the summoner by layton green

Title: The Summoner
Author: Layton Green
Series: Dominic Grey #1
Rating: 4/5
Cover Rating: 4/5
Summary (Add to Goodreads):
A United States diplomat disappears in front of hundreds of onlookers while attending a religious ceremony in the bushveld of Zimbabwe. Dominic Grey, Diplomatic Security special agent, product of a violent childhood and a worn passport, is assigned to investigate. Aiding the investigation is Professor Viktor Radek, religious phenomenologist and expert on cults, and Nya Mashumba, the local government liaison. What Grey uncovers is a terrifying cult older than Western civilization, the harsh underbelly of a country in despair, a priest seemingly able to perform impossibilities, and the identity of the newest target. Himself. The first work in a globe-hopping series whose protagonists investigate the world’s most bizarre and dangerous cults, The Summoner is a stylish, haunting novel of mystery and suspense that will linger long after the last page is turned.

My 2 Cents:
It is quite a while for me to read a thriller type of books. I love these kind of books, but the problem is, I cant put it away to stop for a while. If I do that, I would be so frustrated. One thing for sure, a thriller books need your attention more than anything. It's grabbing you and you cant abandon it just like that, like continue reading it later. It will kill the mood totally.

Layton Green's novel The Summoner is one of those thriller books to die for. Yes, it is complicated, action-packed and attention grabbing. If the book provide these kind of things, why would you stop reading and continue later. Such a waste. The plot is thrilling, so intense and made me nervous every time I flipped the pages. Plus, Zimbabwe as location of the story, is something very very interesting. I always find Zimbabwe as an exotic place. As the story deepens, so many secrets that are so intriguing and I kept asking why and what? It's predictable for me because there must be a twist and turns at the end.Of course I am right and always being surprised of the twists. However, I think the characters are so-so, not really that developed like the story. Everything was there, but I dont think I know the protagonist that well, and something missing about other character as well. That being said, I think the book has a good package of good thriller book, excluding the character flaws. A recommended read for sure.

About the Author

In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for the better part of a decade (even though he still resents having cut his hair for that first interview). He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door-to-door phone book deliverer, and the list goes downhill from there. He has traveled to more than fifty countries, lived in a number of them, and has a burning desire to see every country, city, beach, moor, castle, cemetery, twisted street and far flung dot on the map. Religion and cults, as well as all things spiritual and supernatural, have also been a lifelong interest.

Find him here: Website | Goodreads

Note: I got a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. It's a long due review. My apology.

goong by park so-hee

Title: Goong (Palace Story)
Author: Park So-Hee
Series: Completed
Vol(s): 23
Rating: 4.5/5
Source: Read for free HERE

Summary:
Monarchy ended long ago in Korea, but there are still other countries with Kings, Queens, princes and princesses. What if Korea had continued monarchism? What if all the beautiful palaces which are now only historical relics were actually filled with people?! What if the glamorous royal family still maintained the palace customs?! Welcome to a world where Korea still has the royal family living their lives! Only for one high school girl, Che-Kyung, is this a tragedy, since she has to marry the prince who apparently is a total jerk!

My Say:
I've been following the series like years back. It took so long and sometimes I lost track of time to continue reading the next chapters of volume. When I browsing GReads, it just came across my mind that I need to read this and lucky me, I found out that the series already came to an end. I read it online at my favorite manga site and spent the whole day reading.

I actually watched a Korean drama adapted from the manhwa (manga term for Korean). It's called Princess Hour and I love it so much! It may not the same as the manhwa, but still have the same plot and the same characters. I love all the characters and yes, with great graphic and drawings, you'll fall in love with it easily for sure. There's a conflict in the royal family that more or less gave bigger impact than Che-Kyung never imagine would happen to her, but it did. Like when I watched the drama, I also cried when I read any sad parts in the manhwa. On the other hand, the story has their funny side too. I laughed hard when there's awkward parts, you know when the author draw the funny faces on the characters.

Even though I am so happy that the series already ended and I know the ending, it also made me sad. The love between Che-Kyung and the prince, I need to know more but maybe that's the best. Please give it a try if you also love manga like I do.

Note: Review of the book is linked to Cym Lowell Book Review Party Wednesday. Click the link and get participated as well ;p

beer money by dani amore

Title: Beer Money
Author: Dani Amore
Pages: 229
Rating: 4.5/5
Cover Rating: 3.5/5
Summary:
In the explosive opening to an exciting new mystery series, private investigator Burr Ashland learns that his best friend, a history professor, has been murdered. Burr is plunged into an investigation that puts him in the middle of a violent struggle not just between the present and the past, but between good and evil.

My Say:
First of all, I love short chapters! It races up the paces a lot, literally. I find the book very interesting, action-packed and even though it's not quite detailed, I feel better that way because I still can understand the plot of the story. It may seems it is like a cozy mystery book, I still think the simplicity of the story doesn't means it is less complexity. The story is just got the balance of how to go deeper when it is needed and straight cut to the chase when it's near to brake the mystery. The best part, I didn't see it coming. There's a twist, as we all can guess what will happen at the end, and it never bores you no matter how many times you read mystery books. And this book is one of them. A good read and recommended!

About the Author

Dani Amore is a bestselling crime novelist living in Los Angeles, California. She is the winner of the winner of the 2011 Independent Book Award for Crime Fiction. Her books include The Circuit Rider (A Kindle Serial), The Mary Cooper Mystery Series, The Killing League, The John Rockne Mystery Series, and To Find A Mountain.


Find her here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Pinterest | Goodreads

Purchase Beer Money on Amazon.

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for an exchange for an honest review.

eighty-eight keys by catherine lavender

Title: Eighty-Eight Keys
Author: Catherine Lavender
Genre: Romance, Suspense
Publisher: Whimsical Publishing
Pages: 174
Rating: 3/5
Cover Rating: 3.5/5

Summary:
Leah is a young woman who is trying to break free from a strict religious background and pursue her dream as a pianist in the world of show business. While trying to find her independence her heart is held captive by Jason Rowe a local basketball star who established an organization to help troubled youth. When Jason is found murdered in his home, Leah is determined to get answers from a closed investigation. During her state of emotional turmoil, Leah finds comfort not only in the melody of her music, but in the arms of a married man named Calvin. With her dreams at her fingertips, Leah is tangled in a web of lies and deceit. Despite the fear of learning the truth, Leah has to realize that only the truth can set her free.

My Say:
I have a mixed feeling about the book. Apart of being a book of mystery or suspense that I would read, the book actually leave me wonders about every details of the characters. I wouldn't say there's so much things I don't like when the story is quite good. A short story with such a condense plot may be one of the reason why. Sometimes I felt the story have some hangings despite of the tense of the situations. Leah's character for me is quite shaky, or maybe that's what her character is. She's quite insecure with herself when is a very a talented pianist  but somehow when she tried to find out the murder, she seems brave and knows what to do.

Whilst the book might have a tiny flaw, I still find the book is a good book to kill some time. It's a fast read and the book has quite good twist in the end.

About the Author

Catherine Lavender is from Baltimore, Maryland but now resides in Tampa, Florida with her miniature schnauzer name Ripken. She is an animal activist, as well as a supporter of the organization First Book which helps supply literature for underprivileged children. In her spare time, Catherine enjoys reading classic literature and playing the acoustic guitar.

Find her here: Website | Goodreads

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for an honest review as part of a blog tour.

the eighth scroll by laurence b. brown

Title: The Eighth Scroll
Author: Laurence B. Brown
Pages: 332
Rating: 4/5
Cover Rating: 4/5
Published: August 2012
Summary (GoodReads):
Stirring the flames of age-old controversies, The Eighth Scroll by Laurence B. Brown draws on the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to create an unbelievably dynamic and powerful story. Set in a world that teeters between orthodoxy and heresy, this thriller is packed with intrigue and adventure. When a Roman Catholic scholar involved in the Dead Sea Scrolls Project hides one of the scrolls because of the heretical message it contains, no one is the wiser until decades later, when a prominent archeologist discovers reference to the scroll in an archeological dig. This discovery spurs the world religions into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, in which all who seek the hidden scroll are mysteriously silenced, leaving the salvation of humankind to a father and son, who must either find the hidden scroll . . . or die trying.

My Say:
Yeah, I think he has things that is similar to the non other Mr. Dan Browm. However, this author also has his own style of writing. It's so complicated and sometimes I need to turn to previous pages so that I cant recall or see a better picture of it. Not because I'm having short-memory but it's tricky when it comes to history, myths and religions. But the book is not as hard time as I had with Dan Brown's books, and you don't want to know I confused I am with his books because he is freaking genius! The author also has his good quality of being a good storyteller. I feel like the plot line was well-researched and the mysteries are so intriguing. I dont have a problem of any other religions even I am a Muslim/Islam. It did made me some thinking and kind of made me understand better and sometimes I felt how easy a writer can twist everything to make things spicy and interesting. Oh, maybe that's why we call it fictions! And the book is also packed with actions and adventures, and so many places mentioned! I say, anyone who loves a good mystery/thriller/suspense, to give the book a try. I did, and I like it.

Note: I received a copy of the book for an exchange of an honest review.