Book Review: Grave Peril By Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #3)

91476Grave Peril by Jim Butcher is the third book in the Dresden Files series. The story once again as always follows Harry Dresden, a wizard living in Chicago who helps the police with supernatural crimes. This time ghosts are causing trouble all over Chicago and many people affect are somehow connected to Harry.

The story starts out with what seems to be typical for Dresden at the moment trying to stop ghosts from killing anyone but as the story progresses there is a connection to a demon who Harry defeated before and their might be bigger problems coming.

Many people say that book three is where the series starts to get good and I agree that Jim Butcher has found his footing with the series and the stories he wants to tell. Grave Peril starts to give the reader more information about Harry’s backstory and the supernatural world that is connected to our modern world. The supernatural elements are better fleshed out and the stakes are being raised in this book as we see what Harry will do to protect the people he cares about.

As if the other books in this series, I read it as an audio book which is brilliantly narrated by James Marsters which makes me like the series even more. Unlike, the first two books I completely enjoyed the story and can’t wait to continue on with the series.

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Full Moon by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #2)

91477Full Moon by Jim Butcher is the second book in the Dresden Files series. The story once again follows Harry Dresden, wizard living in Chicago who helps the police with supernatural crimes. Dresden is down on his luck with no work when a mutilated corpse, strange paw prints combined with a full moon drag him into a murder investigation. Based on the title and summary this time Dresden is going up against werewolf’s but maybe not the ones we know from fiction.

Many people say that the Dresden Files books don’t start getting really good until book three and I agree that Full Moon is not Butcher’s best work. I love the world he has created and Harry Dresden as a character but this book board me at best and annoyed me at worst. I disliked all the scenes with Murphy and until close to the end of the book I didn’t care about what happened or the stakes.

I listen to these books as audio books because even if I’m struggling with the story James Marsters as the narrator make me want to finish the book. However, even with the issues I sometimes have with this series there is something that keeps bring me back and I do plan on continuing with the series.

Book Review: Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

26114463Nevernight by Jay Kristoff is an adult fantasy novel that follows Mia Corvere on her quest to train to be an assassin and kill the men who destroyed her family when she was a child. The world of Nevernight is one with three suns that almost never set and Mia has powers over shadows which will aid in her quest to kill those who harmed her and her family.

The story is told to the reader through a narrator who is never named but does tell us Mia’s fate on the first page and goes on to describe her journey to become a feared assassin.  The first chapter starts out comparing Mia’s first time having sex to her first kill which sets the tone for how dark this book will get.

The first hundred pages or so are slow as we, the readers, are learning about Mia, her past, and her journey to the Red Church but once we get to the Red Church the pace picks up. Most of the story is Mia learning to be an assassin and who her life is going to change. However, there is a killer among the students of the Red Church who is killing other students and Mia might be in danger. The best thing is Mia as a character even with her being overwhelmingly smug, and Tric. Mia and Tric’s relationship is one of the strongest aspects of the story overall.

One of the biggest criticism that Nevernight get is Jay Kristoff’s use of footnotes throughout the story. The footnotes don’t have to be read to understand the story all they do is add more to the world building by informing the reader more about the world, society, and religious aspects of this fantasy world. However, I feel like they add to the experience and don’t have an issue with them. I will admit that as a trained historian I’ve read many historical books that for research purposes you have to read the footnotes or endnotes (which are the same thing but one is at the end of the book requiring you to flip back and fourth). Endnotes are the bane of my existence so I much prefer footnotes.

Nevernight is a wonderful dark adult fantasy that would be great for anyone interested in assassins or dark fantasy in general.

 

Book Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgerstern

9361589The Night Circus by Erin Morgerstern is a adult literary fiction and fantasy novel that follows two main protagonists, Ceila and Marco, who are competing against one another at a magical circus and try not to fall in love.

It took me awhile to get through The Night Circus not because it bad at all but because its a fairly slow book and I needed things that were fast paced at the time. The book is beautifully written and would be a good book for those who might not be fantasy readers. The main story covers multiple characters and time frames but focuses on the circus that all the main character live and work at which is where all the magic is.

Though Ceila and Marco are being pitted against each other because of a challenge their magical teachers have constructed they don’t have much of a real conflict with each other. Their story is more of show casing their magic and through learning more about each other trying not to fall in love.

Though the plot revolves around the circus, its traveling and how this contest has trapped all those who work at the circus the real focus of the book is about the stories we tell and the power they have.

I absolutely loved the Night Circus but I think I would have loved it even more if I hadn’t been in a slump and I look forward to reading it again.

February 2020 Wrap Up

During February I read  three books. One historical nonfiction book, one manga, and one short story audio book.

