Morrigan’s Blood - Book Review

 

Morrigan’s Blood (Crow's Curse #1)

by Laura Bickle

What is it about:

Garnet has the blood of the legendary Morrigan – and legions of vampires and witches will go to war to possess that power.

As a trauma surgeon, Garnet Conners has seen more than her fair share of blood. But when one of her patients walks off the operating table and disappears into the night, she finds herself caught in a war between legions of vampires and witches in her city.

Garnet has dreamed of bloody battlefields for years – and a mysterious lover who controls a kingdom. In her waking life, Garnet is shocked to meet that man in a club. Merrel knows her from another life, a life in which she was the legendary Morrigan, goddess of death and war.

Garnet rejects the notion of magical incarnations altogether. But she falls in with Sorin, a handsome warlock who’s determined to protect the former bootlegger city of Riverpointe from a secret society of vampires. Haunted by crows and faced with undeniable proof of magic, Garnet scrambles to protect her career and loved ones from magical violence.

Abducted by vampires who seek to turn her into a vampire against her will, can Garnet seize the power of the legendary Morrigan to forge her own path in her embattled city? Or will she be forced to serve as a fearsome weapon in a deadly nocturnal war?

What did I think of it:

You bet I jumped on the chance to read this book early, I love Laura Bickle's writing!

And with Morrigan's Blood she once again drew me in and kept me engaged from start to finish.

Garnet is a cool heroine. She had many setbacks in life, but kept going and is now working as a trauma surgeon, but then suddenly disaster seems to follow her where ever she goes. 

The mood and atmosphere were really intense and fittig the story.

I was eager to find out about Garnet and about the Morrigan she dreams about. I also loved Garnet's friends and was rooting for them all to stay safe. And then there are Merrel and Sorin. They clearly both have their hidden agenda, so I wasn't sure who was to be trusted.  

There was also a character who kept turning up, who seems unrelated to the events, but I really do wonder if there's more to her. I hope to find out more about her in the next book.

I couldn't put this book down until I finished it, and I can tell you I'm more than eager for the next one, because I want and need more!

Why should you read it:

Vampires, witches, crows... what more could you want!

Expected publication: September 25th 2020 by Syrenka Publishing LLC

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Hush of Storm & Sorrow - Book Review

 

Hush of Storm & Sorrow (Earthsinger Chronicles #2.5)

by L. Penelope

What is it about:

While battling a vicious winter storm, Roshon ol-Sarifor, along with his father and twin brother are kidnapped and thrust on a journey that takes them far from home—leaving his sister Jasminda believing them dead. Their captors claim that the Queen Who Sleeps is behind their abduction—She wants them to reclaim a magical object hidden in a deadly part of the ocean. But a violent encounter with a gang of pirates forces the ol-Sarifors to seek refuge on a smuggler's ship, where Roshon meets a girl unlike any he’s encountered before.

Ani Summerhawk never met a risk she didn’t take. But with a price on her head, she and her older brother need to make a quick getaway from a deal gone bad. Every ship in the sea is seeking the reward for returning her to a ruthless captain who believes she's his property. But when her brother agrees to transport three passengers to a dangerous destination, Ani’s heart is put on the line for the first time.

The two families battle a treacherous sea, greedy sailors, and a powerful mage as they struggle to retrieve and secure the ancient artifact. And the attraction between a high-spirited girl and a cautious boy comes to a head when they discover that their biggest fight just might be with each other.

Set two years before the events of Song of Blood & Stone, this action-packed novella answers the question of what happened to Jasminda’s family and sets the stage for the events in Cry of Metal & Bone (Earthsinger Chronicles, book 3). 

What did I think of it:

This novella is set before the start of book one and fills in some events that will be important for book three. So I of course had to read it before starting on book three.

This is a really cool novella. I liked Roshon: he's level headed, cautious, and brave. Ani is his complete opposite in a couple of things: she can be impulsive and carefree. Still I think they were a great match for each other.

I loved learning about Ani's homeland and its traditions. It added more depth to the already believable and intricate worldbuilding in this series.

The story was fun and exciting. As it sets the stage for the events in Cry of Metal & Bone it leaves a lot of things unresolved, so you bet I will pick up book three soon. 

Why should you read it:

It's a fun Fantasy read.

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In My TBR - Four and Twenty Blackbirds

 

This book has been in my TBR since february last year. It does sound intriguing. Anyone read it and can tell me if I should make it a priority?

Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Eden Moore #1)

by Cherie Priest

Although she was orphaned at birth, Eden Moore is never alone. Three dead women watch from the shadows, bound to protect her from harm. But in the woods a gunman waits, convinced that Eden is destined to follow her wicked great-grandfather--an African magician with the power to curse the living and raise the dead.

Now Eden must decipher the secret of the ghostly trio before a new enemy more dangerous than the fanatical assassin destroys what is left of her family. She will sift through lies in a Georgian ante-bellum mansion and climb through the haunted ruins of a 19th century hospital, desperately seeking the truth that will save her beloved aunt from the curse that threatens her life.

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Whispers of Shadow & Flame - Book Review

 

Whispers of Shadow & Flame (Earthsinger Chronicles #2)

by L. Penelope

What is it about:

The Mantle that separates the kingdoms of Elsira and Lagrimar is about to fall. And life will drastically change for both kingdoms.

Born with a deadly magic she cannot control, Kyara is forced to become an assassin. Known as the Poison Flame in the kingdom of Lagrimar, she is notorious and lethal, but secretly seeks freedom from both her untamed power and the blood spell that commands her. She is tasked with capturing the legendary rebel called the Shadowfox, but everything changes when she learns her target’s true identity.

Darvyn ol-Tahlyro may be the most powerful Earthsinger in generations, but guilt over those he couldn’t save tortures him daily. He isn’t sure he can trust the mysterious young woman who claims to need his help, but when he discovers Kyara can unlock the secrets of his past, he can’t stay away.

Kyara and Darvyn grapple with betrayal, old promises, and older prophecies—all while trying to stop a war. And when a new threat emerges, they must beat the odds to save both kingdoms.

What did I think of it:

I loved Song of Blood & Stone, so you bet I got my trotters on the second book in this series.

And this is yet another great read.

The events in this book happen during the same time period as Song of Blood & Stone.

Once again there are several viewpoint characters and storylines. Where in Song of Blood & Stone I invested in all of them equally, I will confess that in this book I was invested the most in Zeli's story. Zeli is a servant in a rich household, when she has to tag along with her mistress to a sermon she gets kidnapped by 'nabbers'. I was eager to find out what would happen to her.

The storyline about Darvyn and Kyara was cool as well, but I was less emotionally invested in them. Still I was engrossed in the story and had to keep reading to find out where everything would lead.

Differently than the first book, this book ends on a cliffhanger and a lot is still left wide open. Luckily I already preordered book three, because I need to know what happens next.

Why should you read it:

It's a really cool Fantasy read.  

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Teaser Tueasdays - Raybearer

 

I wanted to wring his neck. I wanted to smother his mouth and soft broad nose. I wanted the light to vanish from those naive, curious eyes.

(page 41, Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko)

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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 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!

Song of Sorrow - Book Review

 

Song of Sorrow (Sorrow #2)

by Melinda Salisbury

What is it about:

Sequel to STATE OF SORROW by best-selling fantasy author Melinda Salisbury.

Sorrow Ventaxis has won the election, and in the process lost everything...

Governing under the sinister control of Vespus Corrigan, and isolated from her friends, Sorrow must to find a way to free herself from his web and save her people. But Vespus has no plans to let her go, and he isn't the only enemy Sorrow faces as the curse of her name threatens to destroy her and everything she's fought for.

What did I think of it:

I loved the first book in this duology, although I had my suspicions who of the two love interests would end up with Sorrow, so I preordered this book, only to let it turn into an TBR Orphan. After reading Hold Back the Tide last month I decided I finally needed to pick this book up.

And my fears were justified!

The book starts out strong and I was invested. Then the following thing happened: Sorrow needs to do this one important thing, but she doesn't have the time, because there are so much things she needs to do! So she decides to take a trip into the country...

What? You can't do this one important thing that might solve your problems, but you can go for a trip into the country?!

From that point on the story lost me for a while. Things happened that I couldn't suspend my disbelief about. Add the fact that slimy 'I'm so witty and smart' indeed turns out to end up with Sorrow and I had a hard time continuing.

The ending did pull itself together a bit and saved the book from complete failure for me. 

I will read more by Salisbury in the future, but this book won't be a reread.

Why should you read it:

It's an entertaining YA Fantasy read.

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Fragile Eternity - Book Review

 

Fragile Eternity (Wicked Lovely #3)

by Melissa Marr

What is it about:

Seth never expected he would want to settle down with anyone - but that was before Aislinn. She is everything he'd ever dreamed of, and he wants to be with her forever. Forever takes on new meaning, though, when your girlfriend is an immortal faery queen.

Aislinn never expected to rule the very creatures who'd always terrified her - but that was before Keenan. He stole her mortality to make her a monarch, and now she faces challenges and enticements beyond any she'd ever imagined.

In Melissa Marr's third mesmerizing tale of Faerie, Seth and Aislinn struggle to stay true to themselves and each other in a milieu of shadowy rules and shifting allegiances, where old friends become new enemies and one wrong move could plunge the Earth into chaos.

What did I think of it:

This is yet another really cool addition to this series and i'm glad I have the next two books in my TBR, because I want more.

I will confess that even though I loved the story, I at times didn't really get why some of the faeries made such a big deal out of Seth. He seemed to be that kind of special that doesn't get explained. That aside I was totally invested in what was going on.

There is lots of intrigue, difficult decisions, sneaky faerie stuff, and more in this book. I love the faerie world and all its weird traditions and secrets.

Keenan still is a total jerk in my opinion, while Aislinn is too gullible to be a good queen. The events in this book make sure she has to learn and grow though.

My favorite character is Niall though. I already loved him in Ink Exchange, and his actions in this book only strengthened that.

All in all a wonderful read and I'll be picking up the next book soon.

Why should you read it:

It's a really cool Paranormal YA read.

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On McPig's Wishlist - Mexican Gothic

 

Mexican Gothic

by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets. . . .

From the author of Gods of Jade and Shadow comes “a terrifying twist on classic gothic horror” (Kirkus Reviews) set in glamorous 1950s Mexico. “It’s Lovecraft meets the Brontës in Latin America, and after a slow-burn start Mexican Gothic gets seriously weird” (The Guardian).

After receiving a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find - her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.

Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.

And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.

“It’s as if a supernatural power compels us to turn the pages of the gripping Mexican Gothic.”—The Washington Post

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Ark - Book Review

 

Ark (Forward series)

by Veronica Roth

What is it about:

On the eve of Earth’s destruction, a young scientist discovers something too precious to lose, in a story of cataclysm and hope by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent trilogy.

It’s only two weeks before an asteroid turns home to dust. Though most of Earth has already been evacuated, it’s Samantha’s job to catalog plant samples for the survivors’ unknowable journey beyond.

Preparing to stay behind and watch the world end, she makes a final human connection.

As certain doom hurtles nearer, the unexpected and beautiful potential for the future begins to flower.

Veronica Roth’s Ark is part of Forward, a collection of six stories of the near and far future from out-of-this-world authors. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single thought-provoking sitting.

What did I think of it:

When reading Emergency Skin I noticed it was part of a loosely connected series of SF short stories. So I decided to try another one of the books in this series.

And this is yet another cool story.

Samantha works on cataloging plant samples at the seed vault in Svalbard in the days leading up to evacuating earth. She has decided to stay behind once the last ship leaves earth to see the world end as she feels like there isn't much to look forward to. Those leaving earth will be living out their lives on the ships and will never see the new planet humanity is traveling to.

I loved getting to know Samantha and her past. And then she starts to connect with another scientist who has decided to stay.

Their talks, Samantha's inner thoughts, the whole atmosphere captured me and reminded me what I loved in the Divergent series before the last book soured it all.

I might have to pick up my copy of Carve the Mark one of these days.

Why should you read it:

It's a beautiful bittersweet short read.

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Teaser Tuesdays - Morrigan's Blood

 

I was force of nature, stalking through this field, gazing upon the folly of men fighting over territory and riches. This was my milieu--the song of war and death.

(location 31, Morrigan's Blood by Laura Bickle)

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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 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!

As the Last I May Know - Book Review

 

As the Last I May Know

by S.L. Huang

What is it about:

Nyma was raised by the Order Elders to be one of the President’s Carriers. Now she is ten years old and the nation is being ravaged by devastating war. It’s only a matter of time before she is required to fulfill her duty.

For implanted in her body is a capsule containing operating codes to the country’s weapons of last resort—missiles capable of annihilating entire civilizations in a single blast. If the president is willing to execute an entire populace with the push of a button from a remote distance, he must first be willing to murder a child in order to access the devastating arsenal.

But Nyma’s duty is not to sacrifice herself. She must develop an empathic bond with the president to remind him that the price of victory is too high to pay—for all of humanity…

What did I think of it:

My mind has been all over the place lately so I decided to read some more short stories as those don't require long periods of concentration.

And this one is beautiful!

This alternate history story focuses on Nyma who has the operating codes to the country's last resort weapons inside her. The country itself was once the target of such weapons, and keeping the codes inside a child who needs to be killed to use the weapons is meant to remind the president of the devastation it causes, as well as making it harder to just use the codes, as it takes murder to get to them.

I loved seeing how both Nyma and the people around her act as international tension rises and war breaks out. This story is all about how people react to the world around them, what principles are important to them, how far they are willing to go, and where they draw the line.

Short as it is (24 pages) it tells so much and has so much depth.

You bet I'll investigate what else Huang has written.

Why should you read it:

It's an achingly beautiful short read.

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Emergency Skin - Book Review

 

Emergency Skin (Forward series)

by N.K. Jemisin 

What is it about:

What will become of our self-destructed planet? The answer shatters all expectations in this subversive speculation from the Hugo Award–winning author of the Broken Earth trilogy.

An explorer returns to gather information from a climate-ravaged Earth that his ancestors, and others among the planet’s finest, fled centuries ago. The mission comes with a warning: a graveyard world awaits him. But so do those left behind—hopeless and unbeautiful wastes of humanity who should have died out eons ago. After all this time, there’s no telling how they’ve devolved. Steel yourself, soldier. Get in. Get out. And try not to stare.

N. K. Jemisin’s Emergency Skin is part of Forward, a collection of six stories of the near and far future from out-of-this-world authors. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single thought-provoking sitting.

What did I think of it:

I've been curious about Jemisin's work, so thought I'd start with a short story.

And although I really liked this story it doesn't feel like this was the right story to get a feel of Jemisin's style.

This story is told by a 'We' speaking to a 'You', so it feels as if you as the reader are being spoken to. I really had to get used to this way of telling a story. Once I got into it I really enjoyed the story though.

It's a short story, so I won't go into detail, but I loved the premise and the resolution of this story. I will have to try more by Jemisin.

Why should you read it:

It's a cool short SF story.

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Release Day Alert - Changed

Today is the release day of Changed by Vicky Stiefel. Readable as a standalone this is the second book in the exciting The Made Ones Saga. You bet that my pre-ordered copy rolled onto my e-reader at midnight!

Changed (The Made Ones Saga #2)

by Vicki Stiefel 

What if you could be young again? Would it be a dream come true or truly a nightmare?

That’s the startling reality retired circus trapeze artist Breena Balážová awakens to on the world of Eleutia in her own re-engineered younger body. For a woman whose death on Earth was inches away, it seems like a second chance at life. But in this parallel world, where horses fly and animals and humans are symbionts, Bree is intended as breeding stock to balance the plummeting female birthrate.

As she searches for her missing sisters, who were pulled to Eleutia with her, Bree also must survive assassination attempts, the growing threat of war, and her unexpected attraction to the arrogant animal Clan Alpha, Gato, a man with terrible burdens and secrets.

The animal Clans join forces to combat a dark conspiracy that will shake the foundations of their world, even as Bree’s search for her sisters grows more desperate and dangerous.

If Bree has any hope of finding her sisters and fulfilling her own destiny, she and Gato must carry out a perilous deception, their success or failure deciding not only their own fate, but that of all Eleutia.

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Clap When You Land - Book Review

 

Clap When You Land

by Elizabeth Acevedo

What is it about:

Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people...

In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal's office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.

Separated by distance - and Papi's secrets - the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered. And then, when it seems like they've lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.

Papi's death uncovers all the painful truths he kept hidden, and the love he divided across an ocean. And now, Camino and Yahaira are both left to grapple with what this new sister means to them, and what it will now take to keep their dreams alive.

In a dual narrative novel in verse that brims with both grief and love, award-winning and bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives.

What did I think of it:

There's one thing that can be a problem when reading a story that's written in verse:

Sometimes I get lost in the beauty of the verse so I have to reread parts because I lost track of the story.

And yes: that happened a few times while reading this book.

If you're not used to poetry and books written in verse this book might be hard to get into. The sentence structure and the way the text is set up might drag you out of the story, but I can tell you it is totally worth it to read on and get used to the cadence of this story. 

The chapters switch between Camino and Yahaira and you get to know them as their world is falling apart. I was totally engrossed in the story (apart from the times the verse managed to trap me) and felt for both of them. They lost their father in more ways then one: not only is he dead, but the secrets that get exposed make that the picture they had of him gets destroyed as well. 

I think the verse works really well to capture the emotions and enhances the mood of the story. Once I started on this book I was drawn in and read it in one sitting. What a beautiful book!

You bet I'll investigate what other books Acevedo has written.  

Why should you read it:

It's a beautiful and emotional

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What if? - Guest Post By Patricia Josephine

Today I bring you  guest post by Patricia Josephine. Read about her upcoming book Influenced and then her guest post to find out more about both Patricia and Influenced.

Influenced by Patricia Josephine

There is no Light without Dark.

Influencers are the voices that whisper in our ears. Tiny Angels and Devil sitting on our shoulders and guiding our choices. They are sworn to thwart the other. It is their duty.

Or so they thought…

Nothing is as it seems and questions are piling up. Do Kale and Ariel have the strength to face the truth? Will Antonia and Landon be forced to choose a side? Can Soleil break through to Kemuel? Three tales, three choices: Light. Dark. Or the shades of gray between.

Which one will win?

Buy Links

Amazon: http://mybook.to/influenced

~~~~~~~~~~~

What if?

What if? Those two words hold so much potential. They can take you anywhere or do anything. I can spend hours pondering the scenarios they could spell out.

My first young adult paranormal novel under Patricia Lynne, Being Human started by me asking that. I had finished reading Thirsty by M.T. Anderson. The ending didn’t spell out a happy outcome for the main character. That stuck with me and I kept wondering, “Well, what happens next?” I wanted a happy ending for the poor kid. Ideas started forming in my brain. Soon I was imagining twin brothers, one alive and the other dead. They lived in a world that knew vampires existed and sought to destroy them because vampires were evil. But the brother knew his vampire twin wasn’t a monster. That idea took on a life of its own and I wrote it down.

At one point, I asked myself, “What if someone else might enjoy this story?” That led me down a rabbit hole, and before I knew it, I was looking into editing and publishing, I made a Twitter and met other writers. Along the way, my imagination tried to distract me with other what if questions, but I kept focused.

Today, I still find myself asking, “What if?” I’ll see an image or watch a movie, and my imagination will wonder about different directions the story could go in. Sometimes it’s a dream. My Sci-Fi Romance, Abducted Life came from a dream that had me asking, “What if vampires and werewolves were people who were abducted by aliens and experimented on?”

What if? The possibilities are endless and I love finding out where the question leads me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author

Patricia Josephine is a writer of Urban Fantasy and Sci-Fi Romance books. She actually never set out to become a writer, and in fact, she was more interested in art and band in high school and college. Her dreams were of becoming an artist like Picasso. On a whim, she wrote down a story bouncing in her head for fun. That was the start of her writing journey, and she hasn't regretted a moment. When she's not writing, she's watching Doctor Who or reading about serial killers. She's an avid knitter. One can never have too much yarn. She writes Young Adult Paranormal, Science Fiction, and Fantasy under the name Patricia Lynne.

Patricia lives with her husband in Michigan, hopes one day to have what will resemble a small petting zoo, and has a fondness for dying her hair the colors of the rainbow.

Social Media Links:

Website 

Patreon

 Ko-Fi

Facebook

 Newsletter

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AmazonAuthor Page

Cinderella Is Dead - Book Review

 

Cinderella is Dead 

by Kalynn Bayron

What is it about:

It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again.

Sixteen-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia makes the desperate decision to flee, and finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her step sisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all–and in the process, they learn that there’s more to Cinderella’s story than they ever knew . . .

This fresh take on a classic story will make readers question the tales they’ve been told, and root for girls to break down the constructs of the world around them.

What did I think of it:

This is a really cool read.

I loved how the original fairytale is used to create the world in this book. It feels plausible and I could easily picture this awful society that grew out of the "Happy Ending" of Cinderella.

I liked Sophia from the start. She is fierce in how she loves and thinks. Where others shrink away from confrontation, she is ready to take on the world and fight for what she believes in.

I flew through this book as I wanted to know if Sophia would succeed to bring change to a world that seriously needs it. If there's one thing I could say against this book, it's that I wanted a bit more closure on the fate of some of the characters, but that's only a minor grumble.

All in all this is a great read and I'll keep an eye out for more by Bayron.

Why should you read it:

It's a cool YA Fantasy based on Cinderella.

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Haunted Heroine - Book Review

Haunted Heroine (Heroine Complex #4)

by Sarah Kuhn

What is it about:

The fourth book in the smart, snarky, and action-packed Heroine series follows Evie Tanaka, Aveda Jupiter, and Bea Tanaka as they combat a new supernatural threat.

Everything in Evie Tanaka's life is finally perfect. As a badass superheroine, she defends San Francisco from demon invasion on the regular. Her relationships with superhero partner Aveda Jupiter, little sister Bea, and hot, half-demon husband Nate have never been stronger. Maybe it's possible for a grad school dropout turned put-upon personal assistant turned superhero to have it all?

As if things can't get any better, Evie learns she's pregnant. She's overjoyed, but also worried about whether she's cut out for motherhood. Before she can dwell on her dilemma too much, a women's college reports a string of mysterious "hauntings," and Evie and Aveda are called in to investigate. When the hauntings turn deadly, they decide to move into the dorms full-time, going undercover as grad students.

As she lives out a bizarre version of her grad school life, Evie can't help but wonder about the road not taken: what would her life be like if she'd stayed here instead of pursuing superheroing with Aveda?

What did I think of it:

Mostly this was yet another great addition to this fun series. I do have one grumble though.

So Evie got together with Nate in the first book of this series. Once again she's the lead character, so of course there have to be relationship troubles...

Come on!

You can write a story about someone in a relationship without throwing that relationship under the bus! Especially as the relationship isn't the focus of the story.

That major grumble aside I enjoyed this story. Evie and Aveda make a great team, and in this book they meet some awesome people who help them on their quest. I loved the friendship that was at the heart of this book.

The ghosts and everything connected to them made for a compelling story and I was eager to find out what was going on.

All in all a very enjoyable read apart from the relationship drama.

Why should you read it:

It's a fun Super Heroine read 

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On McPig's Wishlist - The Book of Dragons

This has contributions from Sarah Gailey, Brooke Bolander, and Kelly Robson! I need it!

The Book of Dragons - Anthology

Here there be dragons . . .

From China to Europe, Africa to North America, dragons have long captured our imagination in myth and legend. Whether they are rampaging beasts awaiting a brave hero to slay or benevolent sages who have much to teach humanity, dragons are intrinsically connected to stories of creation, adventure, and struggle beloved for generations.

Bringing together nearly thirty stories and poems from some of the greatest science fiction and fantasy writers working today — Garth Nix, Scott Lynch, R.F. Kuang, Ann Leckie & Rachel Swirsky, Daniel Abraham, Peter S. Beagle, Beth Cato, Zen Cho, C. S. E. Cooney, Aliette de Bodard, Kate Elliott, Theodora Goss, Ellen Klages, Ken Liu, Patricia A McKillip, K.J. Parker, Kelly Robson, Michael Swanwick, Jo Walton, Elle Katharine White, Jane Yolen, Kelly Barnhill, Brooke Bolander, Sarah Gailey, and J.Y. Yang — and illustrated by award-nominated artist Rovina Cai with black-and-white line drawings specific to each entry throughout, this extraordinary collection vividly breathes fire and life into one of our most captivating and feared magical creatures as never before and is sure to become a treasured keepsake for fans of fantasy, science fiction, and fairy tales.

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Network Effect - Book Review

Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries #5)

by Martha Wells

What is it about:

Murderbot returns in its highly-anticipated, first, full-length standalone novel.

You know that feeling when you’re at work, and you’ve had enough of people, and then the boss walks in with yet another job that needs to be done right this second or the world will end, but all you want to do is go home and binge your favorite shows? And you're a sentient murder machine programmed for destruction? Congratulations, you're Murderbot.

Come for the pew-pew space battles, stay for the most relatable A.I. you’ll read this century.

—

I’m usually alone in my head, and that’s where 90 plus percent of my problems are.

When Murderbot's human associates (not friends, never friends) are captured and another not-friend from its past requires urgent assistance, Murderbot must choose between inertia and drastic action.

Drastic action it is, then.

What did I think of it:

I was a bit apprehensive when I started on this book, as it seemed a lot of people who loved the novellas were disappointed with this novel.

Turns out I'm not one of those people and I loved it!

I will say I can see why some people loved it less. The novellas are packed with action and have lots of internal Murderbot monologues. If those two things are why you love Murderbot, this book might indeed disappoint.

I myself enjoyed the slower pace of the story. It gave room to explore things that didn't get a lot of room in the novellas. I loved seeing Murderbot interact more with humans and to see how they react to it. And there might have been fewer internal monologues, there were lots of scenes where I got to know Murderbot in new ways, and where Murderbot was forced to talk and think about its feelings.

And there was ART!

All in all I loved this book and I'm eager to get my trotters on the next novella as soon as it releases.

Why should you read it:

ART!!!

Ehm... It's a really awesome SF read.

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