This was a fun and sometimes silly murder mystery. We have Sam Turner, real estate agent and awesome single mom with some old relationship issues. And then we have everyone else. She is the story teller so it is all about her. But she isn't an "its all about me" kind of character. She is actually all about others, sometimes to her detriment. In the end that is what saves her, her caring and compassion that everyone thinks makes her weak is what makes her successful.
I found this to be a quick and easy read (when I found time to actually read). Sam is relatable. I might not be a single mom but I could feel her struggle. She may have been dealt a bad hand but she raised a wonderful son and seems to genuinely care about others. Even though she should be cut throat to sell sell sell she just can't. She can't in good conscience do something that she knows is wrong, especially if it could harm someone.
It is a wonderful story about the insanity of selling a derelict home with many hidden secrets. Of course when prospective buyers start dying, things go a little sideways for poor Sam. She finds her self in absolutely insane situations, I mean who else gets locked in an office while trespassing and has to jump out of a window. We are led to believe something supernatural is happening but that isn't really the case. The evil in the world isn't of another dimension...it is 100% human. Human(s) who will murder, threaten, harm, solely for their own benefit. But Sam is smart, she does dumb things like run off Bernie, but she is smart. She starts to figure it out. Once that happens the book is really hard to put down.
I received this book for free from Random House and Chatterbox for free to read and give my honest review.
SPOILERS
I love that her kindness to the "bum" is what saves her. All of her business prospects fall apart and then like a knight in shining armor her least prospective person turns out to be the only option. He inherited money. He is an old friend of the deceased owner. He wants to buy this horribly decrepit property and make it his own. Had she not befriended him by being a wonderful person, he may not have gone to her the way he did. She was inspirational to so many. Including but not limited to Max her son and Merritt who was scared to to the right thing for fear of being unjustly punished. Her bug heart and goofy attitude makes this such a fun story.
The ending seemed a tad rushed BUT I am assuming Merritt now has the money or at least a reward to help her and Lily get on their feet. Curly gets his old friends property and will do right by it. Max gets to sort of have a relationship with his estranged father. And Sam gets Bernie, or Bernie gets Sam. As much as she tried to push him away because of her flighty sister she still got the guy, along with the sale, her own home, and a seemingly happy ending.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Monday, May 9, 2016
The Library at Mount Char - Scott Hawkins
Its been a few days since I've finished this book and I am still not sure how I feel. Don't get me wrong, I liked it quite a bit but it was one heck of a roller coaster ride of strange. We have a brood of weird adult kids whose father has gone missing. But these are no ordinary kids. They have "powers" but not how you may think. One is the "master" of languages, One is the "master" of animals, One is the "master" of battle, One is the "master" of death, One is the "master" of healing, etc. But they are not allowed to overlap, they can't study each others catalogues. The father they speak of isn't their actual father. He adopted them after some tragedy where their parents died.
The book jumps back and forth between the past and the present. It seems a little pointless at first but it really is the only thing that makes sense at the end. You can sort of figure out where things are headed but it keeps enough secrets to keep you interested. The thing is, this book made me insanely uncomfortable. not because of the religious undertones but because of the off the wall things that the "siblings" did and said. I get that they were secluded from the world until their father went missing but they are complete neanderthals...very little sense of humanity.
The whole book I was like is he God and they are angels? Then it said he was "a fallen soldier" or something like that so then I thought is he Lucifer and they are his minions? Clearly he is some sort of deity. And his friends/enemies are deities also. It was a very strange way of explaining the unexplainable things of the world.
The book was disturbing, at times disgusting, quite funny, and very very good. I would recommend it. It is different. I have noting to compare it to because I've not read anything like it. I almost want to read it again because I feel like I may have missed somethings because too many things were going on that I was trying to follow.
