madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

The Phoenix has Risen…and it was Worth the Wait! (Dark Phoenix review)

Posted on June 10, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Let me start off by saying that this was probably the movie that I’ve most anticipated in my entire life.

Since I discovered that it was happening about a year ago, I was absolutely over the moon excited. I counted down the days, I squealed every time I saw the poster by the movie theater, I made my parents take a picture of me next to said movie poster(s), set all my wallpapers to the various posters (which all belong in the MoMA, honestly)…you get the idea. I was a very, very excited little mutant.

As the reviews started pouring in, I got a little worried. I told myself, time and time again, not to listen to the critics. I also tried to tell myself not to expect another First Class or X2, but…I couldn’t really help myself up until the end.

Then, I saw it on Saturday night. I haven’t felt such a surge of joy in a long, long time, not like I did when the “feature presentation” screen finally came up.

And?

It didn’t deserve such hate-filled reviews from the critics. Nor did it deserve as high praise as some of the other films. But even still, an incredible film, and a beautiful ending to a masterful franchise.

*SOME SPOILERS AHEAD–I ADVISE THAT YOU DON’T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN DARK PHOENIX*

“I Want All of These Posters Framed in a Museum” and other stories, part one. This one gives off some wonderfully *Stranger Things* vibes.

Dark Phoenix has always been one of the most revered stories in the whole of the X-Men universe. Full of raw emotion not usually seen in a superhero story (at the time, at least), it was a groundbreaking series that changed the X-Men forever. I doubt any film will ever come close to portraying it perfectly, but Dark Phoenix sure came close. Some alterations were made to the plot, but they made enough sense that they worked with the story. (ex. instead of Jean consuming the mother star of the D’Bari and wiping the entire race out, they nearly went extinct in another way and sought Jean’s Phoenix Force to resurrect what was left of them. A bit cliche, but again, it worked.)

Perfectly paced, stunning FX (especially when it came to Jean), and a plethora of fun Easter Eggs that…yeah, I had a bunch of Chris Pratt-esque, gaping moments in the theater. FOR EXAMPLE…

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–Dazzler. DAAAZZZZZZLEERRRRRR!!! I mean…okay, she’s not my favorite, but it was pretty cool to see her show up briefly after all these X-Men films. Plus, she was originally introduced in the Dark Phoenix Saga, so…nice touch.

–GENOSHA. Such a beautiful set. I really liked the approach they took with it–instead of being super high-tech, the structures and buildings were largely made up of scrap parts. Magneto’s house was also really pretty. (I mean, who wouldn’t put it past him to have a matching tea set?)

Another little Easter egg was the addition of Red Lotus (behind Storm) and Selene (in front of Nightcrawler). Though I can see why they were added in, they didn’t have much screen time at all, and seemed almost unneccesary, other than being throwaway allies of Magneto. Selene does look pretty cool, though. I’ll give them that.

What truly made this film, as it did in the comics, was the emotion and the themes of family. Dark Phoenix masterfully captured the raw, unfettered feelings of each of the mutants, showing their conflicts, their sorrow, their anger. Most prominent of all was Jean herself, and her internal struggle with her newfound abilities. I got choked up at the end–no spoilers, but it’s bittersweet, with a heartbreaking loss, followed by something more hopeful. A fitting farewell for the 20th Century Fox X-Men.

And to top it all off, there’s always the classic fun that comes along with watching an X-Men movie. The battle scenes are over-the-top, but in the best way possible. The final one was one of my favorite X-Men battle scenes, period.

No spoilers for this portion, but I’ll tell you one thing–

The context for that scene is…darkly hilarious.

Of course, every movie has it’s flaws. Dark Phoenix was in no way perfect, and I wished we’d had these aspects in it at some point:

–Quicksilver never told Magneto that he was his son. It ALMOST happened in Apocalypse, but alas…nada.

–On the subject of estranged relatives, there was a similar problem with Mystique and Nightcrawler. The only hint we get of their mother-son relationship is also in Apocalypse--she gives him some degree of special treatment, but not much beyond the rescue from the mutant fight ring.

