Audiobook: The Black Key

The Black Key is written by Amy Ewing and narrated by Erin Spencer and is the final book in the Lone City Trilogy.

For too long, Violet and the people of the outer circles of the Lone City have lived in service to the royalty of the Jewel. But now the secret society known as the Black Key is preparing to seize power.

And while Violet knows she is at the center of this rebellion, she has a more personal stake in it—her sister, Hazel, has been taken by the Duchess of the Lake. Now, after fighting so hard to escape the Jewel, Violet must do everything in her power to return to save not only Hazel, but the future of the Lone City.

The Breakdown:
1. Ewing did a great job of writing the conclusion to The Lone City trilogy. It made sense with the story, and really did a great job of answering the questions that I had.  I was not, however, crazy about Spencer's narrating.  She is a little bit breathy, and since the story is in first person from Violet's POV, she at times does not change her inflection enough to tell if Violet is speaking to someone or it is just a thought she is having.

2. I kind of loved Violet going back to the Jewel and seeing her interact there as a lady-in-waiting.  It gives a little different perspective of life there than when she was a surrogate.  The interactions here made me actually like Carnelian, and feel sorry for Coral.

3. I think my favorite part of this book is getting a peek into Lucien's workshop.  It really brought out a more human side of him.  I just loved it, and the connection that he and Violet have in it.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

More Happy than Not

More Happy than Not is by Adam Silvera.

In the months after his father's suicide, it's been tough for 16-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again--but he's still gunning for it. With the support of his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, he's slowly remembering what that might feel like. But grief and the smile-shaped scar on his wrist prevent him from forgetting completely. 

When Genevieve leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron spends all his time hanging out with this new guy, Thomas. Aaron's crew notices, and they're not exactly thrilled. But Aaron can't deny the happiness Thomas brings or how Thomas makes him feel safe from himself, despite the tensions their friendship is stirring with his girlfriend and friends. Since Aaron can't stay away from Thomas or turn off his newfound feelings for him, he considers turning to the Leteo Institute's revolutionary memory-alteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is. 

Why does happiness have to be so hard?

The Breakdown:
1. I liked the ideas presented by Silvera in this novel. The idea of struggling with your identity and if you erase parts of your memory, are you still you?  It is a great coming of age story, dealing with being gay in area that is not gay friendly.  The idea of the Leteo Institute reminded me of the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Erasing/suppressing the things you don't want to remember.

2.  While I don't really have anything common with Aaron, I understood his struggle with his identity, and wanting to forget/change parts of yourself.  I liked how the book was in first person from his perspective, so it made the ending much more interesting because of what happens (don't want to spoil it for you, just a hint it is involves Leteo).

3. So being someone who grew up in a suburbs, the dynamics of the city neighbors in this book was interesting to me.  The games they played and rivalries between the different buildings made it easy to picture life there.

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

Audiobook: The Chemist

The Chemist is written by Stephenie Meyer and narrated by Ellen Archer.

She used to work for the U.S. government, but very few people ever knew that. An expert in her field, she was one of the darkest secrets of an agency so clandestine it doesn’t even have a name. And when they decided she was a liability, they came for her without warning.

Now, she rarely stays in the same place or uses the same name for long. They’ve killed the only other person she trusted, but something she knows still poses a threat. They want her dead, and soon.

When her former handler offers her a way out, she realizes it’s her only chance to erase the giant target on her back. But it means taking one last job for her ex-employers. To her horror, the information she acquires only makes her situation more dangerous.

Resolving to meet the threat head-on, she prepares for the toughest fight of her life but finds herself falling for a man who can only complicate her likelihood of survival. As she sees her choices being rapidly whittled down, she must apply her unique talents in ways she never dreamed of.

The Breakdown:
1.  Warning: if you are expecting a Twilight like romance, this is not the book you are looking for.  This book is an action packed thriller more on the level of the Jason Bourne type stories.  Definitely not boring to listen too, and Archer does a great job with the narration.  She embodies the characters so well, and her inflections for each character makes them all unique to listen to.

