New Book Reviews Blog Pages

Blue Sun by Tracy Abrey

blue sun tracy, tracy abrey, YA urban fantasy, YA novel, isle of man, isle of man book, manx fiction
Review 
“Blue Sun,” by Tracy Abrey, is a YA urban fantasy novel about a teenager whose world is turned upside down when she moves to the Isle of Man.

She expects challenges adjusting to the new environment, but she never could have imagined the adventure that awaits her, involving danger, mystery, and mysticism.

The main character, Genny, moves to the Isle of Man for her last year of high school, although she’s already been accepted to the nuclear science and engineering program at MIT.

Abrey employs powerful, first-person writing to put the reader in Genny’s head as she navigates the twists and turns of the plot. With lots of descriptive figurative language, Abrey draws the reader into a plot that builds dramatically all the way to its climax.

One of my favorite things about the book is Genny. She’s a well-rounded character who has her flaws but is able to rise to the occasion with determination.

If you’re a fan of YA fantasy, then “Blue Sun” is a recommended read!

More Information
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The Virgin of the Wind Rose by Glen Craney

glen craney, virgin of the wind rose, historical thriller, historical fiction, Christopher Columbus mystery, Christopher Columbus book
Review
Glen Craney's "The Virgin of the Wind Rose" is a mystery-thriller that grips you from the beginning and doesn't let you go until the very end.

The story follows Jaqueline Quartermane (Jaq), a lawyer with the State Department, as she searches for answers after stumbling into a mystery that ultimately uncovers deep secrets about Christopher Columbus himself.

Having grown up on a farm in eastern Kentucky, the State Department is foreign to the recently hired Jaq, but with perseverance, she manages to catch herself up to speed, quickly learning the lingo and culture of her position. What she lacks in experience, she makes up for with a sharp wit and unyielding determination.

"The Virgin of the Wind Rose" opens with a boy exploring a subterranean church in Ethiopia and making a startling discovery related to the biblical Adam. Craney does an excellent job of pushing the story forward by shifting the plot between different time periods and regions, from Yemen to Portual to Washington D.C. and more.

Craney manages to weave together history, fiction, and religion with writing that is descriptive yet concise, pulling you deeper into the story with every page.

"The Virgin of the Wind Rose" is a must-read for any fan of historical thrillers!

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