The King of Attolia
Eugenides is an oddly likable character. You know he's a scoundrel, but you still want to love him. He's a bit like Han Solo to me, one of my very first crushes. Eugenides, the infamous Thief of Eddis, is now the King of Attolia. He married the Queen, who he loves in some unexplainable way that still has me scratching my head from book 2 in the series. The Attolians do not respect him, or their union, and do their best to thwart him at every step--including those who should be protecting him, his King's Guard.
Lots of good political intrigue in this one. These books go much deeper than you would think from the cover. Another enjoyable installment in the series.
Gathering Blue (The Giver, #2)
Lois Lowry does it again. This is the second book in The Giver Quartet, but has nothing to do with The Giver other than being about a different dystopian community as far as I can see. That's ok, though, because it's a good book on its own. Kira is a likable heroine. Born crippled, she has learned to be strong in life. Her mother dies and she is left on her own. Luckily, she has a talent for embroidery, and is taken in by the Council to repair and finish the Ruin Song robe. Along the way she makes new friends, deepens old ones, and finds out more about who she really is.
The ending is a bit of a non-ending, and you will want to continue reading Messenger next. At least I did.
 - Lois Lowry)
The Chaos of Stars
This book doesn't know what it wants to be when it grows up..When I first saw this book, I thought, "Egyptian mythology? Gorgeous cover? I'm in!" But in the end, this book just couldn't figure out what it was supposed to be. She's the daughter of 2 Egyptian gods. She has lived her whole life in Egypt surrounded by other gods. She has wanted for nothing, and doesn't appreciate anything (typical teenage angst). There is a lot of family drama that could have been explored. There is a bit of a mystery to unravel. There is danger. There is a girl coming of age. And there is teen romance. If the author had concentrated on one or two, this book might have been three stars, but sadly, it has no idea what to develop so I'm giving it 2.
Da Vinci's Ghost: Genius, Obsession, and How Leonardo Created the World in His Own Image
Not what I was expecting, but good. We just saw the exhibit at the Venetian and I wanted to learn more about him. An interesting look into the history of the Vitruvian Man, Leonardo's life, and some of his methods. He had such an interesting, varied mind, and his greatness often got in the way of his successes. His journals show a glimpse into how his fascinating imagination led to designs of inventions, ideas, and great works of art.
Read this if you want to learn more about Leonardo, but don't let this be your only source about him.
Tiger Eyes
I love revisiting some of my favorite authors from growing up, and Judy Blume wrote some great ones. However, I hadn't read Tiger Eyes. Shocking, I know. Davey's father is killed in a tragic holdup at their convenience store, and her family tries to find a way to move on. They visit her aunt and uncle in New Mexico and each person grieves and moves on in their own way. It's sad, and it's real, just like all Judy Blume books. Definitely worth the quick read.
Wrong Bed, Right Guy
The main character is dumb and annoying, and shockingly lacking in both common sense and confidence. The dialogue is painful. Just not good.
1984
A frightening look at the dangers of total government control, the loss of freedom of speech and thought, and the importance of continuing this discourse before it happens to us. Some might say it already has, but this book shows how terrible it really can be.“He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.”
― George Orwell, 1984
Kindness Goes Unpunished
It's time for a road trip!Walt and Henry take a road trip from Wyoming to Philadelphia (with Dog, naturally) where Henry will be presenting old Mennonite photographs found on the reservation to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts while Walt visits Cady, the greatest legal mind of our time. But when Cady gets hurt after they arrive, Walt is on the case and working with the cops in Philly to solve a crime. Way outside of his jurisdiction with some serious conflict of interest going on, but we'll let that slide.
Lots of fun in this one. We get to meet Vic's family, and they don't disappoint. I love Vic's mom. Not what I would have expected based on how rough Vic is, but she is great. Vic's dad, however, is exactly what I pictured. We got more insights into Walt's relationship with Cady and the ending sets us up for some interesting potential plot lines in the next books.
Another great installment to the series.
Find a Stranger, Say Goodbye (Laurel-leaf books)
Lois Lowry, I love you.Some of my favorite books growing up were written by Lois Lowry. "Anastasia Krupnik," "A Summer to Die" (sob!), The One Hundredth Thing about Caroline." As an adult, it has been nice to re-read some of the ones I loved before and explore newer books as well, like "The Giver." She's really amazing. Ms. Lowry, if you are reading this, I want to meet you and tell you how much "A Summer to Die" impacted me growing up!
"Find a Stranger, Say Goodbye" is a book about young woman searching for her birth parents during the summer between high school and college. Commencement is a time of beginnings, and Natalie feels she needs to discover this unknown piece of her past before starting college and her adult life.
It's classic, tug at the heartstrings Lowry. Natalie ends up learning more about herself during the journey and grows up a bit along the way.
Poignant and touching, Lowry tells a story that will stick with anyone who was adopted, loves their family, or has felt like they don't fit in. So pretty much anyone. She's that talented.
 - Lois Lowry)
Furies of Calderon
I can't believe I have never reviewed this book, as it is my favorite series of all time and I recommend it to people constantly. Jim Butcher is an absolute master at world building. Jim, if you are reading this, please know how many hours of enjoyment your books have brought me. You are awesome.Furies of Calderon is set in the world of Alera, where, as people mature, develop a bond with at least one of the elemental furies of earth, air, fire, water, wood, and metal and use those talents throughout their lives. We journey with Tavi, who is fifteen and is considered a freak because he hasn't developed any furies. It's a story about how he overcomes this obstacle and learns to live on his wits without furies. But it is also a story about politics, war, and loyalties. Good vs. evil, treachery and deception, all in an epic fantasy setting.
In book 1, Tavi stumbles upon the sneak invasion of the Marat, a savage enemy whose last battles in Alera ended with the death of the Princeps. As chaos breaks out over the Calderon Valley, he has to find a way to survive on his own. Meanwhile, the First Lord is surrounded by betrayal and loyalties to the Realm are called into question, reaching from the far steadholts of Garrison to Alera Imperia.
If you love sword fighting, magical creatures, political intrigue, strong family bonds and a little bit of romance, check out the Codex Alera series. It's fantasy at its best.
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Imagine a group of con men--disguises, fake identities, the works--with a particular set of skills honed over years of discipline, training and research. Now imagine them in a medieval setting. Sound good so far? Part Ocean's 11, part Oliver Twist, Locke Lamora and his band of merry men run complex cons in a fantasy land. The writing is clever and the worldbuilding is strong. You journey with the gang in both past and present tense, learning about how they came together and the capers they are pulling now. You will get attached to the characters and want them to win. They are likable, to be sure, and who doesn't love an underdog? But the best laid plans don't always work out, and they run into obstacles along the way. You will find yourself pulling for Locke and cursing his enemies. And when you get to the end, you will want to continue your journey. Good news! You can in the next book, [b:Red Seas Under Red Skies|887877|Red Seas Under Red Skies (Gentleman Bastard, #2)|Scott Lynch|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407082584s/887877.jpg|856785]. Perfect for fantasy fans who are looking for their next smart, plot-driven world.
The Cold Dish
I might have found a new favorite mystery series! So glad I read this.Close your eyes and picture with me, if you will. Small town in Wyoming. Trucks. Pancake breakfasts. Rifles and shotguns. Mountains. Snow. Log cabins. Politics. And a lot of interesting characters. Welcome to Absaroka County, Wyoming.
Walt Longmire is the sheriff of Absaroka County, and he's been sheriff for 24 years. The book kicks off with Longmire investigating the death of Cody Pritchard, who was found dead in an apparent hunting accident. Pritchard was convicted a few years back in the gang rape of a local Cheyenne girl who, born with fetal alcohol syndrome, had diminished capacity. Many in the community felt the sentence was too light and justice wasn't served. Walt's investigation leads him throughout the local communities and the Cheyenne reservation, uncovering skeletons and a lot of old wounds for everyone.
Craig Johnson does a great job of painting colorful characters and realistic relationships. The friendship between Walt and Henry Standing Bear was one of my favorite parts of the book. He has a unique team assisting him at the sheriff's department, from sassy Ruby, his dispatcher / den mother, to Vic Moretti, his foul-mouthed deputy and hand-picked replacement when he retires. But beyond the characters, who I dearly love, Johnson crafted a good mystery with lots of twists and turns. I had no idea how it would end, but when he got us there I could see how the clues fit together.
If you are looking for a good mystery series with great characters, give this one a try. I can't wait to start the second book.
The Haunting of Hill House
This might not be a book to read late at night if you have an active imagination.Have you ever been in an old house and felt some strange energy? The feeling of eyes on you while your back is turned? Of unexplained sounds, shadows, or smells? Older houses can have a sense of presence that isn't found in newer homes, whether it be from the residual energy of the lives lived in it over the years, or a collection of old items filled with memories. Welcome to Hill House, perfectly drawn with a turret, doors and windows that shut on their own, mazes of rooms, and an oppressive presence around every corner.
A classic story of psychological terror, the Haunting of Hill House tells the tale of an old mansion which holds many secrets. Supernatural researcher Dr. Montague rents Hill House in an attempt to prove, or disprove, the claims of a haunting. He invites a collection of people who have been rumored to have past experience with the supernatural, but only 2 join him: Eleanor Vance, a shy woman who has spent her life caring for her invalid mother until she passed away, and Theodora, a free-spirited, bohemian artist. They are all joined by Luke Sanderson, the heir to Hill House and who must be present as part of the terms of the lease.
Soon after arriving, Eleanor and company begin having unexplainable experiences. Whether or not all of these events are supernatural is left up to the reader to decide, but the circumstances seem to be centered around Eleanor, and the book is very much about her and her journey. Gothically dark and spooky, Jackson takes us on a ride full of twists and turns, and it all culminates is an ending that leaves you wondering, but is still strangely satisfying.
The Queen of Attolia
I was told by many people that book 2 in the series is stronger than book 1. I'm not sure I agree, but I can see how it would hold a different appeal. The Queen of Attolia is a different type of book than The Thief--more "politics of the kingdoms" instead of a traveling adventure heist. The political maneuverings were interesting and the 3rd-person perspective gave things a more well-rounded feel, but still something was missing for me.I can't quite put my finger on why I don't love these books. While I enjoy the storyline and the characters, there is something that doesn't connect with me about the writing style. The pacing is slow and steady, even when it should be exciting like an escape or a battle. And both books lacked in details so I kept feeling like I had missed something along the way. I still like the series and I will continue reading, but it could easily fall into 4 star territory and it's missing the mark so far, and almost verging into 2 stars instead.
I did enjoy Eugenides more than I did in The Thief. I felt we got more insights into him this time around and I thought she did a good job with the portrayal of his PTSD. Oddly, this made him a more likable character to me. Rather than immediately move past things after the action in the beginning, we get insights into how Eugenides is coping, or not coping with his return to Eddis. It helped me to better understand him. But I still felt a lack of insight into Attolia. I understood more about Eddis than I did about her. I needed more information to truly accept the ending from both Eugenides and Attolia's perspective. It felt a bit like, "Surprise! Here's all of the things you didn't know. The End. Read book 3 to find out what you missed in book 2!"
I know it sounds like I hate the series, but I really don't. I like it, and the books are well-written, but something is lacking. Maybe I will feel differently about book 3.
Eleanor and Park
I adored this book. I picked it up at the library based on just the title, having heard it recommended as a fantastic read by someone on Reddit. I'm glad I didn't read any reviews or the synopsis before getting it, as it was a bit like unwrapping a present.Eleanor is a misfit from a poor, dysfunctional family. Her stepfather is deplorable, and her mother is broken and weak. Park is the token Asian kid in this neighborhood of Omaha (half-Korean), and straddles between his popular friends and being himself. Thrown together on the bus, an odd friendship evolves into romance. Rowell did a great job of capturing first love and the awkwardness of high school / finding your place in the world. The dichotomy of Park's family (they were pretty fantastic, lucky boy) and Eleanor's awful home life (not only poor, but abusive and scary) was perfectly drawn for me. My heart ached for Eleanor, and for Park as he was introduced to a world that he never imagined from the safety of his home.
The ending wasn't what I expected, but still satisfying. To be honest, I'm a little emotionally wrecked by the last few chapters, and need a moment to collect myself. Definitely recommended--4 stars.
