2018 NetGalley Reading Challenge Completion

The fifth annual Netgalley and Edelweiss Reading Challenge was initially hosted by Bookish Things & More. The site has apparently closed.
The levels offered were:
Bronze – 10 Books
Silver – 25 Books
Gold – 50 Books
Platinum – 75 Books
Diamond – 100 Books

I just made my goal of Gold in 2017 with 51 NetGalley books read and reviewed. I decided to try Gold level again this year. However, I had it in my mind that my goal was 40. I was doing just fine with that until I started to set up this post and realized the goal was actually 50.
COMPLETED! I did a sprint reading the last 7 days to reach 50!

JANUARY 2018
1. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: What If God Wrote Your To-Do List? by Jay Payleitner; Christian Living, Inspirational, Religion & Spirituality; my rating 4.5.
2. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Precisely at Midnight (Kinsman Book 2) by Joyce and Alexandra Swann; Christian, Inspirational, Holiday; my rating 4.25.
3. NGTBR-#NetGalley Book Review: Rise of the Fallen: Wars of the Realm, Book 2 by Chuck Black; Action/Adventure, Christian, Fantasy; my rating 4.75.
4. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: A Gem of a Problem by Irene Sauman; Cozy Mystery, Historical; my rating 4.5.
FEBRUARY 2018
5. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Battle Hymn (America Rising) by William C. Dietz; Alternate History, Military Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.0.
6. NGTBR- #NetGalley Review: All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai; Alternate History, Sci Fi, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.
7. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: The Darling Dahlias and the Unlucky Clover by Susan Wittig Albert; Cozy Mystery, Woman Sleuth; my rating 4.0.
March 2018
8. NGTBR- #NetGalley Review: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip; Fantasy, Magical, Romance; my rating 4.75.
9. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: If I Live by Terri Blackstock; Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.25.
10. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Fade to Black by David Rosenfelt; Crime Thriller, Police Procedures; my rating 4.0.
11. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Consent of the Governed by Bernard LoPinto; Dystopian, Political; my rating 4.0.
12. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: In Wolves' Clothing by Greg Levin; Crime Fiction, Thriller; my rating 4.5.
13. NGTBR-#NetGalley Book Review: The Edge of Memory by Maura Beth Brennan; Drama, Psychological Thriller, Suspense; my rating 4.0.
APRIL 2018
14. NGTBR- #NetGalley Review: Mind Game: A Novel (Eve Duncan) by Iris Johansen; Crime, Thriller, Woman Sleuth; my rating 4.0.
15. 2018NG- #NetGalley Book Review: Out of the Box by Jemma Westing; Children, Crafts; my rating 4.5.
16. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Let There Be Light by Dan Gordon and Sam Sorbo; Christian, Inspirational; my rating 4.0.
MAY 2018
17. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: The Hills of Mare Imbrium by Carleton Chinner; Colonization, Sci Fi, Space; my rating 4.0.
18. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Nick Newton is Not a Genius by S.E.M Ishida; Adventure, Clockwork, Middle Grade, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
19. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Lock 'N' Load (Federal K-9) by Tee O'Fallon; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.0.
JUNE 2018
20. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Queendom of the Seven Lakes (Legends of the Godskissed Continent) by A B Endacott; Fantasy, Historical, New Adult; my rating 4.25.
21. #NetGalley Book Review: The Voice Inside by Brian Freeman; Crime, Psychological Thrillers; my rating 4.5.
JULY 2018
22. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: The After War by Brandon Zenner; Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.
23. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: The Year of the Knife by G.D. Penman; Alternate History, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy; my Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
24. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Zen Pencils: Cartoon Quotes from Inspirational Folks by Gavin Aung Than; Cartoon, Comic Strip, Self-Help; my rating 4.0.
25. NGTBR- #NetGalley Book Review: Science Geek Sam and his Secret Logbook by Cees Dekker and Corien Oranje; Children, Creation Theories; my rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
26. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Talon - epic fantasy novel (The Astor Chronicles Book 1) by Amanda Greenslade; Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery; my rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
AUGUST 2018
27. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Jack Gilmour: Wish Lawyer by Ed Ryder; Noir, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
28. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Silent Threat (Mission Recovery Book 1) by Dana Marton; Military, Romantic Suspense; my rating: 4.75 of 5.0.
29. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Theodore and the Enchanted Bookstore: Tale of the Spectacular Spectacles; Children, Dogs, Pets; my rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
SEPTEMBER 2018
30. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert; Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery; my rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
31. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: The Rancher's Gift by Dennis Worden and Jeff Dunn; Christian, Inspirational, Religion; my rating: 5.0 of 5.0.
OCTOBER 2018
32. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Once Upon A Heartbreak by Cassie Rocca; Contemporary Romance, Second Chance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
33. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Unwritten by Tara Gilboy; Children's Books, Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
NOVEMBER 2018
34. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: For Us Humans by Steve Rzasa; Aliens, Christian, Futuristic, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
35. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Light’s Dawn: A Novella (Light in the Darkness) by Yvette Bostic; Alternate History, Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
36. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Kill Shot by Susan Sleeman; Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
37. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Somewhere The Bells Ring (Somewhere in Time Book 3) by Beth Trissel; Ghosts, Holidays, Paranormal, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
DECEMBER 2018
38. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff by Dana K. White; Cleaning, Hoarding, How To; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
39. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: A Chance at Christmas by Beppie Harrison; Christmas, Historical Romance, Holiday Romance, Regency; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
40. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Someone to Trust by Mary Balogh; Historical Romance, Holiday, Regency; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
41. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Patience for Christmas: A Holiday Novella; Historical Romance, Holiday, Regency; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
42. NG2018 and A2018- #NetGalley and Audible Book Review: The Trouble with Twelfth Grave by Darynda Jones; Fantasy, Ghosts, Private Investigator; My Rating: 4.5 Overall; 4.25 Story; 5.0 Narration.
43. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: 101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily: Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for You and your Hen by Lisa Steele; Animal Husbandry, DIY, Nonfiction, Reference; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
44. NG2018- #NetGalley Book Review: Slay Bells: A Christmas Village Mystery by T.C. Wescott; Christmas, Cozy Mystery; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
45. NG2018- A Book Without Dragons by Olivia Berrier.
46. NG2018- Blind Betrayal by Nancy Mehl.
47. NG2018- The Cat in the Christmas Tree: A Magical Tail by Peter Scottsdale.
48. NG2018- When Spring Comes to the DMZ 
49. NG2018- Fury
50. NG2018- Owl Love You by Matthew Heroux, Wednesday Kirwan (Illustrations)
    

