Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Summary from Goodreads:

On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.

Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive—or to destroy one another.

Fans of Star Wars and Divergent will revel in internationally bestselling author Veronica Roth’s stunning new science-fiction fantasy series.

Review:

This wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. I ended up liking it a lot more than I was expecting to. Though, I have been in a bit of a sci-fi kick lately. Roth certainly knows how to craft worlds. The world building in here was pretty amazing. And it was also so believable to read of one warring planet having effects on other planets.

The story was what I would expect from Roth: fast paced and full of action. There’s plenty of suffering, death, torture, and fighting –all the standard YA fare lately. And I guess I’d be super disappointed if a book by this author wasn’t filled with action/violence.

Did it stand out for me like Divergent did when I first read it? Not exactly. There’s a lot in this book that clearly is riding on the shoulders of all the YA that came before it. There are notes of Shatter Me, elements of The Red Queen, pieces of Graceling, tidbits from Across the Universe, reminders of Legend, etc. That being said, I don’t think Roth stole from these other YA novels, so much as was inspired by them. It’s clear the author reads a lot of YA. Yet, being so inspired by something I’m so familiar with can make a story seem a bit “old.”

This book certainly didn’t spark anything new for me in the beginning. I actually almost stopped reading it because of this, but I’m glad I didn’t because later what makes it work is the world building. There’s a big focus on the war torn planet, on the differences in the cultures of the people, on the beliefs of the different people, on the cultures and beliefs of the people of other planets, etc. This insight into the people, the customs, the scavenging, and the objects, did make this book finally stand out to me. All of this was so interesting. Its was like an anthropological Veronica Roth, and I liked it.

The world building was top notch. The action was pretty great too. What was missing though was the character development. I never really bonded with either of the main characters. I wanted Cyra to be my new Tris, but she wasn’t. And I feel like the beginning that took place around Akos’ childhood was too rushed for me to really get to know him either. I wanted to know them both more. So, when bad things happened to them (and they happened alright), I’d feel bad for them.

All in all, the world building was awesome. The fast-paced plot was great too. The character development was seriously lacking. And the book clearly took inspiration from a lot of YA books that came before it. I give it an 7/10.

Gotham Academy Volume 3: Yearbook by Brenden Fletcher, Adam Archer, and Sandra Hope

Summary from Goodreads:

"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Life grabs you by the wrist..." and hands you this year's Gotham Academy yearbook!

The students of Gotham's most prestigious prep school are back and they've just survived one heck of a year within the walls of Gotham Academy. Now it's time for everyone to look back and experience some of the lost adventures from the school year that was. Featuring stories and art by some of comics' best and brightest creators including Dustin Nguyen (BATMAN: L'IL GOTHAM), Derek Fridolfs (BATMAN: L'IL GOTHAM) and Rafael Albuquerque (AMERICAN VAMPIRE), as well as from regular series writer Brenden Fletcher (BATGIRL)!

Review:

Unfortunately, this was my least favorite volume so far. The fun, quirky elements were still there though, and thank goodness because the plot was kind of non-existent. Basically, most of the volume entailed the characters helping Maps put together her own yearbook/scrapbook of all the crazy things that happened to them at Gotham Academy over the year. So, the storyline didn’t advance much for the reader. It kind of felt like one of those episodes of Friends that summed up everyone’s favorite moments about a certain character so far. It felt like you were cheated an episode, kind of.

At least with Gotham Academy, I hadn’t seen any of the episodes remembered. They were all new stories. And while it was cool getting to see so many artists play and have fun with this comic, it became a bit much for me. And it was way too easy to put down. Each mini story/memory would conclude and I felt like I could put the book down for a while. In installments past, I would finish the comic in one sitting.

Also, and maybe this is just me, but I felt like it was way too soon for this. I still need to get to know the characters more. I want to spend more time with Maps and see more of the darkness of the school and teachers before I can feel ready for a recap episode. First development, then can come short mini stories.

The artwork, as always was awesome. And like I said, I did kind of like to see how different artists interpreted these characters. I just wasn’t ready for it quite yet. This is only the third volume. I also like the emphasis on friendship. This was clearly a BFF installment, and I liked that. All in all, I give it a 7/10.

Waiting on Wednesday (219)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that allows bloggers to share which books we are most anticipating.

This week I am waiting on Falling Star by Melissa Landers (2/7/2017):

Description from Goodreads:

When Princess Cassia Rose fled her home world of Eturia to escape an arranged marriage, she had no idea her sudden departure would spark a war. Now after two years hiding as a ship hand, she is finally returning to her beloved home, but not in the way she imagined. Shackled by bounty hunters, she is violently dragged back to account for her crimes. Her only solace is that the Banshee crew managed to evade capture, including Kane Arric, her best friend...with occasional benefits.

Meanwhile, Kane and the rest of the crew of the Banshee plan a desperate rescue mission. But when they arrive on Eturia, Cassia isn't exactly in need of heroics—she's claimed her birthright as Eturia's queen, but has inherited a war-torn planet simmering with rebellion. Cassia must make alliances, and Kane, the bastard son of a merchant, isn't a choice that will earn her any friends. Kane knows he will never find someone to replace Cassia—and is certain she returns his feelings—but how can he throw away his own promising future waiting on a queen?

When the outer realm is threatened by the dangerous Zhang mafia, Cassia, Kane and the rest of the Banshee crew uncover a horrifying conspiracy that endangers the entire universe. In the face of unspeakable evil, Cassia must confront her own family's complicated legacy on Eturia and decide once and for all who her real family is.

Why I’m Waiting:

I only just recently finished Starflight and loved it. I actually didn’t know there was going to be a sequel, so I’m even more excited for this; I read book 1 just in time! I loved the humor and the similarities to Cowboy Bebop. I also loved the adventure, the pirates, and the romance…and I’m hoping for more in book 2. Bring on the good sci-fi!

What are you waiting on this week?

Starflight by Melissa Landers

Summary from Goodreads:

Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.

When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world—and each other—the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe...

Review:

I needed this book. Really, I did. It was fun, light, humorous, and full of Cowboy Bebop nostalgia. It was the exact book I needed to get me through a long week of late nights, stomach bugs, and a certain inauguration. Basically, this was a great and fun distraction from it all.

I’ve gotten a lot more into sci-fi in the last few years. That may have something to do with my boyfriend (also a librarian) and it being his favorite genre. And I guess there is something to be said for books taking place in outer space to be the ultimate form of escape. Add so many other great YA ingredients to that, and you have this book.

There’s adventure, disguise, revenge, pirates, deadly fights, other planet travel, super scary bad guys/trackers, politics, romance, family drama, kleptomaniacs, cute alien creatures called sugar gliders, and plenty more. People compare the story to the show, Firefly, and I can see the comparisons, though I like to compare it more to Cowboy Bebop. It has that sort of western outlaw vibe for sure.

I was actually surprised by how some of the plot ended. I wasn’t expecting a certain twist at all. However, I loved it. I remember finishing, and wishing there was more, but also being glad that it did seem to have a good ending. So of course, today, I realized there’s a sequel coming out in a month! It looks like it’s a bout a different set of characters on the crew, but I’m so excited!

All in all, I loved this. It was a riveting distraction. And I hope the humor and pacing of it remain in the sequel. I give it a 9/10.

A Good Week in Books (151)

I had a very nice book week, if I say so myself. For starters my mini Amazon splurge finally came! A package that was supposed to come in 2 days, took almost 2 weeks. I had to complain and request a new order be sent (for free) and Amazon then asked me to return the first order when it came in…That first order just mysteriously disappeared, though I was able to track it to my local post office. I never got it. Book shipment mystery aside, I also had a wonderful opportunity to meet the author of one of my favorite books of the year, this week. My library has been doing a lot of programming this month centered on our “One Book One Town,” which is Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk. And Lauren came to speak at my library!

I of course picked up a book for her to sign. She was a wonderful speaker and I remember feeling so uplifted from her talk that had a lot to do with standing up to bullies. Also, I have to note that Wolf Hollow, as of today, is a 2017 Newbery Honor! Yay, Lauren Wolk!

The pretties:

The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas
The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas
Persuasion by Martina Boone
Illusion by Martina Boone
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

How was your week in books?

The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan and read by Kieran Culkin

Summary from Goodreads:

Thor's hammer is missing again. The thunder god has a disturbing habit of misplacing his weapon--the mightiest force in the Nine Worlds. But this time the hammer isn't just lost, it has fallen into enemy hands. If Magnus Chase and his friends can't retrieve the hammer quickly, the mortal worlds will be defenseless against an onslaught of giants. Ragnarok will begin. The Nine Worlds will burn. Unfortunately, the only person who can broker a deal for the hammer's return is the gods' worst enemy, Loki--and the price he wants is very high.

Review:

Rick Riordan books make for excellent audiobooks. The pace is just fast enough that I’m constantly involved in the story and always want to get back to it. And his books are so formulaic that when I occasionally zone out, or pay more attention to traffic, I can easily find my way back into my listening.

I am growing quite fond of Magnus. He reminds me a lot of Percy, yet almost nicer. He’s not a big figher –his powers are all about healing. And he cares so strongly for people, family, and friends that it’s hard to not like him. He’s a softie.

I love how diverse Riordan’s books are getting. Though, I wish his main character would be some one other than a white male. It’s nice having the main girl character be a practicing Muslim and a new character be gender fluid. The other two main characters are a deaf/mute elf and a dwarf with a high fashion sense (who may or may not be a couple).

The formula of this book was very familiar. Basically, the characters had to get Thor’s hammer back from the giants in order to prevent the end of the world. And along the way, they had to accomplish other smaller tasks –not the least of which is Sam’s fiancé learning she’s a Valkyrie, and saving a certain dwarf from a life of being a statue.

I like the background on Hearthstone. Wow, did he have a bad family! I also loved getting all the scenes that took place in Thor’s mansion. The giant wedding was terrifying. Loki was pretty terrifying too. And while, I kind of knew how it was going to end (how could Sam end up with a giant?), I still found everything to be pretty suspenseful.

I also now have a ship. I kind of like the idea of Magnus and Alex. I felt like Riordan kept trying to show scenes where Magnus not only understood and respected this character, but that he was falling for this character too. Please let this ship happen! Please. I find Alex to be so interesting. He/she is definitely a more prickly character and I want to know why he/she is the way she is. I also loved watching Alex get a little softer in the presence of Magnus.

The ending was maybe the best part. There were so many hints of joining these characters with those of Camp Half-blood. And there’s at least a possibility of Percy, Annabeth, Magnus, and his crew all going on an epic boat journey together soon. All in all, I give this an 8/10.

Waiting on Wednesday (218)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that allows bloggers to share which books we are most anticipating.

This week I am waiting on Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab (6/13/2017):

Description on Goodreads:

Kate Harker is a girl who isn’t afraid of the dark. She’s a girl who hunts monsters. And she’s good at it. August Flynn is a monster who can never be human, no matter how much he once yearned for it. He’s a monster with a part to play. And he will play it, no matter the cost.

Nearly six months after Kate and August were first thrown together, the war between the monsters and the humans is terrifying reality. In Verity, August has become the leader he never wished to be, and in Prosperity, Kate has become the ruthless hunter she knew she could be. When a new monster emerges from the shadows—one who feeds on chaos and brings out its victim’s inner demons—it lures Kate home, where she finds more than she bargained for. She’ll face a monster she thought she killed, a boy she thought she knew, and a demon all her own.

Why I’m Waiting:

I need to take a moment to bask in the beauty of this cover! I love the book covers to this series. I also super enjoyed the first book of the series. I got to meet/get a book singed by this author this past year, and hearing her talk made me want to read all of her books.  I thankfully have plenty to read while waiting for this sequel. But, I really cannot wait to read it.

What are you waiting on this week?