#nikiflorica

Between Burning Worlds, by Jessica Brody & Joanne Rendell: Review

nikiflorica

Aug 22, 2020
2 min

Between Burning Worlds, by Jessica Brody & Joanne Rendell: Review

Laterre is a planet on the brink of explosion. Unrest is mounting in the impoverished Third Estate, the Patriarche's attempts to smother it growing increasingly brutal. From this toxic atmosphere, a new threat is rising that may prove more deadly than any rebel force yet. Caught up in the brewing storm are three unlikely moving pieces. Chatine—a prisoner entangled in the rebellion by an unlikely rescue mission. Marcellus—a traitor who knows better than anyone how ruthless the

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Sky Without Stars, by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell: Review

nikiflorica

Aug 1, 2020
2 min

Sky Without Stars, by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell: Review

On the planet of Laterre, the oppressed Third Estate lives to provide for the privileged higher classes beneath a sky that never clears. Unrest is kept in check by the ruling Second Estate and their propaganda: "honest work for an honest chance." All Chatine wants is a ticket off this planet to a better life somewhere in the galaxy. Her opportunity arrives in the form of Marcellus Bonnefaçon—a young officer who is beginning to question everything the Second Estate stands for.

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nikiflorica

Jul 28, 2020
2 min

Never Never Forget

I don't know where it came from—ask my family, and they won't know either—but growing up has always been a terrifying concept to me. Trading in childhood's imagination and freedom and wonder for responsibility, stress, and decision-making seems like a lousy deal. Peter Pan would agree. But that's what makes visiting with my little nieces and nephew so incredible: all of that wonder and freedom and imagination is right there in front of me, sparkly-new and beautiful as ever. I

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Looking for Clean Fantasy? You and Me Both.

nikiflorica

Jul 23, 2020
2 min

Looking for Clean Fantasy? You and Me Both.

As someone who is constantly on the hunt for clean fantasy, there's nothing quite like those "Eureka!" moments when I stumble on a gem. 2020 has been a fantastic year for reading, not only because I've had more time, but because I've been more deliberate in narrowing my search. In the past, my strategy has been to pick up popular fantasy titles, start reading, then abort when they failed to meet any kind of clean standard. A flawed system—not only because I was expecting a tr

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nikiflorica

Jul 18, 2020
2 min

Wonder, by R.J. Palacio: Review

Fifth grade is a challenge for any normal kid, but ask Auggie Pullman and he would tell you that he is far from normal. Born with a facial anomaly that has subjected him to a cycle of surgeries for as long as he can remember, he's been homeschooled all his life and is almost accustomed to life with an extraordinary face. It isn't until Beecher Prep middle school that Auggie begins to understand the massive potential of his fellow fifth-graders for cruelty. It takes time, brav

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nikiflorica

Jul 15, 2020
2 min

On Guard! A Fib To Watch For in Fiction

Last night, somewhere around midnight, I finished a YA fantasy duology that proved disappointing. Despite engaging writing, a unique concept, and really solid characters, I was unbalanced by the overarching message of moral relativity that seemed to come out of left field. Essentially, at the end of the first book, the reader is told that life and its choices are not black and white, but a spectrum of all the shades of grey in between. And while it's true that every choice ca

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nikiflorica

Jul 13, 2020
2 min

Need a Reason to Rejoice? Keep Reading.

Tackling new or overwhelming undertakings in our lives can be exciting, but it can also be laden with baggage—fear and uncertainty, doubt an

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nikiflorica

Jul 9, 2020
2 min

Because Prayer Works

Prayer works. Not always in the ways we expect, not always in the cookie-cutter outcomes we may look for, but God and His Holy Spirit are co

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nikiflorica

Jul 7, 2020
2 min

Self-Hatred: That Dark Indulgence

To indulge, by definition, is to "allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of" something. And it really can be anything. We tend to think of it in terms of chocolate or entertainment, but the rules are much broader than that. In fact, we can indulge in things that, on the surface, may seem completely unpleasant. Self-hatred is one of them. In a recent Sarah Young devotion on judging, I was struck hard with a warning against "indulg[ing] in self-hatred." It may seem counter-intuiti

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nikiflorica

Jul 1, 2020
3 min

Here in the Land of the Living

We already know that getting through this life with our faith intact means eternal life, joy, and ecstasy in heaven. But God doesn't just da

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A Darkling Plain, by Philip Reeve: Review

nikiflorica

Jun 27, 2020
2 min

A Darkling Plain, by Philip Reeve: Review

London has been a ruin for decades, but when Tom and Wren Natsworthy discover rumours of stirrings in the wreckage, they can't resist an investigation into Tom's long-abandoned home. What they discover in the ruins may be the hope for London's future, and when a powerful weapon is turned upon the entire human race, it may be the hope for the world's future as well. Living divided adventures, Hester and Tom are once again caught in the throes of the ongoing Traction war, but o

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The Importance of Peace: Why Do We Need It?

nikiflorica

Jun 23, 2020
3 min

The Importance of Peace: Why Do We Need It?

Peace comes from Christ. It's not something we can manufacture for ourselves, though we still must be proactive and cooperative with God's w

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nikiflorica

Jun 15, 2020
3 min

Revive Us Again

I've been reading through the book of Acts, and while it's impossible not to be inspired by the passion of the first Christians, I've also found myself struggling. Not with the message or the dedication of the apostles, but with the discrepancy between their time and ours. With the fiery presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives—the filling of the Holy Ghost that takes place so often in Acts and brings forth incredible fruits of repentance and salvation. I had to look at mys

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nikiflorica

Jun 11, 2020
1 min

60 Seconds of Solid Gratitude—GO!

Despite the mountain of bookish research I could be doing at present, I'm taking a brief respite to enjoy this fine Thankful Thursday morning, and to draw a deep breath of gratitude before plunging into the grind. Have a stressful day ahead? Feel free to join me! I promise, it'll only take a minute. This week, I know exactly what I'm thankful for: unexpected encouragement and guidance from a new friend God brought into my life days ago. At a time of stress and confusion in wh

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nikiflorica

Jun 9, 2020
2 min

A Tribute to Papa

Having been moved to a home not two months ago, my Papa passed peacefully last night in the company of caring and dedicated staff, to all of

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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

Jun 1, 2020
2 min

Sealed in His Name

There is something so nostalgic about snail mail. A couple days ago, I received a card in the mail from a friend, and it just infused my day with that dose of encouragement I can always use more of! Being the creative gal she is, she even sealed the envelope—as in, with a seal. A wax seal. I, for one, thought that was fantastic. I've always loved the idea of having my own seal. There's something so official and authoritative about it. It's not just a symbol: it's a declaratio

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nikiflorica

May 28, 2020
2 min

For Lack of Spare Minutes

When time slows down, it gives us a breath to slow down with it and savour our circumstances. To look at the little things and see what we may otherwise have glossed over for lack of spare minutes, or for lives packed to maximum capacity. When time slows down, suddenly we have minutes in abundance. Suddenly we can spend time together doing nothing but being together; we can climb a tree or lay in the grass and stare up at the sky just thinking and praying and feeling God's Pr

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nikiflorica

May 26, 2020
2 min

Wait for It, Wait for It . . .

"Waiting" carries so many connotations—tension, expectation, worry, time, patience, impatience, hope, fear—but if we're being completely honest with ourselves, it usually isn't a discipline that comes easily or enjoyably to us. It's true that waiting, at times, can make the final product sweeter: waiting for a wedding day, for example, or waiting for the ability to go to the grocery store and take as much time as you need to get whatever you need whenever you need. In that wa

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Infernal Devices, by Philip Reeve: Review

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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NIKI FLORICA

The Quiet Quill