From the critically acclaimed author of The Fifth Season comes a follow up novel that will thrill every old fan and attract many new ones into this faFrom the critically acclaimed author of The Fifth Season comes a follow up novel that will thrill every old fan and attract many new ones into this fabulous world of seismic catastrophes and magic. N.K. Jemisin put her considerable experience to good use and created a sequel worthy of all the awards that now shine on the cover of its predecessor. The Obelisk Gate is a symphony, a literary achievement that will endure the test of time.
This second book brings with it a slight shift in genre, taking us from straight up fantasy to a blend between fantasy, dystopia and post-apocalyptic science fiction with paranormal elements. Jemisin blends all this variety perfectly, with a very clear idea where she wants to take it. The world expands even more, the many sides of the conflict are more visible, but there are still mysteries to unravel and many more surprises ahead.
The narrative voice itself finally reveals itself towards the end of the book, and it brings with it astonishment and plenty of speculation. In fact, everything Jemisin does has hidden meanings and many possible consequences and each new revelation brings forth the fact that no one is safe and not many will be spared.
New characters are introduced, but the old ones shine. There are such complex relationships and emotions, sometimes very difficult to process or even understand. Essun’s fight for her daughter, the one she didn’t quite know how to love; Nassun’s rebellion against a mother she sees as cold and even cruel; Alabaster’s fight against nature itself, Jija’s waffling between affection and deep hatred towards his only daughter; the stone eaters’ motivations; and, above all, Shaffa’s repentance and change. It’s all such a complicated tangle of deeply flawed people and imperfect motivations that we mostly struggle to understand where any of them coming from.
Essun and Alabaster are without a doubt the highest point of this book, the odd dynamic between them warming our hearts even when they show each other nothing but cruelty. The reluctant family they’ve built, now down to just the two of them, was more important than Essun ever wanted to admit. There is such unfathomable pain between them, but there is still love that sparks, true friendship that endures despite the odds.
Overall, even with two more books to go, The Broken Earth series can already be considered the very best of its kind, a celebration of the art of literature with superb characterization, almost unparalleled diversity and a story that will continue keep us all on the edge of our seats.
As a Hugo award winner and Nebula award nominee, among many other awards and accolades, The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin leaves very little doubt abouAs a Hugo award winner and Nebula award nominee, among many other awards and accolades, The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin leaves very little doubt about its own quality. But even without the official recognition, The Fifth Season enchants easily, making it clear from the prologue that Jemisin’s writing is something extraordinary. This novel shines in its every aspect and shows precisely what a fantasy novel should be. It carries in itself everything from shiny worldbuilding to superb characterization and cleverly inserted traces of metanarration and metafictionality.
The Fifth Season flows easily, but not without effort on our part. It demands a bit of investment, a more careful consideration, but it isn’t intimidating or inaccessible. Jemisin’s writing is a symphony of words, a work of art in and of itself. She cleverly leads us through the story, often addressing us directly, and allows us to see what she wants us to see and realize only that she wants us to realize at any particular moment. At times the writing is so good that it temporarily draws our attention away from the storyline, leaving us breathless in anticipation of Jemisin’s next artful turn of phrase.
We begin with three very different women, of different ages and different social status. Their situations are vastly different but they all have one thing in common – they are orogenes, able to control various forms of energy and cause seismic events. Orogenes aren’t celebrated in their society, they provoke fear and disgust and they have two options upon discovery – they can be killed by their communities or they can go to the city and essentially become slaves.
Jemisin weaves this story like an intricate piece of filigree work, cleverly introducing new information and shocking discoveries at precisely the right time. There is an Appendix, glossary included, at the end of the book that is most useful since the author doesn’t spend much time explaining herself or her world. She sacrifices everything, even (or especially) the comfort of her readers for the good of the narrative, and the end result is nothing short of glorious.
The Fifth Season is a beautifully constructed, masterfully executed work of fiction that everyone needs to read. It may require some investment from its readers, but the rewards are more than enough.
The thrilling, long-awaited sequel to An Ember in the Ashes is finally in our greedy little hands and it’s even better than we dared to hope. BeautifuThe thrilling, long-awaited sequel to An Ember in the Ashes is finally in our greedy little hands and it’s even better than we dared to hope. Beautifully written, emotionally exhausting, filled with pain and far too much heartbreak, A Torch Against the Night once again shows that Saba Tahir deserves all the praise she’s been getting for the past year or so. It is a bloody, painful and surprising work, a true challenge for readers and fans, but one that is worth every tear and all the hurt it causes.
