Waiting on Wednesday 02/21/18

Posted on February 21, 2018 22 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

Devil Sharks by Chris Jameson (June 26, 2018 by St. Martin’s Press)

Last year, I had SO. MUCH. FUN with Chris Jameson’s Shark Island. It was everything I wanted in a shark book – a mix of horror, violence and gory shark action balanced with a great story and well-rounded, diverse characters. Imagine my excitement when I found out about Devil Sharks! It appears it’ll be a whole new story unrelated to Shark Island, but as long as there are rampaging sharks, I’m happy.

“A pleasure cruise in Paradise leads to a group of friends to a shark-infested Hell…

When Alex Simmons is invited to a college reunion in the Hawaiian Islands aboard the private yacht of his old pal Harry Curtis, he is not sure what to expect. The two men had a falling-out years ago over the suicide of one of their friends. Could this be Harry’s way of making amends? Or is something more sinister in store?

The crew sets sail and arrives at Orchid Atoll, the site of a deserted former Coast Guard station. But they are far from alone. Out here, three hundred miles from civilization, Alex and his friends are about to encounter two very different brands of evil–one human, the other with fins–unlike anything they could have possibly imagined. They have entered a place where there’s no law, no mercy… and no way out.”

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’ve Decided I’m No Longer Interested In Reading

Posted on February 20, 2018 44 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish, a weekly meme that now resides at That Artsy Reader Girl. The meme first came about because of a love of lists. Who doesn’t love lists? The original creators also wanted their lists to be shared with fellow book lovers and to ask that we in turn share ours with them and connect with other book bloggers. To learn more about participating, stop by their page dedicated to it and dive in!

This week’s topic: Books I’ve Decided I’m No Longer Interested In Reading

Mogsy’s Picks

As a book lover, it always sucks to have to write a post like this, but let’s face it: there’s NEVER going to be enough time to get to all the stuff I want to read. Sometimes you just have to be picky, and as the popular book blogger adage goes, life’s too short for bad books or books that you’re no longer interested in.

A couple weeks ago, I put together this list of books that have been on my TBR for a long time (but that I still want to read) for Top Ten Tuesday, in which I also wrote about cleaning up my Goodreads to-read shelf. Part of this process involved removing books that had been there for so long that chances are unlikely that I would ever get to them, which included series I planned to abandon or books that I simply did not want to read anymore. The following are some of those books that did not make the cut. What do you think, though? Was I too hasty in removing any of these? Are there some that I should be reconsidering? Let me know in the comments.

The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin

There was such a long time between the second book and this one, that when it finally released it hit me that I didn’t actually feel invested enough in the story to find out how the trilogy will end.

“The world we knew is gone. What world will rise in its place?

The Twelve have been destroyed and the terrifying hundred-year reign of darkness that descended upon the world has ended. The survivors are stepping outside their walls, determined to build society anew—and daring to dream of a hopeful future.

But far from them, in a dead metropolis, he waits: Zero. The First. Father of the Twelve. The anguish that shattered his human life haunts him, and the hatred spawned by his transformation burns bright. His fury will be quenched only when he destroys Amy—humanity’s only hope, the Girl from Nowhere who grew up to rise against him.

One last time light and dark will clash, and at last Amy and her friends will know their fate.”

God’s War by Kameron Hurley

This was one of the first books I ever added to Goodreads, but after reading some of Hurley’s more recent work, I realized I didn’t really enjoy her writing style, so I doubt I’ll ever go back to this one.

“Nyx had already been to hell. One prayer more or less wouldn’t make any difference…

On a ravaged, contaminated world, a centuries-old holy war rages, fought by a bloody mix of mercenaries, magicians, and conscripted soldiers. Though the origins of the war are shady and complex, there’s one thing everybody agrees on…

There’s not a chance in hell of ending it.

Nyx is a former government assassin who makes a living cutting off heads for cash. But when a dubious deal between her government and an alien gene pirate goes bad, Nyx’s ugly past makes her the top pick for a covert recovery. The head they want her to bring home could end the war–but at what price?

The world is about to find out.”

Dangerous Women edited by George R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois

I’m not the biggest anthology fan in the first place, and after seeing a lot of the mixed reviews pointing out the unevenness of quality in some of these stories, I don’t think I’ll be reading this collection after all.

“All new and original to this volume, the 21 stories in Dangerous Women include work by twelve New York Times bestsellers, and seven stories set in the authors’ bestselling continuities — including a new “Outlander” story by Diana Gabaldon, a tale of Harry Dresden’s world by Jim Butcher, a story from Lev Grossman set in the world of The Magicians, and a 35,000-word novella by George R.R. Martin about the Dance of the Dragons, the vast civil war that tore Westeros apart nearly two centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones.

Also included are original stories of dangerous women — heroines and villains alike — by Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie, Sherilynn Kenyon, Lawrence Block, Carrie Vaughn, S.M. Stirling, Sharon Kay Penman, and many others.”

Feverborn by Karen Marie Moning

I loved the first five books of the Fever series and was so excited when it seemed Dani O’Malley was getting her own spin-off. But apparently, we’ve gone back to Mac. I’ve had enough of her already! I’d added this book to my TBR out of habit, but I was so irritated with the previous book and the direction it took the story and characters, I think I’m done with this series.

“When the immortal race of the Fae destroyed the ancient wall dividing the worlds of Man and Faery, the very fabric of the universe was damaged and now Earth is vanishing bit by bit. Only the long-lost Song of Making—a haunting, dangerous melody that is the source of all life itself—can save the planet.

But those who seek the mythic Song—Mac, Barrons, Ryodan and Jada—must contend with old wounds and new enemies, passions that burn hot and hunger for vengeance that runs deep. The challenges are many: The Keltar at war with nine immortals who’ve secretly ruled Dublin for eons, Mac and Jada hunted by the masses, the Seelie queen nowhere to be found, and the most powerful Unseelie prince in all creation determined to rule both Fae and Man. Now the task of solving the ancient riddle of the Song of Making falls to a band of deadly warriors divided among—and within—themselves.

Once a normal city possessing a touch of ancient magic, Dublin is now a treacherously magical city with only a touch of normal. And in those war-torn streets, Mac will come face to face with her most savage enemy yet: herself.”

The Wolves of Midwinter by Anne Rice

Years ago, I used to be a big Anne Rice fan and read all of her books in The Vampire Chronicles. These days, I haven’t been following her so much. Her style seems to have changed, or maybe my tastes might have just evolved. I tried reading her new werewolf book a few years ago and thought it was okay, but thinking back now I can hardly remember what happened in the story, so I just removed this sequel from my TBR.

“It is winter at Nideck Point. Oak fires burn in the stately flickering hearths, and the community organizes its annual celebration of music and pageantry. But for Reuben Golding, now infused with the Wolf Gift, this promises to be a season like no other. He’s preparing to honor an ancient Midwinter festival with his fellow Morphenkinder—a secret gathering that takes place deep within the verdant recesses of the surrounding forests.

However, Reuben is soon distracted by a ghost. Tormented, imploring, and unable to speak, it haunts the halls of the great mansion, drawing him toward a strange netherworld of new spirits, or “ageless ones.” And as the swirl of Nideck’s preparations reaches a fever pitch, they reveal their own dark magical powers.”

Conspiracy of Ravens by Lila Bowen

Some of the mixed reviews I seen for this one have been worrying, since I adored the first book Wake of Vultures. I’m anxious about continuing the series because the abrasive personality of the main character appears to be the focus of many of the criticisms, which is why I’ll probably just stop here and keep my fond memories of the first book.

“Monsters, magic and the supernatural combine in this sequel to Wake of Vultures, in which a young woman must defeat the evil hiding beneath the surface.

Nettie Lonesome made a leap – not knowing what she’d become. But now the destiny of the Shadow is calling.

A powerful alchemist is leaving a trail of dead across the prairie. And the Shadow must face the ultimate challenge: side with her friends and the badge on her chest or take off alone on the dangerous mission pulling her inexorably toward the fight of her life.

When it comes to monsters and men, the world isn’t black and white. What good are two wings and a gun when your enemy can command a conspiracy of ravens?

Conspiracy of Ravens continues the exciting journey begun in Wake of Vultures as Nettie Lonesome discovers that she, and the world, are more than what they seem.”

Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton

Honestly, I have no clue why I kept this series on my TBR for so long. I mean, the first few books weren’t bad, but it’s been years since I last enjoyed an Anita Blake book. I’ve tried returning to this series multiple times, and it seems every time I do I just get burned. It’s taken many years and a whopping nine books, but I think it’s finally time to throw in the towel and admit to myself things aren’t going to miraculously get better again.

“There are a lot of monsters in Anita Blake’s life. And some of them are human. One such individual is the man she calls Edward, a bounty hunter who specializes in the preternatural. He calls her to help him hunt down the greatest evil she has ever encountered. Something that kills and maims and vanishes into the night. Something Anita will have to face alone…”

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

I confess, I added this one years ago at the height of this book’s hype. I kinda got swept into it at the time, even though I wasn’t really all that interested in another dystopia and the story didn’t exactly excite me. Looking at it now with a clear head, there might be a twinge of interest still lingering, but I doubt I’ll go out of my way to pick it up anytime soon.

“If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.

Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Everything is going to change.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

Remember. Survive. Run.”

Deadline by Mira Grant

I recently came to the conclusion that while I enjoy the works of Seanan McGuire, I just can’t seem to get on board with the horror/thriller books that she writes under the name Mira Grant. A part of me is still curious about what happens in this series, but it’s been so long since I read Feed and I still haven’t picked up this sequel. I’m starting to think it’ll never happen.

“Shaun Mason is a man without a mission. Not even running the news organization he built with his sister has the same urgency as it used to. Playing with dead things just doesn’t seem as fun when you’ve lost as much as he has.

But when a CDC researcher fakes her own death and appears on his doorstep with a ravenous pack of zombies in tow, Shaun has a newfound interest in life. Because she brings news-he may have put down the monster who attacked them, but the conspiracy is far from dead.

Now, Shaun hits the road to find what truth can be found at the end of a shotgun.”

Star Wars Legends by Various Authors

Let’s face it, there was a lot of stuff in the old Star Wars Expanded Universe that just wasn’t that great. Now with so much of it declared “Legends” and non-canon, I’ve lost what little motivation I had left in continuing many of the series I’d been stalled on, including The New Jedi Order and Fate of the Jedi. I recently removed a lot of old EU books from my TBR, and to be honest, I’m not too sorry about it. I’d much rather be focusing my attentions on the new canon novels, which I have been enjoying a lot more.

“From Wookieepedia: Star Wars Legends, formerly known as the Expanded Universe (abbreviated EU), encompasses every one of the officially licensed, fictional background stories of the Star Wars universe, outside of the original six Star Wars films produced by George Lucas and certain other material such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars, created before April 25, 2014. It is derived from and includes most official Star Wars–related books, comic books, video games, spin-off films, television series, toys, and other media created before the date. This material expands and continues the stories told in the films, taking place anywhere from over 36,000 years before The Phantom Menace to 136 years after Return of the Jedi. The issue of which aspects are canon was one of the most hotly debated topics among fans.”

Review: Gunpowder Moon by David Pedreira

Posted on February 19, 2018 17 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Gunpowder Moon by David Pedreira

Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Paperback: Harper Voyager; Audiobook: Harper Audio (February 13, 2018)

Length: Paperback: 304 pages; Audiobook: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Narrator: Jeffrey Kafer

When I first found out about Gunpowder Moon, I knew I had to read it. I’m a sucker for a good sci-fi mystery in space, and the novel’s lunar setting further sold me on it.

But this is not just another one of your simple murder mysteries, and the main protagonist is not your typical detective. It is the year 2072, and Caden Dechert is a former Marine heading up a US mining operation on moon. He’s a good leader, drawing from his war experience back on Earth as he mentors his team and takes the new recruits under his wing, teaching them all about safety and survival on the lunar surface. Anything from a small leak in a suit to a speck of moon dust getting in the machinery can lead to fatal results, and no one is more diligent or careful than Dechert when it comes protecting his crew.

So when an explosion occurs, killing one of his young miners, everyone is shocked. No one believes it to be an accident, and sure enough, an investigation finds clear signs of sabotage. There are plenty of suspects to go around, but the top brass arriving from Earth are quick to point fingers at the Chinese, who run a rival mining company near the Americans’ base of operations on the edge of the Sea of Serenity. Dechert, however, is not so sure. He knows tensions between the countries are already on edge, with both sides itching for a fight. Unwilling to jump to conclusions—and hoping to avoid an all-out war—he launches his own investigation in search for evidence.

It’s a straightforward enough story, and in fact, Gunpowder Moon is not a very long book, its streamlined plot leaving little room for much filler or downtime. The driving pace gave this novel the feel of a high-octane thriller, making it a very quick and easy read. If anything, I thought the narrative could have used some slowing down, especially during pivotal moments where the author could have furthered increased the tensions or emphasized suspense.

To Pedreira’s credit though, he didn’t skimp on characterization or world-building. Caden Dechert was a wonderful protagonist, well-written and fleshed out. I was able to sense his commitment to his work and to his crew in everything he said and did. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to his life in the military, fighting in the Middle East. These sections gave us a deeper understanding into his personality, as well as possible insight into why he valued the status quo on the moon. War on Earth was ugly, and Dechert would do anything to stop all that death and violence from coming into his new life.

Gunpowder Moon also painted an intriguing picture of lunar life. The desolate landscape notwithstanding, everything about the moon—sights, smells, tastes, and sounds—was described and brought to life in stunning detail. That said, it’s the social aspects I found even more compelling. An entirely different culture exists on the moon that newcomers from Earth would never understand, giving a whole different dynamic to the relationships between the characters. A code of honor among lunar residents was strongly implied, especially for the miners who put their lives on the line every day. It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from; if someone was in need of help, people were always willing to give it, even if those involved were from a rival corporation or country. Thus, a murder meant that the killer had to be extremely motivated, a sticky fact that made Dechert’s quest for the truth that much more complicated and difficult.

No doubt, sci-fi fans seeking fast-paced action and clever intrigue would enjoy Gunpowder Moon. Ironically though, I found that the novel’s mystery plot actually played second fiddle to the wonderful depictions of the politics and culture of lunar life. But while the story could have been stronger, David Pedreira made up for it with excellent world-building and character development, which I felt were the book’s greatest strengths. An entertaining read overall.

Audiobook Comments: Time simply flew by as I listened to Gunpowder Moon, which featured a story that was well-suited to the audio format. Jeffery Kafer was a skilled narrator, successfully bringing out the tensions and excitement in the author’s storytelling. He seldom varied his voices for different characters though, which would have been my only criticism, but otherwise this audiobook was a great listen and I would recommend it.

YA Weekend: Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

Posted on February 18, 2018 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.

Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Series: Book 1

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (February 27, 2018)

Length: 544 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

I enjoyed Tess of the Road more than I expected, but probably less than I had hoped. I wasn’t a big fan of Rachel Hartman’s Seraphina duology when I read it, but nevertheless felt optimistic about her new book because I have a love for “wanderlust” stories and the description of Tess as a “troublemaker” immediately piqued my interest.

To her credit, our protagonist was living up to that promise from the start. When she was a little girl, Tess was caught trying to stage a pretend marriage between her twin sister and cousin because she wanted to know where babies came from. Just a child’s innocent curiosity, perhaps—but it does foreshadow a lot more to come. Years pass, and all of Tess’s energies have turned towards helping her sister Jeanne find a good husband, having ruined her own prospects in the eyes of her family. Society now considers her “damaged goods”, and Tess is forced to hide her past like a shameful secret. Lashing out at Jeanne’s wedding, she winds up drinking too much and causing a scene, jeopardizing the entire marriage. Driven to her last nerve, her mother decides to send her to a convent, but before any arrangements could be made, Tess dons the disguise of a boy and runs away, taking to the road.

What follows is an almost episodic narrative that traces the ups and downs of Tess’s journey as she travels across the land, meeting new people and trying new experiences. It is also a deeply personal tale of self-discovery and coming to terms with one’s own past.

The problem, however, is the book’s structure, consisting of a present timeline with flashbacks inserted throughout, revealing the events which made Tess such a social pariah and why her own family holds her in such contempt. In truth, it is not hard to guess; as I said, there were plenty of hints provided in the early pages. But knowing exactly what happened makes Tess a more sympathetic character and easier to understand, and unfortunately, these important details are held back until late into the novel. In light of these revelations, Tess’s troubled personality is cast in a different light, but of course, by then it might be too late for readers who have already made up their minds about her character.

The “episodic” nature of Tess’s adventures also made the pacing feel uneven. Some parts of the story, especially in the middle of the novel, were slow and I had some difficulty trying to stay focused. Most of the time, I just found myself hoping for another flashback so that I could find out more about Tess’s past. To be fair, the book did pick up again near the end with the introduction of Josquin, though by then my attention had already been severely tested.

Finally, Tess of the Road is a very “mature” book, dealing with a lot of issues modern teens face today. Personally, this made the story a much more compelling read, though I fear these themes might lose a bit of their significance due to the fantasy context, or they could potentially become a mere distraction to those who rightfully just want a bit of escapism. In a way, some of the novel’s greatest strengths are also its biggest drawbacks, and the mixed response from the YA community now makes a lot more sense to me.

Despite some of my mixed feelings, I’m still very excited to read the sequel. The book ends on a high note just as things were becoming interesting, promising more excitement in Tess’s future. For better or worse, I don’t think the next volume will focus as much on our protagonist’s inner turmoil, considering how far she has come in this first book with regards to realizing her own self-worth. As long as Tess continues to travel and grow as a character though, I can definitely get behind a more adventurous and action-oriented sequel.

Audiobook Review: Redemptor by Seth Skorkowsky

Posted on February 17, 2018 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.

Redemptor by Seth Skorkowsky

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Horror

Series: Book 4 of Valducan

Publisher: Audible Studios (January 30, 2018)

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Narrator: R.C. Bray

Redemptor is another fantastic addition to the Valducan series, becoming the fourth book to be published in the sequence, though I think any of the novels can be enjoyed as a standalone. That said, while each of the first three books have featured a different protagonist, this one breaks the pattern by swinging the focus back to Matt Hollis, the demon hunter whom we first met in Dämoren. Prospective readers who wish to get the full picture may want to tackle that one first, since Redemptor contains quite a few characters and references from book one.

Our story begins approximately three years after the events of Dämoren, which saw the defeat of Tiamat’s Cult at Matt Hollis’s hands. Matt is now married to Luiza, a fellow Valducan Knight, and they even have a daughter. But still, the war on demonkind continues, as does the hunt for more sacred weapons to add to the Valducan arsenal. These sentient weapons are the only things capable of destroying a demon, and the knights who wield them are also bonded to them for life, their minds, bodies, and souls becoming one with the angelic spirit within.

Understandably, everyone is concerned when grave news emerges from South America that someone has been trying to steal holy weapons from museums across the continent. An evil buried long ago has suddenly awakened, leaving a trial of death and destruction in its wake. Now even the paladins of the Catholic Church have stepped in to join the fight, offering to put aside their differences with the Valducans in order to help stop their common foe.

So far, each book in the series has expanded upon the world-building and mythology of holy weapons, and Redemptor was no exception. We also get to find out more about the inner workings of the Valducan. In the years since Dämoren, Matt has become an important member of the order, hunting demons with a team instead of being the lone wolf he once was. A bigger cast of characters opens up the book to multiple perspectives, giving the reader a fuller and more detailed picture of the relationships between the various knights, as well as the roles they play. I especially enjoyed the sections featuring Mei and her training sessions with her master, highlighting the importance of trust and friendship among the ranks. No matter who they are or where they come from, the members of the Valducan are like one big family.

But unlike the earlier books like Dämoren or Hounacier, which mainly followed a single hunter, we don’t get to know any one character as intimately in Redemptor. It’s also a very fast-paced and action-oriented novel, so there’s not as many opportunities for in depth characterization—another reason why it might be best to start this series from the beginning if you are a newcomer, so that you can get the foundation for Matt’s character from the first book. Existing fans, however, will most likely find this one to be the most exciting and action-packed installment yet. Matt and his friends are up against the most powerful and dangerous enemy they’ve ever faced, and once this plot gets going, it doesn’t stop.

This book also introduced Felisa, a formidable female paladin of the Vatican, and she was probably my favorite character. Religion tends to be a contentious subject in sci-fi and fantasy, and often, I find that the Church or religious figures in many of these stories are set up to be scapegoats or strawmen, which to me is just lazy writing, and then there are the blatant stereotypes of the zealot. In contrast, it was a breath of fresh air to meet someone like Felisa, who is a strong, positive force—merciless when dealing with demons, but who also has boundless compassion and support to give to people like Luiza’s mother, whose faith is a beautiful and integral part of her life. I hope this won’t be the last we see of Felisa, especially since I’m very interested to see how the partnership between her people and the Valducan will play out, now that the Catholic Church is an ally.

I’m sure I sound like a broken record by now, but simply put, this is a fantastic series and perfect for readers who enjoy their urban fantasy with some darkness and grit. Redemptor was another action-packed sequel featuring compelling characters and topnotch world-building. I can’t wait to read more Valducan.

Audiobook Comments: Certain narrators who make books a better listen than a read, and R.C. Bray is definitely one of them. I’ve been an admirer of his work ever since I listened to him read The Martian, and I love that he is also the voice of the Valducan series. He’s the kind of narrator who can adapt to anything he’s reading, and once again he was excellent with Redemptor, capturing the atmosphere and mood of the story, delivering a pitch-perfect performance.

More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Dämoren (Book 1)
Review of Hounacier (Book 2)
Review of Ibenus (Book 3)
Interview with Seth Skorkowsky
Guest Post: “You Can’t Hide Everything…So Don’t” by Seth Skorkowsky

Friday Face-Off: Retro

Posted on February 16, 2018 30 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:

“Groovy baby”
~ a cover that is RETRO

Mogsy’s Pick:
The Massacre of Mankind by Stephen Baxter

The “retro” style of the covers to The Massacre of Mankind makes sense, since it was written as a sequel to H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds. Taking place in 1920, approximately 14 years after the events in the original classic, the story continues through the eyes of Julie Elphinstone who now begins her own account of a second invasion. Yep, the Martians are back, and they’ve learned some lessons from their first go-around. This time, it’ll take more than microbial infections to take them down, and worse, Earth isn’t exactly in its best fighting shape. Still rebuilding from the first Martian assault, places like Britain are still in complete disarray politically, socially, and economically, especially in the wake of this alternate world’s version of World War I.

Only two covers are going head-to-head this week, so let’s take a look at them now:

Gollancz (2017) vs. Crown Publishing (2017)

Winner:

I love the retro “art deco” style of the Crown Publishing edition; it’s just so bold and eye-catching, hence I’m going with it as my winner. But what do you think? Which one is your favorite?

Review: Semiosis by Sue Burke

Posted on February 15, 2018 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.

Semiosis by Sue Burke

Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Hardcover: Tor Books; Audiobook: Macmillan Audio (February 6, 2018)

Length: Hardcover: 336 pages; Audiobook: 14 hrs and 46 mins

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Narrators: Daniel Thomas May, Caitlin Davies

Semiosis is a multi-generational story that takes place over the course of many years, following a group of human colonists who have traveled light years from Earth to settle on a planet they dubbed Pax. The first pioneers, made up of mostly young scientists and activists who were saddened by the plight of their polluted and war-torn world, hoped to start over and establish a peaceful society on this newly discovered planet. However, they were wholly unprepared for the alien environment that awaited them, nor did they anticipate Pax’s bizarre flora and fauna and the surprising ways they interacted with their surroundings. Many of the original settlers died within a matter of weeks, but through the hard work and perseverance of the survivors, the colony managed to hang on and grow, giving rise to the next generation.

Still, their difficulties were far from over. Despite the settlers’ lofty goals to live in harmony with the land, Pax’s plants and animals behaved in strange and unpredictable ways, causing the humans to adjust and alter their game plans on the fly. With every new generation also came new challenges, both biological and social, such as the problem of sterility in the population or the disagreements between the older members and the younger ones on how the colony should be run. Society adapted to the planet, and Pax adapted in turn.

As someone fascinated with biology, my favorite aspect of Semiosis was the author’s portrayal of the plant and animal life on Pax. The world-building was phenomenal and extremely convincing, as though I was truly transported to an alien planet, encountering organisms that felt vaguely familiar and yet unlike anything I’d ever seen before. This sensation was at once unsettling and exciting. As fascinating as it was to watch how the zoological and botanical sciences were being applied, it would also be a mistake to assume that the natural rules on Earth would work on Pax—a lesson that the first-generation settlers learned the hard way. For example, many plants on Earth have evolved to form symbiotic relationships with other plants or animals. In the case of a bee flying from blossom to blossom, inadvertently fertilizing flowers by gathering pollen, one could argue that the plant had evolved in a way to “train” the insect into helping it. Semiosis explores this concept, except the story takes it even further. Because Pax is different from Earth, the plants on Pax have developed in some extraordinary ways.

Semiosis also makes a lot of insightful observations about the nature of human behavior and the relationship it has with social systems. Earth colonists came to Pax hoping to create a utopia and avoid the mistakes of humanity’s past. In this perfect world, everyone would be treated and valued as equals, and they would also protect and respect the natural order of life on the planet. They quickly realized their hubris. Pax was simply too different, and despite all the humans’ hard work in their research and preparations, the native life on the planet did not behave in a way they expected. To ensure their own survival, the colonists were forced to rearrange some of their priorities. Nothing is black and white, and that’s what I loved about this book. Even the best laid plans—and the best intentions—could fall apart with the introduction of something completely new and weird and unanticipated. And on Pax, that’s pretty much everything.

Of course, there’s also the matter of the book’s unique structure. Because it is made of a number of narratives told over several generations, Semiosis almost has the feel of a collection of short stories, though they do fit together to form a complete picture of the settlement process on Pax. As with most multi-generational stories, you’re not going to get the chance to know any one character intimately; instead, it’s the colony that takes center stage, and the reader is able to experience its development through the years by following one or two of its members in each generation. Each character has a unique perspective on the challenges the society is facing though, so while the names, faces, and situations will change, the book remains interesting. Still, if you know you are not a fan of multi-generational novels, then I doubt this one will work for you.

Personally, I really enjoyed Semiosis. Admittedly, I hadn’t expected the multi-generation format, but I was pleasantly surprised at the intricate way this story was told, and how deftly Sue Burke managed to pull it all together. It was a joy watching the society on Pax evolve over the years, even when the settlers themselves struggled and dealt with some difficult obstacles and brutal conditions. Overall, I found it to be a very realistic depiction of human colonization on an alien planet, and I also admired many of the characters for trying to uphold their values even in the face of danger and despair. I would highly recommend this book for readers who are interested in a fresh and fun perspective on planetary exploration stories and space colonization sci-fi.

Audiobook Comments: The audiobook edition of Semiosis was performed by Daniel Thomas May and Caitlyn Davies, and between the two of them they covered the half dozen or so perspectives featured in this novel. Considering these constraints, the narrators did very well, utilizing varied accents and inflections to portray the different characters of each generation so that each person felt like they had a distinct and unique voice.

Waiting on Wednesday 02/14/18

Posted on February 14, 2018 20 Comments

Mogsy’s Pick

The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill (May 3rd 2018 by Scholastic)

I recently came across this book, and the blurb immediately caught my attention (plus the cover is breathtakingly gorgeous). Yes, this one is Young Adult and I’m aware the genre does not have the best track record when it comes to mermaid stories. But ah hell, give it to me anyway! I can never resist a story to do with mermaids, even if it’s yet another retelling of The Little Mermaid. I’ve heard that it returns to the original tale’s darker and more violent roots though, which does sound promising, but I shall continue to remain cautiously optimistic for now.

“Deep beneath the sea, off the cold Irish coast, Gaia is a young mermaid who dreams of freedom from her controlling father. On her first swim to the surface, she is drawn towards a human boy. She longs to join his carefree world, but how much will she have to sacrifice? What will it take for the little mermaid to find her voice? Hans Christian Andersen’s original fairy tale is reimagined through a searing feminist lens, with the stunning, scalpel-sharp writing and world building that has won Louise her legions of devoted fans. A book with the darkest of undercurrents, full of rage and rallying cries: storytelling at its most spellbinding.”

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Sci-Fi & Fantasy Couples

Posted on February 13, 2018 37 Comments

This week’s topic: Top Ten Favorite Sci-Fi & Fantasy Couples

Mogsy’s Picks

Blackthorn and Grim (Blackthorn & Grim series by Juliette Marillier)

If you have not had the pleasure of meeting Blackthorn and Grim, the two of them make up one of the most extraordinary partnerships I’ve ever read, and their shared experiences have resulted in a deep bond of trust and friendship. Blackthorn is a wise woman, her job to mend and heal and cure, but deep down inside she is still broken and raging with her desire for revenge on the man who destroyed everything she ever loved. The only thing keeping her from acting upon that anger is an oath she made to the fey who saved her life in exchange for a promise that she will not seek out her enemy for seven years and only do good deeds for the duration of that time. That and Grim, Blackthorn’s steadfast companion who has given her strength through the most difficult of times and kept her dark thoughts at bay when they threatened to take over. The two of them are such fantastic protagonists because they are both broken and flawed, but somehow they still manage to complete and bring out the best in each other.

Agniezka and Sarkan (Uprooted by Naomi Novik)

Agnieszka is just another simple girl from yet another simple village, but surrounding her valley home is the ever encroaching Wood, a forest filled with dark energies and spirits, whose corrupting force has trapped and stolen the lives and minds of many. Every so often, Sarkan, the wizard in the tower will descend to the valley and work up powerful spells to drive away the malicious effects of the Wood. Cold and aloof, he is also known as the Dragon, and he also exacts a steep price for helping the villagers keep the evil at bay. Every ten years, he chooses one young woman and takes her away to live in his tower until she is released and the next choosing begins again, and this year, he has chosen Agnieszka. Let me just say right off that I don’t think Uprooted is a Romance; all the romantic elements could have been scrubbed from the story and it would still have read just as smoothly and worked just as well. But that just makes it even more amazing to me. Those who know me know that I’m not one to fawn over love stories, nor have I come across many authors who can write a romance arc which could warrant that kind of reaction. But Naomi Novik has done it! The sexual tension in the deliciously slow-burning relationship between Sarkan and Agnieszka had me fanning myself. Whew!

Dag and Fawn (The Sharing Knife series by Lois McMaster Bujold)

Fawn Bluefield ran away from home, only to be kidnapped by a “malice”, an inhuman magical creature that eats people and causes a blight on anything that lives. Dag is a Lakewalker, a soldier-sorcerer who makes it his life’s work to hunt these malices and keep the land safe. Our two protagonists end up coming together, and their fates become entwined. But those looking for a traditional romance story will not find it here because it just doesn’t read like one. Not that the romance here isn’t fiery and passionate, because it is. But at the same time, it’s also comfortable and domestic. Dag’s light humor, easygoing nature, and the gentle way he treats Fawn really endeared him to me. While it probably has a lot to do with him being much older than Fawn, his respectful demeanor and kind personality still sets him apart from a lot of the heroes you find in romance novels these days. Both Fawn and Dag are straightforward with their feelings, and there’s none of that cliched drama. These two characters know what they want, and that is each other. I can’t tell you how refreshing that is.

Phedre and Joscelin (Kushiel’s Universe series by Jacqueline Carey)

These two. Oh, these two. From the moment Phedre no Delaunay met Joscelin Verreuil, it was magic. Well, maybe not so much for them, but it was for me. She was an adept of the Night Court, well-versed in the art of passion and love. He was a Cassiline Brother, whose order’s members are loyal bodyguards sworn to protect their charge, and they are also required to swear a vow of chastity. It was epic clash, to say the least, when Joscelin was hired by Delaunay, Phedre’s guardian, to guard his household. Joscelin went along with Phedre whenever she went on assignment, but did little to hide his disdain for her work. And she also found him sanctimonious and insufferable. Still, after the two were forced to face a number of difficult challenges together, their relationship ultimately morphs into something fascinating, developing in beautiful and subtle ways. I love how the two of them are so different, but their personalities also complement each other in ways you wouldn’t expect. As the series evolves, so does their romance, but what has always remained the same is their loyalty and commitment to each other.

Ciena and Thane (Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray)

Lost Stars is a young adult novel that tells the tale of two childhood friends who became lovers before ending up on opposite sides of the galactic war. Ciena and Thane grew up on the same planet just after annexation by the Imperials, but one was born in the more rural valley while the other came from an affluent second-waver family. However, the two met and bonded over a shared love for piloting and a dream to one day fly for the Empire. They entered the Imperial academy together, excited to be with each other as they made that dream come true. But as the war waged on, their fates diverged as one grew disillusioned with the Empire and joined the Rebel Alliance, while the other remained in Imperial service and rose through its ranks to become a high-ranking officer. Ciena and Thane are the loves of each other’s lives, but they were raised in very different homes, with very different values. Because of that, there will always be a part in each of them that can and never will be reconciled. My heart ached for the two of them and I wanted so badly for things to work out for them in the end. Move over Anakin and Padme, because this here is actually a Star Wars romance done right.

Jake and Sadie (11/22/63 by Stephen King)

Perhaps the biggest surprise — and the biggest treat — for me was the love story in 11/22/63. You wouldn’t think romance was Stephen King’s forte, but wow, the depth of emotion and feeling he achieved here was very impressive. Not only was I head over heels for Jake and Sadie, their damn love story ended up making me cry, with the final pages of his book causing me to bawl so hard, I could barely finish it due to the blur of tears blinding me. It was truly one of the most beautiful endings I’ve ever read. Some people didn’t like the love story angle, feeling that it distracted from the main plot, but I would have to respectfully disagree. I don’t think this book would have been anywhere near as good without the romance or its underlying themes. Sometimes, you just can’t help who you fall in love with. Jake’s only human, even if he did find his soulmate out of time…

Laura Elliston and William Kindle (Sawbones/Laura Elliston series by Melissa Lenhardt)

Okay, so this is not actually a science fiction or fantasy novel, but a historical fiction — a post-Civil War western to be exact, filled with equal parts gritty adventure and fiery romance. Still, I had to include Laura and Kindle on my list, because these two make me melt. Their love story is a fantastic one, featuring a forbidden romance that is at once passionate and convincing. From the moment Laura saves the life of Captain William Kindle, they set off an undeniable chemistry. She is a fugitive from New York, wanted for a crime she did not commit, but despite a new name and a new life on the frontier, she could not escape her past. Fortunately, she has Kindle, who ends up doing all he can to help her evade capture, even at the cost of his own future. I enjoyed their sweet interactions and the well-written dialogue between them, making it easy to get on board with their relationship. I’m glad that as the romantic interest in this novel, Kindle ended up being someone worthy of our protagonist’s devotion and respect.

Karen and Priya (Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear)

Karen Memory is one of my favorite novels. It takes place in the late 19th century in the fictional Pacific Northwest settlement of Rapid City. It is the height of another gold rush and our protagonist, the titular Karen, is a prostitute working for Madame Damnable at one of the city’s more upscale establishments. Working girls like her know that the best way to survive is to stick together and look after one another, but not everyone is so fortunate to have an employer or friends to watch their back. The calm is shattered one night, when two young women arrive at Madame Damnable’s, seeking help and protection. This is how Karen first meets and falls in love with Priya, who had managed to escape the horrific conditions of a rival brothel, but not without angering its mean and nasty proprietor, who vows to make Madame Damnable and her girls’ lives a living hell. This is a book about a lot of things – solving a mystery, hunting a merciless killer, saving the city from evil, and all the spectacular drama that comes along with such activities. But at its heart, the book is also about growing up, forging friendships, and chasing one’s dreams. When Karen meets Priya, she learns what it is she really wants out of her life, revealing a softer, more introspective side to the story behind all the rollicking adventure.

Jenks and Lovey (The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers)

This is actually very difficult relationship to write about. Why? Well…it’s because it’s complicated. First, there’s Jenks, who is the engineer aboard the star ship Wayfarer. And Lovey, on the other hand, is actually an AI. Although she is completely sentient, she has no real body of her own, being a program on the ship’s computer. Originally installed as an off-the-shelf program called Lovelace, she eventually developed her own personality based on her experiences and interactions with her crew, which included a blossoming romance with Jenks. It might seem weird, but over time their deep feelings for each other developed to a point where Lovey began to seriously contemplate getting her program transferred into a body kit so that she could be with Jenks physically, even though the process of doing so would be highly illegal. As you can imagine, it’s a messy situation, and that’s all I’m going to say because no spoilers from me.

Shallan and Adolin (Stormlight Archives series by Brandon Sanderson)

Look, Kaladin fans, I love that storming bridgeboy too, but let’s face it. There is just no room for a love triangle here. Shallan and Adolin are just too damn cute. Their romance subplot continues to fill my girlish heart with glee, because I just can’t get over how wonderful and dynamic their interactions are whenever they’re together on the page. She’s quirky and unpredictable, while he’s good-humored and grounded. The two of them are perfect for each other, providing each other with a balancing force. Adolin often gives the strength Shallan needs to stabilize herself, whenever she feels herself unraveling, while she opens him up and fills his life with adventure and new experiences, making him see things in a whole different light. It’s been a rather tame and low-key courtship so far, but there’s absolutely no denying the storm of chemistry between this couple.

Book Review: Pride and Prometheus by John Kessel

Posted on February 12, 2018 15 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Pride and Prometheus by John Kessel

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Saga Press (February 13, 2018)

Length: 384 pages

Author Information: Website

Admittedly, I’m not so big a fan of Jane Austen or Austen-inspired fiction that I would normally pick up any book with a title that begins with “Pride and…”, but there was just something irresistible about John Kessel’s novel that called to me. Of course, the added element of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein didn’t hurt. Still, although it may draw inspiration from one of two of the most beloved novels of classic literature, it would be a disservice to simply label Pride and Prometheus as just your average literary mashup. Not only has the author succeeded in capturing the tone, spirit, and style of these two works, he’s managed to create a perfect fusion of its deeper themes as well.

Expanding upon Kessel’s 2008 Nebula Award winning novelette of the same name, the story begins with the chance meeting between an English high society woman and a young scientist from Switzerland. Mary Bennet, one of the sisters of Elizabeth Bennet of Pride and Prejudice, is persuaded to attend a ball by her mother, who is desperate to find marriage prospects for her two remaining unwed daughters. It is there that Mary first encounters the quiet and pensive Victor Frankenstein, who is in town with his friend Henry Clerval. Drawn to his intelligence and his shared love of the sciences and natural philosophy, Mary immediately strikes up a rapport with Frankenstein, but is disappointed when the scientist ends up standing her up for a dance, having slipped out of the party earlier without letting anyone know.

The reason for Victor Frankenstein’s reticence and hasty departure is soon made apparent with the introduction of the Creature, a monster whom the scientist had brought to life and then cast out, appalled by what he had done. But now the Creature stalks him, driven by Victor’s promise that he would fashion a bride for him. He has followed his maker to England, growing impatient. Victor knows that until he has delivered on his promise, any new relationship would be impossible because no one around him would be safe.

The first thing that jumped out at me was the writing. Kessel’s writing is absolutely gorgeous, emulating the style and manner of the original novels that inspired this tale, both of which were written in the early 19^th century. As such, the language might take some getting used to, but gradually the story will ease you into the rhythm of the alternating viewpoints between Mary Bennet, Victor Frankenstein, and the Creature (who has dubbed himself Adam). I was also surprised to find that not only were the elements from both Regency Romance and Gothic Horror represented equally, they were blended perfectly. Granted, I was initially skeptical of the novel’s premise and the ambitious idea of throwing these two disparate genres together, but John Kessel managed to knock it out of the park.

As for the story and characters, my feelings are a lot more complicated—but in the good way. For the most part, Kessel stays true to the personalities of Mary, Victor, and Adam, expanding upon them in a way that feels different without abandoning the essence of what makes them who they are. His version of Mary is especially sympathetic. As the middle Bennet sister, she is plain and bookish, much like Austen’s version. However, in Pride and Prometheus, she is a much deeper and contemplative character, and her love of the natural sciences (manifested as an interest in fossils) is genuine. Beneath her social awkwardness is also a caring and spiritual heart, even if she is sometimes driven by self-interest. Just as complex are the characters of Victor Frankenstein and his Creature, but because their tale closely mirrors that of Shelley’s original, I didn’t find them nearly as fascinating. Still, close to the end was a scene that filled me with so much anger and then with so much sorrow that I was almost driven to tears. All I’ll say about it is that, beyond the three main characters, there are a few others who I’ll never look at quite the same way again after reading this novel.

All in all, I adored everything about Pride and Prometheus, from the utterly engrossing struggles of its characters to the emotional themes about obsession and attachment. The book is also artfully written, and I think Pride and Prejudice and Frankenstein fans will be impressed with how well Kessel has captured the original novels’ forms and styles, even if it might make it more challenging for some readers to get into the writing. If you’re familiar with both classics, there will still be plenty of surprises, many of which I loved but couldn’t elaborate on in this review because I badly want prospective readers to discover these plot developments for themselves. This book endeared itself to me and then broke my heart, but all I could think about after finishing this was how I wanted more. Truly a treasure of a novel.