Wonderland Books

The Unfettered Child – Michael C Sahd

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Courtney

Synopsis

Her tribe is shattered. Her parents are gone.

When eight-year-old Samara faces the capture of her tribe, an unimaginable power awakens within her. Even as this magic threatens to consume her, a disembodied voice intervenes, offering guidance and helping her control these newfound abilities.

Meanwhile, Samara’s father chases his wife’s captors across an unfamiliar terrain. But can Orin find his wife in time to save her? Will Samara learn to control her power and reunite with her family? And who is the mysterious entity traveling with her?

Overview

My rating:

Published: Expected August 28th 2019
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Magic
Length: Kindle 414 pages.

My Thoughts

I had no idea what I was expecting when I began reading this book but I did enjoy the book.

Overall, I thought the book began well. The beginning was face paced, intense and it gets the reader hooked quickly. I thought the middle bit of the book was not as face paced and for me, at times, felt repetitive with Samara destroying.

Throughout the book the fathers story and Samara’s stories are told. There was a lot of build up and I found myself routing for Samara and her father. I was a little bit disappointed that the meeting of the two stories was so brief at the end.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this novel in return for a honest review. This in no way has affected my review of the book.

WARNING: The following pros and cons may contain spoilers.

The Pros

The Setting

The novel takes on a native American approach. There are a number of different tribes who all play their different roles. Each tribes seems to have its own version of a mage but the hunters who are less developed in their knowledge have their Shaman who possesses her own set of powers. I liked that we are taken on a journey with the hunters as they discover the mysterious thing with the name of ‘Magic’ and these alien beings with pointy ears called Elves.

The Shaman

For some reason the character I felt myself most connected to was the old grandmother. Her gentle nature and her wisdom is cleverly written. She does not play a large roll in the story but she is Samara’s guardian angel.

The Woes

The Pace

As mentioned in my initial thoughts, the beginning was well paced and and each chapter was filled with cliff hangers to keep you reading and wanting more. I think the middle of the story became repetitive. Samara would be manipulated by Illtud and she would leave a path of destruction before feeling guilty and remorseful. This made me become a bit diconnected at times.

Nearing the end of the story I became more engaged as I rooted for Orin to be reunited with Samara so I found the reunion a bit short lived and I think the final battle could have had a bigger role in the novel.

Overall

This is a good read and I would recommend the book to readers of fantasy or those who like native american plots.

Please leave your comments if you have read this book.

5 Stars, Children's

The Dyno Dinosaur Family Presents: Waves of Kindness – Sharida Mckenzie

Posted on July 8, 2019July 8, 2019 by Courtney

Synopsis

One is never too young to make the word a better place. Sister Dyno takes you through her journey from learning baout the concept of waves of kindness to practicing it. She shares severla sweet examples that children can easily relate to. The opportunities for kindness are abundant when you live life with an open heart and mind.

Overview

My rating:

5/5 stars for this wonderful children’s book.

Published: 21st May 2019
Genre: Children’s
Length: 36 pages

My Thoughts

Ok. I’m not going to do a pros and woes for this book because I can not fault the book. It is beautiful and made my heart hurt a little. What I will do is talk about what I believe is great about this book.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this novel in return for a honest review. This in no way has affected my HONEST review of the book.

The Message

Sharida has done a brilliant job with this book. The message to children is one of kindness, being thoughtful and sharing. Children can find the gold stars which highlight acts of kindness. It also creates discussions for what we might do that is kind and how can we be kind like the Dyno Dinosaur Family.

The Illustrations

The illustrations in this book are just beautiful. I love how each character represents diversity and equality; being kind to all. The illustrations are clear and creates opportunities for comprehension discussions with the children. You could read this book or simply use it as a picture book and the illustrations will deliver the same message.

Overall

I definitely recommend this read. I have already recommended this book to a few of my friends with younger children. It truly is beautiful.

Lets connect. Please follow:

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4 Stars, Dystopia, Fairy tales, Fantasy, Mythology, Short Stories

God of Manna – Daeus Lamb

Posted on July 3, 2019July 3, 2019 by Courtney

Synopsis

The hideous God of Manna has taken away the soul of Mortristan’s father. Now, it is Mortristan’s doom to find what his father never could: something worth living for.
But when Mortristan is forced to hunt an intruder in the God of Manna’s paradise-city, he learns just how enslaved he is. As bad as life is with the Godof Manna, it’s impossible to live without him. Can Mortristan really sacrifice everything he has to find just one thing that’s lasting?

The God of Manna has reigned for millennia and he doesn’t take rebellion lightly…
The world needs a savior. And if Mortristan doesn’t find a way of escape, he will too.

Overview

My rating:

Published: 9th April 2019
Genre: Fantasy,
Length: 65 pages
Publisher: Independently Published

My Thoughts

At first this book appealed to me but not enough that I couldn’t wait to read it. If this is also you then I strongly urge you to get over that hurdle and read this book. I have been sent a lot of books lately and although they have all been good none really hooked me they way I know I can be. I began reading this short novel and thought this book will be the same. I was pleasantly surprised.

This novella is mysterious and beautifully written. I am only sad that it was not longer.

I have not read a novel from Lamb before but I am now interested in more of his work.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this novel in return for a honest review. This in no way has affected my review of the book.

The Pros

No Mistakes

My one pet hate is a lazy publisher. Nothing ruins a book more like a spell error. I did not find one when reading this novel. It was very refreshing not to forget the book has been independently published.

Poetically Written

The poetry is mesmerising. The whole novel, from start to finish, flows perfectly and has a mythological feel to the writing. The language used in this story was deep and beautiful. Lamb successfully experiments with language to draw the reader.

The Setting

Lamb has created rich contexts and settings throughout the short novel. Extreme contrasts present in this dystopian setting, the insiders VS the outsiders. The outsiders can grow no crops in their waste land leaving them to cue for their rations. In comparison, the insiders land is completely green with plenty of food.

The Woes

Short

My only fault with this novella is the length. But as I am writing this to you know I question whether extending the novel would lose some of the quirk and mystery that makes it so appealing. I was sad to finish the book but I would rather a short great book than a long but mediocre.

Overall

I definitely recommend this read. I read it in an hour so it is not a big commitment but one you should definitely make.

Lets connect. Please follow:

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3 Stars, Historical Fiction, Steampunk, Young adult

The Colonel and the Bee – Patrick Canning

Posted on July 1, 2019July 1, 2019 by Courtney

Synopsis

Beatrix, an abused acrobat, flees her prison in fear of her life and in search of new adventures. She has longed to see the wonders of the world and the Colonel, who is famous for his travels, offers just that.

Together Bee and the Colonel make a narrow escape on the four story hot air balloon known as the Ox. It is here that their quest begins. The quest to find a murderous treasure hunter in search of the Blue Star Sphinx.

This new life for Bee is incredibly dangerous but teaches her of family and companionship where her former life did not.

Who can Bee truly trust? Will they beat their rivals in the race to discover the Blue Star Sphinx?

Overview

My rating:

Published: June 1st 2018
Genre: Steampunk, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Length: eBook – 304 pages.

My Thoughts

I was contacted by Canning and asked if I would be interested in reading this book. It had been compared to Lara Croft by one reviewer and Around the World in Eighty Days with a promise of humour, how could I say no? I grew up in love with Lara Croft(I still am if I am honest with myself) so when reading the blurb I decided this was definitely a book for me.

I enjoyed the book but it was not a favourite. I did not get the humour but I have always been told I have a terrible sense of humour. I do believe this book will be enjoyed by most readers especially those who love the steampunk genre.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this novel in return for a honest review. This in no way has affected my review of the book.

The Pros

Bee

The novel is written in the first person as Beatrix tells her story. I do like a novel written in first person because it draws the reader in and creates a deeper reader/character bond. You feel like you are on the journey with Bee. I personally liked her character and was instantly routing for her from the beginning of the novel.

Family

Bee has spent most of her life as an acrobat under the rule of her ill-tempered employer. She has not know family or companionship. During her quest with the colonel she finds just that. I do not believe she seeks family but as thenovel is written in first person we can see how she develops the understanding of fmaily and the realisation that she has found a family of people who care for her.

I particularly liked watching the relationship between Bee and the Colonel grow. Bee does not always understand the Colonel but eventually the puzzle pieces fall into place as she discovers the little acts he performs to seek justice against those who mistreated her.

The Story Plot

The story itself was very good. Full of adventure. To describe the novel I would say Sherlock Holmes meets Around the World in Eighty Days. I did enjoy the plot.

The Woes

The Colonel

For some unknown reason I could not connect with the Colonel. I just did not like his character. He was extremely annoying for me. I usually love quirky characters so I am not sure why exactly I did not like the colonel. He has an unhealthy appetite for conquering women. He is, to me, quite arrogant and difficult to like.

Lack of Setting

Throughout the novel there was a lack of setting. Each time the Colonel and Bee visited a new place it was difficult to visualise and enter due to lack of depth in the description.

Something A Miss

I really struggled to remain focused on this story. I do not know What or Why?! It could have been the two points above; the Colonel and the lack of setting. I could not fully get into this novel as I expected I would which is why I gave 3 stars.

Overall

This is an exciting read with a free spirited Beatrix. I would recommend this book if you like the steampunk genre and Around The World in Eighty Days.

3 Stars, Fantasy, Mythology, Young adult

Fib and The Axe of Fury – Esosa Kolawole

Posted on June 29, 2019 by Courtney

Overview

My rating: 3/5 stars
Published: 21 June 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Magic, Mythology, Fantasy

I can see perfectly but you keep forcing me to use these things. I’ve obeyed your rules,always.
Fibikemi

Fibikemi never understood why her mother made her wear glasses outside of the house. Her vision was fine. Little did Finikemi know that her glasses were a magical barrier designed to protect her from the one who was hunting her.

Fibikemi was safe until one busy platform caused her glasses to get knocked off. The creature she saw before her would haunt her for the next two months as she tried to save Aaron from himself.

Fibikemi and Morenikeji are best friends but their friendship is tested to no end during this story. Will Mo forgive Fib in time?

Review

I love most YA reads. They are easy to follow and usually a quick to read with a happy ending. This book was interesting but there were no happy endings in this story. I do wonder what will happen to Fib in the books to come.

I enjoyed this book and felt invested in the journey as we watch Fib discover who she is and how to use her powers. The story is laced with African mythology and culture. The story was well paced until the last 20% and then it felt a little rushed and missed opportunities to engage the readers imagination. I was invested in the story and plot but felt that maybe the book was two stories squished into one. The first story of Fib discovering her powers and her mission to save Aaron. The second story of Fib VS her enemy and getting the Axe of Fury.

I was surprised that the Axe of Fury was not mentioned until the last 15% of of the book, considering the title is ‘Fib and The Axe of Fury’. There was no explanation as to why the axe was special or why Fibikemi needed the axe. Having finished the book I am still unsure as to why the axe was necessary. It was unclear as to what Tokunbo was or her role in the story exactly. Maybe that will be revealed in the next book?

Overall the story was good and I enjoyed reading it but the rushing of the end made this book a 3 star and not a 4.

Thank you to Esosa Kolawole for giving me a free copy of your debut book for an honest review.

3 Stars, Contemporary, Short Stories, Uncategorized

All That Man Is – David Szalay

Posted on June 26, 2019June 26, 2019 by Courtney

Overview

My rating: 3/5 stars
Published: 6th April 2017
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Short Stories

Review

Where to begin.

‘All That Man Is’ is not my usual choice of book. It was chosen as the months read by the book club I have started to attend.

Before beginning the book I read a review that suggested the book would be best appreciated by man and I understand why.

The book is made up of 9 short stories. 9 different men each set in a different area of Europe. The 9 men are all at different stages as their lives.

The author is genius in the way he has written this book. The travellers in the 1st story are 17 years young. The narrative and story line behind this is very annoying and appears to be poorly written. As the men in the stories become older the content of the book becomes more interesting. It is as if the author matures in writing as the men in the stories age and mature. I definitely found the last few stories more interesting.

At the beginning of the novel I was extremely frustrated by the way in which the women are perceived in this book. It appears all women are simple, boring and sexualised a lot in the first couple of stories. In the first couple of stories the men are getting their satisfaction and there is prostitution. The author refers to a few of the women in the novel as ‘fat’ and ‘unattractive’ but he is also very clever to not to focus on the physical appearance of “good-looking” women. When there is an attractive women in one of the stories he describes them using one word “wow. Wow.” I do like that he doesn’t describe what makes an unattractive women or an attractive women and leaves that for the readers interpretation.

I didn’t really enjoy the stories themselves but I do appreciate the skill and thought that has be used when writing this book. This is why I gave this book 3 stars. Based on the stories alone my rating would have been 2 stars.

4 Stars, Science Fiction

Fusion World – Joseph Lewis Tamone

Posted on June 16, 2019June 15, 2019 by Courtney

Overview

My rating: 4/5 stars
Published: 15th October 2018
Genre: Science Fiction

Review

Your plan is to have five people sabotage an entire army?

When all hope is lost, the people of Rafia must use Defence Protocal CRD-EP-411. Can the two worlds come to peace of will the Fusion World device destroy everyone?

Firstly, thank you to Chandra Press for contacting me with a free copy of this book. It has left me hooked and I have 2 things to say:

1 – Wow!

2 – When is the next one available? Because I would buy it today if it were available!

The book is cleverly written to keep the readers hooked from start to finish. You really are left wondering and wanting to know more about the characters and who is supposed to be the good guys?

Reading this book is similar to looking at a mosaic picture up close and slowly walking backwards. The writer slowly drips in enough information for you to be able to follow the story and keep you guessing and intrigued right up until about 80% of the way through the book when everything falls into place. I wouldn’t say it was a twist, looking back everything just makes more sense now.

There were a few times when I had to go back and check who the character was. Jallaven Grandel, for example, is in the prison with Vai Kogan but disappears after the attack started. He later reappears and upon reading his name I found myself thinking ‘I know that name’. A quick flick back and I was back on track.

The character that intrigued me the most was the utterly terrifying Raven. She is a highly skilled assassin and we watch her transformation until she is accepted as a team player. The writer really hooked me here and I was invested in her journey, I still want know more about her and her abilities.

In conclusion, I think is the first of great things to come. I am thoroughly looking forward to reading the next book. Hopefully we do not have to wait too long!

Until next time,

Courtney

Cover Reaveal, Mythology, Paranormal, Young adult

Fib and The Axe of Fury – COVER REVEAL

Posted on June 13, 2019June 13, 2019 by Courtney

Wonderland Books is delighted to reveal the stunning cover of Fib and The Axe of Fury written by the lovely Esosa Kolawole. This book is due to be published on the 30th June 2019.

The Author…

Esosa Kolawole is the founder of The Quirky Pen Girl – a blog that creates quick and easy tips from writers.
She received a bachelor’s degree in Estate Management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
Her works include The house of tiny people and other short stories. She lives with her family in Oluyole, Ibadan where she writes stories and play games.

The Blurb…

Fib and the Axe of fury
“Never take your glasses off outside the walls of our home.”

When Fibikemi loses her glasses and inadvertently breaks her mother’s rule, she encounters something strange, and it is only the beginning of a weird and terrifying journey; in a matter of time, someone dangerous will come for her.
Her friend Aaron Oni has just two more months to live, and Fib’s obsession with saving Aaron pushes her to do the unimaginable.
Eventually, she discovers exactly why she must never take off her eyeglasses outside her home.

Fib and the Axe of Fury is an enthralling blend of vibrant fantasy and exotic African mythology.

The Reveal…

Can we all take a minute to appreciate how beautiful this cover is!
I can’t wait to read it.

Author Interviews

An Interview with Clive Fleury

Posted on June 7, 2019 by Courtney

Clive Fleury is a multi award-winning director, writer and producer. His latest book ‘Kill Code’ was a great read and highly recommended.

Clive is here to talk to us about his inspirations and his road to becoming a writer.

The interview

The Fun Questions

Q1 – What did you want to be growing up? Have you always wanted to be a writer

When I was a kid I went through a diverse range of careers—fireman, pop star, train driver… the usual boy dreams. By the time I was fifteen I knew for certain more what I didn’t than what I did want to do. I didn’t want to spend my life in an office working from nine to five. My careers officer wanted me to be an engineer for no clear reason—There was less chance of me doing this than going to the moon. As for writing, at school, my English teacher encouraged me but I did not understand how I could ever have a career as a writer.

Q2 – Who would you cast to play you in a film about your life?

In the spirit that any film about my life would take huge fictional liberties, I will say Brad Pitt.

Q3 – What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Eat, drink, lie on the beach, travel… not necessarily in that order.

The Sensible Questions

Q4 – How did you become a writer?

There was no great plan for me to become a writer. After I left University, I wanted to be a VJ, but there wasn’t much call for that. So, I somehow got a job on a newspaper, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Q5 – Where did your inspiration for ‘Kill Code’ come from?

I’ve had the idea for Kill Code at the back of my mind for years but never really did anything about it until I started to live in Florida and saw how climate change was affecting the state. This, coupled with the election of a man called Trump, finally pushed me to write Kill Code, the first book in the series.

Q6 – A lot of readers, including myself, are excited for the sequel to Kill Code. When can we expect book two of this trilogy?

