Book Review: Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik
Posted on February 4, 2019 23 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Romance, Science Fiction
Series: Book 1 of Consortium Rebellion
Publisher: Harper Voyager (February 5, 2019)
Length: 448 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Not gonna lie, I’ve always been hard on the romances in my fiction. While I have nothing against romance, I’ve always said that if there’s going to be a romance arc in any book, it needs to be convincing—not to mention I also want the characters, plot and other story elements to be strong. It also helps when a novel is upfront with the reader on what to expect. In the case of Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik, it is an example of a sci-fi romance mashup that handles all these points very well.
The protagonist of this tale is Lady Ada of High House von Hasenberg. As the fifth of six children, her usefulness to her family only extends to her marriageability into one of the other High Houses, and only so that her father can have a spy in a rival’s house. To avoid that fate, Ada ran away years ago and has since survived on her own by living under the radar on space stations and mercenary ships. But unfortunately, her luck has just run out. As our story begins, Ada finds herself in a holding cell with another high-profile prisoner named Marcus Loch aboard a bounty hunter’s ship, soon to be handed off to Richard of High House Rockhurst, the man she was supposed to marry. Though Ada knows better than to trust Loch, a known dangerous criminal, she’s also aware he’s her only chance to escape. And so, the two of them strike up a tenuous alliance, agreeing to work together until they make it some place safe. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Loch is hot as hell and has the body of a Greek god.
However, Richard is not about to give up so easily. For some reason, House Rockhurst is really keen on having his and Ada’s arranged marriage go forward, presumably to get their hands on her dowry. But what exactly is it that they want? And why does Richard also seem to want to capture Loch as badly as he wants Ada? As our two fugitives go on the run together, they end up finding the answers to all these questions and more. In order to protect her house and prevent war, Ada will need to recruit more help and put a stop to Rockhursts’ plans. Meanwhile, she’s also realizing that Loch is more than he seems. He’s certainly not the heartless mercenary she had expected him to be, and as the two of them grow closer, Ada must also admit to herself that Loch has become more to her than just an escape plan.
In case it’s not glaringly obvious, Polaris Rising is mostly a romance first, and a genre novel second. By that, I mean it can be awfully self-indulgent at times, being predominantly interested in focusing the attention on the romance arc between Ada and Loch, and it does that boldly with no apology. For one, the plot is light and leaky and doesn’t stand up to much scrutiny. World-building elements are plentiful but just robust enough to get by. Characters are also on the conventional side, with Ada being your typical heroine with a fierce personality and a strong independent streak, while Loch is even more clichéd as the tall, dark, brooding and possessive alpha male whose sculpted face and abs appear to be his main appeal. As they’re both archetypal to an extent, neither instilled much likeability at the beginning, though credit where credit’s due: both scored high on the believability meter. Ada and Loch are flawed characters each dealing with a painful event in their past. Ada’s prevents her from letting anyone get close, while Loch has done some terrible things that he’d rather forget. Again, it’s not the most original setup, resulting in drama that could have been predicted from miles away. And yet, the emotional growth they each experienced was convincingly written and fun to watch, and in the end, isn’t that why we read such stories?
Another point for this book: the supporting cast. Characters like Veronica, Rhys, and Bianca are fully-fleshed individuals in their own right, adding much flavor to the story (not to mention a nice break from the smoldering gazes our two protagonists are constantly throwing at each other). Even if romance isn’t your thing, you’ll love the meaningful relationships that these other characters add to the equation. And ultimately, that’s what I enjoyed most about Polaris Rising—the fact that there’s so much else to like beyond the main romantic arc. In spite of the light world-building, there is also a clear and strong effort to make the sci-fi setting as authentic and full-bodied as possible. It feels developed from the ground up along with the story, and not as though it was slapped on as an afterthought. And of course, if you’re here for the romance you’ll leave very happy, but those of us who require an actual plot with some action too will certainly not be disappointed either. Mihalik manages to balance the sexy times with enough suspense and thrills so that neither aspect overshadows the other, leaving both coming through very naturally.
Overall, I had a really good time with Polaris Rising. Admittedly, the romance genre is still not something I can take in large doses, but I love throwing a book like this into my reading repertoire whenever I feel like I need a change. Like a rich, fluffy, decadent dessert, I can only read these types of novels once in a while, but whenever I do, it’s always oh so satisfying and delicious.
Review: The Hiding Place by C.J. Tudor
Posted on February 3, 2019 28 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 Hiding Place by C.J. Tudor
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Hardcover: Crown | Audiobook: Random House Audio (February 5, 2019)
Length: Hardcover: 288 pages | Audiobook: 10 hrs and 43 mins
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Narrator: Richard Armitage
As much as I loved The Chalk Man, I’m quite pleased to say that The Hiding Place was a bit of a departure from the author’s debut, in a couple of amazing ways. First, I felt that it was much darker and creepier (always a plus), and second, I also greatly enjoyed the touch of the supernatural. Since C.J. Tudor’s previous novel was a straight-up suspense-thriller, this fantastical element might turn out to be a deal breaker for some, but as a speculative fiction reader by nature and habit, I welcomed it with open arms.
