Tag Archives: Book Review

2016, Book Review

[Review] Bird Box — Josh Malerman

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Book Title                  Bird Box (Standalone)
Author:                        Josh Malerman
Number of pages:  272

Synopsis:

josh malerman - bird box book coverSomething is out there, something terrifying that must not be seen. One glimpse of it, and a person is driven to deadly violence. No one knows what it is or where it came from.

Five years after it began, a handful of scattered survivors remains, including Malorie and her two young children. Living in an abandoned house near the river, she has dreamed of fleeing to a place where they might be safe. Now that the boy and girl are four, it’s time to go, but the journey ahead will be terrifying: twenty miles downriver in a rowboat–blindfolded–with nothing to rely on but her wits and the children’s trained ears. One wrong choice and they will die. Something is following them all the while, but is it man, animal, or monster?

(re: Goodreads @ Bird Box by Josh Malerman)

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

– I have no sales pitch. If you enjoy ambiguity, uncertainty, and if the blurb interests you, then by all means read Bird Box
– Psychological horror set in Detroit that feeds on the unknown; there is gore but it’s not over the top
– The writing is succinct and can feel choppy; displayed through past-and-present narrative
– Limited growth in a majority of the characters as they were generally dragged along by the plot

Initial Thoughts

This might be the shortest review I’ll go on record of having written.

Continue reading [Review] Bird Box — Josh Malerman →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Truthwitch — Susan Dennard

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Book Title                  Truthwitch (The Witchlands #01)
Author:                        Susan Dennard
Number of pages:  416

Synopsis:

truthwitch-susan-dennard-book-coverSafiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

(re: Goodreads @ Truthwitch by Susan Dennard)

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

– Multi-POV with 4 perspectives
– The world is reminiscent to Avatar: The Last Airbender with magic systems of both the elemental (wind, water, fire, etc.) and immaterial variety (concerning values/emotions)
– Slow burn romance with lots of sexual tension
– Strong female chars., admirable leading lads, morally ambiguous antagonists, diverse characters; solid sismance/meh bromance
– Consequences don’t feel dire; supporting chars. lacked substance
– Be warned: if you read Truthwitch, you’re in it for the long haul

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Initial Thoughts

Ahoy to unpopular opinions. Sorry bout it.

Disclaimer: The copy I read was an ARC given to me by Amanda @ Brains, Books and Brawn that she received from an Indigo Teen giveaway.

Continue reading [Review] Truthwitch — Susan Dennard →

2015, Book Review

[Review] Six Of Crows — Leigh Bardugo

34 Comments

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Book Title                 Six of Crows (Six of Crows #01)
Author:                        Leigh Bardugo
Number of pages:  465

Synopsis:

Leigh Bardugo - Six of Crows - Book CoverKetterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone… Kaz’s crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

(re: Goodreads @ Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo)

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

–  Come for the heist, stay for the characters. Five alternating POVs with witty banter, slow burn romance, and plenty of dissonance
– Two primary settings: a gritty merchant port with gangs, bars and speakeasies + a prison atop a frozen landscape; incorporates the high fantasy of the Grishaverse
– Voices are distinct and everyone has their own motivations (no pawns for pawns sake)
– There are Easter eggs for those who’ve read The Grisha trilogy. The learning curve isn’t steep for those who haven’t read her other series

Initial Thoughts

INFINTELY BETTER THAN THE GRISHA TRILOGY.

Continue reading [Review] Six Of Crows — Leigh Bardugo →