Audiobook Review: Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
Posted on September 2, 2019 27 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Humor, Dystopian
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Hachette Audio (August 6, 2019)
Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
Author Information: Website | Twitter
I confess, I almost passed this book over at first because I was afraid its particular style of quirk and humor would be a little too over-the-top for me. Thank goodness a couple of reviews from bloggers I follow ended up changing my mind and made me decide to give Hollow Kingdom a try after all. This was hilarious and oh so much fun. Even some of its extreme whackiness couldn’t get me down.
For one thing, I thought after years of reading all kinds of zombie fiction I could get my hands on, I’d seen everything, but clearly I was wrong. Yes, Hollow Kingdom is a zombie book, but I guarantee it’ll be unlike anything you’ve read before. Have you ever wondered, when the world goes to hell in a handbasket in all these zombie stories, what happens to the animals after civilization crumbles and all of humankind has become the mindless walking dead? Well, this is what this novel is about. Not only are animals the primary focus of the story, they are also its stars. Our protagonist Shit Turd, abbreviated S.T., is an appropriately crass and potty-mouthed crow who leads us through this apocalyptic narrative. His best friends are Dennis, a dim-witted but sweet old bloodhound, and their owner Big Jim, who raised S.T. as a hatchling and taught the little bird all he knew. Humans, for example, are called MoFos because that’s what Big Jim calls other people all the time.
Things couldn’t have been better for the three of them, living a happy and simple life in Seattle. But then one day, Big Jim’s eyeball falls out. That was when S.T. knew something was wrong, even before his owner tried to take a big bite out of him. All around them, the city is descending into madness, with all the MoFos of the world turning into hollow, ravenous shells of what they once were. Escaping into this terrifying new reality, S.T. and Dennis find out from the local wildlife what is going on before deciding that their new mission in life is to liberate all the household pets and other helpless animals now trapped behind locked doors, gates, enclosures.
What made this novel such a blast was the voice of S.T., who has a very human spirit but is a crow through and through. Relatively speaking, the story was a bit light, though you can never feel it because S.T.’s personality is big enough to fill the whole book, as it were. Everything that came out of his mouth was a riot, from his observations of the world to his personal philosophies on life and lessons he’s learned from watching TV with Big Jim. This plucky little bird also loves his creative and colorful insults and sometimes his snark can be a bit much, though he never failed to make me laugh out loud. However, beneath that rude-talking exterior is a real softie, and the way he sticks by Dennis like a protective older brother is a testament that. Never mind that we’re talking about a crow and a dog here; the two of them are easily topping my list of favorite book buddy relationships I’ve read this year.
The point of Hollow Kingdom was to also put the focus on the animals, and in this respect, the story did not disappoint. Between chapters, we sometimes get these short little interludes which show what else is happening around the world, all from the POV of animals. Author Kira Jane Buxton must be quite the animal lover herself because she somehow managed to capture the mannerism and behaviors of all these creatures so well, whether it be a domestic cat or a polar bear. In this world, animals also interact with one each other through something called the “Aura”, an almost mystical-like force that collects all their communication cues and transmits them out like the internet—a very cool idea.
I hesitate to say much more because I don’t want to risk spoiling anything, and also because this is one of those books you have to experience for yourself to really know whether it’s for you. That it is highly original and unconventional is obvious, I think, and like I said, this is not your typical zombie story. I don’t think it’ll be for everybody, simply because humor is so subjective, and S.T.’s voice also might be too explicit and brassy for some. Still, if you don’t mind it, there’s definitely sweetness and warmth aplenty to be found if you dig a little deeper, like themes of love and loyalty, lessons of life and death. There are moments that will make you laugh and make you cry. And it will also make you appreciate the animals around you all the more. Bottom line, this was a seriously entertaining read and I’m glad I gave it a chance.
Novella Review: To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
Posted on September 1, 2019 24 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Harper Voyager (September 3, 2019)
Length: 144 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
First, let me preface this by saying I am a huge Becky Chambers fan and I loved all three books in her Wayfarer series. However, To Be Taught, If Fortunate is unrelated to that universe and the style of writing didn’t have really have the same charm or engaging feeling as her other books. Of course, it’s possible that it’s because we’re dealing with a novella this time, but overall, I also feel that this book lacks the character-driven magic that I’ve come to associate with Chambers’ writing.
