Wrap-Up

#MonthlyWrapUp : December 2019

Hello readers! Last month of the year and I read many books. It’s a different thing most of them were short books but anyway it’s all about finishing that Goodreads challenge and even surpassing it, isn ‘t it? I finished mine in first two weeks of the month. I checked many boxes of Popsugar challenge. I bought Wimpy Kid series for Christmas and I’m sure by reading that series I’m going to finish 2020AtoZ challenge that I didn’t finish this year.

So here is the summery of what I read and reviewed in December-

Total Books read 11
6 Paperback (2 Received from authors + 4 won in giveaways)
5 E copies (2 NetGalley + 3 Author requests)
Reviews: 10 (1 book read last month)
Total Pages: 2674

Last month I read but reviewed in December-

Moon Deeds (Star Children Saga #1) by Palmer Pickering — [Review] 3/5

Books I read and reviewed in Nov-

The Age of Akra (Starchild #1) by Vacen Taylor — [Review] Stars: 5/5

  • It was fantastic first book in the Starschild series. It was middle grade fantasy that revolved around Mai’s journey that turned into thrilling and dangerous adventure.
  • It was about hope, friendship, bravery, and kindness.
  • I liked the chosen one and good vs evil arc in this book. Author turned this arc into extraordinary by including prophecy, elemental magic, giant serpent and spiders, dark magic, underworld monsters, and brave young characters.
  • What I loved most was world-building. I enjoyed reading about 8 elemental magic and seven nations, each nation was skilled in particular element, various powers of particular elemental magic, rift between nations, and how things were changing because of dark magic and rising of being from underworld.
  • Overall, it was total fun, coming of age middle grade fantasy filled with action and magic. I highly recommend this to middle grade readers.

The City of Souls (Starchild #2) by Vacen Taylor — [Review] Stars: 5/5

  • This was adventurous second book in Starchild series that takes children- Akra, Mai, Long and Sahib- to the City of soulbankers, regulator of life and death and their adventure in this city of souls.
  • It was about beginning of the war against evil forces, irresolute mind, self-doubt, manipulation, love of sister, friendship and understanding and controlling the elemental powers and skills.
  • The world was brilliant. This time we are introduced to one of the city of soulbankers, their lush green forests, their characteristics, way of living, and how they use their elemental magic. I loved that chamber of souls and how they collect and preserve each souls until they were given new life.
  • Climax was tense and uncertain. End was tragic yet the hope in these kids kept them going ahead on their journey.
  • Overall, it was gripping and unique middle grade book with magical world and developed characters. I surely recommend this book to young readers.

The Healing Stone (Starchild #3) by Vacen Taylor — [Review] Stars: 5/5

  • This was a thrilling third installment in Starchild series and was much better than previous books. This follows Akra, Mai and Kalin’s journey towards Algus, City of Ice and their adventure in this cold nation.
  • It was about friendship, situation testing their skill and patience, hope and faith in prophecy.
  • The characters, plot and world was getting better in this book. The world was interesting. Along with the Algus, people of ice and their way of living, rules and laws, creatures of ice and dangers in the icy Mountains, there was interesting legend about the healing stone and how the world of elemental magic developed and 8 nations were created each possessing one elemental skill, how prophecy came into existence and why people believed in it.
  • Each chapters were exciting to read, revealed more about the world and characters. Their journey from city to icy mountains where lay the healing stone was filled with adventure and danger.
  • Overall, it was gripping, fun, dangerous and adventurous journey of four kids in the world of elemental magic and prophecy that played important part. I recommend this book to all middle grade lovers.

Fire and the Falcon (Starchild #4) by Vacen Taylor — [Review] Stars: 5/5

  • It was most adventurous in this fantasy series that took children to land of fire where they found many answers.
  • It was about evils of magic, slavery, fight for justice and freedom, bravery and friendship.
  • This time along with characters I got to know more about fireruler’s city and their steam inventions. They also used rifles which was called ‘refell’ here. This hot and dry nation was different from other nation. It was advanced in machineries, costly, people were diverse.
  • Many things happened in this book that made story exciting. Akra found his answers, he found the real use of Silvershade and its importance in prophecy. Oh and there were some surprising revelations in the middle and end of the book .
  • Overall, it was fantastic middle grade fantasy filled with action, adventure and lot of magic. I recommend you catch up with this fantastic series before final book is released.

The Doubt Factor by Renée Paule — [Review] Stars: 5/5

  • This was non-fiction, self-help book in which author encourages to seek the truth by implanting the doubt on the age-old beliefs, mindsets, habits, authority, rights and prejudice, human nature, and even on the food, making you question everything and ponder over the true meaning of life.
  • All topics were insightful and motivational. They had so many things one can discuss over again and again and find something enlightening every time.
  • In a nutshell, author talked about inner happiness, clearing the confusion by clearing the doubts, change of heart, self-reflection, strengthening the mind and will, seeking wisdom, a true authority on ourselves by being selfless and removing evil, negative thoughts, and doing right and good thing in life, be a kindred spirit and bring change in our life and so in society. It’s these things we are going to take with us after death not worldly possessions.
  • Overall, it was inspirational, motivational and very insightful collection of essays. I highly recommend this book if you’re into self-help books.

Love to Prove You Wrong (Old Pine Cove, #2) by Sophie-Leigh Robbins — [Review] Stars: 5/5

  • It was lovely and cozy romcom, a dazzling love story of Addy. It was hate to love and character falling in love with celebrity arc.
  • It was about second chance, denial of love and misjudgment.
  • Setting was the same as first book and like first book, it was charming. Loved Old Pine Cove in spring and town activities in this season.
  • It was great to see both Justin and Addy’s feelings develop. They were perfect with each other. Their dates were awesome. Paparazzi, drama, and jealousy added spice in the story.
  • Overall, it was light, sweet and fun read with lovely characters and town. I highly recommend this book.

I Have (Had) Enough by Jeff Jacobson — [Review] Stars: 5/5

  • This was memoir, a collection of author’s reflection on life, memories lived as a friend, husband and majorly as a father.
  • It was about life experiences, friendship, fatherhood, faith, hope, and love.
  • Book was written in 6 parts. dedicated to Jeff’s family and loved ones and toJesus.
  • All parts showed Jeff’s struggle as parents, journey of life from friendship, marriage, birth of all his children, childhood and teenage years and how they turned into adults bursting Jeff with pride, love, and joy, how he revere Jesus for all he got in life keeping the faith alive.
  • It was insightful collection of essays that inspired and motivated me to cherish the time I have, record all the wonderful moments I’m having with my daughter and at the same time be strong for the tough time and the time when they grow up to live their own life with the faith and trust in God.
  • Overall, it was thoughtful ocean of love and life of Jeff, I loved to read. I definitely recommend this book.

Veiled By Desire (Laith, #2) by Candace Robinson — [Review] Stars: 5/5

  • Veiled By Desire was another bittersweet tale in Laith series. It’s a story of two fierce and strong female protagonists, Tavarra and Rhona.
  • It was about heart’s desire, desire and love gone wrong because of betrayal, a dream turned to nightmare by selfishness, magical abilities, love and family taken away by sinister leader, curse and legends, fighting fears, unlikely friendship and strength of love.
  • The setting and the world was the best part. Tavarra’s curse was interesting.
  • Climax was tragic, sad, and action packed. End was good but tragedy made it so sad.
  • Overall, it was engaging, thrilling and atmospheric dark fantasy with amazing world and characters.

Hands Up by Stephen Clark — [Review] Stars: 4.5/5

  • It was thought provoking adult fiction that revolved around three characters tied by tragedy.
  • It was about Police brutality, injustice, racism, loss and grief, depression, betrayal and guilt.
  • Told in multiple perspective that showed their character’s life and view point perfectly, how death of teenage black boy, Tyrell, affected them and changed their life. We see the story from perpetrator, estranged father who saw it chance to return back with his family, and family’s emotions and hardship.
  • This was character driven story packed with emotions and many serious, thought-provoking, and controversial topics.
  • Romance was weakest point. I think characters forgave too easily. Both points seemed implausible .
  • Overall, it was powerful, compelling and gripping fiction that dealt with controversial topics commendably. I definitely recommend this book for those who love to read thought provoking book.

I also read- (but will be reviewing in Jan)

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Both were good. Review will be up in Jan during the blog tour for these books.

Promo/Blitz:

You can check all blitz/promos/spotlights HERE.

Author Interview:

Varsha Ravi, author of The Heartless

Tags/Awards:

The Sunshine Blogger Award

My most favorite book this month:

All of them were good but the best was 3rd book in Starchild Series and Veiled by desire.

Let’s discuss!

How was you month in reading? What did you read in December? Have you read any of these books? Are you going add any to your TBR? Which book(s) was your favorite this month?

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Hi, I'm Yesha, an Indian book blogger. Avid and eclectic reader who loves to read with a cup of tea. Not born reader but I don't think I’m going to stop reading books in this life. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

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