to take a snooze. In Diego Bianki's magical universe, the waking world is made small (a French press and a red top hat shrink before our eyes), while the dream world Levrero and his son Nicol's build together (a land of sly frogs, giant apes, and smiling squids) waltzes across the page. On the last of Bianki's whimsical illustrations, Nicol's holds the book over his father's nodding head and says, Another. This is a book to giggle with and curl up with, to take on every sleepy adventure.

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON    /    BOOK DEPOSITORY    /    B&N    /    KOBO

BOOK BLINK

                                              * contains six stories

                                              * original artwork

                                              * written as an adult and child dialogue

                                              * translated from a favorite in Argentine

MY TIDBITS

This book takes a different direction into the realm of bedtime reads, steering toward the reality of tired parents and using easy, psychological tools like yawns to sink into the world of dreams. In other words, it's original and clever.

Nicol wants a reader identified only as 'me' to tell him a bedtime tale, but 'Me' is more than tired and can barely stay awake enough to fulfill the task. It's a scene parents will easily relate to. As 'Me' tries to appease Nicol, 'Me' steers into the wildest and oddest tales, but each time, Nicol wants to hear one more. 'Me' gives in until six stories are told.

The book is written as a back and forth between Nicol and a reader. The name of either 'Me' or Nicol introduce what each one says...a bit like a play. This offers all sorts of possibilities to the adult reading the book, when done as a read-aloud, but on the other hand, the style also requires more of the person reading it. For the right parents, it allows their talents to shine.

But then, this isn't a book for the youngest listeners, either. The text is more suited to ages 4/5 and up. The author has built in many 'yawns', which might seem redundant and weird, but actually, this is a clever way to use the 'yawns are contagious' phenomenon, which can help put listeners (and maybe readers) to sleep. Add the unique illustrations, which allow the quirkiness of 'Me's' tales to comes across with an original and strange flair, and it's not your usual bedtime read. It might not be everyone's thing, but it stands out and does the job in its own way.

And here they are...

The Author...

Mario Levrero was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1940 and died in 2004. Levrero was a photographer, bookseller, comics scriptwriter, humorist, crossword author, and creator of brain games. In his later years, he directed a literary workshop. Sleepy Stories is his first children’s book to be translated into English.

The Illustrator...

Diego Bianki is an illustrator, editor, and designer from Argentina. His work combines disciplines such as photography, design, illustration, and collage. Bianki is co-founder and artistic director of Pequeño Editor, a collective publishing project based in Buenos Aires that specializes in illustrated books. For his illustrations, he has won the 2013 Bologna New Horizons Prize for the book Diccionario para armar, the Konex Career Illustration Prize, and the 2012 Illustration Prize from the Venezuelan Banco del Libro for the book Candombe fiebre de carnaval. He has also won two White Ravens, awarded by Munich’s Internationale Jugendbibliothek.

The Translator...

Alicia López is a translator and sculptor. She grew up in San José, Costa Rica and currently lives in California.

Review: The Underground Toy Society by Jessica D. Adams

 

THE UNDERGROUND TOY SOCIETY

You're the Illustrator!

by Jessica D. Adams

Children's Fiction / Activity

43 pages

The toys told Samantha not to go because it was too dangerous outside!

Samantha was determined to find her best friend, Stacey. They had not seen each other for many years. Their owners had grown up and moved out of their childhood home, separating Samantha and Stacey. They sat collecting dust, waiting for new children to play with them.

Will Samantha and Stacey ever see each other again? Will they remain lonely forever just like other old, forgotten toys in the world?

GOODREADS   /    AMAZON  

MY TIDBITS

A story comes to life and let's kids discover their own imagination and artistry in the process.