The story is equally divided between Laia, Elias and Helene, but Helene easily steals the spotlight. Her character has become essential to this story and her insight invaluable to this bloody plot Sabaa Tahir weaves. With Laia and Elias on the run, Helene is our eyes and ears in the Empire. She is the one who shows us bloodbaths and genocide, the one who makes so many questionable choices along the way. But even when her actions are deplorable, we never forget that she’s a prisoner of her oaths and circumstances, a powerful captive, but a captive nonetheless. The Empire’s war against the Scholars has progressed to actual genocide under the Commander’s heartless rule and Helene, as Blood Shrike, is caught right in the middle of it.
The journey is no easier for Elias and Laia. We’ve come to expect hopeless situations in Tahir’s prose, but she pushes even that to extremes. Their quest to save Laia’s brother seems impossible and the losses they suffer along the way almost too difficult to bear. A Torch leaves no time to breathe, no time to heal between one heart-wrenching blow and the next.
Even with the somewhat slower beginning, which admittedly doesn’t last long, the quality of Tahir’s writing carries us right through it. The sheer elegance of her prose is unparalleled, the careful consideration put into every single word, every sentence heavy with strong emotions. A Torch is calmer, quieter, more subdued compared to the epic battles and intrigue that came before, but it’s also emotionally more taxing and infinitely more distressing. If you thought the Empire couldn’t be any crueler, wait until you see it under the new Emperor’s rule.
Readers who were unhappy about the romantic aspect of this story, the Gordian knot of emotions between Laia, Keenan, Elias and Helene, will be happy to know that it all gets more or less resolved by the end of this book. The love triangle is a bit more prominent, but for reasons other than torturing the readers. Tahir often takes us where we don’t want to go, where we haven’t even dreamed of going, but she does so because it serves her story, not because she enjoys torturing us. Or maybe it’s a bit of both…
Two more books were recently announced to thousands of delighted (and terrified) fans. Tahir has already taught us to fear her and what she might do. I doubt it will get any easier – or more enchanting – from here on out, and I honestly can’t wait to find out. It’s difficult to fully explain the emotional impact of this book without revealing spoilers, which is why I invite all of you to private fangirling sessions the second you read this.
There’s an interesting story somewhere in What the Dead Want, although it’s so well hidden that you’ll have trouble finding it. Norah Olson’s sophomorThere’s an interesting story somewhere in What the Dead Want, although it’s so well hidden that you’ll have trouble finding it. Norah Olson’s sophomore novel requires a lot of patience and faith. The first part appears to be a confusing, unconnected series of chapters from several points of view, and this goes on long enough that even the most patient reader starts thinking about giving up. When things finally start to connect, they still feel distant and unemotional, and by the time things start to unravel, it’s very difficult to care at all.
It could be argued that Olson had far too many ideas, but fell short on following through. In order for a book like What the Dead Want to work, the writing needs to be immersive and atmospheric. Olson’s writing is far too simplistic to achieve the necessary depth. It’s almost like watching through a window as a fabulous meal is being cooked – you can see it happening, but none of your other senses are affected. I didn’t want to be told that Gretchen was feeling her skin crawl or that the hair on her arms and neck was rising. I wanted it to happen to me, to feel it all alongside her.
There is an excellent Civil War story in the background about saving slaves from the Ku Klux Klan, but it’s convoluted, confusing and not given nearly enough attention. The big reveal is foreshadowed a bit too strongly so it doesn’t come as a surprise at all. Even the extent of human cruelty doesn’t hurt or shock us, being written in a way that doesn’t quite reach our hearts. What the Dead Want could have been a far better story with some more careful writing and editing. As it is, it’s best to just skip it. ...more
The Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan is the type of fantasy that will satisfy even the most demanding reader. Ryan envisioned a very dark world, an odd comThe Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan is the type of fantasy that will satisfy even the most demanding reader. Ryan envisioned a very dark world, an odd combination of futuristic and steampunk elements with bits of swashbuckling adventure thrown into the mix that actually works extremely well. In some aspects, it seems to be ahead of our times, what with government and democracy being long forgotten, but paradoxically, things like the social structure call back times long past. There are illiterate servants, steampunk gadgets, and yet women seem completely emancipated and considered equal in every way.
In Ryan’s world, dragonlike creatures, drakes, are hunted and exploited for their blood. Each color of drakes gives different abilities, but only to those who are blood-blessed. Much like the Jedi, the blood-blessed are discovered early and trained to serve the Ironship Syndicate, with only the rare few managing to remain unregistered.
The Waking Fire is told from three different points of view, more or less evenly divided. One is Lizanne Lethridge, a blod-blessed secret operative for the Syndicate. Next is an unregistered blod-blessed thief with deep ties to the criminal underworld. The third is a naval officer on an ironclad warship. The story revolves around the mythical White drake, never seen but desperately wished for by the Syndicate.
Like all good fantasy books, The Waking Fire is a social commentary, a not so subtle review of capitalistic society. It shows where our fixation on supply and demand could possibly lead, and the future is rather bleak. There is no government in Arradsia – the continent is ruled by the Ironship Syndicate, its shareholders and the product (drake blood) itself. They consider everyone else beneath them and ridicule those who adhere to their monarchies. The cultural differences are huge, the progress far too rapid and the divide too difficult to overcome.
The biggest flaw that can be pointed out is the sheer number of secondary and tertiary characters with similar names. At one point, there were a Talmant, a Trumane and a Tottleborn on a single ship, in a single chapter (and never interacting with each other). Therefore, aside from figuring out the chain of command and the rather complicated relationships, we have to struggle just to figure out who exactly our protagonist is talking to. It took me about four chapters from Hilemore’s point of view to learn to tell them apart. That sort of thing puts an unnecessary burden on the reader and draws the focus away from what’s truly important.
The Waking Fire isn’t for those who prefer fantasy-lite. It has a rather complex world that requires patience and persistence, but it’s worth it. Anthony Ryan used every one of those 592 pages extremely well. With his clever writing style and a talent for twisty plots, he produced a series opener everyone will be talking about in no time at all.
A goodbye to Sidewinder has been a long time coming and yet somehow we haven’t had nearly enough time. Nine books with Ty and Zane and three more withA goodbye to Sidewinder has been a long time coming and yet somehow we haven’t had nearly enough time. Nine books with Ty and Zane and three more with Nick and Kelly and I feel like I could spend time with these guys forever. To be entirely honest, I postponed reading this book for months because I suspected what it might do to me, but even I couldn’t predict such a quiet, emotional finale, so unlike Abigail Roux’s previous books.
So far, both these series consisted mostly of explosions and angst, but Part & Parcel really changed the pace. This final book is about repairing the substantial damage all those adventures have caused. It’s a book about assembling the broken pieces and moving on, finding a way to live with the memories and the guilt. So many battles fought, so many lives lost, and our boys are still standing, holding onto each other for dear life.
Part & Parcel brings together all living members of Sidewinder and Zane. A dead brother is speaking to them from the grave, knowing what they need even when they don’t know it themselves. Losing Eli Sanchez was hard for all of them, and almost a decade later they still have so much healing to do. Through his letters and his careful instructions, Eli gives them a chance to make peace with his death and finally forgive themselves.
Kelly and Nick go through hell in this book. Not their usual kind of hell, not the bullets and bombs, but something that might be even worse. Roux pushed them both to their limit and she pushed us alongside them. At times it felt like they should just give up and find someone with whom they don’t share two decades of painful history. Part & Parcel is very much Nick’s book, since he is the one who needs most forgiveness and healing. Nick was always hardest on himself and that part hasn’t changed. He blames himself for everything, even things that are not his fault, and it was so difficult to watch him finally come unglued. Roux did a wonderful job with him in this book. I cried so many times, wishing more than anything to somehow comfort him.
I loved reading about these Marines, seeing them fight and love and sometimes fight TO love. Even when it was hard, I enjoyed every second I spent with them.
With three extremely successful novels behind her, Ruta Sepetys has very little to prove as a YA historical fiction writer. In fact, when we think aboWith three extremely successful novels behind her, Ruta Sepetys has very little to prove as a YA historical fiction writer. In fact, when we think about the best in the genre, her name is the first that comes to mind. I don’t think there’s anyone quite as skilled in combining fiction and fact, uncovering hidden parts of history and making us care deeply about every one of her characters. Each of them is a product of their circumstances, each tragic in a unique, but somehow familiar way.
The best kind of historical fiction is the one you learn from. Sepetys does an extraordinary amount of research and she always chooses less known parts of history. The story of MV Wilhelm Gustloff was buried under politics for far too long. The fact that the ship was a Nazi ship and that it carried German civilians and military personnel was obviously a factor when history books were being written. Be that as it may, the Wilhelm Gustloff tragedy remains to this day the largest loss on life on a single ship in history, with 6 times more casualties than the Titanic.
Ruta Sepetys is a master storyteller. In Salt to the Sea, she places four characters of different nationalities, with different priorities and different goals on a colliding path and gives us a chance to watch them transform. When faced with the cruelties of war, winter and the biggest tragedy in maritime history, Joana, Florian, Emilia and Alfred must completely reshape their worlds if they wish to survive. Theirs is a profoundly touching journey with the power to change the way we view history.
Ruta paints these historical facts with a sure hand, relying on an unholy amount of research, but she never burdens her story with too many historical facts. She chooses her battles carefully and writes novels that are very human and focused on individuals. Like her previous novels, Salt is very painful, but it carries a message of hope and the strength of human spirit.
Salt to the Sea solidifies Ruta Sepetys as an author I not only love, but respect beyond measure. It takes a very special kind of person to do what she does in such an understated, yet masterful way. Maggie Stiefvater called this novel ‘confident and stylish’ and as usual, her words sum things up perfectly. The only thing I can add to that is my heartfelt recommendation.
Robyn Carr has been writing romances for as long as some of us have been alive. On the one side, it’s a scary thought, but on the other, it’s kind of Robyn Carr has been writing romances for as long as some of us have been alive. On the one side, it’s a scary thought, but on the other, it’s kind of relaxing to sink into one of her books, knowing full well that I’m in very capable hands. I always find her romances comforting because the conflicts, such as they are, rarely feel like cheap romance tropes. Her portrayal of small town life may be a bit idealized, but her characters are always warm and welcoming.
Wildest Dreams is the 9th book in her Thunder Point series. I have to admit I’ve missed a few along the way, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this one. I enjoyed revisiting old friends, spending some time with Iris, Seth and others and learning how some secondary couples fared.
The thing about series like Thunder Point is this: readers get so comfortable with the setting and familiar with their surrounding that they enjoy just spending time there, even if nothing is really happening. Once they reach that point, authors can allow themselves all kinds of things, even mostly plotless books, and still have loyal fans. Wildest Dreams feels very much like one of those books. It’s not a conventional romance since it takes ages for Blake and Lin Su to even kiss. It doesn’t have any kind of mystery or other type of plot. It just goes back and forth between several characters, allowing us to peek into their everyday lives. That might sound like a bad thing, but it’s really not – not for someone who feels happy and comfortable in Thunder Point. And let’s face it – when you keep up with a series for no less than 9 books, it’s because you like what you find there each and every time.
Mostly, my problem with Wildest Dreams was that I disliked Lin Su intensely. I couldn’t understand what Blake saw in her and why he would even consider getting involved with someone so hardheaded and controlling. I pitied her teenage son constantly and just waited for him to rebel far more than he actually did. I can’t really say much more about them, not for fear of spoiling – there isn’t much to spoil – but because there simply isn’t much to say. Wildest Dreams is a pleasant book, but it’s my least favorite of the nine.
As usual, I would have enjoyed it far less without Therese Plummer’s fantastic narration. She is a goddess among women, a queen among audio narrators with her calming voice and her excellent voice characterization. If you choose to read this series (and you should because those first few books are really fantastic), I’d definitely go with the audio.
After about 15 months and two publishing delays, the second book in Melissa Gray’s The Girl at Midnight trilogy is finally here. The expect
After about 15 months and two publishing delays, the second book in Melissa Gray’s The Girl at Midnight trilogy is finally here. The expectations were high for those of us who liked the first book, but Gray justifies the long wait and the hype that follows the series. When the first book came out, many reviewers complained about the similarities between The Girl at Midnight and Daughter of Smoke and Bone. They continue in those elements that Gray borrowed, but otherwise the story takes a different direction entirely.
The pacing is a little bit slower than in the previous book, but the end result is no less thrilling. The Shadow Hour is a tangle of action and emotion, discoveries and desperate moves. The book somehow avoids the middle book syndrome, even though it’s less eventful than its predecessor. There is plenty to keep us occupied and afraid for our characters, and Gray once again demonstrates her ability to keep the narrative voices separate, despite there being many, and in fairly brief chapters.
