The Brimstone Deception

The Brimstone Deception by Lisa Shearin is the latest book in her SPI Files series.

It's called Brimstone.  After the first few hits, you'll see every supernatural beast sharing the sidewalk, train, or office with you.  After that, you'll start seeing the really scary stuff.

I'm Makenna Fraser, seer for the SPI. And the collateral damaged caused by Brimstone is something I'd like to unsee: dead drug dealers missing their hearts- and souls.  Because your local pusher doesn't stand a chance against the new cartel muscling its way into New York.  And since the drug can only be produced with magic and molten brimstone fresh from Hell, that means a rift to the underworld is open somewhere in the city. 

And when- not if- the cartel loses control of it, well...

It's going to be Hell on earth.

The Breakdown:
1.  Shearin's SPI files are fast and fun reads. There is the mystery of who is behind the Brimstone and why they are doing it.  Along with that is the fun of the characters, especially Makenna. There is lots of great banter between characters and occasionally some awkward funny situations.

2. I find the character of Makenna very likable and entertaining.  She is not afraid to admit her flaws, and play to her strengths.  She is witty, and uses her Southern charm to her full advantage.

3. I liked in this book Shearin showed a little more of Rake's character and his background and motives. He is definitely the ultimate bad boy, but oh so charming, and maybe even a little bit of a softie when he cares about someone.

4.  Plus Shearin always has an interesting supporting class of characters.  Kitty the baker, and whose ancestor may or may not have lured children to their deaths with gingerbread. Yasha the Russian werewolf whose baby is his suburban.  With these characters, and the search for the Brimstone and killers, there is never a dull moment in this book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Square Root of Summer

The Summer Root of Summer is by debut author Harriet Reuter Hapgood.

This is what it means to love someone.  This is what it means to grieve someone. It's a little bit like a black hole.  It's a little like infinity.

Gottie H. Oppenheimer is losing time.  Literally. When the fabric of the universe around her seaside town begins to fray, she's hurtled through wormholes to her past:

To last summer, when her grandfather Grey died.  To the afternoon she fell in love with Jason, who wouldn't ever hold her hand at the funeral.  To the day her best friend Thomas moved away and left her behind with scar on her hand and a black hole in her memory.

Although Grey is still gone, Jason and Thomas are back, and Gottie's past, present, and future are about to collide- and someone's heart is about to be broken.

The Breakdown:
1. Hapgood's debut novel has got fair amount of buzz about it, but sadly for me, it did not live up to the hype. I had hard time getting into the story. There was a lot of technical physics and math in it that I did not really understand, so it made it harder for me to get into the story. Plus the wormholes and jumps in timelines left me a little confused and the story feeling choppy at times.

2. I did not really connect with the character of Gottie.  I spent pretty much the entire book trying to decided if she was crazy or not.  She was so consumed by her grief that she really has become quite self-absorbed.

3.  Honestly the only character I felt any connection was Thomas.  He was funny, and I loved that he was a baker.

To Read or Not to Read:
Skip it

ARC: Nemesis

Nemesis is by Anna Banks and is the first book of the a series of the same name.

The princess didn't expect to fall in love-- with her nemesis.

Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms.  The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee from his grasp.  She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king's servitude. 

Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens.  The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention.  But mistress Sepora will not be ignored.  When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined. 

Sepora's gift could save Tarik's kingdom from the Quiet Plague.  But should she trust her growing feelings for her nemesis, or should she hide her gifts at all costs?

The Breakdown:
1. I won the ARC of this book in a raffle at the Fierce Reads book tour when they stopped at The Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, GA.  I have to say I really liked the concept of this book, and I liked the setting of Theoria,  definitely very strong influences of ancient Egypt in it.

2.  The book is split between Sepora and Tarik's perspectives, but, for me, it was strangely done.  All of Sepora's chapters were in first person, but all of Tarik's chapters were in third person.  It made the switch between perspectives a little jarring, but on the upside, I was never confused whose chapter I was reading.

3.  I did think that Banks took an long time for the two main characters to meet.  It was about a third of the way into the book before they ever had an interaction with each other. While I appreciate developing the characters as individuals and backgrounding on their cultures,  I made the romance between them feel a little more rushed.

4. The lover of science in me is very intrigued by the Quiet Plague storyline of this book.  Where did it come from, and how is it spread, and why are only certain classes falling victim?  I really hope that Banks expands more on it.  I actually liked that storyline much more that the threat of war one.

5. I know had a few complaints, but overall I really did like the book.  I am interested to see where the series goes and how the characters develop, especially with what happened at the end.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Everland

Everland is by debut author Wendy Spinale.

London has been destroyed in a blitz of bombs and disease.  The only ones who have survived are children, among them Gwen Darling and her siblings, Joann and Mikey.  They spend their nights scavenging and their days avoiding the ruthless Marauders-- the German army led by Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer.

