Book Reviews for the Blue Unicorn's Journey To Osm by LitPick

The Blue Unicorn's Journey To Osm - Reader Review

Science fiction, fantasy, and romance novel all at the same time

By LitPick Student Book Reviews 

Blue is not an ordinary metal-horned unicorn. In fact, Blue is too ordinary to be a metal-horned unicorn. His horn is not even metal. Metal-horned unicorns have magic, charm, and beauty. Blue has none of those attributes. Blue, however, is more important than he realizes.At Blue’s birth, an oracle predicted greatness. The whole clan was disappointed when they saw Blue, an ordinary unicorn with no powers. After his mother’s death, Blue became cut off from much of the clan, except from his mate, Ghel.Still, Blue feels that there is something out there bigger than him and his clan that he is a part of. As the evil wizard, Magh, the man who killed Blue’s mother, attempts to slaughter all of the unicorns, Blue must set off on an epic quest to save his mate, clan, and his own life by finding someone he doesn’t know to help him find his true home, somewhere he’s never been. To do this, Blue must discover what lies beneath the seemingly monotonous life he has led for the past decade and find the truth. He must find what is buried deep inside his heart: his true destiny.Opinion:Reading The Blue Unicorn’s Journey to Osm was like reading a science fiction, fantasy, and romance novel all at the same time. For one, Blue and the rest of the unicorns are trying to return to their home planet by finding a spaceship and a unicorn to pilot it. This is very much a fantasy book, too. Because the main characters are unicorns, there’s magic everywhere, and there are other mythical animals that are only in dreams.In this book, unicorns also have mates, like Blue and Ghel. These mates play very important roles in the story, and this book shows that true love saves lives. This is one of the strangest books I have read, but I didn’t dislike it at all. In fact, I enjoyed reading about the strange characters, such as the sassy, stylish unicorn, about the NUMEN spirit and how the unicorns must work together to return home.There were parts in the book where the author glossed over details so quickly that I missed parts and didn’t understand what was happening for a time, but eventually, I figured it out and went back to enjoying this light, carefree book.This is a very good read for someone who just wants to sit back and enjoy a fun story.Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age 13

Makes a great keepsake. Get the illustrated book in print for your fantasy library collection.

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Phrase Thesaurus Samples - Vol 4 - Earth Views - SS1-2

Sybrina's Phrase Thesaurus Sample Phrases

Volume 4

Earth Views
SS-SKYSCAPES SS1-2 (Skyscapes - Day)

Sybrina's Phrase Thesaurus is a 4 Volume Set of thousands of descriptive phrases to help authors break through writer's block.  This group of phrases describe morning sunrises.

Get this writer's aid at all online book stores.  

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Unicorn Book Feature - The Last Unicorn - By Peter S. Beagle

Sybrina's Unicorn Book Pick

Unicorns!  How we love them. . .Luckily for all of us unicorn lovers there are hundreds of unicorn books available for all age groups.  I have gathered information about as many as I can find and have placed them here for you in one convenient spot on my blog.  Today's Unicorn Book Feature is

The Last Unicorn

Graphic Novel

By Peter S. Beagle

Adapted by Peter B. Gillis 

and lushly illustrated by Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon

Peter S. Beagle's beloved fantasy classic captured imaginations around the world, and takes on new life in this luscious, fully illustrated graphic novel adaptation.

The Last Unicorn is a tale for any age about the wonders of magic, the power of love, and the tragedy of loss. The unicorn, alone in her enchanted wood, learns that she may be the last of her kind. Reluctant at first, she sets out on a journey to discover the fate of her fellow unicorns, even if it means facing the terrifying anger of the Red Bull and the malignant evil of the king who wields its power. Along the way she'll encounter a cast of unforgettable characters, including Schmendrick the magician, the bandit Molly Grue, the noble Prince Lír, and the occasional talking butterfly.

Get it at Amazon.

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Sybrina's Blue Unicorn Book Store2 - Unicorn Makeup Brushes

Unicorn Makeup Brushes

Sybrina's Blue Unicorn Book Store

Where you'll find unicorns, more unicorns and nothing but unicorns!  Visit now.

 

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Book Reviews2 for the Blue Unicorn's Journey To Osm by Elf

The Blue Unicorn's Journey To Osm - Reader Review

A tale that can be enjoyed by all ages

By Elf2060 

“The Blue Unicorn’s Journey to Osm” written by Sybrina Durant and illustrated by Dasguptarts is a lovely children’s story that blends fantasy and a bit of science fiction in a sweet tale. The gentle reminders of the importance of acceptance and maintaining a sense of self worth are artfully woven into this fun adventure tale. The brightly colored illustrations underscore the fantastical creatures that populate the tale while elements of science are slipped in through descriptions of the types of metal horns utilized by various unicorns and fun words such as didgeridoo are woven into the story. The story can be read on multiple levels, from very simple for a young child to an older individual who can appreciate the nuances and inside jokes such as where the ice cubes originate. Those who enjoy the story should make sure to pay attention to the author’s notes at the end which detail accessory items including a coloring book as well as provide an illustration of a unicorn’s parts and a fun activity.

Get the book in print for your fantasy library shelf.

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Unicorn Book Feature - Unicorns of Udithia - By Bethany Silver

Sybrina's Unicorn Book Pick

Unicorns!  How we love them. . .Luckily for all of us unicorn lovers there are hundreds of unicorn books available for all age groups.  I have gathered information about as many as I can find and have placed them here for you in one convenient spot on my blog.  Today's Unicorn Book Feature is

Unicorns of Udithia 

By Bethany Silver

Have you ever wondered about unicorns and pegasus': what they do, what they look like, where they live, and how they are? This novel takes you to Udithia, the land of the unicorns and pegasus', and answers all your curiosities. Meet Aquarion, a unicorn from the Ice Herd, and follow him through all of his adventures. Learn about all the herds in Udithia and their powers: Sun, Fire, Ice, Weather, Water, Earth... This is an exciting tale that any age can enjoy!

Get it at Amazon.

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Sybrina's Blue Unicorn Book Store2 - Unicorn Mug With Stirrer

Unicorn Mug With Stirrer

Sybrina's Blue Unicorn Book Store

Where you'll find unicorns, more unicorns and nothing but unicorns!  Visit now.

 

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B00k R3vi3w Tours - Caro M by Mari.Reiza

~ Book Blitz ~

Caro M, by Mari.Reiza

Psychological / Romance / Contemporary

About the Book:

Portraits of unyielding love. A woman, mostly alone in her world but for her dog, shares memories through letters to her old 'tesoro'; a wife trusts her sweetheart psychiatrist blindly through her divorce; a young girl lands a fairy tale wedding soon to turn into a nightmare her cousin yearns to fix. Immersive, witty, tender,



Caro M, explores the hurricane-like devastation love is capable of.















Book Links:

Goodreads * Amazon



Read a Snippet:



‘Mimi says that I’m sick,’ I say. ‘That I don’t know what I’m doing. That it’s the pills. The menopause. Jerk! He says it will be the final blow to his mum and that Anna is already struggling at school and she is at a difficult stage. He has asked me to think things over, and I’ve insisted, I’ve insisted that my mind is made, that I need to take control. It was exhausting, as Peter said it would be.’

Zeno chokes at the mention of a Peter. ‘Is Peter your new boyfriend?’

‘Father Peter,’ I clarify. ‘I’ve asked him to mediate between me and Mimi because I don’t want to argue anymore.’

‘You’re using a priest?’ Now Zeno sounds plainly pissed off. He has been working with me for years. How many pills? How many Kleenexes? He wants to claim complete glory. He’s pouting as he comes to sit back on the couch next to me, looking so over-cerebral, far from pleasing – erotic-aesthetically speaking – as if he were calculating what would be the correct reward for frying a brain: 2,444 euros, one hundred and one times the reward for a toe. He should work in insurance, with me, we would make such a great team. ‘Double fizz this morning?’ I would tempt him at every breakfast. Zeno would surely end up building an all-day gin habit after a short time, but he would be happier; he would be a better man. As things stand, his career is destined to dwindle into nothing, and he may end up begging for an even more pitiful job than he already has, in an even more depressing industry (is there anything more depressing than psychiatry?). Without me, Zeno will always lack pressure and dignity and look like a bored, middle-aged perv.

‘How many times have you met with this priest, then?’ he builds up the nerve to enquire further, worried my new confidante could take away his dinner. Out of the blue he may need to battle for a compromise.

I hum. I should not make it too easy for him.

Quotes:



Your hand was trembling and you passed the note to me quickly like in a Soviet spy movie. I crunched it in my hand and walked away. I could tell you were staring at the back of my golden dress.



‘Stay where you fit in,’ my uncle had rightly advised me before the wedding, but I hadn’t taken his advice. Where exactly did I fit in, other than in the psych ward?



All his money seemed to light Laura up like a beauty pageant; not that she wasn’t beauty-pageant material even without it.



Was I a commodity for you at an acquisitive time? Were you a collector? Should I fret about the value placed on me perhaps as an exotic object? Because I was French? I didn’t think of French as exotic but then I was it, and you cannot be foreign to yourself, although perhaps I was exactly that.



We had known so little about this man yet had let Laura wed him. And at her own wedding she was crying.



‘My husband fucked the woman who delivered our baby!’ I clamour again, full of honesty. It’s good to peak twice, to extend the peak for as long as possible.



I will never forget the sweetness with which you dried their hair. It made me think the world of you; it made me think how life is to be based purely on emotion. After that, I was lost.



Was I guilty of puffing up a dream which could grow expectations larger than Albatross wings? Yes. But then I remembered how I was in violation mode, and that the only purpose of a dream was perhaps not to come true but to break all cages, breach all rules and run around fiercely free.

About the Author:

Mari.Reiza was born in Madrid in 1973. She studied at Oxford University and worked as an investment research writer and management consultant for twenty years in London, before becoming an indie fiction writer. Also by her, Inconceivable Tales, Death in Pisa, Sour Pricks, A Pack of Wolves, STUP, Mum, Watch Me Have Fun!, Marmotte’s Journey, West bEgg, PHYSICAL, Room 11, Triple Bagger, Opera and the Retreat, all available on Amazon.





Author Links:

Twitter * Instagram

Lone Star Book Blog Tours - Fatality in F by Alexia Gordon

FATALITY IN F

A Gethsemane Brown Mystery, Volume 4 

by

Alexia Gordon

Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Henery Press
Date of Publication: February 26, 2019

Number of Pages: 234

Scroll down for the giveaway!

Fresh from solving her third mystery—and saving Dunmullach's firstborn males from a vengeful ghost—Gethsemane Brown's ready to relax and enjoy her summer. Her plans include nothing more dangerous than performing in the opening ceremony of the annual rose and garden show and cheering on Frankie Grennan, who's entered his hybrid rose into the competition.

But when a mysterious stalker starts leaving Frankie floral bouquets as coded messages, Gethsemane fears a copy-cat may be planning to recreate the still-unsolved murders of the infamous Flower Shop Killer. Then Frankie's main competitor in the rose show—and the reason his marriage failed—turns up dead in Frankie's rose garden. Frankie takes first prize in the category "prime suspect.”

So much for a relaxing summer. 

As bodies start dropping like rose petals, Gethsemane must judge the other suspects and find the real killer. Or rose bushes won't be the only things dead-headed in Dunmullach.

The cover and the title of this book are what drew me in. Fatality in F. . .oh, how musically delicious.  Any author who can incorporate music into their work gains my immediate attention.  This author, Alexia Gordon does not disappoint in book number four of her musical mystery series.  Here's an example of what I mean by that: "Eerie, yet majestic, notes meant to evoke the Russian mountain spirit who protected the mines and their underground treasures welled up from the violin and spilled over onto the stage and into the auditorium."  I love that imagery.

Not only does Ms. Gordon expound upon the emotional rifts and swells of music but she uses it as an instrumental background in such a way that you almost feel as if you are watching a movie rather than reading a book.

In this book, former world renowned classical violinist and current music director at the local boy's school, finds herself embroiled in investigating a murder within the rosarian community, as she prepares to conduct the Dunmullach Village Orchestra in the opening and awards ceremonies of the upcoming garden show, hosted by The International Rose Hybridizers’ Association.  All right. . .murder. . .music and flowers. . .now I'm really interested.

Investigative Mysteries. . .How I love them and I have read quite a few.  My favorite sleuths were the perky super snooper Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie’s elderly nose around Miss Marple and of course, the master of all consulting detectives, Sherlock Holmes. I must say that our heroine, the extraordinary Gethsemane Brown is a solid mix of all three. She's older than Nancy by about 20 years and much, much younger than Miss Marple but she's just as persistent as those two ladies and just as logical as dear old Sherlock.

There are so many great characters in this book who assist  "Fearless Brown", as her friends sometimes call her, with the many investigations which manage to present themselves to her but I will mainly concentrate on Gethsemane and her ghostly protector for my review. I apologize for that but the dynamics between them really gets your imagination going.

So. . .about Gethsemane's ghost. . .Eamon McCarthy, inhabits the ancient lighthouse at Carraigfaire that Ms. Brown calls home. But for a few exceptions, he can also travel nearly anywhere he'd visited while alive.  She became acquainted with the lovely spirit in a previous book while researching his death.  Everyone had suspected suicide but Gethsemane proved he was poisoned to death with digoxin, a pharmaceutical derived from the beautiful bell-shaped purple flowers of the foxglove plant. Did I mention the author has a medical background?  It really shows here and many other places in the book. 

While reading about Gethsemane Brown and Eamon McCarthy,  I just couldn’t stop thinking back to one of my favorite television programs from the late 60’s called The Ghost and Mrs Muir.  That comedic series was based on a romantic fantasy movie that was based on a very popular cozy romance book (they weren’t called that back then, though) of the same title which was written by Josephine Leslie under the pseudonym of R. A. Dick. 

Gethesemane and Eamon share a seaside home along with many private moments and revealing conversations, just like Mrs. Muir and her Captain Greg.  I don't believe Captain Greg was able to leave the confines of Gull Cottage, though. 

In addition to being able to travel, Eamon can move things around with his thoughts and can throw explosive orb blasts at evil doers.  On the domestic front, he can brew up a mean pot of coffee or serve a whisky neat.  He is even capable of learning new skills like how to maneuver through the world wide web to social media groups like Murderphile dot com. In fact, it is that new skill that leads G. Brown to one of the biggest clues for solving the mysterious murders in this book.

Like Captain Greg, Eamon experiences all of the emotions of a flesh and blood entity.  He doesn't always use words to express them.  Many times they are manifested as different colored auras.  There's impatient turquoise, worried saffron, morose dull yellow, pink with embarrassment and unamused mauve.  Eamon bristles umber when annoyed. His aura is radiant with blue fury when angry and when fearful he glows full-on terrified purple.  Hmmm. . .I wonder what color love would cause his aura to appear?  Will the author let us know in her next book?

Another big difference between Captain Greg and Eamon is that Gethsemane’s spectral friend reaches out to touch her and often.  That is something that never occurred between Mrs. Muir and hers.  The effects and powers of his touches range from affection (causing only a mild spark to flash through her) to desperation (literally throwing her over a cliff to save her from gunfire).  It was the constant touching that had me wondering if there might be some hopeless romance budding between the two of them.  Though they exist in two different dimensions they almost live as a married couple.  As long as Eamon is in her life, I can't see her ever letting another man get very close.

Don't get me wrong. I don't mean to steer you in the wrong direction. This is not a love story.   It is an all out who-dun-it murder mystery with lots of exciting events throughout.  I highly recommend you read this book or series in any order you please.  Fatality in F certainly stands on its own but you might want to start with Murder In G Major (#1).  Then, move on to Death In D Minor (#2), followed by Killing In C Sharp (#3) and wrap it all up with book #4.  Which ever route you decide on, you will be as impressed with Alexia Gordon's story-telling abilities as I am.

PRAISE FOR THE GETHSEMANE BROWN MYSTERY SERIES:

Book 1, Murder in G Major

Winner of the 2017 Lefty Award for Best Debut Novel

2016 Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel

Suspense magazine "Best of 2016" selection in Debut Novel category

Book 2, Death in D Minor

Runner-Up, 2017 Lone Star Bloggers' Choice Awards, Best Mystery

Book 3, Killing in C Sharp

Starred review, Publisher's Weekly, January 29, 2018

CLICK TO ORDER ON:
┃  Amazon  ┃  Barnes & Noble  ┃  iBooks  ┃  Kobo  ┃

A writer since childhood, Alexia Gordon won her first writing prize in the 6th grade. She continued writing through college but put literary endeavors on hold to finish medical school and Family Medicine residency training. She established her medical career then returned to writing fiction. Raised in the southeast, schooled in the northeast, she relocated to the west where she completed Southern Methodist University’s Writer’s Path program. She admits Texas brisket is as good as Carolina pulled pork. She practices medicine in North Chicago, IL. She enjoys the symphony, art collecting, embroidery, and ghost stories.

 ║  Website ║ Facebook ║ Instagram  ║
║BookBub  ║ Twitter ║ Goodreads║

-------------------------------------

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

One winner receives a signed copy of Fatality in F and 
a $30 Gift Card to David Austin Roses

FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 8, 2019

(US ONLY)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

2/26/19	Sneak Peek	Texas Book Lover
2/26/19	Playlist	All the Ups and Downs
2/27/19	Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
2/28/19	Review	Reading by Moonlight
3/1/19	Top 5 List	StoreyBook Reviews
3/1/19	Author Interview	Max Knight
3/2/19	Review	Bibliotica
3/3/19	Review	Sybrina's Book Blog
3/4/19	Top 5 List	That's What She's Reading
3/4/19	Top 5 List	The Love of a Bibliophile
3/5/19	Review	Momma on the Rocks
3/6/19	Series Spotlight	Kelly Well Read
3/6/19	Excerpt	Syd Savvy
3/7/19	Review	Forgotten Winds
3/7/19	Review	Book Fidelity

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Sybrina's Blue Unicorn Book Store2 - Unicorn Music Jewelry Box

Unicorn Music Jewelry Box

Sybrina's Blue Unicorn Book Store

Where you'll find unicorns, more unicorns and nothing but unicorns! Visit now.

 

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Unicorn Book Feature - Wisdom of Unicorns by Joules Taylor

Sybrina's Unicorn Book Pick

Unicorns!  How we love them. . .Luckily for all of us unicorn lovers there are hundreds of unicorn books available for all age groups.  I have gathered information about as many as I can find and have placed them here for you in one convenient spot on my blog.  Today's Unicorn Book Feature is

 The Wisdomo of Unicorns

By Joules Taylor

Channel the magical guidance of unicorns and discover their powers of positivity, spiritual healing, and general awesomeness. This handy, pseudo-spiritual guide is complete with motivating quotes, mantras, and colorful illustrations in the bizarre style of late '80s surrealist pop art.

Get it at Amazon.

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