Review: Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine

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Ash and Quill by Rachel CaineAsh and Quill (The Great Library #3)
Rachel Caine
Berkley
Available July 11, 2017

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Ash and Quill
Hoarding all the knowledge of the world, the Great Library jealously guards its secrets. But now a group of rebels poses a dangerous threat to its tyranny….

Jess Brightwell and his band of exiles have fled London, only to find themselves imprisoned in Philadelphia, a city led by those who would rather burn books than submit. But Jess and his friends have a bargaining chip: the knowledge to build a machine that will break the Library’s rule.

Their time is running out. To survive, they’ll have to choose to live or die as one, to take the fight to their enemies—and to save the very soul of the Great Library.

My Review
I’ve been waiting for this book since the moment I finished PAPER AND FIRE last summer. In fact, two of my friends, who have also gotten hooked on the series have been bugging me about when this book finally releases. I thought it would be the series conclusion, so a small part of me dreaded picking it up, because it’s like the countdown to the end, you know? But. It’s not the end!

So I’m back on the roller coaster of nail biting and eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, which feels like it might really truly be the end?? Eee! (Update– I just checked Goodreads. Looks like there will be a book four and five. So there’s still lots to come.)

Anyway. In terms of plot, so much happens in this book. Our heroes land in Philadelphia, at the mercy of Book Burners, sworn enemies of the Library, who figure our guys are probably best killed quickly since rations and supplies are pretty scarce. So Jess and his friends work fast to convince the leaders of their value, hoping to buy enough time to manage an escape.

Surprisingly, I think Thomas pretty much stole my heart in this book. He’s not the most central character, but he’s so much deeper and more complex than the cheerful, brilliant engineer from the first book. Jess thinks he’s being all sneaky and Thomas surprises even him. So great!

ASH AND QUILL had more violence than I remember the other books having. More than one character faces death. The Library and the Book Burners use Greek fire in battles and the casualties run pretty high, especially for civilians. This disturbs Jess and his team, but there really isn’t much they can do, though they try to help everyone they can.

Definitely don’t start the series with this book. So much is happening and so many relationships have complicated history, you definitely want the benefit of the first two books before you pick this one up. No worries, though. They’re both totally worth it. You can read my review of book one, INK AND BONE here. My review of the second book, PAPER AND FIRE is here. The next book, SMOKE AND IRON, comes out in summer of 2016.

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Cultural Elements
Santi and Wolfe (two men) are gay and in a relationship together. Khalila is from the Middle East. Dario is Spanish.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Some references to profanity. For instance, Jess hears Thomas say something in German he assumes is swearing.

Romance/Sexual Content
The team witnesses two girls kissing intimately while they’re on their way somewhere. One kiss between Wolfe and Santi. Jess and Morgan kiss multiple times, and lie down next to each other. It’s hinted that they have sex, but no details.

Spiritual Content
Lots of references to Christian belief and culture—seems like that’s a big part of the Library culture. Wolfe himself is a pagan and mentions the idea that if he and Santi die, their ideas of afterlife (as Santi is a Christian) are different. Khalila takes time to observe her Muslim faith and pray.

Violent Content
Some pretty intense battles, mostly between the Library forces and the Book Burners. Some people get burned and killed. Thomas makes a laser weapon. Jess shoots an adversary. Some descriptions get pretty intense.

Drug Content
References to drinking wine.

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

Review: Day Moon by Brett Armstrong

Book Review and Content, Dystopian or Post-Apocalyptic, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, New Adult 18up, Sci-Fi, , , ,

Day Moon
Brett Armstrong
Clean Reads
Published March 26, 2017

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Day Moon
In A.D. 2039, a prodigious seventeen year old, Elliott, is assigned to work on a global soft-ware initiative his deceased grandfather helped found. Project Alexandria is intended to provide the entire world secure and equal access to all accumulated human knowledge. All forms of print are destroyed in good faith, to ensure everyone has equal footing, and Elliott knows he must soon part with his final treasure: a book of Shakespeare’s complete works gifted him by his grandfather.