SPOILERS
While I wanted to like Carolyn because she was the most human of the bunch, she scared me. She appeared to want to do the right thing but most of her decisions were based on very selfish reasons. She hurt someone she really cared about because she thought she had to. She deceived her father and her family. She killed people. She was becoming a vengeful demigod. Her brother Michael was my favorite. He was innocent. He was perfectly happy in nature and not dealing with anyone. David absolutely terrified me. He was the epitome of animalistic thinking. He only cared about himself and his needs. Even if that meant taking it by force...trigger warning. The other "siblings" played a smaller part. WE hear about Jennifer who can heal and Margaret who walks with the dead but they aren't as prominent. Steve was a good person with a flawed sense of self. He tried to do right by everyone. Erwin was a hero. He was brash and a tad scary but he was a hero.
Then we meet Father. Yea I was just as shocked. He seemed like such a jerkface when described by Carolyn and I am sure he was but he had his reasons. He did unspeakable things but it was to keep the world in balance.
The book jumps back and forth between the past and the present. It seems a little pointless at first but it really is the only thing that makes sense at the end. You can sort of figure out where things are headed but it keeps enough secrets to keep you interested. The thing is, this book made me insanely uncomfortable. not because of the religious undertones but because of the off the wall things that the "siblings" did and said. I get that they were secluded from the world until their father went missing but they are complete neanderthals...very little sense of humanity.
The whole book I was like is he God and they are angels? Then it said he was "a fallen soldier" or something like that so then I thought is he Lucifer and they are his minions? Clearly he is some sort of deity. And his friends/enemies are deities also. It was a very strange way of explaining the unexplainable things of the world.
The book was disturbing, at times disgusting, quite funny, and very very good. I would recommend it. It is different. I have noting to compare it to because I've not read anything like it. I almost want to read it again because I feel like I may have missed somethings because too many things were going on that I was trying to follow.
SPOILERS
While I wanted to like Carolyn because she was the most human of the bunch, she scared me. She appeared to want to do the right thing but most of her decisions were based on very selfish reasons. She hurt someone she really cared about because she thought she had to. She deceived her father and her family. She killed people. She was becoming a vengeful demigod. Her brother Michael was my favorite. He was innocent. He was perfectly happy in nature and not dealing with anyone. David absolutely terrified me. He was the epitome of animalistic thinking. He only cared about himself and his needs. Even if that meant taking it by force...trigger warning. The other "siblings" played a smaller part. WE hear about Jennifer who can heal and Margaret who walks with the dead but they aren't as prominent. Steve was a good person with a flawed sense of self. He tried to do right by everyone. Erwin was a hero. He was brash and a tad scary but he was a hero.
Then we meet Father. Yea I was just as shocked. He seemed like such a jerkface when described by Carolyn and I am sure he was but he had his reasons. He did unspeakable things but it was to keep the world in balance.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books to read and give an honest review.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Oh, you meant THAT Doyle, this just got 100 times more interesting
Right so I need something to fill the void left by Lucifer having its season finale *le sigh*. So OF COURSE I just started watching the show that filled it's time slot. All I knew was that it was Houdini & Doyle and that they were something like a crime solving duo. I did not realize the plot. I didn't read up about it. I just saw Houdini and said "COOOOOOOL!"
So the the show starts with a Houdini illusion, sweet. Then jumps to a man entering a party. I was eating and not paying full attention but I heard "I love Sherlock, I can't wait to read more" or something of that nature and the man replies "Sherlock is dead! Remember the falls." And I'm all "wait, what show am I watching...?" Then it clicks. "Oh, THAT Doyle. As in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!?!"
So this new show I am watching is about the greatest illusionist of all time and the author of one of my favorite fictional characters teaming up to investigate unusual crimes that may or may not pertain to the supernatural?!!?! And the one who is unbelieving is the f**king Illusionist!!! Hold up a second, I may actually enjoy this. Houdini is a Grade A prick, Mr. Doyle is more likeable but also a bit of a pain in the butt, but Adelaide Stratton is WONDERFUL! She is a woman working as a police officer in a time when that is 100% unheard of. I love her already. She is smart and confident and looks like she could be a bit of a bad@$$ and is a bit pretty. I love it.
No one takes her seriously but she is determined to prove them all wrong. I was so incredibly angry at Houdini when he went off on her, called her stupid, and said she should "find a nice man who would buy her nice things" or something of that nature. I wanted to punch him and I think she did too but instead she fires back at him and earned some respect! Ha, take that @$$hole.
Doyle believes in the Supernatural. He is an intelligent man but he still believes. He trusts mediums, he believes in ghosts, he doesn't look for the logical explanation. Houdini believes in fact. He debunks everything. There is a logical explanation to all the weirdness in the world. Hmmmm, interesting. But there is something about him. He almost exists on another plane. Weird things happen around him and while he can explain most away, the piano playing at the end almost proves that something not of this dimension is at work.
I think I like this crime fighting duo. Its like Sherlock and Watson but with magic and ghosts (Doyle is Watson and Houdini is Sherlock). I can't wait to see where the writers bring us as we delve into the antics of Houdini & Doyle.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
So many emotions, so many shows, I need a drink - Lucifer
So we got the Season Premier of GoT, whoohoo...but then we got the Season finale of Lucifer, booooo. (see previous post for GoT)
Last night was the Season Finale of Lucifer *tears*. I wasn't ready for it to go away. At least we know there will be a Season 2 *eeeeeeeeeeeeee*. This is by far my new favorite show. Its funny, its emotional, its a little scary/disturbing, and it has some of the best writing. Lucifer is the devil but in the show he is the fallen angel. The "child" that was abandoned by his father. He isn't evil, he just maintains the realm where evil souls go. Like I've said before, he can't make you do anything but he can get you to realize/say your darkest desires. Is he selfish, of course but he has depth. He cares for a human and her family. He has a best friend...she's a demon but a friend none the less. He has siblings, other angels (duh). And his angelic brother is not exactly the best shining example of heaven. He does bad things in the name of good. It's a bit bizarre-o-esq.
So Luci is taking the fall for a murder he didn't commit. Bad cop brought back from the dead realizes he f**ked with the wrong fallen angel and is desperate and on the run. Chloe is conflicted. She doesn't want to believe Lucifer did it but there is a dead guy in his bar whom he had a public fight with earlier. Detective Douche (also known as Dan) is actually being a decent guy now. Amenadiel decides to help his brother redeem himself and Mazikeen is just a bad@$$ b**ch (love her!).
It broke my heart a little at how hurt Lucifer was that Chloe didn't believe him. Of all people he thought she would have his back. I love that Luci and his bro are working together. When they are meeting with the shrink lady I couldn't stop LAUGHING. They are so funny. I mean they were all bickering siblings trying to get the other to admit he is wrong. When they went all kick@$$ angels on the gang I was so happy! Thankfully Chloe (and Dan) realize Luci is probably innocent and start working to clear his name. I thoroughly enjoyed Chloe and Mazikeen working together. I know they have a hate/hate relationship but they make a good team (and are also very amusing).
When Dan turned himself in to clear Lucifer's name I almost cried. Okay not really but it was very touching. Even the devil himself was taken aback. Bad cop took Trixie. You don't not hurt our precious angel Trixie! She is adorable and she is friends with Lucifer. Bad move Malcolm. I was 100% not expecting Luci to get shot. It looked like he had a good "hold" on Malcolm and then *pow* what just happened?!!? Chloe was in the room so he is mortal and DYING and what?!?! No, I know there is a Season 2. He can't be funny sexy devil if he's back in Hell!
But then...then he starts talking to God. He is praying, sort of. He is saying he will be a good boy and go back to hell if he'll do just one thing. Keep Chloe safe. What?!?!?! My heart just stopped! He really, truly cares for her on some level and I just can't form a coherent thought, excuse me. So he dies and we are freaking out a bit. He's in hell and there is a door open. Someone has escaped..but who is it?!?!? He looks scared?!?! Who could scare the freaking devil?!?!
