The below reviews are intended to be short, and easily read within 1 minute. All reviews are my own personal opinions, and I would love everyone to share their opinions as well. I read a lot of Fantasy Books (with the occasional historical fiction and thrilled thrown in), therefore my reviews are generally based on 3 things:
World Building - Is the world of the book worth spending time in?
Characters - Am I able to connect with the characters, or find them interesting?
Plot - Is the plot engaging and does it leave me wanting more?
The Running Man
The Running Man is the 4th book that Stephen King published under the name “Richard Bachman”. Set in an apocalyptic future (only 5 years from now) where the wealthy watch the poor fight for their lives on television for entertainment.
The Stand
Considering what the world is going through in 2020, this is actually the perfect time to read this book, and truly be thankful that things have not gotten as bad as they get in this book. There is a reason why this book is hailed as one of King’s best works, it is a classic and a masterpiece.
Waistcoats & Weaponry
Unlike the previous 2 books in the series, this book mostly takes place outside of the finishing school. There is a dramatic event that takes place and affects Sidheag’s werewolf family, so Sophronia and the rest of her gang take it upon themselves to try and get Sidheag back to her pack in Scotland.
Cujo
Cujo, by Stephen King, is the story of a dog that goes beyond rabid, and goes on a killing spree. The story takes place in a small town in Maine, in which King does an excellent job bringing to life the “small town” feel. All of the characters in the town, particularly the main families involved, are all wonderfully realized and complex.
Midnight Sun
In case someone doesn’t know, Midnight Sun is a retelling of Twilight from the vampire’s point of view. Hearing Edward’s perspective was so much fun! This is the Edward I remember and love.
Carrie
Carrie is a cautionary tale, especially for those for are mean (“bully”) to others. You never know when one cruel word could push someone over the edge. When Carrie is pushed over the edge, her retribution is swift and horrifying. One has to wonder, would a kind word from a friend have helped to prevent the tragedy that happens at the end of the book?
A Great and Terrible Beauty
A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray, is the story of Gemma Doyle, a young girl growing up in Victorian era England. Most of the book takes place at Spence Academy, a boarding school that Gemma is sent to in order to learn manners, and all other types of things in order to do what young ladies in her generation were expected to do… become the perfect wife.
Curtsies & Conspiracies
This book dives even further into Sophronia’s steam punk spy school world. There is so much more context provided to the various characters and groups in this world.
Etiquette & Espionage
If you are familiar with Gail Carriger, then Etiquette & Espionage will be a familiar romp into the same world. This book and series take place in a time before events in some of her other books. You do not have to have read any of Carriger’s other books before starting this series. In fact, this is actually a great jumping off point to dive into this world.
Lord of Shadows
Emma Carstairs, Julian Blackthorn, and their family and friends have solved the mystery of the murders from the previous book. This opens up a whole new set of issues and even greater obstacles that they will need to overcome in order to finally be safe.
Lady Midnight
At it’s core, this book is a murder mystery. Emma and the Blackthorns race against time to try and find out who is committing murders around Los Angeles, and why.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
For those familiar with the Hunger Games series, there are many references to people, places and things that will be familiar to you. If you have not read the previous series, then many of these references will be lost on you, therefore it might be a good idea to read the original series first.
Inkspell
Every reader and writer dreams of disappearing into their favorite story, but in reality what would that actually look like? The world inside of the Inkheart book is both beautiful, and dangerous. When Meggie and her family find themselves stuck in the Inkworld, they find that life there is not what they were expecting. Just like any world, there are good things and bad, good people and bad.
Inkheart
We’ve all wanted to dive into the world of a book, but what if the world in the book came back out? While classified as a book for “Young Readers”, Inkheart actually contains some pretty dark material. There is fire, violence, and even death, which may make the story too intense for younger readers. That being said, it is also a great adventure story with great characters and real stakes.
Three Sisters, Three Queens
Relationships between women are always interesting, and while this is fiction, it feels like peaking into the private lives of these 3 specific woman. All 3 woman at one point are in positions of power, and all 3 woman at one point are brought very low.
Fire & Blood
Well this book was not what I expected… Fire & Blood actually reads more like a text-book than an actual novel. There is very little dialogue in this book, and no traditional plot with a beginning, middle and end. Instead, this book is a series of descriptions of historical events, people and places. The chapters are extremely long, with no natural breaks.