Category Archives: Fantasy

Review: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

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Crooked Kingdom by Leigh BardugoCrooked Kingdom
Leigh Bardugo
Orion Children’s Books
Available September 27, 2016

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About Crooked Kingdom

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.

My Review

Six of Crows was my favorite book from last year, so I had this one on pre-order almost as soon as it was possible to do so. And once it arrived, I couldn’t wait to dig into it.

I feel like a sequel always has an uphill battle because, especially in the case of a fantasy, the first book got to wow us with its incredibly fresh setting and culture, and by the second book, we’re kind of like, yep. Right. Ketterdam. I remember. But again I felt so overwhelmed by the richness of the storyworld. Each nation feels distinct racially and culturally, yet the setting doesn’t swallow the story or elbow the characters out of the way to shine. It just is.

This book finishes the story begun by Six of Crows. There won’t be a third book, and in a lot of ways, I didn’t end this one feeling like I needed another one. Things aren’t all clean and perfect, but there are some incredible redemptive moments, and there were so many exchanges where I was like YES! THANK YOU!!! Because it was something that absolutely needed to happen.

I loved the banter between characters. The way they had their own sorts of inside jokes and ways of communicating with one another definitely made me feel like I was part of the circle and that they had real, dynamic relationships.

This is the only novel that has made me really want to write fan fiction. I might have to do it. Maybe. I love the idea of more adventures for these characters. Short stories that happen after-the-end. So I might have to think about that.

Overall, yes. I’m so glad I read this book. I couldn’t have left off with Six of Crows without reading this one all the way to the end. I definitely recommend Crooked Kingdom to anyone who enjoyed the first book. I think the content may be a bit heavier in this one. See below for details.

Cultural Elements
Though it’s a fantasy novel in a fantasy world, there’s a lot of racial diversity in this cast of characters.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
M/f and m/m kisses. There are hints and comments about sex, most are pretty veiled. One character was forced into prostitution earlier in her life and she briefly recollects some gruesome details about her experience there and the emotional scars it has left her.

Spiritual Content
Matthias is a devout follower of Djel, a god associated with a tree. In Ketterdam, the god of trade, Ghezen is chief, and church is a trading house.

Violent Content
Some scenes show brawls and fights. An assassin attacks a girl. A young woman falls from a rooftop to her death. Kaz describes revenge taken against someone who helped take advantage of two young boys. A man is shot fatally. Thugs beat up a boy who won’t reveal information about his allies.

Drug Content
Nina wrestles with craving for the drug jurda parem, which she took in a desperate attempt to save the team at the end of Six of Crows.

Review: Cease & Desist by Stephen David Hurley

Book Review and Content, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, New Adult 18up, Paranormal, ,

Cease & Desist
Stephen David Hurley
Published by Stephen David Hurley
Available October 10, 2016

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Cease de Menich joins the cast of a cutting-edge TV reality-drama as Jeanne d’Arc. Her acting gift isn’t just talent. It’s a kind of genetic gift passed down through her family line. But as Cease wrestles with how to remain true to her saint character in the face of overwhelming pressure to have sex with cast members as part of the show, she realizes her brother desperately wanted to tell her something before he died. As Cease searches for clues in the notes he left, she realizes that his message may be the only way she can win the contest within the TV show and finish the season with her soul intact.

I have some really mixed feelings about this story. First, I have to say that there were moments in which the writing really stood out to me as excellent. Cease had a unique voice and a really powerful way of communicating. I loved that. Sometimes, though, there would be these vague references to things that either were still a mystery or I was supposed to already know about or were maybe supposed to be clearer on their own? I don’t know. Several times I got lost trying to figure out what was going on while the story moved on and left me confused.

Another thing that was weird to me was the way that so many of the scenes felt sexualized. No mistake, there’s some sexual content in the story, and Cease thinks about sex in several scenes besides that. But those aren’t what I mean. I felt like even in scenes without any overt sexual tension or purpose, there was often at least a sensual undertone. I found it a bit odd in a story with a virgin central character.

The reality TV drama definitely hooked me as a concept, though. It reminded me of Hunger Games meets The Bachelor or something. I think it the storytelling had been smoother, I think I would have enjoyed this part more. There were times I just had a hard time following what was happening. See below for additional content information.

Recommended Age: 18+

Cultural Elements
Characters appear to be white except for Craig, one of the boys in the reality TV show with Cease, who is Hispanic.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used frequently. Crude speech about sex also occurs pretty regularly.

Romance/Sexual Content
Cease plays a virgin in a TV show in which characters ratings seem to go sky high if they have sex with other show characters. Cease wonders if she’ll have to give up her virginity in order to stand as part of the final couple and win the series. Her attitude about this widely varies. Sometimes she seems almost eager to “become a woman” by having sex with one of the male characters. At other times she seems to resent being put in a position where she has to make this choice. Because she’s cast as Jeanne d’Arc, she feels a certain responsibility to preserve the authenticity of her character, who was martyred as a virgin. That said, she does nearly have sex with a man in his apartment, and she’s not shy about kissing the boys on the show set.

Cease struggles with the knowledge that her mother and brother had a sexual relationship. Both have died before the story begins, but she revisits that issue a couple of times, once in a brief flashback to when she discovered them together. Cease and her brother had an odd relationship, too. She often refers to him as her Romeo, and talks about how they played roles together and hated returning to reality. They also shared a bed together, much to their guardian’s dismay.

Before her brother died, some friends staged a “coming out party” for him, but then tricked him into making out with another boy on film.

Many of the scenes in the book, even some which don’t have an overt sexual context, feel sexualized. Often a conversation morphs into a brief make-out session with Cease wondering if she’s willing to have sex with the boy she’s kissing. At one point Cease’s aunt helps her bathe, and even that had a bit of a sensual vibe to it.

Spiritual Content
Cease doesn’t believe in God, but she prays to the real Joan of Arc in her dark moments. When someone begins responding to her prayers via email, identifying herself as none other than the saint herself, Cease isn’t sure what to believe. She questions Joan about how she kept her faith through trials and torture. The answers seem to encourage her to have some kind of hope, though they don’t appear to alter her spiritual beliefs.

Violent Content
Characters in the show battle with swords, axes, daggers and other weapons for the right to one on one scenes with the boys. Some deaths occur in the filming of the show.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Review: Counterpart by Hayley Stone

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Counterpart
Hayley Stone
Hydra/Random House
Available October 11, 2016

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About Counterpart

The machines believed their extermination of the human race would be over as quickly as it began. They were wrong. As the war against extinction intensifies, people are beginning to gain the upper hand.

Commander Rhona Long understands survival better than most. Killed in combat, she was brought back to life using her DNA, and she’s forged a new, even more powerful identity. Now the leader of the resistance, she’s determined to ensure the machines are shut down for good.

But victory is elusive. The machines have a new technology designed to overcome humanity’s most advanced weaponry. Despite Rhona’s peacekeeping efforts, former nations are feuding over resources as old power struggles resurface. Worse, someone inside the resistance is sabotaging the human cause—someone who, from all appearances, seems to be Rhona . . . or her exact replica.

My Review

There was something hilarious to me (in a good way, I think) about the idea of Rhona’s clones running around stirring up all this trouble. It was like Multiplicity meets I, Robot.

I loved some of the directions the story took. Actually, I might have liked the plot of this novel better than the first book in the series, Machinations, though I think I liked the writing in the first book better.

There were still great moments in which characters made cultural references that Rhona didn’t get (because she doesn’t have the complete memory of her original) which was kind of funny, too. She always tried to play it off like, of course she knew what you meant by that obscure reference to Star Wars. But sometimes her responses were pretty funny.

Counterpart ends on a total cliffhanger, which isn’t my favorite. But I’ll admit it definitely made me want to read the third book. Is it weird if I hope Rhona the White and Samuel get together? I have this feeling. And he deserves a little happiness!

Recommended for ages: 17 up

Cultural Elements
Zelda and Orpheus are described to have dark skin. Rhona scrambles to arrange alliances with the Russians and North Koreans, though no major characters from those groups are introduced.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used with moderate frequency.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to sex between Rhona and Camus. There aren’t graphic descriptions of it, but more them talking about the evolution of their relationship and how it’s changed since he began living with Rhona the clone vs Rhona the original.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Battle scenes with some fatalities and brief descriptions.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Spotlight on The Rift Uprising by Amy S. Foster

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The Rift Uprising
Amy S. Foster
Harper Voyager
Available October 4, 2016

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About The Rift Uprising

Normal seventeen-year-old girls go to high school, binge watch TV shows all weekend, and flirt with everyone on the face of the Earth. But Ryn Whitaker is trying to save it.

