Lantern-
This book was very childish and quick. I felt as though I was reading a children’s book. But not a good one lol. I rated this two stars because the plot was okay not horrible. I am confused on what the next two books will be about. Especially at the end with that kiss! Come on, one they are children and two they just met!!

Beacon-
This book was okay. I hate when a series has different characters for each book. But I’ll get over it lol. The plot line was okay but it was the exact same as the first book. Except with this one she isn’t as happy as Jared was lol. She still has a miserable life lol.

Torch- dnf

Great set of books. All of the individual stories are all fantastic with amazing characters and gripping storylines that you will want to end which makes this a set not to miss. An absolute bargain of a boxset and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Lantern

This is a short, sweet story about Halloween and love.

Tori's grandma is such a cool person! She believes in Tori and even helps her sneak out and find solutions to freeing Jared from the lantern. The insta-love was a little bit cringey though, and the plot's kind of rushed? Nonetheless, I really enjoyed reading this novella!

Beacon

We finally meet Machin in this novella! He takes in Serah as his apprentice two weeks after her interview (the reason for this wasn't mentioned though). I was kind of confused when reading this, because Machin is supposed to give his apprentices better lives in our world, right? But his lantern takes Serah to a place where she feels miserable, and I have no idea why he does that.

I like Machin, because he's awesome - he invents stuff and the magical lanterns are just... wow. Also Gelsey is so sweet! Sadly, I didn't really connect with Serah. I liked her, but I couldn't relate to her.

Torch

Jared, Jared, Jared! I was rooting for him all the way. He's a tough little cookie! His father dies when he is young, and he starts living on his own. He totally deserves to become Machin's apprentice. I'm so glad for him when he goes to the mortal world with Evelyn and gets a happy ending.

Buuuut... again, the insta-love was really cringey.

Overall rating

★★★.5

Everything was good, except for the insta-love. Would recommend this to fans of YA fantasy and short stories :)

These are easy, fast reads, well worth the time. I had such fun reading all three of the short stories, and can easily see them being expanded to create full novels. I would love to read more of this world and the characters in it.

This story takes place in two different ‘worlds’. As we get a glimpse into our own world, when some characters get sent here for a new start and to find happiness, we learn so much about the characters and what it is that they need and could not find in their own world.

The characters themselves are well-rounded people that you will be rooting for while reading each story. This means that you will probably want to know where the characters go from where their stories end since you only get enough to make you crave more of them.

The alternate world in which Machin lives is quite different from our own, in the ‘magic’ that is possible there. This world is also not as advanced as our own, making it feel like you’ve been transported back in time. The ‘magical’ system is definitely not something I’ve come across yet, and this is what was so intriguing to me.

I would love more stories in these worlds, maybe even a full novel or two… Let’s hope for the best.

I loved this trilogy of stories about lanterns which burned with unusual flames. The stories were funny, puzzling and very entertaining.

Great read. Well written, with a great plot and characters. I was engrossed from start to finish. These books are fast paced with elements of mystery, romance and supernatural. Each book has different characters but are tied together with the lantern maker Master Machin. Very Unique and creative. I loved this set of novellas. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.

Halloween is here. Tori has discovered a lantern that turns off and on. She discovers a small boy inside it named Jared. He was trapped into it by his "master" Machin. He can't get out unless Tori helps him. Will she be able to. In the next story, Beacon, Serah is trapped in a lantern made by Machin, a famous lantern maker. Seraph is rescued from the lamp into a future she doesn't understand. What will she do? The last story, Torch, Graham is the next assistant to Machin who finds a Lantern with a girl trapped in it. The Lantern is in Machin's workplace unlike the others. Will Graham be able to open the Lantern?

Each of these novellas can be read alone, they do not depend on the previous story to make sense. Each story shows the development of the ones in the story and how love buds. The romantic stories include magic and mystery. Read and enjoy!

I don't usually read novellas but these were so entertaining, fun and pictured so beautifully I might change my mind about that!

If I may talk about flaws is the lack of diversity. I would've enjoyed them more with some PoCs and/or not only heterosexual relationships.

This is a whimsical set of stories full of magic and enough mystery that you want to see what will happen next. Each of the three stories characters are unique with the exception of the lantern maker Machin. Master Machin uses magic to transform these young people's lives and trade their sorrows for joy and hope while ultimately sending them on the path for a much brighter future.

This set was given to me by the publisher and NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

What if you found a lantern that had mysterious background and a strange flickering light that nobody else was aware of? Or what if you end up in an entirely strange world unlike your own, and you had no idea how to get home? The Lantern Collection answers those questions and so many more.

