Cyn's Workshop
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Stories (368/0)
Review of ‘The Circus Rose’
Synopsis From a New York Times best-selling author, a queer retelling of "Snow White and Rose Red" in which teenage twins battle evil religious extremists to save their loves and their circus family. YA fantasy perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Mackenzi Lee, and Laini Taylor. Twins Rosie and Ivory have grown up at their ringmaster mother's knee, and after years on the road, they're returning to Port End, the closest place to home they know. Yet something has changed in the bustling city: fundamentalist flyers paper the walls and preachers fill the squares, warning of shadows falling over the land. The circus prepares a triumphant homecoming show, full of lights and spectacle that could chase away even the darkest shadow. But during Rosie's tightrope act, disaster strikes. In this lush, sensuous novel interwoven with themes of social justice and found family, it's up to Ivory and her magician love--with the help of a dancing bear--to track down an evil priest and save their circus family before it's too late.
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks
Review of 'Rage and Ruin'
Synopsis Half-angel Trinity and her bonded gargoyle protector, Zayne, have been working with demons to stop the apocalypse while avoiding falling in love. The Harbinger is coming...but who or what is it? All of humankind may fall if Trinity and Zayne can't win the race against time as dark forces gather. As tensions rise, they must stay close together and patrol the DC streets at night, seeking signs of the Harbinger, an entity that is killing Wardens and demons with no seeming rhyme or reason. Forbidden to be with each other, Zayne and Trinity fight their feelings and turn to unusual sources for help--the demon Roth and his cohorts. But as deaths pile up and they uncover a sinister plot involving the local high school and endangering someone dear to Zayne, Trin realizes she is being led...herded...played for some unknown end. As anger builds and feelings spiral out of control, it becomes clear that rage may be the ruin of them all.
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks
Review of 'Dreamwalkers'
Synopsis Between working in her mom's (Tarot) shop and trying to graduate before her nine-year-old genius brother beats her to it, Vivian Night Hawk has only one escape from her tiny New Mexico town: the ability to control her dreams, a gift she inherited from her Apache father. But lately that control is slipping, stranding her in a nightmare that seems to follow her even when she's awake. When she finds a jacket she suspects belonged to her dead father, Vivi steps beyond her usual lucid dreaming and discovers the electrifying secret of Dreamwalking--the power to control the dreams of others. But with it comes a deadly menace: a top-secret CIA plot that threatens her brother, Brian. Sought out by fellow-dreamwalker Lucas, who is convinced their fathers are still alive, Vivi ventures deep into Dreamland to find a way to protect Brian. As the bond between Vivi and Lucas ignites, the conspiracy linking them together closes in, and Vivi must unlock the darkest power of all-a power that begins with her father's quiet words: Walk with me.
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks
Review of ‘Sword of Light’
Synopsis "You must find the four Keys to keep our worlds from burning..."Andie didn't expect to be orphaned, and she doesn't want to leave the only house she ever lived in. No parents, no Nan, no one but Anne, a weird woman who carries on conversations with old books and empty purses. When Anne drops her off at her new home in a small town in The Middle of Nowhere, Texas, Andie is at a loss. Her new guardian, Celeste, claims to have been a lifelong friend of her nan, and is one eccentric figure among many others who live in the small town, all of whom seem to know something that Andie doesn't... One evening, when the woods behind Celeste's house spirit her away, Andie discovers a secret so incredible she can scarcely believe it: she's half-Fae, half-Witch, and it's her destiny to find the four Keys that will save the Tuatha De Danann from annihilation. Worlds collide when two of her new friends from school, the sweet, helpful Teagan and the rude bad boy Hunter, join her on her journey to reach the mysterious place known only as Finias. There; they'll find the first Key: the Sword of Light. As they flee the wicked Fomorians and do battle with the Witch Freya, Andie and the boys forge new alliances and make some more adversaries. Will Andie and her friends rise to the challenge, or is the magical realm as good as gone already?
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks
Review of 'Star Daughter'
What a compelling novel. Star Daughter is reminiscent of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust as it follows Sheetal as she embarks on a journey to the celestial court to save her father. Imbued with Hindu mythology, the story is filled with magic and wonder as it offers readers a brilliant read.
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks
Review of 'Outrun the Wind'
Synopsis The Huntresses of Artemis must obey two rules: never disobey the goddess, and never fall in love. After being rescued from a harrowing life as an Oracle of Delphi, Kahina is glad to be a part of the Hunt; living among a group of female warriors gives her a chance to reclaim her strength. But when a routine mission goes awry, Kahina breaks the first rule in order to save the legendary huntress Atalanta. To earn back Artemis's favor, Kahina must complete a dangerous task in the kingdom of Arkadia-where the king's daughter is revealed to be none other than Atalanta. Still reeling from her disastrous quest and her father's insistence on marriage, Atalanta isn't sure what to make of Kahina. As her connection to Atalanta deepens, Kahina finds herself in danger of breaking Artemis's second rule. She helps Atalanta devise a dangerous game to avoid marriage, and word spreads throughout Greece, attracting suitors to go up against Atalanta in a race for her hand. But when the men responsible for both the girls' dark pasts arrive, the game turns deadly.
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks
Review of 'Vicious Spirits'
Vicious Spirits is an incredible sequel that expands upon the folklore that started this series. However, this scope of this novel has expanded by adding in Junu’s and Somin’s perspectives of the novel. These additions add more richness to the novel, allowing the depth between the dynamics to grow.
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks
Review of 'A Curse of Gold'
A Curse of Gold by Annie Sullivan is the second novel in her retelling series of the tale of King Midas. Now the first book was excellent, you can see the review here, but this novel surpasses its predecessor in some ways because it delves deeper into Greek Mythology.
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks
Review of ‘The Obsidian Tower’
Synopsis One woman will either save an entire continent or completely destroy it in a captivating epic fantasy bursting with intrigue and ambition, questioned loyalties, and broken magic. "Guard the tower, ward the stone. Find your answers writ in bone. Keep your trust through wits or war--nothing must unseal the door." Deep within Gloamingard Castle lies a black tower. Sealed by magic, it guards a dangerous secret that has been contained for thousands of years. As Warden, Ryxander knows the warning passed down through generations: nothing must unreal the Door. But one impetuous decision will leave her with blood on her hands--and unleash a threat that could doom the world to fall to darkness.
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks
Review of 'Set Fire to the Gods'
Set Fire to the Gods blends Avatar: The Last Airbender and Gladiator to create something new and unique. Used together, the authors were able to create a novel that expands upon both. The gods of the elements have separated the world into countries they govern, but there are more than the four basic elements. These authors have also created two more: flora and beast talkers. It is interesting to see these additional elements and the exploration of this rare soul element. Giving the story these added elements gives the story the edge it needs to be genuinely compelling.
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks