Review: First Lord's Fury

First Lord's Fury by Jim Butcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

And we come to the end of our epic journey with Tavi and the rest of Alera. It was a wild ride, and I'm sad once again that it is over. Don't worry, Tavi, I'll be back again in a few months to take the trip with you all over again.

If you are reading this review and you haven't read the other books in the series, stop here. Seriously. Go pick up a copy of Furies of Calderon and grow up with Tavi. If, however, you are done with the series, you can keep reading my thoughts. This book is long and full of details. You are going to learn more about the Canim, not enough about the Icemen, and way too much about the Vord Queen, who I find tedious. I mean, I get that she is the ultimate big bad, but I find her annoying.You get the ending you want for most of the characters, and are left wanting more for others. Just like life, I suppose.

Romance, action, survival, politics, and war. Jim Butcher, can we be best friends? My favorite series of all time. 4 stars for this book and the series overall.

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Review: Half the World (Shattered Sea #2)

Half the World by Joe Abercrombie

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


More adventures with Father Yarvi and the gang. Welcome back!

Yarvi has a couple of new members of the crew this time. Meet Thorn. Tough, sassy, with a streak of insecurity inside of her. A girl after my own heart. Meet Brand. A warrior with a peaceful heart. Together they can do great things if they would just listen to Father Yarvi and the gang.

It was another great installment in the series. Yarvi has grown and matured, mostly for the better. The Queen is still fantastic, just as you would expect. And the band of misfits are all interesting and fun.

Action-packed, full of intrigue, with just a dash of romance. Good stuff.



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The Library at Mount Char

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Do not listen to this on audio. Just don't. There is too much going on and you will miss things, no matter how hard you try.

I started out not understanding what was happening. It was hard to continue on in parts because the book doesn't really give you a proper setup. I'm clearly not alone in this, as the reviews are filled with "DNFs" and "Abandoned" and "I hated this book because it was frustrating and didn't make sense." But stick with it if you like complicated stories with a mostly satisfying payoff at the end. I will eventually go back and read this one, because I can't be sure I didn't miss something cool or relevant. It's just too complicated of a plot for my work commute.

I'm sticking with three stars because I liked it, but I have reservations about it as well. Fits a lot of genres so if you stick with it you will probably like it by the end.



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The Spy Lover

The Spy Lover by Kiana Davenport

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The Civil War is one of my favorite times to read about in history, and I thought I would fall in love with this book. Looks like we will just be friends.

We get to see the Civil War through two Chinese-American's eyes: Johnny and his daughter Era. Both are caught in the middle of the war between the North and South, and both are struggling to survive a fight that isn't necessarily theirs. Their perspectives are very different and the war shapes them in very different ways. There are no real winners in a war, and everyone has a less than happy ending. Just like real life.

I have to confess the author almost lost me during a scene full of pit vipers. I. Hate. Snakes. I was listening to the audio and nearly wrecked my car. It was truly awful. No thank you. More terrifying than any horror novel, hands down.

Decent historical fiction, and interesting characters. I loved Johnny Tom. 3 stars.



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Captain's Fury (Codex Alera #4)

Captain's Fury by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Hail Gaius Octavian! We journey back to Alera, and lots of things happen. To everyone.
Tavi is outed. Kitai still kicks ass, and I love her. Everyone gets character development, and the world grows. If you are reading this series, you obviously love it so I don't need to sell you on how great it is. If you aren't, you shouldn't be reading a review for book 4 in a series, so move along. Nothing for you to see here.

A love letter to Jim Butcher:

Dear Jim,
Alera is my favorite place, and you are my favorite author. I love you. Not in a scary stalker, wear your face as a mask way, but in a let's be best friends and have coffee and you can tell me all of your book ideas kind of way.

P.S. Please don't contact the authorities, I am harmless. But let's be best friends. Call me!





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The Nightingale

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A beautifully written, heartbreaking piece of historical fiction. Set in World War II France during the Nazi occupation, we follow the lives of two sisters who both deal with the war in very different ways. Young, impulsive Isabelle rushes headlong into the Resistance, while her older sister Vianne is just trying to keep her daughter alive until her husband returns from the Front.

This book will leave you emotionally shredded, for sure. So much sadness and senseless death. War is never an easy read and especially when it involves the atrocities committed by the Nazis in WWII, but Hannah does a wonderful job weaving the lives and stories together in a way that might just leave you curled up in a ball crying. It's that good. Do yourself a favor and read it while you are alone so you can absorb yourself in the storyline and then take a little time to decompress. I suggest having something light-hearted on hand to immediately read as a tonic afterwards.



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Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera #3)

Cursor's Fury by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I adore everything about this series. Jim Butcher, I love you. Not in a weird, trap you in my basement way, but in a "thank you for building this world and these characters and sharing them with us" way.

