The Witches of Echo Park (The Witches of Echo Park #1) by Amber Benson

This review was written by: B

Received: Publisher

Publication Date of Book: December 2015

Pages: 304 (paperback edition)

Stars: 4.5/5 


Official Summary:

Unbeknownst to most of humankind, a powerful network of witches thrives within the shadows of society, using their magic to keep the world in balance.  But they are being eliminated -- and we will all pay if their power falls . . . 

When Lyse MacAllister's great-aunt Eleanora, the woman who raised her, becomes deathly ill, Lyse puts her comfortable life in Georgia on hold to rush back to Los Angeles.  And once she returns to Echo Park, Lyse discovers her great-aunt has been keeping secrets -- extraordinary secrets -- from her.

Not only is Lyse heir to Eleanora's Victorian estate; she is also expected to take her great-aunt's place in the Echo Park coven of witches.  But to accept her destiny means to place herself in deadly peril -- for the world of magic is under siege, and the battle the witches now fight may be their last . . . 

Review

Lizbeth knew Lyse was wrong: Time might heal a body's wounds, but it could do nothing for the misshapen scars those wounds left behind.

-The Witches of Echo Park

The Witches of Echo Park is an urban fantasy like no other, which can only be experienced first-hand.  Witches, magic, and covens have never been so real!  The writing was lyrically beautiful at points, and the story was deeply enthralling.  Amber Benson has worn many hats thus far in her life, and I think that "Author" is one of my favorites on her!

This novel introduces a unique take on the spells and wand-wielding supernatural beings that we call witches.  However, those in Echo Park prefer to be referenced as blood sisters.  I felt as though the magic system in the book was extremely practical with an undertone for possible, deeper magic in the books to come.  A coven is typically made up of five women, each with a particular talent.  These five labels include an herbalist who manipulates plants, a diviner who reads cards to predict fate, an empath who can see into a person's soul through physical touch, a Dream Keeper who can walk the dreamland, and someone who can enter the past. The world of covens is then headed by the Great Council in Rome. Eleanora, Devandra, Arrabelle, Daniela, and Lizbeth all take up coven positions, except there is not an announced Dream Keeper among them.

In my opinion, The Witches of Echo Park is a special novel.  While I was originally under the impression the entire story was from Lyse's point of view, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it actually takes into account all of the women and their lives.  Benson crafted six strong females and showcases their strengths and their weaknesses all at once.  Strong, graceful, vigilant, loving, understanding, intelligent, powerful, strong-willed, and one-of-a-kind, the qualities go on and on.  However, we are all human, including Benson's characters who were sometimes frightened, insecure, jealous, frustrated, lost, and angry.  In the end, though, they always kept fighting and never gave up.  I truly admire the author and her creations.  It is easy to paint someone in just a glorified or only a darkened light, but showing that someone is human means highlighting the good and the bad while keeping the underlying meaning of humanity and honesty in sight, which Benson accomplished with ease.  Not every author can do this.  Also, I feel as though she did a fabulous job empowering women along the journey of this book.  Girls can be strong, too, and this book showcases that statement perfectly. 

Looking back, I realize that The Witches of Echo Park took place during the course of only several days, but this was hardly noticed due to the multiple perspectives and fast-paced setup.  One thing happens after another to each character in turn, creating a spiral that a reader cannot help but fall into, consuming them completely, even after they surpass the last page!  That's not all, though!  Benson crafted an enticing, mesmerizing read through flashbacks, which also made the pages fly by one after the other.

While many first installments in a series, urban fantasy or otherwise, provide readers with an immense amount of information to properly set up the story, it can be extremely frustrating at times to keep up or stay engaged.  I do find these so-called "information dumps" important, though, despite the occasional frustration.  With that being said, Benson did an incredible job setting up The Witches of Echo Park.  While there was quite a bit to learn about and dive into regarding the characters and their circumstances, I find that it was the perfect beginning book.  The backstories were actually mesmeric to read, and it didn't feel like a burden.  I realize that not all readers will feel this way, but it is, of course, a personal preference.     

The antagonistic horror known as the Flood is by far one of my favorite parts of the book.  The mystery and secrecy surrounding the Flood sucked me in and created the need to read the second installment to the series right away.  This riddling enigma keeps nagging at me, and I won't stop reading these books until I find out exactly what it is!!!  

The Witches of Echo Park is a solid fantasy read that I thoroughly enjoyed.  It is a story that is both empowering and thrilling with a plot that thickens with each chapter, so by the end of it all, you'll need The Last Dream Keeper right away!  Benson is undeniably talented with small details and sudden twists, crafting the perfect story to read by the fireplace at night.  I for one, will be coming back for more!   