The story follows Joe Thorne, a middle-aged school teacher who returns to his home town of Arnhill in order to settle an old score. It’s not what he wants—but it is what he must do. After hearing about a shocking murder-suicide involving a mother who brutally killed her teenage son before shooting herself, Joe fears what happened to him all those years ago is happening again. So he gets a job at the high school he used to attend, replacing the very same woman who committed the crime, and also starts renting an abandoned and dilapidated cottage in town, living in the very same house where the horror took place. All these decisions are calculated moves on Joe’s part. He has a plan, and it requires integrating himself back into the community so that he can track down a few old “friends” still living in Arnhill—those who were there on that day so long ago, when something terrible and strange happened to Joe’s beloved younger sister Annie.
But Joe has plenty of secrets he’s hiding too. His gambling problems have made him some dangerous enemies since leaving Arnhill, and they’ve followed him home to join the ghosts of his past in haunting him. As expected, his return has not been met with overwhelming enthusiasm either. Joe hung out with the wrong crowd as a youth and did some pretty bad things. Being in Arnhill again means reconciling himself with the wretched teenager he once was, as well as confronting the truth of what happened to his little sister in that abandoned old mine where he and his gang discovered the real meaning of terror.
In a way, The Hiding Place can be seen as a redemption story for our protagonist Joe, who finally realizes he’s run from his past long enough. Sure, there are selfish reasons for returning to Arnhill, but he’s also ready to face up to the things he’s done wrong and to try to right them. Something is rotting at the heart of his home town, which could be a combination of corruption and something more uncanny or preternatural—whatever it is, it’s a vicious cycle that needs to be stopped, even if it’s already too late for Joe and his family.
Admittedly, it wasn’t until the story was well underway that I felt fully invested in it. But that’s not to say the introductory parts of this novel were slow or uninteresting, because quite the opposite is true. In fact, the opening scene is gripping both in its disturbing imagery and mysterious intensity, which sets the tone for the rest of the novel. Instead, the reason for the plot’s delayed takeoff has everything to do with how carefully and deliberately information is doled out. Joe plays all his cards close to his chest unless he absolutely has to share the details, so at the beginning, most of the story’s intrigue was driven by simply the desire to know more about him: Why is he really back in Arnhill? Why do all his old friends seem displeased with him showing up again, and what happened to cause this falling out? Why is he so evasive when it comes to certain topics in his past like his sister Annie, or the baffling circumstances behind the car accident that he was involved in when he was younger? What does any of this have to do with the gruesome murder-suicide? And what was the meaning of the puzzling message written in blood at the scene? So many questions were teased, and while they certainly kept me reading to find out more, it wasn’t until the answers started coming that I finally found myself completely drawn in.
I also continue to be impressed with C.J. Tudor’s writing. While her setup may require a bit of patience, she is a natural storyteller, with an incredible way with words. I loved the measured pacing with which she revealed information, and the way she described certain things. Ultimately, I found some of the more mundane (as in earthly) character-related drama to be less interesting than the supernatural elements (others are correct in that some of them are quite reminiscent of classic Stephen King) but in the end, that’s due to the kind of reader I am and the stories I prefer. I understand some might not like the vagueness of the details, but in this particular case, I was happy that we were left with a bit of ambiguity.
Overall, I liked The Hiding Place just as much—and in some respects, a little bit more—than The Chalk Man. I can see Tudor becoming my new go-to author for thriller-suspense mysteries, especially if I’m looking for something with a good dose of creep factor.
Audiobook Comments: In addition to the eARC, I was lucky enough to receive a listening copy of The Hiding Place audiobook narrated by award-winning voice and screen actor Richard Armitage, probably best known for his role The Hobbit. I really enjoyed this listen; I mean, if having Thorin Oakenshield read to you still isn’t enough of an appeal, his smooth mellow voice was also perfect for the role of Joe. His performance was simply captivating, an added bonus to an already engaging story. Highly recommended.
Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
Posted on February 2, 2019 35 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!
Thank you to the HarperCollins team for sending me a couple of great titles to review! From William Morrow, Crucible by James Rollins is a mystery/thriller described as a mind-expanding adventure that blends science, historical fiction and action. It’s book 14 in the Sigma Force series, but I’ve been assured this can be read as a standalone, so I’m going to go for it. And from HarperVoyager came this exciting ARC of The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling which I’m looking forward to reading because you all know how much I enjoy sci-fi horror!
Thanks also to Subterranean Press for sending me an ARC of Outside the Gates of Eden by Lewis Shiner, a novel that the author calls his magnum opus. Several of his SFF novels have featured rock music as a theme, and likewise I’ve heard that this one will also feature rock and roll in the 60’s as a main focus.
Also thanks to Del Rey for sending along a couple of cool surprises this month. I received a copy of The Memory of Fire by Callie Bates which is about to be released as a paperback, as well as an ARC of The Soul of Power which is its sequel and the third book in the Waking Land series. I wasn’t crazy about book two because of the change in protagonist, but it seems like there will be a shift again in book three and maybe I’ll take take better to it now that I know what to expect. There’s a good chance I’ll read it, because I do want to finish the trilogy.
Courtesy of the kind folks at Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, I also received Dragon Ghosts by Lisa McMann, the third book in the Unwanteds Quests children’s series. Come to think of it, they might have sent me the first book a couple years ago too! I haven’t started it yet, so if I want to read this one, I will need to do some crazy catching up.
Thanks also to Orbit Books for sending me a finished copy of No Way by S.J. Morden, the sequel to One Way. This book continues the journeys of Frank Kitteridge, our protagonist who escaped death on Mars and now must figure out a way to get home. I really enjoyed the first book, so I definitely want to know what happens next.
And a big thank you to Tor Books for sending along these lovelies: A Labyrinth of Scions and Sorcery by Curtis Craddock is the sequel to the brilliant Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors, a genre bending fantasy novel that I loved to bits. I’ve been crossing my fingers for a finished copy of this to arrive, so now that it has, I’m ecstatic! And from the publisher’s young adult imprint Tor Teen, a finished copy of Ship of Smoke and Steel by Django Wexler also showed up last week. I’m a huge fan of the author and I can’t wait to check out his debut into the YA genre!
And that’s not all! As thanks for being a part of their #FearlessWomen campaign last summer, Tor also sent along this care package containing a signed copy of Vengeful by V.E. Schwab as well as these neat little character pins and a pretty tote bag. Needless to say, all this was an awesome surprise!
Again, my digital haul is made up of mostly audiobooks this week. With thanks to Audible Studios for a review copy of King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo which I’m excited to listen to because they always do an excellent job on her books and choose the best narrators (in this case, Lauren Fortgang, a favorite!) From Macmillan Audio, I received Watcher in the Woods by Kelley Armstrong, the fourth Rockton mystery (which I’ve already listened to, and it was amazing), as well as The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo, which I’m looking forward to because she’s an author I’ve always wanted to try. And with thanks to Random House Audio, I also received a listening copy of Suspicious Minds by Gwenda Bond, the first official Stranger Things novel and a prequel to the show which will delve into the truth behind Eleven’s mother.
And I knew I was going to cave on this, and yep, I caved hard: House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig is a book I’ve been hemming and hawing over for a while, but after hearing that it’s supposed to be a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale, that finally did it. The publisher has also auto-approved me on NetGalley, so with that, my last line of resistance was broken. With thanks to Delacorte Press. And finally, if you’ve been paying attention to the coverage of this year’s SPFBO, you might have heard of Under Ordshaw by Phil Williams, most notably from Lynn’s Book Blog where it was one of the books she considered when it came to choosing her finalist. Shortly after reading her high praise and recommendation for the novel, I actually received an email from the author who contacted me to to see if I would be interested in a review copy, so of course I said yes! Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks, as there may be more coverage including a guest post. Thank you, Phil
Reviews
A quick summary of my reviews posted since the last update:
The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky (5 of 5 stars)
Lipstick Voodoo by Kristi Charish (4 of 5 stars)
The Lost Prince by Edward Lazellari (3.5 of 5 stars)
The Au Pair by Emma Rous (3.5 of 5 stars)
Vultures by Chuck Wendig (3.5 of 5 stars)
A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe by Alex White (3 of 5 stars)
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi (3 of 5 stars)
The Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson (2 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!
Friday Face-Off: Comedy
Posted on February 1, 2019 21 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:
~ a COMEDY cover
Mogsy’s Pick:
The Last Adventure of Constance Verity by A. Lee Martinez
Ah, Constance Verity. This was such a funny book. Going incognito as “Connie Smythe”, our protagonist begins this tale by attempting to kick off her “ordinary” life by getting an “ordinary” job. However, the moment her would-be employers discover her true identity, the seemingly everyday interview takes a turn for the bizarre as they try to dispose of Connie by sacrificing her to the Hungry Earth monster. Trouble just seems to follow Constance everywhere, much to her annoyance. All she wants to do is live a normal existence, but just how is she to do that when disasters like alien invasions, time traveling supervillains, or space pirates just keep falling into her lap?
The truth though, is that this has been the case for most of Connie’s life. Whether she likes it or not, she is destined for heroism and adventure, thanks to a gift granted to her at birth by her fairy godmother. But now Connie has had enough, and just wants to settle down. Unfortunately, her blessing (or curse?) isn’t going to let that happen, so she’ll have to do something extreme: Constance Verity is going to kill her fairy godmother and take back control of her life.