Tavi has graduated from the Academy and is now serving Gaius Sextus and Alera as a cursor for the realm. He is sent undercover as Captain Rufus Scipio to work with the First Aleran Legion and quickly finds himself fighting to preserve the Realm and their way of life. Classic Tavi, always smack in the middle of conflict.

Almost all of your favorites are back, and there are some major character developments by the end. Some of the battle scenes wind on for too long, keeping me from rating this 5 stars, but it is still the Alera you know and love. The battle scenes are crucial for moving the plot to the next book so hunker down and get through them because the payoff at the end is perfect. Once you finish, you will immediately want to start on the next book...the sign of a great series.



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All the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


World War II. Occupied France. Two young lives in different places, both impacted by the conflict. They come together in this unique, well-written work of historical fiction. The writing is both beautiful and sad. My heart broke into a million pieces several times while reading.

I fell in love with Marie Laure, her father, and Entienne. Marie Laure was an unusual heroine who filled me with hope. And I felt sympathy for Werner, who grew up fighting for the Nazis. In war, there are no winners, only survivors. Marie Laure and Werner both found a way to survive despite the world around them.

Read it. You just might, like me, find yourself leaving a piece of your heart in Saint Malo.



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The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1)

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Wow, what a beginning! This book is a time investment, but it's good. Really good.

We are following 4 main characters: Szeth, Kaladin, Shallan and Dalinar; seemingly unrelated characters whose lives come together over the course of the story. Sanderson builds a large, complex world full of military strategy, magic, and morality tales, and one not easily forgotten.

My favorite storyline is Kaladin, by far. He's a flawed, everyman hero who usually does the right thing. He is my favorite kind of character, and the reason I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Stick with the confusing web of characters and stories at the beginning, and you will be glad you took the journey. Good stuff.



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The Diary of a Young Girl

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I can't believe I had never read this before. Heartbreaking to read about what happened to all of them after their discovery and capture.

I was surprised by this book. I expected more thoughts around being discovered, but in a way it is nice to see that she really was a young girl with hopes for the future. She was annoyed by her perfect older sister and her mom drove her crazy. It could apply to any girl at any time period.

I would be absolutely stir-crazy in the Annex. It's a miracle they didn't get caught sooner. Bad food, no food, no entertainment, strict schedules. You couldn't use the bathroom when you wanted.
I realize those in the concentration camps had it much worse, and it seems Anne did, too. For a young girl, she didn't complain too terribly much about being stuck there. She knew she was fortunate in a lot of ways.

I thought it was interesting to see how she matured during their time in the Annex. Deep down inside, she was just a regular teenaged girl, the same world-over. She really could have been a talented writer. What a shame.




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Another Man's Moccasins (Walt Longmire #4)

Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Another great installment to the Longmire series. It just keeps getting better and better.

This time we get some flashbacks to Walt and Henry's time in Vietnam, as the current day mystery has ties to their past. The body of a young Vietnamese woman is found in Walt's jurisdiction, and the Crow Indian found near the scene is accused of the murder. As Walt finds himself faced with proving a man's innocence, he is struck by the similarities to a case he had as a Marine investigator in Vietnam. The mystery is smartly woven together and I was guessing until the end.

Read this series. Just read it. You will like it.



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Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera #1)

Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I can't believe I have never reviewed this book, as it is my favorite series of all time and I recommend it to people constantly. Jim Butcher is an absolute master at world building. Jim, if you are reading this, please know how many hours of enjoyment your books have brought me. You are awesome.

Furies of Calderon is set in the world of Alera, where, as people mature, develop a bond with at least one of the elemental furies of earth, air, fire, water, wood, and metal and use those talents throughout their lives. We journey with Tavi, who is fifteen and is considered a freak because he hasn't developed any furies. It's a story about how he overcomes this obstacle and learns to live on his wits without furies. But it is also a story about politics, war, and loyalties. Good vs. evil, treachery and deception, all in an epic fantasy setting.

In book 1, Tavi stumbles upon the sneak invasion of the Marat, a savage enemy whose last battles in Alera ended with the death of the Princeps. As chaos breaks out over the Calderon Valley, he has to find a way to survive on his own. Meanwhile, the First Lord is surrounded by betrayal and loyalties to the Realm are called into question, reaching from the far steadholts of Garrison to Alera Imperia.

If you love sword fighting, magical creatures, political intrigue, strong family bonds and a little bit of romance, check out the Codex Alera series. It's fantasy at its best.



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Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3)

Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A mostly satisfying conclusion to the Across the Universe series. The ending was cheesy, but I liked it. Don't judge me for liking a happy ending the best.

Amy, Elder, and half of the population have left Godspeed to form a new colony on Centauri-Earth. The new planet is dangerous and isn't the world Amy hoped it would be, even with her parents unthawed along with the rest of the team from Earth. And quickly find they aren't alone and must pull together, shipbornes and earthbornes, to survive.