If you liked this book, you may also enjoy:

        

    

Half-Resurrection Blues (Bone Street Rumba #1) by Daniel José Older

This review was written by: C
Received: Publisher

Publication Date of Book: January 2015

Pages: 326

Stars: 4.5/5

Official Summary:

“Because I’m an inbetweener—and the only one anyone knows of at that—the dead turn to me when something is askew between them and the living. Usually, it’s something mundane like a suicide gone wrong or someone revived that shouldn’ta been.”

Carlos Delacruz is one of the New York Council of the Dead’s most unusual agents—an inbetweener, partially resurrected from a death he barely recalls suffering, after a life that’s missing from his memory. He thinks he is one of a kind—until he encounters other entities walking the fine line between life and death. 

One inbetweener is a sorcerer. He’s summoned a horde of implike ngks capable of eliminating spirits, and they’re spreading through the city like a plague. They’ve already taken out some of NYCOD’s finest, leaving Carlos desperate to stop their master before he opens up the entrada to the Underworld—which would destroy the balance between the living and the dead.

But in uncovering this man’s identity, Carlos confronts the truth of his own life—and death…

My Thoughts:

This is definitely a book that I thoroughly enjoyed! Older did a splendid job of building a realistic multiethnic Brooklyn with an urban fantasy twist. There are tons of adult urban fantasy novels out there that get too caught up in attempting to explain their fictional worlds with overcomplicated rules, hard to follow plots, and too many characters to keep track of. Older threw all of this out the window and masterfully created a world that was both interesting and easily understood. He quickly gave a rundown of the New York Council of the Dead and the hierarchical structure of Carlos' world without losing the reader along the way. The characters (both human, undead, and otherworldly) were also enjoyable. He even created some unique creatures, such as the ngks. These imp-like beings aren't similar to anything I've read about before. They're strange, mysterious, and I love Older's addition of their strange little exercise bike contraptions. There were many other diverse characters, but I believe that a few stood out more than others.

I can't quite put my finger on why this is so, but I loved reading the story through Carlos' point of view. Even though this is a fantasy novel, Older made Carlos seem like such a real person. You were able to experience his pain, sadness, triumphs, internal conflicts, and literally live his experiences. Even though Carlos is an inbetweener -- a human that's neither wholly dead, nor wholly alive -- you were still able to empathize easily with him. I think that Older used Carlos' current state of existence to his advantage in order to convey such realistic emotion. He really made Carlos into a truly unique character.

I do have to say that there were a few of supporting characters that enriched the story, especially Kia and Dr. Tijou. Kia, a sassy teen, had a personality that I loved! Even though she wasn't a huge part of the story, I was definitely interested in reading about her. Her interactions with Carlos in Baba Eddie's establishment were some of my favorite parts of the book. I also love the fact that Dr. Tijou always became overwhelmingly ecstatic whenever she told stories about past medical experiences, especially the gory ones! There was even great chemistry between Carlos, Riley, and Dro. I definitely would peg them as an odd version of the three musketeers. Overall, Half-Resurrection Blues was a great read that every fantasy lover should pick up and devour!

--- SPOILERS ---

The only reason that I gave this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars, is due to last battle that Carlos and Sasha have with Sarco. It felt a bit anticlimactic. When they eliminate Sarco by having him accidentally kill one of the ngks and then the rest of the slain creature's brethren devour Sarco's body and soul, it just seemed like the obvious solution. This is mostly due to a previous event, when Dro was destroyed by a swarm of ngks after he harmed one of them.

If you enjoyed this book you may also like:

       

Miranda's Rights (Paranormal Detectives Book 2) by Lily Luchesi

                           

This review was written by: B and C

Received: Author

Publication Date of Book: January 8, 2016

Pages: 128

Stars: 5/5

Summary:

Danny Mancini is glad to be rid of the Paranormal Investigative Division (PID), especially if it means that Angelica is out of his life forever.  Loving her had been so easy until he found out that she was a half-vampire, which was when the ever-present disgust set in.  How could he possibly love a woman who thrives on drinking actual human blood for survival?  His past life and his previous love for her seem all but a distant dream.  Plus, the paranormal creatures that she opened his eyes to refuse to leave him, especially when he goes to sleep at night.  Nightmare after nightmare plagues him . . . and then things get worse.  One fateful evening, he is suddenly targeted by a group of vicious werewolves intent on capturing him.  Near death (and fighting for his life), he has no choice but to immediately call for some much needed help, but help cannot come from just anyone.  A regular human would never be able to fend off this sharp-toothed, formidable enemy.  No, they have to understand his situation and be experienced in these matters, and that person just so happens to be the one who he wants to erase from his memory forever, Angelica.

