Reseña de ARC: American Witch (American Witch #1)

 +Digital ARC gently provided by publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review+

American Witch (American Witch #1)

by 

Thea Harrison

476 pages

Published April 25th 2019 by Teddy Harrison LLC

ISBN: 1947046179 (ISBN13: 9781947046177)

Edition Language: English

Series: American Witch #1

 

BLURB: Power can change a person…

For months Molly Sullivan endures the inexplicable: electrical surges, car breakdowns, visions. She even wonders if she might be the cause… and wonders if she might be crazy. Then she discovers her husband has cheated on her. Again. Now Molly realizes she is a newly awakening witch and a woman pushed over the edge.
Revenge can shape a person…
Josiah Mason is a Powerful witch and the leader of a secret coven with a shared goal: to destroy an ancient enemy who has ruined many lives. Josiah lost years to this man, and his sole focus is revenge. He’s prepared for every contingency—except encountering a beautiful new witch who understands nothing of the immense Power building within her or the attraction she wields over him.
As the danger escalates, so does the tension between them. Is a lasting relationship possible? Will either of them live long enough to try?

 

My rating: 3.8 stars

Molly's life changes forever when she decides to divorce her unfaithful husband after 20 years of marriage. Somehow she finds a force in her that is unknown, in more than one sense, because she discovers in this way that she is a witch. But not everything is spells and herbs in that world, because there are powerful individuals willing to do everything to obtain more power.

The only one who seems to know what is happening to Molly with a sort of psychokinetic power is Josiah, so she makes a deal with him to help her control her power in a basic way, more than anything to cover herself and not attract the villain of the story, a warlock who steals magic/power from other witches.

Josiah Mason is the ultimate alpha with bad temper and with a grudge againts the villain. Revenge is his goal.

Reseña: Norman

 My thanks to the author for the PDF copy!

Norman 

by  

Michelle Olson

 32 pages

Published October 5th 2018 by Bellie Button Books

ISBN: 1732370710 (ISBN13: 9781732370715)

Edition Language: English 

BLURB: Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2018 and a finalist in the NIEA Awards,  Norman is a sweet story of perseverance for kids 4-8.
Norman the Button loved his job. He helped keep his coat closed and his person warm. This made Norman feel needed and that made him very happy. But after falling off his coat Norman feels depressed, he is convinced he must find a new job to feel needed again. He tries several new jobs but none are a good fit. After being burned as a firefighter and nearly drowned as a plumber, Norman almost decides to give up and let himself be recycled. Once Norman realizes his greatest strength is in being a button, he finally sees the perfect job is right in front of him.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cute and funny children's book about a button out of job and it search for a new employment and usefulness.

Norman was proud of his job as a coat button keeping his employer warm, but when the button found itself suddenly behind and lost, it had to start thinking about what else could work.

It can be seen how this premise could be used with children to invent other jobs for a button. Like Norman tryng to reinvent itself as firefighter, plummer, petcaring and others.

Reseña: Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist (Agatha Raisin #6)

Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist (Agatha Raisin #6)

by 

M.C. Beaton

292 pages

Published 2010 by Constable and Robinson (first published October 1997)

ISBN: 1849011397 (ISBN13: 9781849011396)

Edition Language: English

Series: Agatha Raisin #6 

  

BLURB: Agatha Raisin leaves her sleepy Cotswolds village of Carsely to pursue love - and finds murder. Spurned at the altar, she follows her fleeing fiance James Lacey to north Cyprus, where, instead of enjoying the honeymoon they'd planned, they witness the murder of an obnoxious tourist in a disco. Intrigue and a string of murders surround the unlikely couple, in a plot as scorching a the Cypriot sun!

My rating: 1 star

Este volumen no ha sido traducido al castellano, saltandose en cambio al siguiente libro, y parece que descubri la razón: es estúpido.

Agatha sigue a James hasta Chipre despues del final del libro anterior, mientras lo busca por todos lados, conoce a un grupo de turistas ingleses, pero ella no esta ahi por las vistas ni ruinas, sino por otra cosa, y termina como siempre envuelta en una investigación de homicidio cuando una mujer del grupo es asesinada. Para Agatha esto no es más que una oportunidad para poder estar de nuevo junto a James, pero pronto la cosa se complica y no pueden salir del pais.