Before it is destroyed, Elliott notices something is amiss with the book, or rather Project Alexandria. The two do not match, including an extra sonnet titled “Day Moon”. When Elliott investigates, he uncovers far more than he bargained for. There are sinister forces backing Project Alexandria who have no intention of using it for its public purpose.

Elliott soon finds himself on the run from federal authorities and facing betrayals and deceit from those closest to him. Following clues left by his grandfather, with agents close at hand, Elliott desperately hopes to find a way to stop Project Alexandria. All of history past and yet to be depend on it.

My Review
Ever since I read The Giver in probably fourth or fifth grade, dystopian stories have held a special place in my heart. I loved this premise about knowledge being stored and then used to manipulate others. It reminded me a bit of the Matched series by Ally Condie or The Great Library series by Rachel Caine.

I had kind of a love/hate relationship with the voice of Day Moon. On the one hand, Elliot works as a software engineer, and the way he talks and thinks reminds me a great deal of the way my husband, also a software engineer, communicates. So it felt really authentic. On the other hand, it also tended to be very passive and use a lot of words to say things. I think that kind of writing weighed the story down and kept me at a distance from scenes that should have been super intense.

I enjoyed the use of Shakespeare and the search for clues from Elliot’s grandfather, but sometimes the plot seemed to jump around and leave important threads hanging. For instance, near the beginning, Elliot’s superiors close in around him, demanding he produce the book his grandfather left him, the book which he lent to his friend Lara. Elliot never seems to consider whether this places Lara in danger, even as the guys looking for the book become more and more sinister. For a long stretch, it seems he forgets about the book altogether while he gets wrapped up in the search for his grandfather’s clues. I kept reading scenes thinking, okay, yeah, but where’s the book?! Who has the book?! Are the bad guys about to get it? Where is it?

I also struggled with the timeline of the story. It’s supposed to be set in 2039, which is only about 22 years from now. Elliot recalls stories from his grandfather about driverless cars and combustion engines when it seems like these would be things familiar to his parents’ generation as well. I didn’t understand why everything seemed tied to his grandfather when so little time had passed. Maybe Elliot never knew his father? I don’t recall any explanation on that in the story.

One of the cool elements in Day Moon was the way Elliot and Lara connected over a shared passion for artwork. I liked that they were students in an accelerated program, which gave some reason for them to act a little less like teens and more like college kids. On the other hand, though, I didn’t feel like they had any real teen issues at all. Neither of them lived with parents or seemed to feel close ties with immediate family members. I didn’t get the sense that they were breaking into adulthood, but more like they were experienced participants, so I don’t think I would really classify the story as young adult. It’s more like clean new adult fiction.

While this wasn’t my favorite book, readers looking for a dystopian story featuring a character with strong software talents will find it easy to identify with Elliot’s gentle, sometimes awkward character. Shakespeare fans may enjoy the way quotes and elements from Shakespeare’s works are woven into a sort of scavenger hunt. The light romance between Elliot and Lara may appeal to readers looking for a bit of summer love, too.

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Cultural Elements
Not a lot of ethnic or cultural details in the story.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
A man and woman frantically kiss on top of a hotel bed, but separate before going to sleep. Elliot feels conscious of his attraction to Lara, but also committed to Christian virtues in relationships.

Spiritual Content
Elliot prays for help in times of need. At one point, he pauses to examine his behavior and worries he isn’t being very Christ-like.

Violent Content
A man knocks someone unconscious with a shovel. At one point, Elliot and his allies leave a man tied up in the trunk of a car while they figure out what to do next.

Drug Content
None.

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

 

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Review: Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser

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

Song of the Current
Sarah Tolcser
Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Published June 6, 2017

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Song of the Current
Caroline Oresteia is destined for the river. For generations, her family has been called by the river god, who has guided their wherries on countless voyages throughout the Riverlands. At seventeen, Caro has spent years listening to the water, ready to meet her fate. But the river god hasn’t spoken her name yet—and if he hasn’t by now, there’s a chance he never will.

Caro decides to take her future into her own hands when her father is arrested for refusing to transport a mysterious crate. By agreeing to deliver it in exchange for his release, Caro finds herself caught in a web of politics and lies, with dangerous pirates after the cargo—an arrogant courier with a secret—and without the river god to help her. With so much at stake, Caro must choose between the life she always wanted and the one she never could have imagined for herself.

My Review
The writing in this story hooked me right from page one. I fell instantly in love with Caro and ached with her over her fears about being overlooked by the god of the river. Her unexpected passenger made me laugh (though he mostly made Caro roll her eyes), and I spent pages and pages eagerly hoping for more than just angry sparks between them. Even the minor characters seemed to pop right off the page.

I loved the story world, too. It reminded me a little bit of The African Queen (the movie with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn where they run a dangerous course down the river to escape the Nazis) but with a fantasy spin and gender roles reversed.

The plot started off strong and only got better. Every time I thought the stakes couldn’t possibly get higher, Tolcser proved me wrong by adding some new twist.

The only hiccup for me was the way romance is portrayed in the story. It’s not that I don’t believe casual relationships or unconventional relationships exist. I guess I find them unsatisfying to read about. I’m a sucker for a true love tale, and I can’t seem to help it.

Overall, though, this is a great summer read for fantasy lovers looking for a sailing adventure. (Trish Doller, all the sailing references made me think of you and our conversation at ApollyCon! I’m still hoping to see your sailing novel in print one day!)

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Cultural Elements
Caro is of mixed race, with bronze skin and fiery red hair, an unusual combination. Her sailing companion is one of the Frogmen, a race said to be part river god, part human. She has large eyes and a wide, frog-like mouth as well as green skin. Some cultures treat Frogmen as slaves. Caro and her family consider them equals.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Moderate profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Some kissing. Late in the story, Caro takes a lover (a young man) to bed with her. They begin undressing each other, and it’s implied they have sex. She makes it clear she’s comfortable with a casual relationship and doesn’t want to commit to any future with him.

Spiritual Content
Lots of references to various gods and their roles in human life. Caro’s family has had a long relationship with the god under the river, who speaks to them in small things. Caro has been waiting for a connection with the god for her whole life. Other gods exist as well, some more powerful or capricious than others.

Violent Content
A group of soldiers beat a young man. References to torture (Caro doesn’t witness it.) Battles between Caro’s allies and enemies. Not a lot of gore, though.

Drug Content
Caro and her companion drink wine and liquor.

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

 

Review: The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber

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

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow
Mary Weber
Thomas Nelson
Published on June 6th, 2017

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About The Evaporation of Sofi Snow
Ever since the Delonese ice-planet arrived eleven years ago, Sofi’s dreams have been vivid. Alien. In a system where Earth’s corporations rule in place of governments and the humanoid race orbiting the moon are allies, her only constant has been her younger brother, Shilo. As an online gamer, Sofi battles behind the scenes of Earth’s Fantasy Fighting arena where Shilo is forced to compete in a mix of real and virtual blood sport. But when a bomb takes out a quarter of the arena, Sofi’s the only one who believes Shilo survived. She has dreams of him. And she’s convinced he’s been taken to the ice-planet.

Except no one but ambassadors are allowed there.

For Miguel, Earth’s charming young playboy, the games are of a different sort. As Ambassador to the Delonese, his career has been built on trading secrets and seduction. Until the Fantasy Fight’s bomb goes off. Now the tables have turned and he’s a target for blackmail. The game is simple: Help the blackmailers, or lose more than anyone can fathom, or Earth can afford.