Daniel cannot turn his back on this recent event.  The murderous werewolves were not just any old shape shifters.  They were cursed and after Angelica, too.  This former detective has no other choice but to join forces with the PID once again and face the horrible possibility of a conniving, practically impossible to kill witch, all while facing the half-vampire who he just can't shake from his heart.  While all of this is bound to be difficult for Danny to deal with, another unexpected surprise pops into his life.  While at the PID, his long deceased fiancé Miranda walks right up to him.  She's a vampire, and has been so since her supposed "passing."  Working as a PID agent, she was kept hidden from her family and friends by being forced to work on an entirely different continent.  However, she's come back to be with Danny, even if he doesn't feel the same way.  

Why were the werewolves after Danny and Angelica?  How can someone fight a force that refuses to die?  Will Angelica finally give in and become a full vampire, relinquishing her of her passionate feelings for the man who does not reciprocate her own passion?  What does Miranda have up her sleeve to win Danny back?  How does Danny really feel about Angelica?  Read Miranda's Rights and find out for yourself just what happens to these characters!  Just remember, love can be tricky, especially when dealing with vampires!  

Review:

After the ending of Stake-Out, C and I were immediately dying for more Paranormal Detectives novels, and when we were given the opportunity to read this new installment, we couldn't have been more excited!  Lily Luchesi outdid herself with this stunning sequel, which was somehow even better than the first book!!!  Fans will not be disappointed to read this one.  Favorite characters returned for an incredible story with an intriguing plot, fantastic villains, and even more supernatural creatures and thrills than ever before.

To begin with, we first have to express our love for Angelica.  We were extremely impressed with this strong, half-vampire in the first novel, but Miranda's Rights put her over the top.  There's something about her that is so kick-butt and (for lack of a better word) awesome!  Luchesi proudly presents a character devoid of the common female tropes found too often in literature today.  Angelica is everything we could ask for in a character . . . and more!  It was also lovely to see that although Angelica is a confident, capable woman, she is still feminine.  The author definitely obtained her goal of creating a female character that retains her feminine qualities while still kicking-ass in her six inch heels!  We believe that audience members will fall in love with this half-vampire in a heartbeat!  Also, she is a great role model for those out there who think that they can't be fearless, courageous, and beautiful all at once!  There are simply no words to describe the wonder that is Angelica Cross. 

The great thing about Miranda's Rights is that it picks up soon after Stake-Out ends.  Also, the action picks up in the very first chapter and continues to build as the story progresses.  Paranormal creatures were introduced during this installment that we would never have expected.  Sure, there was bound to be witches, werewolves, and vampires, but we were not expecting demons, other shape shifters, and even fey-folk!  This is not your average vampire novel.  Luchesi adds layer upon layer to this world of hers that crafts a unique experience that readers will happily return to.  The surprise and twists and turns she takes you on, you will never have seen coming!

Elements from the last book were gracefully carried into the next, including Supernatural references (If you haven't seen this show, what are you doing with your life?!) and lyrics that correspond and set off each chapter.  We'll be honest, we fangirled hardcore each time Supernatural was alluded to.  (We have no shame.)  There were also flashbacks once again regarding Angela's past.  These moments add depth to the story and enriched the book as a whole.  Those precious moments were our absolute favorite.  It took the story to a whole new level, embellishing important moments.

Perhaps one of the strongest elements in Miranda's Rights, was the relationship between Danny and Angelica.  Love can be a wonderful and painful thing.  One minute it can make you ecstatic beyond reason, but the next thing you know, it's as if you're drowning.  Sorting out your feelings can be like wading through mud, and deciphering what you're truly feeling is sometimes impossible.  How can you love someone but feel a need to distance yourself from them at the same time? This is what Danny's struggling with.  The inscrutable fact is that he loves Angelica, but how does that love extend?  How much love will it take for him to come to accept someone of a completely different nature than himself?  These are just a few questions that are proposed throughout the book.  

So, if you're looking for a paranormal read with some mystery, horror, action, and romance, look no further!  And if you haven't picked up this series yet, we strongly suggest that you do.  It's definitely worth it. Lily Luchesi has proven herself yet again as a capable author who can write compelling stories like no other!

If you enjoyed this book, you may also like:

         

Blog Tour: Max the Brave

“Are You My Mother?” meets “I Want My Hat Back” in the hilarious new picture book, Max the Brave (Sept. 8), by author and illustrator Ed Vere. Follow fearless Max as he encounters every other creature except the one he’s searching for…mouse. Check out the trailer!

About the book:

Max is a fearless kitten. Max is a brave kitten. Max is a kitten who chases mice. There's only one problem--Max doesn't know what a mouse looks like! With a little bit of bad advice, Max finds himself facing a much bigger challenge. Maybe Max doesn't have to be Max the Brave all the time...

Join this adventurous black cat as he very politely asks a variety of animals for help in finding a mouse. Young readers will delight in Max's mistakes, while adults will love the subtle, tongue-in-cheek humor of this new children's classic.

About the author:

Ed Vere is an author, artist and illustrator with a long track record of success in the picture book category. Max the Brave was named one of TheSunday Times's 100 Modern Children's Classics. His book Bedtime for Monsters was shortlisted for the 2011 Roald Dahl Funny Prize and Mr Big was chosen by Booktrust as the official Booktime book for 2009 (and was distributed to 750,000 British schoolchildren making it the largest single print run for a picture book). Vere was the World Book Day illustrator for 2009.

The Max the Brave blog tour is finally kicking off! You will be able to read B and F's full review of Max the Brave on September 15th! Keep posted for pictures and perhaps even a BookTube video! We are also letting you know that there is a Rafflecopter contest that will be running from September 1 to October 31! We have included the link below. Good luck!

Rafflecopter link:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7af7174/

Blog Tour: The Awakened

Synopsis:

Zoey Valentine is concerned with two things: surviving the multitude of self-defense classes her dad

makes her take and avoiding Ash Matthews.

That is, until the Z virus hits, wiping out a third of the population in a matter of weeks. If that weren’t frightening enough, the bodies of the victims disappear and suddenly reappear, awakened from their dead state. They're faster, smarter, and they work together to get the one thing they crave, human flesh.

The United States is in a panic and then the government decides the unthinkable: to bomb every major city overrun with the awakened.

Now Zoey is on the run, with her dad and Ash, desperate to find a place of safety amongst the ruined remains of the country.

Author Bio:

Sara Elizabeth Santana is a young adult and new adult fiction writer. She has worked as a smoothie artist, Disneyland cast member, restaurant supervisor, nanny, photographer, pizza delivery driver and barista but writing is what she loves most. Her first story was written at age nine. She runs her own nerd girl/book review blog, What A Nerd Girl Says. Her favorite books are a tie between Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling and Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce. She lives in Southern California with her dad, five siblings and two dogs. Her debut novel is The Awakened.

You can also visit Sara Elizabeth Santana at:

http://sesantanawrites.com/

Don't forget to check out The Awakened on GoodReads! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26847637-the-awakened

Purchasing The Awakened:

The Awakened can be purchased on Amazon! Just click the link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Awakened-Duology-Book-ebook/dp/B017AD8K9W.

If you preordered The Awakened on Kindle, you can receive a free SIGNED bookmark! If you purchased the book AFTER the release, you can still receive a free signed bookmark for ordering either the Kindle edition or the paperback. 

In order to claim your bookmark, you must message your proof of purchase/preorder and your name and address to: sesantanawrites@gmail.com 

Giveaway!

Rules:

This giveaway starts November 26nd and ends December 12th. 

All prizes will be shipped AFTER Christmas.

This giveaway is available internationally.

Prizes:

One Grand Prize Winner -Singed Copy of The Awakened

One First Place Winner - Signed Poster and Signed Bookmark

Two Second Place Winners - A Kindle Edition of The Awakened and a Signed Bookmark

Rafflecopter link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8952c82032

The Book Tour

Check out the entire tour for more information about the book, interviews, guest

posts, excerpts and more!

November 26th: Reading and Reviews / What A Nerd Girl Says

November 27th:  Living Within Fiction

November 28th: Lisa of Literature / Seeking Bazinga

November 29th: Chloe's Book Nook / Book and Movies Addict

November 30th: Tine's Reviews / Escape from Realities

December 1st: What A Nerd Girl Says / The Book Academy / Bookish Wonderland

December 2nd: Recently Acquired Obsessions / Morgan Reads

December 3rd: Case Maynard, Author / Movies, Shows and Books

December 4th: Bout of Bibliophilia

December 5th: Tesairie's Book Reads

December 6th: Just One of Those Bibliophiles / A Traveling Book / Endlessly Readings

December 7th: My Life in Blog / Erin Rhew Books

December 8th: Metamorphic Books / Knightingale Reviews

December 9th: Reading Over Sleeping / Always and Forever Fangirl

Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth (Volume 1) by Judd Winick

This Review was Written by: B and C

Received: Publisher

Publication Date of Book: September 2015

Pages: 193

Stars: 5/5

Official Summary:

Introducing HILO -- a funny, action-packed, full-color new middle-grade graphic novel series that Bone creator Jeff Smith calls "delightful."