This book follows the original tale from the author but then takes it a step further. Listeners gain a unique role in this book and are encouraged to become the illustrators. The story is just right as a read aloud for younger audiences or can be used as a reader for those, who are pretty sure of their words. The vocabulary is easy to understand, and the tale runs along at a nice pace. It's a sweet tale with a message listeners can easily identify with. So, it's a fun tale already without the extra activities

But this is a book to really dive into. Some pages encourage the listener to color an already existing illustration (like a coloring book). Other ones invite the child to add their own ideas or expand on already partial illustrations. Each one allows the listener to let their own imagination seep in. This makes it a great read for reluctant readers, homeschoolers or simply as an activity for those quieter hours. 

Sneak Peek: The Jade Talisman by Alanna MacKenzie with Giveaway

 

This is my post during the blog tour for The Jade Talisman by Alanna Mackenzie. In The Jade Talisman a band of rebels explores a wild, desolate island beyond the borders of an Empire controlled by artificial intelligence, in the hopes of finding animal spirits to join the battle against their oppressive rulers.

This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours and the tour runs from 12 till 18 July. You can see the tour schedule here.

The Jade Talisman (The Jade Chronicles #2)
By Alanna Mackenzie
Genre: Science Fiction/ Fantasy
Age category Young Adult
Release Date: 30 March, 2021

Blurb:
A talisman. A song. A gift that bends time, and alters the course of destiny itself.

It is the year 2762 in the Empire of Khalendar, and AI Masters rule the civilized world, striving to crush all dissent. But they have not yet managed to quell the Jade Rebellion or its leader, Walter Saltanetska. The rebels have sailed beyond the Empire’s borders to the infamous isle of Vei’arash. Their mission is to find animal spirits exiled long ago by the AI Masters, and return them to the mainland. With any luck, the spirits will strengthen the fading magical powers of their allies, the Western Mages, and join the battle against their oppressive rulers.

As the rebels plunge deeper into the jungle, physical laws are upended. The plants and animals of the rainforest are inextricably linked to divine beings. An ancient shaman-god entrusts Walter with the Jade Talisman, an enchanted gemstone that warps the basic rules of time and space.

The Talisman allows Walter to gaze into a mesmerizing labyrinth of future possibilities. But the visions it offers up are troublingly dark, giving Walter insight into the potential fates of himself and his loved ones. This gift proves to be a crushing burden, and Walter desperately longs for an ordinary life. But there is no going back…

The gripping sequel to The Jade Rebellion, The Jade Talisman explores whether nature and spirituality are capable of persevering in a world dominated by the cold logic of artificial intelligence.

Links:
- Goodreads
- Bookbub
- Amazon ebook
- Amazon paperback

SNEAK PEEK

When Walter arrived at the river, the first thing he noticed was the drying racks the villagers had laid out along its banks. The water level was high, and the river churned swiftly across the landscape, slicing through the monotony of the night’s blackness like a serpent winding across the dark earth. 

Walter sat down on a boulder near the river’s edge to admire the grace and power of the waterway. Before long, tears sprang to his eyes as he realized he missed Christopher and the days they had spent training for battle together in Tsei’watu. It was not surprising that those memories were returning to him now, by the river—it was near the edge of a stream that he had bonded with Christopher, first learned to spear a fish with his balayan, and discovered that Christopher was Elaine’s brother. Christopher felt like a brother to Walter, and in that sense reminded him of Jonathan. Although Walter had recently reunited with Jonathan, Walter felt as though the new Jonathan was a different man, a stranger whose humanity had been cruelly eradicated by the AI Masters. In Walter’s mind, the old Jonathan of his childhood was a hero who had symbolized the resilience and indomitability of the human spirit. This, of course, rendered the brainwashing all the more heartbreaking. 

Walter unexpectedly found himself weeping near the river’s edge, his mind tormented by a slew of worries about the past and the future. Over a year ago, Elaine had been captured by the AI Masters and he had set out in a rowboat to rescue her. Walter had then chanced upon a seer in a tavern who revealed that his brother—whom he had long believed to be dead—was actually alive. His quest had therefore begun with a basic objective, finding his loved ones, and he had gradually acquired new goals and aspirations during the course of his travels. 