Gabrielle’s Review
I was very curious about this book when I saw the title. Though I don’t normally read a lot of sci-fi, I was intrigued by the summary and decided to give this one a try. While I did find it interesting, it didn’t grip me as much as I would have hoped. Also, the book itself ends in a major cliffhanger, so the story feels very much unfinished.

I enjoyed how the author chose to write the future world—with old fashions being recycled, celebs out to cause mischief and gossip, and people constantly searching for the next greatest thing, whether that be the latest wonder drug or a new Hunger Games-style arena fight. It felt very real, and—what was scary—not too far from our own modern world.

In this book, (minor spoiler) the author decided to take on the issue of human trafficking. This is not an easy subject, and makes the book quite a bit heavier than it might have been otherwise. What the author was trying to get across (other than how horrific human trafficking is) wasn’t entirely clear. (end minor spoiler) I’m hoping that I’ll see more of the plot and some of the themes in this book resolved in the next book.

Overall, I’d rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. While The Evaporation of Sofi Snow is unique in its plot, and bold in approaching some heavy topics, it lacks any sense of resolution or completeness, leaving the reader wondering if the characters have any hope at all in their very broken world. This book will appeal most to fans of The Hunger Games and other similar dystopian/sci-fi books.

Recommended for Ages 14 and up

Cultural Elements
Miguel is Hispanic. Sofi has Cherokee heritage.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Barely any—a few “What the—” and “WTF” thrown in.

Romance/Sexual Content
Miguel is described as being a player, and it is mentioned that he has slept with many different women. (Part of the back story is that he almost took Sofi’s innocence, but refrained.) Miguel and Sofi strongly desire each other, and remember “the feel of each other’s skin, and lips,” etc. The story features the issue of human trafficking, and hints at sex trafficking as well. Sofi undresses in front of Heller, and later in front of Miguel. It is clear this affects them both, though that was not her intention. Heller is obsessively infatuated with Sofi, and goes to great lengths to “protect” her.

Spiritual Content
The Delonese chant their strange philosophy in a ritual, but it doesn’t seem directed towards a deity. Instead, it seems to glorify their race and technological advances.

Violent Content
The book starts off at the FanFight games, which is a blend between virtual reality and reality. Some of the arena elements attack/harm the players, and some of the injuries are fairly graphic. A violent explosion later takes the lives of many of the players and participants, but no details are given. There are also some minor injuries and a few deaths towards the middle of the book, but these are non-graphic. Towards the end however, a flashback Sofi has of the Delonese prepping her and some other kids for a medical procedure is very graphic and somewhat disturbing.

Drug Content
Some mention of wonder drugs (mostly in a medical context). Miguel serves alcohol at his party to “loosen tongues.”

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

Review: The Frog Princess Returns by E. D. Baker

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, , , ,

The Frog Princess Returns
E. D. Baker
Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Published June 6, 2017

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About The Frog Princess Returns
Two weeks after Emma’s birthday, Prince Eadric — having been turned from a frog into a human again — is still in Greater Greensward. One day, a beautiful princess named Adara arrives at the castle in Greater Greensward for a visit, claiming to be Emma’s distant cousin. But Adara has other motives that threaten Emma and Eadric’s blossoming romance.

Meanwhile, something is very wrong in Greater Greensward. Crops are dying, streams are drying up, and large sections of trees in the enchanted forest are withering — all because the Fairy Queen has disappeared. Without her, there is no peace in the magical kingdom, and dangerous foes threaten to take advantage of her absence. Only brave, tenacious Emma with her knowledge of the land can restore order . . . but first she must set out on a journey unlike any before.

My Review
Another fun, quick read. If you liked the earlier books in the series, you will love getting another dose of the silliness and spunk of Emma and Eadric as they seek to save Greater Greensward again and find the missing fairy queen.

