Booked Panda Reviews

 The Hurricane Wars  by Thea Guanzon   Release Date: October 3, 2023 Genre: Romantasy Age Range: Adult Series: The Hurricane Wars Goodreads  Avg. Rating: 3.74 stars It's funny when I first read the description I was not interested much. Then when I read about it later I wondered if it was really the same description. Starting the book was a little confusing as it hit the ground running. I highly encourage the audiobook to know how to pronounce everything. The world-building in this series has the possibility to be great. We do not get a super high amount in this book though. It is mentioned that part of this is that so many records have been lost through the centuries. The main characters do not even have a good understanding of the past or their own abilities. Our story takes place on Lir (world) mostly on the Northern continent or the Dominion of Nenavar. There are magical beasts in Nenavar: such as dragons, tiny monkeys, and birds. While not seen much they do play a part in the

 Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim   Release Date: July 6, 2021 Genre: Fantasy Age Range: Young Adult Series: Six Crimson Cranes Goodreads  Avg. Rating: 4.22 stars At the start of the book, I was very unsure because of our main character. I was willing to keep going as this duology has received such praise. This book takes place in the kingdom of Kiata, which has an Asian-inspired culture. We begin at the capital city but will see a few other places through the book. The descriptions of each are quite well done. Here though behind the royal palace is the Holy Mountain. This is where the gods imprisoned all demons before leaving our world. The magic of the mountain is strong enough though to pull new demons into its depths even still. While we do not get to see the gods we do get to meet dragons. They are not often on land with mortals but one will be important to our main character. There are stories told throughout the book that give us a view of the people's beliefs. As for the

 When Stars Burn Out  by Anna Vera   Release Date: Nov. 15, 2015 Genre: Sci-Fi Age Range: New Adult Series: Europa Goodreads  Avg. Rating: 4.47 stars Pitched as a dystopian Sci-Fi with bits of horror this one was truly interesting. The description only added to the intrigue. Upon starting it I was quickly drawn in and didn't want to put it down. Unlike many Sci-Fi books, I would say this does have a level of world-building happening. In this, we are shown a different version of Earth, as well as the spaceship Ora. The story gives us glimpses of what has happened in the thirty years since the plague started. We are shown a different society in both places that operates on different rules. Aboard the Ora, everyone must have a Purpose. They are trained on this from infancy, only knowing this line of reasoning and believing themselves to be the saviors. The not quite a magic system because science, is that each of the specimens have a skillset. Through genetic modification, each member

  New Books Publishing Week of 11 December 2023 This week's list has ended up being a tad bit smaller. Also, it may be a bit Rom-Com heavy, but hopefully, you still find something cozy to curl up with this week. Sci-Fi Books 🚀 The Hard Switch  by Owen D. Pomery Publication Date: 12/15/2023 Subjects: Science Fiction, Graphic Novels & Comics, Fantasy & Horror Available at these retailers: Barnes & Noble            Amazon Description: Ada, Haika, and Mallic are on a mission . . . one last mission, before everything, everywhere shuts down. They’re raiding old, abandoned spaceships and wrecks for the (sometimes expensive) parts – and they make just enough money to get by. But living their nomadic, exploring life isn’t sustainable when they can’t afford fuel anymore. The time is coming when the mineral that makes inter-system jumps possible runs out. When it does, the scattered inhabitants of the vast galaxy will be stuck where they are. Everything will be different . . . un

 The Heiress  by Rachel Hawkins   Release Date: Jan. 09, 2023 Genre: Thriller Age Range: Adult Goodreads  Avg. Rating: 4.18 stars Thank you very much to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy to review. The description was interesting. With the cover, it seems that the publishers are sticking with a theme for all of Hawkins thriller titles. Having read a few of her books before I was optimistic that this one would go okay. That opening page of the book pulled me in. Now to write this out for you in a way that doesn't spoil the book. The Heiress takes place at Ashby House or the nearby town for the majority of the book. Then through different periods, we are shown other far-off locations. At Ashby House though there is the old money feel. There is an air of oppressiveness as well in the dark wood. Then the seclusion of the house being up on the mountain made it even easier for the family there to feel set apart from the rest of the world. At different points in the bo

The Christmas Star  by Kate Forster Release Date: Feb. 22, 2022 Genre: Romance Age Range: Adult Goodreads  Avg. Rating: 3.85 stars I found this while looking through Audible. It sounded like a fun short listen to put one in the Christmas mood. As this is a short audiobook this will probably have to be a shorter review. Most of this book takes place in London leading up to Christmas, with the last third of it in Cumbria on Christmas. Besides talks of decorations and gifts sprinkled in there isn't much Christmas. But this is a romance I suppose so we aren't supposed to want to focus there. I just wish we could have gotten more jolly feelings or descriptions. This book follows Julia Devine who is quite happy with her life in London. However, the bad relationship with her step-sister has escalated to causing tensions with her mother as well. Now she has already met Sam Hunter, who keeps getting mistaken for Hugo Turner famous actor, when her mother is questioning why she won't