Let’s take a look at the covers:
From left to right:
Saga Press (2016) – Sci-Fi Audio (2016) – German Edition (2017)
Winner:
The cover image of the Saga Press edition was what first drew me to this book. The moment I saw it, I could not help but be intrigued. Why is this badass-looking woman smiling so smugly at the viewer, surrounded by a bunch of unconscious cultists? I just want to know, DAMMIT. The German edition is another strong contender, and the “comic” style of it might actually be a better fit for the story’s tone. In contrast, the one cover that I felt was all wrong for this book is the Sci-Fi Audio edition. The only thing I like about it is the color, otherwise it’s boring as hell and tells me nothing about the novel’s humorous and comedic nature.
So, the choice for me was easy this week. But what do you think? Which one is your favorite?
Book Review: The Lost Prince by Edward Lazellari
Posted on January 31, 2019 18 Comments
I received a review copy from the author. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Lost Prince by Edward Lazellari
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of Guardians of Aandor
Publisher: Tor (April 2, 2013)
Length: 352 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Back when I reviewed the first Guardians of Aandor novel, I recall that one of my biggest concerns with the story was that the eclectic mashup of high fantasy and contemporary urban elements would play havoc with reader expectations. However, with this sequel, the series may have finally found its feet, thanks to clever storytelling by author Edward Lazellari.
The Lost Prince picks up immediately after the events of Awakenings. Thirteen years ago, a group of unrelated individuals found themselves waking up with no memory of who they were or where they came from, but in the time since, they have each made a new life for themselves. Granted, some of them were more successful at it than others. A few of them got married and started families. A couple of them even became leaders in their respective communities, or found fame and fortune. And somewhere, a thirteen-year-old boy is on the run, unaware of his connection to all these individuals and to the fact that their lost memories have everything to do with him.
But now the dam has broken. Everywhere, our characters are remembering the past and their true purpose: to find and return a lost prince to the alternate dimension they all came from, a feudal medieval realm called Aandor. Thirteen years ago, they were transported to our world in order to escape invading forces from the rival kingdom of Farrenheil, but due to a botched magical spell by the group’s wizard, they all ended up with amnesia. The prince, an infant at the time, was lost in the confusion and was thus raised by a foster family with no knowledge of his real identity or the fact he is the heir to an entire kingdom. Now the boy has grown into a young teen named Daniel, running from the law after killing his abusive stepdad in self-defense. But unbeknownst to him, the police are the least of his worries, for enemies from Farrenheil have recently broken through to this world and will stop at nothing to see the prince dead.
Thankfully though, Daniel’s guardians are also on the move. New York City cop Cal MacDonnell was a Knight Captain in his life before, sworn to protect the prince. Together with his wife Cat and wizards Seth Raincrest and Lelani the centaur, they’re following a trail of clues trying to find Daniel first. Around the country, Cal’s allies are also being gathered by his second-in-command Malcolm, a dwarven metalsmith who has considerable pull in this world as CEO of a major defense company. Among the awakened guardians are some of the new key characters like Allyn, a cleric from Aandor who has found a similar calling in this new life as a reverend; Tim, a bard who has also put his past skills to good use by becoming a famous rock musician; and Balzac, a court jester who has come to pursue a less ostentatious career in this world as a college professor. And so, with the party assembled, they all must come up with a plan to rescue Daniel and complete their mission.
As you can probably tell from the story’s description, this sequel greatly expands the world of the series, adding more characters, more background lore, and even more incredible new developments in this already complex plot. This book hits the ground running, now that the board has been set and all the pieces are in place. With all the confusion of the previous foundation-establishing novel behind us now, there is a strong sense that we are ready to roll, and the atmosphere of urgency and desperation in the first few chapters seem to back this up. And indeed, having all these characters running around doing their own thing means that we get to cover a lot of ground in this book, zipping from one place to the next before events culminate in New York City for the final showdown. As a result, scene transitions and perspective switches were frequent and plentiful, especially since the author also gave the villains of this story a larger focus in this sequel.
The main issue I found with this framework is the same one I commonly have with stories that are told through multiple POVs—that is, inevitably I found some characters more likeable and interesting to follow than others. Surprisingly, Cal, Cat, and Daniel were not among my favorites this time around, given how I’ve spent the most time with them so far, but I just found them very judgey and annoying in this sequel, from Cal’s mean-spirited treatment of Seth (even if the wizard did kind of deserve it) to Cat and Daniel’s snide uppity comments towards non-city folk. Instead, the chapters from supporting characters like Lelani continued to dominate my enjoyment, and I also loved Malcolm and Allyn. It seemed to me that the “new Aandorians” stole the show in this second round, perhaps overshadowing more prominent POVs like Cal, Seth, and Daniel with the novelty of their personalities and backgrounds. As such, the overall reading experience probably did not go as smoothly for me as it could have.
I also occasionally felt jarred by the writing, which felt awkward and strained in some sections. The term “more showing, less telling” came to mind often when it came to a few of the characters’ motivations, especially the main baddie Dorn, whose villainy was described to such a degree that it felt almost over-the-top and cartoonish. There were also a couple instances where the descriptions of graphic violence and sexual content became unexpectedly detailed, and while I took no issue with the content itself, I felt that the writing in these sections didn’t quite mesh with the rest of the book in terms of tone and style. There seemed to be more info-dumping this time too, though I wonder if that might be the result of having so many more characters in this book and the need to cover all their backstories briskly and efficiently.
In any case, I did have a good time with this sequel, and I continue to be impressed by the mix of epic and urban fantasy ideas found here. To keep things running smoothly, Lazellari has adopted a lot of simple and familiar genre tropes, relying on readers’ familiarity with them to generate interest. His true triumph and this series’ crowning achievement, however, is the blending of all these different and contrasting elements to create a cohesive, imaginative and engaging premise. I couldn’t help but be drawn into this saga, especially with all the human drama. Will the triangle of Cat, Cal, and his relationship with his betrothed Chryslantha somehow sort itself out? Will Daniel fulfill his destiny and be a worthy prince? Will we ever get to see Aandor? All these questions and more need answering, and I look forward to finding out how everything will play out in the last book of the trilogy.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Awakenings (Book 1)
Waiting on Wednesday 01/30/19
Posted on January 30, 2019 12 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
Unraveling by Karen Lord (June 4, 2019 by DAW)
I’ve been waiting years for Karen Lord to write another novel, after reading The Galaxy Game and wanting to check out more of her work. So I was thrilled when I found out she will have a new book coming out this summer, a fantasy mystery involving solving puzzles and a Trickster. I also love this cover.
“In this standalone fantasy novel by an award-winning author, the dark truth behind a string of unusual murders leads to an otherworldly exploration of spirits, myth, and memory, steeped in Caribbean storytelling.
Dr. Miranda Ecouvo, forensic therapist of the City, just helped put a serial killer behind bars. But she soon discovers that her investigation into seven unusual murders is not yet complete. A near-death experience throws her out of time and into a realm of labyrinths and spirits. There, she encounters brothers Chance and the Trickster, who have an otherworldly interest in the seemingly mundane crimes from her files.
It appears the true mastermind behind the murders is still on the loose, chasing a myth to achieve immortality. Together, Miranda, Chance, and the Trickster must travel through conjured mazes, following threads of memory to locate the shadowy killer. As they journey deeper, they discover even more questions that will take pain and patience to answer. What is the price of power? Where is the path to redemption? And how can they stop the man–or monster–who would kill the innocent to live forever?”
Book Review: The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky
Posted on January 29, 2019 40 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 Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max Brodsky
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Redhook (January 29, 2019)
Length: 544 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
I expected to enjoy The Wolf and the Whale, but what I was not prepared for was how completely it swept me off my feet. In this stunning masterpiece, Jordanna Max Brodsky weaves a cinematic tale of adventure and survival, blending history, mythology and timeless romance. All of this is set to the epic backdrop of the Arctic wilderness at a time of great change towards the end of the first millennium.
Our story follows Omat, a young Inuit girl born into her tribe during a time of tragedy. But in death, her father gave his daughter his strong hunter’s soul, and the spirits sent the Wolf to watch over the child so that she would survive. Omat’s grandfather, a wise shaman, recognized the gift in her and believed that she was meant to follow in his footsteps, so he raises her as a boy to hunt and protect her people, while also teaching her the ways to commune with the spirits.
However, as Omat grew, some in her group began to question her role, concerned that the spirits are angered by the taboo of a woman hunting. Their people are starving, and with no new children being born, they are slowly dying out. So, when their group happened to come across another Inuit band on the ice one day, Omat and her grandfather thought for certain that their prayers have been answered.
Sadly, they could not have been more wrong. As Omat finds her entire sense of identity unraveling, her life is also now in danger because of the newcomers. But an even greater threat looms on the horizon, in the form of a group of Norse explorers bringing only violence and death. As the gods and spirits of multiple pantheons look on, Omat must find common ground with an unlikely ally and embark on a perilous journey together that will determine the fate of both their peoples.
The Wolf in the Whale is a coming-of-age story unlike any other. It is also about a meeting of two cultures. Told in gorgeously lush prose, this tale unfolds over a number of years, though most of it follows Omat’s life through her young adulthood. Painstakingly researched, as evidenced by the author’s extensive notes on the historical period, the setting was brought to life with incredible attention to detail. Like her first trilogy, Olympus Bound, Brodsky’s new novel perfectly balances myth and reality in an exquisite cocktail of facts and fantastical elements, creating a world infused with magic and folklore. Here you can read about the Norse gods, as well as Inuit traditions of animism and shamanism.
