Review: The Alchemists of Loom

The Alchemists of Loom (Loom Saga, book 1) by Elise Kova

Genre: Steampunk
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: The Alchemists of Loom (1)

Her vengeance. His vision.

Ari lost everything she once loved when the Five Guilds’ resistance fell to the Dragon King. Now, she uses her unparalleled gift for clockwork machinery in tandem with notoriously unscrupulous morals to contribute to a thriving underground organ market. There isn’t a place on Loom that is secure from the engineer turned thief, and her magical talents are sold to the highest bidder as long as the job defies their Dragon oppressors.

Cvareh would do anything to see his sister usurp the Dragon King and sit on the throne. His family’s house has endured the shame of being the lowest rung in the Dragons’ society for far too long. The Alchemist Guild, down on Loom, may just hold the key to putting his kin in power, if Cvareh can get to them before the Dragon King’s assassins.

When Ari stumbles upon a wounded Cvareh, she sees an opportunity to slaughter an enemy and make a profit off his corpse. But the Dragon sees an opportunity to navigate Loom with the best person to get him where he wants to go.

He offers her the one thing Ari can’t refuse: A wish of her greatest desire, if she brings him to the Alchemists of Loom.

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Review:

After the Air Awakens series I honestly thought I would never pick up another Lisa Kova book again. (No really check out my review of Fire Falling.) Thankfully Alchemists of Loom wasn't just a pretty cover with a fun idea. It turned into an awesome story with amazing characters! Yeah!

The POV changes between leads Arianna, Cvareh, Florence, and some other cast members. Most importantly Leona who was a pretty awesome Mistress of Evil. He-he. I love a good Mistress of Evil. Because if or when they get what they deserve you kind of feel bad that you don't want them to go, but then you're just as blood thirsty for them to day. Talk about mixed up feelings! Good evil villains are like that.

I will admit that the characters took a bit to grow on me. Arianna felt more like non-stop grumpiness than a character to care about. However, once the characters do develop it's a true treat. Not to mention that the clear love connections about to happen aren't rushed and are given due course to start to build. After all this is a series, no point in rushing the emotions. (Though I do have second book phobia with Kova. Please don't burn me woman!)

I also truly loved the world and the plot. It's so unique and complex. It also really brings something fresh to steampunk. I won't lie, I haven't read that much steampunk so take it with a grain of salt. It is all unique though and I like the idea of twisting the names of things we are familiar with and making them new. Dragons, Chimera, and Alchemists. Okay, so alchemists are kind of what we think they should be.

The wit and ingenuity of the characters was a treat. Not to mention when they interacted with one another. Good and evil isn't so cut and dry here. Some of the good guys are even essentially at times villains. I like that the world is so brutal and rough. If you do notice how long it took me to read this book it's nothing against it, I really wanted to read it! (Health issues prevented me from doing so.) I did pick up a number of grammar errors, but all minor and really this book is very professional. The only warnings I'd truly flag it for is having a cliffhanger, not too bad of one. Also, there is a guide at the back for pronouncing names and such. It's there! Yeah! Wish I'd had found it, but I was Ereading it. I'm so happy how soon the next book is coming out!!!

Content Warning: Some homosexual themes, nothing explicit. Some “racial” slurs and such between the species of the world. Graphic violence and foul language. Basically a good time. ^_-

  
4/5 - A true obsession! (Yes, I did just rate a Kova book that high!)

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
The Alchemists of Loom (1) The Dragons of Nova (2) The Rebels of Gold (3)	The Alchemists of Loom (1) The Dragons of Nova (2) The Rebels of Gold (3)	The Alchemists of Loom (1) The Dragons of Nova (2) The Rebels of Gold (3)

Review: Bright Smoke, Cold Fire

**Review copy provided through Edelweiss for an honest review.**

Bright Smoke, Cold Fire (Untitled, book 1) by Rosamund Hodge

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
(Retelling Romeo and Juliet)
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Bright smoke, cold Fire (1)

When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the walled city of Viyara was left untouched.

The heirs of the city’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life itself. But the magic laid on Juliet at birth compels her to punish the enemies of her clan—and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die.

Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his own clan.

