Book Gala

   Angel of Death takes place in Rome and revolves around a series of crimes that have a religious connotation. It was originally written in a different language, so there are a few grammar issues, but not enough to detract from the book. The book has a strong religious background; fans of Dan Brown's books will probably enjoy this one. I'm not overly religious, so someone that is will probably get a little more out of it than I did. I still enjoyed it immensely; for some reason, the book had a strong eighties movie feel to me. Perhaps I've been watching Stranger Things too much lately. But anyways, the hypothesis that the author presents in Angel of Death is certainly an interesting one, and the author has done a ton of research to back it up. The plot is well written; it doesn't move terribly fast but it's not slow either. To me it adds to the atmosphere and authenticity of the book; most police cases are solved in weeks, not days. For an indie book, this is one o...

   I got a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. This is the first book the author's published, so I tried to be easy on it. I imagine it's probably scary publishing your first book. Basically, the book reads like Harry Potter fan fiction; I don't know if that was intentional but the parallels are there. The main character is an orphan? Check. Magic school for wizards? Check. Getting to said wizarding school through a magical portal at a train station? Check. Making a hated enemy on the first day of school? Check. Having a professor that loathes the protagonist for some unknown reason, at first sight? Check. Luna Lovegood clone, complete with wacky outfits? Check. Made up name for non-magical humans? Check. (They're cados in this book, not muggles). Wizarding village? Yep, it has that too.  One, two, even three similarities I could overlook, but to have these many similarities is pushing it a little.    One of the biggest problem...

   Caraval was one of the most anticipated books of 2017, I believe. I've seen it everywhere, from ads on Amazon to huge displays at the local bookstore. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. Unfortunately, when I did, I devoured it much too quickly and then it was over! I wish I had pre-ordered the special edition, something I almost never do; it was that good of a book. Caraval is a show, one where the audience is a member of the cast. In order to win the prize, you must play the game...    The book centers on two sisters, Scarlett and Tella, who live on a remote island with their abusive father. Scarlett is recently engaged to a count; she thinks she can save herself and her sister through her marriage. Tella takes a somewhat dim view of this, understandably, as Scarlett has never met her intended. Fearing the count will be as bad as their father, Tella kidnaps Scarlett, with the help of an enigmatic sailor, and takes her to Caraval. The islan...