The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis

Summary

A good girl.

A bad boy.

A fairy tale that’s true.

A truth that is no fairy tale.

It begins the day Anna finds the child’s doll on the floor of the student lounge. When it’s claimed by Abel, the school drug dealer, Anna becomes determined to learn more about this mysterious boy with the military haircut and deep blue eyes. She follows him after school and discovers a secret: Abel is caring for his six-year-old sister, Micha, alone. Anna listens in as he tells her a fairy tale, the story of a little orphan queen pursued by hunters across the oceans for the treasure she carries: her pure, diamond heart.

It’s a story with parallels to reality. Social services and Micha’s abusive father could take her from Abel if they discover the truth. Despite friends’ warnings, Anna is drawn to Abel and Micha, and falls under the spell of the story of the little queen and her desperate voyage.

But when people Abel has woven into his tale turns up dead, it’s Anna whose heart is in danger. Is she in love with a killer? And has she set out on a journey from which there is no return?

Number of pages: 416

Review

Never before have I read a story like that of The Storyteller. In a way, Antonia’s story went above and beyond everything that I expected considering nothing is as expected in the lives of Anna, Abel, and Micha, but there was also a bit of a let down. Call me a sucker for happy endings, I guess.

 The Storyteller’s story in the book is unlike any fairy tale I have ever encountered. I really feel like someone was telling me the story rather than me just reading the words and absorbing them on the paper. Abel tells the story to Micha and Anna part by part as the story of their lives unfolds before them, inspiring the story of the little cliff queen (Micha). As I read the story and compared it to the fairytale, Antonia guided me through it, making me assume things and think that I had it all figured out way ahead of time. It was incredible really how I felt and thought exactly what the author wanted me to feel and think. There were parts where my original reactions to things described in the story made me want to fling the book far away, but then the author would describe something about the characters and the actions and it would just make me go along with it. It was as if she made me feel empathy for things that I would never usually feel for. She also made me think that I had all the puzzle pieces together even though I knew some pieces were missing. In reality, I had had all the pieces, just in a different order and waiting for new fabricated pieces to arrive. This all probably sound confusing the way I am explaining it, but this story is one that I can not explain in just simple words. It’s all about feeling it as you go along.

The writing was simply beautiful. It was poetic . . . lyrical even. Usually I tend to stray away from flowery writing because I get distracted in the detailed descriptions and what not. In this book, that was not the case (at least, not often). There was a slight change in writing style, I thought, between the story of their lives and the fairytale story. I assume it was because Abel was the one telling the fairytale story, not Antonia as the author. Antonia also wrote about very different characters, ones whose personalities and problems are not that of the ones I usually encounter. Take Abel for instance: he is as unique a character as I have ever read, but I didn’t even get to discover that until piece by piece the author revealed Abel at the end as he was meant to be. And Anna: she was one of those main heroines that you feel for and understand but also want to beat the crude out of her for the way she handles things or the way she reacts. Some of her actions seemed so naïve to me—or just stupid—but then the author was make me feel she was justified by doing that whole empathy thing again. In the end, I didn’t know whether to love or hate those two. Micha I adored, wholeheartedly. That little queen captured my heart from the start, and I ached over the things she went through and the things she saw during that cold winter in their little city in Germany. I can’t blame the author for anything that happened in the end because looking back I realized that I always knew this story of the little queen and her friends was one of heartbreak, which is exactly how I was left feeling. From 1-10? The brilliant work of tragedy is a 7 to me.

P.S. I feel like a heads up is in order. While this book was very good, I do not recommend it for those who are young. Many things happened in this book that are not G rated, nor do I think that all of it is comfortable reading about to some of you i.e. murder, drugs, rape etc. 

Guardians: The Fallout by Lola St. Vil

Summary

Just because she has wings,

doesn’t mean she’s an Angel…

It's front page news on every Angel gossip rag:

“Marcus & Ameana: Gone The Way Of “Brad & Jennifer.”

So, Who Is The “Angelina?” Emmy Baxter—a mere mortal!”

Ameana tries to avoid her ex and his new love by focusing

on the other evil out to destroy the team. But soon her pain

turns to fury.

And before the end…a girl plots revenge, a leader is on the edge

and an Angel falls.

• Number of pages: 350

Review

Oh my god. I was just stopped cold. Like dead cold. The book ended, and I was left  . . . waiting. I honestly don’t know what to do now. The book is over and it’s going to be quite some time before book THREE comes out considering this just came out today and I was fortunate to coerce (*cough* begged) the author into giving me an ARC.

When we last saw our doomed characters, a big revelation about one of the Guardian’s actions was reveled leaving you with a feeling of unease. This book starts off in the point of view of Ameana, Marcus’ ex-girlfriend. Boy does this girl have some serious issues. At times I couldn’t blame her, and at others I just wanted to kick her. You do get to witness a more vulnerable side to the girl, which is nice to see and to know that she isn’t a complete robot. I’d have to say that two thirds of the book was in her point of view where as one third is done in the point of view of our spunky and stubborn human, Emmy. Most of the time Ameana tries to make Emmy seem like a real loser and a complete waste of space. At times I had to agree with her because of some pettiness I spotted, but when you took the time to look into the way Emmy reacts and composes herself under pressure, you can’t help but feel admiration for her. Honestly, after looking at both girls I felt admiration for both. And not only did I see a lot of different aspects of them, but also from the other characters. Anger from those I didn’t think were that capable, selflessness when I thought they were all hard, even love in one case where there was no WAY there was before. Each book seems to open up a different layer of everyone.

The plot line was interesting in this one as well. The same goals to save the earth still apply, but there were very different obstacles that I thought were great and nerve wracking at the same time. I don’t want to give out too much information on book two so I will just say that this continuation of The Guardians is not something that will disappoint. I read one chapter for every math problem I completed (I like to think of it as a reward), and when it ended I was left not only speechless, but also feeling slightly fainted. All I kept thinking was that it COULDN’T end that way. I COULDN’T be left hanging that bad. But I was, and not only does it frustrate me, but I am also dying to get my hand on the 3^rd book A.S.A.P. That isn’t likely to happen soon so until then I will just have to be satisfied with rating it from 1-10? An 8.5

Side note: I understand that the given summary doesn’t really tell you what this book is about, but I’ll post something different up if I find it a little more specific or helpful. Either way read the first and then this one! Trust. 

Timepiece: An Hourglass Novel by Myra McEntire

Summary

Kaleb Ballard was never supposed to be able to see ripples—cracks in time. Are Kaleb’s powers expanding, or is something very wrong? Before Kaleb can find out, Jonathan Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, reappears. Why is he back, and what, or whom, does he want?

In the wake of Lander’s return, the Hourglass organization is offered an ultimatum by a mysterious man. Either they find Landers and the research he has stolen on people who might carry the time gene, or time will be altered—with devastating results for the people Kaleb loves most.

Now Kaleb, Emersion, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their extraordinary powers to find Landers. But where do they even start? And when? Even if they succeed, just finding him may not be enough . . .

• Number of pages: 336

Review

Interesting story line. Interesting characters. It was all very interesting, which makes it good. It was a good plot and I had a good time reading it. But that doesn’t make it great.

Really there is nothing bad I can say about this book. I didn’t encounter any definite flaw, nor did I have a bad time reading, it just ended up being average. The story itself is not average in the way that we see lots of these time travelling and science fiction stories, but it wasn’t like I was left with my mouth open and the adrenaline rush I get from a really great book. Sure it wasn’t the best, but I’m glad I read it.

The first book in the Hourglass series is narrated by Em, and Kaleb narrated this one. I can’t say which character I like better as the lead, but it was very different between the two people. I found myself missing having Em as the leader of the thought process. Anyway, their personalities, their struggles, their connection to the happens of the book, but I found this one a little bit more cliché than the last one. Honestly, I would be lying if I told you that there was something wrong with this book, it’s just something that I can’t put my finger on, and I don’t want anyone reading this thinking that they shouldn’t read the book because of it. This is just the feeling that I had, and I am sharing. Yours may be completely different than my own, and I completely accept that. With that said, I am also going to write why I thought this book was good. Kaleb has a strong personality and it was interesting seeing how that played off in his inner thoughts. He is an empathy, which means he can feel the emotions of people he is connected to or around him. Read this I would continuously be thrown the different emotions of people around Kaleb, and that was interesting seeing how he reacted to the different emotions. It was also great to see how he changed for the better, though like I said before it was a tad bit cliché. Then again, who doesn’t like a little cliché in their lives? Your opinion is just as good as mine. I will say that I am looking forward to the next book for two reasons: the story continues into a new adventure, which will obviously not settle me until I find out how it is resolved and I am looking forward to seeing who is the narrator of the next book. Em the first, Kaleb the second, who is next? Michael? Lily? Someone new? I wonder . . . I wonder . . . From 1-10? 5.5

Two-Year Blogaversary & Guardians: The Girl Giveaway Winners!

This post might end up being the cheesiest thing in the world, but it must be done. It must be done because today marks Nap Snack Read’s two-year blogaversary! 730 That’s right . . . 730 days where I have written all my thoughts on the great acts of literature that I have read. I am honestly so happy that my dad pushed me to start Nap Snack Read as a stupid little hobby, which turned out being s lot more.

Ok, cheesiness is over! It’s time to announce the winners of the Guardians: The Girl Giveaway! This was my first giveaway, and I appreciate those who participated. It meant a lot. I also want to thank the author, Lola St. Vil, for all her help on this little project. Thanks Lola! Well here are the winners!  Congratulations to . . .

Jesse

Adriana D.

Lindsay C.

If you read this, you will be receiving an email with your prizes tonight. I hope you guys enjoy the books!

Seeds of War by Rachel Fisher

Summary

The mission of Eden must be fulfilled and Eden’s best Seekers are needed. Forming a new group they dub the Seeders, Fi, Asher, and Sean are joined by a new addition as they set out to bring hope and support to the Topsiders in the form of radios and heirloom seeds. As radio broadcasts begin to reconnect the survivors, the Seeders stumble upon mysterious broadcasts from unknown stations. When two of their own new radio stations go silent within days of each other, Fi and her companions realize that something is terribly wrong. Eden finds itself pitted against a growing and unknown force as their very mission lights the flames of war.

• Number of pages: 262

Review

First off, if you haven’t read book one in this trilogy then read it. Once you are finished go straight to this one. Book two picks up right in the moment where it ended in book one, and there is lots of information in both books so you wouldn’t want to miss anything, trust me. I had to reread the first book in its entirety because there was no way that I was going to remember all the little details that were present, but then again that could be just me.

If you have read my post on the first book then you will have noticed that I emphasized that book as a survival book. So what does that make book two, Seeds of War? For that I will have to steal a word from the book itself, and that word is “Reconnection”. What does that mean exactly? Well, Fi and her Family have made it to Eden, they have settled in, they have revived their strengths, and now Fi is out to reconnect with the people living in the world, the “Topsiders”, and to replant the original plants and grasses that were first created when the Earth was young, before humans tampered with it. Sorry if that gave away a few spoilers of book one, but there is no other way for me to describe what is going on in this one. So mainly, Fi, Asher, Sean, and a new friend named Sara are off to save the world by helping the scientists of Eden recreate the Earth’s original properties, but along the way trouble starts to brew.

After reading both books, I feel like I have traveled Topside right along Fi. The characters were amazingly created by Rachel Fisher, who seems to have a real talent for making a story real. The plot has always been amazing, intricately created with points that make it seem like everything that has happened to these people in 2030 something is very possible in our future, but what I found most interesting was the characters. And what I love about this author is that although Fi is the main character that we usually follow, we still jump from character to character to character depending on the scene. I really got to know all of them in a deeper way, which was great for my nerdy side. And they felt believable because of it in a sense that if I was tromping in the forest with three other people with the weight of the world sort of literally on my shoulders, this is how I would feel. These would be my concerns, if that makes any sense. I also got the sense that unlike book one, this was more of a moral or ethical book. I loved how these moral and religious questions popped up in Fi’s mind because I would think that is normal. What if God was punishing them? What if killing someone meant saving someone else? What are your choices? It all heightened the sense of survival and the problems they were all facing.

