Marie Sinadjan
Bio
Filipino spec fic author and book reviewer based in the UK. https://linktr.ee/mariesinadjan • www.mariesinadjan.com
Stories (171/0)
Book Review: Tales of Lunis Aquaria by Tessa Hastjarjanto
The sun is setting. The bright blue of the sky changes in a warm orange before it turns navy blue. Twilight slowly turns into night and the voices of the birds fade away. To the West, a moon shows itself, chasing away the clouds that block its light. The tree casts a shadow in the moonlight. On the other side of the tree another shadow appears. To the East, a second moon appears from behind the mountains. The reflection of light reveals the surface of the moons moves. It’s hypnotizing, how the moons seem to glitter. A meow comes from the bushes and a moment later a large feline with fur as dark as night sky jumps out. The silver spots on his fur have the same patterns as the stars above. The air behind the feline moves and changes color. The ethereal image of a woman appears without becoming solid. Her lips move as if she wants to say something. “Welcome to Lunis Aquaria.”
By Marie Sinadjan2 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: Gaia's Revenge by J.A. Browne
“Have we weakened Gaia so much that she has become a target for annihilation? My heart suddenly feels twice its weight…For the first time ever, I hate the fact that I am human.” Gaia, the Mother of All Nature has been poisoned. Her fevers are wreaking havoc and mass destruction across the worlds. Hannah has discovered a destiny she knew nothing about. A sacred bloodline under threat. Now, she’ll discover a world and a heritage she could never have imagined. As the heiress to Gaia and with growing power it falls to her and the Elementals, Constance, Jack and Harriet to save Gaia and all of life itself. But Hannah has a terrifying realisation: Gaia will stop at nothing to get her revenge… Perfect for fans of The Girl of Ink and Stars, Harry Potter and His Dark Materials.
By Marie Sinadjan2 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: One Eye Opened In That Other Place by Christi Nogle
One Eye Opened in That Other Place collects Christi Nogle’s best weird and fantastical stories. The collection focuses on liminal spaces and the borders between places and states of mind. Though you might not find a traditional portal fantasy here, you will travel across thresholds and arrive at other places and times that are by turns disquieting, terrifying, and wonderful. Get up close with the local flora and fauna, peruse the weird art exhibits and special shows, and consider taking a dip in the mossy, snail-filled tank of water. Make sure to bring your special glasses This new collection will appeal to readers of Jeff VanderMeer, Charles Wilkinson, Steve Rasnic Tem, M. Rickert, Lynda E. Rucker and Stephen King’s novel Lisey’s Story.
By Marie Sinadjan2 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: Winter Harvest by Ioanna Papadopoulou
When her beloved daughter Kore vanishes, Demeter is distraught. Suspecting betrayal and mistrusting of her family, she searches across the world, unable to come to terms with such a loss. But Demeter is one of the original goddesses of Mount Olympus, and a force not to be underestimated. She is determined that she will find her daughter, even if it means destroying humanity in the process. Winter Harvest is a brand-new, dark reimagining of the tale of Demeter and Persephone by Greek author Ioanna Papadopoulou. Steeped in lore and with a deep understanding of the many different facets of Demeter’s personality, this retelling will change your perspective on one of the most well-known stories of Greek mythology.
By Marie Sinadjan2 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson
On a remote Scottish island, fourteen-year-old Max’s life changes forever when he loses his hearing in a boating accident. Struggling to make sense of his new life and finding it hard to adapt in school, he begins to notice other — even stranger — changes taking place when a new wind farm appears off the island’s coast. With the help of three school friends with additional support needs, Max discovers that a sinister scientist, Doctor Ashwood, is using wind turbines to experiment on the islanders. They must find a way to shut down the government’s secret test before it spins out of control.
By Marie Sinadjan2 months ago in BookClub
Audiobook Review: Heir of Crowns and Curses by Rachanee Lumayno
Kidnapping. Curses. Trying to stop a magical cult from taking over the world. No one told me this was what being a godparent would be like. No one is more surprised than me when I get the request: "Rhyss, we would be honored if you would stand as Coran's godfather." For this happy-go-lucky mercenary, it's not the sort of thing I get asked often. Or would even want to do. But you don't say no to your best friends, who also happen to be the King and Queen of Calia. Even if saying yes means pledging my life and protection to their newborn son, the Crown Prince Coran. At the dedication, my new vow is immediately tested when the baby is stolen away by a secret society. Now I, along with Farrah, another dear friend, must cross a haunted forest and deal with pirates in the seedy kingdom of Bomora. My former home. Where I have to face the demons of my past. Before they unleash an ancient magic that could destroy all of the Gifted Lands. Should be easy. Right? Journey to the Gifted Lands, a fantasy world of seven kingdoms, each known for their own unique power or ability. Heir of Crowns and Curses is the fourth book in the Kingdom Legacy series set in this magical world. Each book features a character from one of the kingdoms, with appearances from beloved characters from previous novels.
By Marie Sinadjan2 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: The Wishing Well by Elena Shelest
On the midsummer celebration of Ivana Kupala, the villagers know to stay away from the water. Danger lurks in the rivers and lakes as myths come to life. But for Luyba, her father's well is the only source of comfort. There she makes a desperate wish to save her childhood friend Danylo from certain death. Will the magic of this day help or take them deeper into troubled waters? How far would they go for each other?
By Marie Sinadjan2 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: The Djinn's Apple by Djamila Morani
Historical fiction meets crime fiction in The Djinn’s Apple, an award-winning YA murder mystery set in the Abbasid period—the golden age of Baghdad. A ruthless murder. A magical herb. A mysterious manuscript. When Nardeen’s home is stormed by angry men frantically in search of something—or someone—she is the only one who manages to escape. And after the rest of her family is left behind and murdered, Nardeen sets out on an unyielding mission to bring her family’s killers to justice, regardless of the cost… Full of mystery and mayhem, The Djinn’s Apple is perfect for fans of Arabian Nights, City of Brass, and The Wrath and the Dawn.
By Marie Sinadjan2 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: Hannah and the Hollow Tree by J.A. Browne
What if you were given a choice... to save the Mother of All Nature... or Become Her? Awoken in the middle of the night by an alarming phone call, Hannah and her mum, Caroline rush to the bedside of Eleanor, Hannah's estranged Grandmother. One of them has been lying to Hannah and one has been keeping a magical, but dangerous secret. With deadly forces aligning to destroy the Mother of All Nature's bloodline, Hannah is rushed to the safety of the Hollow Tree. But will she make it in time. And can a mysterious silverback fox keep her alive long enough to save not just the world we know... but the one we don't...
By Marie Sinadjan2 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession by Jake Kendall
Spanning three hundred years of art history, The Vanitas & Other Tales of Art and Obsession tells the stories of those with an insatiable hunger for creation – those who may sacrifice friendships, careers, romance, and even their own happiness in pursuit of a vision. Weaving art styles such as Cubism, Surrealism, and the Baroque into his prose, Jake Kendall has crafted a vivid and inventive collection. Each story is complemented by a black and white illustration, drawing out the visually evocative nature of the writing and offering readers a unique artistic delight.
By Marie Sinadjan2 months ago in BookClub
Adiel and the Führer by Elyse Hoffman
A chance to prevent the rise of Hitler… but at what cost? Adiel Goldstein has a good life. Despite the anti-Semitism he faces as a German Jew, he has everything he wants. A dream job as an art professor, good friends, a loving father, and a precious nine-year-old daughter, Kaia. But his life is about to be upended. An old comrade from his time fighting in the Great War is gaining power: a man named Hitler. Adiel’s father insists that they need to leave the country before Hitler becomes the leader of Germany. Adiel and his family plan to move to America, but before they can even pack their bags, he and Kaia make a shocking discovery. Adiel’s father, Natan Goldstein, is from the future. A Holocaust survivor who lost his family to unspeakable tragedy, Natan was given the chance to go back in time and take the life of Adolf Hitler. But when he failed to kill the future Führer, he devoted himself to his new family and awaited the inevitable. Natan can’t face the Holocaust again, but Adiel’s unique connection to Hitler means he might be able to succeed where his father failed. Adiel now has a choice: escape as planned and let history repeat itself, or sacrifice everything to stop the Holocaust before it can begin.
By Marie Sinadjan2 months ago in BookClub