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Smash All The Windows
Jane Davis
2023 Silver Medal
338 Pages
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Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Smash All The Windows by Jane Davis is a dramatic tale of justice and faith. August 2003 in London was a day like any other – until it wasn’t. Fifty-eight people never made it home from work that evening. But they weren’t the only ones who lost that day; justice for the victims’ families is still far off, and marriages and friendships have been destroyed. Finances are wiped out, health deteriorates, and careers are lost. The effects of one terrible event stretch far and wide, destroying all in its path. But now there's a hero for the victims. A first-year law student called Eric has studied what led to the accident that claimed so many lives, and he thinks he has discovered what they all need to know. But can they manage the fight ahead? Do they have the strength to continue after 13 long years of fighting?
Wow! Smash All The Windows by Jane Davis is an unforgettable story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s an emotional tale of families seeking justice for the loss of their loved ones, of the destruction of lives in what appears to be a fruitless fight. This book is a journey you won’t forget in a hurry. The attention to detail is second to none, and you can feel the emotion pouring off the pages. This is an original story, well-written and action-packed, with no small amount of suspense. The cast of characters is immense, but they are all developed equally well into people you will relate to and feel empathy for. The story does flit between the past and present, but this helps you make sense of events and the enduring pain and suffering of those left behind. This is a tragic story, yet compelling reading, and it’s a book you won’t forget in a hurry.
Smash All The Windows by Jane Davis is a dramatic tale of justice and faith. August 2003 in London was a day like any other – until it wasn’t. Fifty-eight people never made it home from work that evening. But they weren’t the only ones who lost that day; justice for the victims’ families is still far off, and marriages and friendships have been destroyed. Finances are wiped out, health deteriorates, and careers are lost. The effects of one terrible event stretch far and wide, destroying all in its path. But now there's a hero for the victims. A first-year law student called Eric has studied what led to the accident that claimed so many lives, and he thinks he has discovered what they all need to know. But can they manage the fight ahead? Do they have the strength to continue after 13 long years of fighting?
Wow! Smash All The Windows by Jane Davis is an unforgettable story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s an emotional tale of families seeking justice for the loss of their loved ones, of the destruction of lives in what appears to be a fruitless fight. This book is a journey you won’t forget in a hurry. The attention to detail is second to none, and you can feel the emotion pouring off the pages. This is an original story, well-written and action-packed, with no small amount of suspense. The cast of characters is immense, but they are all developed equally well into people you will relate to and feel empathy for. The story does flit between the past and present, but this helps you make sense of events and the enduring pain and suffering of those left behind. This is a tragic story, yet compelling reading, and it’s a book you won’t forget in a hurry.
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The Unvaccinated
Jean Grandbois
2023 Bronze Medal
310 Pages
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Fiction - Dystopia
Reviewed by Melanie Kennedy for Readers' Favorite
The Unvaccinated by Jean Grandbois is a post-apocalyptic look at the world as it could become after the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been five years since the Coronavirus pandemic and the unthinkable starts to happen – the vaccine meant to protect is leading to massive occurrences of death worldwide. Only the unvaccinated, including children younger than 5 years, are left to pick up the pieces of the crumbling civilization around them. Deb, a sixty-two-year-old kindergarten teacher starts the search for any orphaned children. With the help of other interesting and unvaccinated characters, Deb and the group build a haven for anyone left behind and try to create a bright future for the children of the new age. Not everyone in this post-apocalyptic world has good intentions. The group must decide if they will fight their way out of the problems this new world presents, or flee.
This is an absolute must-read. The Unvaccinated by Jean Grandbois is a compelling novel about the breakdown of human society, with plenty of suspense at its core. His exploration of human character and personality is exceptional. I was not too fond of many of the characters at first, but as the story progressed, I could see a different side to them, and how important they are as a part of society. Fully-fledged characters like these are hard to find. Jean’s timeline of five years is a bit spine-chilling, so I hope his book stays in the fiction section for all our sakes. If you want a thrilling and captivating novel about humankind’s best and worst – this is definitely for you.
The Unvaccinated by Jean Grandbois is a post-apocalyptic look at the world as it could become after the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been five years since the Coronavirus pandemic and the unthinkable starts to happen – the vaccine meant to protect is leading to massive occurrences of death worldwide. Only the unvaccinated, including children younger than 5 years, are left to pick up the pieces of the crumbling civilization around them. Deb, a sixty-two-year-old kindergarten teacher starts the search for any orphaned children. With the help of other interesting and unvaccinated characters, Deb and the group build a haven for anyone left behind and try to create a bright future for the children of the new age. Not everyone in this post-apocalyptic world has good intentions. The group must decide if they will fight their way out of the problems this new world presents, or flee.
This is an absolute must-read. The Unvaccinated by Jean Grandbois is a compelling novel about the breakdown of human society, with plenty of suspense at its core. His exploration of human character and personality is exceptional. I was not too fond of many of the characters at first, but as the story progressed, I could see a different side to them, and how important they are as a part of society. Fully-fledged characters like these are hard to find. Jean’s timeline of five years is a bit spine-chilling, so I hope his book stays in the fiction section for all our sakes. If you want a thrilling and captivating novel about humankind’s best and worst – this is definitely for you.
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The Price of Rebellion
Michael Bland
2023 Bronze Medal
388 Pages
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Fiction - Dystopia
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
In The Price of Rebellion by Michael Bland, Dray Quintero engineered a surveillance network that linked all the security cameras across the country. This system was meant to keep citizens safe but has been used by the government to manipulate them. Dray’s technology was used to steal the identities of the senators and other representatives in Washington. The government was determined to remain in power and used secret broadcasting nodes to maintain control of everybody by sending out propaganda messages. Dray tried to reveal this and became the most wanted man in America. He joined the Founding Fathers’ rebellion group to overthrow the government. Dray and his team broke into the Agency’s Offices where the government’s secrets are kept. They needed to find the locations of the government’s broadcast nodes to stop the transmissions and take the country back.
The Price of Rebellion is an exciting, fast-paced adventure that uses science fiction to tell a lively story. Michael Bland took me on a rollercoaster ride. This book is jam-packed with action, as well as regret, guilt, love, and pain. This exhilarating tale is exceptionally well-written and innovative. The events were impressively creative with vivid and detailed descriptions. The plot is fantastic and had some major twists. There was always a surprise waiting and it was a real page-turner. The suspense builds as the narrative progresses and kept me on the edge of my seat. The author made every effort to make this fictional account as realistic and believable as possible.
In The Price of Rebellion by Michael Bland, Dray Quintero engineered a surveillance network that linked all the security cameras across the country. This system was meant to keep citizens safe but has been used by the government to manipulate them. Dray’s technology was used to steal the identities of the senators and other representatives in Washington. The government was determined to remain in power and used secret broadcasting nodes to maintain control of everybody by sending out propaganda messages. Dray tried to reveal this and became the most wanted man in America. He joined the Founding Fathers’ rebellion group to overthrow the government. Dray and his team broke into the Agency’s Offices where the government’s secrets are kept. They needed to find the locations of the government’s broadcast nodes to stop the transmissions and take the country back.
The Price of Rebellion is an exciting, fast-paced adventure that uses science fiction to tell a lively story. Michael Bland took me on a rollercoaster ride. This book is jam-packed with action, as well as regret, guilt, love, and pain. This exhilarating tale is exceptionally well-written and innovative. The events were impressively creative with vivid and detailed descriptions. The plot is fantastic and had some major twists. There was always a surprise waiting and it was a real page-turner. The suspense builds as the narrative progresses and kept me on the edge of my seat. The author made every effort to make this fictional account as realistic and believable as possible.
