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The Gift
The Gift follows Emery, a young woman pulled into a strange dimension where voices, shadows, and visions drag her into a fate she never asked for. The novel is about her journey to rescue her mother, uncover hidden truths about her powers, and navigate an ancient and perilous world that teeters between myth and science. There are black holes that bend time, creatures that lurk in slithering shadows, and tribes that live by instinct and survival. But underneath the cosmic spectacle, it is really about one woman’s fight to hold on to family, identity, and purpose in a reality that constantly shifts beneath her feet.
The writing surprised me. It has a dreamlike quality in places, flowing almost like waves, then suddenly crashing into moments of raw grit and pain. The descriptions of the void, of light turning into memory, of bodies disintegrating and reforming, made me pause and reread because they were so vivid. But then the author would drop Emery into the dirt, into hunger and thirst, into stumbling mistakes, and it grounded everything. That combination kept me engaged. Sometimes the prose was a little heavy, but the emotional weight pulled me through. I found myself caring about Emery’s stubbornness, her doubts, her messy humanity, even as she was tasked with saving more than just herself.
What really stayed with me was the emotional pull of Emery’s relationships, especially her bond with Visla. Their friendship felt tender and real, the kind of connection that lights up even the darkest setting. I loved how their language lessons became a bridge between two worlds. I felt warmth reading their moments together, and sadness knowing Emery’s destiny might tear them apart. Emery’s constant second-guessing sometimes slowed the story, and I wished she trusted herself more. But then again, maybe that’s what made her believable. She wasn’t some perfect heroine. She was clumsy, scared, and hopeful, and that made me root for her all the more.
I felt like I’d been on a strange and exhausting journey right alongside Emery. The Gift is not just for fans of science fiction or fantasy. It’s for readers who want to feel the clash of fear and hope, who enjoy sci-fi stories where survival is as important as destiny, and where the heart matters as much as the universe. I would recommend it to anyone who likes their adventure raw and relatable, layered with both cosmic wonder and everyday struggle.
Pages: 381 | ASIN : B0FM77FD39
Misunderstanding
Misunderstanding is a raw and poignant story that delves deep into the lives of two young girls, Alice and Lilly, who form an unlikely yet heartwarming bond against the backdrop of their turbulent lives. The story traces their journey from childhood, marked by trauma and resilience, into adolescence, where their friendship becomes both a refuge and a source of strength. It contrasts the bleak realities of abuse and neglect with moments of courage, loyalty, and tender humanity.
The author’s writing is incredibly vivid and emotionally gripping. From the first chapter, I felt plunged into Alice’s world, where playing with a battered deck of cards in a dingy trailer represents her only escape from a harsh reality. The scene where Alice’s father storms into their home, unleashing chaos and violence, left a knot in my stomach. The author doesn’t shy away from portraying the grim truth of Alice’s life, yet through it all, Alice’s spirit shines—a beacon of strength in her dark world. The way her imagination transforms mundane objects into rich, creative stories is both heartbreaking and beautiful.
On the other hand, Lilly’s life, although materially comfortable, is emotionally hollow. Her mother’s obsession with appearances and her father’s passive enabling create a veneer of perfection masking dysfunction. The scene in which Lilly timidly watches her mother’s frantic dress selection struck me deeply. It underscored how Lilly is often left to navigate her mother’s whims and insecurities alone. The stark contrast between Alice and Lilly’s circumstances highlights how trauma can take many forms—some glaring, others insidious.
The friendship between Alice and Lilly is the heart of the book. Their bond, forged in innocence and mutual understanding, becomes a lifeline for both girls. A standout moment is when Alice defends Lilly at the playground, facing down bullies with a ferocity that belies her small stature. It’s both touching and powerful. Their friendship is further tested and deepened at summer camp, where they face external threats and internal doubts. The pacing in some sections feels uneven, with intense moments sometimes overshadowing quieter, reflective scenes that I think could have added more depth to the characters’ emotional journeys. Even so, the scenes of Alice asserting her dominance over camp bullies or Lilly finding her own voice are uplifting and satisfying.
The book also raises questions about resilience and justice. The harrowing chapter where Alice is attacked by Oliver is difficult to read but important. It confronts the readers with the stark reality of abuse and the societal systems that often fail victims. Alice’s courage in recounting the event and her determination to move forward are inspiring, though the lingering injustice is a bitter pill to swallow. This section is handled with sensitivity and nuance, keeping the focus on Alice’s perspective and strength. While the story is emotionally powerful and deeply moving, I felt it occasionally relies on familiar tropes of trauma and redemption.
This book is a compelling and emotional read that I would recommend to anyone interested in stories about resilience, friendship, and the complexity of human relationships. It is especially suited for readers who appreciate layered characters and narratives that balance darkness with hope. While it doesn’t shy away from harsh realities, it also reminds us of the power of connection and the strength found in even the youngest hearts.
Pages: 186 | ASIN : B0DTF6124W
Unborn
Eva Barber’s Unborn tells a tale that feels like a dreamy collision of family bonds, mystery, and the tug of destiny. It opens with the discovery of a mysterious infant in the forest, devoid of a belly button, by a couple in rural Russia. Sasha and Lev, battling their own heartbreak over childlessness, decide to keep the child despite its otherworldly origins. What unfolds is an exploration of the girl Olesya’s extraordinary nature, her struggles with identity, and the looming forces seeking to claim her.
Barber sets the scene vividly in the opening chapters. The forest is not just a backdrop but a character itself, ancient and whispering secrets. The moment Sasha discovers Olesya is pure magic and it pulls you right into the story. But as the narrative progresses, some passages lean heavily on exposition.
What really works for me is Barber’s exploration of the emotional ties between Olesya and her adoptive parents. Sasha’s maternal instinct feels raw and real, especially in scenes where she defends Olesya fiercely against a world that might see her as an oddity. When she performs the makeshift surgery to create a navel for her daughter, I felt her desperation to make Olesya fit into a world she might not belong to. These moments, packed with tension and love, kept me invested.
Olesya herself is an enigma, and her journey to find her place in a world both mundane and mysterious is fascinating. Her struggles with bullies at school, her social awkwardness, and her scientific brilliance make her relatable despite her supernatural origins. I especially loved her conversation with her teacher about atoms, she’s bright but understated, a quiet force. Her supernatural abilities, like the incident with the boy in class, add a layer of danger that I wished the author had explored more deeply early on.
The plot raises intriguing questions about destiny and choice. There’s a constant push and pull between safety and discovery. Lev’s interaction with his cousin Lech, leading to their plan to flee to the United States, adds a touch of thriller energy. The stakes feel personal yet far-reaching, and I couldn’t help but wonder what secrets about Olesya’s origins might unfold next.
While many scenes are rich with detail and emotion, a few moments linger a little longer than necessary, while others, like the shadowy men in the forest or Olesya’s recurring nightmares, could benefit from a bit more attention to fully capture their significance. That said, Barber’s gift for crafting compelling characters and emotional depth shines through.
Unborn is an atmospheric and thought-provoking read for anyone who enjoys stories about family, identity, and the intersection of science and the fantastical. Fans of speculative fiction with a strong emotional core, think The Midnight Library meets The Giver, will find much to love here. It’s a slow burn, but one worth savoring.
Pages: 435 | ASIN : B0DPYGM68C
LITERARY TITAN 