Review: Illuminae

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

At first, I didn't think I was going to care much for this book. It is not your typical narrative. It is a collection of files that for a narrative of sorts.

Kady and Ezra escape from an illegal mining facility on a remote planet only to find themselves being chased and forced to speak to each other when they had recently broken up. I thought this would really annoy but I ended up liking their weird relationship.

I also was surprised to find I really liked AIDAN the artificial intelligence on the warship. Past science fiction novels that include an AI as a main character fell a bit short for me. I think the combination of places our information came from helped me see the AI in a different way and one I could enjoy.

I'm glad I gave this book a chance because I almost stopped reading it on page 15. I really enjoyed it.

View all my reviews

Review: The Shattered Court

The Shattered Court by M.J. Scott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a nice quick read for the weekend. It was exactly what I was looking for: adventure, magic, sex, lust, kissing, and danger.

View all my reviews

Review: At the Edge of the Orchard

At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is not a light read. The book is depressing in its portrayal of relationships and people in general.

I enjoyed the second half of this novel more than the first. I wasn't sure I was going to finish it at first. Then it started growing on me. I did not care for Sadie or James Goodenough. They were both mean and vindictive. I preferred their son Robert, so when the narrative switched to his perspective I found the story more engaging.

I enjoyed this book more than the last novel by Chevalier. It still wasn't as good as The Virgin Blue or Girl with a Pearl Earring. Her more recent books felt formulaic to me. This one move away from formula a little which is why I liked it more.

View all my reviews

Review: And I Darken

And I Darken by Kiersten White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I expected this book to be fantasy, but it was more historical fiction. I still enjoyed it a lot. I was surprised I liked it as much as I did considering I was looking for a fantasy novel. One thing I really appreciated about this book was that Lada our main character was not a beauty and no one disputed they fact. She was not secretly pretty like so many young adult female characters. She was who she was an that did not include beauty. That didn't mean she was without power as a woman it just was where her power came from. I'd gotten tired of the "I'm so plain, but really I'm not plain but pretty," in young adult novels that when this novel didn't have that I was very pleased. All of the characters were human and that was nice. I recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Review: Wildwood

Wildwood by Colin Meloy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was enjoyable at times and boring others. It was not a book I wanted to read straight through but one I was happy to put down and only picked back up because it was convenient.

I liked the premise for the story, but I think it feel short of its potential.

View all my reviews

Review: Spice & Wolf, Vol. 1

Spice & Wolf, Vol. 1 by Isuna Hasekura
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I watched the anime years ago and loved it. It took me a while but I finally got around to reading the first light novel. I'm so happy I did. I liked that it had economics included in the story. Lawrence a traveling merchant is our narrator and when he travels through a village during the harvest ceremony the harvest God Holo sneaks into his wagon. Holo, the Wisewolf, is just so fun. She is both old and wise and young and silly. I can't wait to read more about Lawrence and Holo.

View all my reviews

Review: The Queen of the Tearling

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was recommended by a librarian, who thought I might enjoy it based on other books I was checking out. Most of the time the librarians talk with me about books I'm returning so I was a little surprised to get the recommendation without asking. It was a good recommendation for me. I enjoyed the novel and I'm looking forward to the next book.

I really liked Kelsea was an interesting character. I really enjoyed her when she hadn't seen herself in a mirror and started pining over her lack of looks. Before she was shown her reflection she seemed content with who she was and I appreciated that. However, she did become a little obsessed with her looks and others looks and that irked me. I'm hoping that she gets beyond that and is able to just be a kick ass heroine.

I did enjoy the book, and am looking forward to the next. So many questions about the magic in this most apocalyptic world that were unanswered.

View all my reviews