Review: The Wizard of Time

Title: The Wizard of Time
Author: G.L. Breedon
Dates Read: June 3-5, 2015
Format: Ebook (Kindle)
Pages: 296
Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis: Gabriel Salvador is thirteen, and he has been having dreams about the future.  Gabriel's dreams always come true.  Especially the dream he had where he will drown, it is only a matter of time before that dream becomes reality.  At the moment of his death, he is plucked from his timeline and becomes an apprentice time mage and part of an elite team of mages who are fighting the War of Time and Magic, and travel through history to do so. Throughout the story Gabriel goes to Victorian London, Aztec temples, Samos, Scotland, and battlefields of Alexander the Great, among other places as Gabriel learns about his abilities as a time mage, and joins the battle to protect the timeline. 

Review: 

I originally picked this up as as freebie on Amazon, and like most of the books on my TBR pile it took a bit for me to finally get to it. However, I was surprisingly pleased with what I'd found in just under 300 pages.  I have always enjoyed reading fantasy/sci-fi/etc simply for the escapism that is provided by the stories spun by talented writers.  I read to indulge my imagination and escape my own reality. 

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I started this story, would I find the amount of realism that is required in fantasy stories?  Could I picture myself in Gabriel's world, experiencing what Gabriel is experiencing?  Can I relate to this story? Ultimately the tale that was spun was one of pure brilliance.  

I easily fell in love with the characters.  The fact that Breeden crossed genres only made this tale all the more interesting.  The story is intelligently written and this is shown in the seamless way that his story crosses genres and age groups.  I was not expecting the captivating, adventurous, vibrant, unpredictable and emotive tale that I was presented when I continued to delve into this story.  The historical backdrop, the scientific explanations - everything was plausible, believable and in truth one of the best fantasies I've read in a while.  

It's stories like this that once again remind me why I read young adult stories.  However, even if you do not enjoy reading young adult, but still enjoy a good fantasy story then I would gladly recommend this story to you.  You will definitely enjoy the trip you take with Gabriel and the other mages.

Bibliophile's Wish List: Physical Books

Yes, I love digital books.  However, I also have a deep love for physical books.  This week's wishlist features some of the books that are on my wishlist at bookdepository, which you can find by by clicking here.

Paperback or hardback, I care not.  I just love pretty covers and while I can still see some cover art on my Kindle...I very much like the pretty, pretty covers of physical books too!  Here are some of the ones that are the highest up on my wishlist, and remember, I do so very much love gifts :D 

1.) Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

I have heard such wonderful things about this book, and the series and seen it reblogged on tumblr more times than I can count.  I am desperate to read this book and the others in the series.  However, I've not been able to find them at my local library either in physical form or digital which makes me a sadpanda. 

Bookdepository: Throne of Glass
Goodreads: Throne of Glass

2.) A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Again, another book that I've been dying to read.  I've heard so very, very many good things about Sarah J. Maas and that this book is absolutely addictive.  #acotar is a tag that I have been following on tumblr and I have been reading reviews and responses from other bloggers.  That and the cover is absolutely beautiful....I mean LOOK at it! 

Bookdepository: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Goodreads: A Court of Thorns and Roses






3.) Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder

I absolutely fell in love with the Study series that she'd written, and I've read every book in that.  I'm looking forward to ultimately reading this series which is set in the same world as the Study series..which is by far one of my favorite worlds!  That and this color is absolutely GORGEOUS!! Seriously! 

Bookdepository: Storm Glass
Goodreads: Storm Glass






What are some of the things on your wish list? 

BPC: Heartbreaking

Book photo challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page: Book Photo Challenge

July 3rd: Heartbreaking

This stack of books holds a special place in my heart, simply because it is a stack of books that constantly breaks my heart.  I love each and every book on this list, and re-read them constantly. 

Goodread links follow:

• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
• Stained by Cheryl Rainfield
• Dear Teen Me by E. Kristin Anderson & more
• Saying Goodbye to Warsaw by Michael Cargill

#TBT: The Ultimate Survivors

This week's #TBT is one that is near and dear to my heart.  One of my favorite periods in history to study is the Holocaust during World War II.  People have called me morbid because of it, but that doesn't change the fact that it is a truly fascinating time period to study.  It shocks and saddens me that so many people, so many nations turned blind eyes to what was really happening in Germany and the surrounding countries. 

The stories written by survivors, the tales of the nightmares that they have endured, and will continue to endure until their last breath takes them to a place of no suffering are the ones that tend to stick with me, more than any fantasy story written. 

These are some of the books that have impacted me the most, and further encouraged me to read the stories of survivors, visit the memorials, the museums that are set up to remember, remind and honor those who were among the millions that lost their lives in the face of hatred. 

I read this in high school. I own a copy, I will always own a copy of this book.  This book more often than not brings me to tears every time that I read it.  I do not blame him his hatred for God as he comes face to face with evil at its most vile, and his reminder that this horror should never be forgotten and never be allowed to repeat. 

Who has not read this tale?  If her story does not bring you to tears, then there is something seriously wrong with you.  A young girl, one of many, who were forcefully separated from her family after they managed to hide for so long.  Eventually, I want to go to the house where she was hidden, walk the paths that she took within that house and see how she lived, fearing that the next moment could be her last moment of freedom.  

When I was attending Flagler College, I had the honor and the privilege of meeting a Holocaust survivor.  There is not a lot of his lecture that stayed with me, however the fact that he survived.  He survived that horror is enough for me to know that the man I met was meant to survive that atrocity and share his story with the world.  I wish I could even recall his name, it saddens me that I cannot even do that.  

BPC: Child

Book photo challenge information can be found here: Just One More Page: Book Photo Challenge

July 2nd: Child

Because my roommate has a 12 year old daughter, I am once again revisiting quite a few books that have been a part of my childhood as well as discovering a few books that are new for her generation. These are some educational books from Scholastic on a variety of topics like Egypt, Benjamin Franklin, Mount Everest, and so much more.  Too Many Bunnies by Matt Novak is an adorable little story that any child would love!