Book Review: A Whole New World

 Book Review: A Whole New World

By Liz Braswell 

What if Abu never stole the lamp from Jafar's cloak? What if Jafar summoned the Genie instead of Aladdin? 

In the retelling of the Disney classic, Aladdin, Jafar stole the lamp pushing Aladdin, Abu, and Carpet back into the cave of wonder. When he summons the Genie he uses his first two wishes to become sultan of Agrabah and the most powerful sorcerer in the world. After showing his power and capturing the people of Agrabah's favour, Jafar uses his third wish to make Jasmine fall deeply in love with him. But this is not in Genie's rules. After being refused, Jafar starts to look into how to over rule the Genie's rules: he can't make people fall in love with each other and he can't bring people back from the dead. 

During this time Jasmine escapes and is on the run. Finding the Street Rat she has previously met in the market place, together along with the other Street Rat's of Agrabah they build a rebellion against Jafar. With fear of what Jafar's actual third wish will be, the people of Agrabah go against the man they fear the most. 

A Whole New World is a twisted tale on the Disney classic, Aladdin. There are no songs and lot of this story is not considered "feel good". 

I love the movie Aladdin, while I was excited to read this retelling (with a twist) story I felt a little let down on the route this novel took. I like the idea that Jafar got the lamp first but after the first few chapters I'm not sure I enjoyed this novel as much as I hoped. 

But looking at this novel for what it is - I enjoyed the character development of Jasmine considering what happened to her during the course of this novel. I wish there was more with Aladdin and his mother in the novel as the first chapter was a flashback then we never really heard about her again. Even having an inside look to Jafar or the Genie's point of view would have given this an interesting spin. 

The thing I did really enjoy was the twist ending of Jafar's final wish and Jasmine's character outcome. 

I did think there are some questions to which age category this novel is written for, some scenes were darker for the audience I thought this book was for but the writing itself has a younger age in mind. 

I gave this novel a ⭐⭐⭐ review. Overall, I enjoyed this book for a retelling of one of my favourite Disney movies. 

Book Review: Almost Mortal

 Book Review: Almost Mortal

By Christopher Leibig

Sam Young, a successful defense attorney emerging as one of the top in his field. But there is more to Sam then meets the eye. He has an ability; his thought was they were always minor psychic abilities but they are much more than that. 

When an attractive nun, Camille, approaches him for his help to discover the identity of a local serial killer after they confessed to the churches pastor of the crime, Sam agrees. But this mystery is much more than just figuring out who the killer is. 

When Camille gives Sam an old journal that was mailed to the church, her belief if that it belongs to the serial killer and might him discover the identity. But what is really being hidden? An identity of a killer or something much bigger? 

A legal and supernatural thriller, what more do you want? Almost Mortal is the first novel in Leibig's newest series. While this book was released in May 2016, the sequel Almost Damned released April 2021. 

I like thriller novels so when I was emailed being asked this one and the sequel I immediately said yes. I did find some of this novel to be slower as it is setting up the characters and environment of the story. To my understanding, this novel is to set up the sequel which goes into a lot more detail. 

I did think this novel was well written and I am intrigued to see how the second novel in the series continues the story. 

I gave this novel a ⭐⭐⭐ review! While the mystery kept me interested, I did think some of the development was slow. 

I was sent a physical copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Almost Damned, the sequel to Almost Mortal was released April 2021. Review to come!

Book Review: All Fired Up

 Book Review: All Fired Up

By Sue Jaskula 

Christine knows something is wrong with her husband, David. When searching his desk she finds proof that not only is he having an affair but there is paperwork of different mortgages taken out on her, her father, and her best friend names. It looked like he was unfaithful and a scammer. 

That night after yelling at him to leave before going to sleep, Christine wakes to her house on fire. After getting out, the fire and police departments show to investigate. When Jake, Christine's best friend and a firefighter on the scene ensures that she's okay but it is then found out that David never made it out. 

While it looks like an accident, questions arise and it's determined that David did not die from the fire but was dead before the house went up in flames. 

With Christine being the number one suspect, she wants to find out what happened and clear her name before it's too late. 

All Fired Up is Sue Jaskula's debut novel. It starts immediately with Christine figuring out what her husband has been hiding and not long after the house is up in flames. Jaskula's takes no time to get right to the mystery which keeps the reader captivated. With back and forth questions on what happened and adding Christine's best friend, father and the additional emotions of grief, horror, and happiness this novel is a roller coaster. 

It was pretty easy to figure out who from the beginning however, I enjoyed Jaskula's writing style. I would have liked a little more character development earlier but overall I really liked this novel. 

I gave his novel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ review! Thank you Sue Jaskula for the advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review. 

Book Review: Every Step She Takes

 Book Review: Every Step She Takes

By K.L. Armstrong

Genevieve is being the person she always wanted to be. She lives in Rome, neighbours aren't noisy, everyone is nice, and no one knows her past. 

But one morning after leaving for a few hours Genevieve returns and notices her door unlocked, she remembers locking it before leaving but maybe she didn't. 

But after second guessing herself, she finds a package addressed to a Lucy... a name she hadn't heard in a very long time. 

Every Step She Takes, Genevieve has been trying to keep a low profile for the last ten years. She's made every decision to keep her secret hidden, until the day she returns home after getting groceries and the door she swore she locked was unlocked. Checking her apartment, nothing looks out of the ordinary except for the package sitting on her table with a name she hadn't seen for ten years. 

I found this novel to be a classic Kelley Armstrong, well written and interesting concept. Without giving too much away, the story was intriguing. I found some of Genevieve's decisions questionable and the ending was easy to guess. But overall, the characters were fun and the plot really made you feel for Genevieve's story and what happened to her. 

I gave this novel a ⭐⭐⭐⭐ review, the story and characters were likeable! I would highly recommend if you are looking for an easy, cozy read. 

Book Review: Go the Distance

 Book Review: Go the Distance

By Jen Calonita

Following the 1997 Disney movie, Hercules, Hercules has proved himself a true hero and returns to Mt. Olympus to reclaim his Godship. But Hercules decides to stay on Earth with his true love, Megara, until his father has something else to say. When Hercules states he will be staying on Earth because of a mortal, Zeus says no and tells Megara that she can not be with his son because of her mortality. 

While Hercules tries to plead with his father, Hercules' mother Hera has another plan. What if instead of Hercules returning to Earth, Meg becomes a God. Hera offers a quest to Meg, a quest to prove that she deserves to become a God along with the man who was about to give up everything for her. 

Meg agrees to Hera's terms but there is one catch: she has to save a soul from the underworld... the woman who the last love of her life left her for. 

Can Meg put her past behind her to be with her true love?

Disney's Hercules, is one of my favourite Disney movies of all time. When I was in pre-school I dressed up as Hercules for Halloween. And being twenty-eight years old, I still watch Hercules when I'm feeling in a Disney mood. So when I saw there was a novel continuing the story, I knew I had to add it to my list. 

Meg is a character who is sassy and loving. She gave up her soul to Hades, Lord of the Underworld, to save her boyfriends life. She risked her life for Hercules and is now proving herself to be worthy of Mt. Olympus. 

I really enjoyed this novel, it was fun and brings back all your favourite characters.

I gave this novel a ⭐⭐⭐⭐✯ (4.5) review, everything about this novel is just as loveable as the 1997 movie. I found the ending a little rushed but overall, highly recommend if you love Disney and need an easy and entertaining read.