This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
We first meet Tabatha in "Zyanya", a contemporary fantasy by Greta Benavides Adame. Tabatha is travelling with her mother and step-father to their new home in the jungle, and she is not at all happy about leaving her home and friends back in Texas. Zyanya is a coffee plantation where the beans are shade-grown, along with a dazzling profusion of orchids and fruit. This self-sustaining jungle paradise was the dream, and creation, of Severo Alba, whose son left years ago taking away his wife and Antonio, their son, after Antonio suffered a mysterious accident. One of the first persons Tabatha meets is Yaxkin, who is drawn to her against his will. Yaxkin has been working at Zyanya since he was seven and seems duty-bound to harm her -- something he is resisting with all his might.
Adame creates a splendid backdrop for her story in "Zyanya". The descriptions of the orchids, the waterfalls and the jungle are fabulous and lend an exotic air to this fantasy-thriller. "Zyanya" is a page-turner. There are several plots going on which kept this reader's attention throughout the work. Tabatha, Jairo and Yaxkin are compelling characters and "Zyanya" is rather unique in that it is a coming-of-age story of these three young adults, whose lives are somehow entwined. The mythological aspects of the plot are intriguing, and as Tabatha experiences her new surroundings, the reader is likewise enriched by the experience. There is a lot to like about this book -- fantasy, action & adventure, mythology and a hint of the paranormal. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it.