‘Driftworld Atlas’ by L. Bell – Book Review

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book blog, Book Review, Books, Fantasy, fiction, Humour, Indie Author

 GIFTED BOOK REVIEW 

‘Driftworld Atlas’ by L Bell.

Big thanks to @lovebookstours and L.Bell (author) for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Please see the photos for the blurb.

MY REVIEW

As an avid reader of fantasy, there are some books that blow my mind when they introduce you to a whole new world that you’ve never experienced before. And then there’s ‘Driftworld Atlas’!

How the author has vividly described the settlements among the high cliffs and vines at the edges of civilisation intrigued me. Reading this book was like nothing I’d read before. I could place myself beside the Lost Traveler as he journeyed through the places described in this book.

There’s a number of familiar fantasy creatures, and plenty of new ones – such as a shape-shifting lady made of paper – that make  this read all the more enthralling. I even found myself having empathy for the main demon character – which is a complete first for me.

This book offers us a snapshot into such a wonderfully created world and characters. I can’t wait to read more as this universe expands in future books.

RATING

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Cold Snap’ by Codi Schneider – Gifted Book Review

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blogging, Blogging community, Book, Book Review, Cats, Codi Schneider, Colorado, Fantasy, fiction, Humour, new author, Vikings

With big thanks to @lovebookstours and @codi_schneider for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. What a great book it is!

Blurb

Tucked in the cold Colorado mountains lies the remote village of Gray Birch, a place where outsiders are frowned upon. In this village lives a cat named Bijou. But she’s no ordinary house cat; her ancestors were mousers on Viking longships, and their blood runs through her veins. Since her battle skills are hardly needed in this modern age, however, she spends her energies running the Fox Burrow Pet Inn with her human, Spencer, and her assistant, Skunk, a mentally negligible Pomeranian. Together, the happy trio has created a safe haven for their four-legged guests.

But when Eddy Line, a handsome baker from California, comes to the inn—along with his piglet and pit bull puppy—everything changes. Spencer falls for Eddy, Bijou is unhappy with the sudden changes to her clan, and the townspeople are anything but welcoming; in fact, threats are made against Eddy when he buys the town’s historic firehouse in order to open a bakery.

Then a shocking murder/dognapping occurs on the night of the bakery’s grand opening, and Bijou finds herself thrust into a tangled mystery. To solve it, she will have to summon her inner Viking—and fight tooth and claw for her new clan.

My Review

I was super intrigued to read a mystery novel told from the point of view of a cat called Bijou. Her crime-solving powers are aided by her innate Viking abilities, and her animal friends.

This honestly has to be one of the best books I’ve ever read. Codi Schneider is a very talented writer with a mastery of word play. This novel is such fun – I didn’t want to stop reading. The book has a good dose of humour and an engaging plot full of suspense. The cast of characters gives the story depth and diversity.

I really look forward to reading more from the author.

Flash Fiction: What’s On The Moon?

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blogging, Blogging community, Flash fiction, Humour, Story

In the puzzling universe of Parallel Time, Professor Overbach studies the Moon from his observatory. With his eye fixed tight to the lense of the telescope he notices some odd goings on.

‘Over there! Over there!’ he exclaims to his quiet assistant. ‘Did you see that?’

The assistant shuffles in the background, feeling nervous that the professor is becoming overexcited again.

‘Here, take it. That’s right. Tweak it left a little…up a bit…Perfect.’

The assistant gasps.

‘You saw him? The old guy in the rocking chair!’ squeals the professor. ‘He gets up occasionally and lifts up a small flap in the Moon’s surface.

The assistant whispers in Professor Overbach’s ear.

‘He’s ejecting video tapes, you say?’ says the Professor. ‘Let me see.’

He observes, contemplates and observes again.

‘He’s handing over the tape to a blade of grass in a canoe. They’re talking about something.’

The quiet assistant nods quietly.

‘The blade of grass is starting to paddle. Keep an eye on this for me. I’m off for a sandwich.’

Even bizarre events can’t stop Professor Overbach from pampering the needs of his stomach.

Time passes.

The Professor returns and asks for an update. The silent assistant whispers in his ear again.

‘Let me get this right,’ Professor Overbach muses. ‘You saw the blade of grass paddle up to a pelican wearing a pair of green carpet slippers holding a ‘No Access’ sign?’

The assistant nods.

‘Then the pelican pulled a lever to reveal a large circular hole that it then lobs the tapes down.’

The assistant nods yet again.

‘Pelicans, old men, blades of grass, large holes on the surface…What is going on here?’

The assistant takes to the Professor’s ear again.

‘You think we should call NASA right away? Not just yet. Keep an eye on it. I’m popping out for a milkshake.’

Time passes.

Once the Professor is back the silent assistant makes hushed tones in his lughole.

‘You’ve noticed that when the pelican throws a video tape in the hole a new one pops into the old man’s hand at the same time?’

The assistant confirms with a smile and a nod, then whispers again.

‘You’ve come to the conclusion that the Moon’s energy derives from recycled video tapes of human history? You mean they’re recording us over and over to power the Moon?!’ inquires the Professor.

Predictably, the assistant nods.

The Professor puffs his cheeks.

He mutters.

He consults charts.

He punches calculations into the computer.

He takes a gulp of strawberry milkshake and peers into the telescope once more before coming to one final unshakeable answer.

‘Stuff this for a games of soldiers. I’m off down the pub!’