Red Winter Review

Title: Red Winter
Author: Annette Marie
Series: Red Winter #1
Publisher: Dark Owl Fantasy Inc.
Publication Date: 21 October 2016
Source: Xpresso Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Pages: 346
Rating: 3.55
Reading Timeline: 16 May 2017 - 17 May 2017










Goodreads Synopsis:

In a few short months, Emi's mortal life will end when she becomes the human host of an immortal goddess. Carefully hidden from those who would destroy her, she has prepared her mind, body and soul to unite with the goddess- and not once has she doubted her chosen fate.

Shiro is a spirit of the earth and an enemy of the goddess Emi will soon host. Mystery shrouds his every move and his ruby eyes shine with cunning she can't match and dares not trust. But she saved his life, and until his debt is paid, he is hers to command - whether she wants hime or not.

On the day they meet, everything Emi believes comes undone, swept away like snow upon the winter wind. For the first time, she wants to change her fate - but how can she erase a destiny already wrought in stone? Against the power of the gods, Shiro is her only hope.. and hope is all she has left.

Book Review:
Pre-reading Thoughts:

The moment I saw this cover and that there was a review opportunity for all three books on Xpresso Book Tours, I knew that I just had to jump onto this opportunity without another moments waste. After I had signed up for the opportunity, I read the synopsis of the book and I must say... it sounds so cool. I cannot wait to read this book inspired by Japanese culture and tales! Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book and for the opportunity! Please note that in no way has receiving this book affected my opinions. All thoughts are my own!

Writing Thoughts:

I can't really narrow it down to what I didn't like about the writing. There was just something that I didn't connect with and it made my reading a lot slower than it usually is. It could be that the author switches between telling us the story and then showing us the story.

I really enjoyed the inclusion of the art in the edition that I received to review. It was really great putting a face to name in most situations as the author was a little light on the descriptions of some of the characters.

Plot Thoughts:

The plot to this book was so slow. Nothing really happens in the first fifty odd pages. We are basically just told the same information over and over again and the only really difference is that with each time, there is more detail. The story does eventually pick up but at the same time it doesn't. The writing doesn't really create growing tension. Instead we hit multiple high tension scenes and there after the tension dissipates.

However the ending of this book does redeem this book from what I would deem as average storytelling and average plot.

I enjoyed the play on the Japense culture and folklore. It was interesting to read about it considering that it is clear that the author made a huge effort in researching the topic. 

Character Thoughts:

The only character that I actually formed an attachment to is Shiro. He was so interesting and his story just kept getting interesting as we progressed through the book. I kept having questions and this is actually what is spurring me on to continue to read the next book. I would like to know if my theory is correct

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I thought the book was quite average, the beginning wasn't really intriguing, the middle only slightly picked up in pace but the last couple of pages was fantastic! I loved them. They are the reason as to why I will be continuing the series. The other reason is because I signed up for a Review Opportunity with Xpresso Book Tours. Talking about Xpresso Book Tours, thank you to them for offering this opportunity and for supplying me with a copy of this book! I am intrigued to see where this story goes

Yours in Reading,

Melleny

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