Recommend this book:
The Zone
A Cyberpunk Thriller
Stu Jones
2023 Honorable Mention
444 Pages
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Fiction - Dystopia
Reviewed by Scott Cahan for Readers' Favorite
The Zone by Stu Jones is an action-packed, character-driven science fiction story. The book accurately labels itself a “cyberpunk thriller.” The Zone is “cyber” because it deals with hi-tech weaponry. It’s “punk” because it’s set in a gritty and violent future. And it’s a thriller because the story is fast and dangerous. The Zone in the title refers to a section of a futuristic city that has been walled off and designated as the stage for an elaborate reality TV show. It pits violent criminals against an elite group of men and women, called The Enforcers, armed with high-powered weapons, computers, and armor. The story follows Chance Griffin, an honest street cop chosen to become the newest enforcer. Chance accepts the challenge only because of the promised benefits to his wife and newborn son. Chance initially does well as an enforcer but soon becomes aware that nothing on the TV show is as he expected. He must trust his wits and the loyalty of a few friends to stay alive.
Wow, what a fun ride. The Zone by Stu Jones is one of those rare novels that perfectly balances the two story elements that must be present to be considered a great book: strong characters and an equally strong plot. Both elements are present in The Zone and leap off every page to the reader’s delight. The characters are all so well written that I found myself fully invested in them, cheering for the good guys and gals and booing the bad ones. The plot moves forward fast and furious, but never too fast to show the reader the human side of the story to keep it grounded in a futuristic kind of reality. The story could have easily followed a predictable path and become campy, but that’s never the case in The Zone. The story is unpredictable at every turn, always developing in ways that keep me on the edge of my seat, anxious to see what happens next. Last, I loved how the author allowed some of his heroes, especially Chance Griffin, to be motivated by a strong sense of right and wrong. Some might see that as being old-fashioned, but it made me care about his plight all the more. Well done, Stu Jones. I highly recommend The Zone and can’t wait to read volume #2.
The Zone by Stu Jones is an action-packed, character-driven science fiction story. The book accurately labels itself a “cyberpunk thriller.” The Zone is “cyber” because it deals with hi-tech weaponry. It’s “punk” because it’s set in a gritty and violent future. And it’s a thriller because the story is fast and dangerous. The Zone in the title refers to a section of a futuristic city that has been walled off and designated as the stage for an elaborate reality TV show. It pits violent criminals against an elite group of men and women, called The Enforcers, armed with high-powered weapons, computers, and armor. The story follows Chance Griffin, an honest street cop chosen to become the newest enforcer. Chance accepts the challenge only because of the promised benefits to his wife and newborn son. Chance initially does well as an enforcer but soon becomes aware that nothing on the TV show is as he expected. He must trust his wits and the loyalty of a few friends to stay alive.
Wow, what a fun ride. The Zone by Stu Jones is one of those rare novels that perfectly balances the two story elements that must be present to be considered a great book: strong characters and an equally strong plot. Both elements are present in The Zone and leap off every page to the reader’s delight. The characters are all so well written that I found myself fully invested in them, cheering for the good guys and gals and booing the bad ones. The plot moves forward fast and furious, but never too fast to show the reader the human side of the story to keep it grounded in a futuristic kind of reality. The story could have easily followed a predictable path and become campy, but that’s never the case in The Zone. The story is unpredictable at every turn, always developing in ways that keep me on the edge of my seat, anxious to see what happens next. Last, I loved how the author allowed some of his heroes, especially Chance Griffin, to be motivated by a strong sense of right and wrong. Some might see that as being old-fashioned, but it made me care about his plight all the more. Well done, Stu Jones. I highly recommend The Zone and can’t wait to read volume #2.
