Tag Archives: Strong Women

Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Carswell's Guide to Being LuckyTitle: Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #3.4
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: He raised an eyebrow.

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Synopsis

Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles.

Thoughts

Carswell’s activities and past are mentioned throughout Cress quite a bit. And it’s a little hard to figure the guy out. But, there is one moment that stands out specifically for Cress, and there are a number of reasons that he gives for his actions. And that moment with Kate Fallow is covered in Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky.

Although Carswell’s actions are incredibly selfish, and you can see how his parents have influenced his future, there is still a moment of goodness in him. He still is doing everything for his own master plan, and it is really clear why and how he stole his own spaceship, but there is a great purity in his childish spasms of guilt.

It’s always fun to read a novella or short story that gives insight to the characters – and this tale does that perfectly. Not only does it show who Carswell is behind all of the charm, but it highlights why he acts the way that he does.

 <- Cress Review Fairest Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

CressTitle: Cress
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: She is requesting an extension of the docking clamp.

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Synopsis

INCARCERATE IN A SATELLITE, AN EXPERT HACKER AND OUT TO SAVE THE WORLD – CRESS ISN’T YOUR USUAL DAMSEL IN DISTRESS.

Cress grew up as a prisoner. With only netscreens for company, she’s forced to do the bidding of the evil Queen Levana. Now that means tracking down Cinder and her handsome accomplice Emperor Kai. But little does Queen Levana know that those she seeks, and the man she loves, are plotting her downfall…

As paths cross and the price of freedom rises, happily ever after has never seemed further away for Cress, Scarlet and Cinder.

This is not the fairy tale you remember. But it’s one you won’t forget.

Thoughts

Cress is so incredibly, unbelievably sweet. And a little naïve, but not horrifyingly so. I actually really liked her partnership with Carswell – he is so completely jaded and a player, and Cress is so very, very sweet. The balance between the two leads is kind of perfect, and it helps to drive the rest of the story as Cinder and her gang rush towards the royal wedding in an attempt to save Kai.

I love the original version of Rapunzel – where the prince is blinded, wanders through the deserts until his princess saves him with her tears. And I love the fact that, like the other fairy tales in this series, Meyer is able to turn the darker, more traditional tale into a steampunk journey. And the women, although they are often rescued in many fairy tales, are able to rescue themselves. Especially Cinder, who has awesome cybertronic attachments.

It took me a little while to get through Scarlet, I don’t love Red Riding Hood, and it felt a little slow. But it set everything in Cress up perfectly. And now, with the final words of the story, and Cinder’s declaration ringing in my ears, I can’t wait to start on the final leg of their fight! Especially once I met Jacin and Winter, and found out what the plan was and where they were heading to… bring on the next adventure!

 <- Scarlet Review Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Green-Eyed Envy by Kasey MacKenzie

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Green-Eyed EnvyTitle: Green-Eyed Envy
Author: Kasey MacKenzie
Series: Shades of Fury #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: My overactive imagination the night before had delighted in reminding me over and over again that Scott had been involved with Harper, however briefly, which meant that he very well could be in danger from this lunatic

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Synopsis

As a Fury, Marissa Holloway belongs to an arcane race that has meted out justice since time immemorial. As Boston’s Chief Magical Investigator, she’s responsible for solving any crimes committed by or against supernaturals.

Months have gone by since Riss discovered some unwelcome truths about her past – and managed to stop a supernatural war. Since then, tings have been quiet. Too quiet. But that all changes when the bodies of Bastai, shape-shifters also known as Cats, begin piling up in Boston’s magical underbelly – even though the legendary shifters are supposed to have ninety-nine lives.

One common thread ties the victims together: All were old flames of FBI Agent Harper Cruz. And since Scott Murphy, Riss’s lover, enjoyed a long-ago one-night stand with Harper, the Fury has twice the incentive to crack the case wide open, before the killer’s green-eyed gaze turns in Scott’s direction…

Thoughts

Everyone can get a little jealous at times. But, when that jealousy turns to something completely different that it can become dangerous. And in this case, downright deadly. Although Riss isn’t necessarily the one in danger, her own jealousy throughout this tale puts her in a decent amount of danger. And as two parallel conspiracies unfold around her, she is not only in a race to save the next victim of a serial killer, but also a race to save her own family.

Although one of these tales (the issues with her family) doesn’t actually get solved during Green-Eyed Envy, the fact that there is an extra complication in Riss’ life helps to increase the fast pace of this tale. Her ties to her family also help to not only ground her when things start getting a little bit too weird, but also create a larger issue. One that I can’t wait to see solved (hopefully) in the next Shades of Fury novel.

