Witch Creek - Book Review

Witch Creek (Wildlands #4)
by Laura Bickle

What is it about:
In the backcountry of Yellowstone, evil moves below the surface . . .

As the daughter of an alchemist, Petra Dee has battled supernatural horrors and experienced astonishing wonders. But there’s no magic on earth that can defeat her recent cancer diagnosis, or help find her missing husband, Gabriel. Still, she would bet all her remaining days that the answer to his disappearance lies in the dark subterranean world beneath the Rutherford Ranch on the outskirts of Temperance, Wyoming.

Gabe is being held prisoner by the sheriff and heir to the ranch, Owen Rutherford. Owen is determined to harness the power of the Tree of Life—and he needs Gabe to reveal its magic. Secretly, the sheriff has also made a pact to free a creature of the underground, a flesh-devouring mermaid. Muirenn has vowed to exact vengeance on Gabe, who helped imprison her, but first . . . she's hungry. Once freed, she will swim into Yellowstone—to feed.

With her coyote sidekick Sig, Petra must descend into the underworld to rescue Gabe before it's too late . . . for both of them.

What did I think of it:
Laura Bickle is an auto-buy author for me, and with Witch Creek she once again shows why she is.

This is a cool read, and I finished it in one sitting. I just didn't want to put it down. Now I'll have to reread her books to get my fix until her next book releases.

Petra is seriously ill and Gabe has been imprisoned. I must say I wondered how things ever would turn out for them. It seemed a very hopeless situation. Luckily there was Sig to cheer Petra up a bit, and Petra also gets help from her friends Maria and Nine.

Where I could sympathize with Owen in the last book, I didn't much care for him in this one. I also couldn't bring myself to feel for the mermaid, however long she might have been trapped before Owen finds her. She is seriously creepy! There was one other viewpoint character who I really liked, and his storyline was interesting and sad.

All in all this is a great read with lots of things going on. The ending was satisfying, but also hints at lots more trouble coming Petra's way. I'll be stalking Laura Bickle's feeds for news about the next book in this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a really intense and cool UF read.


Buy from bookdepository

Teaser Tuesdays - The Reluctant Queen

"You really are horrible with people," the guard said to the champion.
He glared at her. "You can do better?"

(page 90/91, The Reluctant Queen by Sarah Beth Durst)


Buy from bookdepository

---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

City of the Lost - Book Review

City of the Lost (Rockton #1)
by Kelley Armstrong

What is it about:
Casey Duncan is a homicide detective with a secret: when she was in college, she killed a man. She was never caught, but he was the grandson of a mobster and she knows that someday this crime will catch up to her. Casey's best friend, Diana, is on the run from a violent, abusive ex-husband. When Diana's husband finds her, and Casey herself is attacked shortly after, Casey knows it's time for the two of them to disappear again.

Diana has heard of a town made for people like her, a town that takes in people on the run who want to shed their old lives. You must apply to live in Rockton and if you're accepted, it means walking away entirely from your old life, and living off the grid in the wilds of Canada: no cell phones, no Internet, no mail, no computers, very little electricity, and no way of getting in or out without the town council's approval. As a murderer, Casey isn't a good candidate, but she has something they want: She's a homicide detective, and Rockton has just had its first real murder. She and Diana are in. However, soon after arriving, Casey realizes that the identity of a murderer isn't the only secret Rockton is hiding—in fact, she starts to wonder if she and Diana might be in even more danger in Rockton than they were in their old lives.

What did I think of it:
I've read a lot of books by Armstrong by now, and most I very much enjoyed. I was a bit hesitant to pick up more of her books though, after being disappointed in the Darkness Rising trilogy and DNFing Missing. Then I won this book on Kelley Armstrong's Facebook page and I decided to get over my reluctance and read it.

And this is a cool read.

It doesn't have paranormal elements, but I can't say I missed those. The down of Rockton is an interesting place, and the mystery is solid.

I liked Casey, and there were lots of other intriguing characters. Not surprisingly for Armstrong the male lead is grumpy and a total alpha, but at least Casey didn't just roll over and submit, so I was ok with the alpha posturing.

All in all a great read that restored my faith in Armstrong's storytelling. I might just pick up one of her books that are still in my TBR pile soon.

Why should you read it:
It's a solid thriller.


Buy from bookdepository

Honor Among Thieves - Book Review

Honor Among Thieves (The Honors #1)
by Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre

What is it about:
Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that’s made her stronger than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead moving with her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn’t much better than a prison cell.

Still, when Zara commits a crime that has her running scared, jail might be exactly where she’s headed. Instead Zara is recruited into the Honors, an elite team of humans selected by the Leviathan—a race of sentient alien ships—to explore the outer reaches of the universe as their passengers.

Zara seizes the chance to flee Earth’s dangers, but when she meets Nadim, the alien ship she’s assigned, Zara starts to feel at home for the first time. But nothing could have prepared her for the dark, ominous truths that lurk behind the alluring glitter of starlight.

What did I think of it:
I've been eager to read this book ever since I heard Ann Aguirre read a part of it at the Love Letters Convention in Berlin last year.

And it doesn't disappoint. Have you heard me grumble about human looking aliens in the past? This book has proper aliens!

The Leviathan are a very intriguing species and I loved learning about them and the Honor program. It's clear they have their own agenda, and slowly Zara and the reader learn more about them.

Zara and her crew mate Bea were both great characters. I loved that they connect with each other from the start, and that there's no jealousy/competition between the two, as is often the case in YA. I also loved Nadim and the way he interacted with the girls.

The overall story was very cool, and the hints of the larger world out there had me eager to find out more and to keep reading. There's suspense, danger, secrets, and some really exciting action.

There was just one minor thing that bugged me, and that I myself would have left out, but it's too spoilery to go into it here, and it wasn't big enough to diminish my enjoyment.

The ending was not a cliffhanger, but there are lots of things Zara will have to deal with, and it did leave me hungry for the next book. You bet I'll get my trotters on it when it releases.

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome SF YA read.


Buy from bookdepository

On McPig's Radar - As She Ascends

I loved the first book, so you bet I pre-ordered this pearl.


As She Ascends (Fallen Isles Trilogy #2)
by Jodi Meadows

MIRA, THE HOPEBEARER
Mira Minkoba is on the run with her friends after a fiery escape from the Pit, where she’d been imprisoned for defending the dragons she loves. And she wants answers. Where have all the dragons been taken? Why are powerful noorestones being shipped to the mainland? And did the treaty she’s been defending her whole life truly sell out the Fallen Isles to their enemies?

MIRA, THE DRAGONHEARTED
As her connection to the dragons—and their power—grows stronger, so does Mira’s fear that she might lose control and hurt someone she loves. But the only way to find the truth is to go home again, to Damina, to face the people who betrayed her and the parents she’s not sure she can trust.

Home, where she must rise above her fears. Or be consumed.

The second page-turning novel in Jodi Meadows’ Fallen Isles trilogy scorches with mysterious magic and riveting romance as one girl kindles a spark into a flame.


Expected publication: September 11th 2018
Buy from bookdepository

Aliens Abroad - Book Review

Aliens Abroad (Katherine "Kitty" Katt #16)
by Gini Koch

What is it about:
With the human population growing and alien refugees pouring in from around the galaxy, Earth is becoming too overcrowded to sustain itself--and the solar system is filling up with the alien overflow. Advanced technology from the Alpha Centauri and Vatusan systems offers one possible solution. It's time to explore new planets and see if any uninhabited ones can be claimed.

The President and First Lady, aka Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini, aren't supposed to be on this mission, but what looks like a snafu during a political photo op on the newly christened Distant Voyager spaceship turns out to be a call for help from a planet that might be Earth's salvation...or its destruction.

The discovery of a world at the opposite end of the galaxy that seems like it could be a twin to Earth creates the usual issues for Kitty & Company. It also raises questions of Z'porrah and Ancient influence--not to mention cloning, the multiverse, and, scariest of all, whether or not the Black Hole Universe Police are starting to take too much of an interest in this particular universe.

What did I think of it:
If you still haven't started on this series, you should go get the first book asap.

For those familiar with this series: this is yet another fun adventure in the roller-coaster ride that is Kitty's life.

Kitty and co get taken on a trip into space and things get wild. There are lots of new things they discover, Kitty has to save the day, and just when one crisis is averted the next comes knocking. There's a lot going on, and once again I had to keep paying attention to keep up with what's happening.

I loved exploring the galaxy together with Kitty and her crew. The ship they're on is very cool, and the things they encounter disturbing, cool, fun, and more. It's a good thing Kitty usually figures out what should happen to set things right, because there's a lot to fix in the galaxy.

