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Recommend this book:
The Message for the Last Days
Biblical and Historical Understanding of End Times
KJ Soze
2019 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Christian - Non-Fiction
Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite
There is a lot of end time literature on the market and it is interesting to notice the inconsistencies in the interpretations of the biblical message of the revelation. In The Message for the Last Days: Biblical and Historical Understanding of End Times by KJ Soze, readers are offered a fresh perspective on how to understand the message of the end times presented in the book of Revelation. The author takes readers through the context of the covenant and explores God's message of the final days in a way that explains the final moments.
In the beginning, the author gives a wonderful explanation, uncovering the missing link between the interpretations offered by other authors and the deeper meaning of the message. “The covenants provide crucial background information for the events that will happen in the future. We also need to understand the physical realm on earth compared to the heavenly realm in order to find the link between these two realms with spirit realm activities bridging them in Revelation.” The author cautions that it is essentially necessary to have an initial placement of the end time prophecies within a realm and to determine the context of the same message in other passages.
The Message for the Last Days: Biblical and Historical Understanding of End Times examines the different messages from Christian culture about end times and shows the errors in these messages while proposing a method that allows readers to place the prophecies in the right context. I found this book to be both objective and enlightening, well written in a language that is easy to understand and fluid. The author writes with the authority of an expert in the field.
There is a lot of end time literature on the market and it is interesting to notice the inconsistencies in the interpretations of the biblical message of the revelation. In The Message for the Last Days: Biblical and Historical Understanding of End Times by KJ Soze, readers are offered a fresh perspective on how to understand the message of the end times presented in the book of Revelation. The author takes readers through the context of the covenant and explores God's message of the final days in a way that explains the final moments.
In the beginning, the author gives a wonderful explanation, uncovering the missing link between the interpretations offered by other authors and the deeper meaning of the message. “The covenants provide crucial background information for the events that will happen in the future. We also need to understand the physical realm on earth compared to the heavenly realm in order to find the link between these two realms with spirit realm activities bridging them in Revelation.” The author cautions that it is essentially necessary to have an initial placement of the end time prophecies within a realm and to determine the context of the same message in other passages.
The Message for the Last Days: Biblical and Historical Understanding of End Times examines the different messages from Christian culture about end times and shows the errors in these messages while proposing a method that allows readers to place the prophecies in the right context. I found this book to be both objective and enlightening, well written in a language that is easy to understand and fluid. The author writes with the authority of an expert in the field.
Recommend this book:
The Last Resort
Matt Drabble
2019 Silver Medal
336 Pages
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Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite
The Paradise Resort, an ultra-exclusive luxury retreat for the rich, located on a remote island, has lost communication with the outside world. Sam, the son of owner Landon Verger, is worried. Knowing that his father has many powerful enemies, he hires a professional to investigate the island. Mac is a former Special Forces officer, known for her prowess and success in dangerous and hot situations. She and her team of mercenaries accept the mission, believing it to be simple investigate and report action. She couldn't be further from the truth. What began as a simple mission quickly becomes the most desperate fight for survival they've ever faced and there's only one thing Mac is sure of; not everyone will get out alive.
The Last Resort by Matt Drabble is a horror thriller that is not only a fast page-turner, but it's also one of those rare treats that stays with you days after you've finished it. The action is palpable and non-stop; the characters (as in all great stories) are larger than life while remaining true to life. Mac is center stage through this adventure that pits her skills (look up MacGyver, the TV series and movie) against a zombie horde like none you've ever experienced before. Drabble has created a new breed of zombie, fascinating in their abilities and deadlier than any I've read about previously. The conclusion is conclusive but leaves a hint of more to come. Perfect! High energy, action, and horror gore make The Last Resort a must-read for fans of this genre and all readers who enjoy action-packed thrillers with strong female leads. I'm among the latter group and hopeful of the hinted sequel.
