Book Review - The Killing Fog (The Grave Kingdom, #1) by Jeff Wheeler + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Bingmei becomes an orphan after she watched her family being murdered in front of her. She becomes the sole member of a once-thriving combat school. Bingmei joins a band of mercenaries that work for a local king to search for magical relics. Their recent assignment for Bingmei and her team is to travel to the wilderness to retrieve treasures from an ancient palace that is buried under a glacier valley. As the adventurers dwell deeper into the palace, they realize that trespassing the vault might come with deadly consequences.

The emperor of the Grave Kingdom and ruler of darkness has been lying in slumber waiting for the phoenix. Now that Bingmei and her friends awakened him, they are afraid of the legendary prophecy that is about to unfold.  Bingmei is thrust into the role of being a savior and it's a role that she isn't prepared for or wants. But as the fate of her friends and the world lies in her hands, will she be able to stop the prophecy?

The novel had generous world-building details that informed but, didn't overwhelmed the reader. I did wish that them unleashing the curse happened sooner and the novel didn't leave off in a cliffhanger. As this is the first novel in the series, I hope we don't find out until the last book whether or not the main character succeeds in defeating the emperor.  I did like the bond between one of the characters but, I am torn on the main character. She is portrayed as a strong fearless leader but, when we learn about her true feelings, I feel conflicted. Overall, the book is an interesting read and I look forward to seeing how the series ends.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Print Length: 404 pages
Publisher: 47North (March 1, 2020)
Publication Date: March 1, 2020
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07RJQPB63

Praise for THE KILLING FOG

“Wheeler (Broken Veil) opens the Grave Kingdom series with this winding tale of valor and sacrifice, set in a realm where using magic summons a heavy fog that kills every living thing it touches. [T]he threat of the fog looming in the background adds atmosphere and tension…This excellent introduction to the prolific Wheeler’s work will appeal to fans of Asian-influenced fantasy.” —Publishers Weekly

The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain series conjures an epic, adventurous world of ancient myth and magic as a young woman’s battle with infinite evil begins.

Survivor of a combat school, the orphaned Bingmei belongs to a band of mercenaries employed by a local ruler. Now the nobleman, and collector of rare artifacts, has entrusted Bingmei and the skilled team with a treacherous assignment: brave the wilderness’s dangers to retrieve the treasures of a lost palace buried in a glacier valley. But upsetting its tombs has a price.

Echion, emperor of the Grave Kingdom, ruler of darkness, Dragon of Night, has long been entombed. Now Bingmei has unwittingly awakened him and is answerable to a legendary prophecy. Destroying the dark lord before he reclaims the kingdoms of the living is her inherited mission. Killing Bingmei before she fulfills it is Echion’s.

Thrust unprepared into the role of savior, urged on by a renegade prince, and possessing a magic that is her destiny, Bingmei knows what she must do. But what must she risk to honor her ancestors? Bingmei’s fateful choice is one that neither her friends nor her enemies can foretell, as Echion’s dark war for control unfolds.

You can purchase The Killing Fog at the following Retailers:

        

Photo Content from Jeff Wheeler

Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to write full-time. He is a husband, father of five, and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeff lives in the Rocky Mountains. His books have been on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller list 5 times (for The Thief’s Daughter, The King’s Traitor, The Hollow Crown, The Silent Shield, and Prism Cloud) and have sold more than 4 million copies. His novels have also been published or will be published in many languages: Italian, Chinese, Hungarian, Turkish, Polish, Spanish, Russian, and German.

He is also the founder of Deep Magic: the E-zine of Clean Fantasy and Science Fiction (www.deepmagic.co), a quarterly e-zine featuring amazing short stories, novellas, and sample chapters.

You can usually find Jeff at Emerald City Comic Con, New York Comic Con or at writers conferences.

He welcomes hearing from readers: jgwheels /at/ gmail dot com

If you are interested in purchasing signed copies of his books for friends, family, or your own collection, please e-mail: WOJWbooks /at/ gmail dot com

      

WEEK ONE

FEBRUARY 24th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY 24th MONDAY Nay's Pink Bookshelf REVIEW

FEBRUARY 25th TUESDAY Ya It's Lit REVIEW

FEBRUARY 26th WEDNESDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT

FEBRUARY 26th WEDNESDAY TMBA Corbett INTERVIEW 

FEBRUARY 27th THURSDAY Life Within The Pages REVIEW

FEBRUARY 27th THURSDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

FEBRUARY 28th FRIDAY Wishful Endings INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY 28th FRIDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT

WEEK TWO

MARCH 2nd MONDAY BookHounds INTERVIEW 

MARCH 3rd TUESDAY Book Queen Reviews REVIEW

MARCH 3rd TUESDAY Fundinmental EXCERPT

MARCH 4th WEDNESDAY Have Coffee Need Books REVIEW

MARCH 4th WEDNESDAY Port Jericho REVIEW

MARCH 5th THURSDAY Book Briefs REVIEW

MARCH 5th THURSDAY Gwendalyn's Books REVIEW

MARCH 6th FRIDAY Casia's Corner REVIEW 

MARCH 6th FRIDAY Two Points of Interest REVIEW

*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*

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Book Review - Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley + Listicle - Circus Character Names

Photo Credit - Amazon

Micah Tuttle knows magic is real. He needs to believe in magic if he is going to save his dying Grandpa Ephraim. When his grandfather takes a turn for the worst, his great-aunt Gertrudis steps in to help take care of Micah and Grandpa Ephraim. Micah believes the stories of the magical Circus Mirandus of the invisible tiger protecting the circus, a woman who flies with birds, and the Man Who Bends Light. One day, Grandpa Ephraim lets Micah on a secret, the Circus is real! And the Lightbender owes Grandpa Ephraim a miracle. Micah believes the miracle will save his grandfather except, the Lightbender doesn't want to keep his promise. With the help of his friend Jenny Mendoza, Micah will need the Lightbender to keep his word.

