Kiera's Quest: Awakenings by Kristy Brown

A great premise that needs a bit more work.

From Goodreads: "This book was originally written for 9plus/ tweens. But if you're young at heart, then you may enjoy this too. 'Awakenings' is book one in the four part series, so you wont get all the answers straight away. Meet Kiera, a pretty, intelligent, and talented girl, brought up by her uncle, and abandoned by her parents. Life is as normal as she believes it to be, apart from the deep ache inside her, telling her she’s different. For years, Kiera had dreams where she ventures into a different reality. She’s not alone; a presence is always there, keeping her safe, yet she feels vulnerable, and hunted. Zakk, Prince of Zantar, is under the Witch Queen’s spell as she tries to take over his world. He crosses paths with Kiera, and their fates are entwined. As their journey unravels, she learns that she is not the only one affected by this prince. Who is on her side? Will she find out why she has been chosen? How can someone so young, defeat such evil? Will she find the strength to save the ones closest to her? Will this be Kiera’s only Quest?"

To begin, I liked the characters. I'd like to know what happens to them. I liked the humor, and I think that it is age appropriate. I really liked the plot of the hero having been turned into a doll that the heroine finds in her uncle's shop however, I had to re-read several transitions from one scene to another because the action or the dialogue didn't make sense.

There were a lot of unanswered questions, yes, because this is the first book in a series. But there were questions that were created just because the story seemed to skip or jump ahead leaving a gap.

The early part of the story seemed more "finished" than the latter and I fully intended to go look for the rest of the series as I initially got into the book. But the further I read, the sketchier the story became so I'm not so sure that I will continue with the series after all.

I think this author is one to watch and keep up with because of true potential here for a great series.

Impersonator, Forager Impersonator Trilogy Book 1 by Peter R. Stone

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review. (This review may contain spoilers).

Impersonator is the first book in a new series set in the same Australian post-apocalyptic world as the author's previous Forager Trilogy. Set in a time period prior to Forager, the book revolves around the Thomas family in Newhome, the town created by the "Founders." The father, Malcolm Thomas, the head of the family, is a broken man after an undeserved stint in a prison-factory. We are led to believe he has given up on his family responsibilities to save his own skin. Mother is a bitter woman and accusing, nagging wife. Brandon Thomas, the only son, has disappeared and is hiding out somewhere in the town for unknown reasons. Youngest daughter, Karen, is spoiled and not in any position to provide support for the disintegrating family. This leaves the burden of rescue and support on Chelsea, the Eldest Daughter. Chelsea impersonates her brother at his job to earn money to keep the family afloat. Hassled and beaten by mobsters for her father's gambling debts, evicted from their apartment for being unable to pay 8 weeks back rent, and coming to the realization that Brandon has been involved in something horrible at work, Chelsea struggles to protect her mother and sister and find a way to a safer place, out of Newhome.

The author has developed a restricted, strangled society in the setting of Newhome. The characters are interesting, diverse, well developed with back stories of some depth. the plot is exciting, suspenseful, and chock full of twists and turns that provide a lot of jumping off places for the rest of the trilogy.

I can, of course, recommend this new installment of the Forager series to anyone that read and enjoyed the first trilogy. However, I don't believe that you'd have to have read those 3 books in order to really enjoy this one. I look forward to book 2 which I understand comes out later this year as well.