Tag Archives: Strong Women

The Mapmaker’s Wife by Robert Whitaker

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Mapmaker’s Wife: A True Tale of Love, Murder, and Survival in the Amazon
Author: Robert Whitaker
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, History, Science, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2004

Thoughts

This is an incredibly intense story, one that I completely fell in love with and enjoyed. It’s almost two stories in one, truth be told, but it’s still an epic journey. Well, two epic journeys. With a lot of backstory and a number of political implications and social nuances in fact, Whittaker manages to not know tell the tale of Isabella and Jean, but also a whole set of scientific breakthroughs, political battles and social norms which have changed throughout time.

To start with, I really just wanted to know about Isabella’s journey across the Amazon. That is still a feat that I think is amazing today, to do it on the 1800’s is a whole other, unbelievable story. A journey that literally killed Al, of her companions was survived, all for the sake of a man that she hadn’t seen for 20 years. A love story in a time that didn’t necessarily put a premium on love.

Although it was Isabella’s story that I was looking forward to, I got pretty stuck into Jean’s story. The idea of a scientific endeavour to prove the theory of gravity and how that effects the equator is intense in and of itself. But then, to add to that, there is murder, espionage, and a whole slew of other scientific discoveries. Some of which I remember using a little during my university degree.

This is an incredibly factual memoir, but one that is also highly emotional. Whittaker hits that perfect balance between facts and emotion when writing about the past. He also provides a great epilogue at the end which shows how everyone lived out the rest of their lives. A wonderful read that I look forward to picking up again in the future.

<- WillStephen Hawking: A Life in Science ->

Image source: Amazon

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Battle for the Blood by Lucienne Diver

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Battle for the Blood
Author: Lucienne Diver
Series: The Latter-Day Olympians #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

I’ve definitely left a little bit too long between reading the Third and fourth (this) books in this series. I mean, I eventually reminded myself of where I was in the series and what had happened. But it probably took half the book. I should probably make sure I don’t let quite as much time pass before I read the final part of this very fun series.

Tori has spent the first portion of this series in a pretty complex love triangle. And although Battle for the Blood does pretty much resolve this, there’s still a lot of lingering emotions. I’m not always a fan of the messiness of some love triangles. But I have enjoyed this one thus far. Plus, Tori’s reason for choosing who she finally does and that farewell… it was very well done and doesn’t make anybody out to be the bad guy.

Tori’s pretty insane transformation is a pretty big driver throughout this story as a secondary plot and mystery. I’m hoping that a few of the potential challenges and secrets are concluded in the next novel. Particularly the wings. I mean, how in the he’ll are you supposed to live with a pair of giant damn bat wings flapping out of your back?

Battle for the Blood was a great adventure. There was love and lust, lots of Greek mythology and a whole apocalypse waiting at our doors. I was unable to put it down from the moment I picked it up, because I just needed to know what was going to happen next!!! And now, deep breath, I need to dive right back in and find out what insanity is going to occur next in the world of Tori.

<- Rise of the BloodBlood Hunt ->

Image source: Kobo

Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Ruby Fever
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Catalina Baylor Trilogy #3, Hidden Legacy #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’ve been putting off reading this for a while because I just knew that I would want to read it cover to cover. And then, one night, I decided that I would just start it and read a little bit. Because I’m an adult and I have self-control… it turns out that I’m not such a good adult, and I literally have no self-control. I stayed up way too late reading this, and seriously felt punished the next day.

Andrews always does justice with their writing, but holy cow was this a fantastic ending to the Catalina Baylor Trilogy. I mean, from the very first moment, you hit the ground running. And then you pretty much don’t until you turn that final page. Ruby Fever is wonderfully intense and completely impossible to put down. It is filled with action and so many fights that my internal badass did a happy (and totally badass) dance.

Arkan is a seriously terrifying villain, probably because he is a shadow figure for the entire trilogy. Which means I really loved how Catalina and Alessandro are able to systematically dismantle his whole team of horrible things that go bump in the night. They are a wonderful power team and Catalina’s ability to plot and scheme better than everyone else… it left me smiling from ear to ear. It might have been why I found Catalina to be far more relatable than Nevada – she’s very much in her own head and finds this to be both a strength and a weakness.

The entire Baylor clan is freaking amazing. There is honestly not a character terrifying in the family that I don’t love. I would honestly love a trilogy for each and every one of them. However, even though I’m not entirely certain that there will be any more tales. I am so stupidly hopeful that Arabella will get her own series one of these days. Especially considering her final scene in this book…

<- Emerald BlazeMore Ilona Andrews ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Archangel’s Storm by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Archangel’s Storm
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance, Strong women, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2012

Thoughts

From the first moment, I completely adored Mahiya. There is something kind of vulnerable about her. But underneath that vulnerability is a core of steel. I also love that although she fits into the world, she’s nothing like the other women hunters in this series that tend to act as the primary protagonist. And since I’ve been feeling a little soft and squishy lately… she made me incredibly happy and content.

There are many hints about Jason’s past in the previous Guild Hunter books. Finding out the actual details were far more excruciating than I had anticipated. But also incredibly rewarding. I love that he has a dark complex past, but is nowhere near as twisted and jaded as one would expect. It also gives him a level of understanding towards Mahiya that otherwise wouldn’t have worked.

The different cultures and worlds that the archangel courts create are part of the reason I love Singh’s writing. Actually, her world building is one of my favourite things about her writing. I enjoyed how she constructed Neha’s court. It is so different to the other two courts I’ve been intimately familiar with, and although I don’t necessarily want to go back there (that bitch is crazy), it was certainly a fun journey.

Yet again, Singh not only creates a wonderful romance filled with action that I just couldn’t put down. She also filled a story with a reality and dramas that I just didn’t expect. The Guild Hunter world and its battles are definitely gaining traction, and I’m looking forward to seeing how much further down this war hole the series will go.

<- Archangel’s BladeArchangel’s Legion ->

Image source: eBooks

Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Archangel’s Blade
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance, Strong women, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2011

Thoughts

Although I have thoroughly enjoyed Elena and Raphael throughout the first three Guild Hunter books, it was nice to read one with a different lead. Focusing on another couple was definitely a good diversion. Although it still continued the main feelings of conspiracy and plots that have underlined every book thus far in this series. I mean, no matter where you turn… There’s a conspiracy.

Dmitri is all sex. He has been since his first appearance in this series. But, the more I got to find out about this amazing man, the more I fell in love with him. The capacity and loyalty that he has makes the heart skip multiple beats. Plus, he is just so… good dream inducing. Which may be why Singh is one of my favourite authors… she makes very dream worthy characters leap off the page.

Honor is peripherally in other stories within this series. And I knew that reading some of her journey was going to be a little painful. Yet, it wasn’t as horrifying as I expected. I mean, the whole aspect of her horrors and tragedies only come to light as she deals with them. So they’re viewed through a lens that is somewhat less painful to read. But dark enough that you feel pride with every milestone she beats.

It’s been a few months since I dug into a Guild Hunter novel. And as always when I pick up a Nalini Singh novel, I wonder why its taken me so long to pick up another one. Maybe because I find it hard to focus on anything else and be a productive member of society… there is just something so… wow about her work.

<- Angel’s WolfArchangel’s Storm ->

Image source: Amazon

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Tower of Dawn : Sarah J. Maas : 9781408887974

Title: Tower of Dawn
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Romance, Strong women
Dates read: 2nd – 17th October 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: She straightened.

Synopsis

A GLORIOUS EMPIRE
A DESPERATE QUEST
AN ANCIENT SECRET

Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea’s last hope. But they ahve also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the legendary Torre Cesme for the wounds that Chaol received in Rifthold.

After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child, Yrene Towers has no desire to help a young lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to assist those in need – and will honour it. But Lord Westfall carries darkness from his own past, and Yrene soon comes to realise it could engulf them both.

And deep in the shadows of distant mountains, where warriors soar on might ruks, long-awaited answers slumber. Answers that might offer their world a chance at survival – or doom them all.

Thoughts

I did struggle with this book more than I had expected to. I’ve been putting off the last 2 books of the series. Partly because I know that it will destroy my heart (seems to be a talent of Maas). But, more so, because I just don’t want this series to be over! Sure, I can reread it… but it just won’t be the same. Having said that, I didn’t fall head first into this book like I have the others.

I think that the thing that takes me a while with this story is that Chaol spends the first part just being incredibly whiney. I get that he’s been dealt a hard hand, but my lordy, he’s just a bit too bitter and painful. For those who feel the same… Read on! Once I got to the second part, I started to fall head first into the storyline as expected.

Of all the characters in this, it was Yrene that I loved the most. The fact that she has an intertwined past (like many of the other characters) just makes her all that much better. I love how much of this story involves her fight to get over her horrible past and move forwards with her life. Her story, when Chaol’s was a bit painful made this book still a 5 star I my view.

Whilst I had a few moments of discomfort and “huh” throughout this, ultimately I loved this book. After the first 200 pages, the character development is so wonderful and intense that I couldn’t put it down. And, much of the whiney that was irritating made so much more sense.

<- Empire of StormsKingdom of Ash ->

Image source: Book Depository

Hopcross Jilly by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly : Briggs, Patricia, Hoskin, Rik, Garcia, Tom: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: Hopcross Jilly
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercedes Thompson #7.5, Mercy-Verse #23
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Dates read: 30th September 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Dynamite
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: No cops ever come out this way!

Synopsis

Mercy Thompson is a shapeshifting coyote and honorary member of the Tri-Cities werewolf pack. When the pack stumbles upon the buried bones of numerous dead children, she shapeshifts into a mystery of the legendary fae – a mystery that draws Mercy’s stepdaughter Jesse into the fray! The supernatural romance series Mercy Thompson continues in this all-new, original story by New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs, exclusively created for the comic book medium!

Thoughts

I’ve been hanging to get to this graphic novel since I bought it. But, since I was trying to do a full Mercyverse reread in order, I kept refraining. Well, I finally got up to it in my reread list. And wow. It was worth the wait. Not only is the storyline amazing, the graphics beautiful, and the pace fast. But this also features Jesse in a much stronger manner.

Jesse is slowly showing up more and more in the Mercedes Thompson books – I mean, it makes sense, since they’ve become a family unit. But there isn’t much that strongly features her by herself. Although this story isn’t just about Jesse, she is smack bang in the middle of the drama. And it just reminds me why I love her and want to see her more in the Mercedes Thompson books.

I love that this storyline shows Jesse in her difficulties at school. I mean, school is tough and kids are cruel. But more than that it shows how tough and honest she is in her ability to rise above all of the crap that is thrown at her.

This is a story that features the next fae that goes bump in the night. The next step in the escalating paranormal war that is sure to be filling the next few Mercyverse books. It highlights the difficulties that the pack face, but more than that it shows how being good can assist in overcoming the evil in the world. Or at least, that’s how I felt about Jesse and those around her.

<- RedemptionNight Broken ->

Image source: Amazon

Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

Title: Dead Heat
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #4, Mercy-Verse #22
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Dates read: 19th – 30th September 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Unable to resist, she lent her song to his.

Synopsis

Transporting readers into the realm of mated werewolves Charles Cornick and Anna Latham, Patricia Briggs’s Alpha and Omega novels have been praised for being “the perfect blend of action, romance, suspense, and paranormal.” Now a pleasure trip drops the couple into the middle of some bad supernatural business…

For once, werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles’s role as his father’s enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal. Or at least their visit starts out that way…

Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The fae have started a cold war with humanity that’s about to heat up – and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire.

Thoughts

This is one of those series that I always wonder if it’s actually not quite as good as I remember. It is WAY better. Each and every time. I mean, the hype in my mind is nowhere near equivalent to the hype and the amazingness of reading one of these books. And, I’m finally at that point in my reread when I’m up to the books that I haven’t actually read yet. Which of course meant that even though I read the prologue and then put this aside, I ended up reading pretty much the whole book cover to cover in one night. It is THAT amazing.

Charles is a beautiful enigma – and I like that this book explores some more of his past. Particularly the fact that it brings forwards some of his past friendships and relationships. Ones that are rare and far between. Friendships are so important, and it always breaks my heart that Charles really doesn’t have any in the Mercyverse. There were moments of tragedy throughout that did pluck at your heartstrings (which is always good in a book), but it was also really sweet and endearing to see the past and some joy in Charles’ life.

It was incredibly interesting that this story starts with Anna trying to figure out why Charles is resistant to the idea of children. I happen to be pregnant while reading this, and they’re discussions that are somewhat familiar. I love that throughout all of the mayhem and magic in this story, Anna slowly starts to untangle his resistance and his feelings. Feelings that even Charles doesn’t know that he has. It’s such a familiar discussion and wonder. Such a familiar untangling of emotions that I was driven by this alongside the actual action to find out the resolution.

The stories I’ve always loved of the fae are those which feature the… less kindly… of the fae. I’ve never really enjoyed tales which try and portray them as benevolent. That’s never really happened in the Mercyverse, but it’s now been taken one step further – with the purposeful release of all the not-so-kindly things that go bump in the night. It perfectly describes and portrays the fae in the ways that I think of them. And, more than that, it is perfectly setting up the next looming war on the horizon.

<- Unappreciated GiftsBurn Bright ->

Image source: Goodreads

Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Emerald Blaze (Hidden Legacy, #5) by Ilona Andrews

Title: Emerald Blaze
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Catalina Baylor Trilogy #2, Hidden Legacy #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Strong women
Dates read: 23rd – 29th August 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2020
5th sentence, 74th page: Sink some magic into it.