The premise behind this story isn’t a new one: Earth is deteriorating, and humankind needs new places to live. But instead of terraforming planets to suit us, advanced technology has enabled us to transform ourselves to suit alien environments. The book opens on a space exploration vessel Merian, introducing protagonist Ariadne and her fellow astronauts as they awaken from the torpor chambers which have kept them in a semi state of suspended animation by slowing down their aging and metabolism. The small crew of four is on a mission to study a handful of new planets that are lightyears away from Earth, meaning that even though the original plan was to return home after their work is done, everyone they left behind would be dead and gone.
Together with Ariadne on the Merian are also Elena, Jack, and Chikondi. As the ship’s flight engineer, Ariadne’s duties include detailing their mission as well as logging and trasmitting their findings. This book, in a way, is her message sent back to Earth, explaining what they’ve experienced and discovered on the four different planets they visit.
I suppose it’s the way this book is written, where much of it takes the form of a communications report, which made me struggle with connecting to the characters—way more than it should have. That Ariadne is a scientist and an engineer is also blatantly obvious, as our narrator loves to expound on theory and technical details. On every planet we visit, we get in-depth descriptions of the flora and fauna they encounter, the ways they differ from earth lifeforms. Because of this, the biology enthusiastic in me was fangirling with glee, but admittedly the hard science also took a lot away from the character development and dynamics, the elements which made Chambers’ Wayfarers such a joy to read.
The book is also divided into four short linked tales, which goes on to further fracture an already limited narrative, this being a 144-page novella and all. While I was fascinated by the sights and sounds the crew documents on the different planets, as well as the multiple adaptations their bodies had to go though, I wish the characters themselves had gotten the same level of attention. Clearly I’ve been spoiled by the author’s previous books, which were packed with poignant and emotional themes and very human stories.
For fans of stories about space exploration and colonization though, this book will be a treat. Obviously, each planet the Merian crew visits offers its own problems, some more challenging than others. Everything from geography, climate, and the local wildlife needs to be considered. Ariadne is a very sharp and introspective narrator, and through her eyes we see how she works through possible solutions to obstacles, using knowledge she knows from everything from chemistry to astrophysics, and we even get plenty of her philosophical musings besides.
As I said, To Be Taught, If Fortunate wasn’t a bad book. However, had this novella been a full-length novel with a bit more in the storytelling and characters department, I might have enjoyed this one a lot more. It feels quite different—and it is quite different—from what I expected from Becky Chambers, and I was a little disappointed we didn’t get to see as much of her excellent characterization this time around. That said, I do love that she is flexing her writing muscles and trying something a bit more complex and cerebral. I’ll still look forward to everything else she writes in the future.
YA Weekend: The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan by Sherry Thomas
Posted on August 31, 2019 21 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan by Sherry Thomas
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tu Books (September 10, 2019)
Length: 352 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
After consistently being disappointed by so many books described as “Mulan retellings”, you can probably understand why I went into The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan with no small amount of trepidation (though of course I could hardly resist it). And quite honestly? I was blown away by this “Own Voices” novel. Sherry Thomas has written a refreshing new take on this famous Chinese folktale about the legendary female warrior, applying her own unique approach to the portrayal while staying faithful to the original story and ensuring historical and linguistic accuracy.
In this version of the tale, Hua Mulan has always been a skilled fighter. Each generation, the Huas and their rivals the Yuans vie for the honor to safeguard the two fabled swords named Sky Blade and Heart Sea, the outcome determined by a duel between one representative from each family. From a young age, Mulan has been trained for the role by her father, who made her disguise herself as a boy and take on the name of her twin brother who died in infancy. If she wins her duel against her Yuan challenger, Sky Blade and Heart Sea will be reunited under their house, and she will also score a major victory in the feud between their two families, avenging her father who was maimed in his own duel a generation before.
However, right before the duel, the Huas receive a letter from her opponent requesting the match to be postponed. War is brewing, and it seems the Yuans must focus their attentions elsewhere. At first, Mulan’s father regards the missive as a snub, until a messenger from the Emperor arrives at their own village along with a royal decree demanding each family put forth a male recruit for the war effort. To protect her little brother, who is too young, and her father, who is disabled and too old, Mulan decides to enlist using her male persona. On her first day in the army, she manages to impress the son of the duke with her martial arts skills, earning herself a place among his elite guard. To her surprise though, the position is not the safe assignment that she had expected. The young princeling is determined to fight on the front lines, and when Mulan discovers the secret he has been hiding, she realizes they may be in more danger than she thought.
