Review: The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don't Have with People You Don't Like Doing Things You Don't Want to Do

The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don't Have with People You Don't Like Doing Things You Don't Want to Do by Sarah Knight
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So many fucks I've given that I can't get back. This book really opened my eyes to the kind of shit I put myself through by feeling obligation to people who don't feel it to me, and similar situations with worrying and spending time, energy, and funds towards stuff I don't want to do.

So I'm going to be better. The magic really is life-changing.

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Review: The Demon Crown

The Demon Crown by James Rollins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off, thank you to William Morrow imprint and the Harper Collins publishing company for sending me a physical ARC of the newest in one of my absolute favorite series of all time. They paid me nothing, and all I had to do was read it and review it honestly.

Sigma Force novels are always action-packed roller coaster rides of thrills and emotions. Rollins always seem to find a way to up the game to huge stakes, but not seem so utterly ridiculous that the situation becomes unbelievable. Not to say there aren't some unbelievable moments in some of these books, but that's a genre-thing. Rollins, who also is a trained veterinarian, has a love and respect for science and technology, which is evident in his books. Sure, the theories he posits might be out there or a stretch on the imagination, but he's always sparked by something real he's read about, and researched thoroughly. His blend of history, technology, science, and action really works for me.

The Demon Crown was definitely one of the stronger entries in the series. The villain was a little bit of a Bond villain, but it worked for the story, since The Guild and its agents have played a pivotal role in the course of the series, driving much of the action for the beginning of the series and helping facilitate some key character growth in many of the major players on both sides of the good-evil spectrum. Many fan favorites are in danger in this one, thanks to the threat -- which is absolutely terrifying. The Ezekiel Boone-esque menace of global-balance-upsetting proportions is both riveting to read (you won't want to look away!) and downright scary.

I can't say much more without spoiling stuff, but if you haven't picked up Sigma Force, you should. It's a fun ride, with lots of ups and downs and action along the way. I wouldn't recommend reading this without reading the rest of the series, unless you don't mind stuff being spoiled, because quite a few things in this one are based off the events of the other books -- and you won't appreciate the characters and their plotlines and growth stories here without that history.

But I can 100% recommend the series overall. Pick up book one (and push through if you have to, it's the slowest in the series, in my opinion) and binge them. DO IT.

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Review: Wild Trail

Wild Trail by A.M. Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The story of two guys trying to overcome their painful pasts and find love is nothing new, but A.M. Arthur certainly put a fun spin on this tale. Cowboys are hot, you know. Yowza. This one has everything a cowboy fan would love -- ghost towns, horses, ranches, rugged manly cowboys, and fun fun fun.

Mack seriously pushed every single one of my naughty buttons. I think I'm in love. Wes is cute enough, but I'm jealous. I want Mack all for myself!

I'll definitely be on the lookout for Clean Slate Ranch #2 (Colt's story) and Clean Slate Ranch #3 (Reyes' story). :)

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Review: City of Endless Night

City of Endless Night by Douglas Preston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing me a copy of this to read in exchange for an honest review.

So as many of you know, the Pendergast series is one of my longest followed and most beloved series. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good thriller with adventure and strangeness mixed right in. This wasn't the strongest entry into the series, what with a relatively predictable villain and a meandering plot with some side stories that felt unnecessary, but it was still a Pendergast book... and one thing that seriously redeemed it was that we got to see a side of Pendergast we haven't seen very deeply before -- and he was VULNERABLE. Pendergast has always been one of those "step ahead of everyone" kind of characters, and it's part of his charm. He's crazy smart, can read people, and knows how to play them to get what he wants... but the events of the last book really brought him into a new realm, and this book played on that new weakness and vulnerability to show this side of Pendergast, and to almost bring him down to a normal human. Of course, it was awesome to see him struggle and find his mastery again, but it was an absolute pleasure to get to see him accept that maybe he's not always the smartest person in the room or the best player in the game.

I think that brought a fresh new perspective to the character, who after 17 books could be at risk of getting stale, right? Who am I kidding? Pendergast is the bomb.

Read this one. It's fun. And if you haven't already, read the rest.

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Review: The Girl in the Tower

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'll begin by saying thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not a historical fiction fan. Occasionally, I can get into it, but not often. Books like this one though, with the hints of magic and deeper moments than many authors are capable of (so many are "oh, info dump about history, here you go!"), really make me want to try harder.

I mentioned in my review for book one, The Bear and the Nightingale, that when I first requested it based off of the description, I was disappointed to learn that it was not a standalone and was in fact the first of a trilogy. I also mentioned that by the end of book one, I was beyond happy that it had worked out that way... well, I'm still thrilled, because it means I get one more book, one more story in this world, one more adventure with one of my favorite heroines of 2017 - Vasya. Seriously, she's everything a good character should be -- strong but vulnerable, brave, smart, flawed, deep, and fiery. She's got the badass thing down pat.

I can't rave enough about Vasya or the depth and beauty of these two books. Give them a shot, even if historical fiction isn't really your thing. They have a fantasy element that kicks it up a notch, and they're beautiful, timeless, powerful stories about how one person can truly make a difference in her world, and how living life the way you're told isn't always the path you should take. Unless it means listening to me telling you to read this. That's one command you need to heed!



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Review: Into the Drowning Deep

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

Seanan McGuire, you are a MASTER storyteller. Even when you're writing under your sci-fi/horror pseudonym, I love every single thing you write. I don't know how you do it, and so prolifically. Seriously, nonstop awesome, pouring out of you.

This book reminded me of some of my favorite authors/series, particularly the Pendergast series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. They're a mix of horror and science and mystery, and this felt like a very similar vein to those. I love techno/adventure/sci-fi/horror thrillers, even though the past few years my obsession has turned to urban fantasy more than anything, and knowing that one of the best UF authors out there has a whole extra side to her in one of my other favorite genres is so exciting to me.

This novel was terrifying. Not the whole time, but most of it. Who knows what lies in the deeps of the ocean, waiting for us? The whole thing was just plausible enough to scare the pants off of me.

Seanan/Mira, I was already wary of the ocean, and you've pushed me over the edge straight into #nope. All done with going in the ocean!

Make sure if you pick this one up to grab the prequel novella, Rolling in the Deep, as it sets some of this up and provides you a glimpse into what is coming.

Highly recommended.

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