Five Fall Favorites: Top 5 of 2020

Well, we’ve come to the bushels, folks. Let’s hunker down and gather up the last few books.

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The Janus Elixir // Kyle Robert Shultz

Considering I actually read it the first time around in the Hound of Duville and Other Stories, here’s my first reaction to the ending:

HOLY. SMOKES.

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Then, since I had gotten it on its own as well, I added it to my GR shelf, and this is what I said while I was reading it for the second time:

Actually reading this for the second time. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT ENDING??? KYLE YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE CLIFFHANGERS LYING AROUND. SOMEONE’S LIABLE TO TRIP OVER THEM AND OBSESS OVER IT UNTIL THEY GET ANSWERS.

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And this is my review after finishing it the second time around:

So, in this book, we have:

MALCOLM. Malcolm Blackfire is a dragon who can shape-shift into a human and he’s also an archaeologist. He’s sarcastic, gruff, has a heart of gold (Pun intended? Pun not intended?) and I’m pretty sure he’s also got a protective mode built into him by instinct because no matter how many times he gets annoyed with humans, he still cares about them in his own, Malcolm-y way. He just won’t admit it. Not out loud, at least.

Melody Nightingale. Aside from how pretty that name is, she’s a former jewel thief with a mysterious past who works as Malcolm’s assistant. BUT THAT QUIP BY HADES. LIKE, WHAT? AND THE CLIFFHANGER. I NEED MORE INFORMATION!!!

James. James is a precious cinnamon roll who helps Malcolm and Melody out, but given he might end up being who I think he’ll end up being, I’ll just leave it at that for now.

The Afterverse version of Hades. Yes, that Hades. Greek god of the dead, husband to Persephone, has a three-headed dog named Cerberus? He’s just…so done with Malcolm’s shenanigans. 😆

The Afterverse version of Anubis. Yes, that Anubis. Egyptian god of the dead. He’s definitely not sweet and cuddly like Hades. But he has a library, so he’s not too bad.

(I do believe I should take an interlude here to explain that they’re not actually gods in here, they’re just really powerful beings who live a long time and can die. Basically, like the Asgardians in the Marvel Cinematic Universe)

The Afterverse version of Victor Frankenstein. A bit kooky in the head.

The Afterverse version of Dr. Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde. I’m not saying anything more than that.

Humor. The humor is a dry, sarcastic, witty kind of humor, and it suits Malcolm perfectly.

Fantasy. To be more specific, this is in a parallel world called the Afterverse, where mythical, legendary, classical, and fairytale characters are real, and their stories are the history of that world. Plus, they’re totally flipped on their heads and twisted up into each other so they’re really NOT like the stories we know.

Noooo, the Afterverse is different. The Afterverse works like the Afterverse. It gives you feels. It throws plot twists that were so cleverly hidden, you don’t even notice them until you re-read the story. It leaves you with cliffhangers that frustrate you but in a good way – they leave you with WANTING more.

They also leave you with screeching KYLE at the top of your inward lungs.

Anyway…I really enjoyed this book. The message about everyone having worth really does hit home when you think about the way some humans treat other humans with callous disregard because of X, Y, or Z.

Now, I would divulge more, but I think I’ve said plenty already. If I say anything more, I might spoil it. Can’t have that happen or else the rabbit will come after me. 😬

So, for now, I shall keep my lips 🤐.

Content: No swearing, no sex, two kisses that aren’t detailed, and some violence, but nothing too graphic.

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Up From The Sea // Amanda Dykes

I had to add this to my Top 5. There’s no way I could’ve left it out. My review from the Historical post:

I’TS SO LOVELY. I LOVED IT. Amanda Dykes is becoming a favorite author for sure! To go a bit more in depth, this short story is actually a prequel to Whose Waves These Are, which I’m currently reading.

The mystery was SO GOOD. And the writing is so vivid…almost like I could step inside the story and interact with the characters, who were so vivid and real in their own right! No stiff, cardboard cutouts here!

I just wish it were longer…

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A Song In The Night // Amanda Dykes

(Yep, doing this one again) My word, this one was so sweet and charming! Of course, it had its fair share of angst and feels too…and THAT PLOT TWIST. Also, Mrs. Betteredge is the best. xD

5/5 to A Song In The Night! And I’ll be checking out more of Amanda Dykes’ books too!

*Since it’s part of a collection, there’s no individual cover for it. Which is a shame, because I bet it would be a lovely cover…

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Freedom // Faith L. Potts

(And this one again too!)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44433507-freedomI think this book wanted to make me cry. It dealt with tough subject matters simply and carefully. At one part, I literally heard my heart pounding.

LITERALLY.

And I’ve added a new OTP to my armada of ships. Actually, make that two, even though we didn’t see much of the other couple interacting. (But it looks like they’ll be the protagonists of Book 2)

But aahhhh, James & Alex’s relationship was so sweet. And Uncle Joe & Aunt Gloria are the best side characters ever; you can fight me on this. xD

I seriously need to get this book on my bookshelf…once it’s back up.

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Target Africa // Obianuju Ekeocha

Read this book. It’s an excellent book for pro-lifers to have in their arsenal, so to speak. Seriously, read it. You won’t be disappointed.

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Giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6113ead918/?

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