2. The main character, who goes by many names, but for most of the book is referred to as Alex, is one kick butt lady.  She has a genius IQ, and managed to stay one step ahead of those trying to kill her. She is a take no prisoners girl that is not afraid to get her hands dirty.  Plus she saves to boys more than once with her skills.

3.  I did love Daniel.  He was a great foil for Alex with his optimistic view of life, even after the crazy things that happen to him.  Plus he is definitely the funniest character.

4.  Little bonus: If you go to Meyer's website, you can read the original epilogue, which answered my most lingering question from the book.  But I do have to say that the actual epilogue used makes more sense with the story.

To Read or Not to Read:
Take a Listen

Empire of Storms

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas is the fifth book of the Throne of Glass series.

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?

The Breakdown:
1.  I simply adore Sarah J. Maas's story telling.  Her books are very hard to put down for me, and this book did not fail me in the least.  I adore the world created for this series, the magic and intrigue have me wanting more from it all the time. I feel like Maas gets better with each book, and continues to surprise me all the time.  I love that in this book that different characters she has been following: Aelin, Manon, and Elide all come together.

2.  My biggest dilemma when reading this book is which couple to ship the hardest.  Maas writes such outstanding pairs that are equal partners.  When the couple with the biggest power difference, Elide and Lorcan, manage to be equals even if she does not have the magically powers that he can wield.  I adore the all the interactions between Aedion and Lysandra.  Possibly my favorite scene of the book was between them on the beach in Skull Bay.  But I also love Aelin and Rowan finally consummating their relationship.  Then there is Dorian and Manon who I am dying to see more of.

3. Can I just talk about how amazing Aelin's planning and scheming is for a minute? She is so brilliant at that no one sees it coming until it is done.  Plus, love that many of the characters introduced in the Assassin's Blade novellas get to make an appearance in this book, and the reason for their stories all make sense now.

4.  So I know the Dark King Erawan is terrible and scary and wants to take over the world with his darkness and do terrible, but I honestly don't hate him as much as Maeve at this moment. She is definitely a character I love to hate, and hope she is killed is the most terrible of ways.

To Read or Not to Read:
Must Read

Of Fire and Stars

Of Fire and Stars is by debut author Audrey Coulthurst.

Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile lands. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire—a dangerous gift for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden.

Now, Denna must learn the ways of her new home while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses—and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine—called Mare—the sister of her betrothed.

When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two become closer, Mare is surprised by Denna’s intelligence and bravery, while Denna is drawn to Mare’s independent streak. And soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.

But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms—and each other.

The Breakdown:
1.  I was excited about the concept for this book. Fantasy, yes, forbidden lesbian romance, yes, the execution of all it, a little bit of a fail.  I felt like that Coulthurst really dropped the ball on her world building.  There was so much potential for this world, but she really did not explore it well. The biggest thing that bothered me about the whole thing was why dies Mynaria hate magic users.  It was just given that magic was evil there with no explanation as to why it was.  It made me a little crazy.

2. I did like the romance between Denna and Mare. That part of the book was well done.  It started to a slow grudging friendship that turns into love.  It was one of the more believable romances that I have read.

3.  Denna and Mare where excellent compliments for each other, Denna with her book smarts and secrets.  Mare with her strength and street smarts.  Their strengths and weakness play off each other very well.

4.  I was disappointed with the development of the supporting characters. While Coulthurst did a great job developing Denna and Mare, her supporting characters really fell to the wayside.  Many of them had so much potential that was just never fleshed out.

5. The ending, while tying up everything in this book, did leaving me feeling a little unfulfilled.  It feels like there could be more to the story, but no word if this a stand alone or the start of a series.

To Read or Not to Read:
Take it or Leave it

Audiobook: The Weekenders

The Weekenders is written by Mary Kay Andrews and narrated by Kathleen McInerney.

Some people stay all summer long on the idyllic island of Belle Isle, North Carolina. Others come only for the weekends-and the mix between the regulars and “the weekenders” can sometimes make the sparks fly. Riley Griggs has a season of good times with friends and family ahead of her on Belle Isle when things take an unexpected turn. While waiting for her husband to arrive on the ferry one Friday afternoon, Riley is confronted by a process server who thrusts papers into her hand. And her husband is nowhere to be found.

