Book Review: Heart of Oz by Isra Sravenheart

Author:  Isra Sravenheart
Title: Heart of Oz (Oz: Origins of Darkness Book 1)
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: ebook
Published: 14 Feb 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Netgalley)



Everyone knows the land of Oz- A bright happy place filled with color, munchkins, quadlings and other beings under the security of the Emerald City and the Wizard. But suppose there is no Emerald City and no Wizard to safeguard Oz. Suppose we went back to the very beginning, when the first guardian of Oz, Elvira, a kind-hearted fae is exposed to what darkness really is when Elvira's best friend Genevieve is lured by the dark.

Just disappearing off into the night leaving Genevieve’s mother Ceris along with her two brothers, Aldante and Altair going spare as she moves into the most dangerous terrain, Starlet Boding. Known for shaping everyday folk into witches, warlocks as well as a prime breeding ground for demons. Genevieve is on shaky ground but not a soul back in her home village Golly Vale dares to find her.

Soon Genevieve meets Torigo, a snake who knows the dark world better than most. Having tutored many students in their shameful path. Torigo sees Genevieve's potential and can't wait to see her grow into a fine sorceress. Only Genevieve discovers Elvira has betrayed her and is furious. She makes her presence known in Golly Vale, only to find herself forbidden from the land. Feeling hurt, lost and alone she leaves.

Then tragedy strikes in Genevieve's heart. She's seeing red. Nobody in Oz is safe. And with chaos about to descend onto the peaceful land, will Genevieve destroy everyone she loves and herself?

This caught my eye right away. The title. The cover. Plus I love origin tales and I love Oz. What could go wrong?

The story follows Genevieve and Elvira before the Oz as we know it is created. Things happen and Genevieve is lured to the dark side and Oz will never be the same. No one is safe. 

This was a fun take on the origin story of Oz. Unique for sure and I was intrigued by how everything was changed when one girl went bad. Always sad, but you can't fully blame them for going to the dark side. And I get why Elvira did what she did. It is all a mess. I feel bad for everyone.

The story was a quick read so that is a bonus. If you need something quick and easy this is a good one. I was able to get it done after 2 sittings (darn sleep getting in the way). But I do wish it was a touch longer. It left with a cliffhanger and I am curious to see what happens next, but I do feel like we could've had more. 

I did have an issue connecting with our characters. Sure I did feel bad for them and understand WHY they did the things they did, but I didn't connect. I felt very disconnected with them and the story. I still enjoyed the journey. But I won't be broken-hearted if I can't get my hands on book 2. Not sure if it was a me thing or not. I do want to read for curiosity-sake, but we shall see. 

This has a lot of promise for an epic book 2. A very unique story and interesting characters.

And that cover! Love it! So cheesy but beautiful at the same time. How is that possible?

Overall, I did enjoy the journey and it was a quick read. I wish I didn't feel so disconnected though. Not sure what the issue is because I am curious about what will happen next, but like I said...won't have my heart-broken if I can't get my hands on the next one. This has a lot of potential so we shall see what is next. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. More like 2.5, but I rounded. The cover is cute. I WANT A UNICORN!

Audiobook Review: Once a Soldier by Mary Jo Putney

Author: Mary Jo Putney
Narrator: Beverley A. Crick

Title: Once a Soldier
(Rogues Redeemed #1)

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published: June 28th 2016
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



As heir to a title and great wealth, Will Masterson should have stayed home and tended his responsibilities. Instead he went to war. Now, after perilous years fighting the French, he intends his current mission to be his last. But all his plans are forgotten when he arrives in the small mountain stronghold of San Gabriel and meets her.

Knowing herself to be too tall, strong, and unconventional to appeal to a man, Athena Markham has always gloried in her independence. But for the first time in her life, she finds a man who might be her match.

Two of a kind, too brave for their own good, Athena and Will vow to do whatever it takes to vanquish San Gabriel's enemies. For neither will back down from death, and only together can they find happiness and a love deeper than any they'd dared imagine...

Forgot how much I like this author. I need to read more! But yes, this was a random find on Audible and I'm glad I picked it up. 

The story follows Athena and Will. Will is an heir to a title and a great wealth, but due to a tragedy, he decided to run off and join the war effort. After years of war, he has one last mission before he can go home to redeem himself and pick up his responsibilities. Athena is too tall and the daughter of a fallen woman so she is living her best life as an independent woman and advisor/protector of a princess. 

It is always a touch risky having a made-up country interacting with real-world things like the Napoleonic War, but it worked her. I want to learn more about this country. I wish it was real! Yummm wine. 

But I liked Will and Athena right away. They were perfect for each other. I felt SO bad for both of them. They went through some big trauma in their pasts. I am so happy Will is a good man even though he is an heir to a title and can easily look past Athena's parentage. They did a lot of talking and getting to know each other. This really fit for them and I wasn't bored for a moment. Sometimes too much talking is boring, but it wasn't for this one. We learned a lot about our characters. 

I also adored our side characters! Murphy and Justin! I am so happy they get to have love too. I liked the princess too. She was adorable.

There was a lot of unbelievable things that did happen. Not 100% historically accurate with how people talk, but it didn't bug me too much. It wasn't annoying or too obvious. Like the princess letting a wine merchant call her by her first name. Or the princess, Athena, Will, and Jusin go alone to have a picnic. Really? Not a single guard? Okay...

The narrator was really good! I hope she reads book 2. 

Overall, this was a fun story. We get to really understand our characters. I loved our characters and I was happy our side characters got to have a HEA too. Some inaccuracies and unbelievable parts, but it didn't completely hinder me enjoying the story. I want to read the next book. I'll give this 3 stars.  

Set during Wartime

Wordless Wednesday

TMST: Reviews for Book That I Didn't Love

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. 

  

How do you handle writing reviews for books that you didn’t love?

Oooo Rainy Day Ramblings is creating some tough questions lately! I almost didn't do this post this week because I really didn't know HOW to answer. 

Having a book you don't love is rough. I always dread when I come across a book I do not like. Sometimes if it is bad enough I'll just cut my loses and DNF. Saves me time. But I really HATE DNFing books because I am full of hope that it'll get better. I've had so many books do a 180 and turn around. There are times though that they don't. 

Now - just say I have a book I have decided is not going to get a shimmering, love-filled review. What to do next? I'll admit that if I was given the book by a friend, family, author, publisher, or etc then I might be a bit nicer when I write my review. Mainly because I know the person who gave it to me will be reading it and I don't want to be rude. It was a gift so I'll be 100% honest of course (that is my disclaimer after all), but I will keep the pitchforks and torches at home. I'll always point out the good as well and then point out the not-so-good.

Now books that I wasted money on or wasted gas on from getting it at a library, I will not hold back. Sorry. You wasted not only my time, but my actual money. I will bring the gifs and the pitchforks and torches. I'll ALWAYS point out the good that I found as well. 

NOW I will NEVER EVER attack the author personally or be flat out mean to be mean. There is no need to be rude and offensive. But if it was not great...well...eeeeee I will not just give it 5 stars to soften your ego. Sorry. I have to be honest. It is not in me to lie. 

Ralphie!