[Arc Review] Nefertiti's Heart by A.W. Exley

 Nefertiti's HeartA.W. Exley
February 14th, 2013
Curiosity Quills Press
280 pages

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Cara Devon has always suffered curiosity and impetuousness, but tangling with a serial killer might cure that. Permanently. London, 1861. Impoverished noble Cara has a simple mission after the strange death of her father - sell off his damned collection of priceless artifacts. Her plan goes awry when aristocratic beauties start dying of broken hearts, an eight inch long brass key hammered through their chests. A killer hunts amongst the nobility, searching for a regal beauty and an ancient Egyptian relic rumored to hold the key to immortality. Her Majesty's Enforcers are in pursuit of the murderer and they see a connection between the gruesome deaths and Cara. So does she, somewhere in London her father hid Nefertiti's Heart, a fist sized diamond with strange mechanical workings. Adding further complication to her life, notorious crime lord, Viscount Nathaniel Lyons is relentless in his desire to lay his hands on Cara and the priceless artifact. If only she could figure out his motive. Self-preservation fuels Cara's search for the gem. In a society where everyone wears a mask to hide their true intent, she needs to figure out who to trust, before she makes a fatal mistake.

Steampunk is always refreshing to read. There is so much people can do with it if they want to. Most of the time it is very hit or miss. This one was well entrenched in the middle. It was neither here nor there.

There is so much packed into one book. There are murders to solve, murderer's to avoid, priceless artifacts to recover, a romance to bloom, society standards to shun, and odd jobs to accomplish. For the page count, it seemed like the book was jam packed with things to do every turn. In fact, what ever happened to that woman's wedding ring they were hired to find?

The heroine is broken, flighty. She trusts no one and distractingly slides down bannisters. Her love interest isn't the standard Prince Charming, but he woos her despite her lack of trust and her history of sexual abuse.

The mystery and the love story twine together nicely, culminate well. It's really the small loose ends that bothered me. With everything tied up in a nice, neat bow, having a loose thread is irksome.

[Review] Priests of Mars by Graham McNeill

Priests of Mars
Warhammer 40,000 series
Graham McNeill
July 31, 2013
Black LIbrary
320 pages

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Legend tells of a foolhardy expedition, led by the radical Magos Telok, which ventured out into the unknown space beyond the Halo Worlds in search of the ‘Breath of the Gods’ – an arcane device with the power to unmake and reshape the very stars themselves. Thousands of years later, the ambitious Lexell Kotov musters his Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator fleet and sets out to follow in mad old Telok’s footsteps. With the might of the Imperial Guard and the Space Marines to augment his own forces, he searches for the hidden clues which will lead him to greatest power that the galaxy has ever known. But who knows what ancient perils may yet lie outside the Imperium and the dominion of mankind?

Being a longtime fan of the Warhammer 40,000 universe and its series of games I picked this book up with high expectations, and I have to admit I was not disappointed. Graham McNeill has brought many diverse groups from the Imperium of Man together for a deadly voyage into the unknown.

While the title indicates the Techpriests of Mars might be the focus of the tale, that isn't true. Graham has spun a tale that includes the lowest of the low in the lower crew decks, through the waves of Imperial Guard from Cadia, the intrigue of a Rogue Trader, the colossal might of the Titan Legions, and not forgetting the awe inspiring Space Marines of the Black Templars. Even with all these diverse tales going on, it's amazing how they all blend together into a seamless story focused on a common goal.

Along the way their one of a kind vessel, the Speranza, an Ark Mechanicus that dwarfs even the largest of vessels in the galaxy, unlocks some mysteries of the depths of space before they and the vast fleet that accompanies them even reach their goal of the Halo Worlds.

Now I won't give you the spoilers of what secrets they discover or exactly what challenges they face, but all the parties involved face the rigors of spaceflight and travel through that immaterial realm known as the Warp.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat as I followed the hidden mysteries as members of the lower deck crew discover a long lost secret within the Ark Mechanicus, an alien ship stalks the expedition and targets the Space Marines for special attention, and even the Imperial Guard can teach the famed Skitarii, the augmented warriors of the Adeptus Mechanicus.

This novel truly eared it's five laser pistols, it shines like a nova in the darkness and I eagerly await a sequel. There is much yet to come in the tales of this vast expedition.

[Audiobook Review} A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper

A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses 
Book 3 The Hollows series
Molly Harper
May 28th, 2013
Pocket Books


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Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it.

