great sequel to the first two adventures
347278
I was really thrilled when I heard that there was a new adventure with Mac and Whiskey the Irish Wolfhound  This was so hard to put down because it was such a well written story.  If you love great adventures amd large breed dogs you will really love this book.  Try it you will be impressed
1129293
I really like this sequel to Island of Fog. It has the same feeling of the first book, with a realistic fantasy. Mr. Robinson has written a good story that brings the characters that we met in book one more into our thoughts  we learn more about their past, and meet new characters as well. There are good tense moments that keep you on the edge of your seat. The book is a fun story with a good plot. Mr. Wolinsky has a pleasant narrating voice that makes the story come to life. You could actually imagine yourself there with all of the characters. At first, Mr. Wolinskys voice sounds a little funny when doing female voices, but as the story goes on, it blends seamlessly into the story. The range of characters Wolinsky can pull off is pretty amazing.  I do prefer reading the written word but am finding that with good narration, the audiobooks seem to add a dimension to the characters. I really liked this book, and cant wait to hear book 3!
1213876
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.

The second installment in the World of Aluvia takes place 4 years after "<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Fairy-Keeper/dp/B00SAG7FK4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Fairy Keeper</a>" and focuses on Phoebe Quinn, the younger sister of "Fairy Keeper's" main character, Sierra Quinn. As the story opens, Phoebe has largely recovered from the ordeal she underwent in the previous book, but not entirely, and has found a great deal of comfort hanging out under the sea with her Mer friends, Tristan and his twin sister Mina. While Sierra is off traveling, she has asked Phoebe to stay close to home and not go to the sea, but being 14 and lonely, Phoebe goes anyway. Her defiance nearly gets her into serious trouble, however, and her only escape is to go with her friends to their village under the sea - a town filled with Merfolk who aren't too fond of humans and, unbeknownst to them, about to face an ancient threat that has recently re-emerged.

Unlike "Fairy Keeper," "Mer-Charmer" doesn't involve a small group undertaking a quest to far-away lands in search of something, which gives the book a faster pace and the action seems more relevant to the actual goal than the various hazards a questing group can run into, and it made for nice contrast with the first story. Bearce has created a well-developed culture for the Merfolk as well as a history that explains why they tend to be wary of humans - even a human like Phoebe who clearly only wants to help.

I really enjoyed this book and read it pretty much in a single sitting. Bearce provides clear descriptions of the underwater world she's created and I felt like I could see the Merfolk, their village and the events taking place there. Phoebe, Tristan, and Mina are very likable characters, and the friendship they share is portrayed strongly enough to justify the risks they're willing to take for each other.

All-in-all, "Mer-Charmer" is definitely a worthwhile read.
4391057
The Mad Giant: Shioni of Sheba is the third installment in the Shioni series.  I have also read the first two.  It continues the adventures of a young white slave girl named Shioni in the kingdom of West Sheba.

Of the three books I enjoyed this one the most.  The first one had a good amount of adventure and introduced the characters.  The second book felt like it lulled a bit since so many of the pages were dedicated to character development but that has paid off in this third book which is full of action and drama.  Unlike the first book, where Shioni pretty much did things on her own, in the third book Shioni teams up with three of the other characters which adds dimension.

I won't spoil the story by giving out too much of what happens but in this adventure Shioni and her friends risk all to save the kingdom and the people she loves.

The story is written for young adults and has a bit more violence than the first two (there are descriptions of the warring tribes battles, for example) but I think it is no more graphic than other childrens books such as the Narnia series.
An engaging, enjoyable read.  Five stars.
3743746
I really enjoyed this latest romp with Agnes and Eleanor. The first book Armed and Outrageous was a great read and I have been looking forward to reading this one and I was not disappointed.

This latest adventure puts both seniors in dire peril again and I love how they deal with it. Trouble follows the pair around like a lost puppy.

I like all the characters and can't wait to read more of Agnes and Eleanor's adventure.

Hopefully the next book will be along soon.
3169072
Im so happy with the second book of the Adventurers! The shady villains, reluctant hero, irrepressible sidekick... you just don't need any more than this for a great adventure story.

Rather than give an entire rundown of what happened in book one, the author has added appropriate backstory where needed. This book can be read as stand-alone, but you won't want to!

All of the main and supporting characters have added dimensions that help bring them even more to life. As Id hoped, after reading the first storyThe Arches of Avooblismore definition was given to Elloriana and I was able to visualize and hear her voice. Now for Lita, and we will have a great quest team.

This is one series I highly recommend.
853122
Ascension was a great follow up book to Awaken. The few minor complaints I had with the first book were ironed out in this second, balls-to-the-wall adventure. We follow Tara and her band of merry misfits to the evil Prezedan's lair. There we really get to see the inequality and cruelty that the Prezedant imposes on his subjects. The privileged few were disgustingly privileged. All sorts of depravity existed and it was revealed in an emotionally gut-punching way.

Tara remains a firecracker and a character you love but sometimes want to smack for her impulsiveness. Michelle Bryan does a great job of exposing Tara's rural upbringing through her enduring naivete. She's a character who hasn't yet been jaded by the world around her, so the cruelties she witnesses really hit her hard. Tara really starts to come into her own in this book with her unfailing willingness to help people and her finally admitting that she does love these people she's surrounded herself with even if they aren't her kin.

And speaking of love, the chemistry between Tara and Jax is off-the-charts steamy! Light a cigarette steamy, not that I'm encouraging anyone to smoke. These two really sparkle in this book, but Jax's promised sure does complicate things. I do find it funny and sad that he keeps running away from his intended because he doesn't want to be wedded to her. The whole thing is a bit of an emotional minefield, and I look forward to how Bryan will navigate this situation.

The Prezedant was a fascinating villain and his lab was truly terrifying. He was well worth the wait in meeting. There's a nice Star Wars kind of twist at the end that I didn't see coming. This was a great adventure, and I highly recommend picking up this book!
4740724
This book was a fun read.  It is much more linear than the first book was and that helped progress the story much more quickly.  Some of the newness has worn off and, although the point of view still switches from time to time, there is great character development.  The episodic nature of the first book was tailored down to only a handful of characters which don't disrupt or destroy the flow of the story.  Looking forward to see how the next book plays and find out if the "big questions" finally get answered.
3406143
Book 2 went off on a bit of a tangent with little plot advancement and not nearly enough Mike Talbot, but book 3 is a return to where this story should be.  Tons of action and adventure with Mike taking on unfathomable odds and adding in his normal dose of sarcasm and humor makes Indian Hill 3: Conquest a fine addition to the Talbot universe.  I found this book to be fun, entertaining and interesting.  If you're a fan of Mark Tufo then youll like this one as well.
1875494
Book 3 returns us to the Dragon's Blood world expanding the world to us and adding several new characters. Book 1's most interesting couple Ridge & Sardella return along with book 2's Ahn & Tolemek. We get to meet several more of the pilots from the Wolf Squadron on a rickshaw service mission to deliver spies to enemy Cofah soil. A mission that is a perfect excuse that allows Sardella and Ridge to make good on their promise to Tolemek to help his sister. Of course the mission doesn't quite turn out as planned. Ride along as with the team; Sardella is being hunted, so much for her secret, Jaxi gets to be snarky with more people to talk to, Tolemek may win over a few more friends with his various Goos, but Ridge may have gone too far this time, even if he is the best pilot in their world.
Lindsay Buroker has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her characters are complex, engaging and fun to be with. You will find yourself looking forward to their next adventure. Her worlds are interesting and clever. A little steampunk, but regardless of your favorite genres, the stories are a whole a lot fun to read.
And by the way, that was definitely canoodling...
2604701
I love this second installment in the series. It continues the story of the first book, but changes the setting from the human world to the alien world. I love the fact that this gives basicly the same problems, with a different outlook due to cultural differences. I also love the fact that the writer gives a "reason" for the racism, showing how easy it is to fall in these traps. And the adventure and evil famlily in law are just great. The tension and strange customs even give rise to a second romance with the same main characters.
The world is described beautifully, with attention to details, without information overload. The customs and culture are well designed and the bad guys make a dangerous appearance as well.
2067367
This book is almost as good as the first one. It take you on a great adventure and answers a lot of the unanswered questions from the previous books. It ties everything together.
2194724
I was eager to read this book due to how much I liked the first book. While it is well-written, it took a while to get to the action and adventure that I loved so much in the first book. Once the adventure really started though, I was hooked. The characters are very lovable and the setting is well described. The ending was not predictable which I liked because it kept it open to another book in the future. I love the clean language and concepts of this book. I don't have to think twice about sharing it with my niece who is also a fan of this series. I look forward to reading more from this author.
2545728
I would rate this about a 4.6 out of 5. I like the conclusion adventure even more than the predecessors.  While the DM can guide things along, he is allowed for freedom for the where & when, so the module doesn't have quite the linear feel of the others. The ending can go a few different directions based on how the hive mother, Qegtoxii, the PCs and the other beholders act.  If there is one critique, it would be that it would be good to have more detailed information regarding the upper city rooms,  the exact layouts, etc.
4216709
This is a great continuation of the first book. I was a big fan of the alternating PoVs between Roan and Liv. I can totally see myself reading this book again.
One of my favorite things is the originality of the story and the lore of the merpeople and the island itself. It mixed with the amusing voice of Pamfiloff makes this book a keeper for me.
896041
This begins there where the first book ended, and although one could possibly read this as a stand-alone, I wouldn't recommend it. The adventures from book 1 will make it easier for readers to understand Magelica and the situation she finds herself in this adventure.

Honestly, I enjoyed this book more than the first. While the first had to jump between several things to give the reader a good understanding of the characters and magical world around them, THE RESCUE takes off one, pure adventure.

Magelica has become braver and more self-assured than when we first met her. Although she still is in search of her identity, she's learned to be the person she is and has accepted her bond to the magical realm. But then, the magical realm is a wonderful place, full of friendship and support. This is a book filled with positive feelings. Even though Magelica now has the mission to find the prince, it's an adventure packed full of goodness. Music, laughter and hope beam through on every page, making this a great read for kids, especially before they head off into a world of dreams.

I can only recommend this for first readers and believe they will enjoy getting sucked up into Magelica's world. The writing is at a perfect level, the adventure fast-paced enough to keep readers interest, and the messages as golden as can be. A two thumbs up from me

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
3559184
The second installment in the adventures Kali and Cedar was just as entertaining as the first - still the great steampunk inventions, and still plenty of adventure with just the promise of romance.

I really enjoyed this follow on to Flash Gold, I love both the inventive Kali and the dangerous bounty hunting Cedar, and my only complaint is that I enjoyed it so much that I wished that it could have been a full novel - this is just another little episode - but I'll take what I can get now and hope for more.