Tag: fantasy

"The Haunted" by Danielle Vega

The Fireside ChatsLeave a comment

I’ve got a book I’ve crossed off my list over the weekend. Even though it’s geared towards the young adult crowd, I decided to give it a try. I thought the story line was good and I liked the way the book ended. The only thing I didn’t really care for was the main character seemed like she couldn’t make up her mind which boy she liked more and even then she couldn’t decide if she wanted to be with that boy or not. That may be normal for young adult novels…I know I’ve seen it happen in a few other young adult novels I’ve read in the past.

Synopsis: From Danielle Vega, YA’s answer to Stephen King, comes a new paranormal novel about dark family secrets, deep-seated vengeance, and the horrifying truth that evil often lurks in the unlikeliest of places.

Hendricks Becker-O’Malley is new in town, and she’s bringing baggage with her. With a dark and wild past, Hendricks doesn’t think the small town her parents moved her to has much to offer her in terms of excitement. She plans on laying low, but when she’s suddenly welcomed into the popular crowd at school, things don’t go as expected.

Hendricks learns from her new friends that the fixer-upper her parents are so excited about is notorious in town. Local legend says it’s haunted. Hendricks doesn’t believe it. Until she’s forced to. Blood-curdling screams erupt from the basement, her little brother wakes up covered in scratches, and something, or someone pushes her dad down the stairs. With help from the mysterious boy next door, Hendricks makes it her mission to take down the ghosts . . . if they don’t take her first.

Gifts for Christmas

The Fireside ChatsLeave a comment

Have you thought about what you want to give that book lover for Christmas? With Black Friday only a couple of weeks away, here are some ideas and suggestions from one book lover to another….

Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire : The Illustrated Edition by J. K. Rowling

The illustrated edition of Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire will be great for any Potterhead (like me). I’ve personally asked for one of these for Christmas. I plan on re-reading the entire series once again using all the illustrated editions once I’ve collected every single one of them.

The Stoneheart trilogy by Charlie Fletcher

If you have someone on your list who likes alternate realities….this trilogy would probably be a good gift for them. It also has a sort of coming of age story like Harry went through in the Harry Potter series.

The Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater

If you have a book lover on your list who is looking for a little romance then this may be something that they’ll enjoy. It is equal parts romance and fantasy but it’s still a great read. Shown below are the 3 main books in the series but there is a fourth novel that revolves around a couple of the supportive characters if 3 is not enough.

The Asylum series by Madeleine Roux

If you have a horror junkie on your list then this may be something that they’ll enjoy. It starts out as a trilogy but there is a prequel book that revolves around different characters and you can find all the novellas from this series in one book (separate from the main series) that will give you more back ground into the story if they want to continue reading.

Murder for Christmas by Francis Duncan

For that person on your list that enjoys a good mystery then this would be a good read. Anyone who is a fan of Agatha Christie would like something from this author. Plus, he has some other books that would be of interest if you enjoy this one.

Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer

For those of you who have kids on your list that are avid readers, here is something you can get them. Whether they read on their own or you want to read it with them, this is a good series to share.

You Will Be Mine by Natasha Preston

For that teen on your list, check out this book from Natasha Preston. This is equal parts thriller/suspense and romance if your teenager likes that sort of thing. There are other thrillers from this author that they may like if your teen likes to read that sort of thing.

“The Invited” by Jennifer McMahon

The Fireside ChatsLeave a comment

Finished another book today. I was not aware this book had come out until I came across this book at the book store by accident. I like haunted house stories but this was interesting to me since the haunted house in this one is being built. I don’t want to say too much so as not to spoil it for anyone interested in reading it but it’s interesting. It moves along at a nice pace and keeps you coming back for more with each chapter you read. I was also surprised by the end. It didn’t end like I thought it would but I am happy with how it ended.

Synopsis: A chilling ghost story with a twist: the New York Times bestselling author of The Winter People returns to the woods of Vermont to tell the story of a husband and wife who don’t simply move into a haunted house, they start building one from scratch, without knowing it, until it’s too late . . .

In a quest for a simpler life, Helen and Nate abandon the comforts of suburbia and their teaching jobs to take up residence on forty-four acres of rural land where they will begin the ultimate, aspirational do-it-yourself project: building the house of their dreams. When they discover that this charming property has a dark and violent past, Helen, a former history teacher, becomes consumed by the legend of Hattie Breckenridge, a woman who lived and died there a century ago. As Helen starts carefully sourcing decorative building materials for her home–wooden beams, mantles, historic bricks–she starts to unearth, and literally conjure, the tragic lives of Hattie’s descendants, three generations of “Breckenridge women,” each of whom died amidst suspicion, and who seem to still be seeking something precious and elusive in the present day.

News on “Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children”

The Fireside ChatsLeave a comment

I’ve just found some news on the 5th book in the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series, titled “Conference of the Birds”. The book will be released January 14th and is available for pre-order. If you check out the link below, you’ll get some questions answered by the author and you’ll get a look at the book cover.

https://ew.com/books/2019/08/28/ransom-riggs-miss-peregrine-book-5-preview/

After reading the article, what are your thoughts on the next book in the series? Are you looking forward to it?

Order online….

The Fireside Chats2 Comments

I purchased a book online the other day and it showed up on my door step today in perfect condition. I was browsing Books-a-Million’s website and I noticed they were having a 50% off sale on select titles and I happen to come across the book listed below. I thought the book looked interested so I purchased it. Now it looks like I’ll have something interesting to read for Halloween.

Synopsis: From Danielle Vega, YA’s answer to Stephen King, comes a new paranormal novel about dark family secrets, deep-seated vengeance, and the horrifying truth that evil often lurks in the unlikeliest of places.

Hendricks Becker-O’Malley is new in town, and she’s bringing baggage with her. With a dark and wild past, Hendricks doesn’t think the small town her parents moved her to has much to offer her in terms of excitement. She plans on laying low, but when she’s suddenly welcomed into the popular crowd at school, things don’t go as expected.

Hendricks learns from her new friends that the fixer-upper her parents are so excited about is notorious in town. Local legend says it’s haunted. Hendricks doesn’t believe it. Until she’s forced to. Blood-curdling screams erupt from the basement, her little brother wakes up covered in scratches, and something, or someone pushes her dad down the stairs. With help from the mysterious boy next door, Hendricks makes it her mission to take down the ghosts . . . if they don’t take her first.

“Tomb of Ancients” by Madeleine Roux

The Fireside ChatsLeave a comment

I finished reading this book this evening. It is the final book in the “House of Furies” series by Madeleine Roux. I’ve liked all her books so far and this book didn’t disappoint. This book was hard to put down and kept me turning the pages. I won’t ruin the end in case anyone reading this is in the process of reading this series and hasn’t finished it like I have. The “House of Furies” series would be something good to read around Halloween time (along with her other works) for those of you who like a good dark fantasy.

Synopsis: The war between old gods and monsters comes to a thrilling climax in this final book in the “darkly delightful”* House of Furies series, from the New York Times bestselling author of Asylum. (*Publishers Weekly)

Free from the nightmares of Coldthistle House, Louisa and her friends have taken up a posh new London residence. But there’s no rest for the wicked. Religious zealots from the shepherd’s flock are gathering in the city, and ominous warnings are being left on Louisa’s doorstep. With the evil influence of her father’s spirit growing stronger—trying to take over—Louisa knows she will be forced to pick a side in the coming war between the old gods, whether she’d like to or not.