–In the other films, there was lots of care taken to make the time period believable. Dark Phoenix is set in 1992, but if we weren’t told that, I’m not sure that I would’ve figured it out. Not even a band shirt or a running soundtrack for Quicksilver. *single tear slides down cheek*

But, all in all, Dark Phoenix was worth the long wait. Solid 8.5/10 from me. Go see it, X-Fans–you won’t regret it. Mutant and proud. 😉

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (6/4/19)-Aurora Rising (+ a few quick updates and explanations)

Posted on June 4, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

It is I, fellow bibliophiles, back from the dead at last!

Again, so sorry for going M.I.A. for about a month there. AP exams and finals were weighing me down a little bit, and I was a little *busy* about a week ago (by “busy” I mean “converting some of my friends to X-Men before Dark Phoenix comes out”). But hey, I’m back now, and I’ve got a positively INCREDIBLE book to review!

(Oh, and HAPPY HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! 🏳️‍🌈)

Everyone’s got their dream book. For all bibliophiles, there’s always that one book that we sorely wish that we’d written, that we re-read endlessly without getting tired of it. There’s a few books for me that I feel that way about. Think…Heart of Iron, and a few years back, the Search for WondLa series. Now, Aurora Rising has stolen the title of dream book…yes, surpassing Heart of Iron.

And I thought that was the best book in the universe. MAN.

Aurora Rising is, in short, everything that I could possibly want in a book–downright lovable characters, a fast-paced, intricate plot, and some classic, high-stakes space adventure.

Without further ado, here’s the first Book Review Tuesday in…like, a month? Wow, I’m really in rare form…

Aurora Rising

Tyler Jones thinks he has it made–he’s about to graduate at the top of his class from the Aurora Academy, a school that trains humans and aliens alike for interstellar humanitarian missions. But on the day of his graduation, he finds a defunct ship drifting out in space. In it, he finds Auri O’Malley, a girl who has been frozen in a cryogenic pod for 220 years.

After rescuing Auri, Tyler is late to graduation, and ends up with a ragtag crew of misfits and delinquents, all of which will accompany him on his missions: Scarlett, his twin sister, Cat, his childhood friend, Finian, Zila, Kal, and now Auri. Though the unlikely group seems destined for anything but greatness, they soon find themselves embedded in a mystery involving the mysterious planet that Auri and many other human colonists were set to settle. And Auri herself is an enigma–with each passing day, new powers wake within her, putting a target on her back that everyone in the Milky Way Galaxy can see from miles away.

Now, presenting the reactions of my last brain cells, upon finishing this book:

AAAAAAH!!!

Aurora Rising truly has it all–aside from the factors that I stated above (incredible world-building, characters TO DIE FOR, and ✨SPACE FUN✨), there’s also:

-Not only do we have great characters, but the chemistry between them is FANTASTIC

-BEAUTIFUL writing. Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff are honestly gods…

-No spoilers, but MY DREAM SHIP IS *squeezes two fingers almost completely together* THIS CLOSE TO BECOMING A REALITY

-DIVERSITY! Let me elaborate–Zila is African-American (or British? I dunno, they didn’t specify, but she’s definitely poc), Auri is mixed race (half Irish, half Chinese), and Finian is definitely LGBTQ+ (again, no explicit explanations, but I think he’s either bisexual or pansexual), and also has a disability that requires him to wear a special suit for mobility. (MAN, and I didn’t think you could get such good representation with an alien, for God’s sakes, and here we are…and I’m HAPPY FOR IT)

I’ll say it once, and I’ll say it again. DREAM. BOOK. AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE. PLEASE, GO READ IT. I’d rate it a solid…however many stars there are in the known universe out of 10. I kid you not. 😉

Kaufman and Kristoff have confirmed that this is going to be a trilogy, but as this book only came out about a month ago, we have no information other than that. (*cries while re-reading it and waiting for 2020*)

I hope you enjoyed this week’s review! Have a great rest of your day, and take care of yourselves!

Oh, and don’t forget…DARK PHOENIX COMES OUT ON FRIDAY!!! I’m seeing it on Saturday, so I’ll DEFINITELY get to a review at some point…AAAH!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (4/23/19)-Once and Future

Posted on April 23, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey, everyone, and welcome to this week’s Book Review Tuesday!

First things first. Happy World Book Day to all you bibliophiles, first of all!