Plotwise, The Shadow Hour is a fantastic book, rich and exciting, full of unexpected twists and complicated betrayals. Even in its quiet moments it keeps the reader engaged and on the edge. There are so many things going on at once, so much resentment brewing that a single wrong step could turn into outright wars. The truce between the Avicen and Caius is tenuous at best, with only Echo to keep it together. With all of them confined to a single place, the tension is unrelenting and palpable.
What makes this book weaker, in my eyes, is the never-ending number of love triangles. Not only do the old ones keep making us miserable, but there are new ones to ruin what little peace was achieved. At one point, everyone seems to be at least a little bit in love with everyone else, and there is hurt and bitterness whichever way you turn. Jasper and Dorian seem to be the most popular couple in the trilogy, but even they face new challenges and yet another person added to the mix. As if Dorian’s unrequited love for Caius and his hatred for all Avicen weren’t challenging enough.
On the other side, non-romantic relationships give strength to this story, making it a deep and challenging well of emotions. Most, but not all of them, begin with Echo and her complicated past and present. The friendship between Ivy and her felt genuine from the start and the love that exists there is quite obvious. My favorite, though, is Echo’s view of Ala – as a mother, a teacher, a protector, and a tether to the world of Avicen. Aside from that, the conflict between Caius and his treacherous twin sister was done exceedingly well. His emotions towards her, , ranging from love to disappointment to understanding to betrayal, and especially during their confrontations made it almost difficult to breathe. Poor Caius was abandoned by all except Dorian, but nothing was as painful as the knife his sister shoved in his back.
The ending can’t really be called a cliffhanger, but Echo and her friends are in a very difficult place. It will be challenging to wait a whole year or more for some kind of resolution, but at this point, I have no doubt that Melissa Gray will make it worth our while. ...more
Even before its release, Three Dark Crowns, the first in Kendare Blake’s new series, is proving to be a highly polarizing book, with readers either loEven before its release, Three Dark Crowns, the first in Kendare Blake’s new series, is proving to be a highly polarizing book, with readers either loving or hating it and very few (if any) falling somewhere in the middle. Three Dark Crowns offers all the things Kendare is known for: the dark moments, the vivid imagery, the shocking, almost grotesque violence, but it lacks her usual rich plotting and regrettably falls behind her other works.
Three Dark Crowns starts off promisingly, with poison flowing, dangerous elemental magic and cruelty wherever we turn. Readers have been describing it as dark, but it goes a bit beyond that. With Blake’s work, devil is always in the details, and she is known for the gruesome and memorable images she enjoys planting in our heads. Snakes, scorpions, tables full of poisoned food, islands shaking and human sacrifice, all promise us a read we won’t soon forget.
It quickly becomes evident, however, that images are all this book has to offer. With no plot to speak of and very little significant characterization, even blood and gore lose some of their entertainment value. The three sisters meant to kill each other for the throne all seem like weaklings in the hands of stronger political forces. There isn’t a true queen among them, not one a reader could choose to support and wish to see on the throne. They are, all three of them, best described as anti-heroines, and fairly unlikeable ones at that.
The plot, such as it is, is extremely slow to develop. We spend most of the time meeting the three queens, familiarizing ourselves with their friends and enemies and pondering their many challenges. Their respective love interests develop slowly and some are more interesting than others. I have to say I enjoyed Pietyr and Katherine more than any other couple and I found their honesty very refreshing. The lack of plot is made somewhat more tolerable by Kendare’s gorgeous writing, but after a while even that isn’t enough to keep us engaged.
It needs to be said that Kendare Blake’s writing is vivid and impeccable. Technically, she is unparalleled in her ability to paint elaborate scenes and then drown them in blood. As a reader and a fan, I will never give up on her work because she gives me something I so rarely find – elegance in horror and images that haunt me for a very long time. She is allowed one slip, especially one where I can still admire all those things I like most about her writing.
It is so hard to say goodbye to favorites, worlds and characters we’ve grown to love and admire. Garden of Dreams and Desires is a worthy c
It is so hard to say goodbye to favorites, worlds and characters we’ve grown to love and admire. Garden of Dreams and Desires is a worthy conclusion to a beloved trilogy, despite being far from perfect. Painter continues in her usual style, with multiple perspectives and several plotlines, but she pushes it a bit farther in this book, unintentionally alienating us from our two heroes.
Being familiar with her work, I always expect wonderful, nuanced villains from Kristen Painter, but she’s really outdone herself with Giselle. I’m rarely truly afraid of what a villain might do and how it might affect the heroes, but Painter achieves this easily. What I didn’t expect, though, were so many chapters from her point of view. It seemed as though she was the true protagonist of this book and I constantly wished for more time with Augustine and Harlow.
Augustine and Harlow don’t spend much time together, but they persistently fight for each other. Harlow’s battle happens mostly inside her body, where she struggles for dominance with the spirit of her dead sister, Ava Mae. Buried so deep beneath Ava Mae’s consciousness, Harlow can do very little to save herself, and the internal battle becomes life-changing. Once she gains the upper hand, Harlow is a changed woman, which is good considering how annoying her condescension had been in the past. She is finally ready to accept her fae heritage, which makes her a formidable opponent and a true partner to Augie.
The plot in this final book is very focused and well executed, with only a few minor secondary plotlines meant to relieve some of the pressure. Augustine and Harlow fight the battle of their lives against the witches. They unite with other paranormals against a common enemy, but even then their future is uncertain. They also have to defend the lightning tree without revealing its existence to the others, which is extremely hard to do. With the help of several trusted friends and Augustine’s lieutenants, they make plans and do what they can for the city of New Orleans.
I’m very sad to say goodbye to this series. I feel as though this world had so much more to give, but Painter seems to have moved on to paranormal romance, which is a pity. Nevertheless, House of Comarre and Crescent City are memorable series and I will undoubtedly reread them at some point.
Those of us who’ve been waiting for Ungodly with bated breath knew right from the start that this would not be a lighthearted conclusion. G
Those of us who’ve been waiting for Ungodly with bated breath knew right from the start that this would not be a lighthearted conclusion. Greek gods come and do as they please and they tend to leave nothing but blood in their wake. So when you put those gods in the hands of someone like Kendare Blake, an author known for her talent in writing blood and gore, a bloody battle is pretty much what you’re going to get.
Our heroes, separated in battle, find themselves in three different places, fighting different fights. Hermes, Andy and Henry don’t know whether Athena and Cassandra survived. Athena herself is in Underworld, half crazed by Odysseus’s death. And Cassandra is just a ball of murderous rage, ready to kill all the gods, friends and foes alike. They each have their own adventures and trials, and it’s not until the second half that they collide.
Like in the two previous installments, I found Athena to be the most interesting character by far. This time she faces tremendous loss, more than she can bear, and she approaches it like she approaches everything, with no regard for her own safety. Her adventure in the Underworld is my favorite part of this book and her romance with a certain not-quite-mortal the thing that warmed my heart the most. A few more complex characters were added in this final installment, and several unlikely allies showed us a different side.
Characterization isn’t the only thing that Kendare Blake does extraordinarily well. Her descriptions are beautiful and precise and she doesn’t shy away from anything, no matter how bloody or painful it may be. With one goddess coughing up feathers, another’s skin stretched out for miles in the desert, and an emaciated god who keeps eating enormous amounts of food to no avail, there’s plenty of imagery to keep us occupied and grossed out.
The most important part of this trilogy and especially its final installment is the deep emotional impact it has on the reader. Kendare doesn’t always make it easy to sympathize with the gods, but she gives us just enough to become invested in their fates. The conflicting emotions we feel for them, our struggle between love and hate, is reflected perfectly in the characters of those few humans around them.
Now that it’s over, I’m going to miss the Antigoddess trilogy very much, but I am even now excited for Kendare Blake’s next project. She has the most amazing ideas and she truly knows how to carry them out. You really can’t go wrong by choosing one of her books.
When someone is often referred to as the world's greatest storyteller, you can be sure, even before you open her new book, that you're in f
When someone is often referred to as the world's greatest storyteller, you can be sure, even before you open her new book, that you're in for a treat. This always stands true for Nora Roberts, who is famous for her exciting plots, unforgettable settings and steaming hot romances. Regardless of whether she writes contemporary romance, paranormal fiction or even futuristic crime fiction as J.D. Robb, the underlying recipe remains the same.
Stars of Fortune is the first in Nora’s brand new paranormal trilogy set on a small Greek island and filled with mythology and ancient mysteries. We meet six very different individuals brought together by fate itself for one common goal – to find three stars forged by three ancient goddesses and protect them from evil forces.
Nora takes her time with these six characters, building each of them into such interesting well-rounded individuals. My favorite, of course, was Riley, because I can’t resist a woman with brains and guts both, but each of these characters has an interesting story to tell and I strongly suspect that three books in their company might not be enough.
