Book Review Tuesday – Page 30 – The Bookish Mutant

Book Review Tuesday (2/5/19)-Amid Stars and Darkness

Posted on February 6, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey, fellow bookworms, and welcome to the first Book Review Tuesday of February 2019!

First of all, HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!

*loud oinking ensues for the rest of the year*

Happy February as well (even though…let’s face it, February’s kind of the most boring month of the year…)!

Now, onto this week’s review.

For some reason, I’ve been getting a BOATLOAD of recommendations from Goodreads. Boatload with a capital B. Or maybe with the 🅱 emoji?

🅱OATLOAD

Yeah, that’s better.

Anyway, I found Amid Stars and Darkness amongst the 🅱OATLOAD of book recs, and I figured it would be fairly interesting, at the very least. I’m always itching for original, creative sci-fi, so this was kind of a “shut up and take my library card” kind of moment. I just finished reading it a few days ago, and I’d say that I’m reasonably impressed!

Enjoy the review!

Amid Stars and Darkness

Delaney’s life on Earth is turning out to be a normal, peaceful one, with nothing surprising, even with the newfound existence of life on other worlds. But after a night in a club, she is captured by a fleet of aliens who have mistaken her for their runaway princess, Lissa Olena. Swept away to a bizarre planet, Delaney must act undercover as the princess’ lookalike while the search for the true princess continues. If she keeps up the ruse for long enough, she may be forced to marry Olena’s psychotic fiancee, Trystan, but if she makes even a minor slip, she could set the entire kingdom into total chaos-and put her life and the lives of many others in danger. Will Delaney be able to play the dangerous royal game long enough to survive?

Alright, I’ve got a confession to make. One sci-fi trope I’m absolutely SICK of is making aliens look almost exactly like humans, but with a few minor tweaks (i.e., abnormal skin/eye color, conviniently super attractive). Like, come on, have a little imagination!

And Amid Stars and Darkness was guilty of this, like many others. But the good thing about this novel was that the world building, and writing DEFINITELY made up for it. I was able to put aside my annoyance regarding the aliens, what with the intricately crafted planet, social structure of the aliens, and the vivid descriptions. Honestly, I even loved the descriptions of the BATHROOMS. THAT GOOD. The writing was very well done, and the characters were generally pretty likeable. Overall, about 85% the aspects of this book were spot-on, which made me able to see past the flaws.

There’s a sequel out (I think it came out last year? Somewhere around that time, I believe), and I’d be interested in reading it. With where the plot might be going, I’m intrigued to see what happens next. 😉

Well, have a happy Lunar New Year, and a great rest of your day! Take care of yourselves, and thank you for reading this review!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/29/19)-Illuminae

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

Hey, everyone, and welcome to the last Book Review Tuesday of January 2019! Man, this month has already gone by so fast…it feels like yesterday I was sitting downstairs watching X2 with my cats over winter break…*sigh*

Aaaaaaaaanyway, I actually didn’t get this book at the library this time (*GASP* PLOT TWIST); I bought it, along with Honor Among Thieves (for that review, see 6/12/18), which is now IN PAPERBACK! REJOICE!

Illuminae was recommended to me by a friend, and for the most part, I trust her book judgement. That, other than some other rave reviews I’ve seen and the dazzling cover art ultimately buy this book. I could barely fit it in my backpack, but MAN, it was completely worth it. The cover’s a teeeeeensy bit dinged up at the edges now (oof), but it was worth it all the same. Trust me. 😉

Enjoy the review!

Illuminae

Kady Grant and Ezra Mason thought that breaking up would be the worst of their problems. But after their colony is destroyed by a fleet of warships, fighting for dominance over their tiny planet, they are forced to flee on two seperate ships. Out in the midst of space, Kady and Ezra realize that the colony’s destruction was only the tip of the iceberg. A psychotic AI, a deadly virus, and the imminent arrival of one of the warships that destroyed the colony now face the crews of the two ships, and only those with adequate wits, strength, and bravery will live to see the next day.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that Illuminae is like nothing I’ve ever seen.

The format is insanely creative, as well as fascinating. Illuminae is told not in ordinary writing, but in a series of transcripts from security camera footage, text messages between crew members, letters from the captain(s), and even snippets of dialogue from AIDAN, the maniacal AI aboard the ship Alexander. It takes a little getting used to, but in the end, I’m sure that you’ll appreciate it, 100%. Both authors skillfully weave a bleak, edge-of-your-seat dystopian tale set in the farthest reaches of space. Illuminae is a true gem of YA science fiction, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the first of its kind. Perfect for all fans of sci-fi, or anyone who wants something frightening, a thrill ride, or just something fresh to wash away the taste of some of the existing YA cliches. Solid 9.5/10 on my scale. 🙂

This series is a trilogy, but I haven’t gotten to the sequels just yet. The same friend who recommended this book said that book 2 (Gemina, I believe) was something of a let-down, but I was so pumped about this book that I’ve already tried to put it on hold at the library. (All copies are currently in use. Woe is me.)

Thanks so much for reading this review! I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day, and PLEASE, especially for those of you in the winter storm in the U.S., take care of yourselves, stay safe, and stay warm.

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/22/19)-The Rest of Us Just Live Here

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

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

This book was one of my first “interim” books of the year-the Kindle books I check out in the time when I’ve finished with my current batch of library books and the new batch isn’t ready yet. I initially started reading this because a) I loved A Monster Calls (see 5/16/17 if you want to read my review of that one), and b) EpicReads was, as usual, raving about it, and they even had a quiz or two based off of it. In short, it wasn’t nearly as spectacular as A Monster Calls, but The Rest of Us Just Live Here is still a fantastic book. And to be fair, the two are very different books. Maybe I shouldn’t be making that comparison.

But anyway, regardless of whether my comparison was justified or not, here’s the review! Enjoy!

The Rest of Us Just Live Here

In every story, there is the “Chosen One”. The one who is destined to rid the world of whatever supernatural threat has come to end it, the one who is destined to fall in love with a handsome prince and live happily ever after, until they are called upon to save the world again. Mikey, of all people, should know. His small town is full of them–they’ve faced down vampires, zombies, and even gods, and too many have sacrificed themselves in the process.

But Mikey? He’s just a normal kid. He doesn’t have powers, or the weight of the world on his shoulders; as long as he graduates high school in one piece and gets the girl of his dreams, he’s fine with it. But when supernatural forces cause his high school tp explode, Mikey realizes that the Chosen Ones shouldn’t have to be the ones with the burdens on their shoulders. Sometimes, it’s just too big for one group of kids to handle.

Anyone who’s read their share of fantasy knows all of the tropes like the back of their hand. This witty novel explores-and sometimes mocks-all of them, while simultaneously delving into the world beyond the Chosen Ones. Alternating between snippets of a classic fantasy story, starring the current Chosen Ones (or “indie kids”, as they are referred to in the book), and the not-so-adventurous story of Mikey’s life, Ness has created a well-crafted look at what happens to the normal ones, those who aren’t destined to save the world. Clever, laugh-out-loud, and sometimes very real, The Rest of Us Just Live Here is a spectacular read not only for fantasy readers, but also for anyone who’s just looking for something new.

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

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/15/18)-The Disasters

Posted on January 16, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hello, everyone, and welcome to this week’s edition of Book Review Tuesday!

WOW. I didn’t realize how long I’d been waiting for this book until a few weeks before I checked it out.

I feel like it was on some sort of EpicReads list, and it looked really good, so I put it on my to-read list, and then on hold at the library. Of course, it wouldn’t be available for another…mmm, give or take 6 MONTHS OR SO, because I was an idiot and I didn’t realize that it was coming out in December.

So anyway, it became available a few weeks ago, and I was overjoyed to read it at last. And? I must say, I was not disappointed in the least. A truly wild ride, packed with witty banter, classic sci-fi fun, and lots of crazy twists and turns! We’re only, oh, three or so weeks into 2019, but it’s the best sci-fi book I’ve read so far this year!

Enjoy the review!

The Disasters

Nax Hall has dreamed of becoming a pilot since he was a little boy, back on Earth. Now, he is looking to enroll in the Ellis Station Academy, so he can train to be a full-fledged pilot and travel across the universe. But his dreams are tragically cut short after he fails his exams within a day of arriving, and he’s sent on the first ship back to Earth with three other expelled students. It seems as though this is the end for Nax and his friends, until Ellis Station Academy is attacked by a group of terrorists. As the only ones present at the time of this tragedy, Nax and his ragtag gang are now the prime suspects for the heinous crime. Forced to flee to another planet, they must now discover the truth about the attack on the Academy-and evade the law.

OH. MAN.

I had high(ish) expectations for The Disasters, but nothing could have prepared me for how stellar (no pun intended) this novel was. Feasible, intricate, future world-building? Gotcha. A cast of characters that are not only very diverse, but UNCANNILY LIKEABLE? Look no further. Spectacular writing, paired with a super-fun plot that had me on the edge of my seat? Check and check! Any sci-fi fan, no matter what your specific tastes are, read this book. I promise that you’ll be grinning the entire time you’re reading this.

Oh, and also, it reminded me a lot of Guardians of the Galaxy, which is a pretty major plus, if you ask me.

Well, thanks for taking the time to read this review! Have a fantastic rest of your week, and take care of yourselves! 🙂

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/8/18)-The Bone Witch

Posted on January 8, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

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

First and foremost, happy happy birthday to David Bowie, the Man who Fell to Earth. Thank you for bringing your joy, creativity, and music to this planet.

(Currently listening to my all-Bowie playlist. I just finished re-watching the “Life On Mars?” music video, and I’ll admit that I got choked up. GAH. 💔 )

Aaaaaanyway, time for me talk about books and try not to cry.

The Bone Witch was recommended by a good friend of mine about a month or so ago. I trusted her judgment and checked it out at the library, hoping to be pleasantly surprised. And? AMAZING fantasy novel. With a world and lore that nearly rivals that of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, this book really packs a punch.

Enjoy the review!

The Bone Witch

In Tea’s world, witches protect the people from the forces of evil. Each one harnesses a different power, connecting to different elements and forces of nature. Tea has yet to discover her powers, but when she unintentionally resurrects her brother Fox, she realizes that she’s a Bone Witch, capable of various feats of necromancy.

Bone Witches are feared and their powers frowned upon, and Tea becomes ashamed of her powers. But under the tutelage of a mentor in the city, she learns to control her unusual abilities. She must face not only the criticism of the other witches, but also the true evils that threaten to change her world for the worse. Can Tea figure out her budding powers-and learn to face down the forces that could destroy her world?

See above, my friend has great taste.

The Bone Witch is an expertly crafted fantasy, with a world that I’d willingly get lost in and beautiful writing to match. So much time and attention to detail is put into the world-building, and it truly shows through in this novel. I adored all of the lore and history with the witches, and it reminded me a lot of the Grishaverse (type “Grishaverse” into the search bar, and all of my reviews for them should come up) . The characters were incredible, and they were each very unique and fit well into the enchanting world. Overall, I highly recommend this to all you YA fantasy fans out there, especially fans of the Grishaverse. 🙂

I’m preeeetty sure this is a trilogy, but I haven’t quite looked into reading the rest of the series just yet. I’ll have to add the sequel(s) to my TBR, regardless.

Thank you so much for reading this week’s review! Have a fantastic day, and take care of yourselves!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/1/19)-The Hazel Wood

Posted on January 1, 2019 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hi, everyone, and welcome to the FIRST BOOK REVIEW TUESDAY OF 2019! WE MADE IT! HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!!