I had to laugh at the bit of political humor. During the queen’s absence, three fairies begin campaigning to be the new fairy queen, and one promises to build a magical wall around the forest to keep humans out. Emma encourages the fairies to find ways to work together, but ultimately, she decides the fairy queen’s return would be the best solution.

I liked The Frog Princess Returns and think it makes a perfect summer read. Emma’s independence and her love for Eadric create a nice balance. While Emma’s a princess, she’s not one to sit around idly. While the story remains sweet and Emma a kindhearted person, she never wavers as she journeys to rescue her friends and fulfill her role as protector of her kingdom.

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Cultural Elements
Deets.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kisses between Emma and Eadric.

Spiritual Content
Emma herself is a witch, and in the course of the story she teams up with other witches to save her kingdom. Her magic usually involves chanting rhyming spells that control a magic carpet or change herself or others into animals at times of need.

Violent Content
This isn’t really violence, but it bordered on bullying, I thought. Emma’s family members decide to take it upon themselves to discourage Adara from staying around, so they sometimes play pranks on her. It’s more silly, uncomfortable things than anything else. For instance, at one point Adara has to be the judge of a stinky feet contest.

Drug Content
References to drinking wine. (The story has a medieval setting.)

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

 

Monthly Wrap-Up Double Feature: May and June 2017

News and Fun, , , ,

With all the craziness of the last couple of months, I wasn’t able to post my usual wrap-up at the end of May, so I’m posting now for both May and June. I’m a bit behind on reviews still, but slowly catching up. I had some unexpected health issues that made it impossible for me to read or be on the computer, so you can imagine that brought this whole book review thing to a screaming halt. I did manage to sneak in a couple of audiobooks, but even that was tricky. I’m doing much better these days, and have some fun news to share!

Meet Gabrielle, Our New Contributing Reviewer

For a long time I’ve hoped to share blogging here with a partner or possibly a team of collaborators, but either the people I’ve approached haven’t been interested or the people who have approached me didn’t seem like a good fit. You need a special kind of trust and common purpose to work together on something like a personal review blog, I think.

At any rate, I pretty much decided if it was going to happen it was going to have to be one of those things where God just brings the right person across my path at the right time. And, surprise! He did.

Beginning in July, The Story Sanctuary will have a new contributing reviewer– Gabrielle! Yay!! I’ll let her introduce herself…

Soli Deo Gloria!

I’m Gabrielle Nadig, an author, homeschool graduate, and voracious reader. I love just about everything creative, and desire to use my gifts and talents to glorify God.

Fun Facts:
1. If I could have a superpower, it would either be breathing underwater, or absorbing stories by touch.
2. I am a redhead. And proud of it.
3. My personality flip-flops between ENTP and ENFP.
4. I adore fairytales.
5. I read nearly constantly. I’ve been known to read the phone book when nothing else was available. No joke.

My favorite books:

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Check out my blog for reviews and more!

I’m super excited to have Gabrielle on board. Her first review here at The Story Sanctuary, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber will post next week, so check back to see what she thought of the book!

What You Missed in May 2017

Time Stoppers: Quest for the Golden Arrow by Carrie Jones

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

This was a silly book– in a good way– about kids with magical abilities who save the day.

The Falconer by Elizabeth May

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Talk about a book that kept me on the edge of my seat! Gah! I actually have the second one in the series now and cannot wait to read it. The story is sort of Jane Austen plus super scary faeries?

Racial Profiling: Everyday Inequality by Alison Marie Behnke

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

With everything happening in our culture at present, I wanted a better baseline for understanding this topic. I felt like this was a great resource– really informative, not preachy about any particular position. Definitely recommended.

Shadow and Thorn by Kenley Davidson

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I. Loved. This. Book. I’ve been a huge Kenley Davidson fan since I first read her debut, Traitor’s Masque, but she seriously outdid herself here. Shadow and Thorn is both a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and an origin story. I loved the way she pulled everything together.