Ah, this book...I loved it! I love books with themes of magic and circuses. It just makes me feel even though the world is crumbling around you, believing in something will make it better. Most of the characters were lovable though flawed. There was a scene that was slightly disturbing about a child having their belief questioned and then they got hurt. However, I found the book enjoyable and can't wait for the sequel!

Topic - Fun Circus Names -

I thought it would be a fun treat to create a few imaginary circus names! After all, who doesn't love a fun + silly name?! Leave your favorites in the comments!

- Ivy Flowers
- Snow Melt
- Tsumani
- Fire Eater
- Whirlwind
- Creepy Curlie Charlie
- Reptile Ralph
- Flaming Aces
- Hairy Albert
- Gwen the Gnome
- Vesper the Sand Maker
- Fierce Bob


  **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Spotlight: Brave the Page: A Young Writer’s Guide to Telling Epic Stories by Rebecca Stern and Grant Faulkner + Ideas for Inspiration

Photo Credit - Amazon

Partly a how-to guide on the nitty-gritty of writing, partly a collection of inspiration to set (and meet) ambitious goals, Brave the Page is the go-to resource for middle-grade writers. Narrated in a fun, refreshingly kid-friendly voice, it champions NaNoWriMo's central mission that everyone's stories deserve to be told. The volume includes chapters on character, plot, setting, and the like; motivating essays from popular authors; advice on how to commit to your goals; a detailed plan for writing a novel or story in a month; and more!

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes in the transformational power of creativity. They provide the structure, community, and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds--on and off the page. With its first event in 1999, the organization's programs now include National Novel Writing Month in November, Camp NaNoWriMo, the Young Writers Program, Come Write In, and the "Now What?" Months.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Topic - Things you can do for motivation to help you with story ideas 

Spending time to write down one's thoughts and emotions are essential for mental health. A common misconception is that you need to be a "writer" or you only "need to write stories or poems". However, even take a few minutes to write whatever you are feeling can give you mental clarity. But, what happens when you are feeling the dreaded writer's block? I have a few ideas that can help you get into the writing mood!

1. Take a long relaxing bath or shower 
2. Go for a walk  in nature  
3. Take a walk utilizing a different route
4. Talk to a stranger
5. Read a book 
6. Do word associations
7. Take a look at photographs and try to picture the memory
8. Listen to music
9. Draw without limits
10. Visit a museum
11. Try eating/cooking a new dish
12. Ask a relative about their favorite memory
13. Research events that happened around a specific day
14. Take a nap
15. Meditate 
16. Try freewriting
17. Eating a favorite childhood dish
18. Playing 
19. Going for a run


What are your favorite things to do when you feel "stuck"? Which techniques helps you the most?


 

Book Review - ICB Blessed Garden Bible By Tommy Nelson

Photo Credit - Amazon

The beautifully garden illustrated bible is targeted little and young girls to read the full text of Scripture using the International Children's Bible translation.  The cover is coated with glitter and foil which makes it perfect for children. The book also includes 24 colorful pages of study and a guide on how to personalize. A well-made edition that can be passed on from generation to generation.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchanged for an honest opinion**

Marie Claire Fall Hair Color Guide 2013

To prevent blonde hair from going brassy, use a lavender tinted shampoo weekly. Strawberry tinged hair brings out redness in skin, so go easy on the blush when your hair is this shade. To keep red hair from fading, shampoo less frequently and cover up in the sun. For dark hair a mist of shine spray keeps midnight hues from looking dull.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Hair Color

1. Take note of your emotional state before you dye. You’ve likely heard of breakovers - those fevered hair and makeup decisions that follow a breakup, only to be regretted shortly thereafter.

2. Let your skin tone not your color whims guide your choice. Before you make a color switch, determine what works your complexion. If you have cool undertones or olive skin, you want warmth  in your hair to balance it out. If you’re more pinkish or flush easily, you want an ashier, or cooler, hair color. If your skin tone is neutral, you can go either way.

3. The test strand isn’t optional.  You need to nail the timing and figure out whether or not you like the color before you commit. Snap a thin lock a hair from the back of your head and do a dry run.

4. Know whether to wash first. For semi-permanent dye, you want clean hair when you color. The formula don’t have strong chemicals, so in order for them to penetrate, there can’t be oil, dirt, or styling products coating the cuticle. If you’re using permanent color with ammonia and peroxide or a home-highlighting kit, then you want hair  that hasn’t been washed in a day or two. The oil will protect your scalp from burning and your hair from getting damaged.

5. Prep your skin before you dye. A stained forehead may seem inevitable, but it’s preventable. Apply a hair wax or any kind of oil - even olive oil - along the hairline first.

6. Lighten up around your face. Think of it as a halo effect: for the most flattering look, go one shade lighter along your hairline. If you’re dyeing your hair light brown, do a dark blonde there. Those fine hairs tend to grab more dye and can become a shade or two deeper, but you actually want that area to be brighter, since it make you look younger and healthier.

7. Don’t overdye the ends. If you’re going darker, the porous ends can soak up more dye than the root area, making it obvious your shade is from a box. To maintain the color, just touch up the roots as needed. Only pull the dye through to the ends when they start to fade, about every third or fourth time your color. And when you dye the tips, wet them slightly first. The water makes pulling the color easier and prevents your hair from absorbing too much color there.

*I apparently lost the thumbail of this magazine :( *