Light on Steampunk and Heavy on Darkness — A Review of the Books Released So Far in the Series, Steampunk Chronicles

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne This novella combined the best of two worlds for me: steampunk and Frankenstein albeit being light on the former! Our introduction to Finley Jayne takes place when she starts working for a new employer. Word about her strength gets out to a mother who is worried her future son-in-law…

The Last Two Books from the Immortals Series by Tamora Pierce Lead Us Away from Tortall

I had issues with these last two books. You can read my review of the previous book here. Anyway, I’ll start with Emperor Mage. My first problem was that they took all my favorite characters out of Tortall to a completely new place. I didn’t like Carthak at all, which may have been kind of…

Terrier, the First Book in Beka Cooper Series, Gives Us Our First Real Glimpse at the Common Folk of the Tortall Universe

I review the first book in a new series by Tamora Pierec.

Reviewing Mortal Engines (Mortal Engines Quartet #1) by Philip Reeve — Interesting Premise But Boring Protags

I’ll begin with what I liked about this book. The whole concept of Municipal Darwinism — based on survival of fittest but one where big cities literally swallowed the smaller ones — was interesting. Something about it reminded me of a favorite series, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. Secondly, the book didn’t have any love triangles…

January 2019 — A Wrap-Up

I review all the books I read this January in this post.

November 2018 — A Wrap-Up

Cinder by Marissa Meyer Even though I read this book in October, I forgot to include it in that month’s wrap-up. So, reviewing it now. Cinder is the story of Cinderella but one who is half cyborg and works as a mechanic. All the elements you’d expect from such a story are there, i.e., an evil stepmom,…

Reading Anniversaries & First-in-a-Series — July Edition

2017 Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson This was my first encounter with Kamala Khan and boy did I love what I read! What made her an authentic character were her lifelike issues, including those of being a teenager, a superhero coming into her powers, of trying to find her place…

August 2018 — A Wrap-Up

Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas This series is light, entertaining, and satisfies all my once-in-a-blue-moon romance cravings. I know the setting and the characters are familiar. While they may be cut out from the same stencil: the guys are manly and stubborn and the ladies are quirky and non-traditional. These books are still fun…

July 2018 — A Wrap Up

Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs “Silver” I finally learned how Samuel and Bran became werewolves. The story is dark and violent but that seems fitting. “Roses in Winter” Asil, an aging werewolf in the Marrok’s pack is more man than beast. An innocent girl, Kara, begins to change all that….

I Review Xenocide by Orson Scott Card

I started reading this book at a weird time in my life. A loss that I’m still grieving and new changes make for bad companions. Those reasons could be why I enjoyed reading this book much more than I should have. You’ll see what I mean when I share the two contrasting views that I…

June 2018 — A Wrap Up

Shaman Rises by C. E. Murphy Read my series review here. Meanwhile here are two of my fave quotes from the last book: Don’t you just love it when a favorite author of yours quotes/alludes to the work of another favorite author?   I saw Morrison’s face twitch like he couldn’t believe I was baiting…

May 2018 — A Wrap Up

Vamps and the City by Kerrelyn Sparks A pleasant surprise! I was expecting the lead couple would jump into bed immediately but I liked how the author took time to let the relationship develop. I also appreciated how they were willing to sacrifice their vamp/human nature for each other but decided on a compromise. I will definitely…