The Glass Slide World - Book Review

 

The Glass Slide World (The Naturalist Society #2)

by Carrie Vaughn

What is it about:

Award-winning author Carrie Vaughn’s sequel to The Naturalist Society follows a young scientist unlocking her magical abilities amid a high-seas adventure filled with international intrigue.

The year is 1902, and the world is changing with the new century. Twenty-one-year-old Ava Stanley, the daughter of two celebrated Arcane Taxonomists, has much to live up to—however scarce her magical abilities may be.

While her parents draw power from spectacular birds and megafauna, Ava’s connection to the natural world is much smaller, stemming from the microscopic. This is useful in her quest to become a doctor, as she studies the burgeoning links between bacteria and disease, but it means Ava’s power itself is also smaller. Even so, she plans to make the most of it when she boards a ship to Nassau, where she’ll continue her research.

But those plans change when pirates take over the ship, bringing with them danger, mystery, and the stirrings of war. Amid the chaos, Ava forges connections with her fellow travelers. And in them, she begins to find that every tiny piece of the world has the power to strengthen it…or shatter it completely.

What did I think of it:

I absolutely fell in love with The Naturalist Society so you bet I preordered The Glass Slide World.

And it didn't disappoint even though it's a very different sort story although still set in the same intriguing world.

For a big part this is an adventure where Ava has to survive and figure out who's to be trusted. There are some really exciting events. On the other hand it was a story about discovery, of self and the world. I was absolutely invested in Ava figuring out all the things! 

There were some other characters I really liked and with all the things going on I really was rooting for my favorite characters to not turn alliances and disappointing me.

All in all a wonderful book. I really hope there will be at least a third book in this series.

Why should you read it:

It's a wonderful adventure!

The Naturalist Society - Book Review

 

The Naturalist Society (The Naturalist Society #1)

by Carrie Vaughn

What is it about:

In this magical tale of self-discovery from New York Times bestselling author Carrie Vaughn, a young widow taps into the power that will change the world—if the man’s world she lives in doesn’t destroy her and her newfound friends first.

In the summer of 1880, the death of Beth Stanley’s husband puts her life’s work in jeopardy. The magic of Arcane Taxonomy dictates that every natural thing in the world, from weather to animals, can be labeled, and doing so grants the practitioner some of that subject’s unique power. But only men are permitted to train in this philosophy. Losing her husband means that Beth loses the name they put on her work—and any influence she might have wielded.

Brandon West and Anton Torrance are campaigning for their expedition to the South Pole, a mission that some believe could make a taxonomist all-powerful by tapping into the earth’s magnetic forces. Their late friend Harry Stanley’s knowledge and connections would have been instrumental, but when they attempt to take custody of his work, they find that it was never his at all.

Tied together by this secret and its implications, Beth, Bran, and Anton must find a way for Beth to use her talent for the good of the world, before she’s discovered by those who would lay claim to her rare potential—and her very freedom.

What did I think of it:

I got this book as a present from Jeffe, and it's a signed copy as well!

I have read books by Vaughn before - Kitty Norville, Martians Abroad - and I really enjoyed those. But I can't say Vaughn was on my watch list. I can tell you that this book changed that!

In this alternate history there's a sort of magic - taxonomy -  where if you name something, and know it, you can use the magic/power of that thing or animal. I loved learning more of this magic and how the characters used it in different ways.

As for the characters: I loved Beth from the start. She's smart, knows more about birds than a lot of experts, and managed to teach herself taxonomy, but because she is a woman she is barred from the spaces where she could do something with her knowledge. She managed to get some of her work out there under her husband's name, who (all other stuff he did aside) at least encouraged her work. But when he dies, Beth is back at square one.

Enter Bran and Anton, who were friends with Beth's husband and want to use his work for their own goals.

I really loved Anton as well. He's pragmatic, charismatic, and keeps going to get things done. Bran... still needed to grow up a bit, despite being old enough he should have already. Still I liked him well enough.

I was totally invested in Beth freeing herself from the chains forged by society and find her way. When she befriends Bran and Anton, I rooted for the three of them to realize their dreams. Bran and Anton have a rival, who soon becomes a danger to Beth as well, making me anxious to see them get out of everything alive and successful.

I can safely say I loved everything about this book, even when it made me cry. I can't believe I hadn't seen it mentioned before and only discovered it when I got it as a present. Is it for everyone? I can see how people think it's too dry, there's lots of talk about the science of taxonomy, and there's bits about famous taxonomists at the end of most chapters, but I loved these parts of the book as well (yup: Nerdy Factoids McPig, and proud to be). 

You bet I'll be on the lookout for the next book in this world.

Why should you read it:

It's a wonderful Alternate History Read.

Martians Abroad - Book Review

Martians Abroad
by Carrie Vaughn

What is it about:
A great new stand-alone science fiction novel from the author of the Kitty Norville series.

Polly Newton has one single-minded dream, to be a starship pilot and travel the galaxy. Her mother, the director of the Mars Colony, derails Polly's plans when she sends Polly and her genius twin brother, Charles, to Galileo Academy on Earth—the one planet Polly has no desire to visit. Ever.

Homesick and cut off from her desired future, Polly cannot seem to fit into the constraints of life on Earth, unlike Charles, who deftly maneuvers around people and sees through their behavior to their true motives. Strange, unexplained, dangerous coincidences centered on their high-profile classmates begin piling up. Charles may be right—there's more going on than would appear, and the stakes are high. With the help of Charles, Polly is determined to find the truth, no matter the cost.

What did I think of it:
This is really fun read even though the actual action started really late in the book.

I connected with Polly from the start and rooted for her. She's inquisitive, brave, and stubborn. I did't much care for her brother Charles, who was a bit of a jerk at times. But that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story I'll say.

The story is set in a boarding school, so that was totally up my alley as well. There are several people Polly interacts with and some where very interesting, while others were annoying. Polly does make some mistakes here, as she can be gullible at times, but luckily she learns fast.

All in all a fun and very entertaining SF boarding school story with a small suspenseful plot woven into it. I might have to revisit the Kitty Norville series, because I very much like Vaughn's writing.

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


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Kitty and the Midnight Hour - Book Review

Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

What is it about:
VAMPIRES. WEREWOLVES. TALK RADIO. Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station—and a werewolf in the closet. Sick of lame song requests, she accidentally starts "The Midnight Hour," a late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged. After desperate vampires, werewolves, and witches across the country begin calling in to share their woes, her new show is a raging success. But it’s Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew…

What did I think of it:
I was not planning on reading this book just yet as I was reading another book and wanted to finish that first, but after reading a couple of pages to get a taste of this book I was hooked and couldn't put it down until I finished it. Vaughn's writing style is very pleasant, the story fast paced and Kitty is a likeable character. The world building is good and intriguing. Vaughn sets up a storyline that will continue in future books, but because there's also enough other things going on it doesn't get frustrating that it isn't resolved in this book. The one setback is that again a character I though was very intriguing didn't survive the book, but I'm getting used to it and luckily there's some other cool characters that will be returning in future books.

Why should you read it:
It's a fast paced, well written Urban Fantasy.