All in all a fun and very enjoyable read. The ending makes me eager for the next book to find out what's thrown on Kitty's plate next.

Why should you read it:
It's a very entertaining, SF roller-coaster ride.


Buy from bookdepository

Teaser Tuesdays - City of the Lost

"You're not getting in," he says.
"To your town, I presume. Because I don't take direction well?"

(page 53, City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong)


Buy from bookdepository

---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Etched in Bone - Book Review

Etched in Bone (The Others #5)
by Anne Bishop

What is it about:
After a human uprising was brutally put down by the Elders—a primitive and lethal form of the Others—the few cities left under human control are far-flung. And the people within them now know to fear the no-man’s-land beyond their borders—and the darkness…

As some communities struggle to rebuild, Lakeside Courtyard has emerged relatively unscathed, though Simon Wolfgard, its wolf shifter leader, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn must work with the human pack to maintain the fragile peace. But all their efforts are threatened when Lieutenant Montgomery’s shady brother arrives, looking for a free ride and easy pickings.

With the humans on guard against one of their own, tensions rise, drawing the attention of the Elders, who are curious about the effect such an insignificant predator can have on a pack. But Meg knows the dangers, for she has seen in the cards how it will all end—with her standing beside a grave.

What did I think of it:
Things I've learned from reading this series:
Humans are evil and never learn
Women don't like bison meat
Meg is super special with special sauce on top

To be fair:
I very much enjoyed this series. Bishop is a master at world building and she creates really cool characters. It's just a shame that her heroines are lacking for me.

This book is a great read, but it felt as if Bishop had concluded her main storyline for this series in the previous book and then remembered she had forgotten to finish some minor storylines, so she came up with the plot in this book to tie everything up.

The story is almost entirely set in Lakeside and there's a lot of Meg. Luckily there were enough scenes with my favorite characters to make up for her specialness. I liked reading about Monty's mother, and I enjoyed the antics of the crows. The storyline isn't the best in this series, but it's entertaining.

All in all a nice wrap-up of the dangling storylines in Lakeside. I must say I'm looking forward to the paperback of the next book - Lake Silence - as it has new lead characters, one of them a Crowgard.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable Urban Fantasy read.


Buy from bookdepository

Siege and Storm - Book Review

Siege and Storm (The Grishaverse #2)
by Leigh Bardugo

What is it about:
Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

What did I think of it:
I very much enjoyed the first book in this series, so when I won a book of my choice at a giveaway by I Smell Sheep I didn't have to think very long about what book to pick.

And this book is just as cool as the first.

I love Alina and I was invested in what's happening to her from the start. I didn't like Mal in the first book, and this book only made me dislike him more. He seems very selfish, and doesn't consider Alina's feelings. He's only focused on the future he wants, instead of trying to build a future that also includes Alina's dreams and desires. Still I very much fear he will be the one to end up with Alina in the last book of this trilogy.

Mal aside, this story is wonderful. There are a couple of really interesting new characters, some with dubious loyalties. I loved learning more about the world and about the plans of both Alina, the Darkling ,and others. I kept reading to find out where things would lead. Did Alina put her trust in the right people? Is the Darkling really as evil as he seems? Will Ravka survive its civil war?

All in all a very entertaining and enjoyable read. I'll get my trotters on the last book soon.

Why should you read it:
It's a wonderful YA Fantasy read.


Buy from bookdepository

On McPig's Wishlist - The Plagued Spy

The Plagued Spy (The Immortal Spy, Book 2)
by K.A. Krantz

It’s all fun and games until someone breaks out the needles.

It was supposed to be a simple retrieval mission. Go in, grab the bespelled package of evidence against some very corrupt superpowers, and get out. The mission turns sideways when a vengeful spy Bix blackballed during her time in Dark Ops crashes the job and injects Bix’s teammates with an unknown toxin. Succumbing to a horrific mutation, the dying spook whispers the Mayday protocol for a compromised covert operation involving a biological weapon.

With her friends infected and sequestered in quarantine, a mole inside the spy guild exposing its undercover agents, and the brightest minds in the Mid Worlds unable to identify the biologic, Bix picks up the mission to find the creators and the cure. She’ll square off against Fates, dragons, angels, and even the god of plagues to save her friends; yet the greatest threat might well be the darkness growing within Bix and the evil on which it feeds.

Beware the plagued spy, for wrath and ruin are sure to follow…


Expected publication: April 24th 2018

No Life But This - DNF Rant

No Life But This (UniCorp #2)
by Anna Sheehan

What is it about:
Rose spent most of her life asleep. Otto spent his as an object.

Rose Fitzroy woke from her long sleep to a changed world and new life. Her friend Otto watched her from afar, longing for what he felt he couldn't have. But just when things seem to be going right, his own biology backfires, sending him into a deathly spiral that neither of them can stop. His only hope lies on the distant ice moon of Europa, where an experimental treatment might bring him back from the brink.

But Europa is in a state of revolution, and Otto's brother Quin is tangled up in it. With Otto going slowly insane, and Rose haunted by ghosts of her old life, more than one world may soon be destroyed around them.

What did I think of it:
*Warning: I will spoil the crap out of at least two events in this book, one that made me throw this book aside*

So I really enjoyed A Long, Long Sleep and this book was about my favorite character from that book: Otto.

At the start of this book it turns out Otto is desperately in love with Rose. He knows she doesn't feel that way about him, because when he touches people he can read their surface thoughts. He has a code of ethics that makes him stop to delve further in people's minds. On top of his feelings for Rose, he is feeling unwell, and might be dying from a condition that others like him have died from in the past.

So far, so good. It started to go wrong for me when Otto invites Rose into the pool to show her why he usually doesn't swim with other people. Here it is revealed that because of the water he feels Rose and her thoughts and emotions all over his body. I will confess this squicked me out a bit. Not what he feels, but that he only tells Rose this once she's in the water with him. It felt like a huge intrusion of her privacy. I know I wouldn't like someone to feel my emotions all over his/her being/body without me knowing about it and having chosen to share something so intimate.

A bit leery of Otto by this I read on.

Then the thing happened that made me toss the book:

Otto is getting worse and needs to travel to Europa in hope for a cure. He needs to be put in stasis, a procedure that might kill him. Rose volunteers to stay with him until the moment he's put in stasis. Otto is feeling very sorry for himself, because he might die, and because his feelings for Rose aren't mutual.

So what does Otto do?

He uses his telepathic powers to convince Rose's subconsciousness that he is her boyfriend from before she was put into stasis for 62 years, so he can kiss her (and maybe more)...

WTF!?

I don't care that Otto tries to tell himself it's ok, because conscious Rose supposedly knows it's Otto and not her old boyfriend! I don't care he thinks it's unfair he's going to die! I even don't care if he might feel sorry for this mind rape later! Because: Yes, this is Mind Rape!

I put the book down right there and then. Maybe I'm being unfair. Maybe Otto will grovel for the rest of the book to make it up to Rose. Still: I just wasn't interested in finding out what happened to Douche Canoe Otto after this second huge breach of privacy and trust. You just don't do this kind of shit to people! Ever!

You bet this book is not a keeper and will be donated to the charity shop asap.

Why should you read it:
Maybe you want to find out if Otto can redeem himself.


buy from bookdepository

Teaser Tuesdays - Etched in Bone

He just hoped he'd made it clear to Sam that Meg wouldn't appreciate the gift of a piece of deer heart or liver. Or lungs. Or brains. Or tongue.

(page 82, Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop)


Buy from bookdepository

---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Marked in Flesh - Book Review

Marked in Flesh (The Others #4)
by Anne Bishop

What is it about:
For centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they’re willing to tolerate—both within themselves and within their community...

Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial—both personally and practically.

But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others—and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs…

What did I think of it:
I think I loved this one just a bit more than Vision in Silver.

Again the story focused more on what's happening in the entire world instead of focusing mainly on Meg. And I loved some of the people it focused on. Especially the events in the town of Prairie Gold had my complete attention. Even though it's clear what is going to happen I was gripped by the story and had to read on to find out how things would unfold, and if my favorite characters would survive.

Meg is still Mary Sue-ing as only Meg can, but with the wider view these last few books, it's not as annoying as in the first books. I must be in a minority, but to be honest I wouldn't miss Meg if she was written out of the series. There are so many characters who are more interesting in my opinion.

All in all a great book. I will pick up the next book soon.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool Urban Fantasy read.


Buy from bookdepository

Alien Education - Book Review

Alien Education (Katherine "Kitty" Katt #15)
by Gini Koch

What is it about:
As if learning as much as possible about every alien race in the galaxy, fending off the advances both business and personal from a variety of Hollywood types, dealing with the assimilation of various alien races, and navigating the Embassy Daycare kids' first day of "real" school wasn't bad enough, President and First Lady Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini must now deal with new robotic attacks that endanger every alien child on Earth, the resurgence of a bigger, nastier Club 51, and a variety of murders, all while facing the most truly terrifying organization they've ever encountered -- the school's Parent-Teacher Association.

What did I think of it:
When this book arrived in April last year I had a hard time concentrating on reading, so I didn't dare pick this book up. And as is often the case with postponing a read: it went forgotten until last month, when I realized the next book would be releasing in February.

I decided to catch up right away.

This is a fun read as all of the books in the series. It did feel like there was more talking and explaining than necessary at times, but this being book 15, a recap of who's who and what's what can't be avoided.

That aside I fell right back in the world and crazy schemes that surround Kitty. I loved reading about beloved characters and to see new characters enter the stage as well.

It's a good thing I didn't read this book last year, because as always there are several conspiracies and plots going on, and I had to keep paying attention to keep up with the developments.

All in all this is a fun addition to a great series. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun SF read.


Buy from bookdepository

On McPig's Wishlist - My So-Called Bollywood Life

My So-Called Bollywood Life
by Nisha Sharma

Winnie Mehta was never really convinced that Raj was her soulmate, but their love was written in the stars. Literally, a pandit predicted Winnie would find the love of her life before her 18th birthday, and Raj meets all of the qualifications. Which is why Winnie is shocked to return from her summer at film camp to find her boyfriend of three years hooking up with Jenny Dickens. Worse, Raj is crowned chair of the student film festival, a spot Winnie was counting on for her film school applications. As a self-proclaimed Bollywood expert, Winnie knows this is not how her perfect ending is scripted.

Then there’s Dev, a fellow film geek, and one of the few people Winnie can count on to help her reclaim control of her story. Dev is smart charming, and challenges Winnie to look beyond her horoscope to find someone she’d pick for herself. But does falling for Dev mean giving up on her prophecy, and her chance to live happily ever after? To get her Bollywood-like life on track, Winnie will need a little bit of help from fate, family, and of course, a Bollywood movie star.

Like an expertly choreographed Bollywood dance scene, Nisha Sharma’s off-beat love story dazzles in the lime light.


Expected publication: May 15th 2018
Buy from bookdepository

The Burned Spy - Book Review

The Burned Spy (Immortal Spy Book 1)
by K.A. Krantz

What is it about:
Gods. Always ready to screw you.

When Bix the Gatekeeper is summoned from exile a hundred and seventy years early by the goddess of the Norse Under World, the former Dark Ops agent knows there’s a catch. On the surface, the terms of the deal are simple. Someone attacked the pantheon’s ambassador to the Mid Worlds and left the ambassador in a coma. In exchange for early parole, Bix must identify the perpetrator and drag their soul to Hel.

It’d be a sweet contract, if not for the details. The ambassador is Bix’s ex-girlfriend, the lead suspect is the key witness from Bix’s trial, and the organization leading the official investigation is the same intelligence guild that disavowed Bix when a covert op went pear-shaped. Undeterred, Bix returns to her old stomping grounds where clues in the smoldering woods of Centralia, Pennsylvania, lead to the waterfront of Washington, DC, and Worlds beyond.

Once valued for her skills creating passageways as small as a capillary or as large as a continent, Bix’s success now depends on the relationships she was forced to abandon. As she squares off against friends who betrayed her and enemies keen to destroy her, Bix follows a trail of secrets, torture, and treason that leads to the very superpowers who banished her. With her freedom on the line and revenge within reach, this highly-trained operative will take on Fates, dragons, angels, and gods to get exactly what she wants.

Hel hath no fury like a burned spy.

What did I think of it:
I loved Krantz' Larcout, so when I learned about her new Urban Fantasy series I immediately ordered The Burned Spy.

And what a cool read!

Bix is a powerful heroine, but ten years of exile have taken their toll and left her with some vulnerabilities and a lot of enemies. As she tries to find out who attacked Mirri she stumbles from one dangerous situation into the next. There wasn't a dull moment in this book.

