Books Less Travelled

I'm Stephanie, an avid book reader. I read a little of everything but most often either YA or Fantasy with a dash of romance! (Previously Adventures Thru Wonderland)

Restore: Break Out of Your Past and Into God's Future

Restore: Break Out of Your Past and Into God's Future - Vince Antonucci * I received a copy from the Publisher for review. This does not affect my review.*


This one really hit home for me. Not only did it show me just how much of an affect growing up without a father had on my life, but also how much I need to go to counseling and deal with things I didn't even know I was avoiding.

Children of Icarus

Children of Icarus - Caighlan Smith Source: Library

Wow, Now I have to go out and buy a copy! I just, how did it take me so long to finish this one? I started it just before it came out after I snagged an ARC from NetGalley, but it expired before I could read most of it. I finally found out that I could get it at the library, and am so glad I finally finished it! (Plus I have the second book on Kindle!)

While I hated...almost everything to do with the Fates, I felt like they were all fake, and while I understand they were kids, and kids can be mean, plus with all the violance and horror, they had to be broken, but I know how it is to have fake friends, and it's awful. On the flip side, the protaginist doesn't try to change anything, and just silently goes along with the treatment, but I can also totally relate to that.

The ending though...just wow. Not only did it make the Fates' treatment worth while, it was my favorite part of the whole book. I'm excited to read the second book now!

Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God

Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God - Mark Batterson *I recieved a copy through Blogging For Books for review. This does not affect my review.*

Such a powerful tool! I loved reading this, and it's packed full of useful knowledge. Not only does it talk about how to hear God, but it shows us by using examples and Bible verses to drive home each point. Well written and very thought-provoking. I highly recommend!

Talking About God: Honest Conversations About Spirituality

Talking About God: Honest Conversations About Spirituality - Steve Saccone, Cheri Saccone *I received a copy from the Publisher for review. This does not affect my review.*

A great resource, and guide for talking to others about the Christian faith. Well written, and easily applied to everyday life.

Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 12

Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 12 - Hiro Arikawa, Kiiro Yumi Source: Library

Ah! There were so many sweet scenes in this one and even some laugh-out-loud scenes! I loved this one, and seeing how things are progressing both between the characters and between the different factions.

Skeleton Dolls: Children of the Tower

Skeleton Dolls: Children of the Tower - Kenny Lee Lewis, Wayne Miller, Alex Van Brasch, Meghan Pinson, Steven Booth *I received a copy from the author for review. This does not affect my review.*

Such an imaginative story! I loved seeing Jennifer and Camille and their special gift. The worldbuilding was well done, and the characters interesting and unique!

Dragma's Keep

Dragma's Keep - Vance Pumphrey *I received a copy from the author for review. This does not affect my review.*

I have never played D&D, but this book looked interesting so I thought I would give it a try. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Well written, and I had no trouble to keep up and understanding the setting and characters. If you are a fan of fantasy, or are looking to read more fantasy, this is a great story, and I'm excited to read more of this series!

Monstress Volume 2: The Blood

The Blood - Marjorie M. Liu, Sana Takeda Source: Library

I love this series! Maika continues her search by traveling to the Isle of Bone. Beautiful illistrations, and complex story-telling and mythology.

Bride of the Water God, Volume 1

Bride of the Water God, Volume 1 - Mi-Kyung Yun Source: Library

I enjoyed this one! I have seen this series advertized in other manga, and on anime/manga websites, but haven't heard it mentioned much. I love the cover art, and mythology, so I thought I would give it a try. I'm so glad I did! The artwork throughout is stunningly beautiful, and the story is interesting. While I'm still not sure who all the characters are yet, I enjoyed reading this, and look forward to reading the rest of this series.

Rebel

Rebel - Joanne Macgregor * I received an ecopy from the author for review. This does not affect my review.*

Death...so much death! This final book in the Recoil Trilogy picks up right after book 2 (Refuse) ended. Robin, Jinx's twin brother, has been caught and taken to ASTA for questioning. Quinn seeks out Jinxy to tell her the news, and together they go on the offensive to stage a rescue.

But that's only the beginning! So much happens in this final title, and the stakes are higher than ever! While I had an idea where the ending was headed, this ending is so worth the read! Far more complex and chaotic than I imagined, and there is a ton of character growth for Jinx and the team. While Jinx's character has gone through a lot of growth already, in this final confrontation we see the team truly find their strengths and weaknesses.

The Snitch, The Witch, and The One Who Was Rich

The Snitch, The Witch, and The One Who Was Rich - Joe Spraga *I received a copy from the author for review. This does not affect my review.*

Such a charming tale! Told in rhyme, this story tells of a large group of people waiting for Father Time. Father Time is very wise, and teaches each person who waits a different lesson. Encouraging kids to try their best, be kind, and to dream big, this is perfect for children, parents, and teachers alike!