Complication One: The artifacts are lost somewhere in vampire Jane Jameson’s occult bookshop. Complication Two: Her new neighbor Jed Trudeau keeps turning up half-naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn’t need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially since Jed’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard. Can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?

Let me start off by saying that I am a huge fan of Molly Harper and read or listen to anything she writes. Her latest book doesn't disappoint. I really liked it. A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses is the second book in her spinoff series The Hollows. I liked that this book is told from Nola's point of view, a witch that comes to The Hollows looking for artifacts that can save her family. These artifacts were given to a grandfather she never knew about until her grandmother was on her deathbed.

If you love the world of The Hollows as much as I do then I know you will like A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses. This book has all the cast of the Jane Jamison series plus a few new ones. I enjoyed getting to see Jane through the eyes of a character. Of course, true to the style of a Molly Harper book, the book is full of zany characters and wacky laugh out loud moments. I think that is why I love Molly Harper's writing style, because she never fails to make me laugh out loud. There is one part I was listening to that had me snickering in my office at work, and my coworkers were like, "We want to know what you are listening to." I love Amanda Ronconi and her narration. I did have to get used to the Grey Gardens style of speech she used to narrate this book. I know the character called for it, but it did throw me off though not enough to make me stop listening.

In conclusion, if you like snarky heroines and happy endings, pick up this book and give it a try. You will laugh at all the zany moments and cheer at the end. I give A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses four solid laser pistols because it was out of this world good.

[Review + Giveaway] Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and StormThe Grisha #2
Leigh Bardugo
June 4th, 2013
Henry Holt and Co.
435 pages

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 Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

I've been eagerly anticipating this book for a few months now. I decided to get aboard the Grisha train a little late, so the wait wasn't as excruciating for me as it must have been for those who read the book as it was immediately published.

I'm so glad it exists now. It was everything I could have hoped for. The story jumped straight into the action. Even when it let up, it didn't for too long. There was always some new discovery or bit of drama to keep the story interesting and the characters moving.

There are some new characters and I fell in love with every one of them. The new love interest has all the wit, sarcasm, charm, personability and ingenuity of Tony Stark. He's also deliciously royal. While I don't know yet how genuine he is, I approve fully with his addition. The brother and sister duo introduced kick all of the butt and are just sassy enough to love.

The romance has gotten out of control. Alina clearly has varying degrees of feelings for all the men involved as well as outside factors that interfere. Can she trust them? What do they really want to be with her for? Will they just try to murder her in her sleep? The important questions. Sturmhond is my new favorite, despite his obvious ulterior motives. Mal is a chain that has always weighed Alina down, and he continues to be flighty and run off with whatever available lady parts are thrown his way. The Darkling wasn't as prominent in this book. He creeps around like Slenderman, lurking around corners and doorways. His new powers are frightening, disgusting. Things he's done to influential, friendly characters are terribly visceral.

Alina is afloat on a river of circumstance. She's got to deal with the hand given her, but she really doesn't know how to do that correctly. There are plenty of missteps along the way, as she's not perfect in any sense.

It lives up to the first book, surpasses it. I cannot wait for the next installment. I will have to find a fawn jello mold to celebrate.

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[Animorphs Reread] The Capture by K.A. Applegate

 The CaptureAnimorphs #6
K.A. Applegate
February 1997
Scholastic Paperbacks

Amazon

 It was really bad when Jake found out his older brother was one of them. It was even worse when Tobias stayed in his morph too long. But nothing compares to the horror the Animorphs are about to face. Nothing.
Jake and the other Animorphs have a feeling they know where the Yeerks' new base is located. And they've found out how to get in - how many people will really notice a few flies on the wall? But they never figured that they might get caught. Or that Jake could fall into the Yeerk pool. That Jake could become a human-Controller. A Yeerk. The enemy.

I'm stupid behind on this as well. I will have to figure out what book I'm supposed to be on and catch up accordingly. Onwards with the Animorphs snark.

This book was from Jake's point of view. The Yeerks have set up at a local hospital where patients that check in, check out with an infestation. An influential governor is set to go under the knife for a quiet and unpublicized surgery. The governor will soon be running for President. And so, the Animorphs must stop the infestation.

They morph flies in order to be able to do this, and all pretty much goes to plan. They infiltrate the hosptial without people freaking out too much. They find the mini Yeerk pool and destroy it. Unfortunately, Jake slips and falls into the pool and gets infested in the process.

That part was pretty far in the book. I remember when I was first reading it that it seemed to be right away, and most of the rest of the book was devoted to getting Jake out of that predicament. I guess, in all honesty, that the next couple of chapters are just really boring.