D. J. and his friend Gina are totally normal kids.  But that was before a mysterious boy came crashing down from the sky!  Hilo doesn't know where he came from, or what he's doing on Earth.  (Or why going to school in only your underwear is a bad idea!) . . . But what if Hilo wasn't the only thing to fall to our planet?  Can the trio unlock the secrets of his past?  Can Hilo survive a day at school?  And are D. J. and Gina ready to save the world?

HILO is Calvin and Hobbes meets Big Nate and is just right for fans of Bone and comic books as well as laugh-out-loud school adventures like Jedi Academy and Wimpy Kid!

Our Thoughts:

HILO is hands down the most enjoyable middle grade graphic novel that we have ever read!  It's laugh out loud material dripping with adventure, friendship, and originality.  The entire time while reading it, we were chuckling and smiling to ourselves like there was no tomorrow, and this book is nothing short of "OUTSTANDING!"  The fast-paced tale will fly by, even though you'll desperately want it to last longer.  No one should pass up the chance to read this gem.

HILO is an extremely quirky character but in the best possible way, which includes silver underpants, robotic powers, and all.  There's something about him that's simply and undeniably lovable.  Perhaps it's his uncanny ability to love everything he encounters, even if it's just rice and milk.  Maybe it's his personality that so strongly takes charge, especially when his friends are in danger.  His uniqueness is obvious due to his creation and abilities.  D. J. on the other hand is a different kind of character.  He doesn't think he's special, even though everyone else in his family is.  They each dabble in something different, like ballet, tennis, and chemistry.  D. J. isn't like them, he thinks that he is utterly useless.  He isn't strong in any one area.  He considers himself "average," but what he doesn't understand is that no one can be defined as average.

Judd Winick does a fantastic job of showing his audience that people don't have to be able to fly, be a super genius, or human extraordinaire to be special.  Talents are great, and they define you, but everyone has their own talent, even if no one else sees it.  Everyday bravery, being a good friend, or caring about someone else can make you special.  If you look hard enough, even the ordinary can be extraordinary.  It's all about perspective, and no one is ever average.      

What's truly great about this series is that there are so many diverse characters who come from different ethnic backgrounds.  We love to see that there is a book like this out there in the world with a great message and a fabulous group of characters.  On top of that, we strongly believe that HILO has something for everyone.  There's no doubt in our minds that middle graders will eat this book up, and read it again and again, but at the same time, teens and adults can easily join in the fun.  Both C and I have read countless book forms, such as novels, graphic novels, manga, and comics.  We've also read for countless ages, like children, juvenile, MG, YA, and adult.  In all honesty, HILO has been one of our favorite books of the year.  (Hopefully that doesn't have to do with our maturity! . . . Um, that was a joke.)  We can easily imagine the whole family gathering around and reading the book together and enjoying it.  

So, if you're looking for a family book or just a darn good read with a mix of humor, adventure, camaraderie, and excellent, hilarious illustrations, look no further!  HILO is here, a series that is sure to be a hit!  The full-colored pages capture the eye and the imagination.  You just have to turn to the front page and start reading.

If you enjoyed this book, you may also like:

        

Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth by Jeff Anderson

This review was written by: F
Received: Publisher
Publication Date of Book: August 2015
Pages: 176
Stars: 4/5

Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth by Jeff Anderson is a middle school contemporary novel about a middle school student (Zack Delacruz) who is a quiet and shy individual. One day, he stands up for a classmate who is being bullied, and everyone is in shock. Zack’s timid personality is suddenly contradicted by this bold move, especially because he has always kept to himself. Later, Zack and his classmate, Jose Soto, are put in charge of selling chocolate bars to raise money for a dance.

Disaster strikes when one of Zack’s classmates named Janie Bustamante eats the entire box of candy bars instead of selling them. Zack eventually finds out that she has an obsession. He decides to help her by setting up a meeting with her and all of his classmates. Zack soon becomes a leader. Since Janie ate the candy and not enough money was raised for the dance, Zack decides to initiate a fundraiser. He and his friends have a car wash at Zack’s Dad’s workplace. Zack took matters into his own hands, and gains the respect of his Dad and teachers.

This book demonstrates how you can be a leader and a hero. It lets kids know that they can stand up for what they believe in and that not all heroes are always super human. Heroes can be ordinary people who do ordinary things. You should stand up for what you believe in because it shows others that you are not afraid of differing opinions. You should always do what you think is right and you should always help those who are being bullied.  

If you enjoyed this book, you may also like: