Review: The Narrowing Path (Bowe Bellanger #1) by David J. Normoyle

Title: The Narrowing Path

Series: Bowe Bellanger #1

Author: David J. Normoyle

Genre: YA, high fantasy

Publication date: April 2013

Published by: Fiction Addiction

Source: From author for review (thanks!)

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Synopsis:

Only the strongest, smartest and most ruthless will survive.

Every six years, the world draws nearer to the sun. In Arcandis, those who want to live must claim the limited places in the Refuge, a series of underground caverns cooled by the sea.

The teenage boys of noble birth are sent out into the city to demonstrate their wits and strength. Some prove themselves in combat, others display their empire building skills, still others attempt to kill off their rivals. Out of over a hundred, only six will be selected by the leaders of the great families and allowed a place in the Refuge. The rest will perish, one way or another.

Not only is thirteen-year-old Bowe younger and weaker than most of the other boys, he has no family to support him. He is expected to die on the very first day of the narrowing path. Instead he begins a journey no one could have anticipated.

My rating: ★★★☆☆
This action-packed dystopian was about boys proving to society their worth by surviving the cruel world they are thrown into. And when I say cruel I mean CRUEL! Brutal stuff, I tell ya. The people in this world, the royals, are just ruthless without an ounce of compassion whatsoever, killing anyone they desire/think is in their way. Man...

Review: Myth Weaver by David J. Normoyle

Title: Myth Weaver

Author: David J. Normoyle

Genre: YA, fantasy, Greek mythology, Norse mythology

Publication date: July 2012

Published by: David J. Normoyle

Source: review e-copy from Goodreads group Making Connections YA Edition and author (Thank you!)

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Synopsis:

Relive Greek and Norse myths as never before.

Eighteen-year-old Jagger is addicted to his imagination. He scorns the real world and lives inside his own head. He is happy to withdraw completely until his daydream world becomes a battleground for Odin and Zeus. When Jagger actually feels his skin burning from Zeus’s thunderbolt, the edges of reality blur even further.

A contest of myths is formed where Greek is pitted against Norse. Under Loki and Prometheus’s guidance, Jagger acts as judge. He is Perseus as he cuts off Medusa’s head and Loki as he schemes against the other gods. He sees Odin face the frost giants at Ragnarok and Achilles set sail for Troy.

Inspired by his mythological heroes, he starts working for a newspaper where his investigations lead him into real danger. Prometheus tries to help Jagger, but getting aid from Loki, the trickster, could be double-edged. Will ancient truths help Jagger in the modern world? And can Jagger judge the contest of myths without further enraging the warring gods?

My rating: ★★★★★
I was so very happy when I came across this book! What can I say, I'm a HUGE mythology fan! To tell the truth, though, I didn't know what to expect from this book. But, I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.