Justin Newland

An exciting, magical adventure!

The Mark of the Salamander is the first book in author Justin Newland’s duology, The Island of Angels, and it is a wonderful, rousing, and magical adventure, set in the historic period of 1575-80, when Elizabeth I was queen and England is poised to expand into a mighty empire. With its engaging main character, vivid descriptions, and absorbing plot which deftly combines history with magic, the author has created a very special story and I was lost in its pages from start to finish.

Nelan Michaels is the hero of the story: a young Flemish boy who came to England with his father to escape religious persecution. A good boy, his bright future at university is derailed by the false accusation that he murdered a student at his school. Like a character out of a Dickens’ classic, Nelan faces obstacles at every turn and battered by fate, but he always succeeds in dragging himself back up to try and try again.

The author is a compelling storyteller, with a gift for marrying historical fact with fiction. His descriptions of life during this time are subtly full of fascinating details without ever feeling like I was reading a textbook; I was immediately immersed in Nelan’s life and surroundings. Nelan’s circumstances shift drastically during the story, from his middle-class beginnings to abject poverty, even imprisonment, and the author paints a complete picture of it all. Readers get a robust vision of life at all levels of society.

The story moves at a nimble pace throughout and I was so caught up in the story, I was compelled to read the entire book in one satisfying evening. Just when I thought things would settle down, and perhaps, I could take a break, some new situation would arise that I had to see resolved. Still, I think this might be a perfect read-aloud to share with family and younger readers, tantalizing all with cliffhanger stopping points.

I recommend THE MARK OF THE SALAMANDER to readers of historical fiction who would enjoy magical storyline.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.… (plus d'informations)

I have previously read other books from talented author, Justin Newland and was excited to have the opportunity to read the start to his In the Island of Angels series, The Mark of the Salamander. I know I should not judge a book by its cover, but this one caught my eye right from the start. I was far from disappointed. It was an honor to take this journey with the main character, Nelan. I loved the vivid historical details that had transported back in time to Nelan’s time. I enjoyed taking this adventure and setting sail on Francis Drake’s Golden Hind. This is one that held my attention from page one until the very last page. I am not huge fantasy fan, but thought it worked well for Nelan’s story. Overall, I thought it was a fabulous read. Loved it!

The Mark of the Salamander will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical fiction that is full of intrigue and adventure during the Elizabethan era of England. I am eagerly awaiting to read the follow up of the In the Island of Angels series to find out what could possibly happen next and what Justin Newland has in store for his readers and fans.

I received a paperback copy of Justin Newland’s The Mark of the Salamander from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.… (plus d'informations)

I had to stop when I saw the vibrant yellow cover and see what The Genes Of Isis by Justin Newland was about. Then I saw angels and grabbed it. The Genes of Isis by Justin Newland wasn’t quite what I though it would be and it took me a while to get into it, but it is worth a read if you are into science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction. I love when I can recommend a debut novel.

My name is Akasha. I am mother of you all. You are the children of angels. And this is out story.

The Helios is a tribe of angels that, like I have seen before, think they have all the answers. They came to Earth to move humans to a new stage of evolution by delivering the Surge.

Horque comes to Earth with the Solarii, another tribe of angels to fix what the problem the Helios created when they made the hybrids.

Akasha has a premonition that foretelsl of all their extinctions with a great flood. So many moments reminded me of a religious and an Egyptian story.

I am not a church goer, but I have enjoyed some Christian books and those with a religious tone. The Genes of Isis by Justin Newland is one of those. Many things sounded familiar, especially the polluting of religion for personal reasons. Political intrigue and revenge are alive and well. Is this where pyramids came from? I would think they would be more aware of Karma. 🙂

Issa made a deal with the devil and, at first, I though she was just a nice person. As the story comes together, I find she is so much more. Who knows what would have happened without her.

The Genes Of Isis by Justin Newland is hard for me to rate. I wasn’t very far into the book and wondered if this would be one of those I wouldn’t finish. I was confused. Not just by the names, which I create my own way of pronouncing them in my head, making the reading easier, but figuring out what was going on…Is it Gods and angels? Is it aliens? A third or half of the way through, the religious tones emerged and things were coming together. All in all, I would recommend if this is your type of story and like immersing yourself in a fantasy world of fantasy.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Genes Of Isis by Justine Newland.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com… (plus d'informations)

A rich world awaits in this grabbing tale of a town, which has not only been divided but grown as far apart as heaven and hell.

Tula has left her home on the plains to venture up the mountains in search of the city of angels, but what she finds is anything but angelic. Across the deadly ravine from what had been the wondrous city of Unity, another town has formed. This one holds the people, who broke away from the angels and insisted they follow their own course through life. As time has progressed, the angels seem to have completely disappeared. Instead, demons have taken their place, and they have a thirst for death. Every so often, they trick someone to walk across the dangerous, rope bridge dividing the towns and ensure that person plunges to their death. But Tula refuses to give up hope, and as she gets to know the citizens and their history, she realizes that the situation is darker than she'd assumed.

The author has created a rich and original world, and with Tula, it's no problem to sink into it. There isn't much background given about her. The reader just knows that she's made this journey with the hope to enter Unity and meet the angels. And that's enough. The characters she meets bring the spice, each one vibrant and unique. They have their own thoughts, goals, and history, which adds lovely depth and makes Tula easy to root for as she slowly figures out what the true situation in the town is. The pacing isn't quite a fast as I usually like, but there's more than enough going on to keep the reader in the pages.

This is a book, whose food-for-thought deepens as the tale goes on. There are several messages in the pages and quite a bit to chew and digest. As Tula uncovers more and more dark secrets, the reader is cleverly lead to consider questions surrounding difficulties and issues found in people and society today. All of this happens without leaving the fantasy world and the adventure Tula is up against. It is a grabbing read, which stays with a reader even after the last page is finished. I received a complimentary copy and found myself caught up in Tula's adventure.… (plus d'informations)