Book 2? Well I’m writing it at the moment, and all being well it will be out by the end of the year, but that’s not guaranteed. Publishers and writers are excruciatingly slow at the best of times.

Q7 – What do you enjoy most about writing dystopia novels?

I like the freedom that writing about the future gives you. With this freedom, I could have imagined a Utopian world, but that’s not in my nature. Dystopia is where my heart lies.

Q8 – How can we find out more about your books?

That’s easy. Look on Amazon or any other large bookseller, or just write to me: clivefleurywriter@gmail.com

Fairy tales, Retelling

Snow White

Posted on June 4, 2019 by Courtney

This weeks fairytale Tuesday is dedicated to Snow White.

If someone asks you about the story of Snow White you are likely to think of the Disney version of Snow White. This version was brought about in

History

If someone asks you about the story of Snow White you are likely to think of the Disney version of Snow White. This version was brought about in 1930’s but the original story was written by the Grimm Brothers in 1812 and was first published in English in 1848.

The original tale has a few differences to other versions of the story. One difference being the mother Vs step mother. In the 1812 version of Snow White it is infact the biological mother who is evil and tries to kill her daughter. However, everyone was extremely religious back in those times and this was not seen as ‘very christian’ so the story was altered. The story then consisted of an evil step mother who tries to kill her step daughter. For some reason it is more acceptable to try and kill a child if it is the step mother and not the mother.

Margaretha Von Waldeck is said to be a big influence in the story of Snow White. I found there are many references to her short lived life that would suggest she did in fact influence the Grimm Brothers.

Margaretha was born 1533 and was famous for her beauty until she died at the age of 21 on 15th March 1554. Margaretha was the daughter of Philip IV, Count of Waldeck-Wildungen. Philip IV was the owner of a several copper mines. These mines where predominately mined by children and is said to be the reference for the seven dwarves and child labour in the mines. The residence of the seven dwarfs has been suggested to be the former copper mining village Bergfreiheit, now a district of Bad Wildungen that calls itself Schneewittchendorf (Snow White Village). Like the fairy tale’s dwarfs, the child laborers there used to live in groups of about 20 in a single room house.

Everyone marveled at Margaretha’s beauty and when her father sent her to Brussels to soothe his relationship with the Emperor it was said that she was persursued by the Crown Prince Phillip in 1949 after he fell instantly in love with her beauty. This links to the Prince falling in love with the thought to be dead Princess because of her beauty.

Margaretha wrote letters to her father during her time in Brussels. Three remaining letters written by Margaretha suggest that her health was declining steadily over the next few years until she dies. There were rumours and it was written in the Waldeck Chronicles that she was poisoned and this led to rumours of jealousy from the step-mother and later to accusations of the step mother poisoning Margaretha and becoming the inspiration for the story Snow White.
However, her father’s second wife died in 1546 and he only remarried again in October 1554, her stepmother was not a suspect in the alleged poisoning case.

Jen Campbell tells the tale of the history of Snow White and tells us of the stories that influenced the Grimm brothers when they were writing their story.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsF4Y7m1i5s&list=PLlRIaAzTjWi7P2StmqI0MG8d_K3bo2BX3&index=3

Traditional

The original telling for Hansel and Gretel is written in the Brothers Grimm. The book that I have is the the complete first edition. Similarly with Hansel and Gretal, it is unbearable that the mother could be so evil therefore the 1812 edition was adapted and it is no longer the mother who is the villain. It is now the evil step mother.

Retellings

I have three recommendations this week.

The first is Snow, Glass, Apple by Neil Gaiman.

This retelling is creepy and thrilling! This short story is told by the step-mother who fears Snow White. Be careful of her beauty. It might turn around to bite you!

The second book I recommend ‘Girls Made of Snow and Glass’ by Melissa Bashardoust

This story is told in true fairy tale fashion. There is magic, love, princesses and a clever twist to the step-mother. I gave this book 5/5 and highly recommend it.

The third book I am recommending is ‘Snow and Rose’ by Emily Winfield Martin.

This is a great book to read with your children. If not for the story line then for the beautiful illustrations (as seen below). This story covers a lot of the tradition fairy tale themes.
Two sisters in the woods. They find a secret library house in the woods – reminded me of Hansel and Gretal.
Evil vilan – in this story the character is very much like Rumpelstiltskin.
I gave this story 4/5 stars.

Hope you enjoy.

Courtney 🙂