Book Review

Review of King of Scars by Leigh Bargudo

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King of Scars (King of Scars Duology Book 1) by [Leigh Bardugo]

Synopsis:
Face your demons…or feed them. The dashing young king, Nikolai Lantsov, has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, Nikolai must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha general, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

Review:
This book took me forever to get through. There was nothing necessarily wrong with it, but it was long, and a large part is due to not liking one of the characters that is a primary force in it. I did grow to like the character by the end, and was wishing and hoping for happy endings, but of course it is a duology so hopefully such things will be answered in book 2 (which I am currently more than halfway done, having not written this review immediately after finishing the previous one). I’m certain I had a lot of things to say, that I don’t quite recall now, but I’ll do my best.

I really enjoyed how this continued with characters we knew from previous books in the same grishaverse. I love Nikolai and I’ve wanted him to have a happy ending since the first three books (I was team Nikolai all the way in the Alina/Mal/Darkling/Nikolai debate). Seeing Nikolai as he struggles to find himself and his place was great, and while I really might not have liked her to start, getting to see more of Zoya and perhaps understand a bit of all that she was dealing with was good too.

One of my biggest issues with the end of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom was poor Nina and Matthias. In my head, I immediately thought then that Nina and Nikolai would end up together. Alas, that does not appear to be, but I do hope she ends up happy and free.

On to finishing Rule of Wolves…

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Spelled by Camille Peters

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Spelled (The Kingdom Chronicles Book 2) by [Camille Peters]

Synopsis:
Rosie is fairly certain that there’s nothing wrong with putting a love spell on a foreign prince. At least she hopes there’s not, because such a drastic measure is necessary in order for her to ensure that the perfect fairy tale romance she’s dreamt about her entire life includes her own prince charming. As the heroine in her story, she won’t be deterred by well-meaning friends, royal betrothals, hungry dragons, or the intriguing guard who stands in her way.

Luckily, Rosie has access to an enchanted bakery and a recipe book of spells, one of which will ensure she’ll win the royal heart she desires. Unfortunately, no story is complete without a few obstacles, and Rosie’s comes in the form of a most formidable foe—a stoic guard whom Rosie may or may not be developing feelings for, one who is committed to thwarting her at every turn. But nothing will stand in the way of Rosie’s happily ever after. After all, what harm can a simple love spell do?

Inspired by “The Frog Prince”

Review:
Oh my goodness, this was by far one of the cutest books I’ve read in a long time. The story is written from the standpoint of Rosie, and while one might have thought that the book would follow the footsteps of the the first book in the Kingdom Chronicles (review here) the heroine is so different that the entire world seems different. She isn’t cautious and standoffish, shy, like Eileen, but bold and full of stories. As a fellow hopeless romantic, always lost in my mind, a book, my own characters and stories, I absolutely adored seeing things from Rosie’s perspective, especially all of the stories. While I did think a few things were too obvious, Rosie doesn’t really tend to consider things beyond if they went the way she wanted them to. While being a protagonist is fun, especially if you’re trying to become a main character in your own story, this book does a brilliant job of showing risk versus reward, and reminding the reader that whether or not you’ve thought through what may happen, there are always consequences to actions, and one must be ready to take them– good and bad.

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Pathways by Camille Peters

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Pathways (The Kingdom Chronicles Book 1) by [Camille Peters]

Synopsis:
Eileen has never been interested in love. Ever since her father’s abandonment, she’s vowed to never experience such pain again. But the enchanted forest has different ideas. When the continuously shifting pathways lead her to a mysterious stranger, Eileen finds her promise to fiercely guard her heart increasingly difficult to keep.

One night when she becomes lost in a storm, the enchanted forest’s pathways lead her to the castle, home to the kingdom’s Dark Prince, where Eileen finds herself entangled in what many consider an opportunity but which Eileen believes to be a curse: competing for the Dark Prince’s hand through a series of tests that judge one’s royal worth. Eileen is neither royal nor interested in becoming a princess. But the mysterious stranger she met in the woods has his own reasons for helping her succeed, although the cost of his assistance may be too high: that of Eileen’s heart, the one thing she’s vowed never to give.

Inspired by “The Princess and the Pea” and “Rumpelstiltskin”

Review:
I started this book at random on the kindle, not remembering the description, having found another book I’d gotten 42% of the way through lackluster. I am so unbelievably happy I did! While there were definitely Princess and the Pea and Rumpelstiltskin vibes, I absolutely adored the Forest (perhaps because growing up I spent a lot of time buried inside one myself). The tranquility and need to escape really connected both of them, and I was curious to see how Eileen’s walls would be shattered or rebuilt. I absolutely loved the “cost” of things, and how she gave in, despite not knowing the man she met in the forest, and technically never having bargained or agreed to anything for help he freely gave her. The way he carefully spoke was brilliant, as was her attention to details as she ended up caught up trying to become a princess, even if she didn’t want to. I definitely felt some Ever After vibes during their meetings, given how outspoken she was when they were alone in the forest. Greatly enjoyed!

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

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Crooked Kingdom: A Sequel to Six of Crows by [Leigh Bardugo]

Synopsis:
When you can’t beat the odds, change the game.

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets—a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

Review:
This wasn’t just one story but several all in one (which is likely why the book is so long!) Everytime you thought things might be resolved and fixed and finished you would find yourself noticing there is so much more left to the book, that can’t possibly be everything. Kaz continued to be amazing, and I loved how he would alter his thinking to make his new games/plans work.

I will not give away a key element of the end, but I was pleasantly surprised what everyone’s ending looked like- except for one bit that absolutely devastated me.

Good tie in, got to the point where you were curious what was happening with everyone. On to the next… King of Scars.

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Curiouser and Curiouser by Melanie Karsak

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Curiouser and Curiouser: Steampunk Alice in Wonderland (Steampunk Fairy Tales Book 1) by [Melanie Karsak]

To save the Hatter, Alice must work with the one man she despises so much that she might still love him.

Alice thought she’d turned over a new leaf. No more working for Jabberwocky. No more making deals with the ruthless Queen of Hearts. No more hanging around The Mushroom with tinkers, tarts, scoundrels, and thieves in London’s criminal underbelly. But she’d been bonkers to dream.

Hatter’s reckless behavior leads Alice back to the one person she never wanted to see again, Caterpillar. Pulled into Caterpillar’s mad schemes, Alice must steal a very big diamond from a very royal lady. The heist is no problem for this Bandersnatch. But protecting her heart from the man she once loved? Impossible.

Sometimes love is mad.

Curiouser and Curiouser is a retelling of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland fairy tale set in New York Times best-selling author Melanie Karsak’s steampunk universe. Journey to gaslamp London during the 19th century to see how Melanie puts a steampunk spin on this reimagined fairytale.

Review:
I will admit that Alice in Wonderland is probably one of the fairy tales/Disney movies I wasn’t that enamoured with, however I did quite love the Tim Burton movies. I did, however, find this as a completely interesting and unique take on the story and I quite loved it. The names might resemble those of the story, but nothing is quite like anything you’d expect from the other popular tales of Lewis Carroll and the reiterations thereof.

I definitely saw the connection with the Red Queen before it was revealed, but it was quite expertly tied together and I’m not sure the average reader would have had my same mindset going into it. There were still parts that I found chilling and disturbing, even though I had figured out major plot points long before they were revealed and was rather annoyed that Alice didn’t simply ask Caterpillar, or at least ASSUME what it might be that he botched.

As always, love Karsak’s book, and look forward to reading her next one!

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

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Synopsis:
A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction―if they don’t kill each other first.


Review:
Definitely more enjoyable than the original Grisha trilogy, but still found it somewhat hard to get into. Once all the main characters were established it was easier to care about them, but it was quite deep into the novel before you really got any insight into the characters and their backstories. I’ll take Kaz Brekker over Mal in the Grisha trilogy any day, but I also have a special love for Nina and Matthias. All in all, there were stakes, and everyone really grew by the end. I look forward to reading Crooked Kingdom and seeing what mischief the crew manage to get into (or out of).

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of the Playboy series J. Sterling

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Review:
Starting on: Avoiding the Playboy
So it finally happened. I didn’t vet my kindle books as well as I should have, and a “cliffhanger” freebie took residence for free. Am I disappointed? Yes. Would I recommend this book? No. Is this book even a “book” at all? Not really. It isn’t like James Patterson’s “bookshots” (aka novellas/short stories) where he tries to strip it down to 150 pages for $5 but you get a complete story- Sterling is not even giving a full story at all. It’s splitting a book into three books when you could have just sold one for 3.99 instead of the first one free, second one .99 and third 2.99.

The book itself is decent. I enjoyed the descriptions and characters, but I felt like I was just getting into it when it was abruptly cut off. It wouldn’t have phased me at all were this one story and I’d already purchased this, but this is almost like you thought you were getting a story and instead you’ve gotten the sample. Now, I am very torn, I quite like what I’ve read so far, but I’m not certain it justifies buying two more books. Reader, I did it. I bit the bullet and bought the two books.

The following was written after finishing books 2 and 3:
Do I regret it? Yes. Would I do it again? No. The second “book” is around 40 pages. Only 40 pages of this story. The books are padded to appear larger by having bits of her other books tucked into the end. The relationships are unrealistic after book 1. In book 1 there was indifference and the war between what you should and shouldn’t do. Books 2 and 3 have conflict that is instantaneously fixed, with no real barriers or stakes because as soon as an issue pops up suddenly it’s all better, whether or not that’s something that would happen in the real world. I wish I had posted the above two paragraphs instead of insisting to myself that I needed to read the whole thing before telling others I wouldn’t recommend it. At least I can say that while a HEA (happily ever after) IS achieved, it is nothing but a superfluous waste to purchase and read these, even if the sex scenes are decent. I feel so strongly about not recommending these, that I will not be linking to them.

Star Rating: ✯✯

Review of Bitches and Brawlers: A Steampunk Fairy Tale by Melanie Karsak

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Bitches and Brawlers: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Steampunk Red Riding Hood Book 4) by [Melanie Karsak]

Synopsis:
Just when things start going well for Agent Clemeny Louvel, a bitch has to make trouble.

Since Cyril’s death, an uneasy peace has existed between Alodie and Lionheart. Her brothel closed, her rank in the werewolf pecking order obliterated, and shunned by the Templars, Alodie has been living on the fringes of the dark district. Determined to get vengeance on Lionheart and Clemeny, Alodie hatches a monstrous plan. Just in time to ruin Clemeny and Edwin’s first outing as a couple.

Alodie will do anything to see a new alpha rise.

Unless Clemeny can stop her first.





Review:
Clemeny is stuck between her duty as one in the red cape society and her obvious need to keep her particular division taken care of. Unfortunately, when some attempts for leniency were made, it meant that there was the potential for an uprising. It was great to get to see Clemeny and Edwin fully in action together again, but at what cost?

As with the others in this series I zipped through it quickly, which is why now I’m stuck reviewing the last three books instead of delving into another series/author as I will be continuing to do once I’m finished here. In some regards it almost feels like the solutions are too quick and precise in these books, but that is partially why I love them. In the real world, that’s how many problems appear and are solved–so much time spent in introspection and consideration, just for the solution to be quite simple and instantaneous.

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Peppermint and Pentacles: A Steampunk Fairy Tale by Melanie Karsak

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Peppermint and Pentacles: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Steampunk Red Riding Hood Book 3) by [Melanie Karsak]

Synopsis:
Up on the housetop werewolves howl
Out jumps good old Agent Louvel
Down through the chimney chasing monsters quick
Feeling far less jolly than Old Saint Nick

Red Cape Society Agent Clemeny Louvel is used to chasing werewolves across London. But when she’s reassigned to a special case just days before Christmas, she learns that she’ll need more than a silver bullet to keep everyone on the nice list.


Review:
Finally we get to see a nice decent amount of grandmere Louvel! I always enjoyed her “oranges and lemons!” exclamation but I hadn’t known where it was from. This has been one of my absolute favourite books in the series, because I noticed what was happening before the characters told you, and it was just so festive and fun. I really enjoy seeing the characters relationships developing and how the people interact. I know in some reviews of previous books in this series people have complained that she uses modern language and that takes away from the “steampunk” side of things being Victorian, but to me the setting is what gives it the Victorian vibe, the steampunk elements are from the contraptions, and honestly, I find myself deeply entrenched, wanting more, more, more. I am going to be quite sad when I finish this series(which will likely be today or tomorrow at this rate).

Review of Alphas and Airships: A Steampunk Fairy Tale by Melanie Karsak

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Alphas and Airships: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Steampunk Red Riding Hood Book 2) by [Melanie Karsak]

Synopsis:
With Lionheart as the new alpha, the streets of London are quiet.

But above the realm, mischief is brewing.

While airship pirates are a common plague upon the kingdom, the Airship Fenrir proves particularly troublesome—especially on a full moon.

Clemeny must take to the skies before these shape-shifting Vikings kick off a new Ragnarok. Easier said than done now that she’s down one good eye, a partner, and not to mention the fact that she gets motion sick.

On top of that, the new scar across her face makes Clemeny feel like she’ll have better luck intimidating her foes than finding a beau. But Agent Edwin Hunter, recently assigned as head of Clemeny’s division, is proving to be an interesting prospect. Despite her apprehensions, it’s up to Agent Louvel to chase Fenrir across the heavens.


Review:
Clemeny is down a partner, but she still has work to do, so she has to deal with someone perhaps a bit green, but at least they do get along. I quite enjoy how Clemeny gets on with everyone, and how even those she doesn’t really know seem drawn to somewhat like her and help her. Many thanks to the wife of the Captain! I also quite enjoy how there are a few unsuspected saviours/helpers towards the end.

Like the first book, this story goes quickly. I’m not sure if it’s because these are short or just superbly written, but I find myself soaring through them.

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