March Reading Game Plan!

I'm hoping that March lets me knock off a LOT of books on my TBR.  Here's the list of planned reads!

A Conjuring of Light by V. E. Schwab (started in February, need to finish)
The Lovecraft Squad: All Hallow's Horror by John Llewellyn Probert (ARC)
Thunderbird by Chuck Wendig
Death's Rival by Faith Hunter
Blood Trade by Faith Hunter
Black Arts by Faith Hunter
Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs
Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop
Magic for Nothing by Seanan McGuire
Final Girls by Mira Grant (ARC)
The Long Way Down by Craig Schaefer
A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor

We shall see if I can get all these read. That's a really big goal!!!

February 2017 Recap

Thought I'd do a quick run down of the books I read in February 2017.

First, I'm involved in a group called Buddies Books and Baubles over on Goodreads, and every Wednesday we pick up a book in a UF series. I've convinced them all to read Jane Yellowrock, which I've been dying to reread.  We read the first four (Skinwalker, Blood Cross, Mercy Blade, and Raven Cursed), all of which got five stars on the second read, because, well, Jane + Beast = epic.  I've also read the shorties up through book five in the Blood in Her Veins anthology, which I'll be reading alongside the main series reads each week until I finish it.

I read a few ARCs as well.  Strange Magic by James Hunter came out a couple of years ago, but the whole series is up on Netgalley, so I gave it a shot. It wasn't terrible, but it certainly didn't turn out to be as fun as it was trying so desperately to be. It felt overdone and like it was trying WAY too hard to be hip and cool -- like Dresden, but with a pop culture reference EVERY SINGLE PARAGRAPH.  I doubt I'll pick up the others in the series when this barely over 200 pager took me almost two weeks to finish.

I was super excited to read the ARC of The Turn by Kim Harrison. I miss her Hollows world so much, especially Jenks, and this prequel hit the spot.  It had a few great characters, but I think my heart belonged to Orchid. Something about the way Kim Harrison writes pixies just works so well!  And of course, Al/Gally was involved, and he's just fantastic.

I also read the first in a new trilogy by an author named Vic James, who created a really fun new world and a really intricate plot in Gilded Cage. I am VERY excited to get book two later this year (*crosses fingers*).

I also had the chance (finally!) to pick up A Symphony of Echoes, book two in the Chronicles of St. Mary's by Jodi Taylor. This is a fun romp through history and the future with the time-traveling historians of St. Mary's.  I definitely plan on getting to book three in March... hopefully. :)

Lastly, I've made some progress in A Conjuring of Light, the final book in V.E. Schwab's Shades of Magic trilogy.  I'll be sad when it's over, because it's turned out to be one of the best series I've ever read.  Schwab has certainly perfected her craft and become an excellent writer.  I hope she writes more beautiful worlds and stories like this trilogy in the future.

Crimson Shore by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Crimson Shore by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Published 2015, Grand Central (November)
Stars: ★★★★★

A full review will be posted closer to release date, but I have to say...

OH. MY. GOD.  That ending was exactly what I WANTED.  I AM FLOORED.

Bring on book #16 asap, Preston/Child.  There's a reason Pendergast has been one of my top favorite series for over a decade... it's because Preston/Child know just how to play with your emotions, when to hold back, and when to let all hell break loose!

While it's not my favorite book of the series (that title still belongs to Cabinet of Curiosities, one of my favorite books of all time), it is one of my absolute favorite endings/cliffhangers of the entire series!!!

Getting Wilde by Jenn Stark

Getting Wilde by Jenn Stark
Published 2015, Elewyn
Stars: ★★★☆☆

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really like the characters of Sara Wilde and the Magician.  I feel like this book filled in a little of the backstory that I needed it to, and it introduced some new characters that will provide some good interactions in futures stories -- Brody, Nikki, the Devil, the High Priestess, etc.

