For the Love of... Wulder?!?!

I am about to share with you (drumroll please) one of the worst books that I have read this year. Worst might even be an understatement, it's just that... bad. The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul sounded promising enough. Donita K. Paul has written a handful of other dragon books and the cover of this novel boasted, "a fantastic journey of discovery for all ages." It was a journey all right, but it was not in the least bit fantastic!

This novel follows young Miss Tipper, her long lost father (who left when she was 5 but has come back through a weird portal and know disappears and reappears randomly), a giant parrot named Beccaroon (really?!?!), an aspiring young artist who is a big fan of Verrin Schoop's (Tipper's father) artwork, a grumpy old wizard, and an even grumpier and crazy librarian. This rag tag team comes together to go on a quest to find three of Schoop's lost sculptures in order to reunite them and fix the portal that Schoop is stuck in. It's a pretty ridiculous plot that maybe possibly could have worked out, but fails miserably. Throughout the story and their quest, and all their little trials they become closer and also get closer to Wulder (the all knowing, powerful thing? Like God? Who knows...).

Overall, this story isn't worth anyone's time. None of the characters are likable or memorable, the plot is slow, silly, and drawn out, and the story is overall... boring! I wanted to stop reading after the first 20 pages, but the good little reviewer I am toughed it out and read it to the end (what a waste!). If you value your time you'll pass on this ridiculous book!

Oh, and a happy thanksgiving to all!!

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Over the Top, But in a Good Way

It's getting cold and snow is on more than just people's imagination. It's coming. That being said, winter is my favorite time to read. I love curling up with a book in front of the fireplace. It just feels right. Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs fit the right criteria. Christian romance isn't normally my cup of tea, but Higgs paints the emotions of her characters on beautifully, it's hard not to get at least a little swept up in the story. The novel follows you Elizabeth Kerr and her mother-in-law, Marjory, as they find shelter in Skelkirk with their cousin, Anne. The two young women have lost all, Marjory's sons (and Elizabeth's husband) were killed fighting with the Jacobites on the wrong side of King George. They lose their titles, land, possessions, and money and are forced to Skelkirk to live with a poor cousin. The three become close and all have budding romances: Marjory with her former manservant, Gibson, Anne with the local tailor, and Elizabeth with her wealthy employer, the Admiral. The story is quite long and takes a while to develop, but overall I can't fault the author for beautiful prose and character development. A pretty good read, especially for this time of year.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”