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Alison Sparks

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Wow! Just wow!!!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-16-25

Oh my word! I have never read a book like this. The setting was completely immersive I found myself googling as I read. It includes a love of: botany, marine biology, nature, mystery, human healing, and an eerie and beautiful setting.

This book was amazing I think it is a book that will stay with me. The setting is on a small island close to Antarctica. It is about a family are caregivers to this lighthouse and island. The island holds a huge amount of seedlings. A woman washes ashore and the family that live on this island and this woman go on a journey.

There are secrets on both sides, there is death and grief. The most beautiful thing about this book is the journey, learning about the animals, and seeds. Learning about this world and also trying to solve many mysteries as the story progresses. Wow! This book was beautifully written the ending was crazy but the setting was something I cannot describe… eerily beautiful. A world that is dark and unforgiving but also breathtakingly beautiful. Wow!!

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Liked it!

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-28-25

I really enjoyed this book. It is broke into acts. The first act was not as gripping as the rest of the book. Once I got into the book it really captured me and the twists were great… I guessed a couple and was surprised on other events that happened in the book.

Cam is an editor and getting ready to go back to work after her maternity leave. It is a weird day when she wakes up and her husband has left a cryptic note.

The story has two main story time lines and is all about seeking the truth about a major event that changed cam’s life forever. I enjoyed it.

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Overcoming

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-13-25

Sometimes there is an author that you just love and that is Catherine Cowles for me. She brings it every time I read one of her books.

This book started off with a bang with the main character finding courage to do the right thing against her family. To do the right thing knowing your family will turn on you is such a beautiful and hard concept.

Everly was raised in the mountains away from people. She was raised to believe that people, the government, and the medical field were all out to “get” them “poison” them… without spoiling the beginning of the story she ends up leaving her family and comes back to her home town 16 years later. Her story is a story of healing and of strength. She takes care of herself and trusts no one always expecting the next shoe to fall because most of the time it does.

Hayes is the small town sherif. He is a protector and also holds it on his shoulders that he needs to protect everyone and also play peace keeper too. His story is also a story of healing, forgiving, and letting someone in.

I predicted the twist in the story but had such a fun ride that was not upset about it!

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Dark and eerie

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-30-25

The was a DARK fantasy!! Check triggers before entering this book.

The eerie feel to this book is unlike anything I have read. This dark world was masterfully built and haunting.

The only reason this was not a 5⭐️ was because it was just a little dark for me. That being said the world building and creatures were amazing. The pacing of the book was beautiful, the love interests were believable, and the magic system perfection.

Maevyth the FMC is someone who never fit in accused of being a witch and not knowing her birth parents she is familiar with being an outcast. When she is forced to enter into “the woods” she is exposed to a new world. In a world that wants her death she is searching for shelter and finds it in the most unlikely stranger. Her journey in this book consists of finding her strength, finding her heritage, discovering her powers, and embracing her true self.

Zevander the MMC is use to pain and suffering from infancy. He is an assassin for the king who he loathes but will do anything in search for answers. He is untrusted in killing a mortal and when he cannot do it he is bewildered. When he discovers that same mortal is in his land he seeks her out against his better judgment. He too is learning new things about himself and his magic.

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Viking perfection

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-19-25

♾️⭐️ Wow!!! Perfection! This was magic and I loved every minute. This has Vikings and Norse mythology. The world building the characters and the setting is just perfection.

Silla is a woman on the run and needs to find a way on “the road of bones” she needs to rely on her wits and guidance from the old gods. Who can she trust? What can she share?

This story is a great 1st book it starts off building the world and the Nordic names and places take some adjusting. The pacing is perfection just the correct amount of action and getting to learn the characters. I am in absolute love!

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Cute rom com

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-04-25

To me this is a solid coming of age feel good book. It takes place in college and has a younger feel for it. The uncertainty of the characters might bother some readers but I felt it was very realistic for college students. Is it super deep no, is it the best book I ever read no, will I continue this series because it left me like a true rom com should… happy. YES!

Tropes: brother’s best friend and miscommunication.

Touches on the life of loving someone who has addiction issues and I felt represented this hard issue very tastefully.

Gray is her brother’s best friend and has been an honorary member of her family for as long as she can remember. He is a womanizer, arrogant, a partier, and also decides it is up to him to watch over Gigi when he finds out she will be attending the same school he attends.

Gigi is sweet and kind, she at times can seem unrealistic and a little too sweet and forgiving but that is a little bit of her charm.

Their romance is cute

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Wow! 🤩

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-14-25

The twists and turns in this book were great. This is a great read! Loved it from start to finish.

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Captivating and beautiful

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-05-25

What can I say. This is one of the best 1st books in a fantasy I have read. To immerse someone is a world, bridge hard topics like slavery and abuse, have such in-depth characters.,., wonderful plot, brilliant writing, and just beautifully tragic. Can’t wait to see where this trilogy goes.

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Wanted more

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-28-25

I liked this story but wanted more depth. Wanted more from the MMC. Maybe his struggles in the military. I also wanted more from the FMC how she guarded herself and how she felt.

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What a ride!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-11-25

If you want a story that pulls you in and won’t let you go this is it. Dragon, games, love, and mysteries. This book is just a great time even the second time listening to it.

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