Category: Reviews
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Iluminae has to be one of the cleverest books I’ve read in a long time. It’s a brilliantly crafted story that has everything – a terrifying AI, an interstellar war, explosions in space, romance, and dark humour. With its gorgeous artwork and unusual presentation, Iluminae is a feast for the eyes. It’s a vivid, emotional, exciting read that will hook most readers.
Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray
I loved A Thousand Pieces of You. I ranted and raved about it and practically forced it into the hands of every unsuspecting friend and acquaintance I had. And I’m happy to report that I loved the sequel just as much. Claudia Gray knows how to write a book!
Audiobook Review: Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor
“This book will break your feelings. Shatter them, then stomp on the resulting little pieces. And you’ll love every moment of it.” There were times where I listened with tears in my eyes. Everything about this book is beautiful, exquisite, and agonising, and the audiobook version is even more so because Khristine Hvam is such a skilled narrator.
The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
Kelsea, now firmly settled into her role as the Queen of the Tear, is now preparing for war with the neighbouring kingdom of Mortmesme. The Invasion of the Tearling begins with an incursion into the disputed territory between the two kingdoms and ends with a siege. But the invasion and the accompanying war is only one element in this complicated book, and I’ve loved how Johansen wove all the different threads together to create a masterpiece of a story.
Audiobook Review: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Again, I’ve been absolutely blown away by the experience. Khristine Hvam narrates this complex and beautiful take superbly. I loved the voices she gave the characters. Especially Zuzana. She captures the hurt and loss felt by both Karou and Akiva brilliantly. I feel like the really gets the story, the characters, and the world.
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
Reading The Raven Cycle is painful. But it’s a beautiful kind of pain that I, and many other readers, keep going back for. The lush world building, intriguing characters, and superb plotting suck people in and refuse to let them go. Blue Lily, Lily Blue is a masterpiece. It’s brilliant, evocative, vivid, and, above all, magical.
Half a War by Joe Abercrombie
Half the War concludes the journey we embarked on with Yarvi in Half a King, bringing his tale to its stunning conclusion and reminding us why we love to read Abercrombie’s stories so much. This novel encapsulates the best of Joe’s writing and world-building, and has left me awed and wanting more.
The Last Place by Michael Adams
The Last Place is the fast-paced, intense, and thrilling conclusion to a spellbinding trilogy. Michael Adams has achieved what few authors can – a thoughtful and enthralling exploration of humanity and the human psyche in the face of an apocalyptic disaster.
Fearless by Marianne Curley
Fearless, the last instalment in the Avena series, concludes Ebony and Nathaneal’s story admirably, and I enjoyed every moment of it immensely. I’ve loved this series since I read Hidden, and am sad to let these characters and their world go.
Resonance by Celine Kiernan
Resonance is a smorgasbord of delights, offering gothic fantasy, historical fiction, and horror in one 450 page novel that will readers spellbound. It certainly gripped me – I read it one sitting on a Sunday afternoon.