JASMINE's THOUGHTS on Once Upon a Realm by Mary Ting

Genre:

Upper Young Adult

Fantasy/Romance

Action/Adventure

Series:

Once Upon a Legend, #3

Publish Date:

September 20, 2024

Cover Designed by:

Covers by Christian

Synopsis:

New allies and unexpected heroes will rise.

The cost of Idrisa from saving her world from dark magic is high. She must return to Dumonia, the very empire she vowed never to go back, and destroy The Tree of Life and Death. But her plan fails when Ravana intercedes and unleashes her creatures.

No amount of preparation, weapons, or dragons will ensure their win unless Idrisa and Caliburn seals the rip in their sky, the very essences where dark magic began. As more secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested, and one way or another, an ending is on its way. Idrisa must give everything to save her world.

TROPES:

Arthurian

enemies to lover

found family

chosen one

      

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Once Upon a Legend series:

  

(covers link to Goodreads)

       

***FREE on Kindle Unlimited***

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**About the Author**

International Bestselling, Award-Winning Author Mary Ting writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers all over the world. Her books run a wide range of genres: science fiction, fantasy, and swoon worthy stories. Her storytelling talents have won her a devoted legion of fans and garnered critical praise. 

Mary was born in Seoul Korea and resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two dogs—Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Becoming an author was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, she retired from teaching. She also had the privilege of touring with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book: No Bullies Allowed.

Stay connected with Mary Ting

     
  

 

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*My Thoughts*

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

Wow! Oh my WOW! What a ride and rush! So much has happened since Once Upon a Legend, book 1, and, to come to the end like it did! What a journey/quest these characters went through and endured! Whoa! I am still reeling with all the feels after closing the book! What a fascinating world Bestselling Author Mary Ting created! Well, I may be biased since I do love that King Arthur/Excalibur story/legend... Haha! But, wow! Just OMG Wow! 

So much development and discovery for all the characters! I loved that by the last book in this trilogy, secrets, truths, and mysteries were revealed... and questions were answered! Yep! Things that want to make you go... "Hmmm 🤔." Once Upon a Realm tied up everything that had occurred and revealed since the first book. The is definitely an imaginative and enchanting take on the origins of the Excalibur/King Arthur legend.

Yup! I am still reeling with the feels. So much so that I am pretty much speechless. Not much more I can say, other than just read this trilogy! Reading the Once Upon a Legend trilogy will definitely whisk any reader away to this magical world! It has magic, intrigue, mystery, action, adventure, and a little bit of romance...Haha! Oh yeah! For sure, it is so good! So worth the read! 😁

via GIPHY

My rating:

JASMINE's THOUGHTS on Enders by Lissa Price

The thrilling end to the questions raised in Starters is here.

Genre:

Young Adult Sci-Fi/Dystopian Romance

Series:

Starters Duology

Publish Date:

January 7, 2014

Publisher:

Delacorte Press

Synopsis:

Someone is after Starters like Callie and Michael—teens with chips in their brains. They want to experiment on anyone left over from Prime Destinations—Starters who can be controlled and manipulated. With the body bank destroyed, Callie no longer has to rent herself out to creepy Enders. But Enders can still get inside her mind and make her do things she doesn’t want to do, like hurt someone she loves. Having the chip removed could save her life—but it could also silence the voice in her head that might belong to her father. Callie has flashes of her ex-renter Helena’s memories, too . . . and the Old Man is back, filling her with fear. Who is real and who is masquerading in a teen body? No one is ever who they appear to be. Determined to find the Old Man to stop him, and grasping at the hope of a normal life for herself and her younger brother, Callie is ready to fight for the truth. Even if it kills her.

     

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**About the Author**

Lissa Price's debut novel Starters is an international bestseller published in over thirty countries. Dean Koontz called this YA futuristic thriller "a smart, swift, inventive, altogether gripping story." The LA Times said it is "Dystopian science fiction at its best." Starters was one of only four debuts on the Barnes & Noble Best Books of the Year for Teens List 2012. It won the Netherland's Crimzone Best YA Thriller Award and was a top ten favorite of 2012 in both Germany and France, beside books by J.K. Rowling and Toni Morrison.

Her name is pronounced LIH-suh.

Lissa Price lives in the foothills of Southern California with her husband and the occasional deer.

Stay connected with Lissa Price

Website

   

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***My Thoughts***

Well, that "cliffhanger" and questions that was left at the end of Starters, has been resolved....and, by no means, it was not a simple resolution! When I started reading Enders, it really didn't feel like a couple of years passed since Starters was released. Enders picked up where Starters left off. I felt the beginning was somewhat a refresh my memory of what happened in Starters, but, yet, was moving forward for Callie. However, other plot twists are revealed that made me think what's the truth and who's who? With all the "occupying" and plot twists, I was concerned that I would get confused with the storyline. Well...that concern faded with every turn of the page. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and in the end, I was seriously "holding my breath" every time Callie searched for answers to the many questions that consumed her.

Lissa Price intricately weaved multiple personalities into individual minds...as boasted about the chip that is in her head. I was unsure about being able to differentiate between actual dialogue and dialogue that occurred in Callie's head. However, Lissa did an amazing job with her character building that I wasn't confused when characters "occupied" Starter bodies. I could actually say that Callie has grown since her experience at Prime Destinations as a donor body for Enders.

Lissa Price definitely created an interesting and unique vision of a future that only specific age groups survived. Her world building and story is imaginative and unique which I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved her characters. Lissa's characters each have their own unique personalities. Each of these characters revealed a lot of growth in this sequel to Starters, especially Callie. Callie grew into a strong young woman who's fighting for her family, friends and her heart. I really enjoyed that Lissa's characters are intelligent and emotional. Enders was a suspenseful, action-packed, emotional rollercoaster ride in search of the truth.

Starters and Enders is definitely a different and interesting twist on a young adult sci-fi/dystopian novel.

My rating:

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Check out my thoughts on the first book Starters, here!