They have to tie Jake up, keep him in a shack in the woods for three days in order for the Yeerk to die. The Yeerk just happens to be the one that was infesting Jake's brother. What a small invasion force. The Yeerk pontificates at Jake for awhile, tries to escape, fails, dies. Jake is back to normal.

I liked this book initially, but it was another one that didn't stand the test of time or my changing sensibilities. What I found exciting as a tween ended up being quite boring in the long run.

[Review] Memory of the After (Level 2) by Lenore Appelhans

 The Memory of the After/Level 2The Memory Chronicles #1
Lenore Appelhans
January 15th, 2013
Simon and Shuster Books for Young Readers
281 pages

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 In this gripping exploration of a futuristic afterlife, a teen discovers that death is just the beginning.

Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow drones, Felicia passes the endless hours reliving memories of her time on Earth and mourning what she’s lost-family, friends, and Neil, the boy she loved.

Then a girl in a neighboring chamber is found dead, and nobody but Felicia recalls that she existed in the first place. When Julian-a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life-comes to offer Felicia a way out, Felicia learns the truth: If she joins the rebellion to overthrow the Morati, the angel guardians of Level 2, she can be with Neil again.

Suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself at the center of an age-old struggle between good and evil. As memories from her life come back to haunt her, and as the Morati hunt her down, Felicia will discover it’s not just her own redemption at stake… but the salvation of all mankind.

Don't let the title fool you, they're the same book, I'm unsure of why it has two titles? I read it as The Memory of the After, but it was originally Level 2, and has since changed back to Level 2. Super confusing.

This book started out with a very interesting view of the afterlife. Those in purgatory would replay their lives back in a series of interactive Youtube type clips. Other people could tap into and view any memories shared in the public database. It has a few elements of The Matrix as well, but giving specifics would give the whole story away.

Unfortunately, with the unique setup, the need to escape was inevitable. The love triangle was also inevitable. Somehow, the book managed to derail into monotony. It took it's wonderful sci-fi elements and degraded into an almost contemporary piece, forgetting the dangers lurking in the world above.

The plot's escalation and conclusion ended up detached and hurried. Pieces were brushed over for the sake of the contemporary romance details. It didn't hold as much of a wallop as I would have hoped for. It all felt rushed and I ended up not enjoying it as much as I would have liked.

All in all, having pieces of a contemporary romance mixed in with a supernatural thriller are okay, but everything needs to be fleshed out. Don't sacrifice one in order to write the other.

[Review] The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

The Blade ItselfThe First Law #1
Joe Abercrombie
2007
Gollancz
517 pages

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 Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he’s on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian – leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies.

Nobleman, dashing officer, and paragon of selfishness, Captain Jezal dan Luthar has nothing more dangerous in mind than fleecing his friends at cards and dreaming of glory in the fencing circle. But war is brewing, and on the battlefields of the frozen North they fight by altogether bloodier rules.

Inquisitor Glokta, cripple turned torturer, would like nothing better than to see Jezal come home in a box. But then Glokta hates everyone: cutting treason out of the Union one confession at a time leaves little room for friendship. His latest trail of corpses may lead him right to the rotten heart of government, if he can stay alive long enough to follow it.

Enter the wizard, Bayaz. A bald old man with a terrible temper and a pathetic assistant, he could be the First of the Magi, he could be a spectacular fraud, but whatever he is, he's about to make the lives of Logen, Jezal, and Glotka a whole lot more difficult.

Murderous conspiracies rise to the surface, old scores are ready to be settled, and the line between hero and villain is sharp enough to draw blood. Unpredictable, compelling, wickedly funny, and packed with unforgettable characters, The Blade Itself is noir fantasy with a real cutting edge.

Generally, when I read straight up Epic Fantasy, I read it out loud to my husband. This means that most books in this genre take a few months to get through, depending on how much time we spend in the car, or how much he wants me to read to him. So, I can spend months entrenched in a fantasy world and with books like Scott Lynch's and Patrick Rothfuss's, its often hard to find anything that lives up to their precedents.

That being said, Joe Abercrombie is not doing a bad job. The book was a little slow moving, and I'm not entirely sure where it was going. It seemed like the entire book was a set up for characterization as the characters are now either on a great quest or fighting wars.

The characters are as different and varied as you can expect. There is a crotchety torturer with a deep and scarred past, a puffed up Gaston like character, a crazy northern berserker, a wizard trope, and a sundry of other characters.

Even though the book didn't feel like it went anywhere, it was still interesting. The concept is sound and it looks to be gearing up for something both intense and tragic.