Book Review: Witch King by Martha Wells

Witch King is an adult fantasy novel following Kai who after being murdered and trapped finds a lesser mage trying to gain control of his powers. Kai, along with his friend Ziede, must figure out why they were imprisoned though Kai might not like the answers.

The world created here is very different from other fantasies with a very unique magic system. The story goes back and forth between the present focusing on the mystery of what happened to Kai and his past and how he became know as the Witch King. Martha Wells does this so well that the reader learns what is going on in the present at the same time as the characters. The flash backs give enough information on the world and the past events to be informative while also leaving a mystery.

This is one of those books that is good on a first read but will be even better on a reread when you understand what is going on Witch King is currently a stand alone but is left open enough to have sequels in the future if the author wanted to.

April 2023 Wrap Up

In April I read three books which is less than I read in most months but I was very busy throughout the month so I was expecting it to be a slower reading month.

Books:

The first book I read was A Dance with the Fae Prince by Elisa Kova which is a fantasy romance inspired by the tale of Psyche and Eros with hints of Cinderella. Katria is married off to Lord Fenwood but is not allowed to see him. However, the power to save both herself and the Fae World is in her hands and she might just fall in love as well. An enjoyable read but very slow to start. If you enjoy other books by Elisa Kova you probably like this one.

Next I reread Every Heart A Doorway by Seanan McGuire which is the first book in the Wayward Children series. We are introduced to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children where all the students have gone to portal worlds and have ended up back “home.” Nancy is the newest student but when others end up dead they must find out who is responsible. I love Seanan McGuire’s works and reread this book because I plan to reread and catch up with this series in the next several months.

The final book I read this month was The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo which is a collection of short stories/fairy tales that would have been told in the Grishaverse world. Beautifully written and illustrated and one can see how these tales are supposed to be from a different world but have similarities with fairytales many of us have grown up with and how they inspired these new tales. Personally, I would read these even without them being connected to the Grishaverse.

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

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.

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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.

July 2019 Wrap Up

So the last couple of months have been very busy and I haven’t had the time or energy to work on this blog even when I’ve had things to post. Because of this I have a long list of post that should have been posted way before now which will be appearing in the next several weeks or months.

In July I read 3 books, two graphic novels and a coffee table book.

Saga volumes 4 and 5 by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples continues the story of Marko, Alana, and Hazel as they try to live as a family on the run. These volumes are rereads for me but I don’t remember how I felt about these issues when I first read them. Volume 4 is my least favorite so far mostly because of the conflict in the issue and the issues Marko and Alana are having in their marriage. I understand why the marriage issues was added in but the story just felt like filler. Volume 5 is better as I like where the main story is going that is the main focus of the issue. Though I do think that some of the sexual content is more for shock value then to add to the story.5_Star_Rating_System_3_stars5_Star_Rating_System_3_and_a_half_stars

42281686._SX318_The Nice and Accurate Good Omens TV Companion by Matt Whyman is a coffee table book about the Good Omens TV show created by Amazon. This book includes interviews with the cast and crew, pictures, and behind the scenes information about the series. I feel like the book helps show case how unique and special this TV show is and is something that anyone interested in the show should look into. 5_Star_Rating_System_5_stars

Rolling in the Deep and Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant Review

Mira Grant aka Seanan McGuire is one of my favorite authors and these books are no exception. Under Mira Grant, McGuire writes Science Fiction and Science Fiction Horror novels which if your a fan of Michael Crichton I feel like you will love.

23634011Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant is a novella about a research vessel going to the Mariana Trench to find Mermaids. Commissioned by the Imagine Network (which feels to me like if you combined the Discovery Channel fake documentaries with Asylum the creators of Sharknado),  the scientist think that the company sponsoring the trip is just going to film a mockumentary but they end up finding real mermaids who are not kind or beautiful. This book is technically a prequel to Into the Drowning Deep but it works as a stand alone. However, if you want to have no information about what the mermaids are like and the twist at the end of In to the Drowning Deep read the full length novel first. I didn’t know about the novella when I first read the novel so they work in either order. I didn’t connect to the characters as much due to how short the book is but what is there is great. It made me want more from this world and story.

34523174Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant is a science fiction horror novel about a research ship going out to the Mariana Trench to find mermaids and what happened to the ship, the Atargatis, that went out seven years previously. This is a reread for me and I loved it just as much as the first time I read it. The characters are amazing and complex from the woman who convinced Image that mermaids existed, the sister of one of the missing from the previous expedition, two big game hunters and many others. The wonderful thing about McGuire’s stories is she adds diverse characters in a way that is natural, they are diverse because our world is, this includes deaf sisters and a journalist who is both a lesbian and autistic.

The best way I can describe it is the book is everything I didn’t know I wanted out of murderous mermaids. These are not the pretty ladies of the sea but monsters from the deep that humanity has long feared. The character that you dislike or hate have a reason to be there and get what they deserve and those that you love must survive horrible circumstances to make one of the biggest discoveries of the world. The ending is left open ended enough for a possible squeal but doesn’t leaving anything hanging. I absolutely love these books and hope that a squeal will happen.