Refuse

Refuse - Joanne Macgregor *I received an ecopy from the author for review. This does not affect my review.*
(Oh and this series is also on KindleUnlimited ;)

This series! While I'm realizing that Jinx is pretty naive, I'm still totally in love with this series! This one somewhat reminded me of The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski. Jinx is starting to question everyone, and soon finds out something about ASTA that she can't ignore. Planning to run, she struggles to find out who she can trust, and what side is right in this war.

She makes some new friends both inside, and out of ASTA, as well as some new enemies. With blackmail, danger, fugitives, and rabies hitting close to home, where can Jinxy turn?

Recoil (Recoil Trilogy Book 1)

Recoil (Recoil Trilogy Book 1) - Joanne Macgregor *I received an ecopy from the author for review. This does not affect my review*
(Book 1)
When I agreed to read this series, I just thought it would be a fun read. Which it is..but it's so much more! While I loved The Hunger Games, and watched the Divergent movies, this one blows the genre out of the water! While it takes a few chapters to get an idea of what's going on, it doesn't take long to realize something's not adding up. But only later on does the truth start to come out.

I loved the characters in this one, and look forward to seeing them, and some new faces in the next book! The romance was perfection, and the friendships especially between Jinxy and her twin Robin. But my favorite character is Quinn!

I the more I read, the more I loved about this series. The world is a post-apocalyptic version of Earth, where rats are mutated and infected with a version of rabies by terrorists. Jinx E. James is a video game sniper, in a world that largely lives their lives isolated inside their houses. With the disease spreading, no one goes outside by choice anymore, and are forced to interact in 'social functions' to encourage them to meet other people a couple times a year. Otherwise they have all their need delivered to them, and never leave the house.

But is that the only way to live? Is there more to life than what people are led to believe? Jinxy wants to find out.

(Book 2)


This series! While I'm realizing that Jinx is pretty naive, I'm still totally in love with this series! This one somewhat reminded me of The Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski. Jinx is starting to question everyone, and soon finds out something about ASTA that she can't ignore. Planning to run, she struggles to find out who she can trust, and what side is right in this war.

She makes some new friends both inside, and out of ASTA, as well as some new enemies. With blackmail, danger, fugitives, and rabies hitting close to home, where can Jinxy turn?

(Book 3)

Death...so much death! This final book in the Recoil Trilogy picks up right after book 2 (Refuse) ended. Robin, Jinx's twin brother, has been caught and taken to ASTA for questioning. Quinn seeks out Jinxy to tell her the news, and together they go on the offensive to stage a rescue.

But that's only the beginning! So much happens in this final title, and the stakes are higher than ever! While I had an idea where the ending was headed, this ending is so worth the read! Far more complex and chaotic than I imagined, and there is a ton of character growth for Jinx and the team. While Jinx's character has gone through a lot of growth already, in this final confrontation we see the team truly find their strengths and weaknesses

Polaris

Polaris - Michael Northrop *I received a review copy from KidLitExchange on Instagram. This does not affect my review.*

I loved this one! I was worried as I read Northrop's Trapped as a child, and at the time I hated the abrupt ending. After reading this one, I realized that in truth I loved them both! This one actually helped my better understand Northrop's reasoning for why he ended Trapped the way he did, and showed my how immersed I get into his stories. I love a good survival story, and these have always been some of my favorites, despite the love/hate statue of Trapped after reading it as a teen. I actually believe I just had to grow up a little to understand his books, so even though this is about kids around 12 years old, it's better suited for the YA crowd? Though I'm sure middle-graders would enjoy it as well.

Bridge of the Gods (The Silver Mountain Series #1)

Bridge of the Gods (The Silver Mountain Series #1) - Diane Rios *I received a copy for review from the KidLitExchange on Instagram. This does not affect my review.*

This one was hard for me to rate, I loved the nature and animals, but at the end was left with a lot of questions. I understand this is part of a series, so I hope to get answers later in the series. That said, I always struggle with the first book in a series, and often find each book draws me deeper into the world it holds. I really give this a 3.5 but couldn't bring myself to give it a four. I loved Chloe, and her friends were very interesting. I am curious to know more about the hospital, and more about the people and creatures of the North. I look forward to more of this series!

Pure Healing (A Novel of The Pure Ones Book 1)

Pure Healing (A Novel of The Pure Ones Book 1) - Aja James *I received a copy from RABT Book Tours for review on a blog tour. This does not affect my review.*

I enjoyed this story immensely! I wasn't sure, since I'm not a big romance/erotica fan, but I loved the writing style and characters in this story. The plot was well written, and kept me wanting to know what happened!


Currently reading

The Unsound Theory by Emilia Zeeland
Moonlight City Drive by Brian Paone
Gold Shadow by L.C. Perry
The Falcon Flies Alone (Falcon Trilogy) (Volume 1) by Gabrielle Mathieu
Courage by Lauren H. Salisbury
Odin's Promise by Sandy Brehl
Nirvana by Nancy Radke
Wolves and Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1) by Christina Bauer
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
Moonburner (Moonburner Cycle Book 1) by Claire Luana