Unsure if the virus has spread past England's borders but desperate to leave, Captain Hook hunts for a cure, which he thinks can be found in one of the survivors.  He and his Marauders stalk the streets snatching children for experimentation.  None ever returns.  Until the day they grab Joanna.  As Gwen sets out to save her, she meets a daredevil boy named Pete.  Pete offers the assistance of his gang of Lost Boys and the fierce sharpshooter Bella, who have all been living in a city hidden underground.  But in a place where help has a steep price and every promise is bound by blood, it will cost Gwen.  And are she, Pete, the Lost Boys, and Bella enough to outsmart Captain Hook? 

The Breakdown:
1. Spinale combines some of my favorite genres in the re-imagined Peter Pan story with steampunk and a little dystopian. It turns out really well.  She plays so well off the story of Peter Pan, with easily recognizable elements and characters from the original story, but still makes it her own, and unique. I absolutely loved the interpretation of pixie dust and Tinkerbell.

2.  One of my favorite things about this book is how Spinale alternatives perspectives between Gwen and Hook.  I loved that I got a more in depth look of the antagonist in this way. It really allowed me to get to know the villain, and honestly feel a little sorry for him, especially when I learned about his childhood and his mother, and why he is so desperate for the cure.

3.  Probably my least favorite thing about this book was the romance between Gwen and Pete.  It felt a little rushed, and I wasn't quite feeling their connection. I do however think, if this is the start of a series, that it could be fleshed out more, and I could grow to like it.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

The Raven King

The Raven King is the final book of Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Cycle.

Nothing living is safe.  Nothing dead is to be trusted.

For years, Ganesy has been on a quest to find a lost king.  One by one, he's drawn others into this quest: Ronan, who steals from dreams: Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer a lie; and Blue, who loves Gansey... and is certain she is destined to kill him.

Now the endgame has begun.  Dreams and nightmares are converging.  Love and loss are inseparable.  And  the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.

The Breakdown:
1.  It was very hard for me to get into this book, which is does not usually happen for me with Stiefvater's writing.  The beginning of this book, especially, really dragged for me. It almost felt as if the characters where fighting where the story was going in the beginning.

2.  One thing that was particularly hard for me to get into was that Stiefvater started multiple chapters with "Depending on where you start the story is about..." insert character of choice here. It got old very quickly. I see that she was explaining a characters place and importance in the story, but I just did not like it.

3.  I did like getting to know Henry Cheng.  He made a interesting addition to the group, and I kind of wish he had been more present in the other books.  The other thing I really liked is that Blue and Gansey finally admit their feelings for each other to their friends.

4. Honestly, the ending felt a little anti-climatic. I had the "That's it?" feeling when I finished the book.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read only to gain closure for the series

A Court of Misty and Fury

A Court of Mist and Fury is the second book of Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Rose and Thorn series.

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court- but at a steep cost.  Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people. 

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court.  As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms- and she might be key to stopping it.  But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decided how she wishes to shape her future- and the future of a world cleaved in two.

The Breakdown:
1. I simply adored Sarah J. Maas, and I have to say, I think this book was even better than the first one. I loved learning more about the Night Court, and seeing Feyre really blossom into a woman in this book. Then there is the threat of Hybern invading that kept me guessing what is next, and what the outcome would be.

2.  Feyre is dealing with some serious PTSD from her time Under the Mountain and dealing with Amarantha.  She is drowning, and Tamlin is so busy worried about her safety to notice that his protection is killing her slowly. It is Rhysand that saves her, and helps to start her healing.  With his help, Feyre really learns how powerful she has become.

3. I take back all the nice things I said about Tamlin in my review of A Court of Rose and Thorn. He does not notice, or does not care, how much he is hurting Feyre by treating her like spun glass.  Then what he does to get bring her back to the Spring Court is appalling.  I was so disappointed by his character in this book, and also disappointed a by Lucien, who can see what is happening to Feyre but will not disobey Tamlin to help save her.

4. I know in the review of the first book, I did not know whether to love or hate Rhysand.  I am firmly in the Team Rhysand camp now, definitely my new book boyfriend.  The lengths he goes to save Feyre from Tamlin, and to help her start healing her soul are amazing.  Then, when he explained why he helped her Under the Mountain, and more, I absolutely loved him even more.  I may have read that chapter more than once.  Plus seeing him with his friends, Mor, Amren, Azriel, and Cassian, was just heartwarming.  He treats them as his equals and does not expect to be followed blindly.

5.  There is so much to love about his book. Like the High Lord of the Summer Court.  I do hope there is more of him in the next book.  The mystery that is the Cauldron, and how to stop the King of Hybern, and where is Lucien going to fall in the coming war. And Maas just killed me a little with that ending.  I want the next book like my next breath.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Summer Reading Challenge

Summer is upon us with its hot weather, long days in the sun, vacations, cookouts, and of best of all, summer reads.  We all have that go to book for a little taste of summer, even when it is not summer. So, I made a list of books that really bring in the essence of different aspects of summer for me, and I encourage you to create your on list and share.

