The Review: Phoenix by Daccari Buchelli

   This novel takes place in Peradon, a land that consists of four realms. The Frost, Air, Earth, and Flame. Violetta lost her mother and brother in a tragic accident, leaving her and her father, the King, in despair. Her 15^th birthday seems to sneak up on the young princess and before she knows it, her father announces she is to seek out a potential husband. Her father expects her to pick any young suitor other than the son of the cruel, deceased Frost Emperor, Ryore. The young emperor has however set his sights on the Princess. When a party invitation arrives for Violetta, the King’s expectations and reputation is put at risk. The realms carry many secrets but dark accusations arise. Could it be possible that Violetta’s mother and brother didn’t just die in a freak accident but were targeted? 

   Phoenix is the kind of novel that by the end of it, you’re wishing for a second installment. Character depth and a great plot is something Buchelli did a fantastic job at. In the first chapter or so I found it hard to follow because I wasn’t sure what the setting was but by the end of the second chapter I was hooked. This is a ride you definitely want to get in on and experience for yourself. 

   Until Next Time...
   -Fiction Book Reviewer

The Review: The Black Spaniard: Revolution Begins Within by Linda Brown Holt

The Black Spaniard takes place mostly in Vienna, Austria and immerses you in the 18th and 19th century. This historical fiction introduces Luis van Beethoven, a young, dark-skinned, talented pianist  who struggles with not only his own genius but living in a white man's world. The story stays true to Ludwig van Beethoven's slow deterioration of his hearing and this novel takes you into the mind of a gifted musician who slowly loses the ability to hear the one thing he loves the most. Many well-known individuals made an appearance and it was interesting to see how Luis interacted with them throughout the book. The dialog in these pages perfectly fit into the time this story takes place and the musical terminology, impeccable. The Black Spaniard is a wonderful twist to a fiction based on history and the imagery was great. There was one section that stood out to me and I absolutely loved it.

 "His self-confidence, already high, had shot through the roof, and there was no more holding him back than trying to stuff the wild unruly spirits back into Pandora's treasure chest. There was  no thought for tomorrow, and no regard for yesterday."

The Black Spaniard, though fiction, gives a unique insight into one of the most influential people in the Western art music; leading the way from the Classical to the Romantic era.

Until Next Time...
-Fiction Book Reviewer

The Review: The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

   The Butterfly Garden starts off with a young girl in a cold interrogation room and the FBI agents, Special Agent Victor Hanoverian and Brandon Eddison who are assigned to this case are just agents to think she may have had a hand in this sick and twisted crime. Maya slowly opens up about what happened in the Garden and eventually how she got there in the first place. It is soon discovered that Maya’s name is actually Inara. She has had a rough upbringing that may have been one of the many reasons she seems so calm and collected after witnessing such horrors from the Gardener. Throughout the novel, many gruesome events are revealed and enough twists and turns to give you whiplash. What else happened in the Garden and can any of the surviving young girls really be saved?

   This novel is one of the best crime pieces I have read in a very long time and kept me interested throughout. I grew to love each and every one of the characters and felt absolutely devastated when more information came to light. I recommend this book to anyone who loves in depth crime books with plenty of mystery. 10/10

Until Next Time…

~Fiction-Book-Reviewer