Title: Three Dark Crowns
Author: Kendare Blake
Series/Standalone: Three Dark Crowns (Book #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 403
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2016
Format: Audiobook
"When kingdom come, there will be one.
In every generation on the island of Fernbirn, a set of triplets is born- three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.
But becoming the Queen Crowned isn't solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it's not just a game of win or lose... it's life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins.
The last queen standing gets the crown."
My Rating: 5/5
I was unsure of whether this book would truly draw my interest. I had heard some people say that the plotline and the action were slow. That being said this book is filled with political intrigue and world-building. It's done in a way that is interesting and entertaining for the reader without dumping things on them all at once. I will say that I'm very interested in the world and what will happen to the queens. I'm deeply invested in the characters. and the world at this point. I'm extremely curious about the past of the islands and the mainland.
I would also recommend the audiobook. It helps to keep track of the different perspectives and different areas in which the story takes place.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Free Women
Author: Jeremy Whitley
Artists: Rosy Higgins, and Ted Brandt
Series/Standalone: Raven the Pirate Princess (Vol. 2)
Genre: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBT
Pages: 128
Publisher: Action Lab Entertainment
Year Published: 2016
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)
"Raven and her crew cast off to the high seas and the adventure of their lives. But before they can take on Raven's brothers they'll have to learn where they are and what's happened since Raven was locked away. So they're headed back to Raven's ancestral home island, The Island of Free Women. It's swamped with every kind of thief, assassin, and despot. Can Raven's crew face their first challenge? Can they even handle being cooped up in the same ship together?"
My Rating: 4.5/5
I'm loving that this series is doing so many things for women. It talks about sexuality and the need for equal rights in all employment but in a way that's ridiculously fun. I also think that there is just a wonderful cast of characters that I can't wait to read more about. Slowly but surely we are learning about each person's strengths and weaknesses. It's been interesting and fun. The references to our time period have been given the grateful nod and I can't wait to continue laughing with the characters in the next instalment. That being said this volume contained some really intense drama, so maybe the next one will rattle other emotions as I read it.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Finale
Author: Stephanie Garber
Series/Standalone: Caraval Trilogy (Book #3)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 478
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Year Published: 2019
Format: Audiobook
"A love worth fighting for. A dream worth dying for. An ending worth waiting for.
It's been two months since the Fates were freed from a deck of cards, two months since Legend claimed the throne of his own, and two months since Tella discovered the boy she fell in love with doesn't really exist.
With lives, empires, and hearts hanging in the balance, Tella must decide if she's going to trust Legend or a former enemy. After uncovering a secret that upends her life, Scarlett will need to do the impossible. And Legend has a choice to make that will forever change and define him.
Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun. There are no spectators this time- only those who will win, and those who will lose everything."
My Rating: 2/5
This instalment just isn't what I hoped at all from the series. I found myself bored at some points and rolling my eyes at others. I know that the author was trying to set up love triangles and set out different options for both main characters, but this story did nothing for me. It was long and drawn out. The fates were not as present as I had hoped and other villains were just ok. Overall I would say to just stick with Caraval and that would likely be enough for some people interested in the storyline.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Captain Raven and the All-Girl Pirate Crew
Author: Jeremy Whitley
Illustrators: Rosy Higgins and Ted Brandt
Series/Standalone: Raven: the Pirate Princess (Book #1)
Genre: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBT
Pages: 128
Publisher: Action Lab Entertainment
Year Published: 2016
Format: Paperback Copy (Library)
"Raven is ready to set out on her quest for revenge against her brothers. They've stolen everything that should be hers and now she's going to get it back. But first, she needs a crew. Share the laughs, action and adventures as Raven assembles the fearless crew of awesome ladies who will help her get her revenge."
My Rating: 5/5
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a perfect mix of nerd references and girl power. Everything that I really loved about Lumberjanes at the start of the series. I also really enjoyed the aspect of LGBT that might be present later on in the series. I think it is interesting to see the flashbacks of Raven's memories and see how things changed. I also wonder about what the brothers said to the father about the need to lock her up. I'm curious to see where the stories go and how the stories intertwine.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Shore of the Dying Light
Author: Rick Remender
Illustrator/Colourist: Greg Tocchini, and Dave McCaig
Series/Standalone: Low Series (Vol. 3)
Genre: Comics, Graphic Novel, Science Fiction
Pages:128
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published: 2016
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)
"Stel Caine rises from the depths to the surface of the Earth, the first human in millennia to walk on the sun-blasted wasteleand. Her daughters aren't far behind, and not everyone shares Stel's hopeful outlook of the future. Will this family reunion reveal the key to mankind's salvation... or snuff out the light forever?"
My Rating: 4.5/5
I've been waiting for this series to really grab me and this was the one. I really got invested in the storyline and the world. Especially during the final battle scenes and seeing how the family reunion is changing different elements of the faith of hope. I also think the idea that hope is a religion makes for an interesting aspect of the story. I can't wait to continue the series and see where it goes.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Before the Dawn Burns Us
Author: Rick Remender
Artist/Colourist: Greg Tocchini and Dave McCraig
Series: Low Series (Vol. 2)
Pages: 104
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published: 2015
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)
"Will Stel Caine rise from the depths to become the first human in millennia to set her foot on the surface of the Earth? Who is the relentless Minister of Thought on a quest to put an end to Stel's attempt to restore the light to a dying world?"
My Rating: 4/5
This volume was far easier to follow. There were still twists and turns but due to a better understanding of the dynamic of the story, I was able to follow it better. I will say that this is a series that dumps you in headfirst and it is up to you to sort out what the hell is going on. If that is something you enjoy, you'll likely enjoy this. If it's something you find difficult, I would recommend reading the first two volumes and then deciding where to go with your reading. I really enjoyed this one. It showed other worlds, but also explained the reason that Stel is so hopeful. It helps the reader understand what really brought her to be so hopeful.
I plan on continuing the series for now and seeing where it takes us.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: The Delirium of Hope
Author: Rick Remender
Artists: Greg Tocchini, Dave McCaig
Series/Standalone: Low Series (Vol. 1)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Science Fiction
Pages: 144
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published: 2015
Format: Paperback Copy (Library Edition)
"Millennia ago, mankind fled the earth's surface into the bottomless depths of the darkest oceans. Shielded from the merciless sun's scorching radiation, the human race tried to stave off certain extinction by sending robotic probes far into the galaxy to search for a new home and among the stars.
Generations later, one family is about to be torn apart in a conflict that will usher in the final race to save humanity from a world beyond hope. Dive into an aquatic fantasy like none you've ever seen before, as writer Rick Remender (Fear Agent, Uncanny Avengers) and artist Greg Tocchini (Last Days of American Crime) bring you a tale mankind's final hour in the cold,m deathly dark of the sea."
My Rating: 3/5
I don't know how I feel about this graphic novel. I couldn't help but be confused by some of the premisses. I enjoyed the art but at times without the distinct lines it was difficult to see what was where, especially during action scenes. I'm unsure how I feel about the series so far but I plan to continue the series to see where it goes at this point.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Escaping from Houdini
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series/Standalone: Stalking Jack the Ripper (Book #3)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery
Pages: 416
Publisher: JIMMY Patterson
Year Published: 2018
Format: Audiobook
"Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they're delighted to discover a travelling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly.
But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slaying shocks the entire ship. The disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murder grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea.
It's up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with the clues to th next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer's horrifying finale?"
My Rating: 4/5
This was a great installment in the series. If you have not read Stalking Jack the Ripper (this will contain spoilers for the other books in the series). I loved the change of characters and as always the change of setting. The mystery was good, but a little more predictable than I expected. I will say the real draw of this book was to see where the characters relationships would turn out. The start of the murders was interesting and very graphic (similar to the other two novels in that sense). Can't wait to finish the series this fall and find where our characters end off.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Cruel Crown
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series/Standalone: Red Queen Series (Book # 0.1- 0.2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopian
Pages: 208
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2016
Format: Physical Copy (Own it)
First Line:
"Two women on either side of the Silver and Red divide tell the stories no one else knows.
Discover the truth of Norta's bloody past in these two revealing prequels to #1 NEW YORK TIME bestseller RED QUEEN.
Queen Song
Queen Coriane, first wife of King Tiberias, keeps a secret diary- how else can she ensure that no one at the palace will use her thoughts against her? Coriane recounts her heady courtship with the crown prince, the birth of a new prince, Cal, and the potentially deadly challenges that lie ahead for her in royal life.
Steel Scars
Captain Farley was raised to be strong, but being tasked with planting the seeds of rebellion in Norta is a tougher job than expected. As she travels the land recruiting black market traders, smugglers, and extremists for the first attempt at an attack on the capital, she stumbles upon a connection that may prove to be the key to the entire operation- Mare Barrow."
My Rating: 5/5
This is my third or fourth time rereading this novella collection and every time that I start it I think it can't be as good as I remember. But it always is. Aveyard is able to conjure such enormous feelings for characters who appear briefly in the series itself. I think that this novella collection does an amazing job of bringing different perspectives to the series. It helps us understand why certain groups of people act the way they do.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Hunting Prince Dracula
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series/Standalone: Stalking Jack the Ripper Series (Book #2)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult
Pages: 435
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook
"In this New York Time bestselling sequel to Kerri Maniscalco's haunting #1 debut Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer... or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?
Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europes best schools for forensic medicine... and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.
But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries of the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again."
My Rating: 4.25/5
I've been eating up these audiobooks as I am waiting for the anticipated conclusion that will come out in September, but at this rate, I will be finished the rest of the books far before I get to read that one. I cannot recommend these audiobooks enough. I think that the narrator does a wonderful job of capturing the characters and who they truly are. I also think that her reading of the books helps add to the suspense of the story overall. I liked the writing, the only thing that I found to be a little over the top this time was the continual reminder that we are in a castle with potentially haunted woods. I understood the first time I was told but then it was repeated quite a few times. I can see that the author was really trying to drive home how dangerous it was but it got to be a little over the top. I can't wait to continue the series and see where the author takes us.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