There is also much I would like to say about Omat. This is the story of her struggle to overcome many hardships, some horrific, but she manages to emerge a stronger and more determined person each time. Though her lessons in loss have been huge, they have also shaped her in ways that were fascinating to watch. Readers get to witness her transformation from an overconfident and short-sighted youth to a more levelheaded adult who has come to realize that no fate is set in stone—and one should never take anything, or anyone, for granted.
Omat’s journey was also an exploration into gender roles that I found unexpectedly well-balanced and insightful. Our protagonist begins this tale as a proud, almost arrogant shaman-in-training who revels in her special place in the group, disdaining women’s work and the female body because she believes them to be weak. Raised as a boy in a girl’s body, all Omat wanted was to become a man—until the spirits turned on her and took away her magic, leaving her untethered and her future in doubt. Over the course of this novel, Omat gradually reconciles herself to her new path, learning to appreciate the strength and skills of a woman, ultimately embracing both the masculine and the feminine, because as in all things, life requires balance.
Speaking of which, one of the most significant events in this book is Omat’s meeting with Brandr, a Viking warrior with whom she develops a complex relationship that teaches her more about that balance, as well as how to trust and love. I’m a sucker for stories about disparate strangers from worlds apart who come together and form a deep bond, so it was no wonder that I found myself completely enthralled by these two. Plus, what a delightfully interesting little family they made along with Omat’s three companion wolves; I simply could not get enough of their interactions together.
In short, I think I have my first real contender for my list of best books of 2019. No surprise that it came from the imaginative mind of Jordanna Max Brodsky, who has impressed me before with her stunning prose and expert storytelling. With the courageous Omat at the story’s heart and a beautifully rendered world filled with magic, myth and history, The Wolf in the Whale is a novel that will enchant and captivate fantasy and historical fiction fans alike.
Book Review: The Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson
Posted on January 28, 2019 33 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 Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson
Mogsy’s Rating: 2 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of The Masquerade
Publisher: Tor (October 30, 2018)
Length: 458 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Some stories just don’t need sequels. Imagine watching Humphrey Bogart bid his heartbreakingly romantic farewell to Ingrid Bergman on the tarmac at the end of Casablanca, only to follow him to a bar afterwards to hear him whine pathetically for hours on end about second-guessing his sacrifice and beating himself up over making the worst mistake of his life. Well, that would rob all the magic out of a classic ending, wouldn’t it?
This, in a nutshell, was pretty much how I felt about The Monster Baru Cormorant. Keep in mind that its predecessor, The Traitor Baru Cormorant, was one of my favorite books in the year I read it, and it had one of the most tragic yet exquisitely poignant and tear-jerkingly beautiful endings I’ve ever read.
And then this book had to go and ruin it all for me.
But first, lest it needs to be stated explicitly, stop reading this review NOW if you have not read the first book. There WILL be spoilers for it, especially the ending, which I will be talking about, A LOT.
Monster picks up almost immediately after Traitor, at the end of which I was left speechless when imperial accountant Baru Cormorant watched the Masquerade execute the love of her life—an execution order she herself had signed. But having glimpsed into the inner workings of Baru’s mind, I knew why she had done it. Every action, every decision was carefully measured and balanced, with an eye towards final results. Even Tain Hu, the rebel duchess who came into our protagonist’s life and thawed her cold, calculating heart had, in her final moments, reconciled herself to the fact that things had to play out the way they did. It was, after all, what made the ending of the first book so incredibly damned special. Mind you, I was completely gutted, but I understood.
Which, unfortunately, is more than I could say for this sequel. The steady and purposeful Baru I knew had been replaced with an insipid, wishy-washy milksop wallowing in her self-pity. The irony, of course, is that I would have given anything to see more of this softer side of our protagonist in the first book, but as they say, be careful what you wish for, because this was nothing like what I had in mind. While I certainly did not begrudge Baru for her regrets over Tain Hu, I did become angrier at her the more she dwelled on her part in the execution. Well, that was what you wanted, wasn’t it? Least you can do is own it, damn you.
So, needless to say, this book and I got off to a rough start. But things did not get better. The series seems to have lost its direction, or has simply gotten too big for itself, because now it just feels like we’re doing things for the sake of doing them. At times, some of the things that came out of the Baru’s mouth were so random and outlandish, I did wonder if they were thrown in just for the shock factor. Diversity also seemed forced, included not because it actually mattered, but compulsory-like, as if the author felt that it was expected of him. The story itself was contrived, not to mention the sheer amount of bloat in the plot which was all over the place. Quite honestly, given how all the pieces came together so perfectly at the end of the first book, the absolute confusion and lack of direction in this sequel came as quite the shock.