Second, Happy Birthday (and…death day too, poor guy) to the Bard, William Shakespeare!

Can’t not mention that. We’ve read Romeo and Juliet and Othello in my English class this year, which I ADORED, and I look forward to getting into even more.

Now, onto this week’s review.

I went to my favorite bookstore the other day, and as soon as I saw Once and Future on the shelf, I knew that I HAD to buy it. I’d heard SO many good things about it, and what’s not exciting about a retelling of the tale of King Arthur that a) features a poc, LGBTQ+ girl as King (Queen?) Arthur, and b) is set in SPACE? I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

Already, this is one of the best books that I’ve read this year, and even though it’s only April, definitely one of the best YA books of 2019. (Or should I say…20-BI-TEEN???) (Sorry, low-hanging fruit there.)

Enjoy the review!

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Once and Future

For all of her life, Ari has known nothing but being on the run. She remembers little of her homeworld, and now lives on a space station with her older brother, trying to evade the clutches of the Mercer Corporation, who control nearly everything they can get their hands on in the galaxy. In a desperate attempt to escape the station and find their kidnapped parents. Ari crash lands her brother’s ship on a place called Earth. Upon arriving, she discovers a sword embedded deep within a stone…

…and pulls it out with little effort.

Ari is the 42nd reincarnation of King Arthur, and she is now tasked with saving her galaxy from the iron grip of the Mercer Corporation. With the help of a backwards-aging Merlin, her brother and friends, Ari must rise to the challenge, and bring peace and unity to a galaxy that desperately needs it.

Well…this is pretty much how my last two brain cells acted while I read this book…

I laughed, I cried, I internally AWWWWW’d SO much…all the feels are present here. A fresh, inventive retelling of a classic tale, with a well-executed twist. I loved seeing each and every element pop up in its new form, everything from the Knights of the Round Table to Merlin (God, Merlin…he’s probably my favorite). The characters were lovable in every possible way, the plot kept me at the edge of my seat, and the writing was simultaneously witty and heartwarming. Plus, fabulous representation (poc, LGBTQ+, etc.) in most aspects. 5 stars on Goodreads, and I’d say about 9-9.5 on my rating scale. SOLID A.

I believe this is going to be a duology, and the next installment, The Sword in the Stars, is set to be released next year. *excited squealing*

Thank you so much for reading this, and have an excellent day!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (4/9/19)-Last of Her Name

Posted on April 10, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hello, fellow bibliophiles, and welcome to this week’s Book Review Tuesday!

I’ve begun to notice that I’m a bit of a sucker for retellings. Most of my library “hauls” include at least one retelling them. Sometimes I read them consciously, sometimes I don’t know that they’re retellings until I read somebody’s review on Goodreads. Some I absolutely adore, some I loathe with a passion. Some are very well executed, and some fall embarassingly flat. You get the idea.

I’ve also begun to notice that I’m immediately attracted to sci-fi retellings of the story of Anastasia. (*coughcough*HEART OF IRON*coughcough*) As far as retellings go, these ones are few and far between, but when they’re good, they’re good. Heart of Iron might just be my favorite book of all time (coming close with Frankenstein, Carry On, A Monster Calls, Neverwhere, To Kill a Mockingbird, and a few others), and Last of Her Name was no exception. Beautifully crafted and action packed, this one left me on the edge of my seat, grinning from ear to ear.

Enjoy the review!

Last of Her Name

Stacia has heard the stories many times over; sixteen years ago, the ruling family of the Belt of Jewels were all assassinated, and from the ashes rose the tyrannical government that still stands to this day. Stacia has led a quiet, peaceful life in her parent’s vineyard, with her two childhood friends, Pol and Clio. But that quiet life is soon disrupted when the director of the cruel Union government arrives on her planet, intending to snuff out the loyalists-those who still support the murdered empire. What’s more is that the director claims that the princess of the empire is still alive, and she has gone by Stacia ever since.

Now on the run from the Union, Stacia and Pol mount a daring mission across the galaxy to save Clio–and to discover Stacia’s true identity.

Oh, where do I begin?

