All posts by skyebjenner

Angels’ Judgment by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Angels' Judgment

Title: Angels’ Judgment
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #0.5
In: Angels’ Flight (Nalini Singh) & Must Love Hellhounds (Charlaine Harris)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “Lucy’s pregnant.”

Synopsis

In Angels’ Judgment a hunter must rack one of her own gone bad, while surviving the deadly tests placed in her way by the archangels themselves. Unexpected backup comes from a stranger who might just be the most lethal threat of all…

Thoughts

I love Sara. She is the perfect mix of tough, independent and savvy. The fact that she is due to lead a group of hunters who are just as tough, independent, and probably scary, kind of makes her a perfect lead. I love that although she starts off entirely naïve to the potential danger of her new leadership-situation, she quickly grasps the gravity of the situation and comes out swinging.

Although Sara’s independence and strength are probably my favourite things about this novella, I also love her male counterpart. Part of that might just be because I love the fact that he is called the Slayer. Which, when you have a series based on vampires and vampire hunters, can you really get a better name? The shadow man of the Guild might not seem like the perfect partner for their future leader, but somehow, in the midst of finding a murder and foiling attempts at Sara’s dethronement, they work in perfectly.

Having mentioned all of that, this novella didn’t actually have the end that I was expecting…. Which worked out beautifully for me. And left me with that great, bubbly feeling that all good stories do.

<- Angels’ DanceAngels’ Pawn ->

Image source: Booktopia

Angels’ Dance by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Angels' Dance

Title: Angels’ Dance
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #0.4
In: Angels’ Flight (Nalini Singh)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: But if there is need, Raphael requests you allow him to fly you, too.

Synopsis

In Angels’ Dance an angel trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge finds herself under siege by a warrior angel from a martial court.

Thoughts

This was my introduction to the Guild Hunter series. Since I was already familiar with some of Singh’s work, I knew that her short stories and novellas always help to add to an overarching series. Thus, I began with the story that starts 400 years before the rest of the series. And, it wasn’t in anyway a mistake – I am now completely hooked into this new adventure, and just waiting on the next book to arrive…

Jessamy and Galen are the exact definitions of opposites attracting. Jessamy is seen to be an invalid, unable to leave the home of angels, and although respected, often overlooked for her injuries. Galen on the other hand is never overlooked. He is large, aggressive, and not prone to thinking about his actions and those of others in depth. Or at least, that is how they both appear on the surface. As I have discovered with Singh’s writing, nothing is as it seems and the journey to romance that is often the key thread is littered with small discoveries of a character’s history.

Although my love of this story stems primarily from the joys of a well written love story, I found this new world fascinating. Angels and archangels help to create a tale that just helps to raise the stakes as I discovered the new rules for a brand new series…

<- Angels’ FlightAngels’ Judgment ->

Image source: Goodreads

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Tempests and SlaughterTitle: Tempests and Slaughter
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Numair Chronicles #1, Tortall #9
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mages, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Lothian
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Chioke was still present, reading in Ozorne’s chair, when they entered the room.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

THREE STUDENT MAGES, BOUND BY FATE… FATED FOR DANGER

Arram Draper is on the path to becoming one of the realm’s most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness – and for attracting trouble. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the ‘leftover’ prince’ with secret ambitions.

Together, these friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. But as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram’s heart, Arram realises that soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.

Thoughts

This book was either going to be amazing or amazingly crap. Mostly because it is dealing with the backstory of one of my favourite characters in this series. That, and it is a bit of a departure from Pierce’s normal stories – it features a male protagonist going through his coming of age story, instead of a female. But, all in all, I was MADLY IN LOVE with this tale. I read it in 2 days… it would have been one, but my partner told me that I had to sleep…

The first in this trilogy follows Arram Draper as he begins to learn of his powers and make two incredibly powerful friendships. I found one of these friendships a little difficult since I know that the child eventually turns into a horrible man. Yet, the foundations for this are already there. Along with the reasons why the two became friends in the first place. It’s a great reminder that not only is Tamora Pierce GREAT at characterisation, she’s also fantastic in revealing that there is a reason for every character’s decisions. Although Ozorne makes some truly horrible ones, in the beginning they don’t necessarily come from horrible places. Just places of fear, spoiltness and an inability to be understood and loved by others.

Although I love the person that Arram eventually ends up with, his relationship with Varice is quite cute. It is the epitome of young love and shows how two young people growing up next to each other an change and still accept one another. Which, honestly is what I think love is – accepting the change in another person and seeing them for who they truly are, not who you want them to be. It’ll be interesting to see how this relationship develops in the rest of the series. Now it’s just a long wait for the next story…

 <- Lioness Rampant Review The Exile’s Gift Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
The Light Fantastic

Title: The Light Fantastic
Author: Terry Pratchett
Series: Discworld #2, Rincewind #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Corgi
Year: 1986
5th sentence, 74th page: Rincewind hurried forward to help, there was a fair amount of smoke, ash and confusion, and the shared triumph of actually rescuing a few pieces of rather charred bacon did more good than a whole book on diplomacy.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

‘What shall we do?’ said Twoflower.
‘Panic?’ said Rincewind hopefully. He always held that panic was the best means of survival.

As it moves towards a seemingly inevitable collision with a malevolent red star, the Discworld could do with a hero. What it doesn’t need is a singularly inept and cowardly wizard, still recovering from the trauma of falling off the edge of the world, or a well-meaning tourist and his luggage which has a mind (and legs) of its own. Which is a shame because that’s all there is…

Thoughts

The Colour of Magic ended with Rincewind falling off the edge of the earth. Which, with all of the flat earthers I keep hearing about lately just seems even more fitting and ironic… but anyway, it is one way in which to finish a novel. So, I really wasn’t sure what to expect from the next book in the series. After all, where do you go after someone falls off the edge of the world? It turns out to The Light Fantastic.

This story is every bit as entertaining and funny as the first one, and it finishes this small story arc off perfectly. Personally, my favourite line is “Rincewind said, grinning like a necrophiliac in a morgue”. (I may not have got the grammar in this quote perfect though). It kind of sums up the entire story perfectly. Wrong, funny and with great descriptives that I have never thought of using in my own writing… sometimes because it is just this side of wrong. I also love the long, rambling sentences. As someone who has read many science papers with these kinds of convoluted bits of wording, I normally find them frustrating. But, somehow Pratchett is able to make them fun, engaging and poetic in a way that no other author or writer I have come across is able to do.

I really enjoyed Rincewind as the chief protagonist. He is completely inept, a total coward, and not quite capable of even being a real wizard. Yet, at the end of this tale, he is kind of able to find his own power and space. It reminds us that everyone has their own strength, and ignoring someone because they don’t fit your own idea of this is foolish, wrong, and kind of cruel. But that’s okay, because Rincewind proves them all wrong and ultimately saves the Disc…

<- The Colour of MagicEqual Rites ->

Image source: Waterstones

Mint in Box by Mike Baron

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Blood Lite IIITitle: Mint in Box
Author: Mike Baron
In: Blood Lite III (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy, Horror
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “Well, Mr. Lovaas, I don’t know.”

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Mr. Lovaas wants to find the ultimate collectible, but when he does, he gets more than he bargained for…

Thoughts

This story gave me the goosebumps. It was grotesque, creepy and so open ended that you could imagine the villain coming for you in the dark of night. The fact that it featured a nerd who refused to leave his apartment and hunted for the epitome of horrifying collectibles… it somehow made it all the more creepy.

I don’t know if there is something in this story that highlights our obsession with immortality or our materialistic tendencies, but it feels like it lingers. Yet, mostly, for me, this story is riddled with goosebump-giving passages that make me cringe. And I’m kind of glad that it was just a short story.

 <- Let That Be A Lesson To You Review The Great Zombie Invasion of 1979 Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Little Android by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Little AndroidTitle: The Little Android
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #0.6
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: It wasn’t the first time such horrible thoughts had come into her head.

‘Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles.

Thoughts

The blurb for this story is that this is a cyborg version of The Little Mermaid. I was expecting a happy ending for the android-mermaid, but, this short story actually stuck much closer to the original version. Where Ariel doesn’t get her happily after, but rather, sacrifices herself for the love of the prince. And honestly? I loved this version even more. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Disney happy ending. But there is something nice about an alternate ending and twist to the tale.

The Little Android helps to place Cinder and her kind heart in context within the greater series. But, mostly for me, it was just a cute and simple way to spend a half hour or so. Meyer’s understanding of fairy tales and her modern take on them is thoroughly enjoyable. And using one like The Little Mermaid which has two distinctly different endings left me smiling contently. Even though Star didn’t quite get her happily ever after…

 <- Glitches Review The Mechanic Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

… until it’s gone

Blog, ,

You never realise how much you miss something until it’s gone. And today, that thing is chapters…

I’ve been reading the first few Discworld novels lately. And for a series of books that I love, it’s taking me quite a while to finish each story. I kept wondering why and then I realised… no chapters!

Don’t get me wrong, I love Pratchett’s different style and lack of conformity. It’s what makes his stories so damn good. But it makes it hard to find a logical stopping point when I am reading. Which means that I start to stress that I’ve been reading for too long. After all, I find ig really easy to justify “just one more chapter”. It’s a little less fluid to say just ten more pages…

I also tend to find that the lack of chapters means that I don’t use Discworld stories as my rewards. I tend to let myself read a chapter, then get back into study or housework until I reach a certain point… and repeat. A bit hard to do when there is no dang chapter. So I normally grab one of my other books…

So basically. I love Terry Pratchett’s tales. But I kind of miss chapters. And I didn’t quite realise how important they were to me until they were gone…

Glitches by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

GlitchesTitle: Glitches
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #0.5
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer) & Kisses and Curses (Lauren Burniae)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Cinder racked her brain, wondering if it could feed her recipes as easily as it fed her useless definitions.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

In this prequel to Cinder, we see the results of the plague play out, and the emotional toll it takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch….