The almighty brings him back *yay* and he stops bad cop from hurting Chloe & Trixie *double yay*. Chloe kills Malcolm before he can shoot Luci again and we watch as he dies knowing he is going STRAIGHT to hell *muahahahaha*. There is a tiny happy reunion (no hugs). She is happy he's not DEAD and he's happy and confused. Probably because he realizes what he asked for. He didn't ask to be saved himself, he asked for her to be saved, very out of character for him. Flash over to him and Amenadiel talking. He tells him someone escaped from hell. Amenadiel is like, no biggie, one damned soul shouldn't be hard to re-capture. But then he notices Lucifer is...is that fear??? He's scared...what could scare him. Who escaped?!?!? Luci said "Its Mum". And cue the credits.
What!?!?!? Mum...MUM! Who is the mother of angels?!!?!? Why is she in hell??? Why is Luci scared??? Why is Amenadiel scared?!?!? I need to go research. Is it Lilith? But I thought she was the 1st wife of Adam and the mother of evil creature...like Vampires, etc. Is it Amara (I am pulling $hit from Supernatural) but isn't she God's sister or something?!?! I need Season 2...
Last night was the Season Finale of Lucifer *tears*. I wasn't ready for it to go away. At least we know there will be a Season 2 *eeeeeeeeeeeeee*. This is by far my new favorite show. Its funny, its emotional, its a little scary/disturbing, and it has some of the best writing. Lucifer is the devil but in the show he is the fallen angel. The "child" that was abandoned by his father. He isn't evil, he just maintains the realm where evil souls go. Like I've said before, he can't make you do anything but he can get you to realize/say your darkest desires. Is he selfish, of course but he has depth. He cares for a human and her family. He has a best friend...she's a demon but a friend none the less. He has siblings, other angels (duh). And his angelic brother is not exactly the best shining example of heaven. He does bad things in the name of good. It's a bit bizarre-o-esq.
So Luci is taking the fall for a murder he didn't commit. Bad cop brought back from the dead realizes he f**ked with the wrong fallen angel and is desperate and on the run. Chloe is conflicted. She doesn't want to believe Lucifer did it but there is a dead guy in his bar whom he had a public fight with earlier. Detective Douche (also known as Dan) is actually being a decent guy now. Amenadiel decides to help his brother redeem himself and Mazikeen is just a bad@$$ b**ch (love her!).
It broke my heart a little at how hurt Lucifer was that Chloe didn't believe him. Of all people he thought she would have his back. I love that Luci and his bro are working together. When they are meeting with the shrink lady I couldn't stop LAUGHING. They are so funny. I mean they were all bickering siblings trying to get the other to admit he is wrong. When they went all kick@$$ angels on the gang I was so happy! Thankfully Chloe (and Dan) realize Luci is probably innocent and start working to clear his name. I thoroughly enjoyed Chloe and Mazikeen working together. I know they have a hate/hate relationship but they make a good team (and are also very amusing).
When Dan turned himself in to clear Lucifer's name I almost cried. Okay not really but it was very touching. Even the devil himself was taken aback. Bad cop took Trixie. You don't not hurt our precious angel Trixie! She is adorable and she is friends with Lucifer. Bad move Malcolm. I was 100% not expecting Luci to get shot. It looked like he had a good "hold" on Malcolm and then *pow* what just happened?!!? Chloe was in the room so he is mortal and DYING and what?!?! No, I know there is a Season 2. He can't be funny sexy devil if he's back in Hell!
But then...then he starts talking to God. He is praying, sort of. He is saying he will be a good boy and go back to hell if he'll do just one thing. Keep Chloe safe. What?!?!?! My heart just stopped! He really, truly cares for her on some level and I just can't form a coherent thought, excuse me. So he dies and we are freaking out a bit. He's in hell and there is a door open. Someone has escaped..but who is it?!?!? He looks scared?!?! Who could scare the freaking devil?!?!
The almighty brings him back *yay* and he stops bad cop from hurting Chloe & Trixie *double yay*. Chloe kills Malcolm before he can shoot Luci again and we watch as he dies knowing he is going STRAIGHT to hell *muahahahaha*. There is a tiny happy reunion (no hugs). She is happy he's not DEAD and he's happy and confused. Probably because he realizes what he asked for. He didn't ask to be saved himself, he asked for her to be saved, very out of character for him. Flash over to him and Amenadiel talking. He tells him someone escaped from hell. Amenadiel is like, no biggie, one damned soul shouldn't be hard to re-capture. But then he notices Lucifer is...is that fear??? He's scared...what could scare him. Who escaped?!?!? Luci said "Its Mum". And cue the credits.