Ryn is a Citadel. A soldier. A liar. Ryn and her fellow Citadels were specially chosen and trained to guard a Rift—one of fourteen unpredictable tears in the fabric of the universe that serve as doorways to alternate Earths. Unbeknownst to her family, Ryn leaves for school each day and then reports for duty as an elite, cybernetically-altered soldier who can run faster, jump farther, and fight better than a Navy SEAL—which comes in handy when she’s not sure if axe-wielding Vikings or any number of other terrified and often dangerous beings come through the Rift. A fine-tuned weapon, Ryn is a picture-perfect Citadel. But that’s all about to change.

When a young man named Ezra is pulled through the Rift, Ryn finds herself immediately drawn to him, despite her training. What starts as a physical attraction quickly grows deeper, and Ezra’s curiosity throws Ryn off balance when he starts questioning the Rifts, the mysterious organization that oversees them, and the Citadels themselves—questions that lead Ryn to wonder if the lies she’s been telling her family are just the surface of a much bigger lie told to her. As Ryn and Ezra desperately try to get to that truth, they discover that each revelation blurs the line between the villains and the heroes even more.

About Amy S. Foster

Web Site | Twitter | Facebook

Amy S. Foster is a celebrated songwriter, best known as Michael Bublé’s writing partner. You might recognize her work in his four hit singles, including “Home” and “Haven’t Met You Yet.” She has also collaborated with Destiny’s Child, Diana Krall, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban and a host of other artists. She is also the author of the novel When Autumn Leaves. When she’s not in a studio in Nashville, Amy lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family. Amy is the daughter of singer B.J. Cook and the legendary music producer, David Foster. Fun fact about Amy: Her extended family tree includes Bella and Gigi Hadid, Sara and Erin Foster and Brody and Brandon Jenner, and Clay Aiken! The Rift Uprising, her YA debut, will be released on October 4, 2016.

Review: Rise of the Chosen by Anna Kopp

Book Review and Content, Dystopian or Post-Apocalyptic, New Adult 18up, , ,

Rise of the Chosen
Anna Kopp
Blue Moon Publishers
Available October 4, 2016

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About Rise of the Chosen

In Sam’s world there are two rules. Rule #1: Nobody dies. Protect the living at all costs. Rule #2: Everybody dies. At least once.

The Waking was a global event in which a force called the Lifeblood invaded all humans who died. The few strong enough to control it came back as powerful immortals. The rest let the bloodlust take over and awoke with one goal – to kill.

Newly appointed Watch Guard Samantha Shields has a legacy to uphold. Her father died a hero defending their city and now she wants to follow in his footsteps. Except for the dying part, of course. Unfortunately, fate has other plans as she discovers deep dark secrets that make her choose between her loyalties and the lives of everyone in her city. Both rules are in play as Sam is forced to make hard decisions that could cost her everything – including the person she cares about most.

My Review

I liked that this book took a different spin on zombies by having a sort of zombie lottery, in which some dead rise as powerful heroes. David, one of the Chosen, was my favorite character. I liked that he was that classic good guy having to make some hard choices with a lot of obstacles to overcome. He didn’t do everything perfectly, but protecting those in his charge meant a lot to him.

The narration sort of bounces around from one point-of-view to another, and I found that to be a little disruptive for me as I was reading. I’d be in one character’s viewpoint and then a thought from another character would drop in and I’d have to stop and reread to make sure I didn’t miss something. I wasn’t crazy about Lena and Sam’s relationship. I just didn’t really get why they were together. I felt like there was more chemistry between Sam and David than between Lena and Sam.

In one part, Sam and her soldier partner go on a rescue mission, but they only rescue one civilian and don’t seem concerned with any of the others at risk. I found it odd that they didn’t at least try to save the others or seem to feel any remorse about leaving them behind.

Readers who like fast-paced military or zombie stories would probably like this book. I’d recommend it to fans of Ryan Gish’s Enthralled.

Cultural Elements
One character, a shaman, has an islander accent. Most of the major characters appear to be white.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Lena and Sam have a sexual relationship. They kiss and make out, and a couple of scenes hint at them having sex and sleeping/waking together.

Spiritual Content
A shaman has a powerful gift for connecting with a person’s spirit. A force called the Lifeblood causes the dead to rise as Woken (zombie-like creatures) or Chosen (powerful warriors).

Violent Content
Graphic descriptions of battle between Woken and humans and/or Chosen.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Last Messenger of Zitol

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , ,

If you’ve been following the blog tour for author Chelsea Dyreng’s novel The Last Messenger of Zitól, you’ve made it to today’s stop! I’ll be sharing my review and some information about the author.

