Category Archives: ARC review

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] A Darkly Beating Heart – Lindsay Smith

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Book Title: A Darkly Beating Heart (Standalone)
Author:     Lindsay Smith
Number of pages:  272

Synopsis:

a-darkly-beating-heart-book-coverNo one knows what to do with Reiko. She is full of hatred. All she can think about is how to best hurt herself and the people closest to her. After a failed suicide attempt, Reiko’s parents send her from their Seattle home to spend the summer with family in Japan to learn to control her emotions. But while visiting Kuramagi, a historic village preserved to reflect the nineteenth-century Edo period, Reiko finds herself slipping back in time into the life of Miyu, a young woman even more bent on revenge than Reiko herself. Reiko loves being Miyu, until she discovers the secret of Kuramagi village, and must face down Miyu’s demons as well as her own.

(re: Goodreads @ A Darkly Beating Heart by Lindsay Smith)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Fluid transitions between contemporary/historical Japan.
– First person narrative feels as though information is withheld from the reader
– Cultural inclusion include English romanization of Japanese phrases and popular items that you would typically see through the eyes of Westerners who are interested in all things “Japanese”

Initial Thoughts

I read up to 60% before marking this book as DNF.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of A DARKLY BEATING HEART from Raincoast Books.

Continue reading [Review] A Darkly Beating Heart – Lindsay Smith →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] The Diabolic – S. J. Kincaid

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Book Title: The Diabolic (Standalone)
Author:     S.J. Kincaid
Number of pages:  416

Synopsis:

the diabolic - s.j. kincaid - bookcoverA Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for.

Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.

When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her.

(re: Goodreads @ The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– The Diabolic is a trilogy condensed into a standalone featuring an antihero in Nemesis
– Futuristic space-opera lite with dystopian themes while also weaving modern technology (kind of an Easter Egg effect)
– Though an expansive setting is introduced, it is also hardly developed and/or lacks context in some situations
– Romance can/does feel as though it pushes the conflict a bit more than it should; the ending can feel a bit too neat and easy
– There are pet feels

Initial Thoughts

I want a Diabolic of my own. Or to be one…

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of THE DIABOLIC from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Continue reading [Review] The Diabolic – S. J. Kincaid →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Mark of the Plague — Kevin Sands

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Book Title: Mark of the Plague (The Blackthorn Key #02)
Author:     Kevin Sands
Number of pages:  544

Synopsis:

mark of the plague - kevin sands - book coverThe Black Death has returned to London, spreading disease and fear through town. A mysterious prophet predicts the city’s ultimate doom—until an unknown apothecary arrives with a cure that actually works. Christopher’s Blackthorn shop is chosen to prepare the remedy. But when an assassin threatens the apothecary’s life, Christopher and his faithful friend Tom are back to hunting down the truth, risking their lives to untangle the heart of a dark conspiracy.

And as the sickness strikes close to home, the stakes are higher than ever before…

(re: Goodreads @ Mark of the Plague by Kevin Sands)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Can be read standalone (not recommended for context however)
– Layered mystery with less reliance on puzzles (though there are some) and a greater emphasis on antagonists to push the conflict
– Addition of a female secondary character; no romance
– First POV narrative can sometimes read as though protagonist is withholding information from the reader
– Pigeon feels.

Initial Thoughts

My body was not ready for pigeon feels.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Mark of the Plague from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Continue reading [Review] Mark of the Plague — Kevin Sands →