Serial killer tales and the race to stop them can always be interesting but adding in a supernatural spin on this murder spree, I just lapped it up. Add in Scott’s ex, racial prejudice and wedding bells in the future… well, you know that this is going to be good fun. I also love the way that issues such as racism and maddened possession are built upon to create a better understanding of the world. That, and it makes some of the issues that Riss is facing a little more relatable and realistic. I doubt anyone has seen a Fury, but we’ve all seen racism…

 <- Red Hot Fury Review Blackhearted Betrayal Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Red Hot Fury by Kasey MacKenzie

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

Red Hot FuryTitle: Red Hot Fury
Author: Kasey MacKenzie
Series: Shades of Fury #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: No less than the truth.

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Synopsis

As a Fury, Marissa Holloway belongs to an arcane race that has avenged wrongdoing since time immemorial. As Boston’s Chief Magical Investigator for the past five years, she’s doing what she was born to do: solving supernatural crimes.

It’s far from business as usual when the body of a sister Fury washes up in Boston Harbor. But when Riss reports that the corpse’s identity has been magically altered, she’s immediately – and inexplicably – suspended from her job. Then a human assassin makes an attempt on her life, and Riss realizes that someone is trying to stir up strife between mortals and arcanes.

When a Fury gets mad, she gets even, and Riss is determined to uncover the truth. Without the support of the mortal PD, she turns to the one man she can trust to watch her back: shape-shifting Warhound Scott Murphy. But since Scott is also Riss’s ex, she’ll have to keep a short leash on more than just the supernatural rage that feeds her power as they try to solve a murder – and stop a war…

Thoughts

When I moved out of home, a lot of my books got boxed up. And sadly this was one of them. But, recently I was able to unpack all of the amazing books that I have stashed over the years and really sink my teeth into them. I read the majority of this in one night. Even though I knew what was going to happen (kind of, it’s been a long time), it still completely swept me away and pulled me in from the very first moment. So much so that I picked up Green-Eyed Envy immediately afterwards. Like I said, it’s just that good.

Furies in the folklore are something that fascinates me – really, anything paranormal and feminine is going to fascinate me if I’m honest. And I really like how this paranormal paragon of justice is also a cop in the story – it helps to layer the paranormal on top of the reality. It’s also a little fun to read a story that starts as a paranormal murder mystery. It quickly turns into something far more complex and intense, but at the very beginning, it lulls you into thinking this is going to be a little bit of a paranormal crime type story.

As with most stories, there is a romantic entanglement throughout Red Hot Fury. However, instead of being a budding romance, it is Riss’ ex that provides the emotional entanglements that raise the stakes of the story. As much as you kind of know that they will eventually end up together (because they always do, and we always enjoy it), I liked the added complication of a past breakup and all of the hot headed words that that entails. The past really informs all of the relationships throughout this tale and the slow unravelling of what is happening along both timelines makes you want to turn each and every page as quickly as possible.

 <- White-Knuckled Fear Review Green-Eyed Envy Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Cross Bones

Title: Cross Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #8
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves:Anthropology, Science, Crime, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Arrow Books
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: At the airport bookstore, only a few million copies of the year’s blockbuster bestseller barred my way.

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Synopsis

A full week after death, a barely recognisable body is discovered in a closet. ‘Death by self-inflicted funshot wound to the head’ is the initial assessment, but the victim’s relatives are adamant that this was not suicide.

Extreme heat has accelerated decomposition, and Dr Temperance Brennan’s forensic expertise is required. Even for her, it is virtually impossible to determine the trajectory of the bullet.

But just as Tempe is attempting to make sense of the evidence, she receives a photograph of a skeleton from an unknown source. Could this hold the answer to the victim’s death?

Thoughts

It’s difficult to write and read about Christianity. It is such a sensitive topic, and one that I tend to steer clear of at all times. However, Reichs manages to use discussions surrounding Jesus and Christianity beautifully. She doesn’t talk about the different aspects of faith, but rather touches upon the different groups who are heavily entrenched within this discussion. And I actually loved it.

Entwining a murder mystery with a theological mystery which impacts upon a large proportion of the world’s viewpoint seemed a little risky. Even the beginning of this novel starts with a foreword by Kathy Reichs that outlines some of the theological debates surrounding Masada, Jesus Christ and the many, many, many arguments which surround such a complex issue.

I found that Cross Bones went a little slower than the other Temperance Brennan stories so far. Most of the novels in this series so far, I have to read when I have someone else home with me. I tend to get swept away by it and also get really freaked out by what the main character is going through. However, because there was more of a focus on the social and political terrors of this story, than the physical ones that are normally faced. I liked that fact. Although, it did mean that I took longer to read this novel, because I didn’t need to watch the culprit getting caught to sleep at night.

<- Monday MourningBreak No Bones ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Moon Called Volume 2 by Patricia Briggs & David Lawrence

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Moon Called Volume 2Title: Moon Called Volume 2
Author: Patricia Briggs & David Lawrence
Series: Mercedes Thompson #0.92
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: A lone wolf like you would only have contact with…

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Synopsis

Mercy Thompson is a walker, a unique magical being with the ability to transform into a coyote. Her human neighbors view the fiercely independent female auto-mechanic as eccentric; to the town’s darker denizens, the werewolves, witches and vampires, she is prey.

But the greater predators have underestimated Mercy. She’s seen her friends assaulted, kidnapped, and killed as a war between werewolves erupts, and Mercy has had enough! Only she can unravel the secrets of the dark conspiracy that threatens them all, but can Mercy do it in time to save her friends… and herself? Scores are settled and secrets revealed in teh thrilling slimax of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson: Moon Called.

Thoughts

The second instalment of the graphic novel adaptation of Moon Called was even better than the first. Sort of. They were both amazing. Alright, maybe as good as the first. They were both amazing. The imagery is fantastic, the adaptation seems to add in what’s necessary, and leave out what’s not. The extra tale at the end positions this world alongside that of Alpha and Omega. And, well, it just all works out brilliantly.

One of the things I enjoyed about this graphic novel is the way that the very convoluted motives of Gerry (the villain) in the novel and places them within a simpler context. It’s difficult to take something that is quite complex and simplify it in a way that holds the essence of the original plot.

Sam, Adam and Stephen looked nothing like what I have pictured in my mind’s eye. And I will probably continue to picture them in my original way when I read the rest of the Mercedes Thompson novels. But, it was fun to see the same characters through a different person’s eyes. Weirdly enough, reading this graphic novel made me realise that I haven’t pictured Mercedes herself with much detail, since I normally follow along and watch the world through her own eyes.

<- Moon Called Volume 1 Review Moon Called Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Moon Called Volume 1 by Patricia Briggs & David Lawrence

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Moon Called Volume 1Title: Moon Called Volume 1
Author: Patricia Briggs & David Lawrence
Series: Mercedes Thompson #0.91
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: And then –

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Synopsis

Mercy Thompson inhabits two worlds without truly belonging to either. To the human inhabitants of Tri-Cities she’s an oddity, a fiercely independent woman who repairs cars for a living. To the otwn’s darker residents; werewolves, vampires, and fae, she’s a walker, a last-of-her-kind magical being with the power to become a coyote. Mercy warily straddles the fine line dividing out everyday world from that darker dimension… until a boy, mauled by vicious werewolves and running for his life, appears at her door. now her two worlds are about to collide! Outnumbered and out-muscled, can Mercy possibly save the boy… or even herself?

Thoughts

I’ve lost count of the amount of times that I have read Moon Called. And I will probably read it a countless many more times. Which is why I was so excited when I found out that it had been turned into a graphic novel. After all, it’s a story that I love, I have thoroughly enjoyed Homecoming, and I’ve been on a bit of a graphic novel kick lately anyway.

And I wasn’t disappointed. Although Volume 1 only covers up to about the halfway point of Moon Called, it was done amazingly. I’m now itching to open up Volume 2 and take the rest of the adventure. The images are beautifully rendered, the aspects that have been included (and not included) cover every main point, without expanding a graphic novel ridiculously and the themes are touched upon perfectly.

I also love the extra little story that is included at the end of this novel. It covers Mac’s conversion to a werewolf and a part of his history. It’s briefly touched upon in Moon Called, but somehow the comic version of it really bought home the horrors of his experiences. Plus, the very different style with which this is drawn (compared to the rest of the graphic novel) helps to highlight that it is separate from the main story. I also found this short comic to be drawn in a more comical way, which helped to detract from the horribleness of Mac’s conversion to a werewolf.

<- Fairy Gifts Review Moon Called Volume 2 Review ->
Image source: Book Depository

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Wild

Title: Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found
Author: Cheryl Strayed
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Easy reading, Memoirs, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Atlantic Books London
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: He unscrewed the cap and handed it to me.