The Last Messenger of Zitól
Chelsea Dyreng
Sweetwater Books/Cedar Fort Press
Available September 1, 2016

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Rishi longs to visit the grand city of Zitól described in her grandfather’s stories. When her peaceful village is attacked, Rishi finds her path set toward the city, but whether she’s caught in an adventure or a nightmare is uncertain. The city has changed from her grandfather’s time, and now the people of Zitól believe in pursuing pleasure and in human sacrifice to please the gods. Rishi vows to protect her virtue, her most valuable treasure, in a city bent on destroying it. When she’s tasked with bringing a message to the gods, she embraces the honor wholeheartedly, longing to bring a change to the people and most particularly to the man she loves.

I thought it was interesting that the story is narrated by the ruler of Zitól. His story begins early in the tale and drops off for a time before reappearing. I liked his character. I liked Rishi, too, and the fact that she valued learning and virtue.

Her village shares a ceremony in which girls are given a white bead to symbolize their purity as virgins. They remain so until they marry and their husband gives them a turquoise bead in place of the white one. This definitely places a high value on virginity, and when one of the girls is attacked and raped, her bead is replaced with a brown bead, and she feels horribly ashamed. Rishi tries to return the girl’s white bead to her, explaining that since the attack wasn’t her choice, she should still be considered pure. The girl refuses to accept the bead.

The message about how pursuing pleasure leads to pleasing only oneself versus how pursuing love leads to a willingness to sacrifice for the good of others is admirable and well-integrated into the story. I also liked the way Dyreng uses dreams to play a role in the way the story unfolds.

While I loved that the story celebrated purity as a desirable thing (not a popular value so much in our culture today), I thought it was harsh on the girls whose lives didn’t match that ideal. This might be a confusing story for someone who has experienced abuse or trauma or is dealing with feelings of shame over sexual activity. See the notes below for other details on content.

Cultural Elements
Rishi’s village is attacked by a wild tribe of men described as short with flat noses. Her people are islanders. There aren’t many racial details given about many characters or the people of Zitól itself.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Because of the very strong value placed on purity, this might be a confusing story for someone who has experienced abuse or trauma or is dealing with feelings of shame over sexual activity. Rishi and her friends are kidnapped and brought to a woman who intends to sell them. She believes men can be controlled with sex, and uses the tribal men who work for her as examples by offering one of the girls to them as a reward for doing her bidding. They rape and brutalize her (not shown) before returning her to her friends.

The woman hints that she intends to sell the girls for sex in some fashion. Keeping concubines is popular in Zitól.

One of the leaders in Zitól tries to convince a girl that because he is a holy man, sleeping with him will not compromise her virtue. When this fails, he attempts to starve her into submission. At one point he tries to touch her and she stops him.

Rishi and her love exchange kisses. He wants to share more, but she refuses.

Spiritual Content
Rishi’s people believe in multiple gods. She also believes that the stars are the spirits of those who’ve lived before her. In Zitól, the people also believe in many gods as well as human sacrifice. Their ruler is said to be half-god.

Violent Content
Rishi’s three older brother’s play pranks on her. Tribal men attach Rishi’s village and later, rape one village girl and attempt to rape another. One of the leaders in Zitól keeps a starving jaguar which threatens to attack. A man cuts another man with a knife.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About Chelsea Dyreng

web site | facebook | twitter

Chelsea Bagley Dyreng is the author of “The Cenote.” She was raised in Wyoming and Idaho and earned her BA at Brigham Young University. She worked for several years as a librarian before moving to North Carolina where she and her husband are raising five God-fearing, book-loving, adventure-seeking kids.

Check out the Other Stops on the Tour

September 12: A Bliss Complete | Compass Book Ratings
September 13: Rockin’ Book Reviews | Bookworm Lisa
September 14: My Reading Spot
September 15: Bookfever
September 16: Kristin Smith | Wishful Endings
September 17: Hardcover Feedback
September 18: Geo Librarian
September 19: Singing Librarian Books
September 20: Mel’s Shelves
September 21: My Book a Day
September 22: The Things I Love Most
September 23: Writing Worm | Reader Girls
September 24: The Story Sanctuary – YOU ARE HERE
September 25: Bonding Over Bindings | Kindle & Me
September 26: Joy in the Moments
September 27: Crossroad Reviews
September 28: All About Baby’s World
September 29: Reidhead Random-ness
September 30: Tastes Like Joy