Tag: writing

Book Review: A Burden of Ice and Bone, by Kyra Whitton    

Image belongs to Sword and Silk Books.

Title: A Burden of Ice and Bone  
Author: Kyra Whitton       
Genre:  Fantasy    
Rating:  4 out of 5

In the village of ice and darkness, Dira Cloon’s entire existence relies on her ability to pull the trigger. But when she faces a majestic white bear, her resolve falters. The bear’s presence stirs something deep within her – a force stronger than her love for her family, who believe that the only safe polar bear is a dead one.

It goes beyond the village legends of a lost world and a vanished civilization, the whispered tales of magic, and the ursine king’s enchantment. This force resonates with Dira’s heart, shattered and lonely. If she shoots the bear, her life will continue as it always has, with a piece of her soul and dreams forever lost. But if she lays down her weapon and follows the bear into the vast, frozen realm of snow, she may transform her people and their bloodlust.

This was an interesting dystopian/fantasy read. More than a bit depressing, frankly. I don’t like cold weather, so that was a me thing, but the society itself was pretty bleak—and I wasn’t a fan of the people. The author did a great job with the setting, though, and I enjoyed the story itself. What happened when Dira broke the curse wasn’t surprising at all, but I did enjoy this read.

Kyra Whitton is from Georgia. A Burden of Ice and Bone is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Sword and Silk Books in exchange for an honest review.)

Sundays are for Writing #276

This was a great writing week—and I was out of town Monday-Friday for training. I wrote three book reviews: The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple, by Joanna Davidson Politano, What’s Eating Jackie Oh?, by Patricia Park, and The One That Got Away with Murder, by Trish Lundy. The first and last books are worth reading. The middle one…not so much. I also got in five fiction sessions.

Happy writing!

Sundays are for Writing #275

This was a solid writing week: I got in five fiction sessions, and two book reviews, The British Booksellers, by Kristy Cambron and The Reappearance of Rachel Price, by Holly Jackson. Busy week with family in town, a birthday party for my nephew, and my aunt in the hospital, so I’m pleased I stuck to my writing.

Happy writing!

Sundays are for Writing #274

This wasn’t a great writing week: I wrote one book review, Love, Unscripted, by Denise Hunter, and four fiction sessions. This is the first week all year I haven’t met my goal of five fiction-writing sessions each week. :/ Work was tough this week, though, and I was exhausted. Hopefully next week will be better!

Happy writing!

Sundays are for Writing #272

Despite traveling/being gone for work this week, it was still a solid writing week. I got in five fiction sessions, and three book reviews: Expiration Dates, by Rebecca Serle (not sure how I feel about this read), The Last Bloodcarver, by Vanessa Le (excellent read), Sincerely, the Duke, by Amelia Grey (solid romance read). I also wrote my March reading post, and my best books of March post.

Happy writing!

Sundays are for Writing #270

This was a good writing week! I wrote Four book reviews, and got in five fiction sessions. An Unlikely Proposition, by Rosalyn Eves (This read like watching a telenovela), Good Half Gone, by Tarryn Fisher (DNFed because I didn’t like the MC), A Feather So Black, by Lyra Selene (I really liked this and can’t wait to read more!), and Bad Like Us, by Gabriella Lepore (This was a kind of YA locked room murder mystery—but I didn’t like the victim at all, so I wasn’t too invested.).

The fiction sessions were mainly brainstorming a do-over and working on bits of a re-write because I decided I didn’t like the genre or world I was writing in, So there’s that.

Happy writing!

Sundays are for Writing #267

This was a great writing week! I got in five fiction-writing sessions, and I wrote three book reviews: The Warm Hands of Ghosts, by Katherine Arden, and A Flame in the North, by Lilith Saintcrow, and the The Book of Doors, by Gareth Brown.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts was a historical fiction mixed with…something else. I was eager to read it because of the author, but it never fully resolved itself, to me. A Flame in the North felt like a very slow read. I loved the mythology setting, but I’m not sure I’ll read more, because of the pacing. The Book of Doors was a solid read, and ended up being very engrossing. I also wrote my February reading post, and the best books I read in February.

I have a plan to get my writing in while I’m traveling for work, so let’s see if that pans out.

Happy writing!

Sundays are for Writing #266

This was another great writing week! I wrote two book reviews, The Lost Dresses of Italy, by M. A. Mclaughlin and A Step Past Darkness, by Vera Kurian. Spoiler alert: I DNFed A Step Past Darkness because I found it and the characters boring, but I really enjoyed The Lost Dresses of Italy. It was a great historical fiction read!

I also got in five fiction-writing sessions! This will prove more difficult next week, as I’ll be traveling a bit for work, but we’ll see how it goes.

Happy writing!

Sundays are for Writing #265

This was an excellent writing week! I wrote four book reviews: The Framed Women of Ardemore House, by Brandy Schillace, When Grumpy Met Sunshine, by Charlotte Stein, One Night In A Thousand Years, by Craig Cunningham, and Why We Read, by Shannon Reed.

I really enjoyed Why We Read and found the author’s voice very appealing—and of course the subject matter was great. One Night in a Thousand Years was a short audio book and a fascinating coming-of-age tale. I thought Grumpy was funny—but it didn’t quite click for me. And Framed Women was a very solid read.

I also got in five fiction-writing sessions, and have come to the realization that this has to be dystopian of sorts, not fantasy, but I’m going to keep writing and not worry about revising the first bit right now.

Happy writing!