Review: Sirdar Jewelspun Yarn

I have used this yarn in place of Moda Bouvardia to craft a hooded jacket.

The yarn is described as trying to represent a hand spun effect. As someone who has spun their own yarn in the past, I can confirm that this yarn does have this effect. However, it may not suit everyone's requirements as a consequence.

As you can see in the image above, some sections are over spun, while others are under spun. This is easy enough to remedy by making an invisible join, but becomes irritating when there are many sections like this. Also it is not a consistent (persistent) fault. 

. 

Another annoyance is the appearance of knots, sometimes only a short way into a new ball, and again seemingly random in regularity and frequency. Again resolved by an invisible join, but I don't feel that I should have to keep doing this, particularly when it does create a slightly thicker area in the item being crocheted. 

 

I would point out that there are a lot of images of Sirdar Jewelspun online and based on these I would never have used the yarn. I was lucky enough to be able to see some in real life (although the store did not have enough for my project) and went on to order some online as a consequence. It is definitely a more attractive yarn when you can see it for yourself. 

This is the exact yarn that I bought :- 

 

I have been wearing my completed coat for some time now and it is so lovely to wrap around myself. I really like it and am glad that I picked Jewelspun to make it with. 

Crochet Hooded Coat

For this coat, I started on the small size of the pattern, then tried medium and eventually settled on the large size. The sizing differences were probably due to using a smaller hook size and a very different yarn. 

Moda Vera Bouvardia is a discontinued yarn, however I wanted a look as similar to the image on the pattern as possible and finding a perfect match proved impossible. 

Sirdar Jewelspun is designed to be like handspun yarn, which means that it does have inconsistencies in thickness of thread which in some instances is very pronounced, this had an impact on the way the garment worked up. 

Ghosted by H. L. Burke

Lazarus visits Harper because he isn't doing well with his assignment. Harper admits that he is struggling,but insists that it is not due to his not trying. Lazarus takes pity on him and sends him away while he takes on the assignment himself.

But Lazarus gets a surprise and learns why Harper was having such a difficult time.

This is a short story and to say any more would be to spoil it. In short, go get it and read it for yourself and take some pleasure in doing so, as it is a really good story.

Although there's only a handful of characters, it has more than enough body to satisfy readers.

"headquarters isn’t happy with your performance. Like I said, they gave you an easy assignment."

I received a free copy of this novel from the author and I'm delighted to offer my fair and honest review.

 

4/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully)

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Ghosts thrive on fear, but Maisie just isn't delivering. In fact, Lazarus isn't even sure she realizes she's being haunted. When expert haunter, Lazarus Bently, receives a cry for help from a fellow ghost, he rushes to the chaotic cottage of eccentric artist Maisie. If Ghost HQ finds out Lazarus couldn't get a rise out of this little old lady, he'll never live it down. With his professional pride on the line, can Lazarus get through to this unshakable woman? Or will this unbeaten scarer be the one quaking in his boots?  

 

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Elsewhere by Dean Koontz

This book may have started slow for me, but I still took a great deal of pleasure in reading it.

The main characters are Jeffy and his daughter Amity and the biggest issue I had with the book was the 'voice' of Amity, which made me think that this was a child's book to start with. Later I understood it to be the character's voice, with each having a different style and got used to it, but still it irritated me. Never mind though, the story was original and interesting so I got over it.

Ed is a local vagrant, one who keeps himself tidy, who likes to visit on Jeffy and Amity's porch. One day as they return home Ed is waiting for them on the porch. That is the start of their adventure, despite Ed's warnings.

"Snatching the box off his lap and holding it against his chest, Ed declared, “No, no. You must do nothing with it! Nothing! You must not open it. Never!”."

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for approving me to read Elsewhere by Dean Koontz.

4/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully)

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In ELSEWHERE, master storyteller Dean Koontz, has created a brilliant and terrifying speculative thriller with hat-tips to George Orwell, Ray Bradbury and HG Wells.

In the little South Californian town of Suavidad Beach, Jeff Coltrane is raising his daughter Amity on his own, ever since his wife Michelle went missing seven years ago. He’s doing a pretty good job of it, and though Amity misses her mom she pours her excess love into her pet mouse Snowball: she’s on a promise for her own puppy if she proves she can take good care of the mouse.

Then one day their itinerant friend Ed – known locally as ‘Mr Spooky’ – hands into Jeff’s care a small box containing ‘the key to everything’, with the warning that it’s worth around $76 billion, and that he has a demonic posse on his tail searching for it, and that because it's both so powerful and so valuable, they’ll never give up their quest to get their hands on it. He’ll come back for it in a year: but on no account during that time is Jeff to open the box. Jeff quickly hides it away, which is just as well, since some sinister ‘federal’ agents soon turn up on his doorstep, making threats and looking for Ed.

With his beloved wife missing, having the key to everything in his possession proves to be just too much of a temptation for Jeff, and not long afterwards he opens the box and activates the key.

It seems, to begin with, that nothing has changed; but then he starts to notice subtle differences around the house, and outside, the weather has changed and they appear to have different neighbours. Down in the town, everything is a little more shabby. In the park, Amity kicks over some pebbles, before realising they are bloodied teeth. There’s the smell of burning books on the air. And up on the ridgeline overlooking the town, thirteen large crows are perched like the living totems of a clan of malicious wizards…

The screen of the key reads ELSEWHERE 1.13.

It offers three options: HOME, SELECT or RETURN.

Somewhere out there in the multiverse, Michelle – adored wife and mother – is still alive. But dare Jeff and Amity – and Snowball – use the key to track her down, with the demonic posse after them and unknown terrors in the other versions of their world?   

 

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The Inner Darkness by Jørn Lier Horst

Wisting is back with his daughter Line in this latest story from Jørn Lier Horst. Line is helping the police with an investigation into the location of a convicted killers last victim. Tom Kerr has agreed to lead the police to where the body is buried. It is during the investigation that Kerr escapes, captured on film by Line.

The team build a plan to recapture him, knowing that if they fail, Kerr could commit further terrible murders. 

There is suspicions of another one who helped Kerr, both previously with his torturous murders and lately with his escape. But nothing is known of this individual, finding Kerr could be a way to capture this other person. 

Line meanwhile is working hard on her own journalist research into the case, in order to gather enough material for a documentary once the case reaches its conclusion, hopefully.

As ever Jørn Lier Horst writes a story that is both involving and full of tension.
I like the familiar way we are involved with the characters, we see them in their home, with their family and with their colleagues. The relationships are tangible and natural. 

 
What wasn't so good was the bit of descriptive evidence late on in the book. It was a bit too graphic for my squeamishness.

"As he passed Line, he turned and looked straight into the camera, so close that she could smell him. A dank, stale odour reminiscent of the interior of a house left empty for a long time."

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. NetGalley does not allow for paid reviews. 

 
4/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully) 

 
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The chilling and heart-pounding new novel from Norwegian superstar Jørn Lier Horst.

THE INSPIRATION FOR THE HIT BBC FOUR SHOW WISTING 

After four years behind bars, notorious serial killer Tom Kerr is ready to talk. And Chief Inspector William Wisting is waiting to listen.

Kerr has finally agreed to lead the police to his final victim's grave.

But the expedition goes horribly wrong after his escape deep into the Norwegian forest, Wisting must launch a frantic search to find this cold-blooded killer before he strikes again. But the body of another woman, killed weeks before, has been found. Murdered in the same way as Kerr's victims.

Is there a copycat killer on the loose? Has Kerr become a twisted role model for a second killer? And, if so, what might happen if master and apprentice unite?

As the clock counts down to the next murder, Wisting must put everything on the line to stop a terrifying evil before it strikes again.

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War for Burning Sands by P R Adams

I loved this book, I stayed up late several nights reading it!

The book focuses on three groups of people, Alonso and her military escapees from the Cheyenne Mountain facility hibernations tanks, the Verona sisters who grew up on their fathers ideals and want to make the world a united place, and Reggie Lee and his group of people trying to organise local people into strongholds that are safe from attacks. ARDA is the AI that controlled the hibernation facility and it does not want any of them to survive.

Alonso has recently acquired two 'helpers' who say they are meant to be her 'assets', her helpers. She is very unsure of them, but wants to ensure that her team is safe, the 'Dark Angels' are very handy in a fight after all. The team is aiming to get to what was Las Vegas where a message is being broadcast on a loop calling people to the place, as a place of safety.

The Verona sisters are following the direction of the elder of the two, Carmen, who wants to catch up with Alonso's team. She wants their technology and their knowledge. She also wants to have all the local groups of people under her banner, whether they want it or not.

Reggie is fighting to keep his people alive and safe, above all else. He has already discovered one station that has been decimated by something and is racing to get back to safety with one of his couriers and an old hand from one of the outposts.

This is a post-apocalyptic story and you may find it a bit distressing in places, it is realistic and full of pace and tension. P.R. Adams writes a very good novel (or rather series of novels - you must read them all and probably best to do so in order) of a failing world where humans are no longer at the top.

Reggie Lee is a real hero! [Read it to find out why]

I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

5/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully)

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Major Gabby Alonso spent her entire life battling adversity. For her final mission, she vowed to save the world from self-destruction or die trying, and she won't back down. Now she faces the greatest challenge she's ever known.

Unfortunately, she has blood on her hands, and her enemies won't forget what she's done.

Her only hope is to head for Las Vegas, which promises safety and security. But if she wants to reach this destination, she'll have to pass through deadly territory.

When the radio transmission calling Alonso to this sanctuary goes silent, she worries she might be walking into a trap. With enemies closing in, she has to choose: face impossible odds or continue the risky journey.

Pick up War for Burning Sands today, and experience the thrilling conclusion to this installment of the post-apocalyptic Burning Sands saga. 

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The Thief on the Winged Horse by Kate Mascarenhas

At one point near the start of this book I thought that it was going to read like a children's book. Thankfully the bit that made me think that (Larkin skipped up the central steps) was a one off and the story continued on a better footing. 

Larkin has crossed to the eyot on which the Kendricks Workshop is placed and where its magical dolls are made; his intention is to become a sorcerer and make such dolls himself. However, Larkin is not the only one with such a desire. In order to gain employment at the Workshop, Larkin must either be a family member or marry into the family. He believes his claim that he is a family member will gain him his employment.

There is a rare doll in the home of the current owner of Kendricks, made by Lucy Kendrick, one of the founders of the doll Workshop, "The Paid Mourner”. It is extremely valuable and, during an annual celebration, it is stolen. This theft is an unlikely event due to the protections surrounding the doll, but nonetheless it is gone. 

As the only people who live on the eyot are family or married into the family, suspicions are spread thin. The twin of the owner is suspected and all family members have police searches to endure.

Plots twist and people turn about as they worm their way to the top. Dolls are made and hexes writ on mannequins to change the fortune of sorcerers. Kendrick's, Jackson's and Botham's wait to discover the whereabouts of 'The Paid Mourner'.

Larkin dances through it all, but Persephone is by his side.

I like the way that the characters were tetchy and behaved as a normal person would. But, the thing that did annoy me was the way that bits were left out in certain areas, bits that will lead to another follow-up book I expect.

"Larkin explored an orchard. The bark of one tree was engraved with the image of a man on a winged horse, and beneath it, a single word: THIEF. Undeterred Larkin scrumped four quince and hid them in his bag."

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. NetGalley does not allow for paid reviews.

4/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully)

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A dazzling mixture of crime, romance, magic and myth from the acclaimed author of The Psychology of Time Travel.

The Kendrick family have been making world-famous dolls for over 200 years. But their dolls aren't coveted for the craftmanship alone. Each one has a specific emotion laid on it by its creator. A magic that can make you feel bucolic bliss or consuming paranoia at a single touch. Though founded by sisters, now only men may know the secrets of the workshop.

Persephone Kendrick longs to break tradition and learn the family craft, and when a handsome stranger arrives claiming doll-making talent and a blood tie to the Kendricks, she sees a chance to grasp all she desires. But then, one night, the family's most valuable doll is stolen. Only someone with knowledge of magic could have taken her. Only a Kendrick could have committed this crime...

Reviews for Kate Mascarenhas:

'Witty, inventive and unflashily wise about human hearts; Mascarenhas's future promises to be an exciting one' GUARDIAN. 

'Breathtakingly tender and wryly understated' NEW YORK TIMES. 

'Captivating, delightful and thoroughly original' JENNIE MELAMED.

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The Stitcher and the Mute, Book Two of the Tales of Fenest by D.K. Fields

This is book two in the series of the Tales of Fenest, I haven't read the first one, I would like to though to get the back story. It is written in an intriguing manner, with storytellers yarning their tales, within tales, within tales. Stories are a key part of Fenest and it's administration and elections. It all adds up to a very interesting way of learning about a place, within the story.

The key character is Detective Cora Gorderheim, whose sister disappeared under awful circumstances when Cora was a young lady. Cora still suffers from an injury from that time and thinking that she keeps seeing her long lost sister is making her injury worse.

She is on the case of several murders linked to the elections in Fenest. Her Chief Inspector has placed limits on where she may go when trying to interview the Chambers (kind of like councillors but seemingly more powerful). She has a name, she just needs to find out who the person is. So she goes to the archives and once she actually finds the place manages to get inside. There she finds a vast underground place and has to call on others to help her locate what she is looking for.

Alongside this activity, Cora is attending each realms' story telling to see what leads she can get to help with her case. The story telling is part of the voting process for the governance of the region and competition is fierce between the 'tellers. So much so that murder has taken place!

A thoroughly good book, which I found really realistic and I was able to place myself right there in the story. I would have liked to have read the first book first, but it didn't impede the reading of this the second book in the least.

"Ruth had ruined everything when she stole their parents’ papers and gave the pennysheets the story of the Gorderheims embezzling Commission funds. Ruth had never even bothered to come back and witness the damage."

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. NetGalley does not allow for paid reviews.

4/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully)


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Detective Cora Gorderheim has found the man who strangled the Wayward storyteller. But he was just a small part of a much bigger tale. Someone powerful ordered a murder on Cora's patch. That someone still lurks in the shadows. But as she continues her investigations, Cora is warned not to pry into the great and the good of Fenest.

Too stubborn to know better, Cora keeps digging and begins to piece together a conspiracy that reaches from the gutter dwellers of the Union of Realms right to the top: the Chambers.

As the Audience hear the Torn and Perlish tales, Cora realises she must return to her own story, to its very beginning, if she's going to have any say in its end.

Widow's Welcome, the first book in the Tales of Fenest trilogy, is available now.

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Over Burning Sands by P R Adams

Major Gabby Alonso is leading her team away from the Cheyenne Mountain area and as she does she finds herself facing the differing groups of people fighting to hold their piece of land for themselves. Although for some, it is seeking to expand their lands that brings them into contact with the group. 

Each time they come across a new homestead, settlement or city, they have to consider how to approach it. Always on the lookout for treachery and malintent.

Gabby finds herself evaluating her every interaction with her team, is she being fair on them or indeed herself. Or is she overreacting to things they say and do. It is an extremely difficult situation, leading a team in a world that has changed beyond all recognition since you last saw it before hibernation.

Carmen and Harmony Verona are sisters, they are intent on unifying the disparate groups of settlements and tribes to ensure that humanity can continue in an organised manner. It's just that their way of doing things has turned a little barbaric along the way. Many fear them and resist their dominion, often to their own demise once the sisters arrive on the scene.

Eventually, the paths of the Verona's and Gabby's team cross, indirectly. And while the sisters are occupied, the team flees. Though what they flee to, is less comfortable that Gabby had found herself for a time. More hybrids from Arda are in the world than Gabby realised, something she finds out at great personal expense, while scouting for the protection of the team.

Though even the sisters find hardship awaits them.

This book takes us deeper into the new world after the fire and we meet the disparate groups of people who have survived to this point. Some are downright bad folks, but there are the odd few who shine out brightly and help the team.

I cannot say anything bad about this book, it really kept me reading on, wanting to know what happened next, while not wanting to finish the story.

"“I told you: No one is special.” Carmen drew her saber and thrust the blade through the other woman’s chest. Blood spurted from the wound, and the silver-haired woman looked down in disbelief, then she crumpled, gasping."

I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

5/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully)

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A changed world. A deadly world. 

Major Gabby Alonso woke to violence and an AI bent on killing her. She wasn't ready to die. 

Now she has to lead the last remnants of her team into the world they were supposed to rebuild, to reclaim from centuries-old ruins.

While the world has changed, it's nothing like the training and simulations had taught her to expect. Except, that is, for its lethality.

Petty tyrants, misguided pacifists, bloodthirsty marauders—Alonso can trust no one, racing from one threat to the next, always trying to stay just ahead of death on her way to find the peaceful promise of someone named Reggie Lee.

Grab your copy of this thrilling post-apocalyptic tale now and follow the bloody path that leads Over Burning Sands.

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Inside Burning Sands by P R Adams

Major Gabby Alonso wakes from hibernation sleep many years in the future after humanity has destroyed the earth as it is now. Her hibernation tank is inside a mountain where all the systems are controlled by a computer called Arda (Analysis, Research, Data Assistant).

She is disturbed by the circumstances she is woken into; the chimps enhanced to help the humans that they were frozen alongside appear to have been awake for a while longer and are not acting as they should.

Gabby sets about waking the rest of her team and they look to determining their situation and what next steps should be to ensure their survival.

The chimps meanwhile are hunting for food and will hunt whatever they can to ensure their next meal. The resultant gore and carnage makes the interior of the mountain a challenging place to navigate. 

An arduous and telling journey begins for Gabby, determined as she is to get her team out of the mountain and into the outside world, whatever it may resemble. 

I really like that this book is so extremely well written. I felt 'present in the room' with the way everything was so well described and put down in the page. 

What is didn't like was the totally mean, vicious and nastiness of the struggle through the story. I had barely any relief from the tension of it all. 

'"I have great plans for many, many special people. And you are the most special, Cassius. Would you like to hear my plans?” Cassius leaned forward. “I’m listening.” “I knew you would, Cassius. We are so much alike, you and I.”"

I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

4/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully) 

 
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Major Gabby Alonso was as broken as her world, but she wouldn't let that stop her. Through determination and strength, she rose to lead a team of specialized soldiers and scientists. They trained to reclaim the Earth from ruin three centuries after entering suspended animation.

But something went wrong, and Alonso woke to a world that was nothing like she expected. It's not just a climate disaster trying to kill her but the artificial intelligence meant to assist her.

Now Alonso must find a way out of the Cheyenne Mountain facility designed to protect her team from the world outside before it turns into her tomb.

Pick up your copy of this suspenseful and terrifying post-apocalyptic tale today and get a look Inside Burning Sands.

 

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The Trials of Koli - The Rampart Trilogy, Book 2 by M. R. Carey

Koli is on his way to London, his aim is to save humanity. Since the Unfinished War the number of humans is diminishing slowly but surely as each village is gradually erased from the map by natural decline. 

 
On his way he had joined up with Ursala-from-Elsewhere and Cup of the Shunned Men, as he has made his way from North of England through the Midlands and on South. 

 
Meanwhile, at his home village of Mythen Rood, Spinner has joined with Haijon Vennastin as a couple and has hopes of being a Rampart wife. As they make their way at the tannery, opportunities present themselves to Spinner to make improvements to her life. She just doesn't know what impact they really will have. 

 
This book swaps back and forth between Koli Faceless and Spinner Tanhide, with just the right amount of focus on each part of the plot. I'm pretty sure that in the final book the threads will come together as a complete masterpiece. 

 
It is just as well written as the previous book and just as enjoyable. I really hope that you'll read it for yourself.

"My hand touched something in the dark. Something that seemed to be growing out of the ground. I run my hand up it and felt the softness of feathers at the topmost tip. It was an arrow."

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. NetGalley does not allow for paid reviews. 

 
4/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully) 

 
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Koli has been cast from his village and into the strange and deadly forest beyond. But he heard a story, once. A story about lost London, and the mysterious tech of the old times that was there. And if Koli can find it, there may be a way for him to redeem himself - by saving what's left of humanity. 

 
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The Illustrated Child by Polly Crosby

 

I'll be honest, this book wasn't for me. I found that it dragged in places and towards the end it felt rushed and a bit sparse. The story focuses on one child called Romiley Kemp whose father creates a series of books as a kind of treasure hunt especially for her. It is published and it seems the whole world wants to be in on the hunt.

Romiley meanwhile is a lonesome child with one friend and a cat to keep her company, besides her father. Her mother is elsewhere, having left when Romiley was four years old.

Now she lives in an old house with a moat around it, in the middle of the countryside. She has some rare adventures, some probably are imaginary, some are real. I won't give the ending away by describing any more.

I have given this book a three, but for those whom this book strikes a chord it would probably be a four or maybe even a five.

"Romilly Kemp in the book stayed young and innocent, a sickly-sweet imposter who wore my dress and suckled at my father’s love, leeching it away until there was barely any left for me at all."

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. NetGalley does not allow for paid reviews.

       

3/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully)

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'Evocative and enchanting – a future classic and a star in the making' Veronica HenryRomilly lives in a ramshackle house with her eccentric artist father and her cat, Monty. She knows little about her past – but she knows that she is loved. When her father finds fame with a series of children’s books starring her as the main character, everything changes: exotic foods appear on the table, her father appears on TV, and strangers appear at their door, convinced the books contain clues leading to a precious prize.

But as time passes, Romilly’s father becomes increasingly suspicious of the outside world until, before her eyes, he begins to disappear altogether. With no-one else to help, Romilly turns to the secrets her father has hidden in his illustrated books – realising that his treasure hunt doesn’t lead to gold, but to something far more precious… 

The truth. 

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Shadow Pawn by P. R. Adams

 

A totally absorbing, gripping fifth book in the military sci-fi Shadow series by P. R. Adams. One to read as part of the series. Maybe even watch the sci-fi films when they come out (that's a big heads-up to all those directors out there to make this series into something bigger)!

Faith Benson is Commander of the Kedraalian fleet on a diplomatic mission to meet the Azoren High Command. From the outset she finds herself ill at ease with the way things develop. On Himmel, she and her team are 'escorted' to their meeting in the capital city, where matters escalate and they are separated, but not before meeting Supreme Leader Graf and one of the 'Golden Children' Field Marshal Dietmar Faulk.

Captain Benson finds herself secreted in different locations, some austere, others luxurious, a guest of Field Marshall Faulk's own plans to further his career. 

Despite it being part of the mission, Damien Caville is struggling to come to terms with having to shoot his sister. Now he must make sure that the mission is a success. On a pirate ship on it's way to Ash Shivan, it seems likely that he himself may wind up dead,possibly at the hands of his companions, the captain and his crew.

Satrap must rely on Ikhama to help him keep the ship captains in his fleet under control. He has already had to deal with one assassination attempt and is in no shape to cope with any such further happenings. He needs to conquer the Kedraalian's in order to keep his place and maybe his dreamed of freedom.