I found this to be a very fast, easy read full of mystery, hints of romance and some unique supernatural elements. I could honestly say that I had no idea what the books were going to really be about, so it was a pleasant surprise at the content. The stories were pretty short, roughly 70ish pages each making them more novellas than anything else. Each book was about a new group of characters and mysteries to solve, but with one common factor that ties them all together- the machinations of Master Machin, a man with more mysteries, powers and intentions than any other character.

My favorite story was Lantern, the first novella, because it had a creepy vibe that sucked me in as well as it helped to set the tone and the mystery of the series. I went into the book blind which helped I think, so there were no expectations and I could just sit back and be surprised by miniature Jared and the cuteness of the relationship between Tori and Kimmie. I love lanterns in general so it was really cool to see them portrayed in such a new, paranormal way. As a side note, the other stories were good, but the first just captured my interest the best.

The books are listed as teen, but I think they are appropriate for all ages due to the easy style of the writing and the clean content. I literally flew through the pages, a story a sitting. I think the stories need to be read together, like in this collection, instead of as independent books because they build on the world and help to wrap up the story- I also recommend them in this order because it flowed really well. The world the author created was interesting and I would have loved to know more about it as well as the magic that comes from there, but this was overall a well done taste and wrapped everything up nicely without too many extra questions. This was my first book by Chess but I am really interested to see what else she has created.

I received this title for reviewing purposes.

Lantern - Book One
Sweet, refreshing and safe for even younger readers! Imagine the magic of Halloween, the special bond between a grandparent and a grandchild and an amazing tale of a special lantern and its tiny occupant. LANTERN by Chess Desalls is a short, yet beautifully simple tale of caring when Tori, a sixteen-year-old girl discovers a strange light flashing deep in the woods and lets her curiosity lead her on a mission to save the young man trapped within a magical lantern.

Purely magical reading! Chess Desalls has created a brief tale that will satisfy even the most reluctant of readers! A little suspense, a lot of kindness and the magic of Machin, his special Moon Glass and Chess Desalls’ pen! When I think of Gems in reading, this one is sparkling bright!

Beacon - Book Two
Does Machin have a feel for finding the lost and lonely children of Havenbrim? There clearly is something kind within the mysterious celestial mechanic and glazier’s soul as another forlorn teen comes to his door in search of the coveted apprentice position that will provide food and shelter for the one he chooses.

Master Machin works in strange ways and author Chess Desalls has once again, brought a heart-warming tale of another life changed by the magical man. BEACON is another short, but magnetic read that brings the magic of words and the worlds they create to life. Another warm read filled with the magic of Chess Desalls’ imagination that shines like a diamond!

Torch - Book Three
TORCH by Chess Desalls is the third magical tale in the lantern series that takes us from our world to the world of Havenbrim, magic and adventure. Beautifully written, this tale of fantasy comes alive with all of the glory of fantasy and make-believe come true! Written for younger readers, each scene becomes a mental picture to enjoy, from contemporary Pennsylvania to mythical Havenbrim where two young people find friendship and a place to belong. But would that place be in Evelyn’s world or Graham’s?

Chess Desalls has given younger readers a piece of magic to read, enjoy and believe in.

I received a complimentary review copy from Czidor Lore, LLC in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Lantern Series: Complete Collection
Publisher: Czidor Lore, LLC
Publication date: 09/12/2017
Genre: Middlegrade / YA Fantasy
Pages: 256
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

I truly felt like Desalls could have made three solid books out of the three novellas here simply by fleshing out the characters some more and taking us just a little deeper. I truly enjoyed all three but I just kept wishing there was more. At least by the third novella I didn't feel like there were unanswered questions, but these are definitely not standalone novellas. One needs the complete collection to get the full story.

A young adult novella collection, although suitable for all ages . Each story was a quick read but I enjoyed them . The characters were well written , the fantasy elements were very good and magical . All books were set around Halloween so they are perfect October reads . The covers of the books were beautiful and they as well as the synopsis' really drew my attention . Each book follows a different character and story but they all link . I recommend them to anyone who doesn't want to read anything scary but still wants a nice Halloween based read .

A trio of lovely, fairy tale stories. I read these in the run up to Halloween snuggled under a blanket and with candles burning. Very enjoyable reads and highly recommended.

I liked these novellas, but I didn't love them. I think it was the dialogue that threw me off. As a writer myself I know how difficult dialogue can be, so kudos to the author. Overall the plots were good and fast paced. The characters were well written and I loved the mystery aspect of every story. I would recommend these book. 3 out of 5 stars.