May 2020 Book Club: Lord of Light

Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Sci-fi, Fantasy
Content: What I read was clean





This was my May book club read, and unfortunately it wasn't for me. I ended up not finishing it, but instead ended up reading the Wikipedia article about it to get all the spoilers so I could be somewhat more prepared for book club. It turns out that no one else at book club finished either.

"The crew and colonists from the spaceship Star of India found themselves on a strange planet surrounded by hostile indigenous races and had to carve a place for themselves or perish. To increase their chances of survival, the crew has used chemical treatments, biofeedback and electronics to mutate their minds and create enhanced self-images, or "Aspects", that "strengthened their bodies and intensified their wills and extended the power of their desires into Attributes, which fell with a force like magic upon those against whom they were turned." The crew has also developed a technology to transfer a person's atman, or soul, electronically to a new body. This reincarnation by mind transfer has created a race of potential immortals and allowed the former crew members to institute the Hindu caste system, with themselves at the top." -Wikipedia.

This was intentionally written so it could be read as a science fiction or fantasy novel. I think the idea was interesting, but the execution not so interesting. As one friend said, this is hard to read. It was confusing that the story jumped around chronologically, and if I had not read those Wikipedia spoilers, I may have never been able to make sense of a few things. If you want to try a Zelazny book, I would suggest starting somewhere else.

Eye of Truth by Lindsay Buroker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Content: Sexual innuendoes


After ten years at war, Jev Dharrow looks forward to hanging up his sword, relaxing with a cool mug of ale, and forgetting that the love of his life married another man while he was gone. But when his ship sails into port, a beautiful woman wearing the garb of an inquisitor from one of the religious orders waits to arrest him.

His crime?

He’s accused of stealing an ancient artifact with the power to start another war. Jev would gladly hand over the artifact to stop more suffering, but he has no idea where it is or even what it looks like. The inquisitor woman definitely has the wrong person.

Inquisitor Zenia Cham grew up with nothing, but she has distinguished herself as one of the most capable law enforcers in the city, and she’s next in line to become archmage of the temple. All she has to do is find the Eye of Truth, and her superiors are certain that Jev has it.

He tries to charm her with his twinkling eyes and easy smile, but she’s not letting any man get between her and her dreams. Especially not a thief.

If Jev can’t convince Zenia they’re on the same side, find the artifact, and clear his name, his homecoming will turn into a jail sentence. Or worse. 

Sometimes I'm in the mood for something fun, and Lindsay Buroker always delivers on that front. This is a light fantasy with romance thrown in. There is the trademark Buroker humor, including innuendoes. I'm hoping they don't get too excessive in this series, like they did in her Fallen Empire series though. If you're looking for something deep or epic, then this is not the series for you. If you want something fun and slightly campy, where the characters bounce humorous dialog off each other, then this might be your thing. So far I like the two main characters and the plot. Hopefully that will continue to be the case.

Red Bones by Ann Cleeves

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Mystery
Content: Strong language



When a young archaeologist studying on a site at Whalsay discovers a set of human remains, the island settlers are intrigued. Is it an ancient find - or a more contemporary mystery?

Then an elderly woman is shot in a tragic accident in the middle of the night. Shetland detective Jimmy Perez is called in by her grandson - his own colleague, Sandy Wilson.

The sparse landscape and the emptiness of the sea have bred a fierce and secretive people. Mima Wilson was a recluse. She had her land, her pride and her family. As Jimmy looks to the islanders for answers, he finds instead two feuding families whose envy, greed and bitterness have lasted generations.




Red Bones is the third book in the Shetland Island series, and unfortunately I didn't like it as much as the two previous books. I felt immediately drawn into those two books, but this one was rather dull in comparison. The gloomy island atmosphere worked well in the the other two books, because it was paired with characters I could care about, and mysteries that kept me on my toes. Paired with unlikable characters, it just felt lackluster.

I find the detectives to be pretty incompetent at times in this series. I know they don't have big city resources, but I think they are a little too dumbed down. They should be able to tell certain things about a crime scene, even if there is no CSI unit on hand. Overall the mystery was ok, but I honestly just didn't care. By the time I got to the end I was glad to be done with it. I'm hoping the next book is better, if not I will have to reevaluate whether or not I want to continue on with this series.

The Thief's Daughter by Jeff Wheeler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Content: Clean


Owen Kiskaddon first came to the court of the formidable King Severn as a prisoner, winning favor with the stormy monarch by masquerading as a boy truly blessed by the Fountain. Nine years hence, the once-fearful Owen has grown into a confident young man, mentored in battle and politics by Duke Horwath and deeply in love with his childhood friend, the duke’s granddaughter. But the blissful future Owen and Elysabeth Mortimer anticipate seems doomed by the king’s machinations.

A pretender to Severn’s throne has vowed to seize the crown of Kingfountain. But Severn means to combat the threat by using Elysabeth as bait to snare the imposter—and forcing Owen, as a pawn in the dangerous charade, to choose between duty and devotion. With poisoners and spies circling ominously, and war looming on the horizon, Owen must make painful sacrifices to beat back the advancing shadows of death and disaster. Will Owen’s conflicted heart follow the king’s path or will he risk everything for love?

This was a great follow up to The Queen's Poisoner. I think one thing that I find really appealing about this series is that it can be read by multiple ages and still enjoyed. I like how easy this author's book are to read. They are perfect for when I want to read fantasy, but not something too heavy. The only negative is that I think Wheeler tends to tell instead of show a little too much sometimes. However, I really do like the characters and the world building. The characters are all so easy to become invested in, and the villains are not so clear cut. There are multiple layers to these characters. It will be interesting to see how the different relationships develop in future books. Overall this was really good. The ending broke my heart, but it also made me want to read more.

The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Mystery
Content: Strong language, off page sex and talk that alludes to it. 


Under the cover of "Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective," Charlotte Holmes puts her extraordinary powers of deduction to good use. Aided by the capable Mrs. Watson, Charlotte draws those in need to her and makes it her business to know what other people don't. When her dear friend Lord Ingram stands accused of the murder of his estranged wife, Charlotte goes under disguise to help prove his innocence to Scotland Yard.

 

So far I've liked this series better with each book. I was pleased with a lot of the revelations in this book, and surprised by a few. There were also some very amusing moments. On the downside, at times I struggle to like Charlotte, but I don't think she is supposed to be completely likeable. She is based on Sherlock Holmes after all, and he had some personality quirks that could be off-putting. I do not always like her behavior, but I'm still enjoying this series. Surprisingly, Charlotte's sister Livia has ended up being my favorite character.

One other thing- while reading this I noticed that Charlotte doesn't have a drug addiction like the original Sherlock Holmes, but instead her addiction is food. I should have thought about this back when I read book 1, but for some reason I didn't. I think some of the scenes in this book made me think about it more. Anyway, I just thought it was an interesting twist on the original.

Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fantasy
Content: Clean as far as I can remember


At his wit’s end, Zacharias Wythe, freed slave, eminently proficient magician, and Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers—one of the most respected organizations throughout all of Britain—ventures to the border of Fairyland to discover why England’s magical stocks are drying up.

But when his adventure brings him in contact with a most unusual comrade, a woman with immense power and an unfathomable gift, he sets on a path which will alter the nature of sorcery in all of Britain—and the world at large…

This book had a slow start, but once I got into it I really liked it! I will say that it's not one of those 'can't put down' kind of books, but the regency setting mixed with the magic is pretty great. I liked the fantasy and Jane Austen type mix to it. Georgette Heyer also comes to mind because of the humor. I guess this is called a fantasy of manners. I haven't read many of those. One was The Goblin Emperor -which I hated, but liked The Parasol Protectorate series -which seemed like a fantasy of manners and urban fantasy mix. I do think you have to be in the right frame of mind for this book. The writing style is hard to get into at first, but once you do it's great fun.

Smoke & Summons by Charlie N. Holmberg

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Category: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Content: Clean


As a human vessel for an ancient spirit, Sandis lives no ordinary life. At the command of her master, she can be transformed against her will into his weapon—a raging monster summoned to do his bidding. Unlike other vessels, Sandis can host extremely powerful spirits, but hosting such creatures can be fatal. To stay alive, she must run. And in a city fueled by smoke and corruption, she finds a surprising ally.

A cunning thief for hire, Rone owns a rare device that grants him immortality for one minute every day—a unique advantage that will come in handy in Sandis’s fight for freedom. But Sandis’s master knows how powerful she is. He’s determined to get her back, and he has the manpower to find her, wherever she runs.

Now, to outwit her pursuers, Sandis must put all her trust in Rone and his immortal device. For her master has summoned more than mere men to hunt her down…

I've owned this book for a while now, so when it came up as a buddy read I was excited about finally getting to read it. This is the first book I've read by this author, and for the most part I enjoyed reading it. I liked the characters immediately, and I thought the plot was interesting, and I loved the fire horse demon. It's definitely YA, but that didn't bother me. This is one of those books that are good to read when you want a break from the heavy stuff. At times this author's style reminded me a bit of Jeff Wheeler, but this is a somewhat darker tale than anything I've read by Wheeler.

I will say that I thought the characters did some stupid things that seemed to be there just to help move the plot along. Without those stupid moments there would have been a lot less drama. I would have preferred it if they had been written smarter and the drama had come about a different way, but overall I liked this enough to read the next book in the series.

April 2020 Book Club: Storm Glass

Storm Glass by Jeff Wheeler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Content: Clean


Theirs is a world of opposites. The privileged live in sky manors held aloft by a secretive magic known only as the Mysteries. Below, the earthbound poor are forced into factory work to maintain the engine of commerce. Only the wealthy can afford to learn the Mysteries, and they use their knowledge to further lock their hold on society.

Cettie Pratt is a waif doomed to the world below, until an admiral attempts to adopt her. But in her new home in the clouds, not everyone treats her as one of the family.

Sera Fitzempress is a princess born into power. She yearns to meet the orphan girl she has heard so much about, but her father deems the girl unworthy of his daughter’s curiosity.

Neither girl feels that she belongs. Each seeks to break free of imposed rules. Now, as Cettie dreams of living above and as Sera is drawn to the world below, they will follow the paths of their own choosing.

But both girls will be needed for the coming storm that threatens to overturn both their worlds.

This was our book club read for April and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The chapters switch back and forth between two girls, Cettie and Sera, who live vastly different lives. Cettie is in an orphanage and is being mistreated and neglected by the woman who is supposed to be her caretaker. Sera is a princess who is very dissatisfied with her life, because she isn't given the freedom to interact with other children, or leave the palace grounds. In the beginning I liked Cettie a lot more than Sera. Sera came off as spoiled and unappreciative of the things she had, but she was also ignorant and sheltered about the rest of the world, and I could sympathize with her wanting the freedom to do more. She grew on me over time. It takes a good portion of the book before their stories intersect, but it is worth it.

While the plot of this book was ok, I think where it really shines is in the world building. The way the more well-to-do lived up in the sky and the lower classes lived on the ground, reminded me slightly of Wool by Hugh Howey, and the way the wealthy lived on the upper levels of the silo in that series. There is some mysterious power that keeps the cities in the sky afloat, and also affects a lot of other things, but we don't get much info on this. It seems most people are pretty ignorant of these so called 'mysteries' and I am eager to find out more. I'm sure more will be revealed in the next book. This book did feel mostly like a setup story, but I could say the same thing about Wheeler's other book that I've read as well, The Queen's Poisoner. I don't think it's a bad thing though. One thing I was not expecting is how Wheeler has tied his worlds together into the same universe. Sort of like Sanderson has done with his Cosmere. This series is set in the same universe as Legends of Muirwood, and the Kingfountain series. This makes me want to read all three of these series now. With only three books down out of two of them, I have a lot more reading to do!

The Providence of Fire by Brian Staveley

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Content: Strong language, including lots of f bombs and the 'c' word. It was too much for me. Some mild scenes of torture, but it could have gotten worse in the parts I didn't read.


The conspiracy to destroy the ruling family of the Annurian Empire is far from over.

Having learned the identity of her father's assassin, Adare flees the Dawn Palace in search of allies to challenge the coup against her family. Few trust her, but when she is believed to be touched by Intarra, patron goddess of the empire, the people rally to help her retake the capital city. As armies prepare to clash, the threat of invasion from barbarian hordes compels the rival forces to unite against their common enemy.

Unknown to Adare, her brother Valyn, renegade member of the empire's most elite fighting force, has allied with the invading nomads. The terrible choices each of them has made may make war between them inevitable.

Between Valyn and Adare is their brother Kaden, rightful heir to the Unhewn Throne, who has infiltrated the Annurian capital with the help of two strange companions. The knowledge they possess of the secret history that shapes these events could save Annur or destroy it.

DNF

This being a somewhat dark fantasy series, I was wary going into the first book, but ended up liking it more than I thought I would. There were a couple of things that happened in that book that made me want to read this second book in the series, but unfortunately, the beginning of this book didn't pull me in. It also went in a different direction than I was expecting with a couple of the characters . Eventually, I was having to force myself to pick this up. It actually put me in a bit of a reading slump for a couple of weeks. Needless to say I abandoned it. I know a lot of people love this book, and this series, but I just don't think it's for me.

Network Effect

The hubby and I have been working on lots of projects around the house, and that means I've gotten behind on my book reviews!

The need to catch up will probably result in some shorter reviews, especially since the books are no longer fresh in my mind, but I will try to do better in the future.


First up is my short review on the latest Murderbot Diaries novel Network Effect, a book that I was eagerly anticipating.




Network Effect by Martha Wells

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: sci-fi, fantasy
Content: Strong language



When Murderbot's human associates (not friends, never friends) are captured and another not-friend from its past requires urgent assistance, Murderbot must choose between inertia and drastic action.

Drastic action it is, then.

This is another excellent Murderbot story. This is the first full length novel in the series and I mostly enjoyed it. It was entertaining with a lot of action. There were a couple of times I found my mind wandering, and I'm not sure if the story dragged in those spots or if it was just my mood. I enjoyed the way the book ended up exploring Murderbot's developing 'feelings' and relationships. I'm looking forward to reading more!

My review is short, but I do want to share the artwork for the book covers for this series. I just love them!











Review also posted at Writings of a Reader



View all my reviews

White Nights by Ann Cleeves

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Mystery
Content: Strong Language, Mostly off page sex scene


It’s midsummer in the Shetland Islands, the time of the white nights, when birds sing at midnight and the sun never sets. Artist Bella Sinclair throws an elaborate party to launch an exhibition of her work at The Herring House, a gallery on the beach.

The party ends in farce when one the guests, a mysterious Englishman, bursts into tears and claims not to know who he is or where he’s come from. The following day the Englishman is found hanging from a rafter, and Detective Jimmy Perez is convinced that the man has been murdered.

This is the second book in the Shetland Island series, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first one, although this one took a little bit longer to pull me into the story. There's something about the bleakness of the islands as the backdrop of the mystery that I really like about this series. The characters are ok, but it has taken me a little longer to feel attached to them, than I would normally have liked. I do like the main character, and that we are getting to peel back details of his past little by little, but I'm not as fond of the woman he is dating as I would like to be. That being said, the most important thing, is that the mystery keeps me intrigued, and so far that has been the case in both books. I'm hoping the next book is just as good.