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: Changeless

Changeless by Gail Carriger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lord and Lady Maccon continue their odd life of paranormal bliss. But something is causing the pack to stop changing, and it isn't Alexia for a change. More sass, more bickering, and suddenly Alexia is off to Scotland in a dirigible to track down her husband at his ancestral home.

We get the expected steampunk elements tied neatly to the paranormal. Good stuff! Danger, deception, and plot twists abound. And we get a surprise ending that will get you to move book 3 up your TBR list, so well played, Carriger, well played. 3.5 stars because I didn't love it quite as much as book 1, but still very enjoyable.

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Review: Crown of Midnight

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 2. More Celaena. More intrigue. Twists, turns, deception. Good stuff. This series is great on audio.

Celaena is now the King's Champion. She continues to kick ass, yet be her own person. She can't seem to get her shit together on the romance front, but I'll give her a pass because she led a messed up life during her formative years. She's a good person, but flawed, and I love her. Oh, and speaking of love...Chaol. Ah, Chaol. You are my book boyfriend. You are 100% better than Dorian (stay over there in the friend zone, please, because you will find a perfectly good princess to fall in love with later, I'm sure). You love Celaena, even with her rough edges. You guys are a great match, which I'm sure means there will be love triangles galore in the next few books. I can handle it as long as you get your HEA. I love me a good HEA. I'm a sap. Shut up.

4 stars. Almost scared to start book 3 and ruin my happiness.

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Review: The Highlander Takes a Bride

The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm a sucker for a kick-ass heroine. No wilting flowers for me, thanks.

Meet Saidh Buchanan. She rides well, shoots well, and talks like a pirate. Sometimes. But sometimes she's a lady. What a paradox! Now meet Greer. Strong, sexy. A big heart under all of those big muscles. He falls for Saidh. She falls for him. But she isn't looking to be strapped to anyone, and I liked that about her. I also love her rowdy brothers, and thought it added a layer of fun to the story. They are ridiculous.

Mystery and intrigue are afoot, and Greer and Saidh look to figure out what is happening in the castle before it's too late. Will they solve the crime? Will they live HEA? You can guess the answer to both questions, and then read to find out if you are right. (Spoiler...you are). 3 stars. I'll go back and read books 1 & 2 as well.

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Review: Unwind

Unwind by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, I needed a while to recover from the end of this book. Still not sure what I want to say.

It's an interesting storyline. Scary to think that the government would allow an atrocity like unwinding, but we have allowed plenty of other awful things to happen that look abhorrent in hindsight. Good, likable characters, with baddies you love to hate. And a really memorable scene towards the end that I want to talk about once you finish, so get reading.

Off to track down book 2.

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Review: Becoming Alpha

Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pretty decent start to a new series. I am going to choose to ignore the insta-love in this case because a) you knew it was coming from the book blurb, b) it's young adult, and it goes with the territory, and c) it worked in a really weird way.

Tessa has a strange condition, and her parents somehow roll with it. Ok. Cool parents, I guess. Turns out she's a witch. Witches and werewolves don't mix, until they do. Then it becomes Hogwarts for wolves and peculiar children, and we are off to the races. With angsty love, because what is high school without it.

Strife, battles, and good vs. evil. Good enough to read book 2 to see where it's going.

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Review: The Eighth Guardian

The Eighth Guardian by Meredith McCardle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Loved this! Fantastic start to a new series for me. Doing a happy dance. Spies? Check. Time travel? Check. Stubborn, flawed heroine? Check. Good stuff.

Amanda, code name Iris, goes to a kick-ass spy training school. Color me jealous, because I SO want to go there. She's recruited early to a top secret branch of the government. And get this: they time travel. Remember the short-lived show from the 80s, Voyagers? I feel like the author and I are the only two people who watched it, because it is like Phineas Bogg and Jeffrey were the grandfathers of this program.

Did I mention that I loved it? Because I did. Subtracted a star because Abe annoyed me and I'm not sure how the next book will continue on without hitting the reset button somehow. But hey, it's time travel so anything is possible.

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Review: Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

True confession time: I'm a bit socially awkward like Bernadette. Like 2 steps removed. So I can relate to the cringe moments and had to laugh. Plus, who hasn't dreamed about escaping for a while? Just me? Oh, ok.

I enjoyed how it flowed, with the letters, emails, and inserted thoughts from Bee. I think the odd format just worked really well for the storyline. The family was flawed, the neighbors and school moms were flawed. It just hit a lot of really real notes with me.

I found it curious to see some of the reviews. I have to assume you are all well-adjusted people who couldn't relate to the ridiculousness happening in parts, but it all resonated with me. BRB while I pack warm clothes for Antarctica.

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Review: Curse of the Pharaohs

Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

More adventures with my favorite couple, Peabody and Emerson. If my husband and I were Egyptologists in the late 1800s, we would be them. I love their bickering and unabashed love.

They have returned to Luxor, leaving young Ramses in the care of Emerson's brother and his wife. Not necessarily a call I would have made, but hey, it was a different time. Plus, this is fiction. Superstition, murder, and grave plundering abound, as you might expect if you read the first book. If you didn't, stop reading this review and read book 1 instead.

A fun series! 3.5 stars.

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Review: Still Life with Murder

Still Life with Murder by P.B. Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great start to a new series for me. Historical mystery with a strong, smart heroine. I really liked Nell Sweeney. The story begins with Nell being unexpectedly hired as a governess for the wealthy Hewitt family. Fast forward to secrets, murder, and intrigue with William, the black sheep of the family. The family is in turmoil as the police are convinced they have the right man.

Not to worry, Nell is on the case. The mystery is intriguing and I really enjoyed the relationship between Will and Nell. I thought the ending was satisfying and I immediately went out and got the next book. 4 stars.

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Review: The Clan of the Cave Bear

The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Loved this book. So glad I finally read it.

We begin our story with Ayla. Orphaned as a child, she survives until she stumbles across the clan of the cave bear people. It's gripping and heartbreaking as she grows up and struggles to find acceptance in her new family. It hit the right mix of prehistoric life, family drama, and I really can't wait to read book 2.

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Review: Poison Study

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So much happens in this book, I hardly know where to begin!

We have Yelena, a strong, smart heroine with flaws. My favorite. We have Valek, who is strong, mysterious, and a bit brooding. Protective, yet still treats her as an equal. Totally my jam. We have solid world building. Ixia becomes a real place in your mind. You get enough information to understand where we are going, unlike other first books in a series. And you get interesting side characters, although at times not enough of them.

Condemned to death for murder, Yelena is given a reprieve as the Commander's food taster. Facing death every day in her new role, she is able to learn the job quickly (a good trait in a food taster!) and proves to be a valuable addition to the team surrounding the Commander, who has an interesting backstory himself. It's details like these that make this book a good read. Enjoy your trip to Ixia, but be sure you have someone taste your food while you are there. I'll see you when you get back.

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