These and others are part of the story playing out in space and the planets of the Kedraalian's, Gulmar, Azoren and Khanate peoples.

This book kept me on the edge right to the end, totally engaged in the story. I found the breaks between the different character sets worked well and I really enjoyed reading it.

I have enjoyed reading all the books in the series and I'm looking forward to the next one (while at the same time not wanting it to end). They are well crafted and easy to slide your mind into the worlds as an observer. I really recommend that you read the whole set. 

<blockquote>"For the dream to live, the dreamer must die."</blockquote>

I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

5/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully) 

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What would you do to save your people?

Captain Faith Benson brought the most powerful task force ever assembled into Gulmar space to form an alliance against their mutual enemies, the Azoren Federation. That alliance went out the window when the Gulmar capital was destroyed by an even greater threat: the Khanate.

Now Benson and the last of the Gulmar security forces must travel to the Azoren home world of Himmel to strike a deal with their psychotic enemies. Without that deal, there's no chance they can stand against this new enemy.

But the terms of the alliance may be worse than anyone expected, and it may cost Benson everything she holds dear.

Get your copy of Shadow Pawn today, and dive into the thrilling world of intrigue and twisted betrayal.

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The New Girl by Harriet Walker

The first half of this book is centred mainly around the self centred thoughts and actions of Margot and Maggie. Margot is the outgoing mother and Maggie is the incoming maternity cover of a fashion editor's post in a top notch fashion magazine. Both want to be top of the tree and think and behave like prima Donna's. It's very much about setting up their characters and the back story until Winnie joins the story properly. Then we hear about the history between Margot and Winnie, as well as the historical involvement of a third party called Helen.

At this changing point in the story it actually does start to get interesting and more involving, if you have stuck it out so far. There starts to be tension, intrigue and twists in the story, which started out as a fashion tour of duty. It is definitely a story of two half's and I would have scored it much higher if it had been more of the second and less of the first. It is a good concept, averagely executed.

I received a free copy of this novel from the publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review.

3/5 Stars (What this means...five-stars-applied-carefully)

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She's borrowed your life. But what if she decides to keep it?

Glamorous Margot Jones is the fashion editor at glossy women's magazine Haute, and pregnant with her first child. Margot's used to her carefully curated life being the object of other women's envy - who wouldn't want her successful career, loving husband, beautiful house and stylish wardrobe?

Maggie, a freelance journalist, certainly knows she doesn't measure up. So when Margot gets in touch to suggest she apply for her maternity cover at Haute, Maggie seizes the chance at living a better life - even if it's only temporary.

But the simultaneous arrival of Margot's baby and a brutal end to her oldest friendship sends Margot into a spiral of suspicion and paranoia. Are Maggie's motives as innocent as they seem? And what happens at the end of the year when Margot wants her old life back - especially if Maggie decides she doesn't want to leave?

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The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence

Yaz is of the Ictha tribe, a tribe that endures. But she knows that next time they go to the gathering her fate will be to be cast down into the Pit of the Missing, for her difference. Because when she can't endure, Yaz has a secret that helps her to carry on, one that sets her apart and makes her different. But being different is dangerous when you live on the ice, so Yaz knows that she must go. 

Down in the pit, Yaz learns a lot about her culture and also about what is wrong with it. She learns of her own abilities that set her apart from her tribe and yet give her the strength to bring change.

Others are in the pit, some to be feared, some to protect, some to fight for freedoms sake.

Yaz has to struggle for every bit of information that she gleans and is presented with difficult choices throughout her time in the pit.

I liked Yaz's independence and analytical approach to changing her circumstances. The story is well written. 

This story would suit those who like futuristic or Dystopian style books.

Regarding quotes from books, they are a little snippet from within the core, they are not the story. They cannot convey the depth of what is within.    

"‘Greatness and torment.’ A pause. ‘And fire.’"

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. NetGalley does not allow for paid reviews.

4/5 Stars (What this means... Star ratings)

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