VanderMeer has crept into being one of my favorite authors, although I just discovered his books this year. I love the Southern Reach series and was ecstatic to read Borne. It is a very fantastical novel set it a post apocalyptic world. Rachel is just trying to survive by scavenging and hanging around with her drug dealing boyfriend. Her world is changed when she meets Borne, something from deep within the organization.

While I enjoyed Borne, it did not have the same connection that The Southern Reach series did. The writing was not quite as lyrical, although it was still very well done. The story was entertaining and the world building was more developed. It is not a story that would resonate well with everyone, but if you do not need concrete, and you are interested in reading something a little different, then Borne is worth checking out.

Margaret grew up in a bookstore. She loved books, and became interested in the stories behind them. As she grew she published a few paper on the history of authors that were just long dead. She is surprised when she receives a note from Ms. Winters, a contemporary writer famous for a volume of short stories originally titled the thirteenth tale, yet it was only published with twelve stories. It has had an following of readers speculating about the last tale, as well as the tale of Ms. Winters herself. Every time she is interviewed she weaves a different tale about her past. Now she is ready to tale the truth to Margaret.

This is a novel that is full of various layers. Each character has their own mystery and the reader is left trying to unravel it all. Yet, there are enough clues given at the right moments to keep the reader satisfied and engaged. Until, at the end, you are left with a tale more intense then you could have imagined. The writing is magnificent, and the characters are excellent. Margaret is no idiot, she is able to piece together the story as fast as the reader, even if it does take her a little more time to get facts and verify all the aspects. In the meantime the story keeps moving along.

Audio book purchased through Audible

I have two very different opinons about this book.

The first opinion: This is a well written fantasy novel set in a post apoctalypic earth. The characters are very real and very vivid. Even the side characters, that are distanced on purpose, are unique and highly described.

The second opinion: This is an absolutely disgusting story about war, rap, and the evilness of one man. The length he goes to advenge his family is extreme. The lack of remorse and anger in a character so young is horrifying. The characterization of women in this novel is appalling. Wemon are no more then whores. The one possible exception is made worse. She is a temptress, evil for attempting to turn him away from his vengeance, and then just evil.

I finally decided to give the book four starts. In truth it is an excellent work of fantasy. Hanging on until the end of the book explains much. Although, there is no excuse for the horrible characterization of females. I hope this is not a continual theme in Mark Lawrence’s work.

When I came on Goodreads to leave a review I did a shout of joy to find out that Awkward is only the first book in a series. I am so excited that there are already two more books published. It is so hard to find books for my daughter. She is in middle school, reading at a high school level, hates reading, and has ADHD which makes it hard for her to focus on lines of texts. Yet, as an avid reader, I feel it is important for her to be able to read, thankfully so does her English teacher. I want books that are of substance, but that grab her attention.

Although, to be honest, I picked up Awkward not just for my daughter. By the end of the first chapter I was hooked. The story was engaging and relatable. While it oversimplified the middle school structure, that was mostly remedied by the end of the book. It was also just fun to read a graphic novel, something that I do not do enough of. The illustrations and the writing went hand in hand.

My high school daughter ended up reading the book after I finished. While she was in the middle of reading my middle schooler picked it up and started - of her own choice. It has been sitting on our kitchen table for a week with multiple children picking it up and reading it. My high schooler finally finished and said it was an amazing book. My middle schooler is still picking it up and reading it in small bursts. She enjoys the artwork, the character concepts at the back of the book, and the process of creating the book. She loves drawing, so I was excited that this was included.

Overal this is an amazing book that is great for any late elementary or middle school student. It is also enjoyable for those of us who are long past this age.

I have such mixed feelings about this book. In one regard it is an absolutely discussing world with discussing characters. Yet, while the world is graphic and deadly it is also brilliant. And while Jorg, the murderous boy King is horrific, he owns his sins and continues to grow as a character. It does not make it forgivable, but it does make it worth reading.

Lawrence grew in this second book as well. In the first book there were all of two female characters that were developed enough to have names. The side female characters were all rapped and killed. It was not all that endearing as a female reader. I also wonder at how so little progress can be made in the world that we are back to such discrimination and sexism. I cannot say that King of Thorns made much progress, but it did make progress. Women are now evil villains as well. Which, considering the book, works.

While I could probably write an entire thesis on the gender bias in fantasy novels, the plus side is that the novel is well written with an engaging literary style. The lack of memory in this second book is a little disconcerting. It was understandable in the first book, but a bit trite in the second book. However, like the first novel, by the end of the book it all comes together. I honestly think that if Jorg did not make such great strides in character growth that I could not stomach these books at all. Instead I am left with this weird love hate feeling about these books.

This entire series had me conflicted, and Emperor of Thorns is no exception. The writing was a little slower and I felt like the book was dragging. Then it would pick up and rush forward only to drag again. At the same time Jorg is humanized more in this book. While his actions are not excused they were given reasons, reasons that were understandable. In some ways he even became a hero. Yet, he is still a monster.

