Review: An Ember in the Ashes

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am so torn on what to rate this book! I landed on 3 stars but it was really 3.5 I think I might have hyped it too much in my mind. This might be the kind of book that needs a second read through for me to fall in love.

I liked Laia, but she was a bit of a wilting flower, always comparing herself to her mother. Who, quite honestly, sounds terrible to me. I loved Elias, and I was a pretty big fan of Heline's as well. Laia did redeem herself by the end, and I will definitely read book 2, but I was let down with how predictable it was. Really, I'm making it seem like I didn't like it, but I did. I definitely did. I just wanted more somehow. Hoping I fall completely in love with book 2.

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Review: Once Upon a Winter's Eve

Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Definitely not my favorite Spindle Cove. Maybe because it was so short? I wasn't really feeling it.

I mean, I am giving it three stars, but it's a low three for me. I wanted to better understand Violet and Christian and their journey, but it was all rushed into basically an hour or two. Yes, yes, it was a novella, but I think even 50 more pages would have gotten me further invested.

On the bright side, it did get me to want to re-read the series, so there's that. 3-ish stars.

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Review: O Jerusalem

O Jerusalem by Laurie R. King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More adventures with Holmes and Russell, but in this installment we jump back in time to events in the first book that were not shared with us. We know they spent time in Jerusalem but we don't get to see what happens there. This book takes to the events they shared while they were hiding out.

It's a pretty good story. I like their companions, especially Mahmoud. Something was missing for me, however, and I just can't put my finger on it. I think it was because Holmes and Russell didn't really seem to be partners on this one. There was a distance between them and you just couldn't see that spark. But overall still an enjoyable read.

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Review: Cold Days

Cold Days by Jim Butcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Harry's back! And the gang is (mostly) back together.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I run out of these books. Jim, please get to writing more Harry. More Murphy. More Thomas. More Mouse. I need them. All of them.

If you are up to book 14, you probably don't need my recap, but here goes. Harry is back, he's stuck wearing the mantle of the Winter Knight, and things go wrong. He gets his ass kicked numerous times, goes on a wild hunt, and celebrates another birthday. Oh, and finally talks to Karen, but I don't get a resolution to all of my hopes and dreams. Yet.

Very curious where we are going to go in the next book. Molly, Butters, Karen, even Mac. These books are perfection, and James Marsters IS Harry. If you aren't reading this series, you should. 4 stars.

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Review: A Monstrous Regiment of Women

A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mary meets women's lib. Well, actually Mary was already plenty liberated herself, but she joins a feminist church / cult and works to solve a case. Now an Oxford graduate and coming into her inheritance, she begins to figure out what she wants for her adult life, and where Holmes might fit into it all.

I love this series so much. Holmes has mellowed in his old age, but not lost that arrogant intelligence. Mary is the perfect match for him, as a partner and an equal.

Lots of good disguises and red herrings in this one all leading up to a very satisfying ending that left me eager to read book 3.

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Review: Ten Things I Love About You

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adore Julia Quinn's books. There, I said it. I'm a big fluffy marshmallow inside. Bridgertons, Smythe-Smiths, now Bevelstokes. She can do no wrong with me.

Sebastian Gray, who I dearly loved in book 2, gets his chance at love in book 3. We knew he was a cad. We knew he was an author writing under a secret pen name. And now we know he's just as big of a marshmallow inside as I am. And he's just what Annabel needs in her life. She tries to do the right thing for her family, of course, but love conquer's all and we race towards that HEA that I demand in my historical romances.

I'm sad there isn't another book in this series, but I guess this means I move onto Agents of the Crown. 4 stars.

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Review: The Beekeeper's Apprentice

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I adore everything about this book! Sherlock Holmes has finally met his match in young Mary Russell.

I simply love Mary. Her independence, her awkwardness, her ability to be ok in her own skin despite, or perhaps because of, her tragedy. I love Holmes. I love how he stays somewhat true to character but softened by time and retirement. And I love Mrs. Hudson. She's the best.

It's a different take on Sherlock Holmes, but still a fun, engaging mystery. You will find yourself rooting for Mary as she grows over the years, and the little adventures throughout showed how their partnership grows over time. One of my favorite series. I can't wait to read more.

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Review: Mail Order Cowboy

Mail Order Cowboy by Laurie Kingery
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Interesting take on the mail-order bride genre. This time we have a mail-order groom. From England. Who is an absolute saint with a checkered past. It actually made for a somewhat entertaining story. Not quite 3 stars...but really close.

Honestly, what kept it from being a 3 star read was a combination of really poor editing (one character's name switched from Walters to Waters to Walters so many times I can't figure out which one was correct), the too good to be true townsfolk, and heavy-handed "friend from the past" being a cartoon villain. The last little bombshell wasn't necessary, unless it fuels the plot in future books.

It really was better than the 2 stars indicate. Let's call it 2.75 stars and call it a day. I will read book 2, because I just can't help myself.

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Review: A Night Like This

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another grand adventure with the Smythe-Smith family, and this time we get to spend time with Daniel. Long-lost Daniel, who has been traveling on the Continent, has finally returned home.

You get the Smythe-Smith musicale, as you might expect. In this one, the lovely Miss Wynter, governess-extraordinaire, has a dark secret. That's ok, though, because she's lovely and perfect and it's love at first sight...for both of them. They have their obstacles, they have witty banter, they have passion, and then culmination to the HEA I demand from my historical romances.

Julia Quinn is a favorite, and if you read her books this one won't disappoint. Can't wait to read another in the series. 3.5 stars, but rounding up because it was so cute.


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Review: Horus Rising

Horus Rising by Dan Abnett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this on the recommendation of my son. I would have never picked up on my own, not being a Warhammer player, but I have to say, I did enjoy it quite a bit. You have marines. Not just any marine, though, space marines. You have some magic/alien races/things not of our world. You have the lore of old Terra, our Earth, and you have a world rich with details and interesting characters.

Like most of you, I'm sure, Loken was my favorite character, with Sindermann as a close second. I'm looking forward to my next journey with the Luna Wolves and the Sons of Horus. 3 stars.

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