My Lady Jane

My Lady Jane is a collaborative novel by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows.

Edward is the King of England.  He's also dying, which is inconvenient, as he's only sixteen and he'd much rather be planning for his first kiss than considering who will inherit his crown...

Jane is Edward's cousin, and far more interested in books than in romance.  Unfortunately for Jane, Edward has arranged to marry her off to secure the line of succession. And there's something a little odd about her intended...

Gifford (call him G) is a horse.  That is, he is an Eðians (eth-y-un for the uninitiated). Every day at dawn he becomes a noble chestnut steed- but then he wakes with a mouthful of hay.  It's all very undignified.

The plot thickens as Edward, Jane, and G are drawn into a dangerous conspiracy.  With the fate of the kingdom at stake, our heroes will have to engage in some conspiring of their own.  But can they pull off their plan before it's off with their heads?

The Breakdown:
1. These authors take one of histories most fascinating stories, to me, and turn it on its head and make their own. The power struggle for the throne of England, plus divided among different factions in England are played out in this book.  The authors just change the factions from Catholic and Protestant to the Verity (humans who stay human) and the Eðians (humans become animals with magic). This book is definitely more a whimsical romantic comedy that tragedy of the true story of Lady Jane.

2. The book's chapters are split from Edward, Jane and Gifford's perspectives so the authors do nicely showing each of their struggles and feelings about the situation they have been thrust into. I liked that each characters' chapter was very unique to them, and their voice so distinct.

3. Probably the thing that I liked that best about this book, was that is was extremely witty.  The characters were entertaining, and their dialogue so well done.  Then there is the excellence of the prologue, midlogue, and the author asides. I loved the author speaking directly to the reader, and multiple times they have me in tears from laughing.  Oh, and keep an eye out to references from some of my favorite movies, like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, etc.

4. If you are looking for a historically accurate account of Lady Jane Grey, this is not the book for you.  If you like a whimsical romance with a conspiracy thrown in, and some historical truths, this is a great read. Oh, and then there is the awesomeness of people turning into animals. (Just an FYI, if you want a little more accurate account of Lady Jane Grey, check of the movie with Cary Elwes and Helena Bonham Carter, Lady Jane.)

To Read or Not to Read:
Read

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