Mahyanai Runajo just wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl. Runajo quickly discovers Juliet might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara.

Both pairs will find friendship where they least expect it. Both will find that Viyara holds more secrets and dangers than anyone ever expected. And outside the walls, death is waiting. . . .

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Review:

"Romeo and Juliet meets Sabriel"

Those were the words that first appeared in the synopsis space, and I was sold. Despite the fact that I am not a Romeo and Juliet fan. I will always pick any other Shakespeare work over that one. However, I respect it immensely. Not to mention that I have serious author love/obsession for Hodge. So I knew she'd just blow my mind. However, this is not anywhere close to Sabriel. Though I do see where some very minor similarities may be compared. I acknowledge it. Such as the idea of walking into death. However, Romeo+Juiet+Zombies+Necromancers would be more apt.

Now let me address one of my main dislikes with the whole Romeo and Juliet love story: it's one of the original instalove crap fests. Piled with a huge amount of angst on top. No matter the pretty words, I never bought their love. Sorry. Instalove ain't real. Looks and lust was what always convinced me was their motivations. They killed themselves out of stupidity. So my biggest fear going into this was at what point in Juliet and Romeo's love story would it start at? Hmmmm? Well it's at the end and they're about to die.

Pretty darn thrilling if you ask me.

Hodge does a wonderful job at inserting flashbacks to twist the original story into a much better romance. I dug it. Sure, it is instalove. Yet even Romeo admitted that it wasn't immediate and that it did take action not looks to sway his heart. So points there. They also had TIME to fall in love and interact with each other.

Hodge's writing is so beautiful and I loved her turn of phrase. Especially when she would take the iconic lines or moments of the original story. Even poking fun at Romeo. He is a bit of a silly boy, but I like that Hodge made him seem more realistic as she developed her version of Romeo.

Juliet is pretty bad ass. I won't lie. Though she's very distant and it's surprising that she would fall for foolish Romeo. At first. Again well done to Hodge. I could see why she fell for him. Though there is a coldness to Juliet's character that kept me at arms length. In fact, that happened to more than one character. The other female lead Runajo. Both girls are immensely fascinating. They're eventual friendship was cool. (Some WOMANCE going on!) However, these ladies are missing some humanity. Interesting and complex doesn't even cover their pasts and lives. Though at many times I could very easily see them as serial killers. Someone even kind of calls Runajo out on it. Runajo has issues getting in touch with her human emotions. (You know, she's puts them in a box. Puts that box in another box . . . )

So yeah, it's complicated.

The odd thing is that I had more fun when Paris was telling the story. Especially as he and Romeo develop their bromance. That was cool. My other favorite is Vai. Totally awesome he was! Even more bromance. *wink* I found the whole story of Paris discovering the truth about his clan, the Catresou clan, and his loss of innocence excellently explored. (Holy cow where he ended up in the cliffhanger!!!!!!!!)

I enjoy that it is a battle of powers. The Catresou are Juliet's people. The Mahyanai Romeo's. However, there are other powers such as the Sisters of Thorn to add to the mix. The mysterious necromancer. The family's and power houses of the city of Viyara are duking it out! Sadly I felt like that was secondary until things really started to get exciting towards the end.

My issue with Bright Smoke, Cold Fire is that it might be a tad standoffish. Not to mention that evil cliffhanger. Good lord, I'm getting tired of what constitutes as a cliffhanger anymore. It basically just ends after everything was really getting good. I hated it. I'm a little ticked. Other than that I was totally addicted. Hodge created another fabulous world with all kinds of awesome magic. I felt like there could have been more revealed about the magic and such. Especially the necromancers. It also saddened me how freaking stupid Runajo ended up being at the end, since she was totally awesome before that. Still I was addicted. Just promise me the next book will be out next year. Though I'm really nervous how the next book will stand. Paris was the star of this book for me.

Content Warning: Sexual humor, yes. Some slut shaming due to the beliefs of certain people. There is a sex scene, but it is not explicit or really delved into.

Dead things, murder, mass murder, actual human sacrifices, and so on. This is a darker read. Also deals with racism, class systems, and some sexism.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Bright Smoke, Cold Fire (1) Untitled (2)	Bright Smoke, Cold Fire (1) Untiled (2)	Bright Smoke, Cold Fire (1) Untitled (2)

Review: Moon Chosen

**Review copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.**

Moon Chosen  (Tales of a New World, book 1) by P.C. Cast

Genre: High Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Moon Chosen (1)

#1 New York Times bestselling author, P.C. Cast, brings us a new epic fantasy set in a world where humans, their animal allies, and the earth itself has been drastically changed. A world filled with beauty and danger and cruelty…

Mari is an Earth Walker, heir to the unique healing powers of her Clan; but she has cast her duties aside, until she is chosen by a special animal ally, altering her destiny forever. When a deadly attack tears her world apart, Mari reveals the strength of her powers and the forbidden secret of her dual nature as she embarks on a mission to save her people. It is not until Nik, the son of the leader from a rival, dominating clan strays across her path, that Mari experiences something she has never felt before…

Now, darkness is coming, and with it, a force, more terrible and destructive than the world has ever seen, leaving Mari to cast the shadows from the earth. By forming a tumultuous alliance with Nik, she must make herself ready. Ready to save her people. Ready to save herself and Nik. Ready to embrace her true destiny…and obliterate the forces that threaten to destroy them all

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Review:

Moon Chosen quickly turned into an obsession for me. One of those reads that you can't put down and will try to read everywhere. No really. At one point I begged a charger off of some poor stranger so that I could just KEEP READING! When someone was talking to me in line while checking out I held up my Kindle and said, “Middle. Book. Reading.” (Not one of my finest moments.)

I will be the first to admit you have to really pay attention to the start of the book. There's three main leads and each represent a group of people. Earth Walker's, People, and Companions are the tribes here. What might be confusing is that three main leads for each group are part of the changing point of view, and some other characters. At the beginning you really have to take note of the names as the other tribes have different names for each other. Not to mention completely different ideas of what they're like. Pile that on top of learning this rich world it might be overwhelming.

I love how brave this book is! Touching on slavery, all kinds of murder/cruelty, asking questions about societies accepted ideas, and cannibalism. Moon Chase smoothly takes on many hot topic issues and deftly drops it into this rich world without feeling heavy handed. Or preachy. The ideas and actions of the characters will leave you thinking every time you have to put the book down.

Cast's writing has always been addicting. A lot of people asked me if this was like the writing in The House of Night series. No, this is like Cast's other books. The writing is stunning and the attention to detail is fabulous! Some of the characters I thought echoed a few from The House of Night, mainly the mean girl who eventually becomes a friend. Other than the lore of herbs and the magic of the Moon Mother's I thought it was pretty original from that series. Oh, and there is animal bonding. Companions bond with dogs, and apparently there's a branch of clan that bonds with cats. (Okay, so there are quite a few similarities. It still feels refreshing though!)

Thank you! Thank you Cast for creating Mari! What a wonderful lead. She's strong and opinionated. Watching her grow as a person was a pleasure. Even if I didn't always agree with her actions and ideas I understood her. Romance was not a driving force behind her actions. Yes, there is a romance. It is not the focus though and it actually REALISTICALLY builds up in the story. So that I bought the emotions. Another big thank you.

The other three main leads are just as well realized. Nik is a sweet and idealistic guy. It was wonderful watching him seek the truth. Following him as he started to question how righteous the Companions were is a reminder that one should always question the status quo. Many times he was the damsel and Mari got to save him. So there is that. Then there is Dead Eye, the lead representing the People. The People are known by the other tribes as Skin Stealers. Yeah, they're the cannibals. To be quite honest they're the bad guys. However, I was totally addicted to their story and what horrible plot Dead Eye was scheming up. So chilling.

Cast's attention to the world and the seamless way the POVs all connected took my breath away. Every page turn was accompanied by my frantic breathing as I tried to keep up my pace of consumption. The pictures where I nice touch too. I loved the plant stuff that accompanied the lore and the other drawings as well. The history of the world and the tribes was awesome. While at times Moon Chosen seemed to follow a set of steps for a High Fantasy books it didn't take away from the original ideas here. Quite a few times I found myself surprised!

This is an earth after the apocalypse, but it's pretty much High Fantasy. Not dystopian. Yeah, you could pop it into apocalyptic if you really wanted. The world is so rich I am not gonna even attempt to tarnish it by summarizing it.

Overall I am completely devoted to the series! It's cruel that the next one doesn't even have an expected publication date yet! I NEED MORE. Finally another fabulous lead to add to the latest releases of Young Adult High Fantasy. Not to mention that FINALLY the book isn't revolving around romance or the female lead's need to have a man(s). Thank you. The attention to the world building was exactly what I needed to wash away the disappointment of this years reads from my mind! So what I'm saying is: This is brilliant!

Content Warning: Some of the characters get raped or almost raped, it's not gone into detail. Characters have sex, again not gone into detail. Plenty of sexual humor. Also, homosexual relationships. Of course sexual humor.

I should also toss out that there is cannibalism, and the skinning alive of not only humans but animals. It's not super detailed, but it's there.

 
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Moon Chosen (1)	Moon Chosen (1)	Moon Chosen (1)

Review: Lioness Rampant

Lioness Rampant (Song of the Lioness, book 4) by Tamora Pierce

Genre: Young Adult High Fantasy  
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Lioness Rampant (1)

"I'm not sure I want to be a hero anymore."
Having achieved her dream of becoming the first female knight errant, Alanna of Trebond is not sure what to do next. Perhaps being a knight errant is not all that Alanna needs....But Alanna must push her uncertainty aside when a new challenge arises. She must recover the Dominion Jewel, a legendary gem with enormous power for good -- but only in the right hands. And she must work quickly. Tortall is in great danger, and Alanna's archenemy, Duke Roger, is back -- and more powerful than ever. In this final book of the Song of the Lioness quartet, Alanna discovers that she indeed has a future worthy of her mythic past -- both as a warrior and as a woman.

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Review:

A very strong ending! That being said I need to get some annoying things out of the way.

I bemoan how the predictable plot was super foreshadowed. It didn't go well with knowing that everything will magically, literally, be handed to Alanna. Oh, she works hard for it! But it's just too much to foreshadow that much. Thom. Dear Thom. I feel like he was so under utilized this entire time. It saddens me where his story went. He became unlikeable and in this last volume I didn't feel the twin love. It had faded in book 3, so I guess it shouldn't have been that much of a surprise.

Oh, and Duke Roger is assuredly back. (That's not a spoiler, the “hints” of the last book practically left bruises from slapping readers in the face.) I mean of all the people for Thom to bring back to life, why Roger? Why would anyone give this guy a second chance or not assume subterfuge. The curses of honor.

What I like the most is how much Alanna has grownup. She's become more cautious, learned when to keep her head, and other amazing things. But I love most of all that she's still her. The same girl that we've loved since the beginning of this journey. Which is a relief. She's become a bit of a legend in Kingdom of Tortall and the neighboring Kingdoms. Even some of her old friends see her in a different light. It's reassuring that we can see she's still the same and, more importantly, humble. I loved it when she'd grumble over her fame and blush still.

Lioness Rampnat is the biggest book yet in the Song of the Lioness series and it moves at an excellent pace. It was interesting seeing Alanna still questing realizing that soon she would achieve all of her dreams. She questioned what she wanted to be. What her dreams would be next. Not to mention why she couldn't be both warrior and woman. I enjoyed that not just Jon and George were her lovers. That she loved others and had a REAL relationship. She understood why it would end between them.

Not to mention that it mends my feelings towards Jon. It was bothering me how much I had grown to dislike him from the last book. Especially since I had loved him in both book one and two. Lioness Rampant does a job well done in wrapping up everything. Whether characters die, finally get their justice, or get their happy ending. That's all a reader could ask.

What I love more is the setup for more strong female characters to be present moving forward. There's some great ladies who join Alanna on her quest, and I loved seeing her have female friends. (George's mother does not count. Or his cousin.) It was great hearing about how Tortall was changing. That girls were now playing the Lioness fighting the evil Duke! Even more is how Alanna understands why they don't like her being a lady knight, but still makes them see her. Even when it's as simple as the outfit she wears for being “reintroduced” to the royal court.

This final book does not ignore the message that this entire series brings. That woman can do what a man can. She will have to work hard to achieve success, but she can achieve it. It doesn't rub readers faces in it. Which is why I always urge friends to read them, and now I'm spamming it on their daughters. Lioness Rampant keeps developing the world and the characters. It ends with everything all being nicely wrapped up. While there were some annoying aspects, it didn't take a way. I loved the new characters, visiting old favorites, and in general having a good final adventure with my favorite lady knight.

Sexual Content: Mild sexual humor, and slut shaming by . . . well I don't say (cough sluts cough) villainess females. Alanna does have sex, but it's in the nondescript way the series utilizes.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Alanna: The Frist Adventure (1) In the Hand of the Goddess (2) The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (3) Lioness Rampant (4)	Alanna: The Frist Adventure (1) In the Hand of the Goddess (2) The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (3) Lioness Rampant (4)	Alanna: The Frist Adventure (1) In the Hand of the Goddess (2) The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (3) Lioness Rampant (4)

Review: Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Heartless (The Goldenstone Wood, book 1) by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Genre: YA Fantasy (Classic Fairy Tale)

The Dragon King Seeks His Princess--
Who Dares to Stop Him?

Princess Una of Parumvir has come of age and will soon marry. She dreams of a charming prince, but when her first suitor arrives, he's not what she'd hoped. Prince Aethelbald of mysterious Farthestshore has travelled a great distance to prove his love--and also to bring hushed warnings of danger. A dragon is rumored to be on the hunt and blazing a path of terror.

Una, smitten instead with a more dashing prince, refuses Aethelbald's offer--and ignores his cautions with dire consequences. Soon the Dragon King himself is in Parumvir and Una, in giving her heart away unwisely, finds herself in his sights. Only those courageous enough to risk everything have a hope of fighting off this advancing evil.

A Tale of Goldstone Wood

Timeless Fantasy That Will Keep You Spellbound

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Review:

Fairytales are the timeless joy of the fantasy genre.  Readers thrive off of them, whether it’s retellings or variations of our favorite stories.  What gets readers into more of a frenzy then the classic Fairytale?  Why, an original tale that is clearly worthy of the classics.  That is exactly what Heartless is.

The beauty of Stengl’s writing style will please fantasy fans who hunger for the kind of quality found in Robin McKinley’s books. For those who find McKinley’s style too harsh and a bit hard to sink into, Stengl’s softer style will be a relief.  The landscapes just flow up majestically and the emotions that consume the reader make the characters feel real.  The story and plot sweeps across the page with a timeless grace.

Una is definitely a classic fairytale Princess. She needs to be rescued, and there are enough warnings given to her before hand that she shouldn't have fallen victim.  Then again—that’s life—everyone has bitten and choked on the apple at some point.  Una’s downfall is of the heart, a modern and historic story of how someone can give their heart to the wrong person. In Una's case it's a terrible price she pays for the nativity of her emotions.  Unlike the classic princess, Una is strong and willful.  She has enough spirit to make up her own mind, and in the end find redemption—even learning from her mistakes. (Of course Prince Charming still get to ride in and save the day.)

Dragons never quite get the attention they deserve in most fairytales.  In Heartless the Dragon(s) finally get that time to shine—even if they are quite the villains. Anne has created a dragon mythology that sent my head spinning into giddiness.  They're like vampires in the aspect that they must be invited into a dwelling, and that they can turn other humans into dragons.  It’s breath taking, and terrifying, all at the same time.  Heartless is such a tease as it reveals enough to get you there, but enough is left out to keep you crawling after the next book!

This is a win-win for Fairytale lovers!  Dragon lovers will be smitten by the new mythology of the dragon.  Princess Una will frustrate readers with the paroles of love, and have readers rooting for her (or wanting to smack her upside the head). This book deals with the modern day heartbreak on a grander scale only a Fairytale can exploit.  The ending is just as practical and sweet as a Happily Ever After should be, so HEA readers should feel contempt. Keep an eye out for more by this author as there’s more world—and dragons—to enchant readers.

Sexual Content: Really clean. A few kissing scenes, some blushing, and some very vague sexual humor. Definitely good for the kiddies.

Rating: 4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Add it:

Amazon: Heartless (Tales of Goldstone Wood)

Goodreads: Heartless