However, he regarded his mission so far as a failure. Walter had set out to find Elaine, but after reuniting with her he had not been able to re-kindle their relationship—and now, he had slept with another man’s wife, which would no doubt set back his efforts. Walter had also set out to find his brother, but instead he had encountered a troubled stranger whom he could barely relate to anymore. He had set out to rebel against the AI Masters and to lead the Jade Rebellion to victory, but now he was wasting valuable time on this potentially futile quest. Instead of fighting the AI Masters, Walter was wandering aimlessly through the untamed wilderness in search of animal spirits—that likely did not even exist—and a half-crazed shaman-god. The young man shuddered with grief as he realized that the AI Masters were readying their bulldozers to destroy Elaine’s village to make way for the massive diamond mine they wanted to build, and he was helpless to do anything from this small, isolated island in the middle of the Hapakay Sea.

Even if the animal spirits are real, Walter thought, what chance do they stand against the technological might of the AI Masters? The AI Masters had been victorious against those spirits in the past, when they had succeeded in quelling the uprising of the southern tribes and their shamans. Since then, the AI Masters had grown exponentially in wealth, power, and influence. 

As tears blurred his vision, Walter spotted a curious figure emerge from the shadowy rainforest. At first, he thought that it was simply the moonlight reflecting off of a nearby rock, but when Walter wiped the tears from his eyes the figure came into sharp relief.  It was an antlered stag, with a coat that was an ethereal, luminous shade of bluish-white. Walter squinted in confusion at the apparition, attempting to discern whether or not it was real as his heart thudded in his chest. Although he could not tell for certain, Walter suspected that it was the same stag he had slaughtered several days ago with Ishkode, which had been carved and dried on these riverbanks. Walter chuckled as he realized how absurd that thought was; it departed from every natural and physical law known to mankind. And yet, he instinctively sensed that his suspicions were correct—contrary to logic or reason, the animal that now stood before him was the same one he had slain. 

The ghostly stag came closer. Walter watched it in fascination as the phantom crossed the river with ease, wading confidently through the rushing waters. When the spirit was so close to him that Walter could touch it, he saw that it had the exact same markings and antlers as the slain stag, and even had a wound in its neck where Walter had slaughtered the creature with Ishkode’s knife. 

When Walter reached out to place a hand on the stag’s back, he did not touch the warm, firm body of a living animal but a cold, ephemeral substance that made the young man shiver. The stag did not move, and simply continued to gaze at Walter with wide, black orbs of eyes which were so dark in contrast to the surrounding white luminescence that they looked like holes carved into a star. Walter’s memory was jogged by the sight, and he realized that the stag’s piercing black eyes were uncannily similar to those of the seer he had met in the Jamestown tavern many moons ago. When Walter touched the spirit, a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, and memories suddenly flooded his mind, and he became overwhelmed with an intense yet indescribable sensation which could not quite be categorized as either pleasure or pain, but was equally poignant. For a fleeting instant, Walter was immersed in the stag’s world; he was temporarily capable of experiencing the vibrant richness of each and every memory the creature had acquired during its life on Earth. 

First book in the series discounted!

“A reckoning. A rebellion. The worlds of artificial intelligence and ancient magic collide.”

The Jade Rebellion by Alanna Mackenzie is the first book in The Jade Chronicles series. It’s currently discounted. You can get the paperback for only $7.99 and the ebook for only $2.99!

Links:
- Amazon ebook
- Amazon paperback

About the Author:
Alanna Mackenzie lives in Vancouver, Canada. She holds degrees in History, French studies, and Law from the University of British Columbia. An environmentalist at heart, she believes in using the law as a tool for social and environmental change. When she is not pursuing that passion, she can be found brainstorming the next chapter in her novels, playing Irish fiddle tunes on the violin, and hiking West Coast trails.

You can find and contact Alanna Mackenzie here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Amazon

Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of The Jade Talisman. Prizes are US and Canada only. These are the prizes you can win:
- 3 winners win paperback copies of both The Jade Rebellion (book 1) and The Jade Talisman (book 2)
- 2 winners win a paperback copies of the Jade Rebellion (book 1)

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway