I again read 10 books in January. I had the flu for two weeks and lost my self to a world of faeries, a genre I had not read before. Caught up on the Red Rising Saga, which could arguably rank amongst the best science fiction of my generation and read two new releases and one advanced copy of a book to be released later this year.
Here’s my list thus far:
Advanced Reader Copies
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Traitor Born (Secondborn #2) by Amy A. Bartol. (Release Date April 2018, Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance) Traitor Born starts shortly after Secondborn ends. Roselle is now under the protection of the most powerful person in her world and the leader of Virtue, Fabian Bowie and seems like she is little more than a political pawn who can’t leave the elaborate palace where she resides indefinitely. She’s also dealing with a number of obstacles including her desire to protect her first born heir brother from her allies, avoiding the clutches of a tyrannical murderous mother, plots within plots, betrayals within betrayals, PTSD and multiple viable love interests (yay). Amy Bartol threw everything but the kitchen sink at us, it’s my favorite thing about many of her stories.
I really do like this series, there are certain reoccurring themes in Amy’s writing that I love and I loathe but Ms. Bartol is a great storyteller, what some of her stories lack in nuance they make up for in the fervor of the narrative. This book is a 3 for me, at best 3.5 stars. It feels very transitional in a chaotic and almost unsatisfying way. I can tell Bartol is writing us toward book 3. I love multi-part series where each book could almost standalone within the larger narrative, but book 2’s are often hard when the writer and her publishers have sequels in queue. This would likely be less of an annoyance if book 3 was already available for immediate consumption. (See full review on Goodreads)
I ended up liking the book, it’s good science fiction – escapist – new adult literature, however you probably won’t love it if you don’t like these types of books. You probably will enjoy if you liked Secondborn. Is there room for improvement… yes, but I have to admit that I enjoyed it and will definitely be reading Rebel Born (book 3).
Series
A Court of Thorns and Roses (Books 1-3) by Sarah J Maas. (Science Fiction, New Adult, Fantasy) The books are mainly about Feyre, a human dragged in to a world of faeries, war, intrigue, and magic. The book is low key feminist and lacks so many tropes that my heart sang as I read it. Rape isn’t used as a plot device. Home girl saves her self and the men she loves more than once. A girl gets to change her mind about things and reasonably change over time. The world is well developed with so many minor characters and narratives to choose from and love that I could arguably read 3 spin offs from this universe and not be bored.
Red Rising Saga (Books 2 & 3 and still reading book 4, Iron Gold) by Pierce Brown. (Science Fiction, New Adult, Fantasy, Dystopia) It took me a long time to read the first 3 books in the Red Rising Saga. Not because it was boring but because my blood pressure could not handle it. The series was so intense for me. I often threw pillows and screamed as I read, I would often loose sleep over plot developments and be so stressed about a potential battle or death that I couldn’t concentrate with the worry, so I would take breaks and read 1 or 12 books in between. I’ve finally finished and it is glorious.
How does one review what may one day be considered among the greatest science fiction series ever written. How? HOW!
I have to come back when I have the words…
New Release in January
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. (Science Fiction, Young Adult) Jude (the main protagonist) was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters (one twin and one half faerie) were stolen away to live in the High Court of Faerie. A decade later, Jude does every thing she can to fit in, despite her mortality and the constant ridicule she faces from the aristocratic faeries she is raised along side. Most of the fey despise humans. TO defeat her staunchest enemies she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions and herself a key player in a civil war.
I didn’t really enjoy this book I found it underwhelming and boring. I could not connect to the characters or the plot. The world well rendered and the writing was good but the characters were scattered and the main love interest was more annoying than intriguing. I failed to become invested in the characters or the future of this story.
Still Me (Me Before You book 3) by Jojo Moyes (Contemporary Fiction, Romance) Louisa Clark moves across the pond to New York ready to start a new adventure, while trying to maintain her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She’s hurled into the world of the the insanely wealthy Gopniks: Leonard and his much younger second wife, Agnes, and a never-ending array of household staff and their social circle. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her job and New York life within this privileged world. She’s mixing in New York high society and meets Joshua Ryan, a blast from her past from beyond the grave.
I am still shook by this book. It exceeded expectations, it was so good. Moyes out did herself. I love the adventure, the humor and emotions of this quiet beautiful book. I can’t fully describe it, but I did speed read in one day and finished at 3 AM and started reading again the next day so I could savor and enjoy the nuance of the comedy and banter!
Books I Hated
Caraval (Caraval Book 1) by Stephanie Garber. (Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance) I truly hated this book. It had all the ingredients for a personal favorite but I just didn’t connect with the writing style, the characters themselves, or the story.
Pros: Story setting and Premise
Cons:
- Lack of character development
- The language, the main character describes the world in color “Periwinkle curiosity” and its both annoying and stylistically underwhelming
- Poor plot development
- Strange and blah romance
The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds Book 1) by Alexandra Bracken. (Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia) I’m still wondering why or how you go from a pandemic killing most kids to locking up the remaining kids in concentration camps with the support of parents. Y’all this story is trash.
This book is so underwhelming. The plot holes are so blaring. The story weak. The book is so freaking boring and predictable that I was speed reading to just finish, all I wanted was for it to end.
What did you say?