Thoughts

I liked this short story. It explained the beginning of the Cinderella story that is introduced in Cinder. Explained how Cinder got to where she is, and what makes her so different. Her inability to cry is seen as a glitch, and explained away in terms of a mechanical term.

I always love prequels. They often don’t actually feel necessary for a series, but they always add something to it. Glitches is no different, Cinder’s situation will be explained in Cinder, but the little bit of extra information and emotional turmoil help to give more context to her tale. And help to make her far more realistic for me, as the reader.

 <- After Sunshine Passes By Review The Little Android Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Red Queen by Isobelle Carmody

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Red QueenTitle: The Red Queen
Author: Isobelle Carmody
Series: The Obernewtyn Chronicles #7
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Australian author, Dystopia, High fantasy, Science fiction
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: When the govamen signals God that the world is clean, the Tumen will open the wall.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

I saw the moon crack and open like an egg, and a seethe of transparent beasts emerged…
I heard a sound like thunder inside the earth and the ground shook and broke open like a vast stony maw. It spat out fire and I saw wolves falling into a molten gold stream…
I made my way along the ancient tunnel, following Maruman, who ran lightly ahead of me. I did not ask how he had come to be here. He was the Moonwatcher as I was the Seeker.

This was where we had been destined to come together. Before Elspeth Gordie can continue her journey to find Sentinel and prevent it unleashing the horrors of the Great White, she must fight free of a strange prison, where people are laid to sleep forever or cling to a suffocating existence, believing the world beyond their walls is already utterly anihilated.

But at the end of her journey, nothing is as she imageind. She is drawn into the struggle for a kingdom, only to find the Destrooyer is at the heart of the turmoil, waiting for her.

Somehow she must do what she has sworn to do, for the sake of the world and all of its creatures. She must complete her quest, no matter what it costs…

Thoughts

I finally finished the series! Not only was this one of those series that was a long time in the making (and completion), but it was also one of those series that I bought the last book, and then left it on my shelf for 2 years. Partly because I wanted to reread the entire thing before I put my hands on the final book, but it’s a fairly complex and convoluted series all up. And, quite honestly the last two books kind of drag for me. To the point that I actually skim read The Red Queen. It was okay, but it wasn’t enough to fully draw me into the story and make me just completely digest and absorb every single word.

I liked that this was the complete conclusion to this series. It was the end of Elspeth’s long journey, and the end of an era of my literary life. (I can remember reading Obernewtyn when I was much younger, and it was part of growing up for me). However, I found a lot of the storyline quite distracting and not as concise as the first half of the series. Mostly I got lost in the storyline. Still amazingly written, but not as captivating as some of the past stories.

All in all, I’m glad that I read this. It made me feel satisfied that I finally finished a series I started long ago. But, it’s probably not one that I would read again in a hurry. There are many other books that I would much rather drown myself in.

<- The Sending Review The Dark Road Review ->
Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Fair Game

Title: Fair Game
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #3, Mercy-verse #18
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Isaac bent his knees and squatted, putting his head on a level with theirs.

Synopsis

Patricia Briggs, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson novels, “always enchants her readers.” Now her Alpha and Omega series – set in a world of shifting shapes, loyatlies, and passions – brings werewolves out of the darkness and into a society where fear and prejudice could turn the hunters into the prey…

It is said that opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son – and enforcer – of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant Alpha. While Anna, an Omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

When the FBI requests the pack’s help on a local serial-killer case, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston to join the investigation. It soon becomes clear that someone is targeting the preternatural. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer’s sights…

Thoughts

Anna is a great heroine. Unlike most of the others in Briggs’ books she’s a little more damaged at the very beginning of the series. And, although she is kind of able to take care of herself, she is constantly taken care of by others who want to do that for her. Yet, that protective instinct still causes her to go toe to toe with the biggest baddest wolf in this fictional world – all to protect her partner.

Whilst this story continues the ongoing healing and acceptance for Anna of her new status. It also features Charles. It shows the horrors and pain behind the persona of the scary wolf, and reminds us that everyone needs to be taken care of at some point in their lives. No matter how tough we all are. The fact that there is a serial killer thrown into the mix just makes the stakes a lot higher, and the importance of Charles healing his psychological wounds all the more imperative.

There is something that I always love about Patricia Briggs’ books – they have tough heroines that are none the less damaged in their own ways. None of the characters are perfect, and in their flaws they are far more relatable. Yet, the love story between Anna and Charles that begins at the very beginning of the series is one of my favourites (at least until I read the next book). They are totally accepting of each others’ flaws and able to see beyond the horrors that the others are unable to accept. Plus, the sneaky sense of humour that has me smiling throughout is completely enjoyable.

The events of Fair Game change the course of both the Alpha and Omega and Mercedes Thompson series. It positions the “other” (the werewolves and fae) as completely against humans, and shows the dangers of prejudice. Yes, in this story it is about supernatural beings, but it is a good reminder to treat everyone as equal and in a fair manner.

<- Hunting GroundUnappreciated Gifts ->

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