To save herself, Louisa is desperate enough to do whatever it takes—even if it means returning to Coldthistle House and striking another deal with Mr. Morningside. To uphold her end of the bargain, Louisa will have to rejoin his supernatural staff to venture to a gateway between worlds, a place of legend: the Tomb of Ancients. But, as always, there’s a catch…

News on “Chronicles of Narnia”

The Fireside Chats2 Comments

After watching the movies “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” in 2005, “Prince Caspian” in 2008 and “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” in 2010, I was looking forward to seeing the next movie in the series which was rumored to be the “Silver Chair”. I’d heard the rumors for years that they were going to be making that movie and I held out hope that I’d get a chance to see them continue making the other books into movies. I have found information regarding the series that announces that they are basically rebooting the series on Netflix (I provided a link below). I’m not sure how I feel about this at the moment. I’m currently reserving my judgement for when it comes out and I will decide then if they do the series justice or not.

What are your thoughts on the Chronicles of Narnia making the move to Netflix? Do you think it’s good or bad? Let me know by leaving a comment below….

https://netflixlife.com/2019/06/13/netflix-the-chronicles-of-narnia-details/

“Hollow City” by Ransom Riggs

The Fireside ChatsLeave a comment

I finished reading this book this morning. This book is the second novel in the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series and it picks up exactly where the first novel ends. The children are in a race against time to help Miss Peregrine while being chased by monsters of different sorts. I love this book because it keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole entire time. The store moves along at a good pace and keeps you entertained all the way to the end. You won’t be able to put this book down because you’ll be so caught up in the adventures of Jacob and the other peculiar children.

Synopsis: Like its predecessor, this second novel in the Peculiar Children series blends thrilling fantasy with vintage photography to create a one-of-a-kind reading experience.

September 3, 1940. Ten peculiar children flee an army of deadly monsters. And only one person can help them–but she’s trapped in the body of a bird. The extraordinary journey that began in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. There, they hope to find a cure for their beloved headmistress, Miss Peregrine. But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. And before Jacob can deliver the peculiar children to safety, he must make an important decision about his love for Emma Bloom.

Recommendations!

The Fireside Chats3 Comments

I’m always looking for that next book to read so I’m willing to take recommendations from others, especially if I know that person likes to read similar books. Anyway, if you like to read, I wouldn’t mind hearing your recommendations for some new literature for me to read.

Genre: Horror, science fiction, fantasy, mystery & thriller. I can take in the occasional romance if it’s good.

Have read: The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, the Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis, the Last Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney, the Locke & Key series by Joe Hill, the Stoneheart trilogy by Charlie Fletcher, the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie, Murder Has a Motive by Frances Duncan, Murder for Christmas by Frances Duncan, The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly, The Cellar by Natasha Preston, The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox, Carrie by Stephen King, The Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill, The Host by Stephenie Meyer, etc.

Books I refuse to read: The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian. I read this book once upon a time and I really got into it at first but the ending disappointed me. This book really turned me away from that particular author and I won’t read anything remotely similar again.

Age Range: I normally read young adult and up. I will read children’s literature if it’s good enough to hold my interest (Harry Potter series is a good example).

“The Truth Lies Here” by Lindsey Klingele

The Fireside ChatsLeave a comment

I’ve finished another book last night right before I went to bed and I wanted to share it with you before I forget. This book didn’t end the way that I thought it would but that’s okay. I was thoroughly surprised when I got to the end and I like to be surprised. I don’t like being able to guess the ending before I get there. The story did move along at a nice pace, enough to keep you coming back to the story. I didn’t find any slow parts where I could have gotten derailed and not picked the book back up. This book will probably be the type of book for people who liked the tv show the X-Files.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN BONE LAKE? THE TRUTH WILL SURPRISE YOU.

In small town Michigan, Penny Hardjoy, an aspiring journalist, teams up with the nerdy boy next door and the town’s star quarterback to find her conspiracy theorist father after he goes missing and several other people turn up dead in the woods.

The deeper she digs, the weirder things start to get. Townspeople repeat the same phrases—verbatim. Men in black suits stroll around Main Street. Chunks of Penny’s memory go missing.

Pretty soon, her research leads her to the long-ago meteorite crash in Bone Lake’s woods, and she’s going to have to reconsider her definition of “real” if she wants answers. . . .