#NetGalley Book Review: Talon - epic fantasy novel (The Astor Chronicles Book 1) by Amanda Greenslade

I really like this fantasy adventure with animal shifters and a battle of good and evil.

Talon - epic fantasy novel (The Astor Chronicles Book 1)
by Amanda Greenslade

File Size: 3502 KB
Print Length: 278 pages
Publisher: Australian eBook Publisher; 1 edition (April 1, 2016)
ASIN: B01BOGSCM6
Genre: Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

With a newly awakened icetiger for his companion, Talon is finally learning the magic of the Kriite people, including telepathy and shape-changing. After his home town Jaria is attacked by Zeikas he embarks on a mission to seek help.
Before Talon even understands the power within him, there are demon summoners after him. He is horrified to learn that the Zeika leader plans to use Talon’s body and mind to further his ambition for power. Bal Harar is on a god-given mission to enslave or kill all Kriites.
Talon represents both the greatest threat and the greatest opportunity to the Zeikas—his actions and faith will make all the difference between the two.

Review:
Talon is on the cusp of manhood when he finally meets his ‘Rada-kin”, the animal companion which allows his telepathy and shifter skills to emerge. Talon’s special animal is a powerful icetiger which brings him quick respect from most of his clan. Talon’s people are Kriites who believe in a loving God (Krii) who takes the shape of a wolf and who helps the people through ‘magic’ of nature and spirit. Although the Kriites want to live in peace, they are being enslaved and killed by the cruel Zeikas who consider those who believe in any God but theirs (Zei) as inferior infidels.

The Zeikas have powerful magic which includes demon summoning but they do not have the strength of the telepathy that the Kriites have. A ruthless Zeika leader, Bar Harrar, believes he can take over Talon’s magical skills – or he will eliminate him if his plan to control him doesn’t work.

Talon’s town is attacked as the Zeikas seek to capture him. The town elders send Talon on a quest to discover the full extent of his powers hoping he can return as a strong leader to help them. They agree that a visiting ambassador, Sarlice, who has more experience, can serve as Talon’s guide to first travel together to seek the King’s assistance and protection against the Zeikas for their respective clans. The two young adults set off with their animal companions to make the dangerous journey with enemy Zeikas abounding and hope of allies unsure.

The characters are nicely developed with relatable emotions. I enjoyed the fun interaction between Talon and his icetiger as they get to know each other and their world perspectives. The world building is creative and workable and there is plenty of fighting action to keep things interesting. It was clear early in the story that this has allegorical elements of Christian faith, love and peace having to face a world full of wicked, evil, power seeking enemies. I like the good versus evil battle aspects as well as the telepathic and animal shifter magic so it is an engaging package for me.

The book is a good start to a series and ends with the companions being chased into the next mysterious land for Talon’s quest. I will be looking to pick up the next book. This is appropriate for YA reading but I recommend this to all readers who enjoy fantasy with sword play and shape shifting.

Source: NetGalley 2017. This qualifies for 2018TBR, NetGalley and Alphabet Challenges.