Synopsis

Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author, continues her spellbinding series set in the Hidden Legacy world where magic controls everything… except the hearts of those who wield it.

As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers – powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart.

The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won’t rest until she stops to use of the illicit, power-granting serum that’s tearing their world apart.

Thoughts

Ilona Andrews is one of those authors that I pick up strategically… because I can never seem to put her books down. And I generally get a really bad book hangover once I’ve finished it. Emerald Blaze was no different. It was wonderful and impossible to put down. It was amazing and now I’m honestly a little bit pissed off that I have to wait until the next Catalina Baylor book to come out…

The more I find out about Catalina’s power and her own personal battles, the more I fall in love with her. Like all of Andrews’ heroines, she is intrinsically flawed. But, for Catalina, the biggest challenge she often faces is that she’s an introvert thrust into an extroverted position. The fact that she also has to battle her big, bad, evil grandmother… yeah, I can’t wait to see how that unfolds in the final book in this trilogy. She goes from strength to strength, but at what cost? It’s a beautiful question that you’re constantly wondering, even as you hope that the battle that Catalina and Alessandro face turns out… good in the end.

The ending of Sapphire Flames leaves a perfect cliff hanger in the feeling of who and what Alessandro actually is. Alessandro’s backstory, a bit like Catalina’s, is bought to life even more throughout the pages of this book. I actually wanted to reach through the pages of the book and hug him. It helped to strip back the arrogance that is so prominent in the other books, and, although you were always gunning for a happily ever after… this book makes you want it all that much more. I can’t wait until they get their sail off into the sunset ending (like Nevada and Rogan did), but as previously mentioned… now I have to wait (can you tell that I’m finding that quite disappointing?).

This is the most amazing of stories. I think I sat there staring at the wall for about 2 hours before I was capable of conversing too much or reading anything else. You know that the book is damn good when you are just… paralysed with the enjoyment of what you’ve read. When you can’t quite seem to get the adventures of the pages out of your head.

<- Sapphire FlamesRuby Fever ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Grendel Affair by Lisa Shearin

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Grendel Affair (SPI Files, #1) by Lisa Shearin

Title: The Grendel Affair
Author: Lisa Shearin
Series: SPI Files #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 18th – 21st August 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Because I’d failed.

Synopsis

We’re supernatural Protection & Investigations, known as SPI. Things that go bump in the night, the monsters you thought didn’t exist? We battle them and keep you safe. But some supernatural baddies are just too big to contain, even for us…

When I moved to New York to become a world-famous jounralist, I never imagined that snagging a job at a seedy tabloid would change my career path from trashy reporter to undercover agent. I’m Makenna Fraser, a seer for SPI. I can see through any disguise, shield, or spell that a paranormal pest can come up with. I track down creatures, and my partner, Ian Byrne, takes them out.

Our cases are generally pretty routine, but a sickle-wielding serial killer has been prowling the city’s subway tunnels. And the murderer’s not human. The fiend in question, a descendant of Grendel – yes, that Grendel – shares his ancestor’s hatred of parties, revelry, and drunkards. And with New Year’s Eve in Times Square only two days away, we need to bag him quickly. Because if we don’t find him – and the organization behind him – by midnight, our secret’s out ad everyone’s time is up.

Thoughts

I read the novella Lucky Charms a very long time ago. By the time I got this book, I’d honestly forgotten how much I liked the story and idea of Mac the seer and special agent. It didn’t take me many pages to regain that sense of happiness and intrigue inspired by my first taste of Lisa Shearin.

I always love stories that just drop you straight into the drama. The Grendel Affair does this – it starts with Mac hunting a gnome creature with booze. So yeah, it also started with a good, fun dose of humour. Nothing like some sass and off kilter hunting humour to start a novel and truly pull you in.

As the story unfolds, you can feel the partnership between Mac and Ian strengthen. It was really nice starting the tale with Mac being seriously insecure and a little uncomfortable around her partner. Then slowly building that trust between them. It makes me ridiculously keen to dig into the next book in this series so I can see how their relationship and partnership continues to grow.

I’ll admit, I’ve never read Beowulf (it’s on my very long list). But I immediately recognised the name Grendel. And I knew that it was Scandinavian. The way that Shearin uses this mythos and literature is incredibly fun and a perfect blending of lore and contemporary reality. I seriously loved this mix and can’t wait to see what happens next (although I might miss the mad Scandinavian Rolf in The Dragon Conspiracy).

<- Lucky CharmsThe Dragon Conspiracy ->

Image source: Goodreads