Book Series Review: My Time in Amar, Books 1 & 2 - by Nicki Chapelway

Hello, everyone!

I have had the pleasure of recently reading the first two books in Nicki Chapelway's My Time in Amar series! Book 2 just released yesterday, actually! Though this is a book and movie review blog, I tend to focus on films more (With a title like Movies Meet Their Match, you probably guessed that), so I am super excited to be reviewing these for you today!

Note: I was give free copies of these books for my honest opinion, so that is what you'll be getting.

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

Book 1:

A Week of Werewolves, Faeries, and Fancy Dresses - by Nicki Chapelway:

Chelsea is perfectly fine with her life, except that she keeps getting sucked through a portal into the land of Amar, then after a bit she gets home again. After learning that her twin brother, and two friends have had the thing happen to them, they all are dropped in Amar where a spell is put on them until they complete their fathers's quest. The problem is that they don't know what the quest is! With help from Chelsea and Clint's uncle, they head to Hale Hall to find some answers, and encounter beings that are amazing, but are they dangerous, and possibly out to get them?
'Clint decides to go for the eloquent approach. "Excuse me but, what the freak are you talking about, buddy?"'
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult.

Characters: 8, these characters were so awesome! I was loving them from the beginning.

My favorites:
Clint: he and I are kindred spirits. We have so many things in common! He's my favorite.
Phillip: I wasn't sure about him at first, but he is so sweet and caring. (This is the only place were Clint and I differ, because Clint doesn't like him).
Easton: 'I guess the responsibility lands on my shoulders then.' He has so much endurance, it is crazy! Also, his favorite color is blue which shows that he has great taste because blue is the best color ever.
Chelsea: Once again, we both think a lot alike. I loved how she one time thought 'Well, that's inconvenient.' right before passing out.
Margareta: She is hilarious! (I thought that it was cool that her name, Margareta Hale, is really close to the main character of North & South - by Elizabeth Gaskell, Margaret Hale!)
Wilhelm: Not really sure about him yet, but I am very impressed with his skills.
I know that you are all wondering, "Where's Bobby?" Well, I feel like she had the least amount of time so I don't feel like I know her. Maybe in the next books!

Words: 8, there are no bad words, which I loved! I love reading things in first person, present tense (it is my favorite!!), so I was really happy about that! The only thing is that there are some bits that dragged a little that I thought could be cut.
'He glowers at me with his lips pressed together in displeasure. “You should watch your language when in the presence of a lady.”'

Quotes: 10! 'I shake that thought out of my head the second it appears. Nope. Time for a new theory.' (This is pretty much my thought process.)

Storyline: 8, there are descriptions of blood, death, people going through a lot of pain (but it is actually pretty tame), and there are comments about kissing. The plot is so creative!

Good For: Fantasy lovers, adventure lovers.

Age Range: The four main characters are 15, and it is YA, but I think that many ages would enjoy it!

Overall Score: 8.5!

Bonus thoughts:

'I snort which causes the pain in my side to flair. Note to self: don't snort if you are experiencing abominable abdominal pain.'
This book was awesome! It is so funny! I had a really bad cough while reading this so every few pages I would burst out laughing which would turn into violent coughing. My sisters got really annoyed, but hey, laughter is the best medicine, right? I really loved it. Great job, Nicki!



Book 2:
A Time of Trepidation, Pirates, and Lost Princesses - by Nicki Chapelway:

'"Bad stuff happens to all of us okay?" Bobby says. "This is not a contest to see who has had the worst stuff happen to them."'
The adventure has just begun. And were it started as four companions, that number has now grown to nine! Chelsea, Clint, Bobby, and Easton are grateful to find friends in this world of Amar, but they still really want to go home. Their only clue is to go to the Bextain Sea, where they are supposed to find an amulet and a lost princess. Things only get more complicated when they get caught up with pirates! They also are learning that while their powers may be amazing and helpful, they can also hurt them. Will they find what they are looking for, or will they find this quest to be hopeless?
"Do yourself a favor, lad. Stay alive. I can tell that you have a bright future ahead of you."
Genre: Fantasy, YA.

Characters: 9! I loved getting to read more about them, and all of the new characters!

My favorites:
Clint: As I said before, he is the best! My only complaint is that I need more of him!
Fiona: I am really interested in her character, so I can't wait to read what happens! I loved the message that goes with her: 'I am who I am. And I'm done apologizing for it.'
Easton: 'always having to be dumb and selfless all the time.' He is one of the most amazing, selfless characters of all time. You can't not love him! I can't stand it when he touches his hair all. the. time. But that's a personal pet peeve of mine.
Jim: Another hilarious character! The book would not be the same without him. "What can I say? I'm an amazingly generous individual."
Bobby: I think that I'm starting to understand her more. I loved where to begin her thoughts in just said 'I want a sandwich'. That is so totally me! And this bit, too: 'Of course she would approve. It is very swashbuckling. And Bobby approves of swashbuckling.'
Chelsea: She is kind of the main character, so you have to like her, but I was frustrated with how indecisive she is! Just make up your mind already! 'If my conscience is starting to sound like Clint then I know that I'm in truly dark times.'
Atrium: I liked him, but another character who wouldn't make up his mind! But, I can understand all of what he did.

Words: 8, same as what I said for the first one.
"Not unless our goal is actually to die. Then that plan will work out really well."

Quotes: 10, '"I am going to miss you, my strange little friend. I sure hope you don't die." He flashes me a grin. "That would decrease our chances of seeing each other again."'

Storyline: 7, there is drinking, violence, suggestive things, and kissing. It is YA, but so many times I just felt like yelling at people, "You are so young! Don't worry about that!" I agree with this sentiment, though:
'We are a tragedy in the making. Someone needs to intervene here and make certain that everyone loves who they are supposed to or else there will be nothing left except for a good many broken hearts.'

Good For: People who are trying to find themselves, people who are struggling with difficult tasks.

Age Range: It is really clean, and the story is interesting for all ages, but I don't think anyone under 14 would be interested in the romance.

Overall Score: 8.5!

Bonus thoughts:
Once again, this book is hilarious! It is so much fun, I definitely recommend it. I couldn't put it down!


Thank you so much to Nicki for giving me the opportunity to review these, and congrats on publishing Book 2 yesterday!

Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic