I have really enjoyed the Burning Kingdoms series. What could be more awesome than a bunch of women taking over the Empire?! This is the third and final book! Overall, I highly recommend the series.

I had some trouble getting into this one. Suri does take time to set up all her characters and subplots. There’s some of this in the first two books. Unlike the first two books, the plot moved a lot slower. There are many POV’s in this one. It was nice to get a lot of different perspectives on how they are all dealing with things. At the same time, it was a lot to keep them straight. Since this is the last book, I expected more action and more impact with things. The yaksa are terrifying, and I didn’t quite get that in this book. It feels like they are not as scary and powerful as the whole series makes them out to be. I was a bit let down by that.

The relationship between two of our big MC players was interesting. Malini and Priya are so volatile as a couple, to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, I have loved their back and forth. They are so ruthless and cutthroat that they don’t know when to stop. There is so much there, and I was looking forward to this moment the minute they see each other. They forget about all the lies and betrayals when they see each other. Regardless of their relationship, I adored their character growth separately throughout this series. They both have so much at stake and will do anything. How far will that sacrifice go? I swear, I was about to tear out my hair every time a priest said, “You must burn.” Ugh, why don’t you burn? Mhm… that’s what I thought!! Vasha.. oh… vasha… I get it, but still.

Besides the slow pace and the meandering plot, I did enjoy this. I have adored many of these characters! The sacrifices they are all willing to make were inspiring. It was such a huge theme in this book. How far will they go? This series had a nice conclusion, even if I didn’t love some things about it.

Thank you, Orbit, for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!! 

 

Murderbot is still trying to find proof about GrayCris. While he is on this journey, he ends up helping all these humans. He ends up with a group that has a companion robot named Miki. It was interesting seeing how Murderbot thinks and reads other robots. I liked seeing him toe the line of keeping Miki’s trust and going behind her back. He’s trying to get proof, but Miki doesn’t know that.

I enjoyed the relationship between Murderbot and Miki. Murderbot goes from trying to trick Miki to trying to help. It doesn’t help with the ending, that’s for sure!

This book is one of my favorite novellas so far! Murderbot realizes he has to go back to his original humans. When he does, he realizes things are not great. Mensah has been kidnapped, and our favorite humans are trying to get her back. He finds them and makes a way to connect with them without giving himself away. He was augmented, making him look more human. Thanks, ART! It was so good seeing them all back together. I loved how they came together to make their “exit strategy.”

As I’ve said several times, the full-cast audio makes this read-a-long experience all the better. I highly recommend it! I can’t wait to jump into the Murderbot full novel next. I have enjoyed re-reading this series.

Thank you, Tor Books and tordotcom, for these print review copies of the brand-new omnibus editions! All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

 I buddy read this with Dini and Julie. It has been on my TBR for so long. I am so glad to have finally read it!! This book was so beautifully written. I didn’t have a clue where this was going, but wow did it not disappoint. The love stories in this book are inspiring and beautiful. Harrow doesn’t shy away from making you uncomfortable though. There are many moments where I was terrified for January. She is living a sheltered life with a rich “adopted father” and it turns out it’s more of a cage. She’s seen as weak and not able to fend for herself. Her journey was wonderful to watch. I felt so many emotions reading this book. I understand why so many people rave about this book. It’s going to be a top read of the year, and it’s only January. Hehe. I adored so many of the supporting characters in this book too. I do wish we could have seen how June’s story wrapped up. I adored her from the get go! 

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed my re-read of All Systems Red. I listened to a full cast & sound effect audio. It has elevated my reading experience! Listening to Murderbot’s inner dialogue is much funnier now. I got his nuances and sarcasm so much quicker. It comes across in the books but is more pronounced in the audio. I found myself laughing out loud several times.

One of my favorite things about this re-read was getting to know our core group again. I remember how they were so mistrusting, and I can’t blame them. There are so many layers to what Murderbot is, and no one knows how he’s “malfunctioning.” It was nice getting to see how their relationship starts in this book. There is still a lot of sci-fi jargon, but I understood it so much more this time.

I highly recommend reading this via a full-cast audiobook! Especially if you struggle with sci-fi as a genre.

Oh, Murderbot! He can’t help himself from helping out humans. I love how he tries so hard to think he doesn’t care, but he does. He ends up helping some new humans who hire him. Since it is the same place he wants to go, he decides to help them. I love how quickly we get attached to all these characters. Murderbot gets attached too and does everything he can to save them.

He still isn’t sure what he wants to do or be. He meets ART in this one and makes this book even better. I love their banter, but the way their relationship grows throughout the book is the best. We learn about past events that have happened, and it’s so sad. Murderbot’s dry humor helped with some of the darker/tense moments.
I still highly recommend reading along with the full-cast audio!! It makes the reading experience so much better!

Thank you, Tor Books and tordotcom, for these print review copies of the brand-new omnibus editions! All thoughts and opinions are my own.