Review Tales
Trusted Reviews and Author Features Since 2016
The Body Image Blueprint by Jenny Eden Berk (Book Review #163)
This review was kindly requested by Jenny E. Berk.
The Body Image Blueprint is a self-help book written about body image. It discusses the challenges women face, in the world today and covers a broad and unique perspective on our culture obsessed with dieting.
Besides the fact that Jenny Berk is a Certified Eating Psychology Coach, Body image mentor, and an International speaker, she also has had her own struggle with the issue and therefore her book has a more personal approach.
The book contains conversations, discussions, interviews, techniques, and much more information regarding this serious matter.
I particularly liked the fact that Jenny specializes on binge eating and discusses techniques on how to be mindful of your eating practices. I believe with all the diets and methods out there these days, it is very hard to figure out which one is going to work for you personally. However, Jenny makes sure that no matter what your trouble is, you can still benefit from this book.
Another special thing about this book is that it also provides stories and journeys of others just to make sure that the reader knows that they aren’t alone in this.
I found the literature to be easy to understand. The layout and structure of the book were pleasantly organized in a way that there was nothing confusing about it. The psychological fact and demeanor of the subject matter were also included in the content of the book making it suitable for any professional wishing to add it to their reading list. I believe the author has taken a decent amount of time creating this book and her hard work has paid off.
I recommend this book to anyone that wishes to read more on body image and is struggling to deal with the issue.
Written by Jeyran Main
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Assassin (Starlight #1) by Dori N. Hoxa (Book Review #148)
This review was kindly requested by Dori Hoxa.
Assassin is the first book of the starlight saga which is a science fiction story written about a girl named Star Watson. She is an ordinary teenager with even more ordinary dreams. However, someone places something really important in her mind without her knowing, placing herself and her family in danger while making her “The Keeper.”
“I hide in plain sight, do not speak. Do not seek. Do not think of The Unique. You shall only sneak a peek, do not ever let it leak.”
The Council’s Academy is situated in a world called Lyndor. It is run by fourteen of the strongest supernatural that govern over the shapeshifters, vampires, warlocks, Nephi’s and demons. They train Star to become an Assassin, and she begins to do the dirty work for them. The world is full of superpowers, immortals, and mortals with extraordinary abilities that walk on earth and are unknown to humans.
The Red Rebels are the ones causing the trouble. They are recruiting and killing the supernaturals. The Council believes that there is a mole in their department giving them top-secret information that is going to cause big problems. Star is sent on different missions to kill 21 rebels, however; as they die, the rebels tell her things that she begins to wonder what is going on.
The story consists with chapters that go back and forth explaining fours years ago and then returning to the present time, giving you a glimpse of how Star becomes an Assassin and what she is doing at present. I found this style of a layout to be very entertaining. Just when you thought that you were given enough information to figure Star out, you were taken back to the present and again back to four years ago. This kept me intrigued and made me want to know what happened in the past while I was waiting to read on the present.
The style of writing was very friendly, and the characters in the book were a shadow compared to Star, the lead character. The love and emotion she had for her family were portrayed very beautifully, and I found the plot to be very well put together.
Besides a few editing issues, I did not see any major faults in the book. I believe the author has great potential in writing stories in the same genre. The world setting and the descriptions were sufficient making the reader always aware of what was going on and keeping them interested in wanting to know more.
I recommend this book to everyone. You won’t regret reading this book.
Written by Jeyran Main
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South of Main Street by Robert Gately (Book Review #376)
I particularly liked how off Henry was. Sometimes in life, we get scolded for being different, and I did feel that Henry was one of them. His character and personality were created in a very unique way, and it was very easy to feel for him.
The story had a division amongst the people living on each side of the street. I enjoyed this contrast and believe that it brought more diversity towards the storyline.
The ending was foreseen, but that did not take away from enjoying this book. I believe anyone that likes to read fiction would appreciate this one.
Written by Jeyran Main
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The SilverFox’s Guide to Cocktails: A Spiritual Journey by Luke Thorpe (Book Review #143)
The Silverfox’s Guide to Cocktails is a non-fiction book written about everything you need to know regarding alcoholic beverages.
This book is, in fact, a collection of recipes for anyone that is looking to entertain and make excellent drinks. It discusses the techniques and types of drinks that are out there. It also informs you of what you need before you can even start making these alcoholic beverages.
The author even takes a step deeper and offers a more in-depth understanding towards the various types of glasses used for these drinks. Every type of drink has a historical reference to it, where it originated from and what the general norm is towards the subject. I found that to be very interesting and enjoyable to read. I believe in adding this kind of attention and depth towards a recipe book, provides the reader an education as well as enjoyment. The work also consists of drawings and illustrations, which I found to be another great example of the author demonstrating his care and love towards his book.
I think this book would be very suitable for people that drink and like to experiment, making their own Cocktails. The flow of relativity in retrospect of the content was easy and to the point. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Written by Jeyran Main
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Complicated Blue by P J Whittlesea (Book Review #140)
Complicated Blue is a fantasy novel based in a world where all witches are not created equal, and the dead roam the streets. It is a witch’s job to help the dead find what their purpose in life was so that they can finally rest and leave the world to the living.
Our lead character Anais Blue is a witch who is trapped in the body of a five-year-old girl. As frustrating as this sounds she is given the task of helping a ghost regain their identity. Anais needs to discover her companion’s secret and true purpose before it is too late. This story leads us on an exciting and sometimes comical journey inside the witching world.
I particularly liked how the prologue explains the witching world and lets the reader know some of the truths and fallacies that surround what duties and services witches actually provide in this world. Anais’ character is developed through time, and as the book continues, we learn more of our beloved witch. It is really hard to weave together a great story with both adventure and comedic intervals, but this author leaves us both spellbound and laughing in our seat.
I found the literary standard of the work to be of good quality. The chapters and the layout of the book were well put together, and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written fantasy novel.
Written by Jeyran Main
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Antitheus by G. A. Minton (Book Review #375)
The story is filled with a thriller, horror, suspense and an overwhelming amount of violence. It is the perfect recipe for someone that enjoys this particular genre. I found the literature to complement the several plot lines that were built into the story. There was a particular detailed descriptive writing, complementing the storyline which made it to be an excellent choice for a thrilling story.
I particularly enjoyed the cover of the book. The story reminded me of some of these games that are out there like “Diablo” or demons that are after nothing but destruction. It was very exciting to read and an enjoyable experience to encounter. I believe the author has a special touch in creating dark stories and is one to look out for.
It is definitely a good versus evil kind of story, and the ending does not disappoint. I trust fantasy readers would find this book to be very suitable.
Written by Jeyran Main
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We Won’t Forget You Mr. McGillicuddy by Ira L White (Book Review #157)
“I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars.”
This book was an “OnlineBookClub.org Book of the Day.”
We Won’t Forget You Mr. McGillicuddy is a fiction thriller story about Robert and his family. Robert’s wife has passed away. His father Gil is sick, and Robert retires to take care of him. The money he receives for retirement is not enough, and that causes stress and emotional strain on Robert. To make things worse, his daughter, Ruby drops a bombshell at his door. She is pregnant. Robert now has to take care of Ruby and his other daughter, as well as everything else. He begins to write a blog and by doing so reveals many insightful things about his life and his past. He does not realize that his blog becomes flagged and that is when their lives change.
I struggled at the beginning to get into the story. The pace was extremely slow, and I kept asking myself if it is going to get any better. Halfway through, the pace picked up, and that is when the plot was revealed. I then began enjoying reading the rest of the book.
The character building was written very well. The relationships between the family members were, I think, the best part of the book. The struggles a family faces were all authentic to what happens in real life. There were hardly any editing issues, which I found pleasing. The fact that a simple blog or in reality the content of a blog could cause so much friction in someone’s life was an intriguing proposition.
The ending of this book somewhat leaves you hanging and wondering what’s going to happen next. I am assuming that there is a sequel to this book. However, I failed to see a mention of it anywhere.
I recommend this book to people that like to read on political thrillers.
Written by Jeyran Main
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Rise of the Chosen by Anna Kopp (Book Review #156)
Rise of the Chosen is a young adult novel written about a girl named Sam. The world setting is in a way that when you die two things may happen. You either come back as The Woken, which have lost all sense of self and are driven by lust to kill, or you return as a The Chosen, gloriously selected with powerful abilities protecting the un-dead.
Sam’s father is a hero, so she has big shoes to fill. Sam works as a watch guard, which is a group, created to protect the living. Each category is identified based on the color of their eyes and most of them shine. People within the city are tagged and protected so that the woken do not get to them.
Something terrible happens to Sam, and that causes the general of the watch, to place her with the advanced team of the watch, lead by David. Sam begins to question things that she has been taught, and when she is kidnapped, things become even worse.
Although the book is not very long, it contained a full on, action packed story. The storyline is most spectacularly laid out, and the pace is fast. I found the literary standard to be pleasing and based on the content; it appeared to demonstrate that the author had done her research.
The main characters were developed with just enough backstory to allow the reader the satisfaction of bonding with them. However, the side players were not given enough room for growth. This did not harm any part of the book, however, if there is to be a sequel to the story then, the author may struggle including them. Sam was bisexual, and because of that, her dynamic relationships between the other characters generated an interesting edge to the plot.
I recommend this book to young readers and science fiction fans.
Written by Jeyran Main
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Carbon Run by Joe Follansbee (Book Review #374)
The living situation is not as easy. Most things are banned. People cannot leave their carbon footprint, have to recycle properly, and you most certainly cannot extinct a species. The situation is not as easy for Anne. However, Anne isn’t some helpless women. She is determined, and the love she has for her father is strong. The subject matter is on global warming and the effects of it. Environmental choices have consequences, and there is a whole governing body making sure that it is applied.
I particularly enjoyed the dynamic literature that existed within the content of the work. There is a special something with the way this author has cared for the environment and has created this sort of dilemma in his storyline, which in fact, is not so far from what is to happen in our near future.
The story isn’t just about Anne. There are other characters with their own environmental troubles, which happen to all meet towards the end. Justice is to be served but whether if it is the right way or not, is to be determined. The character development was sufficient in order to grab the readers emotions, and the world setting was believable since we currently are facing similar issues.
I believe anyone that enjoys good writing and a solid dystopian storyline would enjoy this book.
Written by Jeyran Main
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