Review: The Reader

The Reader by Traci Chee

A stunning debut set in a world where reading is unheard-of, perfect for fans of Inkheart and Shadow and Bone
Sefia knows what it means to survive. After her father is brutally murdered, she flees into the wilderness with her aunt Nin, who teaches her to hunt, track, and steal. But when Nin is kidnapped, leaving Sefia completely alone, none of her survival skills can help her discover where Nin’s been taken, or if she’s even alive. The only clue to both her aunt’s disappearance and her father’s murder is the odd rectangular object her father left behind, an object she comes to realize is a book—a marvelous item unheard of in her otherwise illiterate society. With the help of this book, and the aid of a mysterious stranger with dark secrets of his own, Sefia sets out to rescue her aunt and find out what really happened the day her father was killed—and punish the people responsible.

With overlapping stories of swashbuckling pirates and merciless assassins, The Reader is a brilliantly told adventure from an extraordinary new talent.

Traci Chee's debut is a promising start to what I am sure will a fantastic new series. The Reader is many things: an ode to books, a wink at magic, and a tale of family, friends, and enemies. All of this is set in a original, lucious new world.

Is The Reader fast paced? No, not for me. But, and here's the important part, it didn't need to be. The Reader took it's time setting up the world and characters. Chee spent great time making sure her language was beautiful and rich. It was never fast-paced, but it was never boring- it was interesting, intriguing, and new. The action parts were still exciting- and trust me there was plenty of action. 

The book is a triumph in itself, with extra add-ins such as thumb prints, burn marks, a beautiful map, and even a sort-of "book within a book". Chapters of the book Sefia reads are included, letting us experience the power of the book with her, and also discover important characters. 

I liked Sefia a lot, but my only complaint is that I lacked that true connection. However, my heart did ache for her as I learned her parent's fates, and as she had to watch Nin be taken away. She is hurting and a life on the run has her living very alone until she finds Archer. I loved Archer- He had a very tragic backstory as well. In fact, the whole slew of character were delightful in different ways- there were charismatic characters, violent characters, morally grey characters- and all were multi-dimentional. 

Pirates, magic, readers, a beautiful budding romance, vengeful darkness and more make The Reader a glowing success that I expect will be a big hit once September rolls around. I am anxious for the second book! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Awesome Books Set in Space

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I LOVE space books, probably because I grew up with a love of STAR WARS!

Here's a list of space-ish books! (Not all are totally exclusively set in space)

Ender's Game

A classic favorite. Super smart scary kids in space battle aliens.

These Broken Stars

Enjoyable, light space romance. Beautiful cover!

Gravity

Fun little alien book. 

Starflight 

Fun space shenanigans. And a cute romance.

The Lunar Chronicles

One of my all time favorite series!

Illuminae

Awesome story. Super cool media and layout.

 

Alienated 

Alien romance turned out so much better than it sounds! <3

The Martian

Let's play Survivor on Mars with one person.

Fortune's Pawn

Epic!!! Kick butt heroine. 

LOOK! A 2016 Releases Giveaway 

Please go enter :D Click here

Have you read any of these books? Any on your TBR? Do you enjoy space books? 

Giveaway: Emily's Favorite 2016 Releases (So Far)

Below I have listed my favorite 2016 reads!!! I tried to include a variety of genres

The winner can pick their book of choice from the list. 

My Lady Jane

Starflight (my review)

A Court of Mist and Fury 

The Long Game (my review)

On The Edge of Gone (my review)

Flamecaster

The Lovely Reckless (my review)

The Reader (my review)

The Diabolic 

UPDATE: adding three more favorites!

A Torch Against The Night

It Ends With Us

Something In Between

(BTW this was inspired by my other yearly favorites giveaways! I love doing these.)

GOOD LUCK! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules 

You must be 13 or older 

No Cheating!

US & International

(As long as the book deposistory ships to your country)

Review: On The Edge of Gone

A diverse, exciting, and smart read!

On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis 
January 29, 2035.