43822007The first book I read was The Ship of Dreams: The Sinking of the Titanic and the End of the Edwardian Era by Gareth Russell. This book uses the lives and history of six first class passengers on Titanic to illustrate how society and the world worked in the era of Titanic and how the sinking is often seen as wake up call for the changes that are coming. Well researched and written but some parts were a little boring since I went into the book thinking it would be more about Titanic than the society that built her. However, still a good book and one I would recommend for those who have researched Titanic before.

35172730The second book I read in February was the Sailor Moon manga Eternal Edition vol. 1. I have started to collect these editions of the series and I’m reading each volume as I get it. Sailor Moon is one of my favorite manga and anime series so I loved reading it again. My only criticism in this first volume is at time that story seem almost too fast paced. As a reader you don’t get a lot of time with each new character before another one is introduced but given where I know the series goes its not that big of an issue.

15851414The last book I read was The Little Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff. So I say I “read” this but really I watched a YouTube video where the story was read and the pictures where shone. I read it this way because the book is very hard to obtain copies of and I didn’t know I existed before. This is a little kids picture book that simplifies the story of Stormdancer the first  book in the Lotus Wars series by Jay Kristoff. Its very cute and I would love to own a copy one day.

Book Review: The Deep by Alma Katsu

52186666._SX318_SY475_I won an advanced copy of this book through Goodreads.

The Deep by Alma Katsu is a historical fiction with supernatural elements focusing on the sinking of the Titanic and her sister ship Britannic. The story follows Annie Hebbley, a maid on Titanic, who survived the sinking and after getting her life back together becomes a nurse on Britannic which has become a hospital ship supporting British forces in World War I.

The book starts in 1916 where we find out what Annie’s life has been like since the sinking and her decision to become a nurse and sail on Titanic’s sister ship, Britannic. Shortly after arriving on the ship a soldier, Mark, is recovering and who Annie met on the Titanic and believes herself to be in love with him.

The story flashes between the events in 1916 and on the Titanic in 1912. The plot in 1916 mainly revolves around Annie and her feelings while the plot of 1912 is given through multiple different characters including some of the real historical figures like the Astor’s, who were on Titanic. The main plot kicks off when a group on the Titanic attempt to contact spirits during a seance which ends up being interrupted by Annie looking for the Astor’s as one of the child servants dies. From here multiple people believe that there are ghost or other spirits that are trying to do something to those on the ship. In the present of 1916, Mark and Annie’s pasts and the terror of the sinking might not yet be over.

For years I’ve been fascinated by Titanic which means I’ve read and watched many story both fiction and nonfiction about this incident. When I heard about The Deep originally, it hit on two things for me Titanic and the supernatural which is all I needed to know to want to read it. So I think I might have had too high of expectations going into the book. The story is very well written with interesting concepts but it jumps between perspectives too often. If there had been fewer perspectives I feel like I could have connected with each characters stories better which would have made be enjoy the book more. For me personally, its only an average read when I was expecting a new favorite.

 

January 2020 Wrap Up

Sometimes a new year starts off to a slow start with reading and stuff in general for me which 2020 is. As I’m a mood reader I never know how many books I will read in a given month and I try not to put pressure on myself to read more. However, lately I’ve just not been is a reading mood much of the time.

I did read three books in January two where audio books and one physical book.

37976541The first book I read was Bad Blood by John Carreyrou. This book is the nonfiction account of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes who scammed thousands of people with the idea that her technology and company was revolutionizing blood testing. A well written book about an int resting topic however, sometimes that writing got a little technical about science and how it was supposed to work so those sections were a little boring.

91476Grave Peril by Jim Butcher is the third book in the Dresden Files series. The series really picks up in this book and finds it footing. There is more information given about the world and how magic and the supernatural mix with the modern world. The story focuses on a ghost/demon who is trying to get revenge on Harry Dresden for defeating him several months ago. This plot is also connected to Harry’s godmother, a fairy, who he has made deals with in the past and the courts of the vampires. Jim Butcher’s writing gets much better in this book. I loved the new characters that are introduced and the higher stakes that the characters are involved in.

61834._SY475_The last book I read in January was A Night to Remember by Walter Lord. A Night to Remember is one of the most famous accounts of the sinking of the Titanic. Using information from multiple sources Walter Lord puts the reader in the shoes of someone on the ship which is very powerful. This is a great book for anyone interested in the Titanic or the history of books written about the sinking.

Saga Vol. 1-9 Review

Saga is a scifi graphic novel series that follows Alana and Marko, lovers from different world that are at war with each other. Alana is from the more technologically advanced Landfall and Marko is From Wreath, Landfall’s moon, where people use magic. This war has spread to other worlds though there is peace on the main worlds. Alana and Marko met when she was guarding him in prison the first issue of the series has Allan giving birth to their daughter Hazel and escaping from those who would kill them. Hazel is narrating the story to the reader so we know she survives throughout the story. The summary of the series will contain spoilers for multiple volumes and events. If you don’t want to read further know that I love this series and would recommend it to anyone looking for a mature science fiction graphic novel series.

The first couple of volumes follows Alana and Marko trying to keep ahead of the different groups trying to track them down. These include Prince Robot IV who’s father wants him to capture them and a mercenary named The Will who also wants to kill Prince Robot after he killed The Will partner. During this time Marko’s parents and ex-fiancee, Gwendolyn, come into the story as they want answers as to what is going on.

Starting with the third volume the series shifts from everyone running away to them trying to find a way to live as a family without those pursuing them finding out where they are. We are also introduced to the journalist Upsher and Doff who are investigating Alana and Marko. In volume four, Alana is acting in a underground program where everyone wears masks and starts to get involved in drug use while Marko is a stay at home dad. When Prince Robot’s son is kidnapped and ends up separating the main family Marko must team up with those who want him dead to save those he loves.

In volume six, Alana and Marko find Hazel at a Landfall detention center and reuniting with her while also finding out that Alana is once again pregnant. Sadly, due to a battle and Alana getting injured she loses the baby and they must travel to a world where abortions are preformed to save her life. While this is happening the family starts to see visions of the life the baby would have had. Through out these events Prince Robot and his son are slowly becoming friends with the family and as the series progresses to the last current volume it becomes obvious that these people that once hated each other are starting to become family.

Though I love this series some volumes fell like filler stories to add to the tension of the main plot but don’t matter that much. I also think that at times the graphic and sexual content is just there for shock value which doesn’t add anything to the story. There are several volumes, especially those about Alana pregnancy and miscarriage that are hard to read given the topic and the ending of volume nine is heartbreaking.

However, I do love this series and recommend it to older audiences for a mature graphic novel read and I can’t wait to see where the series goes next.

 

 

 

December 2019 Wrap Up

I don’t know if any one else is like this but around Christmas and holidays I just don’t read very much. I want to spend time with family and there is so much going on that when I do have free time I need up watching Youtube videos or TV shows that I don’t have to think about like those really bad made for TV Syfy channel movies.

I did read four books in December, three were the first three volumes of a manga series and one historical non fiction.

The first books I read were Saiyuki volumes one through three. Saiyuki is manga series by Kazuya Minekura that is loosely based on the Chinese story Journey to the West. Genjyo Sanzo, a monk, is tasked to travel to Indian with three companions Son Goku, Sha Gojyo, and Cho Hakkai to stop the resurrection of the demon Gyumaoh. A long their journey they must fight those who want Gyumaoh’s return and learn more information to try and keep the peace between humans and demons. Saiyuki is a manga series that I loved when I was younger and recently decided to pick back up. I don’t love it as much as I did but it is still a great story and a good but mature series for those interested in different manga series.

24819449._SY475_The last book that I read in December was The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem by Stacy Schiff. This is a nonfiction book about the Salem witch trials and how the witch trials came to be. The author not only dicusses the actual witch trials but also the life of a Puritan adolescent and how the life style could lead to the events that took place. Not the best nonfiction book I’ve read because while the information is interesting sometimes the writing and how that information is given can be boring. Though it is a good resource for anyone interested in the Salem witch trials and those looking into the time period.

November 2019 Wrap Up

In November I read four books. During the holidays it seems that I end up reading less as I’m spending more time with family and just doing other things.

91477The first book I read was on audio. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher is the second book in the Dresden Files series. When I started the Dresden Files I didn’t plan on continuing with the series. The first book wasn’t bad but I didn’t love it. However, there is something about these books that I haven figured out yet that makes me keep thinking about the characters and the world. I found parts of the book very good but other part kind of boring though I do plan to continue with the series at this point. In this book Harry is investigating several murders that look like they could have been commited by a type of werewolf.

11821488

Titanic: First Accounts edited by Tim Maltin is exactly what it sounds like. It is a collection of first account by the survivors of the Titanic sinking. Great information for anyone wanting to know more about the Titanic or reading about it however there are section that I found kind of boring to read.

 

 

23308488._SY475_Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a graphic novel series following a young woman named Sabrina and her growing up as a witch. This is the series the Netflix show is based on and from what I’ve seen of the show I thought I would like the graphic novel but I just didn’t. I didn’t have any problem with the story but overall I found it a bit boring and a little more graphic than I was expecting. I don’t want to spoil anything but the implication at the end of the book with what Sabrina did to try and help Harvey I really had issues with. I don’t intend to continue with this series.

10574457Apocalypse Scenario #683: The Box by Mira Grant is a short story about five friends that play the Apocalypse Game with each other. In this game each person creates a scenario where the world is going to end and the others decided what they would do and how they would survive. However, this time one of the friends is missing but still finds a way to play but this time the stakes might just be the world. I very good short story in line with Mira Grants other work. I do wish it was longer as I would love to know what all the characters decided at the end.