What!?!?!? Mum...MUM! Who is the mother of angels?!!?!? Why is she in hell??? Why is Luci scared??? Why is Amenadiel scared?!?!? I need to go research. Is it Lilith? But I thought she was the 1st wife of Adam and the mother of evil creature...like Vampires, etc. Is it Amara (I am pulling $hit from Supernatural) but isn't she God's sister or something?!?! I need Season 2...
So many emotions, so many shows, I need a drink - Game of Thrones
So we got the Season Premier of GoT, whoohoo...but then we got the Season Finale of Lucifer, booooo. (see next post for Lucifer)
Game of Thrones first, it went by WAY too fast. Before I knew it the hour was up and it was ending. We find out a little of what happened since we left our fav characters at the end of Season 5. But only a taste. Just a little taste of each story line...still no Bran. Where the f**k is Bran? We shall find out soon, I think. At least based on the previews they showed for the Season.
Jon is still dead. No...just no! He isn't dead. Melisandre can bring him back...right?!?! She said she saw him fighting at Winterfell, HE'S NOT DEAD. I'm not in denial...shut up. I really wanted Ghost to go all vengeful Dire wolf on the men that turned on Jon. I still think he'll go at least partial vengeful dire wolf at some point. Rip their guts out Ghost!
Sansa and Theon are still running for their lives. They are saved by Brienne & Podrick. They swear their loyalty to one another. Sansa has come so far since the series (books) began. She was such a one dimensional character who has now become so important, so layered, definitely one of my favs.
Arya is still blind but I think we are seeing that she is being taught to use her other senses to survive. At least that is the vibe I got. They crazy snake women killed everyone I liked in Dorne. I actually felt sorry for Cersi. Her heartbreaking revelation about how she would bear children but none would live was quite sobering. Tyrion while he wasn't on screen long, reminded me why he is another fav. He is just a great character. He can be a "bad" person but under all that he is someone I would want to be friends with (weird). Daenerys is captured by the Dothraki. She wins over that Khal by being her bad@$$ self and by being the widow of Khal Drogo. She has their immediate respect but they will not be bringing her back to Meereen. Yikes! Something tells me her Dragon will be changing that somehow.
Then they dropped the bomb of all bombs on us. We know Melisandre is different. She is a powerful...witch...sorceress...priestess. She clearly uses magic. She seems older than she looks but she is visibly young and beautiful. So we are being the creepers watching her get ready for bed. She drops her clothes (it wouldn't be GoT without boobs) and then takes off her necklace. All we see is this weird distorted reflection. Pan back to Melisandre and she looks like a taller Gollum with saggy tatas and OMG I did not need to see this before going to bed. She is old...VERY old...and very scraggly. Hmmmm what are they telling us now?!?! So she has strong magic...she can bring back Jon Snow! Right...right?!?!?! I may have a one track mind at the moment.
I'm so glad GoT is back!
Game of Thrones first, it went by WAY too fast. Before I knew it the hour was up and it was ending. We find out a little of what happened since we left our fav characters at the end of Season 5. But only a taste. Just a little taste of each story line...still no Bran. Where the f**k is Bran? We shall find out soon, I think. At least based on the previews they showed for the Season.
Jon is still dead. No...just no! He isn't dead. Melisandre can bring him back...right?!?! She said she saw him fighting at Winterfell, HE'S NOT DEAD. I'm not in denial...shut up. I really wanted Ghost to go all vengeful Dire wolf on the men that turned on Jon. I still think he'll go at least partial vengeful dire wolf at some point. Rip their guts out Ghost!
Sansa and Theon are still running for their lives. They are saved by Brienne & Podrick. They swear their loyalty to one another. Sansa has come so far since the series (books) began. She was such a one dimensional character who has now become so important, so layered, definitely one of my favs.
Arya is still blind but I think we are seeing that she is being taught to use her other senses to survive. At least that is the vibe I got. They crazy snake women killed everyone I liked in Dorne. I actually felt sorry for Cersi. Her heartbreaking revelation about how she would bear children but none would live was quite sobering. Tyrion while he wasn't on screen long, reminded me why he is another fav. He is just a great character. He can be a "bad" person but under all that he is someone I would want to be friends with (weird). Daenerys is captured by the Dothraki. She wins over that Khal by being her bad@$$ self and by being the widow of Khal Drogo. She has their immediate respect but they will not be bringing her back to Meereen. Yikes! Something tells me her Dragon will be changing that somehow.
Then they dropped the bomb of all bombs on us. We know Melisandre is different. She is a powerful...witch...sorceress...priestess. She clearly uses magic. She seems older than she looks but she is visibly young and beautiful. So we are being the creepers watching her get ready for bed. She drops her clothes (it wouldn't be GoT without boobs) and then takes off her necklace. All we see is this weird distorted reflection. Pan back to Melisandre and she looks like a taller Gollum with saggy tatas and OMG I did not need to see this before going to bed. She is old...VERY old...and very scraggly. Hmmmm what are they telling us now?!?! So she has strong magic...she can bring back Jon Snow! Right...right?!?!?! I may have a one track mind at the moment.
I'm so glad GoT is back!
Friday, April 15, 2016
Mug Shot by Caroline Fardig
Who doesn't love a great murder mystery story? This was a fabulous who done it. I didn't read the first book (I didn't know there was one) but this book was okay as a stand alone. They rehashed enough of what happened in Book 1 to keep me up to speed.
The characters are well developed and the mystery is kept secret VERY well. I can honestly say I didn't see it coming. Juliet made me angry regularly. She is a wonderful person but she makes impulsive decisions and that makes me stabby. Pete seems like a sweetie but their co-dependent thing they have made me crazy. I hated Stan at first but he grew on me. He isn't a great boyfriend but he is a decent person. I adored Savannah. Her southern sayings made me giggle and she was just so likeable. Ryder...oh my. He is a little hot headed but in an almost attractive way. He's a cop so I guess some of the attitude is expected but he CLEARLY cares deeply for Juliet and I just loved him.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Not in a million years did I think "lets kill the main secondary character's girlfriend and blame it on him". I disliked Cecelia from the start but when she died I was shocked. I wasn't shocked Pete took the fall but it really sucked for Juliet. Her obsession with helping Pete while admirable was so annoying. She has a pretty decent thing with Stan, Ryder still wants her, yet she will sacrifice it all for Pete. I know they are friends but their relationship is weird.
I will say this book kept me guessing. I was on the same path as Juliet. I thought it was Stan. I thought it was Kent. I thought it was Bastidas. I even thought it was Abigail. I never thought it was Pete. I agree with Juliet, that isn't his style. But I didn't even consider Savannah. I was floored. I was so involved in this story. I was just like Juliet. When Savannah said the detail about Cecelia's murder, I said "NO WAY" out loud. But she helped her so much trying to clear Pete's name!!! I guess even friendship can't stand the weight of MURDER. Then when she tried to kill Jules. What a B! She was nothing but nice to her and now she is trying to kill her! Clearly this chick has major issues.
I hate that Jules lost her best girlfriend but at least she got her Pete back. That and she is back with Ryder *squee*. That makes me happy. I like them together and I will totally read more of this series.
I got this book for free from ChatterBox from Random House to read and give my honest review. I think it is a great read for anyone who likes a good Mystery.
The characters are well developed and the mystery is kept secret VERY well. I can honestly say I didn't see it coming. Juliet made me angry regularly. She is a wonderful person but she makes impulsive decisions and that makes me stabby. Pete seems like a sweetie but their co-dependent thing they have made me crazy. I hated Stan at first but he grew on me. He isn't a great boyfriend but he is a decent person. I adored Savannah. Her southern sayings made me giggle and she was just so likeable. Ryder...oh my. He is a little hot headed but in an almost attractive way. He's a cop so I guess some of the attitude is expected but he CLEARLY cares deeply for Juliet and I just loved him.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Not in a million years did I think "lets kill the main secondary character's girlfriend and blame it on him". I disliked Cecelia from the start but when she died I was shocked. I wasn't shocked Pete took the fall but it really sucked for Juliet. Her obsession with helping Pete while admirable was so annoying. She has a pretty decent thing with Stan, Ryder still wants her, yet she will sacrifice it all for Pete. I know they are friends but their relationship is weird.
I will say this book kept me guessing. I was on the same path as Juliet. I thought it was Stan. I thought it was Kent. I thought it was Bastidas. I even thought it was Abigail. I never thought it was Pete. I agree with Juliet, that isn't his style. But I didn't even consider Savannah. I was floored. I was so involved in this story. I was just like Juliet. When Savannah said the detail about Cecelia's murder, I said "NO WAY" out loud. But she helped her so much trying to clear Pete's name!!! I guess even friendship can't stand the weight of MURDER. Then when she tried to kill Jules. What a B! She was nothing but nice to her and now she is trying to kill her! Clearly this chick has major issues.
I hate that Jules lost her best girlfriend but at least she got her Pete back. That and she is back with Ryder *squee*. That makes me happy. I like them together and I will totally read more of this series.
I got this book for free from ChatterBox from Random House to read and give my honest review. I think it is a great read for anyone who likes a good Mystery.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
City of Blades - Robert Jackson Bennett
This is one of the very few times I enjoyed the sequel more than the original. Don't get me wrong I liked City of Stairs. I was fascinated by this fantastic reality. But I loved City of Blades. I became way more invested in the story and characters. I adored Shara in book one but I became emotionally attached to Turyin, Signe, & Sigrud. Books don't make me cry, they make me sad but they very rarely cause actual tears. This book caused giggles, embarrassment, and actual tears.
There were points were it was a tad slow or overly detailed but they few and far between. For the most part the book captivating. Each page was new mystery to be uncovered or surprise we didn't see coming. There was action, there was adventure, there was love and love lost, there was regret, and there was redemption. Most of which happened all together in the last 100 pages. I would definitely read this book again and recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy type books. You don't really need the background of book one. It helps but this book can stand alone.
SPOILERS
We are still in an alternate type universe where the Divine once lived and were defeated by the people. In book one we learn not all the divine perished and some were still just waiting to come back wreak havoc on the world. In book two we learn that even if the divinity is "dead" some of their powers still preside. Unfortunately for Turyin Mulaghesh the divinity in question in this story happens to be the woman of war...of death...of destruction.
Turyin annoyed me in book one. She redeemed herself at the end but she was hard to like. She is hard to like in this one too but we find out why she is who she is. She has some crazy baggage that she is just trying to live with. By the end she was my champion. I wanted more stories with her. She is smart, she is harsh, she is resourceful. She is easy to relate to. She is hardened soldier who just wants to do the right thing and save people. She doesn't want to kill anyone but she will do what she needs to, to save everyone. Poor Pandey just didn't know. He was told wrong and she was defending herself. I CRIED my eyes out while she was crying over his death.
Signe is a royal B when we meet her. She has a reputation to keep up. She is smart and she is blunt but you like it. There are times when you hate her and think she is a bad guy but she is most definitely is not. She becomes Turyin's friend, confidant. When she died I was so angry. She should not have died. But her vision will live on and her memory in history. Her beloved Pandey will be with her in death. They may think the afterlife is gone but I am choosing to believe they are somewhere together.
Biswal, Turyin's former commander, scares me. He is all about him. He is all about fame. He doesn't value life. He doesn't value friendship. He opted to ALLOW the sentinels to come back from the City of Blades (afterlife) to bring war upon the lands rather than help Turyin stop them. He wanted the fame of defeating a divinity's army...not thinking about the lives that would be lost. He is responsible for countless deaths and deserved everything he got in the end. Truthfully he did not suffer enough.
Sigrud, Signe's dad and Turyin's old comrade, is terrifying as well. But he is a redeemed assassine. He killed for "king and country" so to say. He was a spy and he did what was needed of him, even at the expense of losing touch with his family and his humanity. I loved that he wanted to make it right with Signe. That he wanted to help Turyin. His anguish at losing his daughter after they finally started to reconnect ripped out my heart.
Voortya, the divinity of war, has an army hidden in the afterlife ready to come through. But she is dead. We know she is dead. But somehow her army survives. The power of the dead was strong enough to sustain the miracle. Rada is the bad guy...who knew! She is bringing the army of the dead back because she is dead inside. Biswal murdered her in cold blood and blamed Turyin. This forced Turyin to become Voortya. She became the bringer of death to save everyone. And she managed to find some sort of forgiveness for herself.
I am hoping we have another book but I am wondering who it will star. Will it be Shara...will it be Turyin....will it be Shara's child. Honestly I wouldn't care who it "starred" as long as I was able to be dipped back into this world once again.
There were points were it was a tad slow or overly detailed but they few and far between. For the most part the book captivating. Each page was new mystery to be uncovered or surprise we didn't see coming. There was action, there was adventure, there was love and love lost, there was regret, and there was redemption. Most of which happened all together in the last 100 pages. I would definitely read this book again and recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy type books. You don't really need the background of book one. It helps but this book can stand alone.
SPOILERS
We are still in an alternate type universe where the Divine once lived and were defeated by the people. In book one we learn not all the divine perished and some were still just waiting to come back wreak havoc on the world. In book two we learn that even if the divinity is "dead" some of their powers still preside. Unfortunately for Turyin Mulaghesh the divinity in question in this story happens to be the woman of war...of death...of destruction.
Turyin annoyed me in book one. She redeemed herself at the end but she was hard to like. She is hard to like in this one too but we find out why she is who she is. She has some crazy baggage that she is just trying to live with. By the end she was my champion. I wanted more stories with her. She is smart, she is harsh, she is resourceful. She is easy to relate to. She is hardened soldier who just wants to do the right thing and save people. She doesn't want to kill anyone but she will do what she needs to, to save everyone. Poor Pandey just didn't know. He was told wrong and she was defending herself. I CRIED my eyes out while she was crying over his death.
Signe is a royal B when we meet her. She has a reputation to keep up. She is smart and she is blunt but you like it. There are times when you hate her and think she is a bad guy but she is most definitely is not. She becomes Turyin's friend, confidant. When she died I was so angry. She should not have died. But her vision will live on and her memory in history. Her beloved Pandey will be with her in death. They may think the afterlife is gone but I am choosing to believe they are somewhere together.
Biswal, Turyin's former commander, scares me. He is all about him. He is all about fame. He doesn't value life. He doesn't value friendship. He opted to ALLOW the sentinels to come back from the City of Blades (afterlife) to bring war upon the lands rather than help Turyin stop them. He wanted the fame of defeating a divinity's army...not thinking about the lives that would be lost. He is responsible for countless deaths and deserved everything he got in the end. Truthfully he did not suffer enough.
Sigrud, Signe's dad and Turyin's old comrade, is terrifying as well. But he is a redeemed assassine. He killed for "king and country" so to say. He was a spy and he did what was needed of him, even at the expense of losing touch with his family and his humanity. I loved that he wanted to make it right with Signe. That he wanted to help Turyin. His anguish at losing his daughter after they finally started to reconnect ripped out my heart.
Voortya, the divinity of war, has an army hidden in the afterlife ready to come through. But she is dead. We know she is dead. But somehow her army survives. The power of the dead was strong enough to sustain the miracle. Rada is the bad guy...who knew! She is bringing the army of the dead back because she is dead inside. Biswal murdered her in cold blood and blamed Turyin. This forced Turyin to become Voortya. She became the bringer of death to save everyone. And she managed to find some sort of forgiveness for herself.
I am hoping we have another book but I am wondering who it will star. Will it be Shara...will it be Turyin....will it be Shara's child. Honestly I wouldn't care who it "starred" as long as I was able to be dipped back into this world once again.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for an honest review.
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