Inspired by the traditions of wuxia, a genre which translates to “martial-chivalric” fiction, Sherry Thomas spins an epic tale of courage and adventure. I adored her depiction of Mulan, who embodies all the traits we think about when it comes to the character—fiercely independent, altruistic, and honorable. At the same time, the narrative never lets us forget that behind all that armor, our protagonist is a teenager, and wholly human. She is everything we want out of a kickass heroine, and yet still has a vulnerable side to her that makes her sympathetic and easy to relate to.
The story also takes place in 5th century China, during a period known as the Northern and Southern dynasties which was marked by much political unrest. Frequent references are made to these conflicts between the north and south, creating an atmosphere of tension that pervades through the entire novel. Major kudos to the author for doing what must have been a staggering amount research to get certain details as accurate as possible, and her afterword at the end of the book, including historical and linguistic notes, was a fascinating look into that process.
I really enjoyed the story as well, and the way it retained its folktale roots. Action played a large part, featuring both close-quartered martial arts and large-scale fighting in heated battles. But my favorite scenes were always the quieter moments where we got to explore the character relationships. There is a super sweet romance between our protagonist and her love interest, a man who is as honorable and brave as she is. They were certainly well matched, and I was rooting for them every step of the way. I was also glad this story shone a light on Mulan and the love and respect she has for her father, which a surprising number of retellings tend to neglect, considering his role in her decision to enlist in the army in his place. The Magnolia Sword adds another complex layer to their bond, making the final chapter with Mulan’s homecoming and seeing her father again even more touching and poignant.
Bottom line, I just loved this. The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan is one of the best Young Adult novels—and easily my favorite retelling—that I’ve read so far this year. A very satisfying novel overall, which filled me with all kinds of warm and happy feelings when it was over. Highly recommended!
Friday Face-Off: Yellow
Posted on August 30, 2019 27 Comments
Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme created by Books by Proxy! Each Friday, we will pit cover against cover while also taking the opportunity to showcase gorgeous artwork and feature some of our favorite book covers. If you want to join the fun, simply choose a book each Friday that fits that week’s predetermined theme, post and compare two or more different covers available for that book, then name your favorite. A list of future weeks’ themes are available at Lynn’s Book Blog.
This week’s theme is:
“I wandered lonely as a cloud”
~ a cover that is predominantly YELLOW
Mogsy’s Pick:
Fiend by Peter Stensen
I’ve been feeling in a zombie kind of mood lately, which is why I thought I’d go with a lesser known yellow-cover book this week with Fiend, a novel about what the zombie apocalypse would look like if meth heads were the only survivors. What would happen, if for whatever reason, being a junkie somehow made you immune to the becoming one of the walking dead? It’s a pretty awesome social thought experiment, I have to say, even if the book itself ended up being a bit of a train wreck.
Let’s take a look at the covers:
From left to right:
Crown (2013) – Windmill Books (2014)
French Edition A (2014) – French Edition B (2015)
Winner:
Call me traditional, but I’m a big fan of the French (2014) edition which is just “zombified” enough and just yellow enough to catch my attention without being too gaudy or contrived!
But what do you think? Which one is your favorite?
Book Review: Gears of War: Ascendance by Jason M. Hough
Posted on August 29, 2019 16 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Gears of War: Ascendance by Jason M. Hough
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction, Media Tie-In
Series: Gears of War Universe
Publisher: Titan Books (July 30, 2019)
Length: 464 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Bring on Gears 5, because I’m ready! And of course, being the tie-in addict I am, I just had to read the prequel novel too. Taking place in the immediate aftermath of Gears of War 4, Gears of War: Ascendance follows Corporal Kait Diaz as she grieves the loss of her mother in the Swarm War. Swearing revenge, she joins Marcus, JD, Del, Samantha, Cole, and Baird to the city of New Ephyra, where they have been summoned by First Minister Jinn. In exchange for a pardon for all the “crimes” they committed during the war, the Gears are asked to swear loyalty to the minister, as well as to bring proof of the new swarm threat.
