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thecaptainsquarters
So this is the first book in The Twelve Kingdoms series. Apparently this novel is a fantasy romance. I did not know this when I decided to read this trilogy. This Captain does not normally read romance novels. Books with romance in them are fine but books where the plot is secondary to the sex are usually just not my thing. This novel had just enough of a good plot and also a fun main character, Andi, that I finished it.
I had picked up this series because each of the books is supposed to focus on a different sister. This book focuses on the “invisible” middle sister. I actually really liked Andi. She is headstrong and intelligent and struggling to find her place in the world. Her tenacity is what kept me reading to see how her story would end.
This story was not without flaws. Andi finds out that she is tied by treaty to the land her mother is from. Rayfe is of course the enemy Prince love interest. About 2/3 of the book is the struggle between Andi wanting to give in to the passion she feels with Rayfe and the conflict of “betraying” her family. The last 1/3 is after she with Rayfe is her trying to discover her powers.
I just wish so much of the book was not the internal struggle of Andi and focused more on the magic side of things. Even how Andi learned her powers was sort of blah. But I did like how the book ended and so I will read book two to find out what happens with sister number 2 . . .
If you liked this review see others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
I had picked up this series because each of the books is supposed to focus on a different sister. This book focuses on the “invisible” middle sister. I actually really liked Andi. She is headstrong and intelligent and struggling to find her place in the world. Her tenacity is what kept me reading to see how her story would end.
This story was not without flaws. Andi finds out that she is tied by treaty to the land her mother is from. Rayfe is of course the enemy Prince love interest. About 2/3 of the book is the struggle between Andi wanting to give in to the passion she feels with Rayfe and the conflict of “betraying” her family. The last 1/3 is after she with Rayfe is her trying to discover her powers.
I just wish so much of the book was not the internal struggle of Andi and focused more on the magic side of things. Even how Andi learned her powers was sort of blah. But I did like how the book ended and so I will read book two to find out what happens with sister number 2 . . .
If you liked this review see others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there me mateys! So this novel deals with the youngest sister, Amelia. The storyline and character development were much better than the first book. As was the romance. The sex had a point. Ami’s world has drastically changed due to how Andi’s story “concluded” in the first novel. The littlest sister has to realize the truth of her new circumstances as well as figure out what she wants to do when her world has been turned upside down. While Ami was my least favorite sister to begin with, I found myself liking more and more who she becomes in the course of this part of the story. Though granted all in all I still prefer Andi in the first book even though this one has a better plot structure. Also this book had some fun plot twists and side characters. I liked getting to know more of Dafne, the librarian, and I enjoyed the addition of Marin as well. The pacing was decent though not wonderful. This book finished with a cliffhanger of an ending. On to the next!
If you liked this review see others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
If you liked this review see others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
This novel was the third book of the series and it started out okay even though the plot was kind of slow. I liked the character of Ursula and the book introduced a love interest in Harlan, a mercenary. I mean it was blatantly obvious that they were going to get together. Their banter in the beginning was silly but fun. I was at least interested in how they eventually would solve their differences and move forward. I also loved that Dafne continues her appearance in the story. I wouldn’t mind a full story of Dafne’s early life frankly. The sorceress added in was a bit boring as a plot device but I was willing to see how it turned out.
However I reached the half-way point in my kindle version and had to stop reading. The story dealt with rape and incest and just made my stomach unhappy. I knew I wasn’t going to like this part of the story because of the hints earlier in the book but was surprised at the intensity of displeasure it brought. I mean it irked me so much that I was done.
SPOILERS AND RANTING BELOW:
I mean, I thought the sorceress bit was very unnecessary as King Uorsin was crazy enough on his own. But seriously, for Ursula to have to have sex/rape as a 12 year old at the hands of her father was just plain horrible. Uorsin was a terrible enough person in physically punching his daughter in the face and treating her like crap that he didn’t need to have rapist thrown in to make him an unpalatable creature that had to be removed from the throne. Ursula was struggling with ideas of loyalty of turning against him when THAT is in her past? I mean really, had she been in that situation, she should have NO guilt about it.
I am just plain tired of rape being used as a plot point to show the badness of the bad guy. Why couldn’t Ursula just struggling with feelings of insecurity like she did in the other two books? Why couldn’t she just realize that the lack of stable management of Twelve Kingdoms was enough to have to change and reevaluate her position on her father? Why couldn’t her father just be further going down the spiral of madness and paranoia that he seemed to be doing anyway? Or that he always treats all people with contempt and anger being enough for a change in the ruling status quo?
Why do books need to include rape at all as a plot device? I am not saying that rape cannot be used as a plot point. But it is a serious issue. I am NOT saying that the author made light of the situation with the character of Ursula. But it was NOT necessary to the plot. She had already set up the story in a way that the rape and trauma could have been removed and the plot would have not suffered for it at all. It would have potentially made the book one I wanted to finish.
One of the authors whose books I enjoy, John Scalzi, had a rather thoughtful piece on this issue called “A Useful Moment from a Mentor” which discusses why he doesn’t include rape scenes in his novels.
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2015/05/19/a-useful-moment-from-a-mentor/
Scalzi’s blog also comments on another blog post by Robert Jackson Bennett entitled “Why are you writing a rape scene?” and its followup post “Three things which shaped how I think about writing about sexual abuse” which were also very worthy of thoughtful reading.
http://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/blog/why-are-you-writing-a-rape-scene/
http://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/blog/three-things-that-shaped-how-i-think-about-writing-about-sexual-abuse
The rape description in this book ruined the novel for me and also the trilogy in a major way. So overall my recommendation is to skip all three and find your romance elsewhere.
If you want to read my other reviews visit https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
However I reached the half-way point in my kindle version and had to stop reading. The story dealt with rape and incest and just made my stomach unhappy. I knew I wasn’t going to like this part of the story because of the hints earlier in the book but was surprised at the intensity of displeasure it brought. I mean it irked me so much that I was done.
SPOILERS AND RANTING BELOW:
I mean, I thought the sorceress bit was very unnecessary as King Uorsin was crazy enough on his own. But seriously, for Ursula to have to have sex/rape as a 12 year old at the hands of her father was just plain horrible. Uorsin was a terrible enough person in physically punching his daughter in the face and treating her like crap that he didn’t need to have rapist thrown in to make him an unpalatable creature that had to be removed from the throne. Ursula was struggling with ideas of loyalty of turning against him when THAT is in her past? I mean really, had she been in that situation, she should have NO guilt about it.
I am just plain tired of rape being used as a plot point to show the badness of the bad guy. Why couldn’t Ursula just struggling with feelings of insecurity like she did in the other two books? Why couldn’t she just realize that the lack of stable management of Twelve Kingdoms was enough to have to change and reevaluate her position on her father? Why couldn’t her father just be further going down the spiral of madness and paranoia that he seemed to be doing anyway? Or that he always treats all people with contempt and anger being enough for a change in the ruling status quo?
Why do books need to include rape at all as a plot device? I am not saying that rape cannot be used as a plot point. But it is a serious issue. I am NOT saying that the author made light of the situation with the character of Ursula. But it was NOT necessary to the plot. She had already set up the story in a way that the rape and trauma could have been removed and the plot would have not suffered for it at all. It would have potentially made the book one I wanted to finish.
One of the authors whose books I enjoy, John Scalzi, had a rather thoughtful piece on this issue called “A Useful Moment from a Mentor” which discusses why he doesn’t include rape scenes in his novels.
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2015/05/19/a-useful-moment-from-a-mentor/
Scalzi’s blog also comments on another blog post by Robert Jackson Bennett entitled “Why are you writing a rape scene?” and its followup post “Three things which shaped how I think about writing about sexual abuse” which were also very worthy of thoughtful reading.
http://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/blog/why-are-you-writing-a-rape-scene/
http://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/blog/three-things-that-shaped-how-i-think-about-writing-about-sexual-abuse
The rape description in this book ruined the novel for me and also the trilogy in a major way. So overall my recommendation is to skip all three and find your romance elsewhere.
If you want to read my other reviews visit https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there me mateys! One standard “non-standard for me” genre is historical fiction. While I love history by itself, I enjoy historical fiction for the blending of history and getting to feel like the historical characters are real people. I mean, I know many of the historical characters in historical fiction books were real people, as that is the point. But I like the idea of knowing what they may have thought about the strange circumstances they found themselves in – especially if it involves women’s perspectives.
One of the many time periods I find most interesting is Europe from the 1300s to the 1500s. Now at one point in my life, I wanted to know more about the Catholic Church’s history so I read a concise history of the catholic church by Thomas Bokenkotter. It is fascinating how some Popes acted back in the day. Mistresses, children, money, political wrangling, murder, etc. Some of the facts seem undisputable. Others like the story of Pope Joan – not so much (though I wish).
This novel deals with the children of Rodrigo Borgia a.k.a. Pope Alexander VI and is told from the point of view of his daughter, Lucrezia Borgia. It covers the period of her life from 1492 (about 12 years of age) until 1501 (before she married her 3rd husband). The Borgia’s were one truly dysfunctional family even though in the eyes of history, Lucrezia herself seems to have a lot of the mud flung at her. This version of course is a take on her side of events. It was a well written and fun foray into that time period of papal excess. Makes me extremely glad I was not a woman back in that time. I like being the Captain of my own future thank you very much.
Of course, this story addresses some of the myths of incest in the papal court concerning Lucrezia, so be forewarned that this is not really a pretty tale that ends well. But it does prove that history is sometimes stranger than fiction. I will likely read another historical fiction novel by this author . . . cause Catherine de Medici was awesome.
If you liked this review see others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
One of the many time periods I find most interesting is Europe from the 1300s to the 1500s. Now at one point in my life, I wanted to know more about the Catholic Church’s history so I read a concise history of the catholic church by Thomas Bokenkotter. It is fascinating how some Popes acted back in the day. Mistresses, children, money, political wrangling, murder, etc. Some of the facts seem undisputable. Others like the story of Pope Joan – not so much (though I wish).
This novel deals with the children of Rodrigo Borgia a.k.a. Pope Alexander VI and is told from the point of view of his daughter, Lucrezia Borgia. It covers the period of her life from 1492 (about 12 years of age) until 1501 (before she married her 3rd husband). The Borgia’s were one truly dysfunctional family even though in the eyes of history, Lucrezia herself seems to have a lot of the mud flung at her. This version of course is a take on her side of events. It was a well written and fun foray into that time period of papal excess. Makes me extremely glad I was not a woman back in that time. I like being the Captain of my own future thank you very much.
Of course, this story addresses some of the myths of incest in the papal court concerning Lucrezia, so be forewarned that this is not really a pretty tale that ends well. But it does prove that history is sometimes stranger than fiction. I will likely read another historical fiction novel by this author . . . cause Catherine de Medici was awesome.
If you liked this review see others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there mateys!
This book was an excellent read. The story involves a girl named Mary that has to go to America after her grandmother is killed for witchcraft. She disguises herself as a Puritan in order to do so. The plot is told through a series of journal entries. It was fast paced and fun. The secondary characters of Martha, Jaybird, and Jack were lovely. While I loved the entire book, I of course really enjoyed the journey across the Atlantic and what happened there. I mean how can I resist the sea?
This book felt kinda like The Crucible for children. Having worked on the stage play, the final scene in the Church in particular felt very much like a critical scene in the theatrical production. This aspect, however, served to heighten my enjoyment of the novel because the author seemed to have a strong grasp on the history of Salem and the witch trials. There was more than enough difference between the play and this book that the comparisons were fun. For example, the addition of Native Americans, settlers building homes, and how witchcraft existed in this novel led to me think more deeply about the subject.
The author is British, and this book has been published in 28 languages and is required reading in secondary schools in the UK. This novel has a mini-site which I highly enjoyed. It tells the history and facts about choices the author made about the novel. It also let me know there is a sequel which I will totally read.
To read more of my reviews visit https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
This book was an excellent read. The story involves a girl named Mary that has to go to America after her grandmother is killed for witchcraft. She disguises herself as a Puritan in order to do so. The plot is told through a series of journal entries. It was fast paced and fun. The secondary characters of Martha, Jaybird, and Jack were lovely. While I loved the entire book, I of course really enjoyed the journey across the Atlantic and what happened there. I mean how can I resist the sea?