Recommend this book:
The 45th Parallel
T. S. Simons
2023 Finalist
340 Pages
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Fiction - Dystopia
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
The 45th Parallel is the 6th book in the Antipode Series by T.S. Simons. In a dystopian future, humans live in closed-off communities after the shocking outbreak of water-borne protozoa ravaged and rendered most of the planet uninhabitable. Caitlin and Sera are sisters living in the small community of Lewis in Scotland. The sisters are two of the few people immune to the protozoa. Circumstances lead them to find a way to reactivate the Nexus, traversing the portal for a trip to Australia, only to end up in an underwater habitation (UH) in Yellowstone. After escaping from unexpected imprisonment, Caitlin and Sera arrive at another UH in Piedmont, Italy, where they meet Gio and Matteo, two brothers stuck in their station. With an unforeseen attack on the place, how will Caitlin and Sera fight back?
I love the worldbuilding in this book. The dystopian world T.S. Simons has created feels lived-in and is rich and diverse, but most of all, the in-universe scientific logic makes sense. It needs a delicate balance to make the science believable yet imaginative in sci-fi novels, and Simons walks the line to a "T" to ensure readers are entirely immersed in the setting. The plot is full of surprises, and the characters are well-developed and layered, with little backstories that give them agency for their actions and motives. The main protagonist suffers from childhood trauma and constantly questions her choices. As a reader, you sympathize with her plight, which makes her relatable and compelling. If you're a fan of dystopian novels with creative worldbuilding, you'll love The 45th Parallel.
The 45th Parallel is the 6th book in the Antipode Series by T.S. Simons. In a dystopian future, humans live in closed-off communities after the shocking outbreak of water-borne protozoa ravaged and rendered most of the planet uninhabitable. Caitlin and Sera are sisters living in the small community of Lewis in Scotland. The sisters are two of the few people immune to the protozoa. Circumstances lead them to find a way to reactivate the Nexus, traversing the portal for a trip to Australia, only to end up in an underwater habitation (UH) in Yellowstone. After escaping from unexpected imprisonment, Caitlin and Sera arrive at another UH in Piedmont, Italy, where they meet Gio and Matteo, two brothers stuck in their station. With an unforeseen attack on the place, how will Caitlin and Sera fight back?
I love the worldbuilding in this book. The dystopian world T.S. Simons has created feels lived-in and is rich and diverse, but most of all, the in-universe scientific logic makes sense. It needs a delicate balance to make the science believable yet imaginative in sci-fi novels, and Simons walks the line to a "T" to ensure readers are entirely immersed in the setting. The plot is full of surprises, and the characters are well-developed and layered, with little backstories that give them agency for their actions and motives. The main protagonist suffers from childhood trauma and constantly questions her choices. As a reader, you sympathize with her plight, which makes her relatable and compelling. If you're a fan of dystopian novels with creative worldbuilding, you'll love The 45th Parallel.
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The Necromancer's Daughter
D. Wallace Peach
2023 Silver Medal
348 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by Miche Arendse for Readers' Favorite
Tragedy ensues in The Necromancer's Daughter by D. Wallace Peach when the Queen of Verdane dies while giving birth to a stillborn baby. Although never having seen the light of day, the beautiful baby girl captures the heart of the necromancer present. Barus cannot bring himself to leave the infant and steals away with the little girl to his home in the woods where he brings her back to life. Aster was raised by the necromancer and taught to appreciate all life. It is on her nineteenth birthday that her quiet life is disrupted and changed forever.
The Necromancer's Daughter by D. Wallace Peach was simply amazing. Peach’s world-building in this novel was near perfection with such beautiful descriptions that allowed the world to come to life in your mind's eye. The pacing of the story was just right, enabling you as the reader to not only build an attachment to the characters and get to know them but feel comfortable in your knowledge of this new fantasy world. I appreciated Peach’s writing style and thoroughly enjoyed the story as a whole. Aster is such a sweet and endearing character and, throughout the plot, you can only hope for her to overcome her struggles and find happiness. The story has everything to offer in terms of a great plot, charming characters, and a wonderfully imagined world. I think that any fan of fantasy novels would love this book and I consider myself a fan of this author after having read the book.