So she turns to her island friends for help and support, but it turns out that each of them has their own secrets, and the clock is ticking as the mystery deepens...in a murderous way. Cocktail parties aside, Riley must find a way to investigate the secrets of Belle Island, the husband she might not really know, and the summer that could change everything.

The Breakdown:
1. I always enjoy listening to a Mary Kay Andrews book.  They are entertaining both funny with some romance and often have a little mystery to it.  McInerney narrates most of Andrews books that I have listened to, and she does a great job of capturing the characters and the southreness that Andrews infuses into them.

2. While there was romance in this book, compared to other of Andrews's books, this one was light on the romance.  It was much more focused on Riley's family dynamics and the mysterious circumstances involving her husband. I kind of wished there were more interactions between Riley and Nate.

3. I have to honest, for most of the book, I did not like Riley's daughter, Maggie.  She was a complete brat. I get that some really terrible things and big changes happened in her life, but she just was not very likable.  If I had talk to my mother the way she did so many times, I would still be grounded, and possibly dead. She did improve at the end, but it was too little, too late for me to like her.

4. I think my favorite thing about this book was Riley and her best friend, Parish's relationship.  They were wonderful together, just was people who have been friends forever should be. The things they get up while investigating Riley's husbands doings were great, and many times hilarious.

To Read or Not to Read:
Worth the Listen

The Leaving

The Leaving is by Tara Altebrando.

Six were taken. Eleven years later, five come back--with no idea of where they've been.

Eleven years ago, six kindergarteners went missing without a trace. After all that time, the people left behind moved on, or tried to.

Until today. Today five of those kids return. They're sixteen, and they are . . . fine. Scarlett comes home and finds a mom she barely recognizes, and doesn't really recognize the person she's supposed to be, either. But she thinks she remembers Lucas. Lucas remembers Scarlett, too, except they're entirely unable to recall where they've been or what happened to them. Neither of them remember the sixth victim, Max. He doesn't come back. Everyone wants answers. Most of all Max's sister Avery, who needs to find her brother--dead or alive--and isn't buying this whole memory-loss story.

The Breakdown:
1. I got this book at my book club's Christmas book exchange, and I had heard really good things about it.  Who doesn't like the idea of a good mystery: missing kids that come back 11 years later only one of them never comes back.  For the me, at least, the book fell a little flat.

2. It was strange that Altebrando focused on two of the returned kids and the sibling of the other that never came back.  It left me wondering about the other that were taken, especially since two were hardly in the book at all. Plus the formatting of Lucas and Scarlett's chapters got a little weird at times, strange fonts, disjointed thoughts.  I never quite understood the seemingly random lines in Scarlett's chapters.

3. I did like the unraveling of the mystery of who took them and why, and why Max did not come back.  For me that was the best part the clues along the way.

To Read or Not to Read:
Skip this one.

Welcome 2017

Happy New Year to all my readers!

Don't know about y'all, but I am super excited to get started in 2017, well at least super excited to get reading in 2017.

First a quick recap of my top five favorites of 2016:
1. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas- I loved this book so much.  I am firmly on Team Rhysand and Feyre because of this book.
2. The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutoski- Probably one of the best end of series books I have read.
3. A Torch Against the Night By Sabaa Tahir- Amazing sophomore book that keeps you on you toes all the way through it.
4. Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton- Probably my favorite debut author book of the year.
5. The Rose & The Dagger by Renee Ahdeih- This one hit right in the feels multiple times.

Big honorable mention to The Serpent King by Jeff Zetner and Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake .

I am excited many of the up coming books for this year.  I have, also, made the New Year's resolution to use my Audible subscription more, so expect more reviews of the Audio books for this year.  And once again I will be participating in That Artsy Reader Girl's debut author challenge.

Since I know everyone is dying to know what books I am looking forward to for 2017, so here are my top five of that:
1. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
2. Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton
3. Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare
4. Now I Rise by Kiersten White
5.  King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

I loved to hear from you on your favorite book of 2016 and what book you are looking forward to in 2017.