I like the first book just enough to give the second a try. I got about 75 pages in and then stopped. After the love triangle died, I didn't really caI like the first book just enough to give the second a try. I got about 75 pages in and then stopped. After the love triangle died, I didn't really care about what happened with the politics enough to keep reading....more
This YA contemporary fantasy about an orphaned boy wizard may have had its roots in Harry Potter fanfiction, but it rises above its source material toThis YA contemporary fantasy about an orphaned boy wizard may have had its roots in Harry Potter fanfiction, but it rises above its source material to delightful heights. The teen angst/drama is vibrant and authentic in a way the author has excelled at in her previous books. The magical world is rich and I love the spell system using catch phrases, songs and cliches. The plot and mystery are well crafted and exciting to see unfold. The romance is lovely and satisfying. The author skillfully draws on fiction tropes from so many sources to craft a knowingly satirical book that because it's own marvelous story....more
This was an inventive YA steampunk adventure novel based on the Girl Genius webcomic. The beginning was great, the ending was terrific, and the middleThis was an inventive YA steampunk adventure novel based on the Girl Genius webcomic. The beginning was great, the ending was terrific, and the middle sagged. I loved the medieval steampunk world with mechanical construct armies, insectoid zombies, mind-controlled revnants, and mad-scientist overlords. The main character was brave, independent and resourceful, but she did not feel like a real person. There were too many distracting characters, side plot tangents, and convenient interruptions which slowed the story down. That being said, my 11 year-old son thought it was one of the best books he's ever read, so I think this book better hits its mark with a younger reader. ...more
It has been years since I spent a whole day reading a book so good I simply could not put down.
This X-rated fantasy adventure romance has more gay chIt has been years since I spent a whole day reading a book so good I simply could not put down.
This X-rated fantasy adventure romance has more gay characters (human and non-human) than any book I've ever read and they are all wonderful. The dialogue is silly, modern and hilarious. The romance is over-the-top, soap opera, trope filled and beautiful. The plot is moderately predictable, but so fun I could not get enough. This book is so self-aware that the main character belongs to a fan club for the main characters and has a debate about the merits of shipping his own romance. I loved this book and look forward to reading more from this series....more
This YA steampunk adventure was from the point of view of young orphan boy born with special powers. There were too many cliches and predictable pointThis YA steampunk adventure was from the point of view of young orphan boy born with special powers. There were too many cliches and predictable points in the story for me to really enjoy it. The setting was unoriginal (I'd seen very similar steampunk worlds in a few other novels) and the characters were not nuanced nor did they change during the story. The best part of the book was the humorous misinterpretations of modern-day references. The ending was a psuedo-cliff hanger and blatant set up for future books - which I will not be reading....more
This retelling of the Iliad and the Trojan War beautifully blends iconic myth with heart-wrenching realism. I loved this story, told from the point ofThis retelling of the Iliad and the Trojan War beautifully blends iconic myth with heart-wrenching realism. I loved this story, told from the point of view of Patroclus. The chemistry between Achillies and Patroclus, which grounded in historical texts, comes alive. War, arrogance, rape, and piety feel real too. This is one of the best books I've read this year and I look forward to reading more from this author....more
The post-apocalyptic adventure is a western, pretending to be sci-fi. I loved the world, history and all the details. The characters were nuanced and The post-apocalyptic adventure is a western, pretending to be sci-fi. I loved the world, history and all the details. The characters were nuanced and diverse. The main character was wonderful and felt like a real person. The pace was perfect, alternating between fun action , interesting world building and soulful introspection. The plot was well crafted and skillfully executed. My only complaint was that the penultimate chapter should have been the true ending. ...more
This YA coming of age story felt like a long mediocre fanfic. Now don't get me wrong, some fanfics are delightful, but this one was just "meh." It feeThis YA coming of age story felt like a long mediocre fanfic. Now don't get me wrong, some fanfics are delightful, but this one was just "meh." It feels like a fanfic because the author leans hard on preexisting characters and settings, there is very little original material in this book. The romance felt stale. The tension between Leia and her parents was mild and artificial. The only character who felt remotely real was Amilyn Holdo. I don't plan on reading any more in this series....more
This classic western adventure story follows two good friends who join the Texas Rangers on failed expedition after failed expedition. The setting of This classic western adventure story follows two good friends who join the Texas Rangers on failed expedition after failed expedition. The setting of early Texas is rich in detail and drama. The omniscient narration skillfully gets inside the heads of ambitious whores, lazy soldiers, drunken generals, experienced scouts, clever chieftains, frustrated farmers, and resourceful ranchers. The plot was more of a meandering series of disasters. Each time I felt like something was being foreshadowed or set up for a later conflict, things fell through which left me dissatisfied. There were two faux-climaxes with unearned resolutions and the main character who eventually is the linchpin to the hero's redemption doesn't show up until more than 80% of the way through the story. The writing makes the world come alive and the characters felt real, but the plot was disappointing and left too many threads dangling....more
This YA fantasy adventure novel follows a lesser medieval European princess as she leaves her home and travels with her friends in search of dragons. This YA fantasy adventure novel follows a lesser medieval European princess as she leaves her home and travels with her friends in search of dragons. Born with a twisted foot, she found purpose in scholarship, but is still struggling for happiness. The story is less than compelling, but interesting enough. The characters don't really feel like real people, just loosely sketched outlines. I also have a pet-peeve for main characters whose secret desire is to be an author - just seems like a lack of imagination. The ending was very satisfying though....more
This fantasy adventure series was just too old fashioned for me. It felt incredibly dated. The women were horrible stereotypes. When Fafhrd dumped hisThis fantasy adventure series was just too old fashioned for me. It felt incredibly dated. The women were horrible stereotypes. When Fafhrd dumped his pregnant fiance after meeting a traveling whore, I realized he was no longer a hero and I could not read anymore about his macho travails and triumphs over grasping women....more
I loved this historical romance adventure. It has mysterious alchemists, reluctant pirates, dastardly French nobles, cursed treasure, daring ladies anI loved this historical romance adventure. It has mysterious alchemists, reluctant pirates, dastardly French nobles, cursed treasure, daring ladies and swooning men. The story is told by a spoiled English lordling and follows his European tour gone wrong. His sister, who starts out as an enemy but becomes an ally, would rather study medicine that go to finishing school. The objective of his not-so-secret affection is more often thought to be his negro servant than his best friend. The writing is beautiful and the plot is tight. This is one of the best books I’ve read. ...more
A slow tale of young man in a far off land and how he pulls off an amazing theft. The pace was too slow for me and I found my interested drifting. TheA slow tale of young man in a far off land and how he pulls off an amazing theft. The pace was too slow for me and I found my interested drifting. The pseudo-Greek myths interspersed through out the story were tangents that did not add anything to the overall plot. I loved the main character - his sass and heart were wonderful. For the slow build, the ending was too fast. Maybe I wasn't paying attention, but the I felt like the reveal was a bit of a cheat. ...more
I loved the dark tone of this loose retelling of Jane Eyre. The prose was exquisite. I often had to pull away from the book and take a moment to savorI loved the dark tone of this loose retelling of Jane Eyre. The prose was exquisite. I often had to pull away from the book and take a moment to savor a sentence or phrase. The main character is resourceful, wicked in a self-possesed way and just melancholic enough to be heart-wrenching. Aslo, I loved the setting, especially the flashbacks to colonial Punjab. The plot meandered at times, but the twists were great and all the loose ends were tied up nicely. Finally, a strength and weakness of the story was I the beautiful relationship with Clarke. The chemistry, tension and devotion with the two young women was intense and genuine, especially compared to the so-called romance with Thornfield which fell flat. If I would change anything about the book, I would have have Jane paired with Clarke in the the end, instead of Thornfield....more
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