Tag Archives: Lit Chat

Book Reviews

Captivating from Beginning to End | Review of ‘Out of the Shadows’ (Shadowlands #1)

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By Cynthia Ayala

Out of the Shadows by Ashlee Nicole Bye
Huntuzie Press
Image Credit: Ashlee Nicole Bye

Death. So delicately controlled by reapers of The Order of Dark and Light, is being threatened by an ancient enemy, and in the hidden streets of the Shadowlands, no one is safe while darkness and light struggle against an enemy of power. For Sachi, it’s even harder. Following the death of her friend, Sachi has not been able to cope, especially once she sees him alive again, battling against a Reaper with the keys to her heart. Sachi shouldn’t be able to see them at all, the dead and mystical. She wants answers and is willing to do whatever it takes to get them. Even die…

Published May 4, 2017, by Huntuzie Press, Out of the Shadows
by Ashlee Nicole Bye is her debut novel following mystical elements familiar to young readers who read The Mortal Instruments.
 Continue reading Captivating from Beginning to End | Review of ‘Out of the Shadows’ (Shadowlands #1) →

Reading List

Weekly Reading List #91

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By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there readers. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. So it looks like I might have to take some time off from blogging. I have all these books, 2 are ARC’s and 2 are library books all set to expire in the next few weeks. Here’s hoping I’m able to get to them all. Man or man do I need a time-turner or what. Anyway, here’s hoping I don’t need to take time off for my reading. Although, I do love reading….
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Reading List

Weekly Reading List #90

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By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there readers. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. Haven’t had much time to read or edit this past week so I’ve fallen behind just a bit. But nothing to worry about, I’ll always find time to read, even if it’s only 20 pages a day. And I’ll always find some time to edit my novel. Anyway, see my weekly reading list right here. Happy reading!
 Continue reading Weekly Reading List #90 →

Book Reviews

A Breathtaking Ending | Review of ‘Vicious’ (Pretty Little Liars #16)

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By Cynthia Ayala

Vicious by Sara Shepard
HarperTeen
Image Credit: Goodreads

For years, Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Spencer have been terrorized by “A,” a mysterious figure who has harassed them, revealed all their secrets and even threatened their lives and the lives of their loved ones. But now the mystery is over. They know A is the real Alison who. through a vicious scheme, has placed them in jail. In the final fight for their lives, some will leave broken, some will fight until the very end. One things for certain, this is the end of the Pretty Little Liars.

Published December 2, 2014, by HarperTeen Vicious by Sara Shepard is the final novel in her bestselling Pretty Little Liars series where young adult meets mystery.
 Continue reading A Breathtaking Ending | Review of ‘Vicious’ (Pretty Little Liars #16) →

Reading List

Weekly Reading Post #89

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By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there readers. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. It’s been a nice week. I had four days off from work but then I worked all weekend, which is fair, and I don’t mind working the weekends, there’s more energy on the weekends. It’s crazy sure, but time also just flies by. Been working on my business plan with my mom for “Dragin Pub House”. Can’t reveal everything about it but the title is a pun. I have quite the affinity for puns. Anyway, since it’s been pretty easy going of late (minus the bouts of insomnia) I’ve been able to catch up on my reading, editing, and writing. Love it! So check out this week’s reading list. Hope something catches your eye here, Happy reading.
 Continue reading Weekly Reading Post #89 →

Book Reviews

Good but Beginning to Drag | Review of ‘Yellow Brick War’ (Dorothy Must Die #3)

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By Cynthia Ayala

Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige
HarperCollins
Image Credit: Goodreads

Amy Gumm was swept up in a tornado just like Dorothy Gale. A higher power swept her up to destroy Dorothy and her close friends who let the power and magic of Oz corrupt them. No longer is Oz the vibrant place, now it’s a dark place full of monsters and danger. And Amy too is in danger of becoming one of those monsters. An assassin who has failed, Amy must find the light buried deep inside her to keep herself and her friends safe from Dorothy’s wrath and her own.

Published March 15, 2016, by HarperCollins Yellow Brick War
by Danielle Paige is the third in her young adult series about Amy Gumm and her trials in Oz against the wicked witch Dorothy of Kansas.
 Continue reading Good but Beginning to Drag | Review of ‘Yellow Brick War’ (Dorothy Must Die #3) →

Reading List

Weekly Reading List #87

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By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there readers! Guess who is finally a graduate of Emerson College! This girl! Boy was it cold, and wet, lots of rain in Boston this past weekend. My mom and grandmother took so many pictures of me and Dennis Lehane was my commencement speaker, which was super cool btw. Anyway, it was tons of fun I just wished my uncle, aunt and fiancé had been there with me, but I’ll see them soon enough. On the bright side on the 21-hour drive I took back home with my mom (because we were moving furniture back to FL from BOS) I got a lot of reading done. So check out this week’s reading list. Happy reading!
 Continue reading Weekly Reading List #87 →

Book Reviews

Unfortunately Forgettable | Review of ‘Before the Claiming’ (Beautiful Creatures: The Untold Stories #3)

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By Cynthia Ayala

Before the Claiming by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Image Credit: Goodreads

“When Lena was a baby, Seer and gifted card reader Amma Treaudeau saw a terrifying future in the cards that sent her to Emmaline’s door. When a powerful Dark Caster sets fire to Lena’s house with baby Lena and her father trapped inside, Amma, Emmaline, and Macon vow to protect the child. Lena’s grandmother and her Uncle Macon whisk Lena away, protecting her and moving her to a new place at the first sign of trouble. But a Caster can only hide for so long, and Macon must rely on the teachings in an ancient book to control his Dark nature. Ultimately, it will be his job to protect Lena–and keep her from surrendering to a Dark fate.” (Goodreads)

Published October 13, 2015, by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Before the Claiming by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl is a young adult novella that revisits some of the pivotal moments that would end up defining Lena’s future.
 Continue reading Unfortunately Forgettable | Review of ‘Before the Claiming’ (Beautiful Creatures: The Untold Stories #3) →

Book Reviews

Thought Provoking & Challenging | Review of ‘Jurassic Park’ (Jurassic Park #1)

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By Cynthia Ayala

Jurassic Park by Micheal Crichton
Ballantine Books
Image Credit: Goodreads

“A billionaire has created a technique to clone dinosaurs. From the DNA that his crack team of scientists extract, he is able to grow the dinosaurs in his laboratories and lock them away on an island behind electric fences, creating a sort of theme park. He asks a group of scientists from several different fields to come and view the park, but something goes terribly wrong when a worker on the island turns traitor and shuts down the power.” (Goodreads)

Published December 1991 by Ballantine Books Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton is the classic novel that spawned a franchise about dinosaurs and the will of man.
 Continue reading Thought Provoking & Challenging | Review of ‘Jurassic Park’ (Jurassic Park #1) →

Reading List

Weekly Reading List #86

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By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there avid readers! Can’t stay to chat its graduation day! Woo! I’m so excited, I’m so excited, I’m finally done with school. Woo! Now I just have to make it across the stage without tripping. Wish me luck and happy reading! Continue reading Weekly Reading List #86 →