Anyway, I again found Rachel’s work great. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and I am just dying to get my greedy little hands on book three. (Hope it doesn’t take too long!) It was an excellent story, but it is also a "thinking" kind of book. Lots of scientific stuff and theories. At times confusing, but never unbearably so. Something I do think I should warn you about is that this book may not be for the faint hearted. This is still survival of the fittest, kill or be killed. There were parts where it may be a little bit bloody or scary and pretty intense, but it was all done to heighten the sense of danger that the author was giving off. At least, that’s what I felt. Either way I feel like this was a wonderful book, and the series is turning out to be a real mind opener, not just some silly little love story. I really like that. (Though the love story in this book is amazingly sweet, just saying.) So from 1-10? Seeds of War is a definite 8.5

Guardians: The Girl Giveaway! Info & Rules

The time has come for me to try something new. It was bound to happen, to try to spice things up a bit and give you guys a chance to interact with me and win an awesome prize. So what better time to do that other than on Nap Snack Read’s two-year blogaversary? The day is coming and it is my wish to celebrate it with my first special giveaway!

So here are the details. The author who has agreed to partner up with me for this special event it Lola St. Vil. She is the author of Guardians series, and has agreed to present the winners with a free copy of the first book Guardians: The Girl in kindle format, nook format, and pdf format. If a different format is needed, just let me know which type you'd need and I'll see what I can do. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this book, click here to see my review on Guardians: The Girl and a full summary of the story. Trust me on this, I highly, highly recommend this book, so you might as well try to win a copy here, right? So take the chance, and apply to win on July 24, which is five days from now. Set your alarms . .  . take note of it in your calendar . . . because this is one book you will want to try to win.

Giveaway Rules

1. Contestant must be a follower of Nap Snack Read (follow the steps indicated on the right hand side, above Blog Archive)

2. Contestant must send an email to napsnackread@yahoo.com with your name and follower profile name or comment on this post with the information

3. Email/comment must also include the type of book format you prefer

The winners of this giveaway will be announced on the 24th of July and be given their prize accordingly. Good luck to you all! 

The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble

Summary

Addie Sullivan leads a quiet life in a northern California lighthouse. She mourns the death of her father and endured her mother’s bitterness, until the night a storm brings an inured stranger and a dark secret to her home. The man insists she is not who she thinks she is, but rather “Julia Eaton”—the child long lost and feared dead by her wealthy family. Seizing the chance to be reunited with the Eatons, Addie leaves her lighthouse home but decides to keep her true identity a secret until they can unravel the mystery.

Addie loves the Eaton’s palatial home tucked away among the California redwood forests. She feels secure with the jovial family, adores the young boy who is her charge as a governess, and finds romance with his father John, a young widower. But sinister shadows overtake Addie’s joy. As dusty rooms and secret compartments give up their clues about her past, Addie finds a faith and a love she could never have guessed. To embrace this new world of promise is to risk her life; but to run away is to risk losing the greatest love she’s ever known.

• Number of pages: 306

Review

If you have read the summary to this book then you will understand that this is a Christian book with lots of spiritual messages intertwined with each word. Being a Christian, I myself enjoyed this book thoroughly as it opened up a few points in my faith. Books like this one tends to remind me of things I’ve either overlooked in my faith or never acknowledged. That how it works for me, but, understandably, that is not how it works for every, and I respect that. Which means I also appreciate respect back on my own views.

With that said, I will get on with my review of The Lightkeeper’s Daughter. This is just the kind of book that I use to read when I was younger, when I first started opening myself up to the love of reading. It reminded me of that time because it was sweet in nature, mystery to decipher, a simple love story, and is takes place in the past. I have always had a special sweet spot for historical fictions, and this one happened to take place in one of my favorite times. A time of ladies gowns, bowler hats, and manners is where I found Addie. The time gave the characters a charming nature where I really felt the differences between my time and theirs. That has always interested me, and it was especially highlighted in this book.

The plot itself was interesting enough. Don’t you just hate when a mystery’s answers seem obvious? That wasn’t the case with this book. Well, to be honest, when the mystery was coming to a close I found myself anticipating the answer before it was revealed, which was kind of disappointing in a way but didn’t ruin the whole book’s experience at the same time.

On the religion aspect of this story, I found it subtly yet firm in its beliefs. I liked that. I didn’t feel like the main character, or in this case the author, was shoving her beliefs down my throat, but being a Christian who was looking for the religiousness of the story was intrigued by the little lessons I received from it. I found that while there were obvious religious feelings, I do believe that if you aren’t of the same faith you could still pick up the book and enjoy the story. It was a sweet story if that is what you might decide to do. So from 1-10? The Lightkeeper’s Daughters  is a 6.5