Elizabeth Wein's The Pearl Thief
I was more than a little wary when I saw that a prequel to my beloved Code Name Verity--ONE OF MY TOP FIVE ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS--was being released, but this story--involving a teenage Julia at her recently deceased grandfather's estate in Scotland dealing with some missing pearls and a missing scholar--is a different kind of story altogether. But Julia is still Julia, and spending time with her--and her friends, including a librarian with a genetic disorder and a shotgun, and two Traveller teens--is a delight (even if she didn't solve the mystery as quickly as I did). Plus, I am now positive that Julia is canonically bisexual, for those who are interested in that little factoid! This is another great story about friendship and family and overcoming the odds and archaeology and everything great in the world (aside from two scenes featuring unwanted sexual advances, anyway). Elizabeth Wein, thank you for giving me a little bit more Julia. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on May 2nd.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Sunday, February 26, 2017
2017 book 37
N.K. Jemisin's The Awakened Kingdom
I am having wrist issues so can't type a lot, unfortunately. Here is what I wrote last time, which I still agree with.
I am having wrist issues so can't type a lot, unfortunately. Here is what I wrote last time, which I still agree with.
Saturday, February 25, 2017
2017 book 36
N.K. Jemisin's The Kingdom of Gods
The third book in the Inheritance Trilogy is a fitting conclusion to the series, though I don't like it quite as much as the first two--I think I'm just not as invested in the characters in this one. It still is really interesting and action-packed, just not quite as resonant for me.
The third book in the Inheritance Trilogy is a fitting conclusion to the series, though I don't like it quite as much as the first two--I think I'm just not as invested in the characters in this one. It still is really interesting and action-packed, just not quite as resonant for me.
Friday, February 24, 2017
2017 book 35
N.K. Jemisin's The Broken Kingdoms
I think when I first read this series, this one was my favorite--I still liked it very much, but certainly saw the appeal of the first one even more this time, and am eager to read the third (and the novella) to see how it all comes together. Anyway, this one takes place ten years after the first one, and involves a fallen god, a blind artist with magical abilities, and someone attacking local godlings. Can they figure out what is going on, and can the world recover from the events of the first book? And will the story be moving and exciting and sad and wonderful? Um, yeah.
I think when I first read this series, this one was my favorite--I still liked it very much, but certainly saw the appeal of the first one even more this time, and am eager to read the third (and the novella) to see how it all comes together. Anyway, this one takes place ten years after the first one, and involves a fallen god, a blind artist with magical abilities, and someone attacking local godlings. Can they figure out what is going on, and can the world recover from the events of the first book? And will the story be moving and exciting and sad and wonderful? Um, yeah.
2017 book 34
N.K. Jemisin's The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
I kept wishing I could read something like The Inheritance Trilogy--something epic and engrossing and wonderful--and then I realized I could just reread The Inheritance Trilogy. :) (But if you have epic book recs for me, feel free to share.) I had forgotten a few of the details since the last time I read it, but the bones of the story have stayed with me. I like how Jemisin puts her own twist on the usual story of a girl coming to court to take her place as leader and deal with politics--not to mention gods. And I found the narrative voice much more effective and interesting this time. Ah, NK Jemisin, can't you write a book every month?
I kept wishing I could read something like The Inheritance Trilogy--something epic and engrossing and wonderful--and then I realized I could just reread The Inheritance Trilogy. :) (But if you have epic book recs for me, feel free to share.) I had forgotten a few of the details since the last time I read it, but the bones of the story have stayed with me. I like how Jemisin puts her own twist on the usual story of a girl coming to court to take her place as leader and deal with politics--not to mention gods. And I found the narrative voice much more effective and interesting this time. Ah, NK Jemisin, can't you write a book every month?
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
2017 book 33
Diana Wynne Jones' Dogsbody
I wanted to reread something to test Goodreads' new rereading function, and it had been long enough since I read this that I didn't remember the details any more. Anyway, it is a lovely story full of stars and dogs and star-dogs, as the dog-star Sirius is convicted of a crime he didn't commit, and his sentence is to be reborn on Earth as a puppy! Can he save the day in a dog's lifespan, with the help of the sun and a sweet little girl? Will the story be delightful along the way? I mean, it IS Diana Wynne Jones.
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Content warning for a lot of casual animal cruelty.
I wanted to reread something to test Goodreads' new rereading function, and it had been long enough since I read this that I didn't remember the details any more. Anyway, it is a lovely story full of stars and dogs and star-dogs, as the dog-star Sirius is convicted of a crime he didn't commit, and his sentence is to be reborn on Earth as a puppy! Can he save the day in a dog's lifespan, with the help of the sun and a sweet little girl? Will the story be delightful along the way? I mean, it IS Diana Wynne Jones.
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Content warning for a lot of casual animal cruelty.
