adventure – Page 5 – Sincerely Karen Jo

Happy Friday Loves! I’m so excited it’s finally Friday and it’s pay day and I get to go home early today. WOOHOO! It’s been a very long, busy and tiring week. I completely knocked out before 10pm yesterday night… That’s how burnt out I’ve been these past few months. Adulting isn’t always that fun…

Anyway, I want to start something new on Fridays where I feature one of favorite book(s)/series. If you’ve been following me, then you know that I’ve just recently started blogging/reviewing books (this baby went live May 24, 2017). However, I’ve been rating/reviewing on Goodreads for a while. I’ve read so many amazing books before May 2017, so I thought this would be a great way to rave about them.

Sooo, without further ado, here is my FIRST EVER FRIDAY FAVES feature…

Shades of Doon

(Doon #3)

Shades of Doon is the 3rd book in the Doon Series and might just be my favorite out of the 4 books (although they’re all really good and all 5 stars reads for me). Lorie Langdon and Carey Corp created such a beautiful and amazing story that captivated me from the very beginning and absolutely made me fall in love with Scotland. I seriously can’t recommend this book/serious enough.

Review

Spoilers Ahead! Not much, but a little… so read at your own risk.

Posted a similar review on Goodreads. This is somewhat revised but pretty much the same.

I love love love this series so much. I keep on dreaming and wishing it would never end because I want to live in Doon forever, but I also want my beloved characters get their well deserved happy endings.

Just like Doon and Destined for Doon, the world building is AH-MA-ZING and so well written that I feel like I’m one of the Doonians. From the breathtaking scenery, the gorgeous gowns, the castles, and the food (oh my goodness those descriptions always made me hungry) — Doon is without a doubt one of my favorite fictional places to visit.

I love the character and relationship development in this series. There’s a sense of growth, maturity and understanding. From Doon to Shades of Doon.. through the ups and downs, each of the characters have grown into their own and have become stronger.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned it before but one of the things I love about this series is Veronica and Mackenna’s friendship. Seriously can you say friendship goals. Even with their own handsome princes and personal problems Vee and Kenna never forget to emphasize how important they are to each other. They may bicker, disagree, and fight, but at the end of the day, Vee and Kenna have each other’s back and would do anything to protect each other.

All the other characters also have an amazing bond and friendship. Jamie and Duncan would do anything to protect each other. They may not show their brotherly affection all the time but it’s there. Fergus and Fiona are so adorable in their own ways. Analisa is strong and opinionated, but very devoted to Doon and her friends. Seriously the whole gang is pretty much #squadgoals! (Maybe they have room for one more… Ahhh if only)

The plot is fast paced and kept me turning the pages way past my bedtime. I enjoyed the few chapters in the modern world. It was fun, and seeing Jamie’s first time in the modern world was such a nice little treat. Seriously can he get anymore adorable and hot?!? I just want to squish him. I also love that there was more romance, but it totally didn’t take over the story. Princes coming to the rescue, declarations of love and swoon worthy make-out sessions just added to the awesomeness. Oh and those last few chapters — totally heart-stopping and made me so anxious I could barely breathe. I wanted to throw the book and rip out the pages because my heart was breaking.

Shades of Doon is full of adventure, magic, humor, romance and suspense. A story about friendship, love, loss, faith and courage. Such an awesome and fun read that I really cannot say anything bad about this book or this series! I can’t wait to reread and go back to Doon.

Sincerely Karen Jo

The Red Sun

The Legends of Orkney #1

by Alane Adams

4.25 ★ – Fun, Exciting, and Magical Adventure

Published by Sparkpress August 4th 2015

Genre(s) Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mythology

Pages: Paperback 346

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After meeting a strange dwarf in his garage and finding out his substitute English teacher is a witch, twelve-year-old Sam Baron travels through a stonefire to the magical realm of Orkney where he finally learns the truth about his past: his mother is a witch and his father is a descendant of the Norse god, Odin.

“The Red Sun” is the first book in The Legends of Orkney, the spellbinding series of adventure fantasy novels by Alane Adams. It follows Sam to the realm of Orkney where witches, wraiths, and other menacing creatures cause serious peril to the unsuspecting Sam. Now, it’s up to him to save his friends and all of Orkney from a cursed red sun. Can a young witch girl named Mavery help him?

My cousin, Mellanie, who is an avid reader, booknerd and book revier, recommended this series to me. I don’t read Middle Grade books that often so I tend to be pickier when it comes to that genre, but Mellanie raved so much about The Red Sun I knew I had to read it. While it took me longer than I thought to finish reading, I thoroughly enjoyed The Red Sun.

Alane Adams is such a sweetheart and a great writer. I love that she wrote The Red Sun for her son and you can tell that she put her heart into the story. She lures you in with an intriguing premise and throws you in an exciting, enthralling, and fun-filled journey to a magical place. The world building is fantastic and imaginative filled with beautiful scenery and unique creatures that will have thinking about Harry Potter or LOTR. The story has plenty of action, suspense, and humorous dialogue that will keep you on the edge and entertained. Though a great book for children, I think The Red Sun is an amazing story for all ages who loves fantasy and adventure.

I though the characters are all pretty great and relatable. Sam is a wonderful young hero and I felt for him. The constant struggle to choose between saving a kingdom you’ve never known or saving your friends is quite difficult for anyone let alone a 12 year old boy. Sam is given this big responsibility and he’s not even sure he wants it, but he’s still doing the best he can. I rooted for him throughout the story and wanted him to succeed. I loved that he showed vulnerabilities and flaws and eventually learned to become the hero he’s meant to be. Sam’s group of friends are just awesome and I loved them all. Howie made me laugh with his silliness but I loved that he’s actually really smart, very resourceful and brave. And Mavery… well that little mischief definitely stole my heart and my favorite out of all the characters. She’s so feisty and such a firecracker. She’s full of surprises and while she acts tough, deep down she’s a real softy with a big heart. She’s fiercely loyal to Sam and is willing to do anything to save Orkney.

Overall, The Red Sun is a great Middle Grade fantasy book. Adams does a nice job weaving Norse Mythology in this fun adventurous tale of good vs. evil. I can’t wait to travel back into this magical world in Kalifus Rising and continue Sam’s journey.

Sincerely Karen Jo