The Frankincense Trail Blog Tour: Review of The Frankincense Trail by Jody Kihara

Over November 1st-10th, The Frankincense Trail by Jody Kihara will be touring the blogosphere.  I adored this one, an Arabian Nights era book that just took me back in time!

Anyway, besides the blog tour, Jody (the author) will be holding a massive giveaway on her Facebook Page.  She will give away 5 Copies!! of The Frankincense Trail, the winners being able to choose between print or digital copies.  For more information, go to Jody's FB Page!

And if you want more information go to The Frankincense Trail Website, or to buy the book to read yourself, go to either Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Now, this bit has got to be one of the coolest things ever...  At the end of the blog tour, there's going to be a massive Twitter-View, or a Twitter Interview.  To go check it out, follow either @ladystorm33 or @JodyKihara, or type in #TFT.  I, for one, can't wait to see how that one turns out!

Publisher: Star Magnolia Publishing

Format: Kindle

Published: 30^th June 2011

Number of Pages: 265

Book: For Review From Author*

Genre: Historical, Realistic-Fiction, Fantasy, Action-Adventure, Magical Realism, YA

Recommended Age: 11+

Contains: Violence, Death

No Alcohol, Drug References

Available On: Barnes & Noble and Amazon (Kindle, Paperback)

Author's Website: Jody Kihara

The Frankincense Trail

Synopsis From Goodreads:

In 200BC, frankincense was worth its weight in gold, making Arabia was the envy of the world. But wealth comes at a cost: the precious resin had to be transported along the Frankincense Road, a dangerous route through rocky mountains and barren desert.
Alia is a princess in a dwindling kingdom that lies on the Frankincense Road. Having grown up hearing tales of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, she dreams of finding a way to restore her kingdom’s former might. When a caravan journeying to the mysterious incense lands stops to take on travellers, she sees her chance.
She soon realises, however, that her trust in the caravan leaders has been misguided. They are not mere incense merchants, but traitors and mercenaries. Alia’s journey soon turns from dangerous to life-threatening.
The Frankincense Trail is a story that transports the reader to a time and place reminiscent of the Arabian Nights tales.

Review:

Alia is a princess, an Ameera.  Her place in life is to get married to a prince from another kingdom and have children.  But she doesn’t want that.  Alia wants to travel the desert, to visit the mysterious incense roads.  With the help of her friend Safiy, Alia disguises herself as a boy, and joins a caravan of traders, headed for the frankincense lands.  But what Alia doesn’t realise is that traders are highly superstitious, and one tiny little sign of misfortune could lead to someone getting left behind… in the middle of the desert…

When I was given this book, it was compared to the Arabian Nights.  I love that time period, with the jinn and traders.  So I really, really was not disappointed with this book.  It felt like I’d travelled back in time.  It was vibrant.  So very vibrant that I could feel it, feel the book, the place, the people...  I loved every page, every moment.  I loved this book: addicted from the word go.  I can’t wait to see what Jody brings out next.  Hopefully another historical book just like this one.  Maybe even a sequel?  But either way, I have a feeling that no matter what it’s about, it will be amazing.

Alia was wonderful!  I loved her spirit, her determination.  For a princess, she was pretty badass: brave and good with a sword.  She was also caring, loving, considerate.  Of course, she had to hide her feminine side: she was meant to be a guy named Ali!  But she was so strong-willed, and really, really clever, with a good head for politics.  She could totally take care of herself.  She was the best!  I just loved her from the word go. 

Safiy was Alia’s best friend, and may I just say: a princess has never had a better friend.  She was the kindest friend: she’d do anything for Alia.  Their bond was so strong.  They may have been princess and servant, but they were also best friends who would do anything for one another.  They were so close, it was so sweet and so strong.

Kardal was a strong leader of a group of traders.  He was quiet, mysterious, intense.  Very little of his past was known by Alia, and it was intriguing to see how his history grew as I read.  He, himself was very difficult to gauge.  I never could tell what he was thinking.  He was a good guy, very caring.  In a macho way.  I love him: dark mysterious Kardal, strong and silent.

The characters all felt so real.  I felt like I got to know Alia like a sister.  I wanted a best friend like Safiy.  I was desperate to know more about Kardal.  I hated Alia’s family with her.  All of the relationships just felt so real.  I could just feel everyone.  Don’t you just love that feeling?