Tragedy ensues in The Necromancer's Daughter by D. Wallace Peach when the Queen of Verdane dies while giving birth to a stillborn baby. Although never having seen the light of day, the beautiful baby girl captures the heart of the necromancer present. Barus cannot bring himself to leave the infant and steals away with the little girl to his home in the woods where he brings her back to life. Aster was raised by the necromancer and taught to appreciate all life. It is on her nineteenth birthday that her quiet life is disrupted and changed forever.
The Necromancer's Daughter by D. Wallace Peach was simply amazing. Peach’s world-building in this novel was near perfection with such beautiful descriptions that allowed the world to come to life in your mind's eye. The pacing of the story was just right, enabling you as the reader to not only build an attachment to the characters and get to know them but feel comfortable in your knowledge of this new fantasy world. I appreciated Peach’s writing style and thoroughly enjoyed the story as a whole. Aster is such a sweet and endearing character and, throughout the plot, you can only hope for her to overcome her struggles and find happiness. The story has everything to offer in terms of a great plot, charming characters, and a wonderfully imagined world. I think that any fan of fantasy novels would love this book and I consider myself a fan of this author after having read the book.
Recommend this book:
The Golden Alicorns
Catherine Banks
2023 Gold Medal
306 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
The Golden Alicorns is a fantasy romance by Catherine Banks. Nadia wanted to join one of the magic guilds. By joining a guild, Nadia hoped to fill the void of not being part of a loving family. Nadia met Dart and three brothers while she waited for the ceremony to display her magic power and choose a guild. Most scanners could not detect Nadia’s magic because Norma, a demoness stole Nadia’s magic when she was young and sealed it in a magical container. When Nadia’s magic level was finally revealed, the guild she wanted to join did not make her an offer. Nadia decided to join the Golden Alicorns Guild as she had seen the camaraderie between the members.
Catherine Banks outdid herself with The Golden Alicorns. It was out of this world, and I was intrigued from the start. The author created a fantasy environment with interesting worlds and fairy tale characters. The fascinating revelations during the story were interesting and exciting. Magic, humans, and gods were intertwined throughout, and everything was clearly explained. The writing style was descriptive, and it was easy to visualize. The story was fast-paced, and with all the action, there was never a dull moment. The characters were brilliant and authentic. I enjoyed Nadia’s journey to become who she was meant to be. The interaction between Nadia and Norma, the demoness, was entertaining. This is an excellent fantasy novel and much more than I expected.
The Golden Alicorns is a fantasy romance by Catherine Banks. Nadia wanted to join one of the magic guilds. By joining a guild, Nadia hoped to fill the void of not being part of a loving family. Nadia met Dart and three brothers while she waited for the ceremony to display her magic power and choose a guild. Most scanners could not detect Nadia’s magic because Norma, a demoness stole Nadia’s magic when she was young and sealed it in a magical container. When Nadia’s magic level was finally revealed, the guild she wanted to join did not make her an offer. Nadia decided to join the Golden Alicorns Guild as she had seen the camaraderie between the members.
Catherine Banks outdid herself with The Golden Alicorns. It was out of this world, and I was intrigued from the start. The author created a fantasy environment with interesting worlds and fairy tale characters. The fascinating revelations during the story were interesting and exciting. Magic, humans, and gods were intertwined throughout, and everything was clearly explained. The writing style was descriptive, and it was easy to visualize. The story was fast-paced, and with all the action, there was never a dull moment. The characters were brilliant and authentic. I enjoyed Nadia’s journey to become who she was meant to be. The interaction between Nadia and Norma, the demoness, was entertaining. This is an excellent fantasy novel and much more than I expected.
Recommend this book:
Curse of the Fallen
Fallen Light
H.C. Newell
2023 Finalist
398 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
H.C. Newell’s Curse of the Fallen features Neer’s quest to rid herself of a curse placed on her by the Order of Saro’s High Priest. The curse prevents Neer from using her magical abilities without alerting the mercenaries to her location. Neer is accompanied by Loryk and Gil as she searches for the arun, an artifact that could break the curse. After Neer manages to teleport with her friends to Vleland, they enter a magical cave. She learns that to use the arun, she must go through the Trials of Fire. Gil is unable to go with Neer, but Loryk refuses to part from her. As they travel, they encounter Klaud, an elf who is also going to the trials. They journey together, meeting people who are on the hunt for invading elves and magic wielders. Loryk's abilities as a bard prove to be far more valuable than anyone anticipated.
H.C. Newell exceeded my expectations with this epic fantasy. Every page is filled with vivid depictions of the characters and their surroundings. I felt like I was walking with the travelers. Neer’s determination and compassion are unrivaled by her companions. Klaud’s intentions were admirable but he is self-centered. Loryk was brave to stay with Neer, especially since he didn’t have any magical abilities and was an average person. This made his character relatable as he voiced his fears and attempted to prevent Neer’s emotions from misguiding her. Neer's point of view, in my opinion, focused on her emotional pain. The cliffhanger ending was completely unpredictable and left me desperate to read the sequel. The Curse of the Fallen is highly recommended to readers who enjoy fantasy stories with intrigue and well-developed characters.
H.C. Newell’s Curse of the Fallen features Neer’s quest to rid herself of a curse placed on her by the Order of Saro’s High Priest. The curse prevents Neer from using her magical abilities without alerting the mercenaries to her location. Neer is accompanied by Loryk and Gil as she searches for the arun, an artifact that could break the curse. After Neer manages to teleport with her friends to Vleland, they enter a magical cave. She learns that to use the arun, she must go through the Trials of Fire. Gil is unable to go with Neer, but Loryk refuses to part from her. As they travel, they encounter Klaud, an elf who is also going to the trials. They journey together, meeting people who are on the hunt for invading elves and magic wielders. Loryk's abilities as a bard prove to be far more valuable than anyone anticipated.
H.C. Newell exceeded my expectations with this epic fantasy. Every page is filled with vivid depictions of the characters and their surroundings. I felt like I was walking with the travelers. Neer’s determination and compassion are unrivaled by her companions. Klaud’s intentions were admirable but he is self-centered. Loryk was brave to stay with Neer, especially since he didn’t have any magical abilities and was an average person. This made his character relatable as he voiced his fears and attempted to prevent Neer’s emotions from misguiding her. Neer's point of view, in my opinion, focused on her emotional pain. The cliffhanger ending was completely unpredictable and left me desperate to read the sequel. The Curse of the Fallen is highly recommended to readers who enjoy fantasy stories with intrigue and well-developed characters.
Recommend this book:
The Palladium
Thorsten Brandl
2023 Gold Medal
328 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite
The Palladium by Thorsten Brandl contains all the ingredients that make for an exciting urban fantasy. You have the tried and tested formula of a down-on-his-luck writer who accidentally finds a good story. Michael Baker is that writer, and he doesn’t expect to find an unlikely story in the most unlikely of places. He has no plans to check in at The Orchid Hotel, but the need for shelter and warmth plus the fact that he got lost drew him there. The bellhop tells him that the hotel has its own share of crazy stories. Michael will soon become embroiled in a death-defying tale in that hotel with some portal travels. With a gorgon on his side, he is about to become part of protecting a mighty artifact.
The Palladium breathes new life into a familiar premise, thanks to Thorsten Brandl’s wicked imagination. It is truly one hell of a dream on which he has based the plot. Think of the hotel in John Wick that caters to assassins except this one caters to gods of mythology—now that’s an idea worth exploring. Brandl’s exploration results in a page-turning action fantasy with a romantic angle on the side. It gives a great degree of escapist pleasure, and especially when the hero falls into the trope of a loser who saves the world - as if to say that everyone is given a moment to shine. It has good pacing by showing and not telling. You learn more about Michael through his thoughts and actions. The Palladium puts a modern touch on the age-old gods and in the heightened aesthetics of this hotel. Highly recommended for lovers of urban fantasy. It’s a blast.
The Palladium by Thorsten Brandl contains all the ingredients that make for an exciting urban fantasy. You have the tried and tested formula of a down-on-his-luck writer who accidentally finds a good story. Michael Baker is that writer, and he doesn’t expect to find an unlikely story in the most unlikely of places. He has no plans to check in at The Orchid Hotel, but the need for shelter and warmth plus the fact that he got lost drew him there. The bellhop tells him that the hotel has its own share of crazy stories. Michael will soon become embroiled in a death-defying tale in that hotel with some portal travels. With a gorgon on his side, he is about to become part of protecting a mighty artifact.
The Palladium breathes new life into a familiar premise, thanks to Thorsten Brandl’s wicked imagination. It is truly one hell of a dream on which he has based the plot. Think of the hotel in John Wick that caters to assassins except this one caters to gods of mythology—now that’s an idea worth exploring. Brandl’s exploration results in a page-turning action fantasy with a romantic angle on the side. It gives a great degree of escapist pleasure, and especially when the hero falls into the trope of a loser who saves the world - as if to say that everyone is given a moment to shine. It has good pacing by showing and not telling. You learn more about Michael through his thoughts and actions. The Palladium puts a modern touch on the age-old gods and in the heightened aesthetics of this hotel. Highly recommended for lovers of urban fantasy. It’s a blast.
Recommend this book:
Beauty and the Blade
The Talented Book 1
S. C. Grayson
2023 Honorable Mention
280 Pages
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Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Cecelia Hopkins for Readers' Favorite
Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson sees Contessa agree to an arranged marriage with the deformed Nate Woodrow in the belief that he is responsible for the murder of her mother. Contessa has sworn to bring the killer to justice, but she learns a lot about herself and her new husband along the way. Nate may not be the savage criminal he appears to be, and the Lions may not be a bunch of hardened offenders. Everything she has been taught about upholding the law may contain a bias that Contessa must navigate to arrive at the truth. Was her mother murdered by a rival gang, the Serpents, or someone even more unexpected?
Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson is a refreshingly original take on the archetypal Beauty and the Beast saga. I loved the essential feminism of Contessa’s character as she learns self-defense and develops skills with a blade. It is also exciting when she discovers a hidden talent. The relationship between Contessa and Nate develops slowly, with emotional realism and a sense of genuine trust. The side characters, including Julia, Gregor, and Kristoff, were all sufficiently distinguished to generate sympathy and liking. It was thrilling to read the adventure scenes where Contessa helps Nate evade danger, and I applauded when they took offensive action against enemies. I mourned the losses when young Lions were killed or injured. One character I was suspicious of throughout the story turned out to be a surprising ally! Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson entertained me for hours with the perfect combination of fairy-tale and adventure stories.
Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson sees Contessa agree to an arranged marriage with the deformed Nate Woodrow in the belief that he is responsible for the murder of her mother. Contessa has sworn to bring the killer to justice, but she learns a lot about herself and her new husband along the way. Nate may not be the savage criminal he appears to be, and the Lions may not be a bunch of hardened offenders. Everything she has been taught about upholding the law may contain a bias that Contessa must navigate to arrive at the truth. Was her mother murdered by a rival gang, the Serpents, or someone even more unexpected?
Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson is a refreshingly original take on the archetypal Beauty and the Beast saga. I loved the essential feminism of Contessa’s character as she learns self-defense and develops skills with a blade. It is also exciting when she discovers a hidden talent. The relationship between Contessa and Nate develops slowly, with emotional realism and a sense of genuine trust. The side characters, including Julia, Gregor, and Kristoff, were all sufficiently distinguished to generate sympathy and liking. It was thrilling to read the adventure scenes where Contessa helps Nate evade danger, and I applauded when they took offensive action against enemies. I mourned the losses when young Lions were killed or injured. One character I was suspicious of throughout the story turned out to be a surprising ally! Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson entertained me for hours with the perfect combination of fairy-tale and adventure stories.
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