Monday, February 20, 2017
2017 book 32
Vic James' Gilded Cage
This very interesting first book in a trilogy takes place in a world where the monarchy in England was never restored, and the country is now ruled by a parliament of magic-users, where non-magic users have to serve a ten-year period of slavery for some reason that isn't entirely clear, but makes for a compelling story. (Sidebar: the Civil War in the US apparently involved issues of both slavery and magic, and the Union did not win. That's not pertinent here though.) Anyway, the central characters are two teenage siblings whose family is about to start their slavery period--one falling for a wealthy aristocrat (both these characters aren't super interesting but could become interesting later), the other falling in with a crowd of rebels--and the powerful youngest son of a magic-using family who has plots galore. I like the intersection of history, magic, and politics, so this book was pretty much right up my alley, even if it did have a couple of weak spots. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes next. A-/B+.
This very interesting first book in a trilogy takes place in a world where the monarchy in England was never restored, and the country is now ruled by a parliament of magic-users, where non-magic users have to serve a ten-year period of slavery for some reason that isn't entirely clear, but makes for a compelling story. (Sidebar: the Civil War in the US apparently involved issues of both slavery and magic, and the Union did not win. That's not pertinent here though.) Anyway, the central characters are two teenage siblings whose family is about to start their slavery period--one falling for a wealthy aristocrat (both these characters aren't super interesting but could become interesting later), the other falling in with a crowd of rebels--and the powerful youngest son of a magic-using family who has plots galore. I like the intersection of history, magic, and politics, so this book was pretty much right up my alley, even if it did have a couple of weak spots. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes next. A-/B+.
2017 book 31
Kathy Hepinstall's The Book of Polly
This was recommended for fans of Joshilyn Jackson, which I generally am, so I figured I'd check it out, but it was just okay. It centers on a girl with an eccentric, older mother (the titular Polly), and the first half, which focuses on that relationship, is much stronger than the second half. The daughter is obsessed with the secrets of her mother's past, which, when revealed, are not that interesting (I mean, they could have been, but are not presented in a particularly interesting manner). There are also two attempted rape scenes, a very weird raft journey, and an ending that just can't bring it all together. Maybe one for a wine mom kind of book club, but not really my thing. B.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in March.
This was recommended for fans of Joshilyn Jackson, which I generally am, so I figured I'd check it out, but it was just okay. It centers on a girl with an eccentric, older mother (the titular Polly), and the first half, which focuses on that relationship, is much stronger than the second half. The daughter is obsessed with the secrets of her mother's past, which, when revealed, are not that interesting (I mean, they could have been, but are not presented in a particularly interesting manner). There are also two attempted rape scenes, a very weird raft journey, and an ending that just can't bring it all together. Maybe one for a wine mom kind of book club, but not really my thing. B.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in March.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
2017 book 30
Meg Howrey's The Wanderers
Howrey's latest--after The Cranes Dance and Blind Sight, both of which I ALSO loved, and so clearly I need to pay more attention to this author--is an excellent, excellent literary novel about a trio of cosmonauts training for a mission to Mars--and the families they're isolated from. Just totally gripping, compelling, interesting, engrossing, and every other adjective that means I didn't want to put this down. I mean, this is much more psychological than action-packed, but it is not any less fascinating for that (and maybe more so). I have not read The Martian and so can't compare them, but I definitely highly recommend this. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will released in March.
Howrey's latest--after The Cranes Dance and Blind Sight, both of which I ALSO loved, and so clearly I need to pay more attention to this author--is an excellent, excellent literary novel about a trio of cosmonauts training for a mission to Mars--and the families they're isolated from. Just totally gripping, compelling, interesting, engrossing, and every other adjective that means I didn't want to put this down. I mean, this is much more psychological than action-packed, but it is not any less fascinating for that (and maybe more so). I have not read The Martian and so can't compare them, but I definitely highly recommend this. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will released in March.
Friday, February 17, 2017
2017 book 29
Scarlett Thomas' Dragon's Green
Sometimes when an author who normally writes for adults writes a book aimed at a younger audience, it feels majorly dumbed down--and I was not sure how Thomas, whose books are somewhat eccentric, would pull it off. But I should not have doubted an author I love, because this was GREAT. It's a middle grade fantasy full of magic, friendship, villains, annoying relatives, and best of all: BOOKS. I feel like most of these pieces are familiar to fans of middle grade fiction, but Thomas puts them together in a really smart way. It centers on a girl whose mother vanished after a mysterious worldquake (which wiped out the internet!!), and . . . well, I am not going to get anywhere with a plot summary, except to say magical adventures are afoot, an entire library needs to be rescued, the characters here are charming, and Thomas has set a lot of things in motion to sustain a series. A series I am VERY much looking forward to reading. VERY MUCH. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in May.