The Paradise Resort, an ultra-exclusive luxury retreat for the rich, located on a remote island, has lost communication with the outside world. Sam, the son of owner Landon Verger, is worried. Knowing that his father has many powerful enemies, he hires a professional to investigate the island. Mac is a former Special Forces officer, known for her prowess and success in dangerous and hot situations. She and her team of mercenaries accept the mission, believing it to be simple investigate and report action. She couldn't be further from the truth. What began as a simple mission quickly becomes the most desperate fight for survival they've ever faced and there's only one thing Mac is sure of; not everyone will get out alive.
The Last Resort by Matt Drabble is a horror thriller that is not only a fast page-turner, but it's also one of those rare treats that stays with you days after you've finished it. The action is palpable and non-stop; the characters (as in all great stories) are larger than life while remaining true to life. Mac is center stage through this adventure that pits her skills (look up MacGyver, the TV series and movie) against a zombie horde like none you've ever experienced before. Drabble has created a new breed of zombie, fascinating in their abilities and deadlier than any I've read about previously. The conclusion is conclusive but leaves a hint of more to come. Perfect! High energy, action, and horror gore make The Last Resort a must-read for fans of this genre and all readers who enjoy action-packed thrillers with strong female leads. I'm among the latter group and hopeful of the hinted sequel.
Recommend this book:
The Last Van Gogh
Will Ottinger
2019 Bronze Medal
285 Pages
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Fiction - Mystery - General
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Adam is a struggling art dealer in Chicago. His most recent show promises to bring him some luck and fame, but the artist, Vasily Sorokin, is murdered outside the gallery. To make matters worse, Vasily’s uncle is part of the Russian mob. Adam’s brother, Wes, shows up with some letters and an unlikely story that their father had smuggled an unknown Van Gogh painting, a rather large one, out of France at the beginning of the Second World War. A hidden and undocumented painting. Adam hesitates to believe it. Their father, after all, was a drunk and a con man. But, with people all around Adam being killed and the Russian mob boss interested in financing a search, Adam begins an adventure that reads like a James Bond exclusive. In the end, though, he wonders if this painting, or any work of art for that matter, is worth so many deaths.
Will Ottinger’s thriller mystery novel, The Last Van Gogh, takes the reader on an exciting adventure that spans two continents and two centuries. Written primarily in the first person, from Adam’s point of view, the author also incorporates multiple points of view in the third person, including the famed artist himself. The action-packed plot develops with rising tension and sporadic looks into Van Gogh’s troubled life from the artist’s perspective. The painting captures the attention of multiple evil powers and the plot thickens. The author uses powerful descriptive passages to set the scene and develop the characters with efficiency. Not only are the notations on Van Gogh credible and well researched, but the author has created a very plausible situation that will make the reader wonder what other missing masterpieces are hidden around the world. A fascinating read.
Adam is a struggling art dealer in Chicago. His most recent show promises to bring him some luck and fame, but the artist, Vasily Sorokin, is murdered outside the gallery. To make matters worse, Vasily’s uncle is part of the Russian mob. Adam’s brother, Wes, shows up with some letters and an unlikely story that their father had smuggled an unknown Van Gogh painting, a rather large one, out of France at the beginning of the Second World War. A hidden and undocumented painting. Adam hesitates to believe it. Their father, after all, was a drunk and a con man. But, with people all around Adam being killed and the Russian mob boss interested in financing a search, Adam begins an adventure that reads like a James Bond exclusive. In the end, though, he wonders if this painting, or any work of art for that matter, is worth so many deaths.
Will Ottinger’s thriller mystery novel, The Last Van Gogh, takes the reader on an exciting adventure that spans two continents and two centuries. Written primarily in the first person, from Adam’s point of view, the author also incorporates multiple points of view in the third person, including the famed artist himself. The action-packed plot develops with rising tension and sporadic looks into Van Gogh’s troubled life from the artist’s perspective. The painting captures the attention of multiple evil powers and the plot thickens. The author uses powerful descriptive passages to set the scene and develop the characters with efficiency. Not only are the notations on Van Gogh credible and well researched, but the author has created a very plausible situation that will make the reader wonder what other missing masterpieces are hidden around the world. A fascinating read.
