Review: The Censors Hand

The Censor's Hand by A. M. Steiner

Thrice-Crossed Swords Trilogy Book 1

Published May 18th 2017 by Ptolemy Publishing UK

Reviewed by Rose

4 Magical Stars

Synopsis:

“We do not dabble with magic; we capture it, structure it and sell it.”

So claim the powerful masters of the Honourable Company of Cunning. Operating from the forbidding island of the Convergence, their arcane works have reshaped society. Now a censor, a guardian of justice, has been murdered in their midst and a terrifying conspiracy will be revealed.

Miranda, one of the hundred adopted daughters of the Dowager Duchess, wants nothing more than to become a master of the cunning arts. Only a fool would doubt her genius, but never before has a woman been permitted to wield such power.

Jonathan faces ruin. The sails of his mill haven’t turned since the Company diverted the winds of Bromwich to their advantage. He’s always been a devout and law-abiding man. How far will he go to protect his family from destitution and the gangsters at his doorstep? (Goodreads)

If Daniel, his brother, passes the tests to become a censor, maybe he could protect them. He might even get the chance to make amends for what happened to their sister. But in the real world, justice is elusive, and the damage of the past can rarely be undone. 

Review:

This is the first book in the Thrice Crosses Swords trilogy, and the first I have read from this author. The beginning is well laid out and really hooks you in. The story follows three main characters journey. 

The flow is smooth and well developed world building leading up to more to come. A solid fantasy for the adult reader. 

Review: Before She Ignites

Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

Fallen Isles Trilogy Book 1

Publication Date September 12, 2017 by Katherine Tegan Books

Reviewed by Rose

5 MAGICAL STARS!!

Synopsis:

Before

Mira Minkoba is the Hopebearer. Since the day she was born, she’s been told she’s special. Important. Perfect. She’s known across the Fallen Isles not just for her beauty, but for the Mira Treaty named after her, a peace agreement which united the seven islands against their enemies on the mainland.

But Mira has never felt as perfect as everyone says. She counts compulsively. She struggles with crippling anxiety. And she’s far too interested in dragons for a girl of her station.

After

Then Mira discovers an explosive secret that challenges everything she and the Treaty stand for. Betrayed by the very people she spent her life serving, Mira is sentenced to the Pit–the deadliest prison in the Fallen Isles. There, a cruel guard would do anything to discover the secret she would die to protect.

No longer beholden to those who betrayed her, Mira must learn to survive on her own and unearth the dark truths about the Fallen Isles–and herself–before her very world begins to collapse. (Goodreads)

Review:

Oh wow. What did I just read? It was like Game Of Thrones (minus the adult theme) meets, Mortal Instruments, meets Divergent. The time going back and forth threw me a bit at first. I still would have preferred it be lumped in order, in the beginning to make the flow smoother. However, flow it did. The present was fast paced and nail biting. For those who did not finish this book, they missed out. Truly. There was a hint of romance, but no true romance in this one. The thing that got me is bam it ended. No warning, but at least there is some closure to a piece, but it did leave mannnny questions. A great first start, I hope there is many more to follow. Awesome read form a new to me author. 

Review: Blood Renegades

Blood Renegades by Rosemary A. Johns

Rebel Vampires Book 3

Published June 13, 2017 by Fantasy Rebel Limited

Reviewed by Rose

4 Fangs!

Synopsis:

Light – rebel, lover, anti-hero – will be burnt at the stake in fourteen days. When he’s accused of being a terrorist Renegade in paranormal London, his bewitching Blood Life Council interrogator offers a deal: one secret a night.

Facing both human and vampire enemies, secret alliances and betrayal, Light struggles with whether he’s a hero, or about to fall back into his true vampire nature. Soon, Light’s in a race against time to transform into the leader vital to save his family, home, and love. But will he be able to judge predator from prey?

Light must make the ultimate choice: safety and slavery in the shadows, or freedom and death in the light…

Blood Renegades is the thrilling third installment of the supernatural suspense series REBEL VAMPIRES written by award-winning author Rosemary A Johns. (Goodreads)

Review:

This is the third book in the series. I would recommend reading the first two books before reading this one. This third installment is by far my favorite of the series. It flowed a bit smoother, and I think by now the slang that's peppered throughout is not bothersome. I would have loved a glossary in all the books in the series. The British slang is just not something everyone will know, I think it would make for a more enjoyable read for readers from other countries. This format is in a journal format but with more dialogue. More dialogue to me is much better. It is just reads more smoothly to me.