Favorite involving a Vacation: Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson- Ellie is spending the summer with her Grandmother in Norway, and learns some interesting things about her heritage and saves her brother from some mythical warriors. Valkyrie Rising

Favorite involving a Summer Job: The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen- Macy ends up falling into a summer job with a mildly disorganized cater where she finds not only love, but learns to live again after the loss of her father.  The Truth About Forever

Favorite involving Summer Camp: Whisper if You Need Me by Dina Silver- Julia is forced upon a summer camp, but while there she really comes into herself.  She learns to be adventurous, confronts her feelings about her parents divorce and mother disappearing from her life, and finds love.

Favorite involving Summer Love: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick- Samantha not only falls for the boy next door, Jase, but the real reason to love this book is that she falls in love with whole Garrett family. My Life Next Door

Favorite involving Summer School:  So this one is a bit of a stretch because they are just doing a summer photography class, not an actually school class, but I am going with The Year We Fell Apart by Emily Martin.  Harper is working on getting past her mistakes and repairing her relationship with her best friend Declan as she deals with trouble in her family. The Year We Fell Apart

Involving your favorite place to visit: I have to go with Mary Kay Andrew's Savannah Blues and Savannah Breeze books.  Savannah is a beautiful city with great food, shopping, and lots to do.  Andrews really captures that in theses books.  Plus her characters are just fun to read.

Book Most Looking Forward to Release this Summer: After much internal debate, I have to go with The Shadow Hour by Melissa Grey

The Rose & The Dagger

The Rose & The Dagger is the last book of Renee Ahdieh's The Wrath & The Dawn duology.

The darker the sky, the brighter the stars.

In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad is forced from the arms of her beloved husband, the Caliph of Khorasan.  She once thought Khalid a monster- a merciless killer of wives, responsible for immeasurable heartache and pain- but as she unraveled his secrets, she found instead an extraordinary man and a love she could not deny.  Still, a curse threatens to keep Shazi and Khalid apart forever.

Now she's reunited with her family, who have found refuge in the desert, where a deadly force is gathering against Khalid- a force set on destroying his empire and commanded by Shazi's spurned  childhood sweetheart.  Trapped between loyalties to those she loves, the only thing Shazi can do is act.  Using the burgeoning magic within her as guide, she strikes out on her own to end both this terrible curse and the brewing war once and for all.  But to do it, she must evade enemies of her own to stay alive.

The Breakdown:
1. Ahdieh's follow up book is just as good at the first book of this duology.  She does so well with guiding this story through and developing characters that were more peripheral in the first book. I thought the way she dealt with both the curse and the war fit so well in the book.

2. I was a big fan of the development of Irsa, Shazi's young sister. She is sweet and loving, but she has a fierce loyalty that comes out at the best of times. She proves herself to be a wonderful ally for Shazi in her quest to break the curse and stop the war. Plus, she proves herself to become quite adept with herbs for healing.

3. I love every interaction between Shazi and Khalid.  They are so well suited for each other, and so wonderfully in love.  On of my favorite scenes was seeing Khalid win over Irsa's trust and loyalty by her watching him care for Shazi when she was injured.

4.  I liked the introduction of the character of Artan. He is a little mysterious, a little insolent, but he develops quite the friendship with Shazi, and really comes through when needed. The only downside is I wish there was a little more of him.

5. I loved all the twist and turns of this book.  With Tariq learning the truth of Khalid, Shazi developing her magic, and even seeing that revenge and power can change those who we love the most.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Stone Field

Stone Field is by debut author Christy Lenzi.

In a small town on the brink of Civil War, Catrina finds a man making strange patterns in her family's sorghum crop.  He's mad with fever, naked, and strikingly beautiful.  He has no memory of who he is or what he's done before Catrina found him in Stone Field.  But that doesn't bother Catrina because she doesn't like thinking about the things she's done before either.

Catrina and Stonefield fall passionately, dangerously, in love.  All they want is to live with each other, in harmony with the land and away from Cat's protective brother, the new fanatical preacher, and the neighbors who are scandalized by their relationship.  But Stonefield can't escape the truth about who he is, and the conflict tearing apart the country demands that demands that everyone take a side before the bloodbath reaches their doorstep.

The Breakdown:
1. I was a little weary of this book because Lenzi was heavily inspired by Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, which is one of my least favorite books. I will admit I did like the characters of Catrina and Stonefield a little more than Cathy and Heathcliff, but I did not feel really connected to them.  For a couple that has this strong connection, at first, they sure had a lot of trouble communicating with each other when things got tough.

2. Cat is very free-spirited, and definitely has a soul of an artist, but she is willfully naive about the world around her.  She is almost to the point of selfish in how see does not she what is going on the world or her loved ones lives.

3. What I did really like about this book was the depiction of a Missouri, a border state, on the brink of the Civil War. It was interesting to see how the war affected communities, and how easily families and friends are torn apart by this war. I almost wish the story had focused more on that than the angst of Catrina and Stonefield's relationship.

To Read or Not to Read:
Skip, unless you are into angsty, tragic love stories.