Nora wouldn’t be Nora without a very strong, utterly convincing romance. Her relationships always progress at a rapid pace, but she knows how to create strong bonds in a very short time. As a seer, Sasha has foreseen her relationship with Bran long before she ever laid eyes on him, but when she does, she doesn’t trust herself or him enough to let go, at least not at first. Bran has his own secrets to keep and he too works on convincing himself that there are more important things than this woman he’s drawn to. We’re certain, however, from the very first page that they won’t be able to stay away from each other, and the sheer magnetism between them is almost unbearably strong from the start.
The paranormal mystery itself has a lot more to give and the villain Roberts created is powerful enough to make us genuinely afraid for our group of heroes. Dark caves and evil bats are just one of the hardships these six have had to face, with so much more ahead of them in the next two installments. Roberts has written hundreds of books, but it only takes one for a reader to become her loyal fan. I count myself as one and I can’t wait for more of this trilogy and anything else she might decide to write. ...more
4.5 stars A series that’s still exciting and fresh after no less than 41 installments is truly something to admire. I don’t think there are
4.5 stars A series that’s still exciting and fresh after no less than 41 installments is truly something to admire. I don’t think there are many authors who can produce such a thing, and in fact, I know only of one: the wonderful, the incomparable J.D Robb, or Nora Roberts, if you will.
In Death series is a wonderful blend of romance, thriller and futuristic police procedurals. The futuristic setting sets it apart from others of its genre, as do the strong relationships between characters, both primary and secondary. There are many things about Robb’s recipe that work, and more than one reason why this series has consistently made #1 on the New York Times list.
In Devoted in Death, Eve and her team work to catch a pair of spree killers who’ve been running wild across the country. The couple of deranged lovebirds are leaving behind a trail of dead bodies, tortured and mutilated beyond comprehension, and Eve must use her considerable resources and her husband’s help to catch them. I generally don’t enjoy crime stories that offer the killers’ perspective. I don’t like knowing things and waiting for the investigators to catch up. But even with that, Robb does what no one else can do – she makes the hunt itself interesting enough to make up for the fact that we know who is being hunted. I must confess that I skimmed through several short insights into the victim’s mind, though. I can stomach most things – blood and gore don’t bother me at all – but rape isn’t one of them, no matter how subtly described. Overall, though, Robb is perfect at bringing forth every side of a crime, every emotion that occurs in the process, be it the killer’s, the victim’s or the investigators. She’s also perfect at building lives around her dead bodies, at showing us people after she shows us their deaths, so that we suffer and cry and mourn them right alongside their families.
Eve and Roarke have such a beautiful, unique relationship. It is a pillar that holds the series, but it doesn’t take attention away from the actual crime. I know people have been expecting some progression in their relationship, but I’m really happy with how things are. It’s been 41 books for us, but only three years for them. Things feel so deeply and utterly right.
Eve’s team is as strong as ever, with one very interesting addition in this installment. It takes a lot to create such a strong cast of characters, but that’s only to be expected in the 41st installment. At this point, I think I love Peabody She-Body, McNabb, Mira and everyone else just as much as I love Eve and Roarke, as impossible as that sounds.
We’ll have to wait almost a year for the next installment, but there’s plenty to reread until then. I have no doubt that I’m going to love as many books as Robb decides to write.
3.5 stars Kate McMurray returns to the world of baseball in her new series about the players of Rainbow League, an LGBT baseball league in NewYork. I e3.5 stars Kate McMurray returns to the world of baseball in her new series about the players of Rainbow League, an LGBT baseball league in NewYork. I enjoyed several of her previous works, including Out in the Field and The Stars That Tremble, and while Thrown a Curve wasn’t quite up to par, it still showed her considerable experience and heart.
The story about Mason, a former Yankee player, and Patrick, a very effeminate, eccentric hairdresser is exactly the type of thing you want to read during these hot summer days. McMurray’s characterization is excellent. These two may seem fairly stereotypical at first glance, but they never do what you’d expect. In fact, Mason kept surprising me at every corner, distancing himself from the macho jock stereotype with every one of his actions.
The story is told in third person, which is an odd choice since it distances the reader from the characters somewhat. It made it very hard for me to connect with Mason and Patrick at first, but the truly superb characterization soon made up for it. In addition, since all the stories are connected, McMurray includes several short glimpses into Nate’s and Carlos’ minds, making it quite clear that the next book will be about them.
For those of you who are European or simply not fans of baseball, rest assured – this series may be about baseball players, but there’s very little actual baseball in it. Instead, this is a low-angst, heart-warming story with fully fleshed-out characters and great pacing.
I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: Nora Roberts is the Nora Roberts for a reason. She knows just what her readers enjoy, and it’s clear frI’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: Nora Roberts is the Nora Roberts for a reason. She knows just what her readers enjoy, and it’s clear from every page that she still enjoys it too, even after so many years and over 200 books behind her. It’s pretty clear when authors love what they do, and you can tell right from the start that this woman writes precisely what she herself would want to read.
The Collector is another one in a long line of successes, and while it’s far from being her best, it’s a book worth remembering. From passionate romances, to sociopath and long lost treasures, Roberts packed it all in this compulsively readable book.
We meet Lila Emerson, a YA paranormal author, as she is house-sitting for a wealthy couple. It’s something she does in her nomadic life, and while she does it, she likes observing people around her and making up their life stories. When she witnesses a murder right across the street, she doesn’t hesitate to notify the authorities and do something about it, but what seemed like a lovers’ quarrel gone terribly wrong is actually far more sinister and dangerous. Ash is the brother of one of the victims, determined to discover the truth about his baby brother’s death. In his grief, he doesn’t see Lila coming until she’s very deep under his skin, but they are both stubborn people set in their ways so their path is not the easiest or the quickest. Ash was sometimes difficult to like, although he was always easy to understand. He isn’t Nora’s usual hero – perfect in every way. While he’s handsome and rich, he is a hard man to live with, and I loved that Roberts never quite changed his nature, not completely. Anything else would have been a fairy tale.
There are two romances in this book – the main one, and the secondary romance between Ash and Lila’s best friends. Ash and Lila met under highly stressful circumstances and it reflected on their relationship. I wasn’t always convinced that they were meant for each other and it wasn’t all smooth sailing for them, but they grew together, they both compromised and changed and by the end, I was right there with them. It was a bit different with Julie and Luke. They got less time on page, but their second chance romance made my little heart beat faster right from the start.
I’m not the sort of person who shies away when a book is over 300 pages long, but I did wish for better editing in this case. There were times when I was extremely tired of this book because it seemed to go around in circles, and I suspect it would have been much more exciting with about a hundred pages less.
Saying goodbye to dear characters is never easy, but when they’ve been through hell and back in the time you’ve spent with them, it’s even harder to lSaying goodbye to dear characters is never easy, but when they’ve been through hell and back in the time you’ve spent with them, it’s even harder to let them go. My time with Nadia, Nate, Bishop, Agnes and Dante was exciting and wonderful, and I'll gladly join them again if Jenna Black ever decides to revisit them.
Revolution is even darker than the previous two books, as our three young Executives and their two companions are forced to hide, first in the Basement, and then in Debasement, a dreadful place ruled by the most vicious gang lord. Nadia and Nate have enemies coming at them from all sides. Thea and her replica puppet Dorothy are ruling Paxco with an iron fist, aiming all their efforts towards killing Nate and his friends and making an example out of them. The Resistance is no better, and Maiden’s gang is simply terrifying. A bunch of kids, no matter how smart, stand very little chance against all of them, but Nate and Nadia have been known to beat those odds before.
Nevertheless, things looked incredibly bleak for a while, with no visible way out for the mini resistance. Their entire arsenal against no less than three powerful enemies consisted of a hope, a prayer, and some clever maneuvering. The savage world of Debasement was perhaps the hardest to handle for Executives, but they had Bishop to lead them through. In the end, worlds collided everywhere they turned, and they had to truly open their eyes and see everything that was wrong with Paxco.
Jenna Black is a seasoned writer, which is evident from her every sentence. Her sense of pacing is superb and her writing clean and tightly controlled. Above all, Revolution stands out with its characterization. It didn’t take the direction I was expecting, but the characters grew and learned the entire time.
I believe the point that Jenna Black tried to make with this trilogy is that winning the war is usually only the beginning. When the war is won, true battles are only just starting. Power doesn’t come without sacrifices, and the willingness to make those sacrifices for the greater good is the mark of a true leader. Therefore, a truly happy, fulfilling ending was all but impossible for some, but their sacrifice wasn’t at all in vain.
Jenna Black’s Replica trilogy may be somewhat underappreciated, but I highly recommend it to fans of dystopian fiction, delightful action and strong romances. Honestly, what’s not to like?
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
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