Tag Archives: Mystery/Thriller

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Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Throne of Glass
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass Series
Pages: 404 pages hardcover, 420 paperback, 351 ebook, 384 Kindle
Rating: ★★★★

I’ve been looking forward to reading Throne of Glass for a while. It seemed like the kind of book that I would love. It has a touch of the historical, a little bit of romance, and a take-no-names heroine.

Celaena was the most notorious assassin in the country, but someone betrayed her and she ended up as a slave in a mining death camp. She managed to keep surviving long past the average, even making it through an escape attempt, before the Crown Prince brings her as his entry in a competition for the king. If she wins, she will be at the king’s beck and call to kill whomever he wishes without question for four years, after which, she will gain her freedom.

As if the competition wasn’t enough, something is killing off the competitors and what is left behind looks anything but human. Not only does she have to worry about the other competitors, she has to worry about whatever is killing them, as well as blending into court life.

Celaena is one of the strongest characters I’ve read and she knows it. She has the right amount of cockiness about her assassin skills mixed in with her insecurities about fitting into court life as a lady. She’s not afraid to downplay her abilities and talents, but knows when it’s best to take a step back and come at a problem from a different angle. She definitely relies on the help of others, but not to save her. She uses the help of others to make herself stronger and better able to move forward.

There is a bit of a love triangle, but I like how it is done. Without delving in too much and risking spoilers, I see one guy as a first love that makes her heart soar and gives her a secret smile, and the other guy as the one that will find a way to ingrain himself in her life forever. Either way it goes, I’ll be happy, even though I am secretly routing for one of them a little bit.

Throne of Glass is anything but fragile. It’s tough, yet sweet. It has the action that keeps me flipping pages woven in with the little moments that make me sigh and smile. Celaena is an amazing female figure to read and I’m looking forward to reading more of her strength in the books to come.

If you think Throne of Glass is your kind of read, you can purchase it here:
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Amazon
IndieBound

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Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Title: Grave Mercy
Author: Robin LaFevers
Series: His Fair Assassin series
Pages: 549 pages hardcover, 484 paperback, 560 Kindle, 340 ebook
Rating: ★★★★

Grave Mercy is one of those books that I’ve been thinking about reading for a while, but I was never quite sure about. I’d take a look at it and consider picking it as my next read, but I was never sure the history and the supernatural would mix well, so I’d put it aside and pick something else up instead. Finally, after a year, I decided it was time to read it.

It was amazing. There was everything I love about a historical fiction novel, from the drama and deceptions to the language and people. LaFevers even sticks pretty close to the actual history, which made me enjoy it even more. Even the assassin nun aspect fit perfectly, and I wasn’t sure it would. It adds another layer to the novel that makes it even more intriguing.

Ismae has been marked by Death and after a disastrous arranged marriage, she ends up at the convent of St. Mortain. She is trained to deliver death to those that are marked, and because of how the convent saved her life, she agrees to do Death’s bidding without questions. It’s only after she is sent on a lengthy mission outside the convent that she begins to wonder where her loyalties lie.

Gavriel Duval is the bastard half-brother of the young Duchess Anne of Brittany. Everything he does is to protect his sister, her title and lands, and her happiness. He and Ismae begin to work together in order to discover and take care of the traitors hiding in her court.

I think what I loved most about this book is how strong Ismae is; not only in physical strength, but emotionally as well. She has faced a tough life because of who she is, but instead of giving up, she finds a way to make her pain her power. Her strength also comes in her ability to see people for who they are, not what they say they are. She can see why people do what they do and tries to understand a little piece of everyone she comes across.

Grave Mercy is an intriguing read that will have you holding your breath as you wait to see how it all unfolds. There’s history, drama, romance, and death all wrapped into one gorgeous package.

If Grave Mercy sounds like your kind of book, you can purchase it here:
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Amazon
IndieBound
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Review: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Title: Jellicoe Road
Author: Melina Marchetta
Pages: 419 pages hardcover,442 paperback, 437 ebook
Rating: ★★★★★

Jellicoe Road is one of those books that has been on my radar for a while, but I just never got around to reading it. So many people had fallen in love with this book that I was a little worried to read it. I didn’t want to be disappointed. Finally, I decided this book needed to be read.