Recommend this book:
The Last Caliph
T.L. Williams
2019 Honorable Mention
370 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Espionage
Reviewed by Lucinda E Clarke for Readers' Favorite
The Last Caliph by T L Williams is the fourth book in the Logan Alexander series and it takes the reader from the United States to Turkey and Syria as Logan goes undercover to track down the current Caliph who is continuing to run ISIS operations. While the President of the US has announced that ISIS has been defeated and is preparing to withdraw the American troops, Logan and his old allies at the CIA are not convinced. At great risk to himself, and despite strained relations between himself and his wife, Logan arrives in Turkey with the idea of crossing the border into Syria, with the help of a young Muslim woman who supports the extremist regime. The subplot involves Logan’s brother-in-law and adds an extra twist to the plot.
I loved The Last Caliph by T L Williams. It is an excellent, on the edge of your seat story in which the pace and action never let up. I was compelled to read this in almost one sitting. The book is crammed with technical details which only someone who was totally familiar with weaponry, aircraft and espionage techniques first hand could produce. This lends the book authenticity and takes it out of the realm of the usual run of the mill spy story. The author has created a believable character in Logan Alexander. While accomplishing his mission, he remains down to earth and human. There is no extraneous detail, just enough to inform the reader without slowing the story which gallops from beginning to end. I loved the realism, the possibility that these events could take place, and all the loose ends were tied up and followed through. Despite this being the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone and I for sure will be looking to read the earlier books in the series. A well deserved 5 stars for a book I highly recommend.
The Last Caliph by T L Williams is the fourth book in the Logan Alexander series and it takes the reader from the United States to Turkey and Syria as Logan goes undercover to track down the current Caliph who is continuing to run ISIS operations. While the President of the US has announced that ISIS has been defeated and is preparing to withdraw the American troops, Logan and his old allies at the CIA are not convinced. At great risk to himself, and despite strained relations between himself and his wife, Logan arrives in Turkey with the idea of crossing the border into Syria, with the help of a young Muslim woman who supports the extremist regime. The subplot involves Logan’s brother-in-law and adds an extra twist to the plot.
I loved The Last Caliph by T L Williams. It is an excellent, on the edge of your seat story in which the pace and action never let up. I was compelled to read this in almost one sitting. The book is crammed with technical details which only someone who was totally familiar with weaponry, aircraft and espionage techniques first hand could produce. This lends the book authenticity and takes it out of the realm of the usual run of the mill spy story. The author has created a believable character in Logan Alexander. While accomplishing his mission, he remains down to earth and human. There is no extraneous detail, just enough to inform the reader without slowing the story which gallops from beginning to end. I loved the realism, the possibility that these events could take place, and all the loose ends were tied up and followed through. Despite this being the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone and I for sure will be looking to read the earlier books in the series. A well deserved 5 stars for a book I highly recommend.
Recommend this book:
The Last Seer King
Book two of the Shadow Sword series
S.J. Hartland
2020 Gold Medal
611 Pages
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Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
The Last Seer King is book two in the Shadow Sword series by S.J. Hartland, a well-plotted and wonderfully written epic fantasy with characters and worlds that transport readers. In a realm that is fast heading towards annihilation, heroes and brave warriors fight to restore the realm to its former glory. There is only one way for Roaran to beat the tyrant and it’s very painful, but will he tread the path he swore he never would and find redemption in doing what is right? Once a dangerous man and a slaver, Dannon is heeding a new call, one that compels him to change his old ways and embrace a new path. Val Arques is a powerful warrior, but he is in chains and all he yearns for is to find Kaell, but he only has one small opportunity to escape. Can he succeed?
A tale filled with action, dark magic, and powerful heroes fighting deadly enemies, The Last Seer King is replete with suspense and told in a style that is atmospheric, in prose that is delightful, and with characters that are real and compelling. What grabbed my attention as I opened the book was the author’s prose. It is filled with vivid descriptions and strong imagery. For instance, the description of Kaell caught up between the twilight zone of death and wakefulness is appealing to the senses: “But familiar sensations poured into him. Groping hands that pulled him towards wakefulness. The aroma of candlewax. The sight of dawn’s pink flush beyond a window. Cloth rubbing his skin. Even the weight of his head on a downy pillow.” The beauty of the language is one of the elements that set this narrative apart, both highly descriptive and insightful with poetic lines like “the silence sank into him, a beast of a thing that pawed his neck with unease as the clanging, pealing iron and the screams of men ebbed away.”
S.J. Hartland has a strong gift for plot and the shifts in points of view create suspense that gets the reader racing through the pages, always looking forward to what happens to the characters. The subplots are used to reinforce the suspense and sustain the reader’s interest in the story. This is a series I’d love to watch on screen. It is delightful and utterly gripping, with strong plot points and elaborately developed characters.
The Last Seer King is book two in the Shadow Sword series by S.J. Hartland, a well-plotted and wonderfully written epic fantasy with characters and worlds that transport readers. In a realm that is fast heading towards annihilation, heroes and brave warriors fight to restore the realm to its former glory. There is only one way for Roaran to beat the tyrant and it’s very painful, but will he tread the path he swore he never would and find redemption in doing what is right? Once a dangerous man and a slaver, Dannon is heeding a new call, one that compels him to change his old ways and embrace a new path. Val Arques is a powerful warrior, but he is in chains and all he yearns for is to find Kaell, but he only has one small opportunity to escape. Can he succeed?
A tale filled with action, dark magic, and powerful heroes fighting deadly enemies, The Last Seer King is replete with suspense and told in a style that is atmospheric, in prose that is delightful, and with characters that are real and compelling. What grabbed my attention as I opened the book was the author’s prose. It is filled with vivid descriptions and strong imagery. For instance, the description of Kaell caught up between the twilight zone of death and wakefulness is appealing to the senses: “But familiar sensations poured into him. Groping hands that pulled him towards wakefulness. The aroma of candlewax. The sight of dawn’s pink flush beyond a window. Cloth rubbing his skin. Even the weight of his head on a downy pillow.” The beauty of the language is one of the elements that set this narrative apart, both highly descriptive and insightful with poetic lines like “the silence sank into him, a beast of a thing that pawed his neck with unease as the clanging, pealing iron and the screams of men ebbed away.”
S.J. Hartland has a strong gift for plot and the shifts in points of view create suspense that gets the reader racing through the pages, always looking forward to what happens to the characters. The subplots are used to reinforce the suspense and sustain the reader’s interest in the story. This is a series I’d love to watch on screen. It is delightful and utterly gripping, with strong plot points and elaborately developed characters.
Recommend this book:
The Last Christmas Tree
Deborah Hoffman
2021 Honorable Mention
48 Pages
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Children - Christian
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
We are all put on earth for a reason. We live, we give, we share and then we move on to join our Creator. Even trees have their reasons for existing. Mr. B had a marvelous, almost magical Christmas tree farm. Every year families came to choose the perfect Christmas tree. Mr. B cared for these trees, nurtured them until they were ready to be cut and decorated for that special day. The trees knew they were special and that, after leaving Mr. B’s farm, they would be joining their Creator. There was one tree on the farm that was never cut, never sold. A scraggly, unattractive tree that grew very slowly. But this tree was extra special; it had a lesson to share with those who doubted the wisdom, the love, and the care of our One Creator. This tree didn’t know he was special, not at first, but its life served as a testament to Mr. B’s faith and the true love we can all share with our One Creator.
Deborah Hoffman’s picture book story, The Last Christmas Tree, is beautifully told with a powerful message about faith and love. The plot develops with care and compassion so that young readers can easily follow the message that is being presented. At first, the reader will feel sorry for the little scraggly tree that no one wanted as their special Christmas tree, but at the climax, they learn another side to the story and they will experience the same sense of awe and wonder that this ‘last’ Christmas tree must have felt. The story is exquisite and exudes warmth and tenderness. This is a valuable teaching tool for young readers and a compassionately told story that will bring tears to the eyes, both young and old, of those who read it.