I had FUN with this book, but I had a serious problem with it -- it felt UNFINISHED.  It didn't feel like there was a complete story, but instead was comprised of mostly character development and getting everything into place for future books.  I appreciate the world-building, but I needed it to have that story -- which in this case seemed to be the missing girls, who turned out to be a plot device and the last 25% of the book was more setup, rather than a big explosive finish leading into the next book's story.

Overall, I'd read another, to see what happens with Sara Wilde and if all this setup was worth it.  I'd give it that shot because of the snarky awesome-sauce that is Sara.

One Wilde Night by Jenn Stark

One Wilde Night by Jenn Stark
Published 2015, Elewyn
Stars: ★★★★☆

This little novella was an "introduction" to the world of Sara Wilde, a Connected artifact hunter who reads Tarot cards to find magical and psychic-powered special objects.  It also introduces the idea of The Magician, a character who forms a bond with Sara and will surely play a much bigger role in book one, Getting Wilde.

I am definitely looking forward to reading the first book, which I just got from Netgalley, as this novella did a good bit of world-building without making it tedious, introduced some intriguing characters, and definitely piqued my interest with the artifact-hunting and card-reading!

The Harvest by Chuck Wendig

The Harvest by Chuck Wendig
Published 2015, Skyscape
Stars: ★★★★☆

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy for an unbiased review.

What a trilogy!  Lots of twists and turns, and quite a few things going the exact opposite of the way I was anticipating -- which I love!  While it's fun to figure things out early sometimes, it can also be annoying to constantly be guessing and getting everything right.  Where's the fun in never being shocked?  Well, this series did that for me.  While there were a few things that played out just as I expected, there were others that played out in entirely the opposite way I forecasted.

I'm a little sad it's over, to be honest.  I actually cared about these characters and their fight to change their world.

Thanks Chuck.  Your books always entertain me!

Blightborn by Chuck Wendig

Blightborn by Chuck Wendig
Published 2014, Skyscape
Stars: ★★★★☆

Thanks, Netgalley, for giving me this great Chuck book in exchange for an unbiased review... though it's hard to be unbiased when Chuck is so awesome!!!

Seriously, this one kicked it up a notch... actually, way past a notch.  Our heroes and heroines got deeper into trouble, a few new characters were introduced, and some allegiances changed back and forth a few times.

This series is proving to be further and further from being what I thought it would be, based off my pre-judgments and the cover (strictly sci-fi, if you were wondering), and is turning out to be a handful of genres deftly joined into a fantastic world.

Book three is next up (okay, at the time of this, I'm a quarter of the way into book three already).  Let's see if the end of the trilogy is as explosive as the end of book two.

Under the Empyrean Sky by Chuck Wendig

Under the Empyrean Sky by Chuck Wendig
Published 2013, Skyscape
Stars: ★★★★☆

First, thanks to Netgalley for providing me with the Trilogy for review.  Not only do I get to read the whole thing and provide my unbridled opinion on it, but I get to do it for CHUCK books!!!  (Check out his Miriam Black series if you want a prime example of awesomeness.)  So thanks Netgalley. Other than these review copies, I got nothing in return for my review (well, maybe some satisfaction from reading a great book!)

Chuck's world this time is far from that of Miriam and her darkness.  It's a bright land of... corn.  Corn everywhere. As far as the eye can see... corn.  Not just any corn, but corn so GMO'd that it's barely edible and can move on its own.  Add yet another creepy level to the already creepy endless cornfield.  Yikes.

The Heartlanders live on the surface of the planet, tending the out-of-control kudzu-like corn and providing labor and supplies to the Empyrean, the rich people who live above in giant flotillas in the sky.

Enter Cael and his friends.  They're scavengers, trying to find anything they can to sell and provide for their families and their town.  But that's all about to change...

This book is drastically different in tone from Chuck's other works.  It's YA for one, but it's also a big story -- overall, the first one points the way towards what I think will be a revolution and a change in the status quo of Cael's entire world.

And I think the journey is going to be a good one, especially if it's half as fun and easy to tear through as this book one of the trilogy.