Sometimes when an author who normally writes for adults writes a book aimed at a younger audience, it feels majorly dumbed down--and I was not sure how Thomas, whose books are somewhat eccentric, would pull it off. But I should not have doubted an author I love, because this was GREAT. It's a middle grade fantasy full of magic, friendship, villains, annoying relatives, and best of all: BOOKS. I feel like most of these pieces are familiar to fans of middle grade fiction, but Thomas puts them together in a really smart way. It centers on a girl whose mother vanished after a mysterious worldquake (which wiped out the internet!!), and . . . well, I am not going to get anywhere with a plot summary, except to say magical adventures are afoot, an entire library needs to be rescued, the characters here are charming, and Thomas has set a lot of things in motion to sustain a series. A series I am VERY much looking forward to reading. VERY MUCH. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in May.
2017 book 28
Julianne Pachico's The Lucky Ones
Pachico's debut is sort of a series of interconnected stories revolving around Colombia in the 1990s and 2000s--when things were more than a little unsettled and disappearances were rampant. Some sections worked better than others--most of the characters are absurdly well-off, but when we finally get the POV of one of their maids, it's not that compelling (and features perhaps one coincidence too many). Just a few too many young, wealthy girls as characters--although I imagine that is a world the author knows well, I would have liked a little more variety. (But don't even get me started on the bunnies.) I did like how some of the storylines were unresolved, which of course fits in with the themes of the disappearances. Strong writing here, I just wished for a bit more from the characterization and plot. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on March 7th.
Pachico's debut is sort of a series of interconnected stories revolving around Colombia in the 1990s and 2000s--when things were more than a little unsettled and disappearances were rampant. Some sections worked better than others--most of the characters are absurdly well-off, but when we finally get the POV of one of their maids, it's not that compelling (and features perhaps one coincidence too many). Just a few too many young, wealthy girls as characters--although I imagine that is a world the author knows well, I would have liked a little more variety. (But don't even get me started on the bunnies.) I did like how some of the storylines were unresolved, which of course fits in with the themes of the disappearances. Strong writing here, I just wished for a bit more from the characterization and plot. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on March 7th.
Thursday, February 16, 2017
2017 book 27
K.B. Wagers' After The Throne
The second book in Wagers' Indranan War series is more of the same, but heightened--lots more politics, action, outlaws (with hearts of gold), etc. It hits a lot of the same beats as the first one, though does harp a little more on men wanting equality in the matriarchal society (which would maybe feel more legit if so many of the primary and secondary characters weren't strong, powerful men). The villainous plotting is also fairly predictable and silly. The writing here is just not quite enough to grab me--I am mildly interested in where the author is going with this, but don't really feel invested in the world. Not sure if I'll read the next one. B.
The second book in Wagers' Indranan War series is more of the same, but heightened--lots more politics, action, outlaws (with hearts of gold), etc. It hits a lot of the same beats as the first one, though does harp a little more on men wanting equality in the matriarchal society (which would maybe feel more legit if so many of the primary and secondary characters weren't strong, powerful men). The villainous plotting is also fairly predictable and silly. The writing here is just not quite enough to grab me--I am mildly interested in where the author is going with this, but don't really feel invested in the world. Not sure if I'll read the next one. B.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
2017 book 26
Nina LaCour's We Are Okay
I feel like I somehow was super out of the loop not to know Nina LaCour--an author I LOVE--had a new book coming out this week until like a week ago, but hey, it is out and I did find out so it all worked out. This one doesn't have quite the depth of some of LaCour's other works--it's a bit shorter--but touches on familiar themes of grief, coming of age, family, friendship, romance, bisexual and lesbian teens, etc. I really liked the story here--it is full of raw emotion and it's pretty compelling. And the writing is stunning. A-.
I feel like I somehow was super out of the loop not to know Nina LaCour--an author I LOVE--had a new book coming out this week until like a week ago, but hey, it is out and I did find out so it all worked out. This one doesn't have quite the depth of some of LaCour's other works--it's a bit shorter--but touches on familiar themes of grief, coming of age, family, friendship, romance, bisexual and lesbian teens, etc. I really liked the story here--it is full of raw emotion and it's pretty compelling. And the writing is stunning. A-.
2017 book 25
K.B. Wagers' Behind the Throne
This sci-fi book centers on a runaway princess (who left home to track down her father's killer and then she became a gunrunner, as one does), forced to return home after decades away after her sisters and niece are murdered--because it's a matriarchal (and Indian-themed) society, and so now she's the heir. The usual political and diplomatic shenanigans ensue, but the characters and world-building are likable and interesting, even if some of the plot points are a bit obvious. And I would describe the writing as "adequate" or "workmanlike." Maybe that all sounds negative, but I liked the book enough to want to read the next one in this series. B/B+.
This sci-fi book centers on a runaway princess (who left home to track down her father's killer and then she became a gunrunner, as one does), forced to return home after decades away after her sisters and niece are murdered--because it's a matriarchal (and Indian-themed) society, and so now she's the heir. The usual political and diplomatic shenanigans ensue, but the characters and world-building are likable and interesting, even if some of the plot points are a bit obvious. And I would describe the writing as "adequate" or "workmanlike." Maybe that all sounds negative, but I liked the book enough to want to read the next one in this series. B/B+.
Thursday, February 09, 2017
2017 book 24
Jessica Day George's Saturdays at Sea
The latest book in the Tuesdays with the Castle series is also apparently the LAST, which I am hugely bummed about, because this series is SO CUTE. It is full of adorable griffins and puppies--and in this one, a magical ship AND a quest for unicorns. I really feel like this series could have gone on a little longer--or at least, I would have been eager to read more magical adventures. A-.
The latest book in the Tuesdays with the Castle series is also apparently the LAST, which I am hugely bummed about, because this series is SO CUTE. It is full of adorable griffins and puppies--and in this one, a magical ship AND a quest for unicorns. I really feel like this series could have gone on a little longer--or at least, I would have been eager to read more magical adventures. A-.
Wednesday, February 08, 2017
2017 book 23
Judith Flanders' A Cast of Vultures
I really, really enjoy Flanders' Sam Clair series, about an editor who finds herself mixed up in mysteries. Her writing is just really funny and engaging, and Sam is a likable and entertaining character. Flanders also tooooootally nails the intricacies of the publishing world--and I'm just as interested in her assistant and their office politics as I am in the case of the moment (this one involves a friend's missing neighbor, though things quickly grow more complicated--as they are wont to do, in a mystery!). I could quibble a bit with the plotting of this mystery, which relies on a lot of coincidences, BUT I enjoyed this book so much--seriously, really strong writing and characterization--that I don't even care. I can't wait for more from Flanders. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on February 21st.
I really, really enjoy Flanders' Sam Clair series, about an editor who finds herself mixed up in mysteries. Her writing is just really funny and engaging, and Sam is a likable and entertaining character. Flanders also tooooootally nails the intricacies of the publishing world--and I'm just as interested in her assistant and their office politics as I am in the case of the moment (this one involves a friend's missing neighbor, though things quickly grow more complicated--as they are wont to do, in a mystery!). I could quibble a bit with the plotting of this mystery, which relies on a lot of coincidences, BUT I enjoyed this book so much--seriously, really strong writing and characterization--that I don't even care. I can't wait for more from Flanders. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on February 21st.
Tuesday, February 07, 2017
2017 book 22
Naomi Novik's Uprooted
Rereading this for book club was a special joy--it's so nice to have a story I can really just sink into and forget the world for a while. I had forgotten a lot of the details since the last time I read it, so it was nice to rediscover all the little things. I had especially forgotten how sort of dark and violent it was--but of course remembered all the good friendship and magic and prickly romance stuff! Typical Alicia. Still an A and I can't wait to see what Novik does next.
Rereading this for book club was a special joy--it's so nice to have a story I can really just sink into and forget the world for a while. I had forgotten a lot of the details since the last time I read it, so it was nice to rediscover all the little things. I had especially forgotten how sort of dark and violent it was--but of course remembered all the good friendship and magic and prickly romance stuff! Typical Alicia. Still an A and I can't wait to see what Novik does next.
Thursday, February 02, 2017
2017 book 21
Mur Lafferty's Six Wakes
OK, this book has an AMAZING concept--it's a sci fi locked room murder mystery!! It takes place on a spaceship in the 2400s, heading from earth to colonize a new planet, and starts with all the crew awakening in their new clone bodies because all their previous bodies have been murdered! But they are all missing a looooot of memories, and have no idea who killed everyone, or why. And they all have a lot of secrets in their pasts! Now, the writing here is a little bit awkward--I definitely wished it would have been more polished. But the plot is great, and the last chunk moves a long really well. And NPR liked it! B/B+.
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Full disclosure: Mur Lafferty did signings at a store where I worked and so I met her several times. She is super cool and nice.
OK, this book has an AMAZING concept--it's a sci fi locked room murder mystery!! It takes place on a spaceship in the 2400s, heading from earth to colonize a new planet, and starts with all the crew awakening in their new clone bodies because all their previous bodies have been murdered! But they are all missing a looooot of memories, and have no idea who killed everyone, or why. And they all have a lot of secrets in their pasts! Now, the writing here is a little bit awkward--I definitely wished it would have been more polished. But the plot is great, and the last chunk moves a long really well. And NPR liked it! B/B+.
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Full disclosure: Mur Lafferty did signings at a store where I worked and so I met her several times. She is super cool and nice.