August 31, 2017 – Sincerely Karen Jo

No Ordinary Star #1

5 ★ – EXTRA ORDINARY SHINING STARS

PUBLISHED BY CREATESPACE NOVEMBER 15, 2015

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, SCI-FI, FANTASY, DYSTOPIA,

PAGES: PAPERBACK 150

BUY AMAZON, BARNES AND NOBLE, BOOK DEPOSITORY

A SOLDIER IS SUMMONED TO THE NORTH POLE, DAYS BEFORE THE YEAR CHANGES, TOLD TO FIX THE GREAT CLOCK FOR A CELEBRATION. HE HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO DO.

A GIRL, HUNTED FOR THE CRIME OF BEING BORN, ALMOST DIES OUT ON THE ICE. SHE IS RESCUED BY THE LAST POLAR BEAR LEFT ALIVE.

A LIBRARY WAITS FOR THEM BOTH, A LIBRARY BUILT OVER A SPAN OF A HUNDRED YEARS, FORGOTTEN IN THE BASEMENT OF AN ICE SHACK.

THE WORLD HASN’T KNOWN HUNGER OR SICKNESS IN HUNDREDS OF YEARS. IT HAS ALSO FORGOTTEN LOVE AND BEAUTY. THE YEAR IS 2525.

Inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic novel is set in a world where Christmas -among other things- is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace.

No Ordinary Star by M.C. Frank is unique and just so lovely! Gorgeous storytelling, wonderful world building, fantastic characters, and a fast paced intriguing plot that had me hooked from the very first page.

I absolutely love the concept of this book and the world building is so fascinating. People live longer. No more hunger. No more sickness. Sounds pretty great so far right? But would you be willing to have all that in exchange of never knowing love, compassion, and beauty? There are no families, no mothers and fathers, and men and women are forbidden to touch. Bit by bit, Frank reveals the horrendous and ugliest parts of this new world. It’s completely messed-up, disturbing, and downright terrifying. But through Felix and Astra and their many discoveries whether it’s from their surrounding or each other, the author shows that there are so much worth fighting for.

I really enjoyed the dual POV from the “tin solider” and “match girl.” Both Felix and Astra experienced different lives and it was interesting getting to know them. I thought I would be more sympathetic towards Astra because she had a very dark and heartbreaking past, but I found myself caring about Felix just as much. I connected with them. I felt for them. And I absolutely adored watching them challenge and learn from each other as their relationship slowly developed to some kind of friendship (and maybe something even more).

This book is probably one of the shortest book I’ve read, but it’s definitely not lacking. It’s beautifully written – elegant, poetic, and affecting. I’m completely enthralled by this story and can’t wait to see what happens in the next two installments. I’m already missing Felix and Astra…Oh and I really hope the hint of “romance” becomes stronger because I’m totally shipping tin soldier and match girl.

Thank you so much M.C. Frank for providing me a free e-ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review and for being in the NOS street team!

NOS street team

ADD NO ORDINARY STAR ON GOODREADS

ADD NO PLAIN REBEL ON GOODREADS

ADD NO VAIN LOSS ON GOODREADS

Follow and Connect with M.C. Frank: Website/ Instagram / Twitter / Facebook

Have you read No Ordinary Star or this series? What did you think? Leave your comment down below.

Sincerely Karen Jo

Beasts Made of Night

PUBLISHED BY RAZORBILL OCTOBER 31, 2017

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, FANTASY

PAGES: HARDCOVER 304

In the walled city of Kos, corrupt mages can magically call forth sin from a sinner in the form of sin-beasts – lethal creatures spawned from feelings of guilt.

Taj is the most talented of the aki, young sin-eaters indentured by the mages to slay the sin-beasts. But Taj’s livelihood comes at a terrible cost. When he kills a sin-beast, a tattoo of the beast appears on his skin while the guilt of committing the sin appears on his mind. Most aki are driven mad by the process, but 17-year-old Taj is cocky and desperate to provide for his family.

When Taj is called to eat a sin of a royal, he’s suddenly thrust into the center of a dark conspiracy to destroy Kos. Now Taj must fight to save the princess that he loves – and his own life.

Beast Made of Night sounds really amazing. The concept of sin-eaters is quite disturbing but very intriguing. I’m really excited to get into this. Oh and I got this ARC from attending YALLWEST this year. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend you going because it’s so much fun!!!

Follow and Connect with Tochi Onyebuchi: Twitter / Goodreads

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Sincerely Karen Jo