But Kait, still bitter at all that has been done to her people, refuses. Instead, she decides to strike out on her own, returning to her ruined village after discovering that two children might have survived the devastation. Recognizing her pain and anger, Marcus Fenix decides to back her up, departing New Ephyra together as rogue agents on a rescue mission. Meanwhile, JD and Del, who have agreed to the minister’s offer and taken on new command positions, are on patrol to locate the swarm when they are cut off from the city and trapped by enemy forces.
Attacking the story from these two sides, Jason M. Hough delivers an exciting adventure leading into the new game that fans will no doubt adore. I have played all the Gears of War games, and even read a few of the novels by Karen Traviss. However, I was not at all concerned about the author change, knowing full well the capabilities of Mr. Hough who has written a couple of my favorite action sci-fi novels, including The Darwin Elevator and Zero World. He’s also no stranger to video game tie-ins, having written a novel for Mass Effect: Andromeda. Suffice to say, it pleases me to no end that he has once more brought his talents for writing heart-stopping action and battle sequences to Ascendance, which were made even more incredible because we’re dealing with some of the best foes ever designed in gaming—the Swarm.
That said, you would have to be intimately familiar with the Gears franchise to fully appreciate this novel. While it serves as a prequel to Gears 5, it also builds upon four games’ worth of story and characters and spoils the ending to Gears of War 4. The opening assumes that you have finished the game and learned of Reyna’s fate and the role Kait played in it. The rest of the plot—Kait’s renunciation of First Minister Jinn, her return to her village, the surprising allies she meets there, and so forth—is the fallout from those events. What this means is that unlike a lot of media tie-ins these days which are written as standalones, this one actually requires a fair amount of background knowledge.
But for those of us who love this world and its characters, it is a very special treat. This novel breathes new life into Kait and Marcus, JD and Del. Their personalities are given new layers and dimensions that we’ve never seen before, and it’s clear that Hough gets it; he understands the importance of tie-in novels to fans and why we seek them out. It’s not just about seeking more adventure, or more time in our favorite gaming worlds (though that certainly doesn’t hurt). It’s about digging deeper and getting to know more about our characters and learning what makes them tick. While storytelling in video games is all the rage these days, the narrative style of a novel allows authors to explore certain areas that we can’t behind a controller, and Hough doesn’t waste a single opportunity to flesh out the characters.
And of course, I have no complaints about the action, which is the author’s forte after all. He has a very cinematic writing style, where you can easily picture what you read playing out on a big screen. With the events playing out in the story on two fronts, it meant that there was never a dull moment, and the pacing was relentless and constantly driving forward.
Overall, if you are a Gears fan, there is no question of whether or not you should read Gears of War: Ascendance. The answer is yes, and you should do it before playing Gears 5 if you want the full experience. So ready your chainsaw guns, everyone—because not only does this novel bridge the time between the fourth and the fifth game, it’s also a hell of a fun read. I hope this will mean more Gears of War novels in the future.
Waiting on Wednesday 08/28/19
Posted on August 28, 2019 20 Comments
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
A Longer Fall by Charlaine Harris (January 14, 2020 by Gallery/Saga Press)
This week, I’m waiting on the second novel of the Gunnie Rose series by Charlaine Harris. The first book took me by surprise and I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed it, so I’m really looking forward to see where the story and characters will go from here.
“#1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris returns with the second of the Gunnie Rose series, in which Lizbeth is hired onto a new crew, transporting a crate into Dixie, the self-exiled southeast territory of the former United States. What the crate contains is something so powerful, that forces from across three territories want to possess it.
In this second thrilling installment of the Gunnie Rose series, Lizbeth Rose is hired onto a new crew for a seemingly easy protection job, transporting a crate into Dixie, just about the last part of the former United States of America she wants to visit. But what seemed like a straight-forward job turns into a massacre as the crate is stolen. Up against a wall in Dixie, where social norms have stepped back into the last century, Lizbeth has to go undercover with an old friend to retrieve the crate as what’s inside can spark a rebellion, if she can get it back in time.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse mysteries and Midnight, Texas trilogy) is at her best here, building the world of this alternate history of the United States, where magic is an acknowledged but despised power.”
Book Review: Missing Person by Sarah Lotz
Posted on August 27, 2019 16 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Mulholland Books (September 3, 2019)
Length: 480 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
A mystery-thriller that’s more mystery than thrills, Missing Person by Sarah Lotz blends solving cold cases with social media, centering on a group of amateur sleuths who try to match names to murder victims who were never identified. But for Christina Guzman, founder of the website Missin-linc.com, shining light on these missing persons cases is more than just a macabre hobby. Still haunted by the loss of her mother whose photo and information can be found listed in the website’s database alongside dozens of other unsolved cases, Chris has never given up her search. Running Missing-linc under her handle “Ratking1”, she joins other regular users around the United States like “Rainbowbrite” and “Mommydearest” in sharing information they find on the site’s online forum.
Meanwhile, across the ocean in Ireland, Shaun Ryan has learned a shocking truth about his family. There is a possibility that his uncle Teddy, whom their mother had always said died in a car accident, might be still alive and living in New York, where he had run away to thirty years prior in the hopes of finding a better life. Instead, all he found was death. After many failed attempts to locate Teddy, Shaun ends up at Missing-linc.com where Chris and her network have determined that an unidentified murder victim from the early nineties, known only as “The Boy in the Dress”, might be his missing uncle. Together, they decide to team up to find out what really happened to Teddy Ryan, and who might have killed him.
But the thing about the internet, where anyone can hide behind a pseudonym, is that you can never be sure someone is who they claim to be. As Missing-linc’s investigation into Teddy’s case begins to gain traction and more attention, little does the team know the killer himself has been in their midst, following their every move.
I’m a huge fan of Sarah Lotz, but as my last three novels by her were in the horror genre, Missing Person was a change of pace, to say the least. And for the most part, it’s a good change, though I did miss some of the chilling, edge-of-your-seat energy that permeated her books like The Three or The White Road. In contrast, Missing Person was more of a slow burn, lacking in a lot of the delicious atmosphere that Lotz is usually so good at writing. These changes were to be expected though, as the story is just so different, reading more like a steadily unfolding crime drama.
Interspersed throughout the narrative are also transcripts of forum posts, private messages, and other forms of internet chat—a nod, perhaps, to the author’s penchant for the epistolary style. I have to say, I really enjoyed these brief glimpses into the characters’ lives, offering insight into their online dynamics. After all, you can’t write about internet forums and communities without addressing the drama. It also gave characters like Chris AKA Ratking1 and Rainbowbrite, whose real name is Ellie, more layers to their personalities, because we were able to see how they projected themselves both online and offline.
But as I alluded to in my intro, I wouldn’t say Missing Person felt particularly thrilling. You had everything laid out early on, and there was also a fair bit of repetition. It’s the kind of book where several chapters can elapse without much progress in the story overall. However, neither would I say the plot did nothing but spin its wheels. Like I said, it’s simply a different style I’m used to from the author. I still enjoyed the idea and the main driving forces behind this novel, and Lotz’s writing is as good as ever (if not better), creating vivid and engaging characters in suspenseful situations. That said, don’t expect the kind of pacing and dreadful atmosphere that is a hallmark of her horror novels, as this one is relatively tame and languid in comparison. Twist-free and limited in conflict and stakes, the ending also felt somewhat anti-climactic and incomplete.
Anyway, as you can probably tell from my review, Missing Person wasn’t my favorite book by Sarah Lotz, but it wasn’t bad by any measure. Ultimately, I simply prefer the author’s horror. Nevertheless, fans should still definitely check it out. Who knows, you might even come away with a deeper appreciation for the author’s versatility and skill at tackling something a little different—I know I did. As always, I look forward to her next book.
Book Review: The Passengers by John Marrs
Posted on August 26, 2019 26 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Berkley Books (August 27, 2019)
Length: 352 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Was The Passengers by John Marrs an entertaining, thrilling read? Yes. Was it dumbfoundingly absurd and infuriating at times? Also yes. Credit where credit’s due though, I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun with a book while simultaneously screaming obscenities in frustration at it, so there’s that.
At its heart, The Passengers is near-future techno-thriller that has its basis in the discussion surrounding the risks and ethics of programmable artificial intelligence. At the beginning of the story, eight individuals get into their self-driving cars, each trusting their vehicle’s AI to get them to where they need to be. With the exception of two of them—a husband and wife couple—none of them know each other, and all come from different walks of life. But soon, they will find themselves trapped in the same waking nightmare fighting for their lives, for not long after they started their ride, each of them receive a chilling message from a mysterious voice inside their hacked vehicle which is no longer under their control: “Two hours and thirty minutes from now, it is highly likely that you will be dead.”
Meanwhile, as all this is unfolding, a healthcare worker named Libby arrives to her position on the Vehicle Inquest jury, a board that reviews evidence in cases of accidents involving self-driving cars to determine the at-fault party. But as it turns out, they also become the victims of the hacker’s nefarious plot, when it is revealed the horrible role they must play. Libby and her four fellow jurors have become the decision makers to determine who should live and who should die. From hidden cameras, footage from inside the boardroom and from the eight hijacked cars are broadcast live to the world, where members of the public are also invited to chime in and collectively decide the passengers’ fates using hashtags over social media.
All eyes are now on the eight hapless riders trapped inside their vehicles—a septuagenarian TV star philanthropist, a young woman seven months pregnant with her first child, an illegal immigrant awaiting deportation, a construction company contractor and his police officer wife who are the parents of two children, a non-English speaking middle-aged woman making her escape from her abusive husband, a retired and decorated war veteran, and an unemployed homeless man living out of his car. Each of them is given a chance to plead their case to the world, but as the hacker warns, it’s best to be truthful. He knows all their deepest darkest secrets, and the public might not be so sympathetic once he reveals them. But for Libby, the question of whom to save is simple. In a twist of fate, it turns out she has a past connection to one of the passengers, but will anyone else understand her choice?
To make it easier to suspend your disbelief (and trust me, there will be moments where you will need to), it’s probably best to consider The Passengers an exercise in suspense. To create a good thriller, you need the necessary ingredients, including a super evil smart villain who has thought of everything and has all his bases covered from every angle. You also need victims who are put in a situation where they are unpleasantly, irrevocably screwed. Hats off to John Marrs, who has certainly got both these boxes checked off, even if it does mean plot holes, illogical explanations and other farfetched plot mechanisms aplenty. Most of these I can’t go into without spoiling anything, which is unfortunate because some are quite hilarious in the lengths they go to. Suffice to say, Marrs can write a damn good thriller, but his writing relies on the reader to overlook the flimsiness in his character motivations and the story setup.
For one thing, the hacker—who fancies himself as having some sort of moral high ground by being a vigilante avenger punishing the Vehicle Inquest board—is predictably psychotic and gives no reasonable explanation why he thinks causing even more death and chaos is going to get anything done other than to provide him with two and a half hours of sick entertainment (also, no details into his choice of his eight victims or how he managed to orchestrate certain events that should have been impossible to predict or coordinate). It felt like lazy storytelling and characterization, and indeed, almost everyone in this book is an example of more stereotyping or clichés. It can definitely be seen with Libby, whom I wanted to throttle because she was a self-righteous ninny with more hormones than sense, allowing her feelings for a man she knew for all of one evening take over her critical thinking skills and rule her decisions. A shining example of our gender, that one.
But okay, I can’t deny I had fun. A lot of fun, actually. Yes, some of it is over-the-top and ridiculously ham-fisted, but you gotta admit the whole idea is a killer. Despite some of my issues with the story, it’s definitely an interesting premise to ponder, and still a real blast to see things play out. There were moments of pure suspense where I found I could hardly stop reading, so caught up was I in the excitement and intensity. No shortage of shocking surprises here, which came relentlessly at a breakneck pace. As you’ve probably already guessed, none of the passengers are as they seem, so you’ll be getting four or five good twists out of that alone.
Bottom line, The Passengers is a flawed but fun thriller. It might seem like I had a lot of complaints about this one, but the truth is, it’s easier than you think to look past the absurdity, the contrived characters and the plot holes and everything else that didn’t really make sense. After all, the entertainment value is high, which made the read worth it.
YA Weekend: Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau-Preto
Posted on August 25, 2019 21 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau-Preto
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Crown of Feathers
Publisher: Simon Pulse (February 12, 2019)
Length: 496 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau-Preto is a book I had been excited to read ever since I first learned about it, and it’s easy to see why. I was immediately drawn to the idea of a world full of rich history and legends about warriors who rode fiery phoenixes into battle, and the premise of a girl who disguises herself as a boy, which happens to one of my favorite tropes.
The story transports us to the Golden Empire, a land whose people are no strangers to war. To the victor goes the spoils, while those defeated are left to lick the wounds. For our protagonist Veronyka and her sister Val, however, it also means being on the run from the anti-magic forces who are now out to hunt them down. Both of them are animages, individuals with the power to form magical bonds with animals. In practice, this connection is also the relationship that allows the famed Phoenix Riders to control their mounts, before their order was dissolved following their loss in the war.
Consequently, anyone with the talent are now considered enemies to the current rulers of the empire, but some have chosen not to flee. Sev is an animage who is currently a soldier in the army, hiding in plain sight while watching, listening, and gathering information. Meanwhile, Veronyka still has dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider. Together with her sister, they scour the land for any surviving phoenix eggs, hoping to hatch new bond companions. But after much heartbreak and a riff between the siblings, Veronyka is left to strike out on her own, arriving at a secret camp where a group of rebels are hoping to establish the Phoenix Rider traditions. Joining them and their mission is everything Veronyka has ever wanted, except of one major setback—the rebels are only looking to recruit males. Not content to let a little problem like that get in her way though, Veronyka decides to disguise herself as a boy and gains access to the camp as Nyk the stable boy. During training, she also meets and befriends a fellow apprentice named Tristan, the commander’s son.
First, while I found Crown of Feathers incredibly enjoyable to read, I have to preface this review with a caveat—if you’re looking for a light and airy YA fantasy novel to pass the time, this isn’t it. In fact, it’s quite the slow-builder, and while the story itself is straightforward enough, the details of the world and its history make it feel quite dense. The main conflict also takes some time to emerge, with a first half that plods along and requires patience. That said, I liked how this section developed many of the relationships between the characters, not to mention this was also where we saw the first signs of the fascinating schism between Veronyka and her sister Val. This is definitely not your typical sibling rivalry, and Pau-Preto did an impressive job portraying the complex nature of the love and bitterness in their relationship.
I think the time spent with each character also helped me feel more of a connection to them. I confess I wasn’t a fan of Veronyka at first; she seemed a bit flighty and too consumed with her own problems. I wasn’t all that into Sev’s story either, and even after finishing the book, I thought he spent a good chunk of the story being parked while more interesting things happened elsewhere. Still, I think his chapters served their purpose in showing the political state of the empire as well as the tensions behind the scenes, and his backstory also provided more insight into the history of the Phoenix Riders. I hope his role will feature more prominently in the series as it progresses, so that we find out more about his character. As for Veronyka, I think I eventually warmed to her once she joined the rebel camp, and especially when she befriends Tristan. He’s the love interest, of course, though I have to give major credit to the author for not making this book all about their romance. While it’s clear that’s where things are going, these days I’m more interested in a meaningful relationship between a couple rather than how quickly the story can get them together, so I really appreciated the fact that we get to take things slow.
The book became even better once it found its stride. The final revelations also stitched together the many pieces of the plot, threads from both past and present, and made everything clear in the end. Yes, Crown of Feathers is a novel that requires a bit of time and emotional commitment, especially if you were expecting something that throws you into the action right away. But for all that, the story was very enjoyable. Overall, a very solid beginning to a promising new series.
Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on August 24, 2019 29 Comments
Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every other weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I round up what I’ve read since the last update and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.
Received for Review
My thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!
First, with big thanks to Harper Voyager for the following: an ARC of Aurora Blazing by Jessie Mihalik! I really enjoyed Polaris Rising last year and I’m looking forward to this follow-up. I also received an ARC of Flamebringer by Elle Katharine White, the third and final volume of her Jane Austen-inspired Heartstone fantasy trilogy. From the publisher I also received a couple of finished copies, including the exciting novella To Be Taught, if Fortunate by Becky Chambers as well The Emperor’s Fist by Jay Allan, the latest installment in his Far Stars sequence!
Courtesy of Harper I also received an interesting surprise in the form of The Andromeda Evolution by Daniel H. Wilson and Michael Crichton. Apparently this is the sequel to Crichton’s Andromeda Strain to mark the 50th anniversary of its release. While I have my reservations, I do like Daniel Wilson, so I’ll be curious to see how this one goes.
Also thank you to St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of A Golden Grave by Erin Lindsey! I love her books, and I’ve been looking forward to reading this sequel ever since reading Murder on Millionaires’ Row.
From St. Martin’s Press I was also lucky enough to score an ARC of 29 Seconds by T. M. Logan from a newsletter giveaway. I read the author’s novel Lies so I’m quite open to giving this one a try as well.
With thanks to Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, I also received a surprise copy of the The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner. I’m not sure this one’s really for me since it’s a graphic novel aimed at Middle Grade readers, but my daughter has expressed interest in checking out and I’ll be sure to report what we think if she does!
Another surprise arrival, I also received an ARC of The New Voices of Science Fiction edited by Hannu Rajaniemi and Jacob Weisman from the kind folks at Tachyon Publications. This looks like a promising anthology, with an incredible author lineup including some big names and up-and-coming rising stars like Rebecca Roanhorse, Sarah Pinsker, Suzanne Palmer, and more.
Also huge thanks also to Ace/Roc/DAW for these lovelies, including this beautiful finished copy of The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier, one of my most anticipated releases for this fall! From the publisher I was also excited about the arrival of this ARC of Unnatural Magic by C. M. Waggoner, a book I had featured earlier this year for Waiting on Wednesday, as well as A Song for a New Day by Sarah Pinsker who is an author I’ve always wanted to try!
I’d also like to thank Tor.com for the following new arrivals: first, an ARC of Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi, a sci-fi novella described a dystopian narrative about the black American experience, and also a finished copy of Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. It can’t really be seen in this picture, but this gorgeous hardcover has black sprayed pages, which is one of my favorite design features because it gives a book that certain dramatic flair! I’m currently reading this book as part of a blogger buddy read right now, so I expect a review will be along soon.
Big thanks also to Tor for Turning Darkness into Light by Marie Brennan, her new standalone novel that spins off The Memoirs of Lady Trent series. I’ve already devoured and reviewed this, and in case you missed it, you find the link below for my full thoughts! As well, I received an ARC of Sabbath by Nick Mamatas, described as “Highlander meets Se7en.” Now how can I resist such a tagline?
And thank you to Titan Books for Wonderland edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane. As you know I’m quite picky about my anthologies, but a collection of short stories inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is definitely not something I can say no to, especially with an author list that includes some of the biggest names in fantasy and horror.
And finally, thank you to Penguin Books for This Poison Will Remain by Fred Vargas. The book sounded very interesting when I was reading the pitch, though I was hesitant to try it when I found out it was technically the eleventh volume of the Commissaire Adamsberg series. But apparently it can be read as a standalone, so I think I will give this one a try if I ever feel like a suspenseful crime mystery.
Not much in the digital pile this week because I’ve been trying to show more restraint on platforms like Edelweiss and NetGalley. But a couple books did catch my eye. With thanks to Inkshares, I snagged Cryptozoology for Beginners by Matt Harry, described as a part novel, part magical creature guide with illustrations. I also grabbed The Menace from Farside by Ian McDonald with thanks to Tor.com. I don’t read too many novellas, but I knew I needed this as soon as I saw that it was part of the Luna series. And last but not least, I was pretty excited to receive an eARC of Forever and a Doomsday by Laurence MacNaughton, with thanks to Kaye Publicity and Pyr Books. This is the fourth book of the Dru Jasper urban fantasy series, and I love the cover’s color scheme this time!
Reviews
Here is a quick summary of my reviews posted since the last update:
Do You Dream of Terra-Two? by Temi Oh (5 of 5 stars)
Soul of the Sword by Julie Kagawa (4.5 of 5 stars)
Turning Darkness into Light by Marie Brennan (4 of 5 stars)
The Warehouse by Rob Hart (4 of 5 stars)
Aftershocks by Marko Kloos (4 of 5 stars)
The Whisper Man by Alex North (3.5 of 5 stars)
Ironclads by Adrian Tchaikovsky (3 of 5 stars)
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (2.5 of 5 stars)
Roundup Highlights:
What I’ve Read Since the Last Update
Here’s what I’ve managed to “unstack” from the TBR since the last update. More reviews coming soon!
Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read! Let me know what you plan on checking out. Until next time, see you next Roundup!
The BiblioSanctum 