Trust No One by Paul Cleave

Trust No One by Paul Cleave
Published 2015, Atria
Stars: ★★★★☆

Netgalley provided me with a copy of this book for reading and review purposes.  My review is unbiased and based strictly upon my opinion of the quality of the work.

After much pondering since I finished yesterday, I've settled on some feelings.  For most of this book, I was entirely certain it would be a five star read.  The concept was awesome, the cover was gorgeous, the writing was convincing -- seriously convincing. Alzheimer's is a scary disease.  It eats away at who you are, slowly killing you while leaving you alive.  This book does an amazing job of providing some level of feeling that people who have this terrible sickness must go through.  Sure, it's probably not all medically accurate... but it's a thriller.  And it really works for the narrative.  It allows us to question as much as the protagonist does, while knowing bits and pieces more than he does because we remember things from his journal entries that he no longer can recall.

I guess what killed that fifth star for me was the ending.  An understandable but heartwrenching twist totally irked me.  Everything had built up just the way I was anticipating... and those last few pages just ripped my proverbial feet out from under me.  The ending made sense, and was almost necessary... but it tore my heart out. 

Crossed by Eliza Crewe

Crossed by Eliza Crewe
Published 2015, Independent
Stars: ★★★★★

Wow!  This one is chock full of twists and turns!!! Every time you think you've got it nailed down how it's going to go, the story takes another sharp turn... even straight into Hell!

Meda yet again proves to be one of the best YA-esque protagonists in the genre, with her not-so-good-girl attitude, spunk, and snarky wit ruling the narration.  Jo proves for the billionth time that she's not all talk, but isn't phased by hard choices.  Chi remains the lovable, heroic, stupidly reckless and hopelessly hopeful Crusader.  Some other characters make returns in this book, which ties up a lot of loose ends.

I've heard rumors that this *could* be the last Meda book.  Say it ain't so, Eliza! SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!

Another solid entry in the Soul Eater series.  Tied up enough that it's believable as a series ender, but left enough potential threads that Crewe could return to it if she so chooses (and she'd better so choose, so help me Meda).

If I had more than five stars to give, this series would get the extras.

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Published 2006, Tor
Stars: ★★★★★

Way to go Sanderson. You did it to me yet again.

Yet again I go in slow, learn the world, and hesitate to love your characters... because I know, somehow, you're going to make me invest in them and then RIP MY HEART OUT.

Really cool world, super-developed and original magic system, great characters, heart-breaking but logical and shoulda-seen-that-one-coming twists, and an overall sense of atmosphere and connection that makes me long to have even a fraction of Sanderson's talent as a writer and world-creator.

The Tournament by Matthew Reilly

The Tournament by Matthew Reilly
Published 2015(US), Gallery
Stars: ★★★★☆

Matthew Reilly is really good at thrillers.  Like, super fun, crazy explosions, fast pace, unbelievable yet unputdownable thrillers.  But then I attempted to read Troll Mountain, his foray into fantasy.  No thanks.  Not so good.  So when I saw that Reilly had branched out into historical fiction and mystery, I was a little concerned... but since I love Reilly's work (other than Troll Mountain, ick!), I had to see if this would be any good.

And it was.  I loved the characters of Bess and Ascham, and there were plenty of murders and lots of intrigue to keep it entertaining.  I'll give it four stars, with the missing star because of the convoluted solution.

All in all, a strong entry by Reilly into the historical mystery genre.  Much better than I had expected, considering Troll Mountain's blah-ness.  (Did I mention I really didn't care for Troll Mountain at all???)

Thanks Netgalley for this review copy.  I've provided my honest opinion, and gotten nothing other than the ARC in return.

A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths

A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths
Published 2013, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Stars: ★★★★☆

This was probably my favorite one since the first one.  Plenty of suspects, a different locale that set our team on edge, actual danger for some of the characters, and...

I thought I had the killer(s?) figured out, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was wrong.

Highly entertaining one, this. :)

Quick Review: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
Published 2010, Delacorte Press
Stars: ★★★★☆ (3.5)

3.5 stars

Holy hell.  MORE questions, few answers, and yet, I can't look away.

Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch

Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
Published 2011, Del Ray (US version)
Stars: ★★★★★

This one was a little slower paced than book one -- if you don't count the character/world introductions from the first one -- at least at the beginning.

Honestly, I didn't think that this one, with all the focus on jazz music, would appeal to me very much. I was wrong.  By the end of it, I loved it.  The book, not jazz.  Still not a jazz person.  I don't dislike it.  I just don't go out of my way to listen to it.

The world is growing in this book.  More characters, more good guys, more villains, more creatures, more kinds of magic.  I like that.  Growth is good.  And some events at the end, while sad (and almost a little trope-ish in the male UF world), didn't feel unnecessary to me.  In fact, I felt like what happened HAD to happen.  It's going to make Peter Grant a different, more rounded character, who has a deeper respect for what he is dealing with, the consequences, and the lives involved.  It's going to make him better.

If I didn't have, oh, a bajillion ARCs and library books and challenge books to read, I'd be picking up book three immediately.  Instead, I'll have to wait a few weeks -- but it will be in the queue as soon as possible, especially considering that little twist of the last few pages.

Crushed by Eliza Crewe

Crushed by Eliza Crewe
Published 2014, Independent
Stars: ★★★★★

Eliza Crewe better be really glad I read this so close to the release of book three, or she would have had to deal with a temper tantrum bigger than any war between Crusaders and Demons.  Just saying.

Absolutely a blast.  Lots of fun, lots of action, lots of MEDA-SNARK. :)

A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths

A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths
Published 2012, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Stars: ★★★★☆ (3.5)

3.5 stars

I'm having a hard time deciding just what to rate this between 3 and 4 stars, so I'm going to settle on 3.5 stars.

Storywise, I feel like it was a pretty week entry in the series.  There were a LOT of plot strings in this one, and while it's nice that they all didn't end up being the same culprit/storyline, they made for a tangled mess at certain points.  Also, the plot twist was interesting.  Not what I expected, but also made for a little bit of a letdown in terms of solving a whodunnit.  Thus, 3 stars of "like it" but not "love it" quality.

On the other hand, there was quite a bit of development in many of the characters, Ruth, Cathbad, Nelson, Michelle, Max, Judy, Clough, etc.  I'm a big fan of character growth and development (one primary reason I love series so much), so this tempted me to make it 4 stars.

All around, still entertaining, so a little more than liked it, a little less than loved it.

Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

Skinwalker by Faith Hunter
Published 2009, Roc
Stars: ★★★★★

This book was HELL YES I LOVED IT good.  Interesting premise? Check.  Badass main character? Double check, actually. Twisted plot? Check.  Unique take on vampires? Good enough for me, check.  Really cool superpowers? Check.  Female MC not afraid of sexuality but not obsessed with it either? Check.

Jane is a BAMF.  TOTAL BAMF.  Throw Beast into the mix, and you've got "one" awesome main character.

I can't wait to get my grabby hands on book two!

The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher

The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher
Published 2014, Quirk Books
Stars: ★★★☆☆

This Star Wars retelling in the form of a classic play was entertaining and highly clever, but much of it felt forced.  I enjoyed it, but I didn't LOVE it.  I'd consider reading more at some point in the future, but it won't be a series that I *have* to read RIGHT NOW.

Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch

Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch
Published 2011, Del Ray (US version)
Stars: ★★★★★

"Oh, a shiny new blender!!! Let's throw some stuff in."

*digs around in the shelves*

"Let's start with a British crime procedural type mystery!"

*picks up a Ruth Galloway book by Elly Griffiths and tosses it in, then rummages around for something else*

"OH! An Anne Bishop novel about The Others... in it goes!"

*tastes*

"Needs a little something else... EUREKA!"

*grabs a Harry Dresden by Jim Butcher and throws it in*

"And one last little touch."

*picks up a shaker full of pop culture and other fiction references and shakes in a large portion*

"There... now it's perfect!"