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Synopsis

At twenty-six, Cheryl Strayed thorught she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s rapid death from cancer, her family grew apart and her marriage soon crumbled. With seemingly nothing to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to walk eleven hundred miles of the west coast of America and to do it alone. She had no experience of long-distance hiking and the journey was nothing more than a line on a map. But it held a promise, a promise of piecing together a life that lay shattered at her feet…

Thoughts

This book was a really good journey. I had no idea what to expect from it, since I haven’t seen the movie. But it was a great tale, and I can see why it was made into a movie in the first place. It kind of had everything. Including a happy, hope for the future ending.

Cheryl’s journey to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) was just as much of the tale as her actual journey along it. Instead of breaking the two important aspects of her life apart, Strayed’s tale is filled with flashbacks along the way. Each chapter almost tells two stories – what is happening to her along the trail, and the journey that made her start such an epic (and admittedly insane) journey in the first place. Although there are many moments when I cringe at the choices that made her feel so lost, it’s such a great look into someone who really hit rock bottom. And the ways in which the self-reflection and independence provided by the trail helped her to “find” herself again.

I found Wild a little slow to start with. And as aforementioned, a little bit cringe worthy. But about halfway through, I fell deeply into the tale. There was something about Cheryl’s gumption and strength that made me unable to put her words down. And the epilogue at the end highlighted how far she had come and that even when we hit rock bottom, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Something to look forward to and hope for, even when we feel like we can’t fall down any further.

 <- Hidden FiguresThe Southern Education of a Jersey Girl ->
Image source: College Fashion

Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Monday Mourning

Title: Monday Mourning
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #7
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves:Anthropology, Science, Crime, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Arrow Books
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Grabbing a lab coat from my office, I headed to the morgue.

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Synopsis

Three skeletons are discovered in a Montreal basement.

The building is old, and the homicide detective in charge dismisses the reamins as historic. Not his case. Not his concern.

Forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan is not so sure. Something about the bones of these three young women suggests a different message: murder.

Soon she finds herself drawn ever deeper into a web of evil from which there may be no escape. Three women have disappeared, never to return. Will Tempe be next?

Thoughts

Mondays suck. And I love that this was highlighted not only in Reichs’ title for this novel, but also in the fact that every important moment in this story came on a Monday. Each revelation and spinning of the spider’s web happens on that horrible day, and ultimately, the climax and kind of horrible ending (in the best sense possible) also occurs on a Monday. Like I said, Mondays suck.

From the first discovery, it was obvious that this story was going to be kind of horrible. Three skeletons of young girls found in a basement – it doesn’t take much to realise that this is going to go places that you don’t necessarily want to go. The fact that it then leads to the villain of the story eventually escaping (and being an unexpected one at that)… well, when I finished this tale, I had goosebumps. I actually made sure that I didn’t read this story unless I knew my partner was going to be home for dark. The young women being the victims just hit a little too close to home.

As always, I love the level of science and detail that Reichs manages to bring to her work. By using expose to explain the science behind each discovery, you not only get swept away by the story, but you learn a lot. Good science is hard to come by in literature (at least in my experience), so having a series that not only manages to get my blood pumping, but also brings to life an area of my life that I love is the perfect way to spend a few spine-chilling nights curled up under a blanket.

<- Bare BonesCross Bones ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

First Bones by Kathy Reichs

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
The Bone Collection

Title: First Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #0.5
In: The Bone Collection (Kathy Reichs)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves:Anthropology, Science, Crime, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Arrow Books
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: A rattling gurney or cart.

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Synopsis

First Bones gets under Tempe’s skin with the untold story of her first case and her decision to become a forensic anthropologist.

Thoughts

One of the things that I love about the Temperance Brennan series is that the science and emotions are spot on. In this origin story, it’s the emotions that really come to the fore and provide a strong storyline. Actually, this novella made me shed a tear when I finished it.

Brennan’s past is often alluded to throughout the novels that I have read thus far. Not only her past marriage, but her past academic life and the journey that she made into forensics. It was interesting to find out what the driver of this decision was. I imagine that it was a similar experience to the author – a moment or a case that makes you give up the archaeological and delve into the criminal.

I haven’t read a Temperance Brennan story for a while (I can only read them when I’m not spending the night alone). And I kind of forgot how much I love the realism and vividness of the world to which you are introduced. Tempe’s daily life and relationship with Pete is struck into my head with the flickering fire by which they find themselves. Actually, finally reading this origin and being reminded of the beauty of her words has made me pick up the next book in my shelf…

<- More Kathy ReichsDeja Dead ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia