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nikiflorica
- Jun 5, 2020
- 2 min
Romanov, by Nadine Brandes: Review
Ex-princess Anastasia "Nastya" Romanov is the last hope for her family. As the Russian Revolution drives the royals into Siberian exile, Nastya hides magical spells from the Bolsheviks that guard them, hoping they will be enough to deliver her family. But one Bolshevik knows her secret. And he is closing in. As the noose tightens around around the Romanovs, Nastya's only allies are her family, faith, and new, dangerous feelings for the Bolshevik guard who seems less Bolshevik
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nikiflorica
- May 22, 2020
- 2 min
Infernal Devices, by Philip Reeve: Review
Fifteen-year-old Wren Natsworthy has grown up in Anchorage, the Traction City-turned-static on the dead North American continent. Her parents, Tom Natsworthy and Hester Shaw, may be content with a quiet life after their years of adventure, but Wren is starving for an adventure of her own . . . and she doesn't think twice when one is offered. It seems so simple. A charming pirate. A task to steal a relic that no one is likely to miss. A simple transaction that could be Wren's
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nikiflorica
- May 8, 2020
- 1 min
A Time to Die, by Nadine Brandes: Review
Parvin Blackwater's Clock gives her little more than eighteen years to live, and at the last year mark, she knows she's wasted them. Desperate to do something meaningful before her Clock zeroes out, she dedicates herself to exposing the government's terrible treatment of Clockless citizens known as Radicals. But when Parvin herself is denounced as a Radical and given a death sentence—exile —her last six months are suddenly inflamed with purpose. Survive. Save lives. Make her
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nikiflorica
- May 1, 2020
- 4 min
Exclusive Interview with Artist Behind "Two Ways" Inktober Art
I hope you enjoy this exclusive interview with Brent Florica, the artist and author behind Sketchbook B and The King's Library! 1. Where did the inspiration for “Two Ways” originate? This was an Inktober piece from 2019, that started out as just black and white ink on paper. It sat that way for months until I recently put some colour on it and finished it off on my YouTube channel, Sketchbook B. The prompt word was “bait,” and the idea for this piece began to take shape prett
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nikiflorica
- Apr 24, 2020
- 1 min
Predator's Gold, by Philip Reeve: Review
Since the Traction City of London fell, Tom Natsworthy and Hester Shaw have lived happily for two years, flying the Bird Roads in their airship, the Jenny Haniver. After an attack by a mysterious society known as the Green Storm, they seek refuge in the north aboard the city of Anchorage, on route to the dead continent of North America. But plague-ravaged Anchorage is easy prey for the Predators of the north, especially when caught in the deadly throes of jealousy, deception,
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nikiflorica
- Feb 21, 2020
- 2 min
This Present Darkness, by Frank Peretti: Review
Ashton is a small town full of small-town people, the kind of place where life should be simple and neat. But to Hank Busche, the new young pastor of Ashton Community Church, the town is oppressed by a shadow, a growing suspicion and fear that is turning his congregation against him, and the townspeople against each other. Marshall Hogan, former big-city journalist, now editor of the Ashton Clarion, sees the encroaching darkness from a different angle: as an insidious conspir
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nikiflorica
- Jan 24, 2020
- 2 min
Thankful Thursday (except, you know, on a Friday)
Sorry, folks, I know I haven't been overly active in the blogging/social media world this week, but exams have thrown a wrench in my Heir of Ariad plans and, well, I've been just a tad pre-occupied. Fortunately, though, having written my first exam today, I have a plethora of blessings to be thankful for! Yes, I know it's not Thursday, but perhaps you'd like to join me in counting just a few of the blessings I've found to be noteworthy this week. 1. Those who are in semestere
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nikiflorica
- Nov 22, 2019
- 2 min
Friday Not-Fave: The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde
Dorian Gray is an exceptional young man who enamours everyone he meets with the air of innocence and purity belied by his beauty. And indeed, until he meets Lord Henry Wotton, he is boyishly innocent, the perfect subject for a perfect portrait that his artist friend, Basil, creates in his honour. But when Lord Henry informs him that his beauty will not last—that he is destined for inevitable age and ugliness—Dorian cannot bear the thought of the beautiful painting outlasting
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nikiflorica
- Oct 18, 2019
- 2 min
Enna Burning, by Shannon Hale: Review
After helping Isi of Kildenree to reclaim her title as Crown Princess, Enna, born and raised in the forest of Bayern, is craving excitement. So when her brother, Leifer, returns home one night having unlocked the secret of fire-speaking, Enna's fear of his new power is matched by fascination. When fire-speaking proves both powerful and deadly, Enna hears the call to discover its secrets and use its strength for good. But opening herself to a force as fierce and all-consuming
12 views0 comments
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