That’s the day the comet is scheduled to hit—the big one. Denise and her mother and sister, Iris, have been assigned to a temporary shelter near their hometown of Amsterdam to wait out the blast, but Iris is nowhere to be found, and at the rate Denise’s drug-addicted mother is going, they’ll never reach the shelter in time.

Then a last-minute encounter leads them to something better than a temporary shelter: a generation ship that’s scheduled to leave Earth behind and colonize new worlds after the comet hits. But each passenger must have a practical skill to contribute. Denise is autistic and fears that she’ll never be allowed to stay. Can she obtain a spot before the ship takes flight? What about her mother and sister?

When the future of the human race is at stake, whose lives matter most?

On The Edge of Gone is exciting, different, and introspective. It is unlike any sci-fi book I have read and that is a high compliment. While, in my opinion, this book was not quite as amazing as Otherbound, an all-time favorite, I still loved the story and heartily recommend picking it up. This was on of my most anticipated 2016 releases and it didn't disappoint!

Similarly to Otherbound, On The Edge of Gone features amazing diversity that is written about with tact and care. Our amazing main character, Denise, is autistic and biracial. There are also many characters of different backgrounds and sexual orientations. I LOVED seeing so much representation and publisher/authors/readers should take note. 

The book entirely takes place on Earth and focuses on Denise's quest to obtain a coveted spot on a generation ship after worldwide disaster (AKA the comet). Her life almost surely depends on it. The story itself is ingenious and presents with the readers with unsettling moral ambiguities. Is it right that, in the event of a terrible disaster, only a few of the most "valuable" people are saved. How can that be determined? 

While the content checks all the right boxes, I also found the actual story and writing to be emotional and enthralling. The tense family bond and struggles between Denise and her mother were heartbreaking. The "ship" (relationship NOT space ship) was cute but didn't overtake the plot. There were also cats. And an evil chapter that broke me. 

So far, Duyvis's books have been very different with a lot of variety, and I SO appreciate it! I highly recommend checking out On The Edge of Gone. The ending to this book was perfect: hopeful, real, and strong. This review is very late... but since I'm trying to start blogging again I knew this was review was on the TOP of my to-do list. A lesson to bloggers: better late than never (BUT still shame on me for my untimeliness!) 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Feature and Follow Friday: A Conversation on DNFs

Hosts: Parajunkee and AlisonCanRead

Featured Blog: Corazones Literarios 

POST PROMPT:

What is your take on DNF books. Do you review them? Choose not to review them?

I know some people can't stand to DNF books. I am not one of those people. If I am not enjoying a book I find it very painful to continue! Whether I review a DNF depends on many different circumstances...

1) How far along was I in the book? If I read all of it but *skimmed* a bit I would still review the book! I would just put a disclaimer

2) Why did I DNF the book? If something really offended me I normally write a half-review or explanation of why I could not finish the book. I'd warn others of my feelings.

3) Did I only read a chapter? Then, I would NOT review the book. I have no real basis to write a review on!

In conclusion:

I think DNFs are good. Sometimes escaping the boring not-for-you books can lead you to find better, more exciting reads! Reviewing them can be tricky though, and highly depends on situation and circumstance! 

Book Blogger Vocab

DNF- 

Did-not-finish

A book that you didn't finish reading... A controversial topic (not really) 

Review: Menagerie

Menagerie was dark, original, and brutal

Menagerie by Rachel Vincent
From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent comes a richly imagined, provocative new series set in the dark mythology of the Menagerie… 

When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus big-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town. 

But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed. 

Renowned author Rachel Vincent weaves an intoxicating blend of carnival magic and startling humanity in this intricately woven and powerful tale

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*

Menagerie was amazing. It was brutal to read in parts, but I couldn't look away. Vincent delves into the atrocities humans commit when they are scared of something or some one. She shows how humans lock up cryptids, strip them of their rights, and don't bat an eyelash when they suffer. 

Delilah, our main character, is a strong heroine who is locked up as a cryptid after years believing she was human. She sees the abuse of cryptids and the monster within her comes out. Then, her life becomes a nightmare. In a menagerie, forced into a cage like property, she is supposed to perform like a circus animal. 

However, Delilah's inner sense of justice and strength make her almost unbreakable. She doesn't go down without a fight. She makes allies on her journey and the reader is rooting for her throughout the entire novel. 

My only two complaints were...

1) I wasn't very fond of all the multiple view points. I liked each in varying degrees. I think I would have preferred to see just from Delilah's POV.

2) The ending felt a bit rushed, but it was still very crazy, intense, and exciting! ... I am very ready for the next book though!

I'm excited for Spectacle... but I can't wait until 2017! I read a sneak peek and now I need more *cries* Maybe I'll go pick up some of Vincent's other books- I've heard great things!

In conclusion: Menagerie had me on the edge of my seat. Vincent wove a horrifying, captivating tale that explored injustice, monstrosities, and humanity. 

Waiting on Wednesday #41

This week I am IMPATIENTLY waiting on...

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Given to the Sea by Mindy McGinnis

Khosa is Given to the Sea, a girl born to be fed to the water, her flesh preventing a wave like the one that destroyed the Kingdom of Stille in days of old. But before she’s allowed to dance – an uncontrollable twitching of the limbs that will carry her to the shore in a frenzy – she must produce an heir. Yet the thought of human touch sends shudders down her spine that not even the sound of the tide can match.

Vincent is third in line to inherit his throne, royalty in a kingdom where the old linger and the young inherit only boredom. When Khosa arrives without an heir he knows his father will ensure she fulfills her duty, at whatever cost. Torn between protecting the throne he will someday fill, and the girl whose fate is tied to its very existence, Vincent’s loyalty is at odds with his heart.

Dara and Donil are the last of the Indiri, a native race whose dwindling magic grows weaker as the island country fades. Animals cease to bear young, creatures of the sea take to the land, and the Pietra – fierce fighters who destroyed the Indiri a generation before – are now marching from their stony shores for the twin’s adopted homeland, Stille.

Witt leads the Pietra, their army the only family he has ever known. The stone shores harbor a secret, a growing threat that will envelop the entire land – and he will conquer every speck of soil to ensure the survival of his people.

The tides are turning in Stille, where royals scheme, Pietrans march, and the rising sea calls for its Given.

I love Mindy McGinnis books and this one is a FANTASY with such an original premise! And look at that beautiful cover. Check it out on Goodreads. 

2017 is so far away! *cries*

Review: Starflight

A must-read with shenanigans in space!

Starflight by Melissa Landers 
Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.

When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world—and each other—the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe...

Ooooh! This was such a fun read; I could not put Starflight down! If you love fun space adventures and a super cute romance pick this series up immediately. 

You won't regret it. 

Okay, so first order of business in the wonderfulness that is Solara and Doran. They start off hating each other- Doran is basically a terrible person- but then shenanigans ensue and all of the sudden they are amazing as a couple. Doran starts off rich, bratty, and insufferable. Cassia is orphaned and very smart, but after commiting a crime and being branded, she needs to find a way to the outer realm. Solara ends up indenturing herself to Doran to get there, but that arrangement doesn't last long. They end up having more of a codependent relationship and then the hate slowly goes away... It's very sweet!

Basically, after a lot of schemes, both Dorian and Solara end up on The Banshee, an old ship with character, and a lot less luxurious then their original "space liner" ship. The fun begins, though, when they become friends with the rest of the eccentric and lovable crew. *squee* I am so excited to read more about the crew in the next book! 

In the end, after many fun space episodes, it all ties together with a showdown. Very early in the novel, we learn Doran is accused of some serious crimes. The ending brings to light why he was framed and who masterminded the whole ordeal. 

Overall, Starflight was a read-it-all-in-one-sitting kind of book. It's not a new favorite but I still really loved the ride! I enjoyed it a lot more than Alienated (also by Melissa Landers). I am super excited for the next book, it focuses on two supporting characters from this book: Cassia and Kane! Their backstory was intense and I'm excited for it to all go down in book 2. 

(Also, if you loved Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach, I have a feeling you'll also adore Starflight. Just sayin'. )