And the writing was just beautiful.  It was written in 3^rd person, focusing on Alia, letting us see through her eyes and feel what she felt.  As for the plot: wonderful.  Even though much of the story was about Alia’s journey across the desert, it wasn’t at all boring.  The way it was laid out made it so interesting, so addictive. And the descriptions of the towns and landscapes were stunning.  The spices, the colours, the sand: I could see it all in my head, smell it, feel it.  Vibrant, bright, near overwhelming.  It made me want to grab a time machine so I could be there.  Well, that or go to Arabia, or some other such country.

I just loved the historical side.  It was all so vivid, so realistic.  From the various gods to the customs, it felt like I’d gone back in time.  I loved the feeling, the setting.  Learning all about the trade routes, the rules.  All the little details made everything fell so real.  I loved learning about them all.  It made the whole story more real, powerful and just overall amazing. 

Back to the details…  I dread to think how much research had to go into this!  But, as they say, the devil’s in the details.  And the details rocked!  Bravo Jody!

I loved, loved, loved The Frankincense Trail.  It was unlike anything I’d read before.  Once I’d finished, I just wanted to dive back into the story, into the time zone.  Book Two, please, Jody?  I want to know where Alia goes next!

P.S. I loved the glossary and name meanings.  It gave a deeper understanding of the time zone and meant I could get more into the book.  Genius!

Star Rating:
4½ Out of 5

    Previous Stop on The Frankincense Trail Blog Tour:  Library of Clean Reads

To see all taking part in The Franincense Trail Blog Tour, Go to Lightning Book Promotions

Read this book if you liked:

The Arabian Nights Tales

White Witch Pond by Jody Kihara

 Witch Child by Celia Rees

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Megan

* This book was received from author in exchange for an honest review

Happy Reading

The Boy Who Loved Bach by T.L. Peters

Publisher: Self

Format: eBook

Published: March 7^th 2011

Number of Pages: -

Book: For Review From Author

Genre: Realistic-Fiction, Coming-of-Age, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Nothing Unsuitable

No Alcohol, Drug References, Violence

Available On: Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), Smashwords

Author's Blog: T.L. Peters

THE BOY WHO LOVED BACH is about a ninth grader at the top of his class trying out for the football team who just can't seem to remember the plays, much to the consternation and bewilderment of his coach and teammates, not to mention his girlfriend, all of which makes him miserable. But when Ed picks up the violin at the urging of his mother and learns to play Bach, his perspective changes.

Review:

Edward P. Studt is drowning in responsibilities.  He’s very, very smart – nerdy even.  But all he wants is to be on the football team.  So, as he moves from middle to intermediate school, he tries to achieve him goal: the football team and to go out with head cheerleader Heather Blake.  He has violin practice, football practice, homework and an English class where the teacher only assigns one A, so the competition is fierce between him and equally clever Georgianna Radcliff.  Can he manage everything?  Of all of them, football is – of course – the most important.  Until his violin teacher gives him Bach to play.  And then everything changes…

I really liked this book!  It just felt so authentic to me: like all the characters and events were actually real.  Ed could have been an actual teenager: I’ve met Eds.  And T.L. Peters managed to completely nail the difficulties of growing up: the uncertainty and the hard decisions.  I just loved this book, so thank you to T.L. Peters!

Ed was wonderful!  He was smart – super smart.  But all he wanted was to be on the football team.  He only played the violin because his mom made him: Bach changed all that.  I just loved his passion.  The way he approached everything was rather amusing too.  He was rather philosophical: he had a habit of looking at things and drawing conclusions – deep, wise conclusions that actually made a lot of sense.  Ed was a teenager, and he felt so real.  One-hundred per-cent real.

Denny Newbaker was Ed’s best friend.  He was great, and very funny; completely addicted to football.  Which was good, really, as he was a brilliant player. He was good to Ed, and the two of them really helped one another: Ed helped Denny with physics and Denny helped Ed figure out the football plays.  A perfect relationship!

Ed’s parents, on the other hand, had a rocky relationship.  They argued – a lot.  But, I think they loved each other, deep down.  Or maybe deep-deep?

The plot was one of self-discovery.  There wasn’t suspense or a paranormal in sight, but this book really was amazing.  We all know how awkward being a teenager is.  And T.L. Peters just got everything right.  From the pressures to the schoolwork to the romance.  It was beautiful.  Perfect.  I loved it.  And the writing was just wonderful, adding to the amazingness of the story.  Somehow T.L. Peters got it to sound like a real teenager narrating, and made me completely believe in both Ed’s genius and his average-teen-ness.  Ed came across as very clever, very mature, but at the same time, just a teenage boy like any other.  And I loved that.

The only downside?  The football.  I suck at sports anyway, and being British I have no knowledge of American Football.  It wasn’t the most interesting part of the book but it was Ed.  So, ok, it was slow and maybe a little overwhelming to begin with.  But it wouldn’t have been Ed to leave out the plays.  And, hey!  If I happen across an American Football game, I maybe might just know how to play! 

I felt everything Ed did, felt his passion.  This book was wonderful and I can’t wait to read more by T.L. Peters.

Star Rating:
4 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

Drawing With Light by Julia Green

No and Me by Delphine de Vigan

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

2011 E-Book Challenge (Hosted by The Ladybug Reads)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from author in exchange for an honest review

She Smells the Dead by E.J. Stevens

Series: Spirit Guide, Book One

Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press

Format: Kindle

Published: 19^th August 2010

Number of Pages: 178

Book: For Review From Author*

Genre: Ghost Story, Paranormal, Dark Romance, Urban Fantasy, Murder Mystery, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Violence, Death

No Alcohol, Drug References

Available On: Amazon (Paperback, Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Paperback, Nook), Smashwords (eBook) and The Book Depository (Paperback)

Author's Blog: From The Shadows

The Spirit Guide Series

Synopsis From Goodreads:

It's the beginning of senior year and Yuki's psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life. Her ability to sense spirits of the dead isn't glamorous like the ghost hunting on television.
SHE SMELLS THE DEAD.
The smell impressions are becoming stronger. Yuki is being visited in her dreams, and she suspects that her friend Calvin is involved in something strange. To make matters worse her crush on Garrett is going unrequited, Yuki's friend Emma is on a rampage against bee oppression, and Calvin Miller mysteriously disappears.
Will Yuki be able to focus her powers in time to save the lost soul who is haunting her? Meanwhile, who will save Yuki from following the spirits into the light?

Review:

Yuki’s more-or-less your average girl: she has great friend Emma, she has a crush – who doesn’t crush back on her – and awesome boots.  Except Yuki can smell the dead.  Yeah, that’s right.  It’s not glamorous, and it makes it a lot harder to figure out what the spirit haunting you actually wants.  Now it’s senior year, and Yuki is being haunted by someone who smells like vinegar.  But that’s not the worst part.  She’s suddenly got strange feelings for Calvin Miller, her other friend and is having prophetic dreams at night.  And she knows – knows – that something odd is going on with Calvin…  Can Yuki save Vinegar Man?  Before she loses herself?

I loved this book!  It had action, romance, humour, dead-smelling: everything a girl wants in a paranormal book.  And – more importantly – it was wonderfully written with great characters and plot.  Thanks E.J.!

Yuki (her real name’s Vanessa, but she changed it because of some unfortunate nicknames) was just a character I instantly liked. I liked her habit of exaggerating, her sarcasm, her brilliantly mad fashion sense: everything.  Especially that her spirit animal is a dung beetle.  I laughed so much at that one.  All her strange, unique little sayings made me laugh, too.  How can you not at things like: “son of a dung beetle”, “holy heck”, or “this sucks eggs”?  She was just awesome, from the way she dealt with her gift – in a great, sometimes-funny and always relatable way – to the way she always called Cal by his full name to the habit she had of saying things like: “crow dude” or “doctor man”.  I loved her!  (Did she remind anyone else of Abby from NCIS?  Abby is my favourite TV character ever!)

Calvin Miller was sort of New Agey, into mystical, um, stuff…  He was just adorable: strong, cute, forgiving.  I loved him!  He really made me laugh.  Although, his big secret was kinda obvious.  To me, anyway.

Emma was the best!  She was a vegan and always laid into Calvin for eating meat.  As a vegetarian myself, I loved her: “Can you taste its fear?” comments.  She was really into human rights for everyone – people in the dark ages, bees.  Also into the whole herbal remedies, she was practical, cute, and funny.  She was awesome!

And Calvin and Yuki were really cute.  Their relationship was easy, natural, and oh-so sweet.  They constantly teased one another, and had funny conversations with words like “Smellavision” and “Technosmellor” in them.  However, their friendship changed lately.  Suddenly Calvin was flirting and interrupting Yuki’s daydreams about the studded, Emo-ish guy she was crushing on.  That’s what I liked most about this couple: the fact that they were friends first.  It wasn’t a love-at-first-sight connection, instead being a sweet and one-hundred-per cent believable romance.  Plus there’s the whole adorable: “Beetle Princess” and other nicknames as well.  I can’t wait to see where this couple goes!

I have to mention E.J.’s writing once again: it was amazing.  Easy and funny, I completely felt like it was Yuki talking, not an author writing as her, if that makes any sense.  It sounded like a teenager speaking, without having to try too hard by using irritating words such as too many “like”s or “totally”s.  It was believable and completely addictive.

Now, I have to admit something.  Before I read this book, I just assumed it would be a ghost haunting a girl, who would give him peace and everyone would be peachy.  I was wrong.  Yes, there was murder mystery, but it was so much more than that.  There was a whole other side, one that was so new and so amazing: a brilliant new take on many popular folklores.  I adored She Smells the Dead, and have only one major fault: it was too short!  And it had a terrible cliff-hanger.  I’m over the moon that I have the rest of the series so I can get my ghostly fix and find out what will happen next!

Star Rating:
4½ Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

2011 eBook Challenge (Hosted by The LadyBug Reads)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from author in exchange for an honest review

House Trap by Mike Mauthor

Publisher: Self

Format: Kindle

Published: 7^th May 201

Number of Pages: 120

Book: For Review*

Genre: Realistic-Ficion, Science-Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Horror, Action-Adventure, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Violence, Death

No Alcohol, Drug References
Available On: Amazon (US) and Nook
Author's Blog: NovelPro

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Rachel Evans is a sixteen year old overachiever who would take nothing less than to achieve her goal of getting into Dartmouth College. But Rachel’s life would never be the same once she stepped into the house of Alicia Hausefalle, the most popular girl in Wedds High School. Rachel was there to tutor her. She never expected to meet two strangers who were ready to end her life.

Review:

This was sent to me by the author to review, and as I love a good thriller I said: Yes Please!  So thank you Mike!

Rachel just went over to Alicia’s house to do a little tutoring.  She would go in and out, and would then be free to get on with her dream of going to Dartmouth.  She knows Alicia’s father is the renowned inventor of House Trap, a device designed to protect the inhabitants inside the home against everything.  But... what do you do when the house goes into lockdown mode... and the killers are stuck in with you...?

The story started with a double murder, and just got more suspenseful and action-packed from there.  The characters felt real, the story was not written in a way that slowed down the pace and the fear and creepiness were palpable all the way through.  Plus there was that brilliant little twist that makes all good thrillers. 

Rachel was believable and relatable.  I found myself comparing her to me: I was always the girl that took Dickens or text books with me on school trips as well.  She was determined, academic and couldn’t care less about what others thought of her.  As I read, I couldn’t help thinking “good for you”.

The rest of the characters were also well thought out, but it was the suspense that made this story special.  It had break-neck speed (although that admittedly didn’t start from the word go), numerous twists and, of course, a few deaths.  I don’t like it when characters die.  But are thrillers truly thrillers without a little violence?  And it made me fearful for my characters, wondering who’d get out, rather desperate to know.  Plus, the basis of the story was terrifying.  A home-safety system that ends up being a cage... with the murderous lunatics inside?  Honestly, I will never look at the things the same way again.

The one thing I can complain about is the way the focus jumps suddenly between the characters, leaving me a little confused.  One minute it’s Rachel, the next the bad guy.  It threw me, but maybe that just added to the break-neck, thriller effect?  Plus, some of the grammar was incorrect, but I’ve seen that in a fair few eBooks, so I don’t really notice that anymore, and it didn’t distract me much at all.

Although this book was only 120 pages long, I could have read many more.  I do love me a good thriller once in a while... 

So, a suspense-ridden story with well-padded characters and murderous lunatics trapped inside a house, with a security system ironically called “House Trap”.  What more could you want?

Star Rating:
4 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:
I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan
Silent Night Series by R.L. Stine
The Midnight Club by Christopher Pike

 

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 (Hosted by Book Chick City)
2011 e-Book Challenge (Hosted by The Ladybuy Reads)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review