This book felt kinda like The Crucible for children. Having worked on the stage play, the final scene in the Church in particular felt very much like a critical scene in the theatrical production. This aspect, however, served to heighten my enjoyment of the novel because the author seemed to have a strong grasp on the history of Salem and the witch trials. There was more than enough difference between the play and this book that the comparisons were fun. For example, the addition of Native Americans, settlers building homes, and how witchcraft existed in this novel led to me think more deeply about the subject.
The author is British, and this book has been published in 28 languages and is required reading in secondary schools in the UK. This novel has a mini-site which I highly enjoyed. It tells the history and facts about choices the author made about the novel. It also let me know there is a sequel which I will totally read.
To read more of my reviews visit https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there me mateys!
I heard about the book from fellow blogger Stefanie @ yourdaughtersbookshelf. The premise sounded super interesting so I immediately e-booked it from a local library.
So basically a virus called KDH has swept across the country. It kills almost everyone but some come back to life i.e. “reboot.” The longer the person was dead, the stronger they return. But the less human-like they are. Less emotions to get in the way.
The main character, Wren 178, is the strongest Reboot to have ever come back. She is fierce, deadly, and barely human. She follows along with everything HARC (the ruling body) has her do with no complaint and very little thought beyond being the best at what she does. Then one day she makes a decision to train Callum 22 and her life as a Reboot will never be the same.
I actually adored the idea of people rebooting. The Reboots are controlled and used in an army like atmosphere. Regular humans are terrified of them and even HARC personnel have weapons trained on them at all times. Disobeying = death. I enjoyed the enhanced features of the Rebooted especially.
But I have to say that while I enjoyed the concept in particular and reading the book overall, I did have some problems with the novel. The relationship between Wren 178 and Callum 22 annoyed me quite a bit. Callum 22’s influence causes Wren 178 to rediscover her humanity and feelings. That part was interesting. However the actual interactions between the two of them left something to be desired. Lots of kissing and not enough thought provoking conversation or really psychology even. Wren 178 rediscovering her feelings just seemed to leave her confused and unable to do anything most of the time. Not necessarily an illogical choice. I guess what I am saying is that their relationship seems too bound by their sexual feelings for each other and not enough through actually knowing each other. I mean sometimes it just seems like Callum 22 is just a cute puppy that Wren 178 has to save.
Oh and the experiments on the Reboots were just weird and to my mind could have been taken out of the book altogether. Seemed like a convenience of the plot to get Wren 178 where she needed to be. Though again, I did enjoy the novel. I might even read the sequel.
See my other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
I heard about the book from fellow blogger Stefanie @ yourdaughtersbookshelf. The premise sounded super interesting so I immediately e-booked it from a local library.
So basically a virus called KDH has swept across the country. It kills almost everyone but some come back to life i.e. “reboot.” The longer the person was dead, the stronger they return. But the less human-like they are. Less emotions to get in the way.
The main character, Wren 178, is the strongest Reboot to have ever come back. She is fierce, deadly, and barely human. She follows along with everything HARC (the ruling body) has her do with no complaint and very little thought beyond being the best at what she does. Then one day she makes a decision to train Callum 22 and her life as a Reboot will never be the same.
I actually adored the idea of people rebooting. The Reboots are controlled and used in an army like atmosphere. Regular humans are terrified of them and even HARC personnel have weapons trained on them at all times. Disobeying = death. I enjoyed the enhanced features of the Rebooted especially.
But I have to say that while I enjoyed the concept in particular and reading the book overall, I did have some problems with the novel. The relationship between Wren 178 and Callum 22 annoyed me quite a bit. Callum 22’s influence causes Wren 178 to rediscover her humanity and feelings. That part was interesting. However the actual interactions between the two of them left something to be desired. Lots of kissing and not enough thought provoking conversation or really psychology even. Wren 178 rediscovering her feelings just seemed to leave her confused and unable to do anything most of the time. Not necessarily an illogical choice. I guess what I am saying is that their relationship seems too bound by their sexual feelings for each other and not enough through actually knowing each other. I mean sometimes it just seems like Callum 22 is just a cute puppy that Wren 178 has to save.
Oh and the experiments on the Reboots were just weird and to my mind could have been taken out of the book altogether. Seemed like a convenience of the plot to get Wren 178 where she needed to be. Though again, I did enjoy the novel. I might even read the sequel.
See my other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there me mateys! I received this fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here are me honest musings . . .
a witch’s kitchen (Dianna Sanchez)
Title: a witch’s kitchen
Author: Dianna Sanchez
Publisher: Dreaming Robot Press
Publication Date: currently September 25, 2016
ISBN: 9781940924182
Source: NetGalley
Dreaming Robot Press holds a special place in my heart as they were the first publisher to allow me the privilege of reviewing an eArc. That novel was the demon girl’s song, which I loved and reviewed on Goodreads. That novel currently has a fully funded Kickstarter campaign going on until May 18th. The same Kickstarter also offers a second novel that drew my attention. So when I saw that it was available on NetGalley I thought to meself “I loved their other book. Would they let me read this book? Is that too greedy? What if they didn’t like my review?” I then crossed my fingers and requested it. The worst they could do was say no. But then the best happened. They said Yes! I did a happy dance in my head and cleared my reading schedule (so many books!) so that it could be next. So here be me review . . .
I began reading this novel while consuming a chocolate bar (Crunch, to be precise). And I am so glad I did. This novel is dangerous because it talked about tasty yummy food the entire time. With the scent of chocolate from the wrapper wafting up at me and the descriptions, I wanted to gobble up all the food listed in the book – magical or otherwise.
This novel was delightfully fun. I loved the main character. Millie is a joy. She is a witch’s daughter who cannot seem to do magic. The only thing she seems to be good at is cooking. Now witches generally train their daughters at home, but when the witches need a representative to send to the local school they send Millie. She finds she has a weird magic all her own and while trying to learn to use it, craziness abounds.
The secondary characters were awesome, too. I loved the elf, Sagara. The brother, Max. The Pixie, Petunia. The school teachers. The other students – even the annoying ones. I totally would like to meet Thea whose introduction into the story rocked.
The plot was silly and whimsical and light and fun and totally fit my mood. It’s technically for middle grade but I don’t care. I believe everyone could enjoy it . . . especially foodies! I am not a foodie usually, but I am still drooling about elfcake.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Dreaming Robot Press!
If you liked this review see my others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
a witch’s kitchen (Dianna Sanchez)
Title: a witch’s kitchen
Author: Dianna Sanchez
Publisher: Dreaming Robot Press
Publication Date: currently September 25, 2016
ISBN: 9781940924182
Source: NetGalley
Dreaming Robot Press holds a special place in my heart as they were the first publisher to allow me the privilege of reviewing an eArc. That novel was the demon girl’s song, which I loved and reviewed on Goodreads. That novel currently has a fully funded Kickstarter campaign going on until May 18th. The same Kickstarter also offers a second novel that drew my attention. So when I saw that it was available on NetGalley I thought to meself “I loved their other book. Would they let me read this book? Is that too greedy? What if they didn’t like my review?” I then crossed my fingers and requested it. The worst they could do was say no. But then the best happened. They said Yes! I did a happy dance in my head and cleared my reading schedule (so many books!) so that it could be next. So here be me review . . .
I began reading this novel while consuming a chocolate bar (Crunch, to be precise). And I am so glad I did. This novel is dangerous because it talked about tasty yummy food the entire time. With the scent of chocolate from the wrapper wafting up at me and the descriptions, I wanted to gobble up all the food listed in the book – magical or otherwise.
This novel was delightfully fun. I loved the main character. Millie is a joy. She is a witch’s daughter who cannot seem to do magic. The only thing she seems to be good at is cooking. Now witches generally train their daughters at home, but when the witches need a representative to send to the local school they send Millie. She finds she has a weird magic all her own and while trying to learn to use it, craziness abounds.
The secondary characters were awesome, too. I loved the elf, Sagara. The brother, Max. The Pixie, Petunia. The school teachers. The other students – even the annoying ones. I totally would like to meet Thea whose introduction into the story rocked.
The plot was silly and whimsical and light and fun and totally fit my mood. It’s technically for middle grade but I don’t care. I believe everyone could enjoy it . . . especially foodies! I am not a foodie usually, but I am still drooling about elfcake.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Dreaming Robot Press!
If you liked this review see my others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/