THE TROJAN PROJECT by Eileen Thornton

THE TROJAN PROJECT by Eileen Thornton

Anxiously waiting for her husband to come home one evening, Sarah witnesses a strange event, a big glowing green ball of light and then a green mist rolling across the valley below her home. In the morning, when her husband still hasn’t returned, Sarah heads down to the valley searching for her husband. What she finds is horrific and puts her on the run for her life. Where is her husband? Who is behind the event?
        As stated in some prior reviews, the plot is pretty thin. There are no surprises or plot twists. But because of the suspenseful writing and drama, I found the story engaging enough that I was drawn along until the end. The best part was in the cave with Pete and Josh while they tried to find their way out by following the sheep. 

And with the mixture of an abundance of rich characters throughout the story, it kept the reading fresh. We all know someone who talks endlessly about nothing.  Sigh!!  I thought the end was fitting with Colin the lorry driver. He, who never has an adventure.
        It’s also terrifying to think there might be a country with this type of weapon in their arsenal. Shudder!!
        And here is what takes away from the story.  There’s a mannerism that Thornton uses excessively as a sign of frustration or anger. It became annoying. I can see one person doing it as a habit, but not every character. It’s the slamming of fists or hands on desks, tables and steering wheels. I also found a handful of proofreading errors. 
        I recommend this book for a suspenseful romp through the English countryside and parts of London. I give my 4 feathers.

PATH OF POWER: The First Great Misfortune By H.O. de Jonge

PATH OF POWER: The First Great Misfortune

By H.O. de Jonge

At the age of five, Alex witnesses’ the death of his mother, and the demise of his homeland by his uncle, Cain.  The Advisor to the Queen, Dante, whisks Alex away before Cain realizes there’s a remaining survivor and heir to the throne.  On his nineteenth birthday, Dante returns for Alex to start him on his training as a mighty mage and warrior.  So begins the story.

This is a very multi-dimensional story, with a diverse array of characters and lands.  You can’t help but root for Alex and feel sad for the curse placed on Merrick and the ramifications that transpired.  Dante is also another strong character in the story, along with the evil Generals.  They are each unique unto themselves.  There is a sequel and this story ends at just the right point. 

Unfortunately, there are so many grammar, editing and proofreading errors that if it weren’t for the great storyline, I would never have finished the book.  I almost gave up in disgust several times.  Especially when seeing the word son used for sun.  Or the word passed for past.  ERRHH!  There is no reason for these types of oversights.  And I can’t believe a publishing company would put their name on this book.  What is the publishing industry coming to?

If you like a light, fanciful fairy-tale type of story, this would be a great read for you.  As long as you can get past, not passed, all the stupid mistakes.  Even though this is a very good storyline, and I really liked the characters, I will only give it 3 feathers.  

LODESTONE: Book 1 Witch Hunt by Wendy Scott

LODESTONE: Book 1 Witch Hunt by Wendy Scott

This is a wonderfully written story of good versus evil, and the consequences of actions taken in the name of revenge. Sabrina is looking forward to her graduation as a healer through the Rite of Ancestors, but as an orphan, no one knows which witch, if any, will claim her as their bloodline. The only two people that know her dark past is Mistress Florisah, her teacher and a monk named Deakon. During the Rite, Sabrina discovers she is the last remaining descendant of Lauren the Destroyer. Armed with Lauren’s diary and a silver of stone from the Lodestone, Sabrina sets off on a mission to heal the Lodestone and undo the wrongs of Lauren the Destroyer.

The story from Lauren’s diary is interwoven throughout the main plot and I eagerly looked forward to each time I went back into that storyline. Scott uses two very distinctive writing styles between the two plots, which I really enjoyed. She’s a master of description and as the reader, you can’t help but feel Lauren’s plight as she searches for her stolen child.

I do feel that Lauren’s plot is stronger than the main one with Sabrina, but that’s probably from the effect of 1^st person to 3^rd person. Sabrina has to overcome her own insecurities and her budding romantic feelings for Micah. And at the end, she ultimately ends up feeling the same responsibilities for her actions that Lauren did for hers.

As stated this is book one of the Lodestone series, and I look forward to book two. What secrets is Mistress Florisah keeping? Who is Dandelin? What about Micah and Sabrina?

I highly recommend this book and give it my 5 feathers.

THE ONE DISCOVERED by Yvette M Calleiro

THE ONE DISCOVERED by Yvette M Calleiro

First off, the book cover Rocks. The green eyelashes really make the eye POP.

This is a typical YA plot where a young girl discovers that her whole life has been a lie, and there’s more to her world than she knows. Just before her 18^th birthday, Sofia is approached by step-brothers Angel and Ar’ch who claim she is The One: the savior for their world and also her own. She is strongly attracted to Ar’ch, the dark, mysterious sexy stranger, which causes her to question her true feelings for her long-term boyfriend, Rafe. What will be the consequences of her actions?

There are some original concepts in this story, like the flecks of colors in the Diasodz’s eyes, which I assume designate the elemental powers that they harness. I also like the tattoos that become real weapons. The storyline kept me wanting to finish the book, but the writing itself is stilted and lacks any spark. None of the characters have unique voices, so as the POV bounces around from one to another, they all sound the same. This is one of the biggest problems with using multiple POV’s.

I did read the first chapter of the 2^nd book, and the writing seems to have improved, so hopefully the author is learning as she goes.  But I doubt I will read it.

This is a fun, average read, and if you like YA books, you will like this one too. I give it 3 feathers.