Review: The Break Line

The Break Line by James Brabazon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

That was one crazy ride! The last 40% was intense, fast-paced, and action-packed. The first 60%... not as much. There was some action, but it was a slow, slow burn.

I probably would have enjoyed this one a lot more if the book hadn't pitched to me because of my love of James Rollins' novels. It was very different from those, but the whole time I was expecting it to involve history, archaeology, techonology, science... but it really was just a spy/assassin thriller with some horror-sci-fi elements thrown in. Because of this preset expectation, I think I enjoyed this less than I would have had I just picked it up for what it was. Don't get me wrong, I still ended up on the positive side of the fence when it came to liking the book, but I can't give it as many stars because I only liked it instead of loving it.

I think fans of spy and assassin thrillers or action movies with sci-fi-esque twists will love this one. Jason Bourne fans will probably eat this one up! For me, though, it was just an okay read. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
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Review to come on release. Pre-review: Decent book, just not really like what was pitched to me so had high expectations going in. 3.5 stars

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Review: Cub

Cub by Paul Coccia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Orca for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun story. It's more along the lines of a novella at around 150 pages or so. The main characters receive some relatively good development in such a short page count, but the plot felt a little unfinished. I feel like another chapter or two to answer some lingering questions and tie up some bits left dangling would have helped. I loved Theo and his bestie Di and Mama Bear too. I did have some issues with the much older adults making advances on the youngin'...

Overall, it was a good story and I appreciate what Orca is trying to do - get more stories out there that involve LGBT+ youth, in all shapes and sizes and colors and creeds, so people feel represented. And I'm totally on board with that.

Writing/plot/story - 3 stars

Overall loving what Orca's got going on - 5 stars

So I'll settle in the middle on 4. :)

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Review: Muse of Nightmares

Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Why is this over? I don't want this to be over. I read too fast. Damn. I need more!!!! Laini Taylor is magnificent!!!!

Can't wait to see what she writes next (especially if [redacted]!!!)

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Review: Marked

Marked by S. Andrew Swann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm torn on this one - it's really original, the characters get developed nicely, and the worlds-building is really cool. The plot was good too! For all of those things, I wanted to give the book the full five stars... *BUT* it took me forever to get in to the story. That could have been my mood, that could have been the pacing, that could have been a lot of factors... but that makes me want to give it 3 stars. So I found the happy medium and rated it at four stars.

Overall, I think it was a great book. I've never read any stories with the premise. It felt like a mix between Doctor Who and the Invisible Library series, with a dash of that old tv show Sliders mixed in as well.

I didn't have any preconceived notions going in, so I won't say too much and give you any, but I would recommend this book for urban fantasy and sci-fi lovers. Since I think it was my weird mood that slowed the beginning down for me, I think most people would enjoy the story straight away.

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Review: The Winter of the Witch

The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

Now THAT is how you do a trilogy. Excellent work, Katherine Arden!

Arden has created a beautiful world, full of magic and men. She's brought historical Russia to life in the minds of readers, and she has given us a strong and amazing protagonist who gets things done, lives life on her own terms, and is chock full of character agency that other authors struggle to give but Arden does with panache.

This trilogy will lead you through the wild darkness of Midnight, the mystical land of the cheyrti, and the pastoral lands of old Rus'. It'll take you through the heights and depths of human experience, and show you the good and bad side of people and spirits.

Honestly, Arden's first trilogy is a masterpiece, and you'd be doing yourself a disservice as a reader to skip it. I had no interest in Russian folklore before reading these, and she's intrigued me with her depth of knowledge on the subject and her ability to incorporate those legends and myths into her stories so seamlessly.

Five stars. Top notch trilogy. Pick them up!!!!

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Review: Kingdom of Needle and Bone

Kingdom of Needle and Bone by Mira Grant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

As many of you know, I *adore* Seanan McGuire. Seriously, she's one of my top favorite authors and I will read anything she puts out under that name. What you might not know is that she also writes under the name Mira Grant, and puts out sci-fi and techno thriller/horror type books. Under her Mira brand, she's been hit or miss for me. I love the short novellas she puts out from Subterranean Press (like this one!) and the "mermaid books" are great. I didn't particularly care for Feed, but I do plan on reading more of the series and seeing if it was just me at the time.

One thing that makes Mira's works so much harder for me is how REALISTIC they are. They are backed with meticulous scientific information. AND THEY SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME.

Kingdom of Needle and Bone is deep. It's rough. It's scary - less because of the outbreaks, which *are* scary, and more because of what led to them... fear, ignorance, and the power of the stupidity en masse.

I don't want to spoil anything, and this is a shortie at 128 or so pages. But if you're prepared to see some of the nasty side of humanity, you can pick this up. If you're prepared to see some of the better sides as well, this book has that covered too. Because if there's one thing Seanan/Mira excels at, it's showing ALL sides of humanity's light and darkness in glorious detail.

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