Review: Hide

Hide by Kiersten White
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.

You ever read one of those books that plays out like a movie in your head? It's got a good pace. It's got a good premise. It's got a good cast. It's got a good setting. It's got everything needed to fit the mold of a modern day smash at the box office.

This book... is that. It has all of those things. And I think it should be a movie.

The characters were great - I hated some, I loved some, I had some to root for.

The premise was awesome - the readers were given hints that not all was as it seemed, but we watched the cast slowly figure it out.

The storyline was fantastic - the perfect horror movie setup and build.

All in all, the only complaint that I had was that, at the end, I was hoping for just a tad bit more. But that's also not a complaint, because the best books always leave you wanting more (in a good way).

Five stars. Highly recommend. Will definitely be picking up more of this author's work in the future.

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Review: The Stardust Thief

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Orbit for gifting me an advanced copy. Below is my honest review.

WOW. That is a debut! This book was a fun romp through the wild heat of the desert, steeped in magic and dripping with violence (but not in a gory way).

I loved the magic in this book. The jinns were fantastic, their magics and histories were intriguing, and while the beginning was a little slow to get going (which I think was a mood thing for me and nothing to do with the book itself), it picked up pretty quickly. The relics were so much fun - think Xiaolin Showdown meets A Thousand and One Nights.

But do you know what is disappointing? I read this one early... which means my wait for book two will be longer than the average reader. *stomps feet* Not fair!

Highly recommended. Definitely will pick up book two as soon as it's available to me!!! While in London for vacation this past week, we went the famous Piccadilly Circus 6 floor Waterstones. They had multiple displays of this one... and anyone nearby who was looking at it got my recommendation!

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Review: The Girl and the Moon

The Girl and the Moon by Mark Lawrence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

Mark Lawrence really knows how to plot trilogies expertly. So far, I've read Book of the Ancestor and Book of the Ice and loved them both. I own the Impossible Times trilogy, and once I read those, will go back for Broken Empire.

I care deeply about the characters in this trilogy, as much as the ones from Book of the Ancestor, and really need more. The blurb doesn't say "trilogy," instead saying "series," so maybe this one will have more? *sighs*

Highly recommend this one, but with the caveat that you at least need to read the first two Book of the Ice before picking this one up. I'd definitely suggest reading Book of the Ancestor first as well, and as many others have mentioned his other series, perhaps those too. There are connections a-plenty.

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Review: A Catalogue of Catastrophe

A Catalogue of Catastrophe by Jodi Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

I can't begin to describe how much fun Jodi Taylor's books are. I adore both St. Mary's and the Time Police spinoff, and they're absolutely highlights of my reading each year.

This one didn't fail to meet that qualification. Yet again, smashing success!

We pick up where we left off - with Max and Markham on the outs from St. Mary's, working with Smallhope and Pennyroyal as time bounty hunters. Only this time, someone invades their home base. Consequences abound! Shenanigans ensue!

We roll through a bunch of important moments in history, per the usual, this time focusing on trying to figure out this shady organization's plans. On top of all that, Max is starting to experience the side effects of all her time hopping and things are getting... weird.

I can't say more, as I don't want to spoil anything... but I am a little annoyed that now I have an extra few weeks to wait before the followup would come out next year, since I had an ARC. I am so excited to see more of this new shady group and what their goals are.

If you haven't read the Chronicles of St. Mary's, then you should definitely start at the beginning. Also, what's wrong with you? Go read them! They're amazing.

HIGHLY recommended.

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Review: Crowbones

Crowbones by Anne Bishop
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

In this book, we return to the Jumble and Vicki DeVine, first introduced in 2018's Lake Silence, which also happened to be the beginning of our visits to places other than Lakeside and people other than Meg Corbyn and her new family. We took a little detour in the next book, Wild Country, to witness some monumental events that had far-reaching effects for all humans. And now, we're back at the Jumble.

It's Trickster Night (their version of Halloween), and who should make a terrifying appearance? Crowbones, the ancient spirit Crowgard parents used to keep their kids behaving properly! In Crowbones' wake, bodies start piling up.

Vicki and her fellow humans and the Others who live in Sproing must work together to figure out who is causing the stir, as even bigger Elders and Hunters cut off the town from the outside world and begin Hunting themselves.

It was a great book, but I had a little trouble getting into it at the beginning, so I gave it 4.5 stars. I rounded down because the culprit(s) were a little obvious, but it was still a fantastic story.

I adore this world, and some cameos we got! I can't wait for the next Others-verse story!!!

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Review: Spelunking Through Hell: A Visitor's Guide to the Underworld

Spelunking Through Hell: A Visitor's Guide to the Underworld by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

We finally arrived at Alice's book. Ten main series novels and countless novellas/shorties later (available on her website and Patreon), multiple years of Incryptid-verse buildup and we finally get to go on Alice's journey to find Thomas.

I can't say much, because this book is a huge deal and I don't want to spoil anything... but what I will say is that all the anticipation was worth it. In this book, we get to follow Alice through multiple dimension/universes/worlds on her quest to bring home her husband.

Is she successful? I can't tell you that. Spoilers, sweetie. But what I can say is that there will be ramifications for the events of this book... and Seanan knows exactly how to leave you already frothing at the mouth for the next book.

Pick this one up, but start at the beginning of the series if you haven't already, and please do find the time to read all of the novellas and short stories leading up to this. It'll make this one feel much richer in story, character, and plot.

Side note - the bonus novella in this book was a gem - hard to read, but a gem nonetheless.

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Review: Diablo Mesa

Diablo Mesa by Douglas Preston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

This one started with a bang and then kicked it up a few notches. Wasn't really expecting an alien/UFO storyline, especially with Nora Kelly, who is very scientific and quite the skeptic. I also wasn't sure if I'd like it... but I did.

Lots of twists and turns. Lots of buildup. Lots of tension and knowing things are coming but not being able to do anything but observe (aka read).

I'd have totally given this one 5 stars, but there was a serious "plot armor" situation going on that made me reduce to 4.5 stars, and I couldn't round up. It takes some of the tension out of the end, really, and took me out of the story a bit.

Overall, another fantastic entry into the Pendergast-verse, this time in the Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson series. Pick it up, but if you're not going to read the entire Pendergast series, at the very least, read the first two in this spinoff before jumping in here.

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