Thursday, 23 March 2023

Cloud Nine - Book Review

 

Cloud Nine (Cloud Nine #1)
by Chelsea Mueller

What is it about:
Most kids dream of being accepted into the Clean Air Development program. The chance to live on the government’s teen-only Cloud Nine colony means ditching the protective gear and experiencing real sunlight, and that’s just for starters.

Only Ally Ramsey isn’t like other kids. She loves Ground Level. She intends to stay there below the blackened clouds, making a difference where it matters. Too bad the government doesn’t care about her plans. Before she can say, “I didn’t even apply,” she’s shipped off to Cloud Nine to research ways to fix the environment below.

Ally thinks something is wrong up there in the sky. She has no idea how wrong it actually is, or that she’s wedged herself into the center of danger even her self-defense training and scientific mind may not be able to get her out of. If she fails to expose what’s really happening and stop it, those closest to her could die.

What did I think of it:
This is a very cool futuristic YA read.

Earth is suffering from pollution and teens are encouraged to go to a colony above the clouds to work on a solution as they can still adapt to the atmosphere there while adults can't. Ally is sent there against her will. She mistrusts the government, the teens she has to work with, and people in general.

Even as contrary as Ally is, I liked her. She's smart and she questions the things going on around her. This gets her in trouble, but luckily she manages to make some friends as well, who can help her.

I was invested in Ally finding out all the secrets of the Cloud Nine colony, and I liked the world building. The story is moving along in a pleasant pace as well, making this a fast and enjoyable read.

There's a bit of a love triangle thing going on, but it looks like that won't be dragged out over the course of the series.   

The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, and I can tell you I'm eager to know what will happen next.

All in all a fun read. I will keep n eye out for the next book.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable Futuristic YA read.


Wednesday, 22 March 2023

Teasing on a Wednesday - The Hollow Places

 

This is ridiculous, I told myself. You're just freaking out because this is all so strange, and blaming it on the willows.


(page 78, The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher)
---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously 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!


Tuesday, 21 March 2023

The Art Collector - Release Day Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

The Art Collector
by Katelyn Brehm

What is it about:
A quiet art historian. An irresistible demon. And an insatiable hunger neither can escape.

Madelyn Frye enjoys her simple, drama-free life, even if it means there's an empty seat next to her on the couch at night. But when her firm lands a lucrative contract to appraise the paintings of an infamous mansion with a storied past, her comfortable routine is upended by the handsome and mysterious millionaire who owns it.

For over a century, Thomas von Dreiss has resigned himself to a solitary fate, refusing to let his hunger transform him into a monster. But he never expected the art appraiser who shows up at his door to test his unshakable restraint. Her brilliant mind and kind heart rekindle long forgotten hopes and set his carnal needs aflame.

Will Madelyn risk shattering her safe and predictable world to be with Thomas? And if she does, will Thomas's dark secret destroy their chance at a happily ever after?

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is such a sweet story.

There's a bit of a Gothic feel to this novella, but mostly it's pure yummy romantic goodness. I loved reading how Madelyn and Thomas are falling for each other, each having their own reasons for holding back. I was totally rooting for them to give in to their feelings. 

There's of course a bit of drama, but not enough to make me anxious. I was confident I would get a HEA for Madelyn and Thomas and when it came it was as romantic as I hoped it would be,

Overall a delicious Paranormal Romance with a mature hero and heroine.

Why should you read it:
It's a sweet and romantic PNR with a Gothic feel


Friday, 10 March 2023

Becoming Crone - Book Review

 

Becoming Crone (The Crone Wars #1)
by Lydia M. Hawke

What is it about:
She wanted purpose. She found dark magick and war.

For Claire Emerson, there is nothing ordinary about turning sixty.

First, there are the crows. Then, a pendant that unlocks a gate to a house in the woods--which comes with a snarky gargoyle, an entirely too-sexy wolf shifter claiming to be Claire's protector, and a legacy that turns her reality upside down.

Because divorced, menopausal grandmothers with creaky hips and hot flashes? They don't just randomly discover they're next in a long line of powerful women protecting the world from the dark magick of Mages.

Claire's first instinct is to turn tail and run back to the safety of baking cookies and reading bedtime stories. But when it becomes clear the Mages have targeted her, she may have no choice but to accept her calling. There's just one problem: she never got the lifetime of training she was supposed to have, and her magick is... well, unreliable would be an understatement.

With the Mages threatening everything she loves, can Claire learn what she needs to in time to become Crone? Or will she be the one to lose an ancient war—and her life?

What did I think of it:
I loved Hawke's Grigory Legacy (first published under the name Linda Poitevin) so I decided to give this series a try as well.

And I very much enjoyed this first book. Claire isn't prepared to become a magic wielder with a destiny to save the world, so for most of this book she's in disbelieve or just trying to keep up to the things happening to her. I liked how she gets pushed around by fate before she figures out it's time to stand her ground and take charge.

As Claire learns more about the hidden magic world, you as reader get introduced to it as well. I liked getting to know this hidden world and its rules. I also really liked the gargoyle and wolf shifter, but I will have to say my brain had trouble with one name: Keven. I don't know why, but every time I read this name my brain stumbled on it and I was pulled out of the story. It made for a very uneven reading experience.

Overall I had fun with this book, but I hope Keven's name isn't used as much in the next book.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Paranormal read


Thursday, 9 March 2023

On McPig's Wishlist - Lucifer's War

 

Lucifer's War (The Carolingian Book 1)
by Melinda M. Snodgrass

Richard Oort, an officer in the Albuquerque Police Department, is not a typical cop; he is well-manicured, open-minded, and passionate. When he saves an atypical girl from creatures beyond understanding, however, he is thrust into a war for the soul of humanity: cold rationality against an unholy alliance of religion, superstition, and fear.

Armed only with his wits and a sword which prevents the reality-warping magic of the Old Ones and gods, Richard must protect a being that may be serving the enemy, or may be humanity’s best chance to strike back against the wrath of God incarnate.



Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Grave Memory - Book Review

 

Grave Memory (Alex Craft #3)
by Kalayna Price

What is it about:
When the dead need to talk, Alex Craft is always ready to listen…

As a Grave Witch, Alex solves murders by raising the dead—an ability that comes at a cost, and after her last few cases, that cost is compounding. But her magic isn’t the only thing causing havoc in her life. While she’s always been on friendly terms with Death himself, things have recently become a whole lot more close and personal. Then there’s her sometime partner, agent Falin Andrews, who is under the glamour of the Winter Queen. To top everything off, her best friend has been forever changed by her time spent captive in Faerie.

But the personal takes a backseat to the professional when a mysterious suicide occurs in Nekros City and Alex is hired to investigate. The shade she raises has no memory of the days leading up to his brutal ending, so despite the very public apparent suicide, this is murder. But what kind of magic can overcome the human will to survive? And why does the shade lack the memory of his death? Searching for the answer might mean Alex won’t have a life to remember at all…

Before diving into my review I'm going to tell a story:

This book is part of my challenge to have read all seven books in this series by the end of 2023. All books are in my TBR pile, this one and the previous book had been there since 2014, while books 4-7 are more recent additions. This means that Grave Memory doubled for this challenge and my TBR Orphan challenge, were I try to read at least one book a month that's been on my shelves for a long time.

I started on this book during a train ride. It immediately gripped me and by the time I reached my destination I was really into the story. I put my book in my bag together with some other things, including a bottle of soda...

The  cap of the bottle wasn't screwed on right, so it emptied itself in my bag! As it was a plastic bag there was a small pool of soda at the bottom of it instead of it just leaking out of the bag.

The biggest casualty: my book!

It was totally soaked and as it was soda, I just knew it would be a total sticky mess once it dried. You bet I immediately looked the book up online and ordered a new copy when I found one for 5 Euro. Luckily they had it in stock and it arrived the next day.

So that's how this book ended up being both a TBR Orphan as well as a new addition to my shelves.

What did I think of it:
As you might have guessed from me immediately ordering a new copy after the soda incident: I totally loved this book. And that's even with the love triangle going in the wrong direction in my opinion.

I loved the mystery Alex has to solve in this book, it's creepy and disturbing. I also really enjoyed seeing more of some of the side characters. Roy is absolutely a favorite by now.

I also learned more about both the fae in this world and the death collectors. Both are very intriguing and especially the fae are a disturbing bunch.

I think this book is my favorite in the series so far., but I need more. You bet I already started the next book.

Why should you read it:
It's a totally awesome Urban Fantasy read


Tuesday, 7 March 2023

Teaser Tuesdays - Grave Vision

 

"What's going on?" I asked, but he only smiled a cruel-looking smile and gave a half shrug. Either he didn't know, or he didn't care.


(page 79, Grave Vision by Kalayna Price)
---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously 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!


Thursday, 2 March 2023

My Heart is a Chainsaw - Book Review

 

My Heart is a Chainsaw (The Lake Witch Trilogy #1)
by Stephen Graham Jones

What is it about:
In her quickly gentrifying rural lake town Jade sees recent events only her encyclopedic knowledge of horror films could have prepared her for

Jade Daniels is an angry, half-Indian outcast with an abusive father, an absent mother, and an entire town that wants nothing to do with her. She lives in her own world, a world in which protection comes from an unusual source: horror movies…especially the ones where a masked killer seeks revenge on a world that wronged them. And Jade narrates the quirky history of Proofrock as if it is one of those movies. But when blood actually starts to spill into the waters of Indian Lake, she pulls us into her dizzying, encyclopedic mind of blood and masked murderers, and predicts exactly how the plot will unfold.

Yet, even as Jade drags us into her dark fever dream, a surprising and intimate portrait emerges… a portrait of the scared and traumatized little girl beneath the Jason Voorhees mask: angry, yes, but also a girl who easily cries, fiercely loves, and desperately wants a home. A girl whose feelings are too big for her body.

My Heart Is a Chainsaw is her story, her homage to horror and revenge and triumph.

What did I think of it:
I read some short stories by Graham Jones which I really liked, so decided to give this novel a try.

And this is both a really cool and a confusing read.

I liked Jade from the start. She had a hard life and she's a bit of an outsider, but she seems to be making the best of things. As the story unfolds you learn more about her and her past, and my love of her only grew. When she starts projecting her Slasher theories on real life things get weird. Is Jade right in thinking a movie-like killer has come to Proofrock? Is the new girl the one to save the day? Or are there mundane explanations for the things Jade encounters?

I was on the edge of my seat, eager to find out more about Jade, her life, the things happening in Proofrock, and where it all would lead. At times this book was horror, at times a coming of age, at other times it was a total WTF ride.

You bet I'll be reading the next book. It's already in my TBR.

Why should you read it:
It's an emotional rollercoaster ride with cool horror mixed in.


Wednesday, 1 March 2023

The Davenports - DNF Review by Voodoo Bride

 

The Davenports (The Davenports #1)
by Krystal Marquis

What is it about:
The Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in a changing United States, their fortune made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago.

Olivia, the beautiful eldest Davenport daughter, is ready to do her duty and marry. . . until charismatic civil rights leader Washington DeWight sweeps into town and sparks fly.

Her younger sister, Helen, is more interested in fixing cars than falling in love-unless it's with her sister's betrothed.

Amy-Rose, childhood-friend-turned-maid to the Davenport sisters, dreams of opening her own business-and marrying the one man she could never be with, Olivia and Helen's brother, John. But Olivia's best friend, Ruby, also has her sights set on John Davenport, though she can't seem to keep his interest . . . until family pressure has her scheming to win his heart, just as someone else wins hers.

Inspired by the real-life story of the Patterson family, The Davenports follows four determined and passionate young Black women as they discover the courage to steer their own path in life-and love.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I picked this up thinking it was Historical Romance.

I will confess I soon became worried about the Happily Ever After of one of the characters and I peeked at the ending. That made it clear there was no HEA for everyone in this book and in particular not for my favorite character, so I decided to stop reading as I wasn't in the mood for unfinished drama.

Why should you read it:
This might be a great read if you don't mind it's not a Romance and doesn't have a HEA or HFN

Tuesday, 28 February 2023

Teaser Tuesdays - Grave Memory

 

"And she proves she;s not a complete idiot. Yes, ghouls - in at least four different graveyards. Which means you, Ms. Craft, are being charged with murder."


(page 137, Grave Memory by Kalayna Price)
---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously 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!


Thursday, 23 February 2023

The Nothing - Book Review

 

The Nothing (The Between #3)
by Kerry Schafer

What is it about:
Vivian has one last chance to save the worlds, if she’s willing to pay the price...

There’s no rest for the weary. With the Black Gates irrevocably sealed, Vivian and Zee search for another way into The Forever in a desperate attempt to stop Aidan from her plan of ultimate destruction. But the dreamworlds are dying, the Between is growing increasingly unstable, and it’s clear they’re going to need some help.

In Wakeworld, doctors and world leaders are scrambling to determine the source of a mysterious illness that is killing healthy people in their sleep. Weston Jennings knows the truth: dreamworlds are dying and taking dreamers with them. When fate unites him with an orphaned child who has latent dreamshifting ability, he takes her through into the Between in the hope that Vivian can save her – and all of Wakeworld -- from what the child calls the Nothing.

Vivian and Zee have entered the world of the treacherous Sorcieri, who alone hold the secret of an alternate path into the Forever. But even if the Sorcieri can be persuaded to share the secret knowledge, or trusted to uphold their end of a bargain, saving the worlds can come only at the cost of unimaginable sacrifice.


What did I think of it:
This is an awesome read!

I knew things would be difficult and I knew not everyone was going to make it out in one piece, or even alive, but I still hoped and rooted for all my favorites.

What an emotional roller coaster!

Vivian and the others encounter lots of danger, difficult decisions, and heartache. There are choices to be made, sacrifices... I can tell you I shed some tears over events in this book.

Everything leads up to an edge of your seat finale that blew me away. What a great ending to a wonderful and emotional series. This series is a keeper for sure!

Why should you read it:
It's an awesome and emotional UF read with dragons and a cool penguin!


Buy from amazon

Wednesday, 22 February 2023

Touched by an Alien - Book Review by Voodoo Bride (reread/repost)

Touched by an Alien - Gini Koch

What is it about:
How can a sexy marketing manager join forces with an Alpha Centauri male in Armani to save the planet-using hairspray, a Mont Blanc pen, and rock n' roll?

Easy...

She's "Touched by an Alien"

Marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt steps into the middle of what appears to be a domestic dispute turned ugly. And it only gets uglier when the man turns into a winged monster, straight out of a grade-Z horror movie, and goes on a killing spree. Though Kitty should probably run away, she springs into action to take the monster down.
In the middle of the chaos a handsome hunk named Jeff Martini appears, sent by the "agency" to perform crowd control. He's Kitty's kind of guy, no matter what planet he's from. And from now on, for Kitty, things are going to be sexy, dangerous, wild, and out of this world.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is a great book! It has witty humor, gorgeous aliens, a heroine I could really relate to and a fast paced story packed with lots of action. The romance part of the story didn't overshadow the main storyline while still adding an extra layer to the story and even though the story is kept light by the humor used throughout the book the plot and action still are exciting enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. Kitty is a strong heroine, but also fun, nice and quirky. All in all a delightfully fun read.

Notes on rereading:
I hadn't reread this in several years and almost forgot how much fun this book is. It hits several sweet spots for me when it comes to romance. Jeff is absolutely among my favorite romantic heroes. I might need to reread more books in this series.

Why should you read it:

Fans of romantic urban fantasy and science fiction will love this book 

Tuesday, 21 February 2023

Teaser Tuesdays - The Davenports

 

Amy Rose nearly stuck her own finger with a needle at his response. She blushed and pretended not to hear him.


(page 53, The Davenports by Krystal Marquis)
---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously 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!


Friday, 17 February 2023

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet - Book Review

 

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1)
by Becky Chambers

What is it about:
Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space-and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe-in this light-hearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star.

Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her a bed, a chance to explore the far-off corners of the galaxy, and most importantly, some distance from her past. An introspective young woman who learned early to keep to herself, she’s never met anyone remotely like the ship’s diverse crew, including Sissix, the exotic reptilian pilot, chatty engineers Kizzy and Jenks who keep the ship running, and Ashby, their noble captain.

Life aboard the Wayfarer is chaotic and crazy—exactly what Rosemary wants. It’s also about to get extremely dangerous when the crew is offered the job of a lifetime. Tunneling wormholes through space to a distant planet is definitely lucrative and will keep them comfortable for years. But risking her life wasn’t part of the plan. In the far reaches of deep space, the tiny Wayfarer crew will confront a host of unexpected mishaps and thrilling adventures that force them to depend on each other. To survive, Rosemary’s got to learn how to rely on this assortment of oddballs—an experience that teaches her about love and trust, and that having a family isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the universe.

What did I think of it:
I'd seen this series being recommended a lot, so when I got a giftcard for my birthday I decided to give the first book a try.

And this is a really fun and entertaining read.

I liked the aliens on board of the Wayfarer the most of all the characters I will confess. Some of the humans felt a bit bland next to awesome characters as the reptilian Sissix, or the friendly, inquisitive Dr Chef. Of the humans who weren't bland Kizzy was too Manic Pixie Dreamgirl, although I did like Jenks (I did wonder if he was based on Joker from Mass Effect, I must say).

As I was enjoying the exploits of the crew of the Wayfarer I did sometimes feel like I was missing something. It took me a while to figure it out, but the story didn't feel cohesive enough for me. It was as if every chapter was a complete episode with its own contained storyline, much like an episode of Star Trek. I would have liked this book even more if it had felt more whole.

All in all I did have fun with this book though. And I might pick up the next one if I am in the mood for cozy SciFi.

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


Thursday, 16 February 2023

On McPig's Radar - System Collapse

 

System Collapse (The Murderbot Diaries #7)
by Martha Wells

Am I making it worse? I think I'm making it worse.

Everyone's favorite lethal SecUnit is back.

Following the events in Network Effect, the Barish-Estranza corporation has sent rescue ships to a newly-colonized planet in peril, as well as additional SecUnits. But if there’s an ethical corporation out there, Murderbot has yet to find it, and if Barish-Estranza can’t have the planet, they’re sure as hell not leaving without something. If that something just happens to be an entire colony of humans, well, a free workforce is a decent runner-up prize.

But there’s something wrong with Murderbot; it isn’t running within normal operational parameters. ART’s crew and the humans from Preservation are doing everything they can to protect the colonists, but with Barish-Estranza’s SecUnit-heavy persuasion teams, they’re going to have to hope Murderbot figures out what’s wrong with itself, and fast!

Yeah, this plan is... not going to work.

Expected publication November 14, 2023


Wednesday, 15 February 2023

Book Review: Wakeworld

 

Wakeworld (The Between #2)
by Kerry Schafer

What is it about:
Vivian Maylor is trying to hold it together. But her attempts to build a life with the man she loves seem doomed by the dragon inside her yearning to break free. Vivian is a dreamshifter, the last line of defense between reality and the dreamworld, and the only one of her kind.

Weston Jennings also believes he is the only one of his kind. He fears his powers as a dreamshifter, and resists learning to control them. After suffering a tragic loss, Weston heads deep into the woods of the Pacific Northwest to embrace a safe life of solitude. But when a terrible mistake leads to an innocent’s death, his guilt drives him to his former home, where he encounters what he never thought he would find: another shifter.

Now Vivian and Weston must work together to defeat a new threat to the dreamworld.

What did I think of it?
This book is as awesome as the first book!

Schafer doesn't make it easy for her characters. They have to struggle and fight to get where they're trying to go. I felt for Vivian, and even more for Zee (Vivian's love interest). They get challenges thrown their way that could easily break them. Still they keep trying.

I really liked to see that Vivian has grown since the first book. There she let herself be dragged along mostly, powerless to stop what was happening to her. In this book she was starting to take control of things, not always with success, but at least she was doing everything she could to change her fate.

The story is full of twists and turns, and you have to keep paying attention to what's happening. I was on the edge of my seat and had to keep reading to see if Vivian and Zee would manage to get out alive and (mostly) well.

The ending was satisfying, but left many things open that make me eager for the next book. so I'll be picking it up soon, because I want more!

Why should you read it:
It's a wonderful (Urban) Fantasy read with dragons.

Buy from Amazon


Tuesday, 14 February 2023

Teaser Tuesdays - My Heart is a Chainsaw

 

Because she's the one he saved, and he wants to see her all the way through?
Because he...


(page 92, My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones)
---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously 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!


Thursday, 9 February 2023

And What Can We Offer You Tonight - Quick Book Review

 

And What Can We Offer You Tonight
by Premee Ahmed

What is it about:
In a far future city, where you can fall to a government cull for a single mistake, And What Can We Offer You Tonight tells the story of Jewel, established courtesan in a luxurious House. Jewel’s world is shaken when her friend is murdered by a client, but somehow comes back to life. To get revenge, they will both have to confront the limits of loyalty, guilt, and justice.

What did I think of it:
I will confess that even though I absolutely loved this novella, I don't think I can write a review that does it justice. It's a story you must read and feel for yourself I think, because to me this is so much more about emotions, mood and atmosphere than about plot.

Why should you read it:
It's mesmerizing, haunting, and beautiful


Wednesday, 8 February 2023

Hollywood Heroine - Book Review

 

Hollywood Heroine (Heroine Complex #5)
by Sarah Kuhn

What is it about:
The fifth book in the smart, snarky, and action-packed Heroine series continues the adventures of Asian-American superheroines Evie Tanaka, Aveda Jupiter, and Bea Tanaka in a demon-infested San Francisco.

Over the years, the adventures of superheroines Aveda Jupiter and Evie Tanaka have become the stuff of legend--and now they'll be immortalized in their very own TV show!

The pair head to LA for filming, but Aveda struggles to get truly excited. Instead, she's preoccupied wondering about the fate of the world and her role in it. You know, the usual. Now that Otherworld activity has been detected outside the Bay Area, Aveda can't help but wonder if the demon threat will ever be eradicated.

When the drama on set takes a turn for the supernatural, Evie and Aveda must balance their celebrity commitments with donning their superhero capes again to investigate. And when the evil they battle reveals a larger, more nefarious plot, it's time for the indomitable Aveda Jupiter to rise to the occasion and become the leader she was meant to be on a more global scale--and hopefully keep some semblance of a personal life while doing so.

What did I think of it:
This is the 5th book in the series, and the 2nd book with Aveda in the lead. After the relationship drama in book 4 (which was Evie's 2nd book), I was prepared for more relationship drama, because how else will you keep a book with an established couple exciting *eyeroll* so I wasn't as annoyed  by it this time when there was indeed relationship drama.

Aside from the drama this was a really fun read. I had a great time with it, even though some things were pretty obvious. But I don't read these books for their unbreakable plot: these books are fun, wacky, and super entertaining. 

The supernatural creatures, the way our heroine's use their powers, the minor characters were great as always. New creatures are introduced, characters from the previous book got bigger roles. I raced through this book while having tons of fun with it.

All in all this was a cool read. I'll be picking up the last book in this series soon.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun and super entertaining Super Heroine Read.


Tuesday, 7 February 2023

Teaser Tuesdays - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

 

But its digital voice cracked around the edges, and the tendrils twitched with palsied age. Nothing about it could be confused with something alive.


(page 107, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers)
---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously 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!