Friday 30 August 2019

Rage - Book Review


Rage (Stormheart #2)
by Cora Carmack


What is it about:

Princess or adventurer.

Duty or freedom.

Her Kingdom or the Stormhunter she loves.

If Aurora knows anything, it's that choices have consequences. To set things right, she joins a growing revolution on the streets of Pavan.

In disguise as the rebel Roar, she puts her knowledge of the palace to use to aid the rebellion. But the Rage season is at its peak and not a day passes without the skies raining down destruction. Yet these storms are different—they churn with darkness, and attack with a will that’s desperate and violent.

This feels like more than rage.

It feels like war.


What did I think of it:
I absolutely loved Roar so you bet I pre-ordered Rage and have been waiting for it to release so I could get my greedy trotters on it.

And Rage was well worth the wait!

Picking up where Roar left up, Aurora/Roar is soon in the thick of things. She wants to save her kingdom from the family who took over the throne, but she still has to tell her companions she's a princess. And there's an angry Stormlord targeting Pavan with storm after storm as well.

There is lots of action and intrigue in this second book of a trilogy and I was hooked from the start. Once again there are several viewpoint characters, and all are interesting to follow, if only to learn the true nature of some of them.

I especially enjoyed Nova's storyline in this book. She already was a favorite in the first book, and my love for her only grew in this one. There was one very interesting new character as well, who didn't have their own viewpoint, but certainly made me eager to find out more about them.

All in all I raced through this book to see where things would lead, and was surprised by events several times. The romance is growing on me, although the love interest is far from my favorite character in the books. A secondary romance between some of the other characters made me squee in delight though.

The book ends with quite the surprise, and you bet I'll be pre-ordering the last book asap.

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


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Thursday 29 August 2019

The Rage Season is Here!

After reading Roar I pre-oredered Rage as soon as I could, because the world Cora Carmack created is awesome!
And Rage is here! And just as awesome as Roar. Read my review of Rage tomorrow, but in the mean time:

Get ready for the Rage season!


From New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack, the second in the captivating new YA fantasy/romance Stormheart series, perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and Victoria Aveyard.

Princess or adventurer.

Duty or freedom.

Her Kingdom or the storm hunter she loves.

If Aurora knows anything, it's that choices have consequences. To set things right, she joins a growing revolution on the streets of Pavan.
In disguise as the rebel Roar, she puts her knowledge of the palace to use to aid the rebellion. But the Rage season is at its peak and not a day passes without the skies raining down destruction. Yet these storms are different…they churn with darkness, and attack with a will that’s desperate and violent.

This feels like more than rage.

It feels like war.



RAGE is available NOW!

Amazon - Barnes and Noble
Books-A-Million - Apple Books
Book Depository

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Excerpt:

When the siren sounded, it took even Cassius a few moments to realize that this siren had nothing to do with tempests.

He stood abruptly from his desk, knocking over a bottle of ink in the process. Black liquid spread across his papers like unholy blood, but there was no time to stop it, not even time to be frustrated with himself for his clumsiness.

They were under attack.

Not by storms, but by men.

He hastily pulled on his boots, inserting a spare knife into each one, then grabbed his sword. By the time he entered the main hallway, the edge had left his movements and his steps had grown into a sprawling stalk. This was where he thrived. Give a predator prey and he came alive, no matter how close to death he might feel. His vision sharpened, the exhaustion disappeared, and a hunger rose from deep in his gut.

A fight was exactly what he needed—and not with some far away magic, but up close, hand to hand, face-to-face, blood drawn. He needed to feel victory. Needed to serve up a defeat that was permanent.

When men died, they stayed that way, unlike the enemies he normally fought.

The hallway swarmed with soldiers, all clearly taken by the chaos. He grabbed the highest-ranking officer he recognized and spat, “Tell me what you know.”

“A breach, sir. The main gate.”

Bleeding skies. How had they gotten through the main gate without anyone noticing?

“Where is the fighting located?”


“We don’t know, sir.”


Cassius froze, his eyes narrowing, and his jaw went tight.

“What do you mean, you don’t know?”


“We have not found the intruders.”


His heart slowed, forgoing its beats as his mind raced—not in anxiety, but in deference, as if one knew the other was more needed. What would intruders want? Where would they go? What would their goals be?

One blink, and he knew.

“I want soldiers on every member of the royal family, now.” He was surprised there had not been an attempt at overthrowing them before now, frankly. “Once my family is protected, then every other remaining soldier is to scour this palace until the intruders are found, do you understand?”

An affirmative chorus rang out from the soldiers in blue, and then everyone was in motion, chattering about who would be seeking out his father, brother, and mother. The room emptied quickly of everyone except Cassius and a handful of soldiers who stood behind him.

“I did not mean me,” he growled.


The soldiers hesitated still.


“Go!” he barked. “Find them. Now.”


Then, blessedly, he was left alone, the siren still wailing on occasion, the only company for his scattered thoughts.


He should have gone after them, should have put himself in the thick of things, but instead he turned and headed back the way he came, down the royal wing where the Pavan family had stayed.

He was the only Locke to call this wing home. He was not certain why, but he bypassed his office and went for the door at the very end of the hall, the queen’s rooms.

He listened for a moment, but heard nothing inside. He knocked. Again, he could not say why. The woman rarely ever woke, not since his father had started bribing the nurse to add something extra to her tea.


But sometimes when he looked at this door, he had this feeling in his stomach that he didn’t recognize, a feeling he didn’t know how to name. And it told him to knock before he went inside. When no answer came, he turned the knob and entered on his own.

First, his eyes saw bare ankles, and followed them to the unconscious form of the nurse who cared for the queen. Her arms were askew in front of her, and her face lax, but a quick press of his fingers to her neck told him she was not dead. He lifted his eyes farther and found only rumpled sheets where the queen should have been.


Something in him rose high, pressing right under his skin, the part of him that liked to hunt and hurt.

He had been just down the hallway. Had someone managed to steal the old queen right from under his nose? Or did he somehow have even less knowledge and control than he thought? Could she have walked free herself somehow?

He had sent all those soldiers off searching and here was the breach right under his very eye. Where he slept and worked. Humiliation burned deep in his gut, and he charged toward the bed, pulling at the sheets as if he might find some clue there to how he had allowed such a blunder.

Could this be the Stormlord? Another prong in his plan? The meager resistance his brother had been cheerfully exterminating to impress their father? Or something else entirely? There were too many pieces on the board for him to win this game. The board was too damned big for him to even know what the game was sometimes.

Quickly, he searched the rest of the room, searching for any advantage, and he found it in the poorly closed balcony door. Out- side, he found a peculiar crawling vine that had somehow made its way from the ground up to the queen’s balcony even though he had never seen it on any of his walks around the grounds. He touched the leaves, bright green and crisp—fresh. And something else about them—they were real, to be certain, but they hummed under his touch, as if they brimmed with something that was nearly familiar to him.

Cassius knew what he was seeing, knew it by heart from years of engrained warnings and fear. But his father had done such a thorough job of eradicating the practice and the people from Locke, it had often seemed more myth than malevolence.

But here before him was proof.

He rubbed a newly birthed leaf between the pads of his fingers, and plucked it free from the vine. He waited for it to wither or turn to dust, but it stayed—both a truth and a lie all at once.

There was a witch in Pavan.

And whoever they were, wherever they were, they had the Pavan queen.

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About the Author
Cora Carmack is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult Romance and YA fantasy.  Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages around the world. Cora lives in Austin, TX, and on any given day you might find her typing away at her computer, flying to various cities around the world, or just watching Netflix with her kitty Katniss and her dog Sherlock. But she can always be found on Twitter and Instagram (@coracarmack), Facebook (www.facebook.com/coracarmackbooks), and her website (www.coracarmack.com).

Tuesday 27 August 2019

Traveling Piggy


My reviews will continue soon, in the mean time:
my first post of my trip to Dublin and Worldcon is up on my travel blog

Saturday 17 August 2019

Worldcon Sneak Peek

So this totally happened today:
Seanan McGuire signed Every Heart a Doorway & Beneath the Sugar Sky for me! 

Tuesday 13 August 2019

Fan Piggy Away!


I'm off to Dublin for Worldcon.

I'll try to post some teaser pictures while there, and give a full account of my adventures once I'm back.

Until then: Happy Reading!


Monday 12 August 2019

Empire of Sand - Book Review


Empire of Sand (The Books of Ambha #1)
by Tasha Suri


What is it about:
A NOBLEMAN'S DAUGHTER WITH MAGIC IN HER BLOOD
AN EMPIRE BUILT ON THE DREAMS OF ENSLAVED GODS

Mehr is a girl trapped between two cultures. Her father comes from the ruling classes of the empire, but her mother's people were outcasts, Amrithi nomads who worshipped the spirits of the sands.

Caught one night performing these forbidden rites, Mehr is brought to the attention of the Emperor's most feared mystics, who try to force her into their service by way of an arranged marriage. If she fails in their bidding, the gods themselves may awaken and seek vengeance...

From British debut author Tasha Suri, Empire of Sand is a lush and beautiful tale set in a magical world inspired by medieval India.


What did I think of it:
This is such a beautiful and gorgeous read!

I fell in love with Mehr from the start. Holding on to the rites her mother taught her before leaving Mehr and her younger sister, Mehr doesn't fit in well in her father's household. I loved learning about her, the traditions of her mother's people, and Mehr's every day life.

Then she gets noticed by the mystics and her life gets even more difficult.

I was totally hooked and rooting for Mehr to free herself from everything that keeps her trapped and bound to others. I hoped for her to find somebody who could accept her for who she was instead of trying to shape her into something she isn't. And once that person enters the story, you bet I was rooting for both of them!

The writing is beautiful and had me pacing myself to truly appreciate it, instead of rushing on to discover how everything would play out. Suri is a masterful storyteller, painting a lush picture of Mehr's world with her descriptions and her prose.

Still the ending came much to soon in my opinion. I could have stayed lost in this world much longer, even with the very satisfying ending. You bet I'll get my grabby trotters on the next book once it releases.

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


Buy from bookdepository

Friday 9 August 2019

Unsung Heroine - Book Review


Unsung Heroine (Heroine Complex #3.5)
by Sarah Kuhn


What is it about:
This standalone novella in the smart, snarky, and action-packed Heroine Complex series follows personal superhero trainer Lucy Valdez and friends Aveda Jupiter and Bea and Evie Tanaka as they combat a new supernatural threat.

Lucy Valdez is many things: fight trainer/bodyguard to superheroines, fabulous vintage fashion plate, undisputed karaoke queen at local joint, The Gutter. She is also one of the toughest fighters in all of San Francisco without superpowers. So why can't she seem to confess her feelings to her longtime crush Rose Rorick, head of the San Francisco Police Department's Demon Unit?

Well.... actually, she knows why. She's afraid Rose won't like the real Lucy, the Lucy underneath all the fabulous bravado. (She is still fabulous underneath that bravado--just in a different way.)

When a mysterious new karaoke star rises up at The Gutter and eclipses her, Lucy finds her confidence further shaken--and when strange, seemingly supernatural happenings threaten both this new star and The Gutter's very existence, she must rise to the challenge and investigate alongside Rose. Will Lucy be able to vanquish the demonic threat to her beloved karaoke haven, confess her true feelings to Rose, and reclaim her karaoke throne?


What did I think of it:
I love the Heroine Complex series, so you bet I got my trotters on this novella about Lucy and Rose.

This novella is awesome!

Lucy and Rose have been favorite minor characters of mine and I loved seeing Lucy in the lead and trying to sort out her feelings for Rose while having to deal with an unknown supernatural threat.

I was rooting for Lucy to get her act together and sweep Rose off her feet, but she is stubborn and didn't make things easy on herself and Rose. And then there's the supernatural threat. I kept guessing and adjusting my theories as the story developed. Once I started on this novella I had to keep reading and finished it in one sitting, it was that fun and suspenseful.

All in all a wonderful addition to the series. I'm looking forward to more!

Why should you read it:
If you're a fan of the series, you need this novella!


Buy from Amazon

Wednesday 7 August 2019

I Owe You One - Book Review by Voodoo Bride


I Owe You One
by Sophie Kinsella


What is it about:
Fixie Farr has always lived by her father’s motto: “Family first.” But since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, Fixie spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The way Fixie sees it, if she doesn’t take care of her father’s legacy, who will? It’s simply not in her nature to say no to people.

So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, Fixie not only agrees—she ends up saving it from certain disaster. Turns out the computer’s owner is an investment manager. To thank Fixie for her quick thinking, Sebastian scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. But Fixie laughs it off—she’d never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she?

Then Fixie’s childhood crush, Ryan, comes back into her life and his lack of a profession pushes all of Fixie’s buttons. She wants nothing for herself—but she’d love Seb to give Ryan a job. And Seb agrees, until the tables are turned once more and a new series of IOUs between Seb and Fixie—from small favors to life-changing moments—ensues. Soon Fixie, Ms. Fixit for everyone else, is torn between her family and the life she really wants. Does she have the courage to take a stand? Will she finally grab the life, and love, she really wants?


What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I was in the mood for something light and funny, and in that case you can't go wrong with a Kinsella book.

This book follows the Kinsella method of quirky young woman isn't taken seriously, meets guy, gets in weird situations, figures things out, and everything end well.

As simple as it is, Kinsella does manage to keep coming up with new stories to fit this mold. This one was yet another entertaining, silly, and fun one to add to my growing pile of fluffy Kinsella books. Although I must say that the romance in this one didn't lead the story for me. Yes: the guy she meets sets things in motion for Fixie, but this story is mostly about Fixie getting her priorities straight and claiming her own space. That it's a hunky guy who gets her moving is just a nice little extra in my opinion.

I can recommend this book if you like Kinsella's silliness and don't mind that the romance is understated in this book. I for sure will keep it to reread if I need something light and funny.

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


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Tuesday 6 August 2019

Teaser Tuesday - All Systems Red


This assessment zone was a barren stretch of coastal island, with low, flat hills rising and falling and thick greenish-black grass up to my ankles, not much in the way of flora or fauna, except a bunch of different-sized birdlike things and some puffy floaty things that were harmless as far as we knew.

(from chapter 1, All Systems Red by Martha Wells)


buy from Amazon

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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 sh"are 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!


Monday 5 August 2019

The Library of the Unwritten - Early Book Review


The Library of the Unwritten (A Novel from Hell's Library #1)
by A.J. Hackwith


What is it about:
In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren't finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.

Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing-- a neutral space in Hell where all the stories unfinished by their authors reside. Her job consists mainly of repairing and organizing books, but also of keeping an eye on restless stories that risk materializing as characters and escaping the library. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant Brevity and nervous demon courier Leto.

But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced that they hold the Devil's Bible. The text of the Devil's Bible is a powerful weapon in the power struggle between Heaven and Hell, so it falls to the librarians to find a book with the power to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell….and Earth.


What did I think of it:
Imagine a library with all the books that haven't been written (yet). And them being restless and coming to life as one of their characters. You bet I was super excited to get this Advance Reader Copy.

And this is a really cool story!

Claire, Brevity and Leto go after a book that materialized into its hero and scampered off to earth. Once there they and the hero they're chasing get caught up in a race to get hold of the Devil's Bible.

The story is told in multiple viewpoints: Claire, Brevity, Leto, Ramiel, and I think that's it, but don't hold it against me if I missed someone. And with these multiple viewpoints comes the one small thing that didn't work for me. The way especially Leto (and Brevity in lesser extend) thought about Claire, made that when I read Claire's viewpoint she felt off. Leto's thought about her are so GRANT that she felt larger than life, and her own thoughts full of doubts and worries felt unbelievable because of it. But that might be just me.

Otherwise this story so enjoyable to read. I especially loved Brevity, and the escaped hero, named... Hero. As our mismatched company searches for the Devil's Bible and tries to outwit Ramiel, (who is totally awesome, btw!) they travel earth, hell's library, Valhalla, and more. I very much enjoyed Hackwith's view of the afterlife, and if it did remind me of several other books and comics, I didn't care, because I was having fun.

All in all this is a very entertaining read, and I will keep my eye out for the next book.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool bookish adventure!


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