Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts

March 29, 2012

Redbacks by Aaron Crocco

Redbacks is the second book in the As Darkness Ends series. The series is a 6-book novelette showcasing the end of the world.  It is written following the main character James Cole and what he endures in New York City when a massive, global earthquake strikes.

Now one of the precious few survivors, James’s goal is to get home to his wife through a locked-down Manhattan. But when an inexplicable darkness begins blanketing the city, deadly creatures appear and begin hunting anybody they can find. With James and his companion the only ones capable of fighting, they’ll put their lives at stake once more in order to save the last of the survivors.

The story runs parallel to the first book, which follows Travis Hunter, who has a specific, important mission in the series.  You can read book 2 independently from book 1, as the story is written with the points of view of the characters.  They do meet each other in both books, and I loved how the author ties them together. 

I really enjoyed this book!  It is quick, action packed, and engaging throughout the whole book.  It has zombie as well as spiritual apocalyptic themes, which I loved.  I can’t wait to read the third book, and the whole series.   I give this book 5 stars out of 5.

I was given this book for an honest review.


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March 28, 2012

Coming Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Dayna is a successful executive with a beautiful home, a loving fiance, and a lot of baggage she believes she's left behind. One day she opens the door to find her ex-husband standing there with a bouquet of roses, wanting to apologize for having cheated on and divorced her years before. He's dying of terminal cancer, and wants her to help him and his wife, the very woman he's cheated with and left her for, establish a foundation to leave a legacy after his death. Can Dayna put aside her anger and allow Brent to find peace in his final days?

This is a novel of forgiveness in the face of ultimate betrayal. Adams bravely constructed a powerful scenario all women can relate to in one way or another. How many of us have been betrayed by a good friend or a love interest at one point and wondered how we could ever truly forgive them?

I enjoyed Adams' writing. She keeps unnecessary description to a minimum while somehow giving the reader a vivid picture of what is happening. The story never lags, there is always something happening. And while I normally care nothing for material trappings, she made me want a designer handbag and better hair and wardrobe with her characters' thoughts on such things. It takes a talented writer to create such desires in a reader.

There are only two negatives I can find in this book. First, Dayna's boyfriend, Warren, struck me as a jerk. I could tell I was supposed to like him, but he just wasn't likeable. Second, there are way too many details about phone calls. I can appreciate that there is realism in this, especially in our age of constant communication, but I found myself gritting my teeth every time Dayna is about to do something but gets a gossipy phone call. Perhaps because I hate it when I'm about to do something and am interrupted by a gossipy phone call. I think Adams was demonstrating Dayna's ties of friendships and the ways in which we are all influenced by and depend upon our friends, but it irritated me anyway.

Overall I enjoyed this book and appreciated its powerful message and the package Adams wrapped it in for us.

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review.

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September 9, 2011

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima


I have read a lot of YA fantasy.  A lot.  Some of it is exceptional and I can't wait to get someone else to read it and others are extremely mediocre and dull.  Where does The Warrior Heir fall?  Somewhere in the middle.  Was it OMG awesome?  No.  Did I read it in two sittings? Yes.  Will I read more from this author and most likely finish the series?  When I think about it.

The story follows Jack, a 16 year old from Ohio.  He's nothing special and the only thing odd about him is that he has to take a pill everyday for a heart surgery he had as a baby.  One day Jack doesn't take his medicine and he feels stronger, more aggressive, more confident, and all around better.  But, he loses control and almost kills another student at soccer practice.  Enter Jack's odd Aunt Linda, who bares news about Jack - he's Weirlind; part of a magical people.  He's the center of The Game, the war platform for the two sects of wizards.  The Game pits two Warriors against each other in a gladiator like battle - winner takes control of all the Weirlind.  And guess who is the very last warrior?  That's right - Jack.

Overall, this was a fun, simple read without any huge themes or difficult subject matter.  It is straight YA popcorn (light, fluffy, eaten by the handful).  If it sounds interesting to you, go for it!  You'll enjoy it but it probably won't rock your world.  It did have some interesting aspects and I think if she ever wanted to expand the story fully it could be a fantastic adult fantasy.

 I would recommend this for teens and preteens.  Adults - it's something fun to read that's quick, entertaining, and with little depth. 


September 1, 2011

Midnight Never Come by Marie Brennan


I discovered this novel by chance on goodreads.com.  I was already reading Brennan's other novel Warrior and have enjoyed it so far so I thought, Hey - what the heck?  I'll try this one too.  Wow, I'm glad I did! 

Midnight Never Come is a novel of Fae and Human entanglements but the story was different than anything else I had read before.  It takes place during Queen Elizabeth I reign in England so there is a historical aspect but the novel is more about the story than the history.  The novel begins with an imprisoned young Elizabeth being visited by an ambitious usurper named Invidiana.  Elizabeth strikes a deal with the fairy who has promised her the throne. 

Both women become Queens and political intrigue becomes a well known part of their rule.  Lune, a Fae courtier who has fallen out of favor with the Queen tries everything in her power to be in Invidiana's good graces again - including becoming involved in Elizabeth's affairs.  Michael Deven, a newly appointed Gentlemen Pensioner for Elizabeth, knows there is something unknown dictating Elizabeth's affairs but he can't figure it out.  How these two become involved and the paths they take - one against and one for - is one of the best story lines I think I have read in a long time.  The story twists and turns and what you think will happen doesn't and the ending you think you have figured out isn't true.

There are couple of things that did keep me from giving this 5 stars, however.  First, the writing, although engaging, has a couple of weird and rather repetitive quirks.  I was able to overlook them in favor of the story but they did annoy me at the time and annoy me still.  And second, there are certain parts of the book that are presented without explanation and with too little description.  Again, I was able to overlook them, but the story would have been superb if these had been given the time they deserved.

Overall, 4 stars.  Recommended for teens and adults .


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