First off, I ADORED the world-building. The Belt of Jewels is such an intricately-crafted galaxy, with a rich history, and…alright, not quite aliens, but we’ve got a pretty fantastic myriad of “adapted humans”. Although I wish that we’d gotten a more in-depth look at the various species, I loved seeing their individual cultures, planets, and how they fit into the grand scheme of the Belt of Jewels.

Plus, there’s an aquatic species of adapted humans that…okay, yeah, I imagined them all looking like Abe Sapien.

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The characters were all so lovable, and I found myself nearly crying for them-on multiple occasions. I didn’t love some of them at first, but almost every one of them grew on me quickly. The plot was wonderfully fast-paced, intricate, and engaging, with a perfect ending that tied everything together quite nicely, I’ll say. All in all, a solid 4.25/5, which lands at about an 8.5 to a 9 on my book rating scale. Highly recommend it!

Last of Her Name is a standalone (*single tear slides down cheek*), but I think that the ending is satisfying enough. It’s a shame that the galaxy probably won’t be explained in more detail, but I’m happy with what we’ve got.

Thanks so much for reading this review, and have a great rest of your day! And for those of you in the path of winter storm Wesley…please stay warm and take care of yourselves.

And for those of you who want another retelling and haven’t read this book/review, check out my review for Heart of Iron (see 8/14/18)!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (4/2/19)-Ink, Iron and Glass

Posted on April 3, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey, everyone, and welcome to the first Book Review Tuesday of April 2019! No jokes, that was all yesterday.

Anyway, this was one of the (many) library books that I devoured in…about a day.

I had too much time on my hands.

This was one of those books where I just glanced on my Goodreads to-read list, saw the pretty cover (aDORE those watercolors), and put it on hold at the library, with absolutely zero expectations. But I must say, Ink, Iron, and Glass was an inventive, unputdownable book!

Enjoy the review!

Ink, Iron, and Glass

In an alternate version or our own world, a pen, armed with the right people, words, books, and intellect, can create an entirely new world. These worlds are created with the power of scriptology, and can house bizarre ecosystems, and even populations of unique people. Elsa and her scriptologist mother Jumi are not of this world; they dwell in a world created by other scriptologists; Jumi and Elsa are in charge of making sure their world is a well-oiled machine, with no faults, glitches, or catastrophes. But in a startling turn of events, Jumi is kidnapped, their house is ransacked and destroyed, and Elsa is forced to flee to Earth for answers. Her path of revenge leads her into 19th century Italy, where she teams up with a group of teenage alchemists and mechanists to track down her mother’s kidnapper. Will her mother–and the world that they lived in–be saved before her secrets are uncovered?

It’s difficult to place a genre on this book. At first glance, it seems as though it might be fantasy. I mean, that’s what the library labeled it as, so I’m not really gonna argue with that…

But as I got further and further into the book, it seemed to be a mix of science fiction, fantasy, with a little bit of historical steampunk thrown in.

And I know what you’re thinking, oh, dear lord, STEAMPUNK…yeah, those sort of elements were present, but they were a small fraction, and didn’t dominate the book. Don’t worry, no top-hats-gears-and-goggles overload.

All things considered, I think that’s a really good quality for a book to have. To have a book that can’t automatically be shoved into one genre is to have something made up of many different parts, working well in sync. It is to be something new, something original. And Ink, Iron, and Glass certainly was all of those things–wildly inventive, with fantastic world-building and lovable characters to work with all of the crazy and wondrous inventions and details.

Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi, fantasy, or something else entirely, I’d most definitely recommend this read. No matter what genre you hail from, you’re sure to enjoy at least something about this book.

I just found out, like…ten minutes ago when I googled the cover that yes, there is a sequel! It’s called Mist, Metal, and Ash and it came out in late February of this year. I’ll have to get to that pretty soon. And it seems as though the author has intended for this series to be a duology, so this may be it. Huh.

Well, thank you so much for reading, and have a great rest of your day!

Geeky Stuff, Movies, Music

Higher, Further, Faster…FANTASTIC! (Captain Marvel review)

Posted on March 30, 2019March 30, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news.

Bad news–the roads around Black Canyon of the Gunnison were too snowy, so they closed down the park yesterday, when we had planned to go. 😦

VERY good news–I saw Captain Marvel instead!

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My expectations were…slightly above average for this movie. It looked fun, at least–not as great as Black Panther or Infinity War, but not as much of a disappointment as Thor: Ragnarok (Unpopular opinion, I know). But man, my expectations were GREATLY exceeded! A healthy balance of action, heart, and pure fun that made for some much-needed levity in the MCU, especially after Infinity War. Also…first female-led MCU movie? SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY. COUNT ME IN!

I was a little nervous for how Captain Marvel would turn out. Some of her lines in the trailer were…yes, I’ll admit, they made me cringe. (Namely, her tone of voice when she said “I’m gonna end it.” Oof.) But, lo and behold, overall, Brie Larson did a great job of capturing the ferocity, heart, and independent spirit of the iconic hero. Her chemistry with the other characters (Nick Fury, Maria, the Kree, among others) was obvious and very well-done, and the cast seemed to work very well together as a whole. (Also, no spoilers, but…I’m wholeheartedly shipping Maria and Carol. Couple of the year.) The characters were all very unique, and many of them had pivotal–and sometimes very unexpected–roles in the unfolding of the plot.

This might have just been me, but I LOVED seeing this suit as well. After seeing it a few times in the comics (and thinking about how AWESOME it looked), I was so happy to see that they pulled it off very well in the movies. Captain Marvel’s Kree suit was also very sleek and well-designed, and–joy of joys–she’s not super scantily clad, either!

The plot was also very well executed and put-together–unpredictable, detailed, but not so complicated and convoluted that it was difficult to understand. Every little detail had a purpose, many of which factor into the later Avengers films, as well as Endgame, which is coming out…shall I say frighteningly soon. I’m prepared to come out of the theater sobbing again, a la Infinity War…sheeeeeeesh, that was a rough ride.

Another element that I really loved was the music–both score-wise and soundtrack-wise. The score was very modern and synth-y, reminiscent of the Stranger Things score. It was balanced perfectly, with a fair amount of electronic elements, but not so much that you’d think the movie was an EDM rave. The soundtrack was SPECTACULAR as well; because the movie is set in the 90s, we get to hear everything from Nirvana to No Doubt. I’ll admit that I was bopping my head through some of the fight scenes. 🤘

And one more thing–can we all take a moment to appreciate this adorable furball that is GOOSE??? What a CUTE KITTY!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! This guy honestly stole the show, and I’m 100% here for it. Also, you’ve probably heard some rumors about what Goose really is…no spoilers, but I’ve got a little hint:

…just wait for it…

Anyway, an INCREDIBLE film, perfect for old and new Marvel fans, or for anyone who’d like a little fun. PLEASE go see it.

Have a great rest of your day–and, in some cases, your Spring Break! Enjoy it while it lasts! 😉

Art

A Day at Natura Obscura

Posted on March 29, 2019March 29, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Surprise, surprise, this ISN’T a book review!

Today, I just wanted to take some time to catalogue my recent experience at Natura Obscura, an exhibit in the Museum of Outdoor Art (MOA) in Englewood, CO.

Natura Obscura is an interactive art exhibit, a combination of sculptures, recycled materials, and technology. Its theme is a bizarre sort of fantastical, nighttime forest, where strange creatures dwell in every nook and cranny. With an app on your phone, you can tour certain parts; the tour is activated by scanning your camera over one of six wooden medallions, which have pictures of forest spirits carved into them.

This was an illustration of three of the six spirits. Each one represented something different (ex. mountains, water, plains). I immensely enjoyed how much attention to detail was put in to creating this exhibit.

We were also given little UV flashlights upon entering the exhibit. When you waved them around, they revealed that many elements in the exhibit were decorated with blacklight-activated paint. Often, the light revealed these tiny little creatures, which were hidden all over the exhibit.

Other times, the light revealed drawings of leaves and hidden quotes on the floor. I got a few incredible quotes out of that morning.

Also, the laces of my Converse glow under a blacklight. Go figure.

Another path in the exhibit led to the Cabinet of Curiosities. This was a smaller exhibit, but by no means worse than Natura Obscura. It was filled from floor to ceiling with odd, Victorian artifacts, mirrors. There was even an audiobook recording of Alice in Wonderland being played in the background.

There were loads of classic fairy tale and nursery rhyme Easter eggs thrown in the mix as well–the rose from Beauty and the Beast, a fishtank with a quote from The Little Mermaid, Dorothy’s slippers…even the shattered remains of Humpty Dumpty.

Lewis Carroll would have definitely gotten a kick out of the whole thing.

If you’re in the Colorado area, I highly recommend that you visit this museum! I believe that Natura Obscura is a travelling exhibit, so catch it while you can. You won’t regret it.

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (3/26/19)-The Black Coats

Posted on March 26, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey, everyone, and welcome to the last Book Review Tuesday of March 2019! I know I’ve said this…oh, thousands of times already, but it feels like this year’s gone by so fast. It feels like yesterday that it was the middle of January, and I was ankle-deep in snow as the wind bit at my cheeks.

Alright, that was an admittedly dramatic description, but that’s Colorado January in a nutshell. Cold, bitter, borderline brutal.

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I’m beginning to realize the treasure trove of feminist YA literature I’ve stumbled upon lately. I’m pretty sure I read this one on International Women’s Day, and boy, it was the PERFECT book for the occasion. Contemporary, with a slight fantasy twist, exploring all sides of feminism in a way that is perfectly suited to this day and age. The Black Coats eternally kept me on the edge of my seat, and I hope that all who read this feel the same way.

Enjoy the review! 🙂

The Black Coats

Ever since her cousin, Natalie, was murdered, Thea has been eager to exact her revenge. But with the killer having gone free and the case gone unnoticed, she struggles to find a way to come to terms with it.

But she isn’t alone.

Months after the death of her cousin, Thea discovers a black envelope with an invitation from a mysterious society that call themselves the Black Coats. They are a highly reclusive organization of women, all of whom have been hurt by men, that bring killers to justice and make the guilty answer for their crimes. At first, Thea is eager to join, intent on bringing her cousin’s killer to justice. But the more she delves into the history of the Black Coats, the more she realizes that the line between justice and needless revenge is thinner than ever. Can Thea avenge Natalie’s death without getting herself in too deep?

I’m really ashamed of how average my expectations were of this book. I expected it to be at least halfway-decent, a nice mystery to satiate myself after my continuous sci-fi/fantasy binge.

In the end, this is what my brain said to me about my assumptions:

WOW. The Black Coats really has it all–phenomal and heart wrenching writing, startlingly real characters with heart and emotion, a plot that kept me on my toes, absolutely perfect chemistry, and a relevant theme that not only was necessary to touch on, but wasn’t delivered in a way that was preachy. Whether you’re looking for fiction, mystery, feminism, or even a little romance, The Black Coats is an essential for all of you bookworms out there. Every single one of you. 9/10 on my rating scale, and probably a solid A. Incredible job, Mrs. Oakes, this one’s a gem.

Well, I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day, and a lovely spring break! I promise to post more than BRTs in the time that is to come–I’ve got a few ideas, and I’ll probably come back after Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park with some good stories and pictures. See you soon, fellow bibliophiles! 😉

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (3/12/19)-King of Scars

Posted on March 12, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Alright, I know it’s been a little while, but finally welcome to the first Book Review Tuesday of March 2019!

This book is/was easily one of the most anticipated books of the year, and it only released in JANUARY. Understandably, of course; I mean, who wouldn’t want a book centered around NIKOLAI LANTSOV? C’mon…

Aaaaanyway, I was surprised to find it already available at the library, just shy of a month after it had been released. So, naturally, I IMMEDIATELY put it on hold. I’d been waiting for this book for at least…hmm, probably a good six months, so I was beyond excited. I expected classic Leigh Bardugo fantasticness, but…

MAN, KING OF SCARS TRULY BLEW IT OUT OF THE WATER. 5 stars on Goodreads, 10 stars on my personal rating scale. No rounding down to 4.75 or anything. Just a solid 5.

If you do read it (which I HIGHLY recommend), I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Enjoy this week’s review!

NOTE: If you’re interested in reading this book, it occurs after the events of the Grisha Trilogy and the Six of Crows duology; both are also referenced throughout the book. Read both series before you read this.

King of Scars

In the blink of an eye, Nikolai Lantsov has risen from an infamous privateer to the king of Ravka. On the outside, he seems to have it made; he’s popular among the people of Ravka, and after the war to conquer the Darkling and his armies, Ravka seems to be at peace. But Nikolai is struggling with both internal and external forces that threaten to topple not just his reputation, but his country as well. The demonic entity inside him possesses him more and more, and the results grow more catastrophic with each day. Additionally, a threat that Ravka thought was gone for good threatens to rise once more, and if it does, it may mean the end of the country as they know it. Will Nikolai be able to juggle his personal conflict and the future of his country all at once?

Nikolai was always one of my favorite characters in the original Grisha trilogy (for my reviews on those three, see 7/3/18, 7/24/18, & 8/21/18), and I was ecstatic when I found out that there would be an entire book dedicated to him. (Who wouldn’t be, though?)

I was not disappointed in the least. Jumping back into Leigh Bardugo’s carefully crafted book felt warm and fuzzy, almost like reuniting with an old friend. The beautiful world, the simultaneously heartbreaking and magical prose, the crackling chemistry of the characters, and especially the witty, absolutely gut-busting banter. OH MY GOD, through all of the generally disturbing action scenes, there was always a truckload of hysterical one-liners throughout. (Mostly from the likes of Nikolai, of course.) In short, everything you could ever want in a book, period.

It has been confirmed that this will be part of a duology (!!!!!!!!), but we don’t have any details other than that. (Naturally, as the book just came out a little over two months ago…) In the meantime, we’ll just have to…re-read every single book in the Grishaverse to satiate ourselves while we wait for that…and the Netflix adaptation, whenever that’s coming out. Should be interesting, at the very least.

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading this review! Thank you for stopping by, and have a great rest of your day/week!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (2/26/19)-Navigating the Stars

Posted on February 27, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hello, fellow bibliophiles, and welcome to the last Book Review Tuesday of February 2019! (MAN…this year has already gone by so fast…but hey, it’s almost March, BRING ON THE WARM WEATHER!)

Anyway.

I bought this book on my Kindle to tide me over during my trip to Florida recently (which I promise I’ll post about soon). I feel like it came to me from Goodreads in one of the recent boatloads of recommendations I’ve been getting (DOUBLE WHOA). As you’ve…probably figured out, I’m always hungry for exciting sci-fi, so it was a quick (and…well, rather lacking in forethought) buy.

Though my appetite for science fiction was not quite satiated, I will say that this was definitely and interesting and compelling novel. A tad bit of a slow read for me (then again, I read it in chunks while rather tired), but I doubt you guys will have the same experience as I did.

Whoops. Guess I’m not selling the book very much. Well, you can tell for yourselves if you’d like it or not right about now, because I come bearing a review!

Enjoy!

Navigating the Stars

Lyra Daniels lives in a constant cycle of moving from planet to planet, dragged along by her archaeologist parents. For them, it’s a chance to delve into the mystery of the Terra Cotta Warriors, which are showing up on countless planets across the galaxy. For Lyra, it’s a tragic circle of making friends, growing close, and having to leave them behind, never to see them again, and, thanks to the complications of interstellar travel, leaping forward many years, leaving her friends to age while she stays seventeen. After another planet housing the Warriors is discovered, Lyra tags along on the latest mission, spending her days worming her way through the Quantum-Net, and trying to cozy up to Niall, the only other crew member who’s close to her age. But when Lyra and the rest of the crew realize that they aren’t the only ones searching for the Warriors, they must work together to unravel a conspiracy like no other.

Alright, let me get one stupid joke out of the way before I get to my relevant opinions. The premise of Navigating the Stars was definitely original and captivating (unknown lifeforms creating Terra Cotta Warriors identical to the ones here on Earth) but it immediately made me think of this…

ALIENS.

Alright, here we go.

Navigating the Stars, though a bit slow at certain points (mostly when Lyra was travelling through space), was certainly an inventive and creative novel. LOTS of attention to detail and science, with relatable characters, and an intriguing plot to match. And though it wasn’t necessarily “action-packed” (not a bad thing, in the case of this book), the last third to quarter (or thereabouts) of the book was definitely creepy and very high-stakes. And yes, we do eventually get…ALIENS.

A must-read for anyone who loves a well-crafted sci-fi mystery.

Well, thanks so much for reading the review! Have a great rest of your day, and take care of yourselves! 🙂