Bottom line? I can’t believe what I’m about to say but here it goes: I wish I never read this book. I wish I had kept my memories of The Traitor Baru Cormorant intact, untarnished by the knowledge of everything that came after. And this is coming from someone who wept tears of pure emotion at the end of the first book. Really, the only saving grace of this sequel is Seth Dickinson’s gorgeous writing, which is as irresistibly lush and beguiling as I remember it. Despite my disastrous time with The Monster Baru Cormorant, I will still definitely seek out more from him should he start on any new projects, but no more from this series. This book broke my heart all over again but this time for very different reasons, and I just don’t know if I can take any more.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of The Traitor Baru Cormorant (Book 1)
YA Weekend Audio: The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
Posted on January 27, 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 Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: Book 1 of The Gilded Wolves
Publisher: Macmillan Audio (January 15, 2019)
Length:11 hrs and 55 mins
Author Information: Website | Twitter
I loved Roshani Chokshi’s The Star-Touched Queen and A Crown of Wishes, so I dove into The Gilded Wolves with all the excitement you can imagine. However, for some reason I did not feel for this novel the same way I did towards her mythological-inspired duology. While it was not a bad read overall and I still enjoyed this book to an extent, I think my disappointment is the result of having higher expectations and the fact this story felt very derivative and not as well put together as the previous books I’ve read by the author.
To begin, this is a historical fantasy set in an alternate version of Paris, France in 1889. It is also a heist story. And like all heist stories, you must have a ringleader to gather the group and execute an elaborate plan to steal an extremely valuable, all-important McGuffin. In this case, the role is filled by Séverin Montagnet-Alarie, a prominent city hotelier who is also an avid treasure hunter on the side. Robbed of his true inheritance as a child, Séverin finds it impossible to turn away an opportunity to gain it all back when a powerful secret society known as the Order of Babel seeks him out to find a magical ancient artifact called the Eye of Horus.
But first, he’ll need a crew. Enter Laila, a charming Indian dancer with a magical ability to read objects. She also loves to bake and plays the part of den mother the group. Then there’s Zofia, a young Jewish Polish girl on the autism spectrum who has magical powers of the mind. She is also a mathematician extraordinaire and the brains of the operation. Next is Enrique, a bookish Spanish-Filipino whose expertise in history gives the crew the edge they need. And Tristan is the little brother of Séverin’s heart if not of his blood, a cheerful boy who loves all things to do with plants and animals (he also dotes on his pet tarantula Goliath, much to the consternation of the group). And finally, there’s Hypnos, the queer biracial heir of a French aristocratic house who is also the outsider/liaison between Séverin and the Order of Babel. The two of them have a history, which results in some interesting dynamics as this adventurous little caper plays out.
In the end though, I think my dissatisfaction with The Gilded Wolves stems from its mediocrity. I mean, I didn’t think it was terrible, but then it wasn’t great either. All the components were there and by and large well-written and decent enough, yet none quite crossed the threshold into spectacular or even noteworthy territory. First, the story: I’m afraid a lot of the criticisms likening this book to a watered-down Six of Crows may have some merit. The similarities were hard to ignore once the notion had wormed itself into my mind, which wouldn’t really have been an issue (after all, most heist stories re-use and recycle a lot of the same ideas to some extent) except for the fact I thought Leigh Bardugo did everything much better. Chokshi also wasn’t able to keep up the interest or momentum quite as well, and as a result, pacing in the beginning and middle suffered.
Then there were the characters, whom I desperately wanted to like, but instead they felt like a parade of diversity labels but not much in the way of substance, which was a shame. Their individual quirks (like Laila’s baking, Tristan’s obsession with his pet tarantula, Zofia’s social naivete, etc.) felt forced or like they were included for the sake of humor, coming across to me as flimsy attempts to make them a bit more likeable and genuine. I also didn’t feel many of the relationships between the members of the crew developed all that organically, leading to some awkward juvenile dialogue. The exceptions to this were Séverin and Hypnos, whose linked backstories made them my two favorite characters, as well as Séverin and Tristan (again, because they have a shared history together), though the exceptionally well-developed nature of their brotherly bond made certain consequences of the ending predictable. Overall, I think Chokshi might still be working out the challenges of writing an ensemble cast, which includes balancing the attention given to each character.
And finally, with regards to the setting, I probably wouldn’t have been able to peg this as 1889 Paris if the narrative hadn’t explicitly provided the dates and names of places and landmarks. The world-building in this book was definitely weaker compared to the author’s The Star-Touched Queen duology, perhaps because she was writing about a milieu she wasn’t as familiar with. Historical settings can be tricky to pull off, because capturing the authentic feel of a place is much more than simply regurgitating details from the historical record, and while the descriptions of the environment were done well, I missed not having a strong sense of place or the lush atmosphere I know the author is capable of.
All in all, I can’t say The Gilded Wolves really lived up to the hype for me, but it’s probably because I was expecting a lot more, being a huge fan of Roshani Chokshi’s other books. Still, I have no doubt this novel will find tons of love among YA fantasy readers, and it could be worth checking out if you enjoy historical fantasies and heist stories.
Audiobook Comments: I’m really glad I opted to review the audiobook version of The Gilded Wolves, because I think the format might have helped me through some of the slower parts in the beginning and middle of the book (but even then I had to play back a few times due to a couple false starts). I also liked that there were two narrators, though one or two more voices to reflect the large cast wouldn’t have hurt either. Laurie Catherine Winkel and P.J. Ochlan delivered good performances, but occasionally both would go a little overboard with their accents, becoming difficult to understand. Overall, a decent listen.
Audiobook Review: The Au Pair by Emma Rous
Posted on January 26, 2019 22 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 (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Penguin Audio (January 8, 2019)
Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Narrators: Elizabeth Sastre, Nicola Barber
The Au Pair is the kind of book that will make you clutch your head afterward and think, what the hell did I just read? It’s confusing, it’s excessive, and it’s crazy, but to its credit, it’s also entirely well pleased and unashamed of its implausible, absurd premise. Are you okay with that? Because if you are, then this just might be the wildest, most entertaining family suspense drama you’ll read all year.
The story alternates between two viewpoints. The first is Seraphine Mayes, whose father was recently killed in a tragic accident. While sorting out through his belongings at their childhood home of Summerbourne in a quaint little village on the Norfolk coast, our protagonist and her brothers come across an old photograph that raises a lot of questions. For one thing, in the picture is their mother, Ruth, smiling and holding a newborn baby with her husband Dominic and oldest son Edwin, just moments after the family welcomed Seraphine and her twin Danny into the world. It is a happy scene, but the siblings know that within hours after this photo was taken, Ruth would be dead, having hurled herself off the cliffs in an apparent suicide. But if this picture was in fact captured that day, then why was there only one baby? Where was the other twin? Was it Seraphine or Danny that their mother was holding in her arms? And why did this beaming woman, looking so happy with her family, kill herself so soon afterwards?
Concerned that these questions would raise doubts about her parentage and jeopardize her chances of inheriting Summberbourne (Is she even Dominic and Ruth Mayes’ daughter? Is that why she’s always felt like she was on the outside, and why people are always saying she looks nothing like Edwin and Danny?), Seraphine begins a fervent investigation into the secrets of the family’s past. Her older brother, who was only a toddler at the time of their mother’s death, doesn’t remember much, but believes that the photo must have been taken by his au pair who worked at Summerbourne at the time. We get to learn more about this young woman, whose name was Laura, from her POV chapters flashing back to the past. Hired by the Mayeses to take care of Edwin, she was only with the family for a brief time, disappearing from their lives immediately after Ruth’s suicide. Convinced that Laura would know more about the mysterious circumstances surrounding her and her Danny’s birth as well as their mother’s death, Seraphine is determined to track down the former au pair despite pushback from her grandmother, who believes nothing good can come from dredging up the past.
Things begin like your typical mystery, presenting the details surrounding a puzzling situation, as well as all the characters involved and their relationships to each other (and it’s important to pay attention here, because all these connections are going to come back into play in a big way). The dual timelines, following Seraphine in the present and Laura in the past, are instrumental in providing the full picture, and though this slows down the pacing some, overall Emma Rous manages to keep the atmosphere of tension and suspense at a high level. One immediately gets the sense that Summerbourne is not as idyllic as it appears to be, the setting’s tranquil vibes and picturesque location belying the dark secrets hidden within. In the village, locals whisper of changeling legends and rumors about the Mayes’ curse. From Laura’s point-of-view, we also learn that despite outward appearances to the contrary, Dominic and Ruth had a troubled marriage. Discovering all this in the present, Seraphine becomes more and more obsessed with finding the truth.
However, things kind of take a nosedive in the second half of the novel, as the pieces of the puzzle start coming together. Depending on the type of reader you are, you might in fact take great pleasure in these sections (after all, if you’re a daredevil in a stunt plane, nosedives can indeed be exciting). At this point, the plot flies off the rails, becoming this ridiculously convoluted and tangled mess of family relationships while giving light to several implausible revelations that don’t really make sense, but you sort of have to go along with it anyway in order to find out the ending. To a certain extent, a plot twist only works if the reader has a fair chance to work it out, i.e. the author isn’t just pulling one out of her butt at the most crucial moment, but some of that was what I felt was happening here and it all just became a little too much to take.
Still, whatever else can be said about The Au Pair, it was certainly entertaining, and I can honestly say I did not see that ending coming. Despite my skepticism over everything playing out the way they did, I had a good time overall, and would recommend this book if you don’t mind suspending your disbelief for some overdone twists.
Audiobook Comments: The Au Pair audiobook features two narrators, Elizabeth Sastre and Nicola Barber, because the book features two points-of-view, Seraphine and Laura. I thought the voices of the two women should have been more distinctive, given the huge differences our characters’ personalities. However, other than that I had no complaints. The narrators’ performances were wonderful, and this was overall a good listen.
The BiblioSanctum 