Tag Archives: fantasy

2017, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Windwitch – Susan Dennard

11 Comments

windwitch-susan-dennard-review-scorecard

Book Title: Windwitch
Author:     Susan Dennard
Number of pages:  384

Synopsis:

windwitch-susan-dennardAfter an explosion destroys his ship, the world believes Prince Merik, Windwitch, is dead. Scarred yet alive, Merik is determined to prove his sister’s treachery. Upon reaching the royal capital, crowded with refugees, he haunts the streets, fighting for the weak—which leads to whispers of a disfigured demigod, the Fury, who brings justice to the oppressed…

(re: Goodreads @ Windwitch by Susan Dennard)

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

– Windwitch reads like a second “filler” book; the action scenes remain explosive and vivid in delivery
– More: POVs, pacing problems, issues on being invested in all the stories
– Conveniently plotted at times re: too many “get out of jail free cards”
– Further world building could have supported the magic system
– Merik revenge plot; Safi survival plot; Iseult/Aeduan babymaking plot (no but seriously)

Initial Thoughts

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Truthwitch but even I will admit that this [Windwitch] felt like a step back.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Windwitch from Raincoast Books.

Continue reading [Review] Windwitch – Susan Dennard →

2017, Book Review

[Review] Carve The Mark – Veronica Roth

32 Comments

carve-the-mark-veronica-roth-review-scorecard

Book Title: Carve the Mark
Author:     Veronica Roth
Number of pages:  468

Synopsis:

carve-the-mark-book-coverIn a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?

(re: Goodreads @ Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth)

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

– Two narrators alternating between first (Cyra) and third (Akos) POV
– World building is fragmented; lacks cohesiveness and not enough substance to support the vast world(s) this book is set in
– Conveniently written characters and plot devices
– Google articles per racism and ableism for Carve the Mark; also the triggering meaning behind the book title is related to self-harm
– Currentgifts (abilities) are unoriginal if you’re familiar with X-Men etc.
– Villains, what villains?

Initial Thoughts

Here is my attempt at a conscientious review fully aware of the criticism this book has garnered.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Carve the Mark from Chapters Indigo.

Continue reading [Review] Carve The Mark – Veronica Roth →

2016, meme, top ten tuesday

The Thinker Awards: 2016 Edition (Best in 2016 Fiction)

26 Comments

The Thinker Awards is posted under the umbrella of Top Ten Tuesday, an original weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. 

2016-12-27-thinker-awards-banner-final

This Week’s Theme:
The Thinker Awards
(Best in 2016 Fiction)

Initial Thoughts:

Welcome to The 2016 Thinker Awards wherein the “Best Of” 2016 books are featured. This year, I have enlisted six panelists to join me in showcasing their faves.

The 2016 Thinker Award Panelists:

Maria @ Big City Bookworm
Jesse @ Books at Dawn
Jenna @ Reading with Jenna
Ambur @ Burning Impossibly Bright
Patty @ Bookish Wander Love
…and yours truly.

At the end of all this, please do let me know: which book do you think deserves the “Best Overall” title!

Continue reading The Thinker Awards: 2016 Edition (Best in 2016 Fiction) →