I really liked the world building. All pantheons seem to be present, although because Bix works for Hel, the Norse pantheon is most heavily represented in this book. Still, the world lends itself for lots of interesting Gods and stories for future books. I very much enjoyed learning about the workings and politics of all the different factions in this book.

Bix gets help from some really cool characters. With some it's clear why they help, others have more hidden motives. I seriously hope to see more of several of them in future books.

The story is suspenseful and full of intrigue and action. I very much enjoyed seeing Bix slowly discover more about what happened and to see things fit together.

All in all a great start to a very promising series. Bring on the next book.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and suspenseful UF read.


Buy from Amazon

Teaser Tuesdays - The Burned Spy

"Their blood is like hot sauce to a goblin's palate." Tobek sucked on a tooth. "There's a reason these guys survive every apocalypse."

(page 49, The Burned Spy by K.A. Krantz)


Buy from Amazon

---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Extinction Trials - Book Review

The Extinction Trials (The Extinction Trials #1)
by S.M. Wilson

What is it about:
Betrayal. Sacrifice. Survival.
Welcome to the Extinction Trials.

In Stormchaser and Lincoln's ruined world, the only way to survive is to risk everything. To face a contest more dangerous than anyone can imagine. And they will do anything to win.

But in a land full of monsters - human and reptilian - they can't afford to trust anyone. Perhaps not even each other...

What did I think of it:
When I saw this book is marketed as 'Hunger Games meets Jurassic Park' I had to give it a try.

The story is set in a world where humans and dinosaurs live at the same time. Earthasia. the continent where the humans live, is getting crowded and food is getting scarce, so they have set their eyes on the continent Piloria. One problem: it's full of dinosaurs.

When a trial is being organised to see who would be fit to go on an expedition to Piloria lots of people enter. Some - like Storm - for the food the entrants get, others - like Lincoln - for the promised rewards those who actually make it through the trials will get.

The first part of the book is about the trials. I liked getting to know Storm and Lincoln, and the trials were fun to read about as well. Still I was waiting for the moment they would get to Piloria, as I wanted some dinosaur action.

And when the story finally gets them to Piloria I was not disappointed. There's lots of action, perils, and of course dinosaurs! I especially rooted for Storm to succeed in her plans and to survive the dangers of Piloria. The scenes with the dinosaurs were thrilling and had me on the edge of my seat.

The book ended in a way that makes it readable as a standalone, but it also left me hungry for more. You bet I will get my trotters on the next book once it releases.

Why should you read it:
Dinosaurs!!!


Buy from bookdepository

Running Girl - Book Review

Running Girl (The Garvie Smith Mysteries #1)
by Simon Mason

What is it about:
Meet Garvie Smith. Highest IQ ever recorded at Marsh Academy. Lowest ever grades. What's the point, anyway? Life sucks. Nothing ever happens.

Until Chloe Dow's body is pulled from a pond.

DI Singh is already on the case. Ambitious, uptight, methodical - he's determined to solve the mystery and get promoted. He doesn't need any 'assistance' from notorious slacker, Smith.

Or does he?

What did I think of it:
This was a nice murder mystery with a hero I didn't like.

Garvie thinks he's cool and that rules don't apply to him. He's exploiting the goodness of friends, is rude to police detectives, and lies constantly to his mother without making sure he can't get caught in a lie. If you are using a visit to a friend as an excuse to go poking around where you shouldn't: tell the friend, so he can cover for you! Seems Garvie isn't as smart as he thinks he is.

So yes: I really disliked Smart Mouth Garvie.

Luckily the murder mystery and inspector Singh made up for Garvie. I was really curious what had happened and how things fit together. There are lots of things going on and there's more than one suspect.

All in all an entertaining read, but I won't pick up the next book, because one book with Garvie was enough.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice murder mystery.


buy from bookdepository

January TBR Orphans Round-Up

I had a great start on my challenge this year. I read 4 books in January that had been on my shelves for more than three months, just waiting To Be Read.

Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs had been in my TBR pile since February 2017.
Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder was the oldest orphan this month. It had been on my shelves since January 2014.
Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop had been there since February 2016.
Alien Education by Gini Koch was the youngest and had been in my TBR pile since April 2017.

If I keep this up I might reduce the pile of TBR Orphans considerably this year.

How did your challenges go?