Reseña: Agatha Raisin y la boda sangrienta (Agatha Raisin, #5)

Agatha Raisin y la boda sangrienta  (Agatha Raisin #5)

by 

M.C. Beaton

 280 pages

Published 2017 by Círculo de Lectores (first published December 1st 1996)

Original Title: Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage

ISBN: 8467270225

Edition Language: Spanish

Series: Agatha Raisin #5

Sinopsis: Por fin Agatha ha conquistado al apuesto, atractivo y enigmático James Lacey. Y no solo eso: va a llevarlo al altar. Solo un par de cosas podrían desinflar una felicidad tan gorda... Los vecinos de Carsely tienen la mosca detrás de la oreja con la boda de Agatha: ¿por qué en lugar de casarse en la iglesia del pueblo se va a la oficina del registro civil de Mircester? Porque la funcionaria de Mircester es vieja, sorda y despistada, así que podría esquivar el papeleo y las preguntas sobre su verdadera condición… Y es que solo Agatha sabe que no hay ninguna evidencia de que el borrachuzo de Jimmy Raisin haya muerto. ¡Solo Agatha sabe que está a punto de cometer bigamia! Lo que no se imagina es que algunas fuerzas oscuras están confabulando contra ella…

My rating: 3.5 stars

Agatha esta decidida a casarse, a pesar de no estar del todo segura de si su ex realmente esta muerto o no como deberia por como fue la ultima vez que lo vio y el silencio de estos años... pero en forma muy dramatica sus deseos no se cumplen.

Con James enfurecido, su casa ya vendida, y todos creyendola una asesina, Agatha se ve perdida y desmoralizada.

Reseña: Agatha Raisin y los paseantes de Dembley (Agatha Raisin 4)

Agatha Raisin y los paseantes de Dembley (Agatha Raisin #4)

by 

M.C. Beaton

197 pages

Published 2016 by Círculo de lectores (first published April 1st 1995)

Original Title: Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley

ISBN13: 9788467268140

Edition Language: Spanish

Series: Agatha Raisin #4

Sinopsis: Después de un tiempo, Agatha Raisin regresa a Cotswold, su querido pueblo en Carsely, y a los encantos de su apuesto vecino, James Lacey. La verdad es que James no parece muy encantado de verla, pero Agatha pronto encuentra distracción en un asesinato sensacional.
La víctima, que aparece semi enterrada en un sembrado, es la joven excursionista Jessica Tartinck, que pasó su vida irritando a los terratenientes al reclamar sus derechos de paso. Agatha no ceja en la esperanza de implicar al reacio James en su investigación. Hay tantas pistas a seguir... desde los compañeros de caminata de Jessica, hasta los propietarios de las tierras, todos parecen capaces de cometer un asesinato...

My rating: 2.5 stars

Agatha Raisin and The Walkers of Dembley - 2 stars

Agatha’s First Case - 3.5 stars (short story)

Agatha Raisin regresa con mucha nostalgia a Costwolds -donde siente que tiene verdaderos amigos- despues de 6 meses en Londres, cumpliendo el trato por lo del libro anterior (¡que menudo bien que le hizo!), y , nadie sabe por qué, todavia soñando con el vecino del lado (que es un pelmazo que la trata mal). Lo último es que se reune un grupo a recorrer las fincas atravesando los campos, Agatha se entusiasma enseguida porque James Lacey es el guia.

Mientras tanto, otro se ha estado contando el punto de vista de otro grupo , los Paseantes de Dembley, que se reune para seguir vias de paso pedestres olvidadas y que no es más que una excusa para ir a armar lio y pelearse con los dueños de los sitios. Y uno de ellos acaba muerto.

Y alli es donde parte nuestra Agatha a investigar abiertamente.

Reseña de ARC Fathom Volume 1: A World Below - The Starter Edition

 +Digital ARC gently provided by publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review+

Fathom Volume 1: A World Below - The Starter Edition 

by 

Michael Turner

Bill O'Neil (author), Frank Mastromauro (editor), Jonathan D. Smith (artist), Joe Weems V (artist), Peter Steigerwald (artist)

200 pages

Expected publication: May 14th 2019 by Diamond Book Distributors

ISBN13: 9781941511671

Edition Language: English

BLURB: A brand new value-priced edition of the best-selling series created by comic book legend Michael Turner, Fathom follows Aspen Matthews a young woman who has always been drawn to the sea. As a Marine biologist, she discovers something strange and beautiful on the sea floor; something not of our world. Now, Aspen's life will never be the same, and the fate of two civilizations will rest in her hands. 

My rating: 4 batle oceanic stars

A ten years old Aspen Matthews appears in a ship dissapeared for 10 years; always atracted by the sea, she become an Olympic swimmer and later a Marine Biologist. The story start when she is invited to join a submarine facility where a strange technology is studied under conjoin efforts of Japan and US.

This a sort of The Abysm / Siren, in a bit of pulpy way.

There are various forms of underwater fighting, with and without weapons.

Reseña de ARC: The Noble Guardian (Bow Street Runners 3

 +Digital ARC gently provided by publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review+

The Noble Guardian (The Bow Street Runners #3)

by 

Michelle Griep

 320 pages

Expected publication: June 1st 2019 by Shiloh Run Press

ISBN: 1683227492 (ISBN13: 9781683227496)

Edition Language: English

Series: The Bow Street Runners #3

 BLURB: A Cross-Country Trip through Regency England Brings Intrigue, Rogues, and High Adventure
The must-read conclusion to Michelle Griep’s Bow Street Runners Trilogy. Life couldn’t be better for Abigail Gilbert—but it’s been a long time coming. Having lived with a family who hated her, love is finally within reach. Abby sets off on a journey across England to marry one of the most prestigious gentleman bachelors in the land—until highwaymen upset her plans and threaten her life.Horse patrol captain Samuel Thatcher arrives just in time to save Abby. But to him she’s simply another victim in a job he’s come to despise. Tired of the dark side of humanity, he intends to buy land and retire.

My rating: 3.5 stars

 He smirked. “There you go again.”
     “What?”
     “Being a starry-eyed dreamer. And you’re wrong.” His tone lowered to a bitter growl, completely unstoppable. “Some hurts never go away.” 

To my surprise, it was better than I thought it would be. This is a christian regency romance.

Miss Abigail Gilbert is anxious to leave a miserable home to marry a baronet who asked for her hand. Captain Samuel Thatcher is an ex-war veteran who patrolled the roads for highwaymen. Circumstances force them to face the road and dangers to take the girl to her fiancé, while the captain has his hands full with a promise to a friend.

Adventures and slow romance follow.

Reseña de ARC: Little Witches: Magic in Concord

 +Digital ARC gently provided by publishers and netgalley for an honest review+

Little Witches: Magic in Concord 

by  

Leigh Dragoon

160 pages

Expected publication: August 27th 2019 by Oni Press (first published August 2019)

ISBN:1620106485 (ISBN13: 9781620106488)
Edition Language: English

 BLURB: A charming and magical graphic novel adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's LITTLE WOMEN!
Jo, Beth, Amy, and Meg March are four sisters living in Concord with their parents—Father, who's tending to soldiers fighting in the Civil War, and Marmee, who teaches the girls simple but effective witchcraft. The Marches have to keep their craft quiet, as there are many in Concord who see magic in a bad light—especially after things have begun disappearing.

 When Mr. Laurence, a witchfinder, moves in next door to investigate the missing objects, the girls fear for their livelihood. But he turns out to be a kind old man, and his grandson, Laurie, quickly befriends the Marches. As the cold winter blusters on, the girls continue their education, even as missing objects soon turn into missing people.
Things take a turn for the worse when Jo and Laurie try investigating on their own, and a dangerous storm takes hold of Concord. There's powerful magic at play here—stronger than anything the Marches, or even Laurie, has ever seen before. Can they hope to defeat it? Or has the magic already become too strong for them to fight against?

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Age Range: 8 and up

Grade Level: 3 - 4

I was curious to read this book, which is an adaptation of the beloved classic Little Women by L.M. Alcott, with the proviso that the March sisters here are witches. Good witches, mind you, keeping even their ideas of Transcendentalism.

The plot is similar: four sisters living with their mother in Concord during the Civil War; the father is absent in the aforementioned war minding the wounded. The fact that they are witches is a fact known to all, as well as the existence of magues. So this is a historical fantasy / alternative reality. 

Reseña de ARC: Unicorn Bowling (Phoebe and Her Unicorn #9)

 +Netgalley ARC gently provided by publishers and Netgalley for an honest review+

Unicorn Bowling (Phoebe and Her Unicorn #9)

by 

Dana Simpson

176 pages

Published April 23rd 2019 by Andrews McMeel Publishing

ISBN:1449499384 (ISBN13: 9781449499389)

Edition Language: English

Series: Phoebe and Her Unicorn #9

BLURB: The NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING series Phoebe and Her Unicorn is back with all-new sparkling tales of best friendship. Whether they're visiting Camp Shimmerhorn or fitting unicorn hooves for bowling shoes, Phoebe and Marigold find magic in every moment. A unicorn in bowling shoes is quite a STRIKE-ing sight. But for nine-year-old Phoebe Howell, it’s just another fun outing with her best friend, the illustrious unicorn Marigold Heavenly Nostrils.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cute n' Fluffy.

I think Phoebe and Marigold adventures in everyday school and summer camp are kind of addictive because I had no intention of going for another of this books -again in form of comic strips and other longer short stories with the summer camp- and here I am.

This book is clearly intended for classroom discusion about the changes bringed for modern technology, the virtue of practicing for piano lessons (or rather for the importance of practicing to get better without magical short cuts), about gender roles, and that internet is nice but be careful with the things you post about other people (or the badness of simply bullying when you hurt other people feelings).

Reseña: Running the Snale (relato corto)

"RUNNING THE SNAKE" 

by 

Kage Baker

 Publicada en: Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 128

May 1st 2017 by Wyrm Publishing 

My Rating: 3.5 politeistas stars

La fallecida Kage Barker en este historia corta trata acerca de un embacucador: Will Shaxpur que toma ventaja de todo esto de los numerosos templos que se levantan en un Londres con una reina pagana que es la imagen de Boudicea con sus druidas, y hay una tolerancia por gran numero de deidades.

Inventar una religion en ese entonces era más fácil. Que se te muera un feligres de sangre noble seguida siendo igual de complicado y mortal en ese entonces.

Es entretenida en su forma de relatar un pequeño misterio-intriga.