The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I met Kami Garcia at ApollyCon in Orlando in March, and it made me even more eager to read this book. I liked the way she blended some different ideas– how Frankie’s perfect pitch became an asset in an unexpected way, the way her friends’ struggles dovetailed with her own issues.

The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I’d had this book on my To Read list for such a long time, and thanks to an ARC reading challenge, I finally finished it. Yay! It took me back to reading The Face on the Milk Carton in some ways, but it’s a completely different story. I liked the unexpected twists.

Spark by J. M. Hackman

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Once in a while I get a review request in my inbox that totally surprises me. I’d never heard of this publisher before, but Spark sounded pretty intriguing, so I gave it a try– and I’m so glad I did. It reminded me a teeny bit of Unblemished, but the story was a little more straightforward.

Prom by Jill S. Zimmerman Rutledge

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

This book kind of made me feel like a cheap mom. Haha! It’s hard to imagine spending the kind of money that some people spend on events like this. At the same time, it was really cool to read about the history of Prom and some of the struggles different groups have faced.

It Started with Goodbye by Christina June

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Lately I’m a sucker for a teen with an unusual (for YA literature) interest. This one had me at “graphic designer”. I liked the story, but found some of the family issues a little tough. Read more about it in my review.

The Devil You Know by Trish Doller

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Trish Doller is another author I met at ApollyCon in March. Y’all, she is amazing. We ended up talking for a super long time. I have e-book copies of a couple of her books– and a new hardcover of her most recent release, In a Perfect World, which I’m super excited about reading. The Devil You Know intrigued me most because of its unusual setting for Florida. It’s mostly set in the woods.

What You Missed In June 2017

Beyond Clueless by Linas Alsenas

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I loved the theater elements of this book, but struggled with some of the content.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

I’d been looking forward to this book since last year when I first heard about it. I LOVE the movie The Breakfast Club, and the similar elements in this book totally hooked me from page one. Add in an unsolved murder, and seriously, just try to put it down.

Jess, Chunk and the Road Trip to Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Every summer reading list needs a good road trip story, and this summer, this book is mine. I loved the quirky friendship between Jess and Chunk (and I want to adopt their “Black hole!” rule into my own life) and the way Jess grows to understand others through the course of the story.

The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

Yeah, this book pretty much had me at “chocolate”. Add in a spunky dragon girl and a wild cast of characters, and you’ve got a sure win. Don’t miss this one, y’all. So much fun!

The Wonder of Us by Kim Culbertson

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

There are summer road trips and there are summer trips to Europe (still on my bucket list.) This European vacation tests the friendship between two girls against some awesome settings. Grab this novel and a beach towel and head to the pool for a fabulous afternoon.

Shadow Magic (Shadow Magic #1) by Joshua Khan

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

After reading the second book in this series, I had to go back and read this first one. I loved the spunky Thorn and the independent Lily. I’ll be watching for book three.

Breaking by Danielle Rollins

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

The writing in this book blew me away. I struggled with the amount of violence in the story, but loved the emotional depth and suspense elements.

The Baker’s Daughter by D. P. Cornelius

Review | Amazon | Goodreads

If you know me at all, you know I’m a sucker for World War II stories. I liked that this book features a common German family and their relationship with a Nazi soldier.

What’s Coming Next

Though I’m not accepting new review requests right now, I’ve got a stack of books waiting for me. Gabrielle is accepting review requests for her blog and for the reviews she posts here. You can find more information on how to send her a request on her blog.

Other than that, the summer is flying past. Next on my reading list is The Disappearances by Emily Bain, and I’m SUPER EXCITED to share my review of the third book in the Great Library series, Ash and Quill by Rachel Cain– who will be joining me for an author interview as well! Up next for Gabrielle is Murder, Magic and What We Wore by Kelly Jones.

What are you reading this summer?

Leave a comment below and tell us about a book you’re excited to read or say hey to Gabrielle.