Insurgent Review

Insurgent (Divergent #2)

-       Veronica Roth

Publisher: Harper Collins

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

I liked Divergent but didn’t totally get the romance or the massive change in story towards the end. Insurgent picks up right where Divergent ended with Tris, Four and some survivors escaping to Amity’s quarter. Unlike Divergent there is no slow burn introducing characters and situation. There is no ‘previously’ catch up so if you aren’t aware of the characters or situation it can all be a bit confusing – it’s only been a couple of months since I read Divergent and it took me a while to remember who Peter, Caleb, Sharon and others were. However, once I did I was much more involved in the story than before.

This is a true exploration of Tris’s world – rather than focus on the difference between Dauntless and Abgenation that was Divergent, we get to follow Tris as she spends time with Amity, Candor, Eruite, the Factionless and the newly divided Dauntless. This meant there was a lot of moving from place to place and questioning of loyalty which was much more involving than simple training. Tris is still struggling with the result of her decisions in Divergent and it added layers to her character that Tris didn’t simply forget about her parents death or the people she had to face to escape. She makes some big decisions here and willing throws herself into danger continually, but is she doing it for the right reasons or because she can’t live her decisions?

There is plenty of action and excitement with Tris and friends continually on the run or under attack. I found myself swept up in events and on the edge of my seat and as a result I swept through the pages always wanting to know what was coming up. Veronica Roth isn’t afraid to kill or injury her characters – emotionally as well as physically which does mean you can never completely relax. If Divergent was about coming of age, then Insurgent is about trusting yourself and living with your decisions. Veronica Roth also has a horrible habit of finishing stories on plot-changing cliffhangers which will have huge implications on the next book. I’m really curious at what Tris and the others will face next - it's going to be a long wait for the next book!

Recommended for fans of Suzanne Collins and Veronica Rossi. 8 out of 10

Throwback Thursday #67 - The Stepsister Scheme

This is a great feature that Melissa at My World...in words and pictures has been doing for a while and I wanted to jump on board! There are plenty of books out there I desperately want...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on my shelves?

The Stepsister Scheme - Jim C Hines

You know how all those old fairy tales take you through lots of scary adventures till you finally reach that inevitable line: "And they lived happily ever after..." Guess what? It's not true. Life in never-never land isn't all sweetness and light. Cinderella - whose real name is Danielle Whiteshore (nee Danielle de Glas) - does marry Prince Armand. And (if you can ignore the pigeon incident) their wedding is a dream-come-true. But not long after the "happily ever after," Danielle is attacked by her stepsister Charlotte, who suddenly has all sorts of magic to call upon. And though Talia - otherwise known as Sleeping Beauty - comes to the rescue (she's a martial arts master, and all those fairy blessings make her almost unbeatable), Charlotte gets away. 
That's when Danielle discovers a number of disturbing facts: Armand has been kidnapped and taken to the realm of the Fairies; Danielle is pregnant with his child; and the Queen has her very own Secret Service that consists of Talia and Snow (White, of course). Snow is an expert at mirror magic and heavy-duty flirting. Can three princesses track down Armand and extract both the prince and themselves from the clutches of some of fantasyland's most nefarious villains?

This just looks like a lot of fun. Everyone grows up listening to fairy tales but putting a twist on the tales and seeing what happens to the heroines after they meet their Prince Charmings - I am more than curious! Yet this book has languished on my TBR pile for far too long!

So what was your favourite fairy tale? I always like the Gingerbread Man - maybe that's the reason I love traveling so much! 

Guest Review: Magic Bites

One thing I love about blogging is being able to recommend books to other people - and I couldn't believe I had let my regular reviewer go so long without trying one of my favourite UF series, so here's Sarah's Magic Bites Review!

Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1)
- Ilona Andrews

Publisher: Ace Fantasy

When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake. Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta's magic circles. The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings—and the death of Kate's guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she's way out of her league—but she wouldn't have it any other way...

Hello all. I was once again allowed to raid Mel’s EXTENSIVE library, with her firmly pointing the way towards this UF (but with a smattering of swords ‘n’ sorcery) novel. After reading it I felt compelled to write a review, even if only as an apology to Mel for the fact that I have coughed my way through the last 3 films we have watched at the cinema (anyone got a new set of lungs I could have??!!). That aside, this book definitely deserves to be reviewed as it’s a whole lot of fun.

 

Magic Bites it set in a compelling future where magic and technology are both firmly in existence, but never at the same time. This premise creates a wonderful cast of people that can just as easily shoot a gun or drive a car, as they can erect wards and behead vampires. Our heroine Kate Daniels exists perfectly well in the technological world, but it is when the magic surfaces that she comes into her own. With her power words, magical sword and solid training, she is another butt-kicking, strong female lead that we can all appreciate. I especially love the fact that her mouth can quite often run away with her, leading her into trouble when she least needs it (a Kate Daniels/Harry Dresden mouth-off would be the stuff of legend!).

 

Your basic whodunnit at heart, Magic Bites has plenty of action and intrigue, although I did half guess the killer very early on (one of those ‘it can’t be that easy, can it?’ moments that has you second guessing yourself until the moment you’re proved right). There are also plenty of ‘auxilary’ cast members that I cannot wait to hear more from – particularly Saiman (a shape-changing character in search of the perfect male form, but with such an amazing brain that people are willing to pay $26 a minute for his help!) and Curran (the Beast-Lord of Atlanta who packs so much testosterone I’m surprised people don’t literally swoon in his wake).

 

All in all an excellent start to a series I will literally be begging Mel for. One for fans of Patricia Briggs and Carrie Vaughn, 8.5 out of 10.

Audiobook Review: Giant Thief

Giant Thief (Easie Damasco #1)

Written by David Tallerman

Read by James Langton

Publisher: Angry Robot

Meet Easie Damasco, rogue, thieving swine and total charmer.
Even the wicked can't rest when a vicious warlord and the force of enslaved giants he commands invade their homeland. Damasco might get away in one piece, but he's going to need help.

Big time

Caught in the midst of a war in his homeland, Easie Damasco finds himself enrolled in political situations far above his paygrade, on the run with only a giant named Saltlick for company and chased by a tyrannical warlord determined to hunt him down. This is basically one long chase through countryside, close escapes and city with various characters popping up to help and hinder Easie in his exploits. Few of the characters make much impression from their short time with Easie – apart from Saltlick the giant, but the fast pace means you never really get bored of them. The chase elements means there are lots of close calls and you get see much of the world – although the depth and detail is lost – like seeing the world outside a speeding train – a brief impression is all you get.   

Easie Damasco is a thief with a perchance for picking up his goods when any sensible person would be running as fast and as far as he could in the other direction. On at least two occasions in this story he stops in the midst of a getaway in order to steal some goods from the rich. To be honest he’s not really that smart – just happens to be on the wrong place all the time. However, he is self-deprecating and doesn’t pretend to be a hero. This makes a nice chance from various heroes where only they can save the world. Easie is fun character though and one that is easy to root for.  

James Langton’s reading is humorous and easy on the ear which frankly allows to just relax into the story and get swept along. I have some issues with the item everyone wants to get their hands on – the giant’s chief stone doesn’t have the same attraction as a magical ring or enchanted sword which does make all the action and desperation on the behalf of the characters to get their hands on it a little redundant. Overall this is a fun listen on the lighter side of fantasy, but like a cereal bar not satisfying enough for a full meal.

Recommended for fans of Michael J Sullivan and Brent Weeks. 7 out of 10.   

Phoenix Rising Review

Phoenix Rising (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #1)

-       Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Evil is most assuredly afoot—and Britain’s fate rests in the hands of an alluring renegade . . . and a librarian.
These are dark days indeed in Victoria’s England. Londoners are vanishing, then reappearing, washing up as corpses on the banks of the Thames, drained of blood and bone. Yet the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences—the Crown’s clandestine organization whose bailiwick is the strange and unsettling—will not allow its agents to investigate. Fearless and exceedingly lovely Eliza D. Braun, however, with her bulletproof corset and a disturbing fondness for dynamite, refuses to let the matter rest . . . and she’s prepared to drag her timorous new partner, Wellington Books, along with her into the perilous fray. For a malevolent brotherhood is operating in the deepening London shadows, intent upon the enslavement of all Britons. And Books and Braun—he with his encyclopedic brain and she with her remarkable devices—must get to the twisted roots of a most nefarious plot . . . or see England fall to the Phoenix!

It’s been a little while since I read any steampunk, but after finishing Phoenix Rising I wondered why I left it so long! This book has bags of energy, invention and sophistication. New Zealander and Ministry Field Agent, Eliza Braun loves action – she’s happy chasing down suspects in horse drawn carriages, gun in hand and saving the British Empire. Books is the ministries Archivist, inventor of useful gadgets and happy keeping the other agents files in order. When they are thrown together an unusual partnership is born which could just save the Empire – if Braun and Books can survive each other.

Eliza Braun is a modern woman, capable and independent, but a little reckless and brash. Books always thinks before he acts and is reserved, but he has hidden depths that not even Eliza is aware of... yet. I loved the way they were getting to know each other and testing their expectations. It felt like they were really figuring each other out – Books being able to out drink Eliza, while Eliza’s well appointed apartment surprises Books. The banter between them is sparkling and amusing. They start investigating what really happened to Eliza’s former partner, now an inmate in an institute and how this relates to an age old secret society within London’s upperclass.

The plot is fast-paced with discovery and revelations quickly made as they move from one scene stealing event to the next. Eliza is quick on the draw and has a wonderful collection of gadget and weapons, while Book’s gizmos are fantastic and useful. Together I felt like Eliza was a female Bond and Books her Q! In fact the whole story does read like some sort of Victorian Bond story, but without the dour straight face.

There are still some outstanding mysteries particularly with regard to Books past, Dr Sounds activities in the Archives and Bruce Campbell role. These mysteries plus the chance to see how Eliza and Books are coping with each other now means I will be picking up the second book, The Janus Affair very soon! This was frantic fun in Victorian London which will leave a massive smile on your face.

Recommended for fans of Meljean Brooks and Gail Carriger. 9 out of 10

My Book Haul/Showcase Sunday

I've decided to join Books, Biscuits and Tea's Showcase Sunday to share my lovely book hauls each week. Have a look back at Vicki's link up to see what everyone is up too!

The Damned Busters - Matthew Hughes

Publisher: Angry Robot

After accidentally summoning a demon, Chesney Anstruther refuses to sell his soul, which leads through various confusions to, well, Hell going on strike. Which means that nothing bad ever happens in the world... with disastrous consequences.

I picked this up at a charity shop because it seemed like a fun read!

Whispers Under Ground - Ben Aaronovitch

Publisher: Gollancz

It begins with a dead body at the far end of Baker Street tube station, all that remains of American exchange student James Gallagher—and the victim’s wealthy, politically powerful family is understandably eager to get to the bottom of the gruesome murder. The trouble is, the bottom—if it exists at all—is deeper and more unnatural than anyone suspects . . . except, that is, for London constable and sorcerer’s apprentice Peter Grant. With Inspector Nightingale, the last registered wizard in England, tied up in the hunt for the rogue magician known as “the Faceless Man,” it’s up to Peter to plumb the haunted depths of the oldest, largest, and—as of now—deadliest subway system in the world. At least he won’t be alone. No, the FBI has sent over a crack agent to help. She’s young, ambitious, beautiful . . . and a born-again Christian apt to view any magic as the work of the devil. Oh yeah—that’s going to go well...

This was another pre-order that turned up this week. I love this series as its sophisticated fun in my home town!

Magic In The Shadows - Devon Monk

Publisher: Berkley

Magic is Allison Beckstrom's blessing and curse. As a Hound, she uses her gifts to track down practitioners who abuse their power and stop them from inflicting harm on unsuspecting innocents. Unfortunately, her spells have taken their toll on her, physically marking her and erasing her memories—including those of the man she supposedly loves. But lost memories aren't the only things preying on Allie’s thoughts. Her late father, the prominent businessman—and sorcerer—Daniel Beckstrom, has somehow channeled himself into her very mind. With the help of The Authority, a secret organization of magic users, she hopes to gain better control over her own abilities—and find a way to deal with her father...

I spotted this on special in a book store yesterday and thought I would give the series another go. It's been entertaining so far even if it's not one that I have to follow.

This Is Not A Test - Courtney Summers

Publisher: St Martin's Griffin

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

This is a win from the wonderful Sully at Pearls Cast Before a McPig - it looks quite creepy. I'm not even sure if the girl on the front is just caught in a breeze or possibly injured...either way I want to start reading soon!

What have you picked up this week?

On My Wishlist #103

This is a meme that started on Book Chick City before moving to Cosy Books and is now hosted by the wonderful Sarah at Workaday Reads. There are so many books out there that I want to read that this is the only way I can keep track!
There might be a slight theme this week - see if you can figure it out!

Death and the Girl Next Door - Darynda Jones
Publisher: St Martin's Press

Ten years ago, Lorelei's parents disappeared without a trace. Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are never coming home. For Lorelei, life goes on. High school is not quite as painful as she thinks it will be, and things are as normal as they can be. Until the day the school's designated loner, Cameron Lusk, begins to stalk her, turning up where she least expects it, standing outside her house in the dark, night after night. Things get even more complicated when a new guy—terrifying, tough, sexy Jared Kovach—comes to school. Cameron and Jared instantly despise each other and Lorelei seems to be the reason for their animosity. What does Jared know about her parents? Why does Cameron tell Jared he can't have Lorelei? And what will any of them do when Death comes knocking for real? 

I've seen a few reviews of this about this week - and it looks awesome! I was esepcially glad to hear that its not a love triangle as it does sound like it...

Death's Rival (Jane Yellowrock #5) - Faith Hunter
Publisher: Roc

 For a vampire killer like Jane, having Leo Pellisier as a boss took some getting used to. But now, someone is out to take his place as Master Vampire of the city of New Orleans, and is not afraid to go through Jane to do it. After an attack that’s tantamount to a war declaration, Leo knows his rival is both powerful and vicious, but Leo’s not about to run scared. After all, he has Jane. But then, a plague strikes, one that takes down vampires and makes their masters easy prey. Now, to uncover the identity of the vamp who wants Leo’s territory, and to find the cause of the vamp-plague, Jane will have to go to extremes…and maybe even to war.

So I'm a few books behind with this series but I still want ot get my hands on the new release!

Death's Excellent Vacation - Edited Charlaine Harris
Publisher: Gollancz

Death's Excellent Vacation: A selection of new and original tales of Paranormal R&R by some of the most popular writers in the Urban Fantasy genre

I do like some short stories occasionally and with Halloween is only a couple of weeks away...

So what are you wishing for this week?