We are all put on earth for a reason. We live, we give, we share and then we move on to join our Creator. Even trees have their reasons for existing. Mr. B had a marvelous, almost magical Christmas tree farm. Every year families came to choose the perfect Christmas tree. Mr. B cared for these trees, nurtured them until they were ready to be cut and decorated for that special day. The trees knew they were special and that, after leaving Mr. B’s farm, they would be joining their Creator. There was one tree on the farm that was never cut, never sold. A scraggly, unattractive tree that grew very slowly. But this tree was extra special; it had a lesson to share with those who doubted the wisdom, the love, and the care of our One Creator. This tree didn’t know he was special, not at first, but its life served as a testament to Mr. B’s faith and the true love we can all share with our One Creator.
Deborah Hoffman’s picture book story, The Last Christmas Tree, is beautifully told with a powerful message about faith and love. The plot develops with care and compassion so that young readers can easily follow the message that is being presented. At first, the reader will feel sorry for the little scraggly tree that no one wanted as their special Christmas tree, but at the climax, they learn another side to the story and they will experience the same sense of awe and wonder that this ‘last’ Christmas tree must have felt. The story is exquisite and exudes warmth and tenderness. This is a valuable teaching tool for young readers and a compassionately told story that will bring tears to the eyes, both young and old, of those who read it.
Recommend this book:
The Last Insurgent
Book 2 in the Michael Wolfe Saga
J.C. Fields
2021 Silver Medal
387 Pages
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Fiction - Suspense
Reviewed by Trix Lee for Readers' Favorite
The Last Insurgent is the second book in J.C. Fields’ Michael Wolfe Saga. Sniper extraordinaire Michael and his ex-Mossad agent wife Nadia Picard-Wolfe are pulled back into the game to stop a sinister terrorist plot. Our lethal couple faces Danny McCaffrey, a former IRA member, an expert bomb-maker, and overall dangerous mercenary killer. From the mountains of Iran down to the harbors of Ireland and all the way to the suburban streets of the USA East Coast, Michael and Nadia race against time to prevent a disaster that could shake up the world.
I truly enjoyed reading The Last Insurgent. The plot was well thought-out, the pacing of the story was good, and the dialogues were effective. The suspense was kept up throughout the entire book and the action sequences were thrilling. I liked the way the narration was done, alternating among the characters spread out in various locations and with scenes that are sometimes sequential and sometimes even simultaneous. This is a movie waiting to happen! I especially liked the dynamics between Michael and Nadia, the loving marriage that they share, the lethal prowess that they have, and the dutiful principles that they uphold. The Wolfe couple is a good example of a healthy and supportive partnership between two independent and equally capable individuals. Marriage goals, I’d say! Of course with the exception of making enemies out of dangerous men like McCaffrey, a man who leaves trails of death and destruction every step of the way. J.C. Fields is an excellent storyteller. The Last Insurgent is a plot-driven, suspenseful read that does not slow down until the very end. The narrative was superb, the details well-researched, and the conclusion was satisfying. I’m looking forward to the next book in this saga.
The Last Insurgent is the second book in J.C. Fields’ Michael Wolfe Saga. Sniper extraordinaire Michael and his ex-Mossad agent wife Nadia Picard-Wolfe are pulled back into the game to stop a sinister terrorist plot. Our lethal couple faces Danny McCaffrey, a former IRA member, an expert bomb-maker, and overall dangerous mercenary killer. From the mountains of Iran down to the harbors of Ireland and all the way to the suburban streets of the USA East Coast, Michael and Nadia race against time to prevent a disaster that could shake up the world.
I truly enjoyed reading The Last Insurgent. The plot was well thought-out, the pacing of the story was good, and the dialogues were effective. The suspense was kept up throughout the entire book and the action sequences were thrilling. I liked the way the narration was done, alternating among the characters spread out in various locations and with scenes that are sometimes sequential and sometimes even simultaneous. This is a movie waiting to happen! I especially liked the dynamics between Michael and Nadia, the loving marriage that they share, the lethal prowess that they have, and the dutiful principles that they uphold. The Wolfe couple is a good example of a healthy and supportive partnership between two independent and equally capable individuals. Marriage goals, I’d say! Of course with the exception of making enemies out of dangerous men like McCaffrey, a man who leaves trails of death and destruction every step of the way. J.C. Fields is an excellent storyteller. The Last Insurgent is a plot-driven, suspenseful read that does not slow down until the very end. The narrative was superb, the details well-researched, and the conclusion was satisfying. I’m looking forward to the next book in this saga.