The dynamics of the series change with the new setting. We get far less of Elder and more about Amy, her relationship with her parents, and her survival on the planet. Even Elder's thoughts were mostly about her. I felt book 2 was more of a focus on Elder, and this book evens things out by having more of a focus on Amy. The one thing I would have liked was a epilogue set in the future to let us know how the colony survived, because I like to tie a bow on things.

I'm glad I checked out this series from the library without knowing anything about it. It is a good addition to the ever-growing young adult dystopian fiction world with the added bonus of being set in space. 3 stars.



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My Brother Sam Is Dead

My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

*Part of my "Reviewing Children's Classics" series.

I don't remember reading this one growing up, which is strange because of my love of books and all things history. I now see I didn't miss much, although my perspective might have been different if I had read it when I was 11 instead.

Tim is growing up during the turbulent times prior to and during the American Revolution. He adores his obnoxious big brother, Sam, who is attending Yale and appears to be the smuggest, least likable person in the world. If I had to hear the phrase, "scored a telling point" one more time, I might have thrown the book away. Seriously, dude, you are the world's worst. Anyway, Tim has some serious hero worship going on for his big brother, who decides to drop out of Yale, steal his father's rifle (really, Sam? You are a bad person) and join the revolutionaries. Sam's parents are opposed to this, naturally, as no parent wants their 16-year-old son to join the military during war time. Sam does what he wants, and ultimately we get to the title of the book.

Between Sam running off to enlist and the ending where he dies, a lot of sad, depressing things happen. It's Revolutionary times. Besides the war, you have cholera outbreaks, hunger, and decapitations. Plus you have to endure Sam's girlfriend Betsy Read, who is tied with Sam for "most unlikeable character is a children's book". For a young woman who should have been behaving like an adult, she acted like an obnoxious child.

I'm sure there are better historical fiction books out there about the American Revolution. The only thing that saved this from one-star territory was the authors' notes at the end. I liked how they explained who and what were historically accurate and where they embellished or created things for the book. For the additional interesting information, I added one star. My recommendation? You can skip this one.

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First Lord's Fury

First Lord's Fury by Jim Butcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Epic conclusion to Tavi's journey from boy to man, politics and intrigue, and Alera's quest for victory in the face of the enemy.

I felt this book was the weakest in the series, although I still very much enjoyed it. I was so invested in these characters over the course of the previous 5 books, and there was so much focus on the Vord that we did not get much time with the characters who had made this such a remarkable series. Still definitely worth the read, but the narrative would have been better served if Butcher had split this 550 page novel into a seventh book, allowing more time to understand each character's perspective to the world of Alera at war with this new enemy. I did appreciate the epilogue, and am very glad he left them in a good place, with resolution and hope for the future.

Just read it and immerse yourself into the world of Alera. 3 1/2 stars.


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Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun

Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun by Wess Roberts
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Fast read, but no new info on leadership here.

1) Beyond a list of leadership qualities that you can adapt for any industry and argue they will lead to success, we are given bon mots like "you've got to want to lead" and "pick your enemies wisely".
2) Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Be sure you conduct yourself accordingly, because you are always being watched.
3) Take responsibility, be decisive, delegate, negotiate, be resilient, and reward and recognize great performance. Learn from your failures, and move on.

I have just saved you an hour of reading time. Go forth and lead.

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Close Combat (The Corps #6)

Close Combat by W.E.B. Griffin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More World War II in the Pacific. The Coastwatchers are relieved, and we watch the fight to retain Guadalcanal. More unrealistically drawn women wanting nothing more than to land a Marine, but I will forgive Griffin this because, hey, what do I know? Maybe this is truly how women felt during the early 1940's. I love how we get more time with Pick--I enjoy his ridiculous optimism and how he has stayed the same silly man-child throughout.

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Line of Fire (The Corps #5)

Line Of Fire by W.E.B. Griffin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book 5 of our journey through World War II in the Pacific takes us on a daring rescue mission of the Coastwatchers serving as advance sentries for Guadalcanal. Less about McCoy and Pick and more about General Pickering, we see the events through their eyes as the planning and execution happens amidst the action of the war. A good read.

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Battleground (The Corps #4)

Battleground by W.E.B. Griffin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More new characters introduced as the war winds on. Time overlaps from the previous books as a result of so many characters and story lines, and the women are eye-rollingly unrealistic, as usual. But a good series and great insights into the history of World War II in the Pacific.

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Counterattack (The Corps #3)

Counterattack by W.E.B. Griffin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Counterattack overlaps in time with the events in book 2, but from different characters' points of view. Instead of spending time with Pick and McCoy, we spend time with the higher ranks in the Corps and Navy, and also gain some outside perspective on MacArthur during his time in Australia. Interesting to read the military strategies and learn more about our time in WWII Pacific, but slower than the other two books for me.

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