The Call of Dreamwalkers by Rafaele Desire

Firstly, I would like to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial publishing for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this childrens/young adults book.

4 out of 5 stars.

Would have been 5 out of 5 if the book had been properly edited. There are problems with grammar, punctuation and repetitive words. There were also lots of cases where the author was obviously going to say one thing but changed their mind and ended up leaving un-needed and extra words through-out.

Now let's look at the story rather than all the technical guff.

Good Ole Mike! He has to be one of my favourite characters and his GROWTH! I like it.

This isn't an idea that I've seen before so it was really enjoyable to read.

This book holds great messages for teens and children alike. The story touches on bullying, sexual abuse, bad home lives, honesty, kindness, and many more things that need to be talked about in life.

I pretty much read this book in a single sitting, the first 20 pages was last night and once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down again and ended up reading until 6am in the morning. Whoops.

The colourful beams and rainbow kind of remind me of the television show 'Captain Planet'.

Thanks for a really enjoyable read.

Merciless Waters by Rae Knowles

Thank you to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press. LLC for this book's ARC.

4 out of 5 st.,brars.
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The rusalka (plural: rusalki) is a feminine entity, often malicious toward mankind and frequently associated with water. Not unlike the Mermaids, said to be dark spirits wronged by men in life, often the reason for their deaths.

I've always been fascinated with sea creatures, whether they're myths or not.

Aboard the ship Scylla, there is no future or past. Jaq, her fickle lover Lily, and their all-female crew exist in an endless present. It's better this way. At least it keeps Lily by Jaq's side, where she belongs. But the meddling gods care little for Jaq's longing, and despite her protective rituals, their punishment arrives all the same.

I found myself confused when I first started reading as we were just thrown into the middle of it all, with no real oast or introduction to the world or characters. It took me to 50% or more of the book to actually catch on to what was going on, what our girls were and weren't and how everything got this way.

However, once questions started getting answered I caught on and I was able to enjoy this for what it was.

I only really liked one character and that was the snake, Ambrose.

Although, this was a fresh read, I wouldn't pick it up again as I didn't connect with it enough.

Haru: Book 1: Spring - by Joe Latham

Thenk you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC.

3 out of 5 Stars.
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Story and Illustrations by artist Joe Latham.

This is a graphic novel about the characters 'Haru', a bird who dreams of flying, and their friend Yama, a boar, who are used to being on the outside. But when Yama finds a seed they are swept into a journey to save their world.

It's a seed, right? Esentially a seed of evil. Lmao.

First, I'd like to bring up the art. It's cute, but not terribly eye catching, which is one of the reasons I couldn't give this graphic novel a 4 or a 5 out of 5 like I usually would. I'm usually an easy win with graphic novels, but this honestly bored me. Cute, yes, but exciting and adventurious feeling? Nope. Just didn't take me there.

I feel bad, but I'm always Honest.

There was hardly any information at any time and they barely talked, considering one of them was supposed to be super talkative? The pig, right? Anyway. I made myself finish it, but felt no differently after.

Sorce Book 1: Belly of the Beast by Charles Armstrong

I would like to give thanks to NetGalley and Sorce, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for the ARC of this novel.

5 out of 5 stars.
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This was so well written and I honestly could find hardly any faults in the publication. There was one case of a missing word, which an editor should be able to spot, since I did.

The worldbuilding of this entire novel was smooth and seemless, I found myself learning about the world of Sorce and its characters without having to ask questions. My questions were always answered and in a way that wasn't overbearing or too much information. It was good to just dive into a world and find out about as we adventured there. The plot was fantastic.

The edition I recieved as an ARC featured 32 beautifully drawn illustrations by Kira Night.

It's a story of our main character Sera who has always longed for travel and adventure. With the help of a pig-shaped Deadringer she embarks on a journey that could pull apart everything everyone knows. Who is Sera? What does she believe in and how, with her friends' support can she free her people?

The typesetting in this publication is beautiful and it made me linger over ever single page.

This is a book that takes you on a magical journey pushing the limits of science and beliefs.

Fantastic fantasy fiction for children and adults of all ages. I would highly recommend this for a classroom or bedroom bookshelf. Any library would be lucky to have a copy.

Over and out.
George.

Magic Words - From the Ancient Oral Tradition of the Inuit by Edward Field 📱🛁🐉🦄🌋

Thank you to NetGalley and Vanita Books for the ARC. I appreciate this especially more due to my interest in the Inuit and other native tribes, including prehistoric groups of peoples throughout to modern times.

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Five Stars!

Magic Words by Edward Field.

And, yes! I knew the moment I saw the first page that this was the work of Mike Blanc again. Brilliant, beautiful illustrations once again. They truly make the book even more powerful than anything I read as a child.

The story of 'Magic Words' is a modern translation of an Inuit story from 1965!!! As a poem it shows the connection the Arctic peoples have with the natural world around them.

I've always enjoyed good prose, poetry being close to the heart.

A lot of people thinks that words are meaningless now and hold no power, but it's a new power, a power that we can join with other voices.

People forget...

Beautiful poem that left me thinking about the future.

Signing off

A Breath of Mischief by MarcyKate Connolly 🧙‍♂️🦄🛁📱

A Breath of Mischief by MarcyKate Connolly
Five out of five stars.
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A huge thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids publishing for the ARC of this book.

I finished reading this just before I started going in and out of hospital with severe seizures after getting covid, It left me thinking about it for a long time, because I really enjoyed the story and actually am obsessed with it. I now have to buy it to get a re-read in, I'm pretty sure there's going to be more books after it too, which is super exciting for me. When I love a book I will read it over and over. I wonder where I can buy a soft cover copy to keep in my bag for reading when I'm stuck in line somewhere.

A breath of Mischief by MarcyKate Connolly...

This is a story about Aria who is raised by the literal Wind. She grew up in a castle that was floating in the cloud. When her best friend, Gwyn, a young gryphling wakes her up and the wind is gone and the castle has fallen. Together they must face trails and free The Wind, wherever they are, Along the way she will learn who she can and can't trust, proving herself a hero at heart. Sometimes there's a hero in all of us.

This is a great book for kids .and young adults alike, Even as an old man, I enjoyed this book and the adventures it takes you on, Would totally read this book again.

See you next time, readers and reviewers alike.

G. M. E. TAYLOR signing off.