Category: Fantasy

Fantasy books that have been reviewed on The Candid Cover.

Review: The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork

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Review: The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon WallworkTitle: The Enchanted Sonata
Author: Heather Dixon Wallwork
Publisher: The Wallworkshop
Publication Date: October 23, 2018

four-stars
Summary (from Goodreads):

Clara Stahlbaum has her future perfectly planned: to marry the handsome pianist, Johann Kahler (ah!) and settle down to a life full of music. But all that changes on Christmas Eve, when Clara receives a mysterious and magical nutcracker.

Whisked away to his world—an enchanted empire of beautiful palaces, fickle fairies, enormous rats, and a prince—Clara must face a magician who uses music as spells…and the future she thought she wanted.

The Enchanted Sonata, a retelling of The Nutcracker Ballet with a dash of The Pied Piper, will captivate readers of all ages.

Amazon

❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃

Review

The Nutcracker and The Pied Piper are two of my favourite stories, and when I saw that they had come together in The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork, I was thrilled. This book is fast-paced, and it contains a cast of characters who are each well developed. I especially enjoyed the writing style and descriptions of music. I would definitely recommend this book for the holiday season, even if you are unfamiliar with the two original stories. Continue reading →

Review: Archenemies (Renegades #2) by Marissa Meyer

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Review: Archenemies (Renegades #2) by Marissa MeyerTitle: Archenemies (Renegades #2)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: November 6, 2018

five-stars
Summary (from Goodreads):

The Renegades Trilogy continues, in this fiercely awaited second installment after the New York Times-bestselling Renegades by Marissa Meyer, author of the Lunar Chronicles.

Time is running out.
Together, they can save the world.
But they each other's worst nightmare.

In Renegades, Nova and Adrian (aka Insomnia and Sketch) fought the battle of their lives against the Anarchist known as the Detonator. It was a short-lived victory.

The Anarchists still have a secret weapon, one that Nova believes will protect her. The Renegades also have a strategy for overpowering the Anarchists, but both Nova and Adrian understand that it could mean the end of Gatlon City - and the world - as they know it.

Amazon | Book Depository

Review

I have been waiting to read Archenemies, the sequel to Renegades by Marissa Meyer, for the longest time, so I was so happy to receive my copy. This instalment is just as incredible as its predecessor, and it is equally complex. The characters are all so original, and the setting is developed. I can’t get enough of this series, and I am desperate for the next book! Continue reading →

Review: Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Mass

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Review: Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. MassTitle: Catwoman: Soulstealer (DC Icons #3)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 7, 2018

four-half-stars
Summary (from Goodreads):

When the Bat's away, the Cat will play. It's time to see how many lives this cat really has. . . .

Two years after escaping Gotham City's slums, Selina Kyle returns as the mysterious and wealthy Holly Vanderhees. She quickly discovers that with Batman off on a vital mission, Batwing is left to hold back the tide of notorious criminals. Gotham City is ripe for the taking.

Meanwhile, Luke Fox wants to prove he has what it takes to help people in his role as Batwing. He targets a new thief on the prowl who seems cleverer than most. She has teamed up with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, and together they are wreaking havoc. This Catwoman may be Batwing's undoing.

Amazon | Book Depository

Review

I have been following along with the DC Icons series since the first book was released, and I was so excited to see that Catwoman written by Sarah J. Mass also follows a villain. Catwoman is filled with action and suspense, and the main character is surprisingly easy to root for, despite her being a villain. The dual narration also provides some drama. I really enjoyed this story, and I am excited for the series to continue! Continue reading →

Series Review: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

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Series Review: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa MeyerTitle: The Lunar Chronicles
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Macmillan
Publication Date: November 10, 2015

five-stars
Summary (from Goodreads):

The #1 New York Times-bestselling series that brought fans a complex and thrilling world of cyborgs and evil queens, available together for the first time in one beautiful boxed set

Once upon a time, in the future . . . .

The Lunar Chronicles are futuristic retellings of classic fairy tales. In Cinder, a teenage cyborg (half human, half machine) must deal with a wicked stepmother, start a rebellion against the evil Queen Levana, and decide how she feels about a handsome prince. As the series continues, Cinder forges alliances with Scarlet, a spaceship pilot who is determined to solve the mystery of a missing loved one with the help of a magnetic street fighter named Wolf; Cress, a computer hacker who is imprisoned by Queen Levana; and Winter, a princess who's in love with a commoner, and who discovers that Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress may hold the key to saving her kingdom and the world.

Follow Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles from the beginning with Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest: Levana’s Story, Stars Above (a collection of stories set in the Lunar Chronicles universe), and the epic conclusion, Winter.

Amazon | Book Depository

Review

I have had the complete collection of The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer sitting on my shelf for so long, and I am so glad to have finally found the time to sit down and binge it. This series is so original with its take on fairytales in space, and I loved each of the main characters. The story also has a great ending, leaving it among my favourite books. If you have yet to read this series and are a fan of fairytales, badassery, and space, I would definitely recommend it! Continue reading →