Book Review: Hope’s Promise (Soulkeepers Reborn Book 2) by G.P. Ching

Hope’s Promise (Soulkeepers Reborn Book 2)

by G.P. Ching
March 6, 2018
Pages: 362
WHEN EVIL IS THE ENEMY, POWER IS A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND.

Book 2 of 3 in the Soulkeepers Reborn Trilogy

Now that she’s fully accepted her role, Hope takes up the mantle of Healer to lead a new team of untrained Soulkeepers. Repurposing Revelations to be a training ground won’t be easy, not when the source of its power has been disrupted, and the only woman who knows the island’s secrets is on her deathbed.

Time isn’t on Hope’s side. Lucifer is on the move, injured and unable to return to Hell. He’s found a way to amass power by consuming human souls. Worse, if he grows strong enough to get his hands on an ancient weapon before Hope does, everything the Soulkeepers fought for could be undone.

Sinister plots, unlikely allies, and old temptations plague the new team. Can Hope’s promise lead them to victory? Or will her inexperience doom them all?

Soulkeepers Reborn Trilogy:
Wager's Price
Hope's Promise
Lucifer's Pride

Hope has accepted her role as the Healer and leader of their group of Soulkeepers. She is hoping to adapt Revelations into a training ground for her group and runs into trouble when the power that keeps the island going is disrupted.

Lucifer wants to take over the world but is unable to access his power from Hell. Instead, he finds another way to consume souls, stay off the radar and build his power. Both teams are looking for a weapon that could tip the balance of power their way.

The second book in this trilogy brings about some new friendships and tests some old ones. Ching does a wonderful job of connecting the original Soulkeepers series with this new band of misfits. Each youth brings something to the table that you hope you have within yourself. Look for the final book in the trilogy, Lucifer’s Pride to see how it all ends.

Reviews: Wager’s Price (Soulkeepers Reborn Book 1) 

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:

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G.P. Ching is a USA Today bestselling author of science fiction and fantasy novels for young adults and not-so-young adults. She bakes wicked cookies, is commonly believed to be raised by wolves, and thinks both the ocean and the North Woods hold magical healing powers. G.P.'s idea of the perfect day involves several cups of coffee and a heavy dose of nature. She splits her time between central Illinois and Hilton Head Island with her husband, two children, and a Brittany spaniel named Jack, who is always ready for the next adventure. Learn more about G.P. Ching and her work at gpching.com.

Wanted: Comicbook reviewers!

Do you love comics? Can you fan-boy/girl with the best of them? I Smell Sheep is in need of some comic reviewers. Below are some of the presses we work with. That means free digital comics. We can also contact any independent creator you find and request a review copy for you.

You only review what you want and reviews can be as short or long as you want and review due dates are very flexible.

If interested contact me (Sharon Stogner)

Submitted a request to Dark Horse Comics, but we need to have someone willing to review comics for us :)

Comic Review: Ripleys Believe It Or Not #2 from Zenoscope

Ripley’s is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a two-part graphic novel series being published through Zenescope. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

Ripleys Believe It Or Not #2

November 14, 2018

Writers: Oliver Kaplowitz, Howard Mackie, Ben Meares, Dale Mettam
Art: Marcelo Basile, Deivis Goetten, Fred Harper, Lucas Meyer, Moy R, More...
Colored: Marcelo Basile, Robby Bevard, Jorge Alberto Cortes, Ceci de la Cruz, Roberto Epps, More...

Cover Artist: David Siedman

Zenescope Entertainment

Genres: action/Adventure, Fantasy
Page Count 52 Pages
Age Rating 12+ Only
More fantastic tales straight from Robert Ripley himself, told by legendary talents and rising stars alike! 48 pulse-pounding pages of magic and mystery featuring Howard Mackie, The Legend of Stingy Jack, Tony Isabella, The Inexplicable Winchester Mansion, and much, much more! Even when you see it, you won't believe it!

I’ve been a fan of Ripley’s Belive it or Not for years. I’m not kidding, I used to watch episodes then go to school and start talking to my friends about all the weird but true things I’d seen. Of course, my friends were less than interested in anything that didn’t have to do with makeup or boys so I was pretty much on my own there.

Now Ripley’s is in comic form and I couldn’t be more thrilled! Zenescope is bringing some of the most captivating and unforgettable stories to life with writers Howard Mackie, Victoria Rau, Ben Meares, and more. I enjoyed the straight-to-the-good-stuff style of writing in this issue, there wasn’t a lot of droning on and on about things that weren’t relevant to the story and while the stories were kept brief, they were no less interesting. I found myself turning to Google to look up some of these stories just because I wanted more information.

As for the illustrations, they were on point for sure and each artist made sure to emphasize the important parts of each odd but true tale. I had just as much fun looking over the artwork as I did reading the story. Fans of Ripley’s Believe it or Not will enjoy this new take as will people who just like to read strange but true stories. The added benefit is that there are some great illustrations to go with the stories.

Sheep Rating: 4 ½ Sheep

Adria Reyes

Comic Review: Ripley's Believe It Or Not #1 from Zenoscope

Ripley’s is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a two-part graphic novel series being published through Zenescope. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

Ripley's Believe It Or Not #1

Writer: Howard Mackie, Fox Kavanagh, Dale Mettam, Victoria Rau, Ben Meares
Artist: Hakan Aydin, Daniel Maine, Marcelo Basile
October 3, 2018
Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment
A 48-page anthology of some of the most phantasmagorical oddities in the Robert Ripley collection, written, illustrated by an equally mind-blowing mix of comic book legends, rising stars. You'll have to see it to believe it!
"A Tale As Old As..." (THE REAL STORY OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), written by Howard Mackie and illustrated by Hakan Aydin
"I've Been Working On The Railroad" (PHINEAS GAGE, THE MAN WHO SURVIVED A RAILROAD SPIKE THROUGH HIS HEAD), written by Fox Kavanagh and illustrated by Daniel Maine
"The Ride Of His Life" (THE DEAD MAN WHO WON A HORSE RACE), written by Dale Mettam 
"Mother Nature Blew Her Stac more

The real inspiration for Beauty and the Beast, the cat that predicts death, the miraculous survival and personality change of Phineas Gage, and more are featured in part one of Ripley’s Believe It or Not and I had so much fun with each story! I actually remembered Phineas Gage’s story from a documentary many years ago and it was pretty neat to see an illustrated retelling of his story and they’re pretty accurate too if they photo of the real Phineas is anything to go by. 

Deivis Goetten, Daniel Maine, Pat Broderick, and more talented artists create lively illustrations that enhance your experience and fit in perfectly with each writers’ quick, to the point retelling of some of the weirdest, eeriest, and downright fascinating stories ever told. While each story is short, they’re just enough to satisfy a craving for something that seems out of this world. I enjoyed each one like the dork I am. So if you were a fan of the show, then definitely pick up this illustrated version ASAP.

Sheep Rating: 4

Adria Reyes

Spotlight: The Mortal Word (The Invisible Library Novel Book 5) by Genevieve Cogman + giveaway

The Mortal Word (The Invisible Library Novel Book 5)

by Genevieve Cogman

November 27, 2018
446 pages

Ace Trade Paperback
In the latest novel in Genevieve Cogman's historical fantasy series, the fate of worlds lies in the balance. When a dragon is murdered at a peace conference, time-travelling Librarian spy Irene must solve the case to keep the balance between order, chaos...and the Library.

When Irene returns to London after a relatively straightforward book theft in Germany, Bradamant informs her that there is a top secret dragon-Fae peace conference in progress that the Library is mediating, and that the second-in-command dragon has been stabbed to death. Tasked with solving the case, Vale and Irene immediately go to 1890s Paris to start their investigation.

Once they arrive, they find evidence suggesting that the murder victim might have uncovered proof of treachery by one or more Librarians. But to ensure the peace of the conference, some Librarians are being held as hostages in the dragon and Fae courts. To save the captives, including her parents, Irene must get to the bottom of this murder--but was it a dragon, a Fae, or even a Librarian who committed the crime?

I Smell Sheep reviews of The Invisible Library 1-4

About the author:

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Genevieve Cogman is a freelance author, who has written for several role-playing game companies. Her work includes GURPS Vorkosigan and contributions to the In Nomine role-playing game line for Steve Jackson Games: contributions to Exalted 2nd Edition and other contributions to the Exalted and Orpheuslines for White Wolf Publishing: Hearts, Swords and Flowers: The Art of Shoujo for Magnum Opus: and contributions to the Dresden Files RPG for Evil Hat Productions. She currently works for the NHS in England in the HSCIC as a clinical classifications specialist.

She has had three books of her series about the multidimensional Library accepted by Tor Books, and the first two books, The Invisible Library and The Masked City, are now available. Her novels are represented by Lucienne Diver of the Knight Agency.

GIVEAWAY

The giveaway runs from 11/12-11/23: https://sweeps.penguinrandomhouse.com/enter/invisible-library-sweeps