A Double Review of Eidolon by Grace Draven
Today Kim and I bring you a double review of Eidolon by Grace Draven! This is the second novel in the Wraith Kings series. And we both gave it four stars!
Eidolon
Series: Wraith Kings #2
Author: Grace Draven
Published: April 18, 2016
292 Pages
Book Description:
In a bid for more power, the Shadow Queen of Haradis has unleashed a malignant force into the world. Her son Brishen, younger prince of the Kai royal house, suddenly finds himself ruler of a kingdom blighted by a diseased darkness and on the brink of war. His human wife Ildiko must decide if she will give up the man she loves in order to secure his throne.
Three enemy kingdoms must unite to save each other, and a one-eyed, reluctant king must raise an army of the dead to defeat an army of the damned.
A tale of alliance and sacrifice.
Kim’s Rating: 4 stars
Kim’s Review:
Sequels aren’t usually this good! But I really liked Eidolon. The characters were consistent with what we learned about them in the first book, the action was almost as good, and I’m left wanting to hear more of Brishen and Ildiko’s story. My only real criticism is that I felt the solution to defeating the galla, which shall remain unspoiled for those who haven’t read it, was a little anticlimactic. For all the grief and stress and resistance to said solution, it seemed awfully easy once it started. But the emotions and anticipation beforehand and after was really good and I was quite involved throughout the reading. Overall, this is a great book and I look forward to continuing the series!
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Dates Read: July 9-25, 2022
Format Read: Kindle e-book
Jessica’s Review:
Eidolon is the second in the Wraith Kings series and we continue Brishen and Ildko’s story. But all is not a happy story as we start out with the fall of the royal family. And now the former unimportant ‘spare heir’ Brishen finds himself to have to serve as king with a human wife who will not be able bear him children to continue the family line.
We have their continuing love story with complications and an unknown future for the entire kingdom. We do get much more action with this one as we have a battle that has to happen and Brishen will risk everything. And what decision will Ildiko have to make? We have a love or duty strain going on. But reading the story we know something else is coming that could change everything!
And we still have the sexual tension between Serovek and Anhuset to come! Their story is book three and I am really looking forward to it: They constantly bicker, but Serovek is fun and flirty while Anhuset is a stubborn badass. I have really enjoyed her in the two previous books as I always enjoy a strong female character, and look forward to learning more about her and see her shine!
I have enjoyed both Radiance and Eidolon, along with Brishen and Ildiko’s story. They are just perfect for each other despite the many differences they overcame in Radiance. Romance is not my main genre of choice, but I have enjoyed this series so far and giving both a 4 star reviews says something for Draven’s writing!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Audiobook Review: Unbalanced by Jason Parent
Unbalanced
Author: Jason Parent
Narrator: Joe Hempel
Published: April 4, 2022
Audiobook
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: July 6-12, 2022
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
By-the-book Detective Asante Royo can only clean up Fall River’s filth for so long without getting dirty. When he’s called to an apparent suicide at an apartment complex notorious for its prostitution and drug trade, he doesn’t shed a tear for the life wasted. Yet something about the scene haunts him, and when his investigation gets swept under the rug, he has a hard time living with the stain.
Jaden Sanders is an unstable loner who lives across the hall from the crime scene. When three men break into his apartment, Jaden is ready for a fight. He kills two of his attackers in self-defense then stalks and stabs the third in the back. Jaden is soon arrested for murder.
With no clear motives for the home invasion or Jaden’s violent response, Royo must uncover the true story before more people get hurt. His only leads are derived from the version of events extracted from a truly unbalanced mind. Is Jaden a victim being steamrolled by cold justice or a murderer capable of killing again?
Jessica’s Review:
We have murders, an apparent suicide, and more in this police procedural/ thriller from Jason Parent. The novel starts fast and doesn’t ever really drop. First, we have a suicide and then months later in the apartment across the hall a home invasion where the victim killed his attackers. Or did they actually end up being victims themselves? We have Detective Royo who responded to both calls. We also have Jaden Sanders who lives in the apartment and defended himself… Or did he?
What seems as separate cases may actually not be and then we have a case of an unreliable narrator. Once I realized that was the case I got nervous, since those types of books are hit or miss for me. Fortunately, this one was not a miss! I was intrigued the whole time and looked forward to what was going to happen next. I was intrigued with Jaden and did he defend himself, is it some kind of mental illness or was he actually a killer? I had differing opinions throughout the read. The courtroom scenes were great! I also liked Royo and would enjoy another book with him in it.
If you like thrillers, police procedurals, court cases, then you might want to check out Unbalanced!
I was sent an audiobook copy to listen to and review from the author. Many thanks for the chance to introduce yourself to a new reader/listener!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Book Review: Sister Funtime by Spencer Hamilton
Sister Funtime: A Smileyland Story
Series: Smileyverse
Author: Spencer Hamilton
Published: December 1, 2021
140 Pages
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
“Welcome to hell, Sister.”
Sister Mary Matthew arrives on the steps of St. Teresa’s Joyous Youths Orphanage determined to be the children’s favorite nun. But she can’t seem to win over the head of the orphanage: stern, withered Sister Agatha Eustace, whom everyone secretly calls Sister Killjoy.
Mary tries to rise to the challenge, but things at St. Teresa’s feel . . . off. A mysterious benefactor. Sick children denied medicine. A crowded cemetery. Strange noises from the basement. Cruel punishments. Terrifying dreams.
Worst of all, her prayers remain unanswered. She feels as if God has abandoned her and everyone at St. Teresa’s. Until, one full-mooned night, a voice calls to her. A voice that claims to know her heart’s desire.
Before there was Smileyland, before Mister Smiley, there was a decrepit orphanage run by an evil nun and full of children who chanted:
“Sister Funtime, Sister Funtime, Sister Funtime!”
From the author of Welcome to Smileyland and The Fear comes the new religious horror novella, the latest entry in the Smileyverse. Come on in—and don’t forget to say your prayers.
Kim’s Review:
Holy cannoli! Since this is a prequel written after the initial book that I have not read, I wasn’t expecting too much. I could not have been more wrong! This book was terrifying! Just enough paranormal to keep it from being a simple gore fest, but enough gore to keep it realistic. I want so badly to read Mr. Smiley, Hamilton’s original work, but I guess I have to wait until the next printing. But I am now emotionally invested and psychologically hooked! Nuns running orphanages is one of those tropes I adore, then you add in the horror elements and I’m happy! Plus, the cover is fabulous! I definitely recommend it to all the horror fans out there!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