Recommend this book:
The Last Lumenian
S.G. Blaise
2021 Silver Medal
317 Pages
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Romance - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Last Lumenian is a lavish and engrossing work of fiction in the fantasy, action, and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author S. G. Blaise. Written for young adult and adult readers alike to enjoy, this immersive tale introduces us to a princess unlike most others, whose fortitude and rebellious nature find her in a precarious position even from the novel’s start. Lilla takes solace in her rebel friends and surrounding servants as his father, the king, is lost to his madness. But when a new general arrives on the scene and a powerful Archgod declares magical war, Lilla discovers that the fight ahead of her is far bigger than she expected.
Author S. G. Blaise has crafted a fantastic escape from reality which is beautifully easy to fall into but very had to let go of at the close. One of the things that really captivated me about the work was its pacing and story construction, which leaves you wanting more and peeking ahead at the end of every chapter. As the story progresses and we learn more and more about Lilla, the character development and close narration give her an inspirational and emotional resonance that makes the story even harder to put down, resulting in a wildly inventive and intricately planned fantasy rollercoaster which delivers everything it promises. Overall, I would highly recommend The Last Lumenian for fantasy fans seeking strong female leads, solid worldbuilding, visceral action, and plenty of magic. A truly epic opening to an exciting new series.
The Last Lumenian is a lavish and engrossing work of fiction in the fantasy, action, and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author S. G. Blaise. Written for young adult and adult readers alike to enjoy, this immersive tale introduces us to a princess unlike most others, whose fortitude and rebellious nature find her in a precarious position even from the novel’s start. Lilla takes solace in her rebel friends and surrounding servants as his father, the king, is lost to his madness. But when a new general arrives on the scene and a powerful Archgod declares magical war, Lilla discovers that the fight ahead of her is far bigger than she expected.
Author S. G. Blaise has crafted a fantastic escape from reality which is beautifully easy to fall into but very had to let go of at the close. One of the things that really captivated me about the work was its pacing and story construction, which leaves you wanting more and peeking ahead at the end of every chapter. As the story progresses and we learn more and more about Lilla, the character development and close narration give her an inspirational and emotional resonance that makes the story even harder to put down, resulting in a wildly inventive and intricately planned fantasy rollercoaster which delivers everything it promises. Overall, I would highly recommend The Last Lumenian for fantasy fans seeking strong female leads, solid worldbuilding, visceral action, and plenty of magic. A truly epic opening to an exciting new series.
Recommend this book:
Azalea Fern and the Last Ruin of the Extinct
Becci Murray
2022 Honorable Mention
235 Pages
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Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite
The Homotium species live near the mechanicary house, the old and creepy place that caused the extinction of the Sapien people. Two Homotium people have already died because of that place. All Homotium fear going into it so as not to catch the sickness from the bones of the now extinct, but Azalea Fern and Oak-Lea Moss venture into it anyway. Azalea's foe, Bryony Vine, locks them inside the mechanicary house. Once Azalea and Oak-Lea escape, they think they have caught the sickness and will soon die. When only Oak-Lea gets sick, Azalea begins to unravel an ancient secret that threatens not only her but the future of the whole Homotium species. If you want to learn what has caused the extinction of the Sapiens and how they may still be a danger to the Homotium species, you should read Azalea Fern and the Last Ruin of the Extinct by Becci Murray.
There is much to commend in this book and I think it is worth reading simply for its originality. It's engrossing and engaging and destined to capture imaginations. The clear wake-up call about diversity, equality, and inclusion makes this book a standout. Azalea Fern and the Last Ruin of the Extinct by Becci Murray is riveting, brutal, and brilliantly told. This grittily provocative children's fantasy explores the true horror of damaging the environment and the importance of trust, equality, and unity in a community. All readers who sink into the pages of this enthralling middle-grade children's book will be rewarded. This book will surely keep readers thinking past the final page.
The Homotium species live near the mechanicary house, the old and creepy place that caused the extinction of the Sapien people. Two Homotium people have already died because of that place. All Homotium fear going into it so as not to catch the sickness from the bones of the now extinct, but Azalea Fern and Oak-Lea Moss venture into it anyway. Azalea's foe, Bryony Vine, locks them inside the mechanicary house. Once Azalea and Oak-Lea escape, they think they have caught the sickness and will soon die. When only Oak-Lea gets sick, Azalea begins to unravel an ancient secret that threatens not only her but the future of the whole Homotium species. If you want to learn what has caused the extinction of the Sapiens and how they may still be a danger to the Homotium species, you should read Azalea Fern and the Last Ruin of the Extinct by Becci Murray.
There is much to commend in this book and I think it is worth reading simply for its originality. It's engrossing and engaging and destined to capture imaginations. The clear wake-up call about diversity, equality, and inclusion makes this book a standout. Azalea Fern and the Last Ruin of the Extinct by Becci Murray is riveting, brutal, and brilliantly told. This grittily provocative children's fantasy explores the true horror of damaging the environment and the importance of trust, equality, and unity in a community. All readers who sink into the pages of this enthralling middle-grade children's book will be rewarded. This book will surely keep readers thinking past the final page.
Recommend this book:
The Last Text You Sent
Elise Fender
2022 Silver Medal
220 Pages
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Young Adult - Romance
Reviewed by Amy Powers for Readers' Favorite
The Last Text You Sent by Elise Fender is a dramatic young adult romance that tells the story of one teenager's struggles to cope with the loss of her brother. Whit was the Nashville football star who held Avery's family together. When he unexpectedly passes away after a head injury, her home life just isn't the same. Avery recovers his cell phone only to discover texts to show that Whit was keeping secrets -- namely, a secret lover at the family vacation home in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She spends all of the winter break looking for clues to figure out who this mystery person is. She makes no progress, but she reconnects with Jack, the first boy she ever kissed. From separate states, the two of them continue to hunt for the person who stole Whit's heart, while Avery tries to put her life and her family back together.
Right from the beginning, The Last Text You Sent had me hooked into Avery's world, with unexpected twists and turns that were both beautiful and emotional. Elise Fender wonderfully portrays Avery with so many relatable emotions aside from just losing a sibling -- alienation at school and at home, survivor's guilt, and even guilt at finding her own happiness in the midst of her grief. I couldn't have asked for a more well-developed character nor a more smoothly woven-together storyline. The family relationships are just as beautiful as the innocently blossoming romance between Avery and Jack. I highly recommend The Last Text You Sent to fans of young adult books, and I will definitely be reading this one again.
The Last Text You Sent by Elise Fender is a dramatic young adult romance that tells the story of one teenager's struggles to cope with the loss of her brother. Whit was the Nashville football star who held Avery's family together. When he unexpectedly passes away after a head injury, her home life just isn't the same. Avery recovers his cell phone only to discover texts to show that Whit was keeping secrets -- namely, a secret lover at the family vacation home in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She spends all of the winter break looking for clues to figure out who this mystery person is. She makes no progress, but she reconnects with Jack, the first boy she ever kissed. From separate states, the two of them continue to hunt for the person who stole Whit's heart, while Avery tries to put her life and her family back together.
Right from the beginning, The Last Text You Sent had me hooked into Avery's world, with unexpected twists and turns that were both beautiful and emotional. Elise Fender wonderfully portrays Avery with so many relatable emotions aside from just losing a sibling -- alienation at school and at home, survivor's guilt, and even guilt at finding her own happiness in the midst of her grief. I couldn't have asked for a more well-developed character nor a more smoothly woven-together storyline. The family relationships are just as beautiful as the innocently blossoming romance between Avery and Jack. I highly recommend The Last Text You Sent to fans of young adult books, and I will definitely be reading this one again.
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