Mini Review: The Ungifted Elf by AJ Martinez

Title: The Ungifted Elf
Author: AJ Martinez
Format: Paperback, 70 pages
Pub. Date: May 20th 2014
Source: Goodreads Firstreads


Book Description via Goodreads:

Eckxio, an exiled elf journeys to a mountain in hopes of gaining an ability that all elves are born with. Since his childhood, Eckxio was unable to cast magic and relies on his magic sword and shield to survive. He hopes to find the legendary fairy king in the mountain and believes the holy entity will grant him incredible magical powers. Eckxio desperately fights obstacles that cross his path as his faith fades away.

Review:

★★

I received this book through the Goodreads Firstreads program in exchange for my honest review.

I love fantasy books. That being said, I especially love fantasy books that contain elves. They're my favorite race/creature from fantasy, and I'm a sucker for any book that features them. That's why I was so excited to read this book, which is actually more of a short story at 70 pages.

There was definitely potential here. I could see where the author was trying to go, and the plot itself wasn't bad. I liked the ideas in regards to magic and world building that the author gave. It had all the elements that make fantasy great to me: a little companion, magic, a fairy king, elves, and a mountain adventure.

Unfortunately, this book is in need of some serious editing. There were quite a few grammatical mistakes that made it a bit rough to get through. Plus, when the story was technically correct in its writing, the sentences were short and choppy, lacking the long, detailed flow that I look for in a fantasy tale.

Like I said before, I think there is definite potential here. Maybe it just needs editing, or maybe it would be better reworked into a full length novel. I'm not entirely sure. I see good in this story, and I would happily read it again and edit my review if it is ever republished/re-edited.

Thanks to Goodreads for my copy.

Mini Book Review: Light in the Dark (Avery #1.5) by Elizabeth Tuttle!

Title: Light in the Dark
Series: Avery #1.5
Author: Elizabeth Tuttle
Format: ebook, 89 pages
Pub. Date: March 1st 2015
Source: Elizabeth Tuttle via Newsletter


Book Description via Goodreads:

This is not a full length novel. This is a Bonus Short of the Avery series with a collection of scenes from Zander's POV within Spark of Light. These scenes include those you will be familiar with from SOL, but also new scenes from times Avery wasn't around.

***It is not recommended you read this short unless you have read Spark of Light. Light in the Dark Contains major spoilers if read out of order.***

Review:

★★★★★

Before I say anything else, I need to stress the importance of reading Spark of Light first. This novella is a short story that offers scenes from the first novel from the alternate point of a different character, so there will be much spoilers and confusion if this is the first story you read from the Avery series!

That being said, I loved this bonus collection of scenes. Spark of Light ended up being one of my favorite books in 2014, so I was super eager to check this one out. Namely because I adore Zander, and these scenes are all rewritten from his point of view. It's written with the same style and flow as the first book, making it seem like these scenes were taken from the book itself.

This novella was a great addition to the series, and is one that all Avery fans should check out. And if you haven't read Spark of Light yet, what's stopping you!? Three words to convince you: dystopian elf magic.

Thanks to Elizabeth Tuttle for sending this out in her newsletter.

Blog Tour: Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway of Spark of Light by Elizabeth Tuttle!

Title: Spark of Light
Series: Avery #1
Author: Elizabeth Tuttle
Release date: 09/25/14
Purchase: Amazon | B&N


Book Description via Goodreads:

***Mature YA - This book contains mild adult language and sexual content.***

Nearly a century ago the world was decimated by a magical war. In their defeat, elves were captured by humans, cut off from their magic, and broken down into lifeless, drone-like slaves.

Avery is different. Somehow, her magic has always simmered beneath the surface. Never completely broken, she must pretend in order to survive. When Zander, her master’s nephew, brings her magic out in full force, she finds out what it’s like to truly be alive.

Ripped from Zander’s side and sent to The Farm, Avery doesn’t know if she’ll be able to hide her light and make it out alive. But there, she’ll meet someone who knows her true purpose.

The war isn’t over, and if Avery can survive, she could be the one to set her people free. All it takes is a little hope and a Spark of Light.

About the Author:

Elizabeth’s first writing award was in the 2nd grade with a story about a cat and a dog that overcame their differences and became friends. Satisfied with that success, she put her writing career on hold until the winter of 2012. Now, she spends most days in her pajamas making things up and writing them down. Her other interests include board games, being in nature, and binge watching shows on Netflix.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Mailing List

Follow the rest of the tour by clicking here!

Review:

★★★★★

Five stars.

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I simply adored this book. I will try to write this as professionally and un-spoilery as possible, but forgive me in advance if I get a little fangirly. I was drawn in from the first page, and I was hooked until the very end. I read this book within a day, and I was irritated by the fact that I had to do things that weren't read this book, like go to class and study.

I'll start with how much I really liked this concept. This book does something that I personally haven't encountered before- it combines the genres of high fantasy and dystopia. When I saw that this book included both a strange future America post-war setting and a race of enslaved elves, I knew I had to have it. These two genres are among my top favorites to read, and when you mix that idea with young adult and a dash of romance, it becomes the perfect match for me.

The characters were also a huge part of what made this novel so enjoyable. The main character, Avery, is a determined and rebellious elf-slave who is strong and independent despite her love interest, Zander. I loved watching both of these characters grow as a couple, as well as on their own throughout the course of the book. I also really liked that their romance is a bit steamy and risque than I anticipated, without being too explicit. Almost more importantly than the characters I loved are the ones I hated. Tuttle managed to make me hate characters but not because they were poorly written, but just the opposite. They were so detailed and so rotten that I became all the more invested in the story line because I hoped that they'd get what they had coming to them.

The world building is another thing that stood out to me in this book. I really liked the detail put into the book. Whether the characters were on the Ruler's estate, at the food lot, or at The Farm (the worst possible place an elf can go), I felt like I was actually there, and I was never lost or confused by what was happening, thanks to each vivid detail being included in the text.

This book's pacing is really steady and intense. It covers quite a decent amount of time, but it's done with well written elapses. It moves pretty fast thanks to the nonstop action and plot twists and the tremendously overwhelming amount of feelings I experienced at the hands of this book. I will say that some of these twists are predictable at times, but honestly I'd get swept up in some other plot line with such intensity that I'd forget that I'd predicted it at all, which helped to keep it surprising and exciting to read.

Spark of Light is one of the best books that I have read this year. It is a high speed fantastical dystopian that follows a forbidden romance between an elf slave and a human, and how they can work together to start a new revolution to make a better existence for both races. This is a mature YA read- there are some steamy but not explicit sex scenes and situations involving rape and violence, so reader beware. I'd recommend this to anyone who is a fan of dystopian and fantasy novels because this book is, in my humble opinion, a great blend of both genres. This is a book that you won't want to put down, and you'll curse to yourself when you find that you're out of pages. (I know I did.)

Thanks so much to the author/IFB Tours for my copy of this book in exchange for my 100% honest review.

Excerpt:

"Afterward, when my heart has had about all it can take, I need you. I need this. You make it better. When I'm with you, I can breathe again." His arms tighten around me and he tucks his face into the crook of my neck, his hot breath sending a jolt of a different kind of energy straight between my legs.

Whoa.

I close my eyes and focus on calming the blood racing through my veins much too fast. I'd do anything for Zander. I'd take away all his pain if I could, but I haven't done anything yet. I'm just here, and for him it's enough. I know because it's like that for me too. Having him close makes everything tolerable. I'd tie myself up for a million whippings if it meant Zander would be there to hold me when it was over. I don't know how we got here, but being with him is everything that makes every day worth any pain that comes with it.

Giveaway:

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