This book was one of my last reads of 2018, and part of my *sniffle* last library haul of that year as well. I’d heard some rave reviews (mostly from EpicReads), and I almost bought it at Barnes and Noble, but, alas, still in hardback, and therefore, more expensive than a book of that size really should be. I finally got around to checking it out last week, and I was AMAZED. My expectations were average, but The Hazel Wood was well above-average.

Enjoy the review!

The Hazel Wood

Alice Proserpine has lived her whole life on the run. Her grandmother is a recluse, the author of a renowned fairy tale book, Tales from the Hinterland, and her mother seems to run into bad luck wherever they roam. But when Alice receives news that her grandmother has passed away, she decides to set off to uncover the truth about why she really hid herself away. The Hazel Wood, the secluded house where she lived out most of her adulthood, has never been found by the public, but with the help of some of her grandmother’s most devoted fans, she finds some vital clues about its location. But what she finds there is stranger than she could have ever imagined…

WOW.

The Hazel Wood was immensely better than I expected it to be. The mix of realistic fiction and fairytale fantasy blended together perfectly, making for a chilling, masterfully crafted gem of a book. Incredibly creative, with unique and fierce characters and a twisted plot to match. Not only that, but there were a bunch of wonderful and hilarious pop culture references thrown in at the most perfect of times-everything from Star Wars to David Bowie to Nirvana to T. Rex.

We know there’s a sequel coming some time this year, but it has yet to be titled or have a cover reveal. The author has also hinted at the release of Tales from the Hinterland somewhere down the line, too…OOH…

All in all, spectacular book. Would probably land a solid 9 on my book rating scale.

Well, I hope you all have a happy, happy new year, and a great rest of your day! Thanks for reading this post, and take care of yourselves! (And for those of you in temperatures like the one’s I’m in, please stay warm. It was -2 degrees around midnight last night.)

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review (Tuesday), 3rd Anniversary Edition-Dare Mighty Things

Posted on December 29, 2018 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Three years ago today, I was probably hunched over my laptop, and I had a fetus of an idea to do a book review on my blog, every week on Tuesdays. Over the course of time, I’ve forgotten a fair amount, my book genres and audiences have shifted, and hopefully they’ve gotten a little longer, and maybe even more intelligent sounding. (Like I said, hopefully.) And here we are now, with 2018 almost behind us. I’ve got one last book review for 2018, and then it’ll be 2019! And would you look at that-the first Tuesday of the year is NEW YEAR’S DAY!

THANK GOD 2018 IS ALMOST OVER, amirite or amirite, guys?

So now, without further ado, the last Book Review Tuesday of 2018!

I got this one at the library a little before the mental dumpster fire that was finals week. It had been on my to-read list for about a year or so, and I thought, hey, why not check it out? My expectations were average-nothing spectacular, but nothing egregiously bad.

Boy, was I wrong about that one.

Dare Mighty Things had close to everything I’ve ever wanted in a sci-fi novel. Do not be fooled by its unassuming appearances-it quickly becomes something like nothing you’ve ever read before. Buckle your seat belts, folks, this one’s a wild ride. 😉

Dare Mighty Things

Thirty years from now, NASA has taken great leaps and bounds in the field of space travel and exploration. Now, they are offering a program for a new generation to take the reins. Twenty five gifted young adults will undergo many physical and mental challenges to become candidates to board a spacecraft with other astronauts, and explore the unknown regions of the universe. Out of these 25, only one will be able to go to space. Cassandra Gupta, an incredibly gifted young woman and one of the youngest candidates, is determined to rise to the top. Becoming an astronaut and exploring deep space has been her lifelong dream, and with her prowess and smarts, should be a shoo-in for the space program. But everything that she’s been told and trained in pales in comparison to what she truly faces in the darkest reaches of the universe…

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

HOLY MOLY, that was amazing. As I said earlier, I greatly underestimated the potential of this book. But in the end, we’ve got the full-meal-sci-fi-deal, folks. The plot kept me on my toes, I grew to love (and to almost hate, in some cases) the wonderful and diverse cast of characters, and oH MY GOD…

Just to warn you guys, there’s an insane cliffhanger at the end that will, without a doubt, leave you hungry for so much more. I know that’s how I felt, certainly.

The sequel to Dare Mighty Things, One Giant Leap, came out in October, and as of right now, I haven’t been able to find it on the regular library or the Kindle library. Maybe it’ll be reasonably cheap on Amazon…who can say? I mean Heart of Iron (see 8/14/18) came out this year, and it was…what 7 bucks on Amazon? Pretty great deal for something that recent, if you ask me.

Aaaaaanyway, I hope you have a great rest of your day, and a happy new year!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (12/4/18)-Eve

Posted on December 5, 2018 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hello, fellow bibliophiles, and welcome to the first Book Review Tuesday of December 2018!

Man, I still can’t believe it’s already December. The year’s almost over now, and honestly? THANK. GOD. But hey, now it’s nearly Christmastime!

Eve was another one of my “interim” books-the ones I borrow from the Kindle library when my physical library books aren’t ready yet. Though my expectations were somewhat low, this book did not disappoint! A simulatenously bleak and hopeful novel, with a startlingly believable vision of the future.

Enjoy the review!

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Eve

After a plague has wiped out most of the population, mankind is struggling to repopulate. Boys are raised in labor camps, while girls go to the School, where they are educated on their past history and the dangers of men. Once they graduate, they are promised bright futures in the capital city.

Eve has believed all of this since she was five years old, making good grades and obeying the word of the headmistress and teachers of the School. But before she is set to lead her graduation ceremony, she discovers a dark secret about the true fate of the School’s graduates, and runs away so that she might still have a chance at a better life. With only the instructions of a teacher to guide her, she sets off into the unknown, where Caleb, a boy who’s been living on his own for many years, comes to her rescue. She soon discovers that much of what she has been taught in School is completely irrelevant, and must find a way to survive, dodge the authorities, and make it to safety.

I didn’t expect to like Eve as much as I did; I thought it would just be something to pass the time for a day or two, that I’d forget in a month’s time. On the contrary, Eve was an incredible book! While it presented a nightmarish, startling future world, it still managed to be hopeful in the worst of times. Hopeful moments in more dystopian novels is something I really admire; there isn’t a situation that’s completely devoid of hope, after all, no matter how bad it gets. Additionally, the characters were incredible, from the naïve but determined Eve, to the rogue boys and schoolgirls. A solid 7.5 or an 8 on my rating scale.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this week’s review! Have a great rest of your day, and please take care of yourselves and stay warm. 🙂

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (11/20/18)-Catwoman: Soulstealer

Posted on November 20, 2018 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

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

After how much I loved Wonder Woman: Warbringer (see 9/11/18) and Batman: Nightwalker (which I stupidly haven’t reviewed, but will at some point), I figured that Catwoman: Soulstealer would be no different. So, I checked it out at the library, along with Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass.

It’s funny, I kind of hated Throne of Glass (pleeeease don’t brutally murder me for this, it just wasn’t my thing), but I really liked Catwoman! I’d have to read more of Maas’ work to make my theory have a little more weight, but I guess I just like it when she’s given a set of characters and a world to work with, as opposed to creating her own. (Okay, that’s…probably a little mean, sorry, but that’s how it’s been for me thus far.) So whether you’re a Throne of Glass fan or not, Catwoman is spectacular!

Enjoy the review!

Catwoman: Soulstealer

Desperate to escape her drug addict mother and care for her terminally ill sister, Selina Kyle turns to a life of crime to get by. For years, she fights her way to the top of the food chain, struggling to provide for her and her sister, while simultaneously dodging the likes of Carmine Falcone. Eventually, she is discovered by Talia al-Ghul, who recognizes her potential and talent, and sends her off to train with the League of Assassins.

