The Guild - Book Review

The Guild (Guardians of Destiny #3)
by Jean Johnson

What is it about:
For centuries, the mages of Mekhana have done their best to hide themselves and their powers from the rapacious needs of their so-called Patron Deity, Mekha. Greatest of their secrets is the Vortex, a Fountain hidden in the heart of the Hydraulics Guild. But even after the dissolution of Mekha and the freeing of his people, Alonnen isn’t ready to reveal his guardianship to outsiders. Particularly when the remnants of Mekha’s priesthood start looking for a new monstrosity to worship.

Rexei has hidden more than her powers for most of her life; she has also hidden her gender, wary of the hungers of the old priesthood. Only in the safety of the Hydraulics Guild’s innermost secrets can she be herself. While the rest of her people struggle to reinvent themselves and find a deity they can trust, Rexei struggles to trust just one man, the Guardian of the Vortex. Events are moving fast, though; the priesthood is desperate for any new source of power, even a demonic one that requires certain sacrifices to access.

What did I think of it:
I've been in a difficult reading mood lately and had trouble finding a book to stick to after the first few pages. This book at least had me intrigued for the entire first chapter so I stuck with it to the end.

And it's a nice read.

It's steampunkish and doesn't even have an airship in it, so that was a big point in favor of this book. Too many authors seem to think they just have to stick an airship in their book to call it steampunk. At least this book had some actual steampunk elements.

I will confess I thought the bad guy was the most intriguing and could have used more screen-time, but Alonnen and Rexei were both enjoyable to read about as well. There are a few times in this book where talk about guilds and a new God got a bit long winded and boring, but mostly it's a nice story.

The romance was nice as well, although I could have done without the smexy talk: piston, cog-star, nethercheeks... It's like putting in that aforementioned airship: if talk like this is meant to convey a steampunk feel, it's not working for me (and it's not sexy either).

All in all this was an entertaining read though, so I might read another book in this series if I come across it.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice Fantasty-Steampunk read.

Replica - Book Review

Replica (Replica #1)
by Lauren Oliver

What is it about:
Two girls, two stories, one epic novel

From Lauren Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of Before I Fall and the Delirium trilogy, comes an epic, masterful novel that explores issues of individuality, identity, and humanity. Replica is a “flip book" that contains two narratives in one, and it is the first in a duology. Turn the book one way and read Lyra's story; turn the book over and upside down and read Gemma's story. The stories can be read separately, one after the other, or in alternating chapters. The two distinct parts of this astonishing novel combine to produce an unforgettable journey. Even the innovative book jacket mirrors and extends the reading experience.

Lyra's story begins in the Haven Institute, a building tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida that from a distance looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, Haven is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed. When a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects—Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72—manage to escape.

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals for as long as she can remember. A lonely teen, her life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April. But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family's past and discovers her father's mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two replicas and a completely new set of questions.

What did I think of it:
I love Oliver's Delirium trilogy, and very much enjoyed some of her other books, so when I saw this book in my local bookstore I had to give it a try.

And this is a really cool read.

There's two stories that run parallel to each other: Lyra's story and Gemma's story. I decided to start with a couple of chapters from Gemma's story and then to switch to Lyra's story. This is how I read the whole book: switching between both stories every few chapters.

I will confess that although Lyra's story has the more interesting world building in the earlier chapters, and she's been through a lot more than Gemma has, I connected more with Gemma. Lyra grew on me, but it was Gemma who I could understand. Lyra is raised in such terrible circumstances you can totally understand why she wants to escape. Gemma's personality and her insecurities made that I was both surprised and impressed when she goes off to investigate.

Both stories are full of action and suspense, and even when the girls meet both stories tell a different part about the developing events. I really liked how Oliver set these stories up and made them work.

The ending was bittersweet and even though I'd be happy if this was all I would get, I was happily surprised to see there's going to be a second book. I will most certainly get my trotters on it.

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

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On McPig's Radar - The Tides of Bára

The next book in Jeffe Kennedy's Sorcerous Moons series is releasing this Saturday!


The Tides of Bára (Sorcerous Moons #3)
by Jeffe Kennedy
A Narrow Escape

With her secrets uncovered and her power-mad brother bent on her execution, Princess Oria has no sanctuary left. Her bid to make herself and her new barbarian husband rulers of walled Bára has failed. She and Lonen have no choice but to flee through the leagues of brutal desert between her home and his—certain death for a sorceress, and only a bit slower than the blade.

A Race Against Time

At the mercy of a husband barely more than a stranger, Oria must war with her fears and her desires. Wild desert magic buffets her; her husband’s touch allures and burns. Lonen is pushed to the brink, sure he’s doomed his proud bride and all too aware of the restless, ruthless pursuit that follows…

A Danger Beyond Death…

Can Oria trust a savage warrior, now that her strength has vanished? Can Lonen choose her against the future of his people? Alone together in the wastes, Lonen and Oria must forge a bond based on more than lust and power, or neither will survive the test…



Find pre-order links here

Master of the Opera - Book Review by Voodoo Bride (repost)

Master of the Opera
by Jeffe Kennedy

What is it about:
An aria for lost souls

Fresh out of college, Christine Davis is thrilled to begin a summer internship at the prestigious Santa Fe Opera House. But on her first day, she discovers that her dream job has a dark side. Beneath the theater, ghostly music echoes through a sprawling maze of passageways. At first, Christy thinks she’s hearing things. But when a tall masked man steps out of the shadows—and into her arms—she knows he’s not a phantom of her imagination. What she can’t deny is that he is the master of her desire. But when her predecessor—a missing intern—is found dead, Christy wonders if she’s playing with fire...

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
Even though I love Jeffe's work, I only got to reading Master of the Opera when it became available in print. I blame myself and my aversion to e-serials, because I actually had all 6 acts of this book on my ereader since the last part of it became available in March last year, and still didn't read it.

And I can't believe I didn't force myself over my aversion and just read it, because this book is amazing!

This is a retelling of The Phantom of the Opera, but with a spin on the story, and with other mythology added in as well.

I loved the setting. Both the Opera House and Santa Fe itself feel real. I could easily picture myself visiting the city and seeing the sights that are used in this story. Although I'm not sure if I would be brave enough to explore the Opera House.

The story has a dark, mysterious mood and drew me in from the start. Once strange things began to happen I was eager to find out what was going on. I would have finished this book in one sitting if my brain hadn't decided I needed sleep around 2:00 am.

I loved how Jeffe mixed native mythology in with the ghostly atmosphere of the original story. It was a perfect fit in my opinion. The mystery is compelling and I kept guessing how the story would unfold. And I can tell you I was surprised a few times.

All in all this is a really great read, and you can bet I will be rereading it. I will also set aside my aversion to e-serials next time one of my favorite authors has an e-serial out.

Why should you read it:
It's a delicious retelling of Phantom of the Opera, with a twist.


Buy it here

Prefer ebooks?
Find buy links for the first part of the e-serial here

Memento Nora - Book Review

Memento Nora (Memento Nora #1)
by Angie Smibert

What is it about:
On an otherwise glossy day, a blast goes off and a body thuds to the ground at Nora's feet. There are terrorist attacks in the city all the time, but Nora can't forget.

In Nora's world you don't have to put up with nightmares. Nora goes with her mother to TFC--a Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic. There, she can describe her horrible memory and take a pill to erase it so she can go on like nothing ever happened. But at TFC a chance encounter with a mysterious guy changes Nora's life. She doesn't take the pill. And when Nora learns the memory her mother has chosen to forget, she realizes that someone needs to remember.

With newfound friends Micah and Winter, Nora makes a comic book of their memories called Memento. Memento is an instant hit, but it sets off a dangerous chain of events. Will Nora, Micah, and Winter be forced to take the Big Pill that will erase their memories forever?

What did I think of it:
Maybe I'm too cynical, maybe it's because I read other YA books like the Razorland trilogy, The Enemy series, or The Hallowed Ones duology (which both tell a great story and manage to tackle important issues without making it too obvious.) but the last few "thought provoking" Dystopians I read didn't impress me.

This book is yet another nice read, but not as gripping and thought provoking as I had hoped it would be.

I liked Nora and the people she meets. I liked how they wanted to do something, but how it all developed didn't hold any bite for me. It all stayed to close to the surface. I had wanted a bit more emotion and soul searching on the side of the main characters. The world building lacked in giving me a sense of looming danger as well, and when people do show up to take our little rebels down I wasn't invested in their problems.

All in all a fast, nicely written Dystopian, that did not succeed in making me want to read the next book.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice Dystopian read

Teasing on a Monday - The Sword

Too lazy to write a review today, so here's a teaser from my next read.


The dogs warned Tobeszijian that something was wrong.
It was only midday, but the sky hung low, as dark as weathered steel.

(page 1, The Sword by Deborah Chester)

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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!