There was also a lot more female representation in this book. The pope is female, his wife is present, his aunt has a large role, and the necromancer is back. There is actually a large selection of female characters. Some are in power, most have at least some power, and they become more dynamic characters. His wife is probably the best character in the entire book. She is smart, cunning, merciful, and will defend her family and kingdom to the end. She is my favorite character in the entire series. It was a refreshing change from the first book.

I do not know if I actually like the ending. I suppose there really was no other way to end it. Although, the identity of The Dead King was pretty obvious. How it all came together was both over dramatic and anticlimactic. At the same time it worked. Ugh. I am not sure how I can be so conflicted about a book, and the series as a whole. I will say that Emperor of Thorns was my favorite of the series. I do not think I will ever be a Jorg groupie - he is a total sexist monster - but, I am glad that I read the series.

I had never heard of Girls of Paper and Fire, or Natasha Ngan, before I received my OwlCrate book box. I was instantly drawn to the cover and captavated by the description of the book. The world of Girls of Paper and Fire is unique. There are three casts. The Demon cast are animal human hybrids and rule over the land. The Moon cast are a mix of human with demon features. Lastly, the paper cast, is humans with no animal features. Except Lei is born with golden eyes. Demon eyes in a paper girl. It is enough to capture the attention of a General wishing to win favor with the King. Lei is captured and brought to the castle to become one of the king’s Paper Girls - one of his concubines.

There are elements that are seen in other YA books mixed in with elements that are unique. The characters are vivid. I enjoy watching Lei’s progression. It is realistic, a gradual change that is impacted by her character and her circumstances. All of the characters in the book are equally real, even the ones that only show up for a page or two. You are drawn into the world of demons. Ngan says that she wrote the book to provide more diversity to YA literature. There is a strong Mongolian culture brought into the book as well as LGBTQ characters. I personally was drawn to the strong female characters and the choices they made even while they were being repressed both culturally and due to their gender.

The book does contain themes of sexual assault, although there are no violent descriptions. I was worried from the trigger warning, yet I felt it was handled tactfully, both to not overwhelm the younger audience as well as survivors of sexual assault. I feel like the emotion of the situation could have been addressed more, especially due to the impact on the progression of the book. It was addressed, just subtly.

Overal it was a great read. I look forward to continuing on with the series, and also going back and reading the other book written by Ngan.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

by J.K. Rowling


Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Book Length: 320 pages
Genre: Children's Chapter, Fantasy

I remember the first time that I happened across the Harry Potter series. It was 1999, I was 19 years old and working full time in a bookstore. When the third book was released we had piles of them delivered to the store. In the interest of 'helping my customers' I read everything that was popular, and many more books that were not.

It did not take me long to catch up to the third book. I was hooked and attended the release of every book after. I single handedly sold hundreds of copies of her books. In reality they sold themselves. What parent does not want to hear about a book that is helping children to read.

This first book is one of the shorter books in the series. It introduces us to Harry Potter, Hogwarts, and a mass of characters which you will come to love and hate. The plot is fairly standard fantasy but the world that Rowling created is truly magical.

If you have only seen the movies then I urge you to pick up this first book. The reading is not difficult and the journey is well worth it.

As reviewed on The Book Recluse Review

As much as I enjoy reading about Kate, it is nice to have a different perspective into their world. Andrea is one of my favorite side characters. She is loyal, complex, and has a dark history. I love that she is the petite blond that can kick butt and shoot better than anyone else. I wasn't as much of a fan of Raphael until I saw him from Andrea's perspective. I think the two work well together.

The story itself has action, magic, and mythological creatures. It is a good edition the the story line, but would not stand on its own well.

It is challenging to write a story from the perspective of a child. Writing a novel for an adult, where the main character is just a handful of years old at the start, is difficult. Especially when you want the adults to be able to connect to the main character, and still stay true to the developmental age of the main character. It is no surprise that Lawrence is able to pull this off beautifully. He has a gift with developing characters and making them seem more real then people you meet off the page.

I was hooked on this story from the start, when we first see the little girl who could juggle effortlessly. Yet, the story kept capturing me as it revealed itself layer by layer. Even when I knew that there was more to know, I was enthralled when it was woven into the story. Then, like life, there were times that an element was introduced to the story that there was no warning for, and then the entire story changed. This is one of those novels that going back you could see what was happening, but only if you already knew what happened.

Everything in fantasy has been done before. Yet, Lawrence presents this world in a way that seems fresh and new. He does not give you pages of history, but unveils it in subtle ways. He trusts to reader to understand. My favorite part of the book was when Nona learns about the moon. It is the perfect example of doing a double take as a reader, and rethinking the entire world.

Overall excellent book. I cannot wait to finish with the series!