Many years later, Selina returns to the streets of Gotham City under the alias Holly Vanderhees. In the absence of Batman, she rekindles her reputation, and allies with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. Together, the three of them are a force to be reckoned with. But can they evade the authorities for long enough?

I’ve always had something of a soft spot for Catwoman, partially because of the fact that I love cats, and because, well…simply put, she’s a spectacular villain, and, in some cases, antihero. I especially like her depiction in the animated show The Batman. (It ran in the early to late 2000’s…anybody remember it? Quality.) I mean, her costume is SPOT-ON. COME ON, GUYS. 10/10.

I actually imagined Selina’s costume in *Catwoman: Soulstealer* a little like this. It’s always been one of my favorite interpretations of Catwoman.

But anyway, Sarah J. Maas did an incredible job of depicting Catwoman, as well as giving her some backstory and history. I also really enjoyed the camaraderie between her, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn. They’re so fun together, and Harley didn’t get on my nerves.

Let me elaborate on that. Usually, Harley Quinn is either a) not only oversexualized, but also incredibly annoying, or b) just adorable. My personal favorite is *Batman: The Animated Series* Harley, though her *Catwoman* description in terms of clothing was more along the lines of *Suicide Squad.*

All in all, a well-written novel that did considerable justice to the original characters!

Well, I hope you all have a great day, and for my followers in the U.S, have a happy Thanksgiving!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (11/13/18)-To Kill a Kingdom

Posted on November 14, 2018 by madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

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

Before I get into today’s review, though, I have a little something to say.

I was devastated yesterday afternoon when I heard that Stan Lee had passed on. Marvel has and will always be a big and meaningul part of my life, so thank you, Mr. Lee, for all of your wonderful contributions to this world. Excelsior. 💔

Now for the review.

I recently checked this book out at the library, convinced by many months of seemingly endless praise. (It’s already been nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award, so awesome job, Mrs. Christo!) And though it didn’t quite live up to the massive amount of hype, it was definitely a thrilling novel. To Kill a Kingdom is a rich and dark retelling of “The Little Mermaid”, where the main character still wants the prince’s heart, but…in a different sort of way. Let’s leave it at that for now. 😏

Enjoy this week’s review!

To Kill a Kingdom

Lira, princess of the Sirens, is a formidable foe, with a collection of many human hearts and a bloody appetite to match. On a quest for another heart, she accidentally kills a fellow siren instead of the human prince she’s after, and her mother, the infamous Sea Queen, gives her a punishment and a task. By the time the Winter Solstice comes, she must kill the human Prince Elian and take his heart. But it’s easier said than done-she’s trapped in the form of a human until she can complete her mission.

With her new human body, she tricks her way into the ranks of the prince’s siren-hunting crew. Elian takes Lira in as one of his own, but is still suspicious of her origins and intentions. As the Winter Solstice draws nearer, Lira becomes entangled in the affairs of the human world, but is still determined to complete her task. Will Elian’s heart be hers before time runs out?

I’ll admit, I’ve never read the original version of “The Little Mermaid”, nor seen the 1989 Disney version in full (I have hazy memories of seeing a few clips when I was a little kid), but I know the basic gist of the story. And I must say, this an incredibly well-done retelling! Alexandra Christo does an excellent job of simultaneously staying true to the original tale and giving it a twist all her own. A truly enchanting, dark, and action-packed novel. Even if you aren’t familiar with the original works, I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves a well-crafted fantasy novel.

I know I’ve been saying this for at least a month now, but I PROMISE that I have more than just book reviews coming in the next few days (or weeks) or so. I’ve been a little bit busier, but Thanksgiving break is coming up, so I’ll probably have some time this week and next week for some new content. I PROMISE, GUYS! SORRY!!!

Well, I hope you have a great rest of your day, and stay warm! (Or, just…maintain a decent body temperature, depending on what the weather is where you are. Sound good?)