For the first 100 or so pages, I didn’t get it. I was confused by the two viewpoints and the focus on the wars between the schools. It wasn’t this heartbreaking story I had been told about. I didn’t really care about the war or the boundaries or the negotiations. They were interesting, sure, but that wasn’t the story I thought I was going to read.

And then it changed. Suddenly, things made sense. Taylor’s story and Narnie’s story were tied together somehow and I needed to find out how. Taylor’s need to know who her father was and to know what happened to her mother becomes the only thing she is concerned with. Everyone seems to know something that she doesn’t, but no one will tell her the secrets.

I figured out quickly what the ties were between the present and the past, but I still wasn’t prepared for how much my heart would hurt when Taylor’s life caught up to her. Her reluctance to rely on other people and to lean on them when she needed help made it all the more apparent how much she cares for Jonah Griggs and I was immensely happy Taylor had someone be there for her.

Jellicoe Road is an amazing novel that tells two different heartbreaking stories coming together. As the stories get closer and closer, you know something is about to break and when it happens, no amount of preparation can help. But then Marchetta heals you enough to fall hopeless in love with the story she wove. Jellicoe Road is definitely a must read novel and I can’t wait to read more of what Marchetta has to offer.

If Jellicoe Road sounds like your kind of book, you can purchase it here:
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Amazon
IndieBound
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Review: What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang

Title: What’s Left of Me
Author: Kat Zhang
Series: The Hybrid Chronicles series
Pages: 434 pages hardcover, 352 ebook
Rating: ★★★★

Addie and Eva share one body. They are two souls living in the same body and that shouldn’t happen. One soul is supposed to fade away and one soul is supposed to stay. Instead, Eva stays in the background, letting Addie live their life. While Addie gets to talk and be around other people, Eva’s only true companion is Addie.

It’s an interesting premise and I wasn’t sure how Zhang would pull it off. It could either be fantastic or completely confusing. Luckily, What’s Left of Me falls into the fantastic side of things.

I am amazed at how well Zhang managed to write two completely different characters and yet they are in the same body. It was easy to tell the difference between Addie and Eva. Their personalities are different and their growth as people is different. Even though they share the same body, they each experience everything in a slightly different way. It was fascinating.

Not only does Zhang manage to write one person with two souls well, she took on the challenge of making other characters the same way. At first, I wasn’t sure which soul was which; however, the more I read, the more I picked up on each soul’s different personalities. For Zhang to have done this is amazing. I wasn’t confused by the warring souls, but found myself drawn in and loving them.

This isn’t an action-packed novel, but it also isn’t a light read, either. There’s not a lot of fighting or other typical dystopian characteristics, but it never feels like things are moving slow. Something is always happening, even if it isn’t happening in big, elaborate fight scenes.

The only thing that had me a little confused was the time frame this story takes place in. Wars are referenced, but I was never really clear on when this story actually takes place. I’m hoping that was deliberate and in the novels to come, it becomes clearer.

What’s Left of Me is a novel that doesn’t disappoint. It’s different and thought-provoking and definitely worth a read. I’m looking forward to reading what comes next in this series.

If What’s Left of Me sounds like your kind of book, you can purchase it here:
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Audible
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Review: Evidence of Life by Barbara Taylor Sissel

Title: Evidence of Life
Author: Barbara Taylor Sissel
Pages: 304 pages paperback, 320 ebook
Rating: ★★★★

I’m not sure what my expectations where when I started reading Evidence of Life. I thought the plot sounded interesting and there were so many places the story could go that I was ready to sit down and enjoy the ride.

Abby is not always the most reliable character and I really enjoyed that. While some people would look at the storm that blew through and accept that her family was gone, she is driven to find the answers. She needs to know what happened and in her quest to discover that, she starts to doubt the life she thought they had.

Sissel wrote a story that weaves in and out, leaving little clues here and there, just to see if you can pick up on them. I thought I had the story figured out, but then something new would pop up and it would make me stop and think.

I think what I enjoyed most about this novel is how well Sissel wrote both a mystery novel and a look at the human character in the same book. One did not detract from the other; they only enhanced each other. In order to figure out what happened to Abby’s family, first you have to figure out what is happening with Abby. It was wonderful.

Evidence of Life is a fantastic novel that takes a look at how not knowing the answers can push a person further than they ever thought possible. It twists your heart at times and you can’t help but hope for a future for Abby.

If Evidence of Life sounds like your kind of book, you can purchase it here:
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Thank you to Mira Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen

Title: The Tutor’s Daughter
Author: Juile Klassen
Pages: 412 pages paperback, 416 ebook
Rating: ★★★★

I’ve been a fan of Klassen for a couple years. She’s able to write Regency romance extremely well. Despite a slow start, The Tutor’s Daughter fits right in with the style and sweetness of Klassen’s previous novels.

Emma Smallwood and her father travel to Cornwall set to tutor the two younger brothers of students Mr. Smallwood once had at his school. They hardly get off on the right foot, arriving somewhat unexpectedly. Emma had been friends with Phillip Weston and tormented by his older brother Henry when they were boys at her father’s school, and she’s both anxious and nervous to see how living in the same home goes.

Right from the beginning, it’s easy to tell there are a couple secrets being kept. Odd things keep happening and no one seems to have the right explanation for them. I will say I guessed one of the secrets early on, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.

The first third of the novel moved a little too slowly for my tastes, but the last third definitely helped make up for that. There’s action and accusations and it’s wonderful.

Klassen once again proves her fantastic ability to write a 19th century English romance. The language she uses is perfect, and she’s able to paint the world as it was. The Tutor’s Daughter has just the right amount of mystery and romance, plus it doesn’t over do it when it comes to the religious discussions. I know this genre isn’t for everyone, but for lovers of Regency romances, Klassen is an author to add to your bookshelves.

If The Tutor’s Daughter sounds like your kind of book, you can purchase it here:
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Audible
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Review: Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

Title: Shades of Earth
Author: Beth Revis
Series: Across the Universe series
Pages: 369 pages hardcover, 383 ebook
Rating: ★★★★★

I’m a pretty picky science fiction reader. It’s rare for me to stumble across a single science fiction novel I fully enjoy. Beth Revis has given me an entire series that I love.

I’m not going to lie. I was a little worried about the world Revis had created outside of Godspeed. I didn’t want a series I loved to end like a bad Sci-Fi movie. Revis proved that all of my worries and concerns were unnecessary. She wrote the best ending this series could possibly have.

Once everyone lands on the surface of the new Earth and wake up the Frozen, the new colony is not only fighting each other, but they are fighting their new home. Every single thing they come across is an unknown. There are things on this new planet no one has ever seen before and it could be perfectly safe or completely deadly. This would be a difficult situation for any group of people, but when there is a major lack of trust between the two main groups of the colony, it will be even worse.

In spite of everything put in front of them, I loved the moments Amy and Elder got to have together. Their happiness and love is a great thing to read in a Young Adult novel. They trust each other, and while there are a few moments of miscommunication, for the most part, they talk to each other. They know things won’t always be easy, but they’d rather face the tough times together than apart.

I can honestly say I had no idea where the plot was going. I never knew what was about to happen next. I was constantly holding my breath, waiting for the next big thing to happen. It was the best feeling I can have when I read a book. Half the fun is in the surprise, and it’s even more fun when the planet is basically a character in its own right.

Shades of Earth is a brilliant end to a suspenseful series. I loved following the journey Amy and Elder took, from the early unfreezing of Amy to their new home on Centauri-Earth. I will certainly miss reading about their lives, but this was the perfect way to end it. The entire series is a must-read.

If Shades of Earth sounds like your kind of book, you can purchase it here:
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Audible
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IndieBound

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Review: Don’t Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon

Title: Don’t Turn Around
Author: Michelle Gagnon
Series: PERSEPHoNE series
Rating: ★★★★

Don’t Turn Around sounded like a promising book. It had a different plot, interesting sounding characters and I felt it had the potential to be great. For the most part, it was. The only thing I can fault is not being able to fully connect with the characters, however I’m going to hope that since this is the first in a series, there will more to the next two books.

Noa is a foster kid runaway. She lives off the grid and has found ways of taking care of herself. She’s a genius when it comes to hacking and she’s got a pretty severe attachment to her computer. She wakes up one day on a cold table, an IV in her arm, and a scar down her chest. Right away, we are thrown into the middle of the action.

Don’t Turn Around really packs in the action. Peter and Noa are constantly on the move, running and hiding from the people that cut Noa open. There are very few safe places they can go and they aren’t sure who they can trust. Gagnon writes the action very well. It’s clear enough to picture in your head, but it’s not too simple. It really plays out like an action movie.

I’m glad there wasn’t a full-blown romance in this book. It would have felt a little rushed and possibly a little forced, I think. Instead, there’s a foundation built. There’s clearly something there, but it’s not a love story yet. I like that there’s the potential, but that the focus was kept on the mystery aspect of the plot.

Overall, Don’t Turn Around is a strong start to a promising series. I wish there had been a little more character building, but the base is there and I feel like Gagnon could really do something great with this series. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

If Don’t Turn Around sounds like your kind of book, you can purchase it here:
Amazon
Audible
Barnes and Noble
IndieBound

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Review: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Body Finder
Author: Kimberly Derting
Series: The Body Finder series
Rating: ★★★★

The Body Finder is a book that has been on my radar for a while, but I was always a little worried about reading it. The book description was unique and I was worried it would fall flat and I’d be left feeling a little let down.

The Body Finder does none of this. It is just as good as the description sounds. Both aspects of the novel, the suspense and the romance, are developed well and blend together. It never felt like one was taking a hit so the other could flourish.

This was a page turner. The serial killer parts of the novel were fantastic. There’s a lot of mystery there, and it’s done well. It gives the entire book a creepy feel. I was afraid to look over my shoulder; it felt like the creepiness had oozed of the novel and was standing right behind me. I love it when a book can make me feel that way.

The relationship between Jay and Violet was wonderful. This is the kind of “insta-love” I’m okay with. It’s insta-love in the scope of the novel, but not in the characters’ lives. Sure, Jay and Violet realized their feels early on in the novel, but they had a foundation of friendship to build upon and that’s what made it work. Their relationship works perfectly to balance out the serial killer roaming around town.

The other secondary characters, Violet’s friends, are also well-written. They aren’t placeholders; they actually act and behave like friends. Maybe it’s just the novels I pick to read, but this trait seems to be a little lacking in a lot of Young Adult titles today.

The Body Finder is a fantastic novel. It has just the right mix of creep and love to keep me turning the pages, anxious to find out who the killer is, but to also read more swoon-worthy moments. This is a series I’ll definitely be sticking with. I can’t wait to read more.

If The Body Finder sounds like your kind of book, you can purchase it here:
Amazon
Audible
Barnes and Noble
IndieBound

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Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio

I haven’t read anything of Jio’s before. Blackberry Winter was a Kindle Daily Deal and the description sounded interesting. At worst, I’d be out three dollars. At best, I’d find one of those gems that sneak up on you. Blackberry Winter is definitely a gem.

Blackberry Winter weaves together two different tales of struggles and loss. Vera heads to work one evening and when she leaves there is snow blanketing the ground and her son is gone. Claire’s life is in pieces and it takes a snow storm to put her on the path to fixing herself. The stories are beautifully interwoven, constantly pulling at my heart and never giving a moment of rest.

I did figure out early on most of how the characters are connected. I initially thought that knowing the big mystery would take me out of the novel. It didn’t at all. I still needed to know how things got from point A to point B and all the little pieces in the middle.

Vera’s story had me in tears. The pain she went through is something no mother should ever have to go through. And to have it set in 1933, when times were dire or times were fantastic, all depending on how much money there was to your name. She worked hard to make life as good as she could for her son, and it was so easy to feel the love she had for him.

Claire is going through her own heartache. Her world has been broken to bits and she’s not sure how she’s supposed to put it back together. When a May snowstorm hits and she comes the story of Vera and Daniel Ray, something in her compels her to dig the truth out. She needs to find out how Vera’s story ends and I loved going on that journey with her.

Sarah Jio is an author that hadn’t been on my radar before. But after reading Blackberry Winter, I will definitely be reading more of her writings. She wove a breathtaking story through these pages and had me tearing up at the end. This is a book that needs to be read.