jay kristoff – The Bookish Mutant

Six of Crows Book Tag

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

book tags header.jpeg

Hi again, bibliophiles!

I figured that today would be a good day for a tag, and in lieu of the announcement that the Netflix Shadow and Bone/Six of Crows show has wrapped up filming, I figured this one would be fun to do. (I’m kind of scared for how the show will turn out, because some of the Grishaverse books are kind of my babies, but that’s a story for another time). I found this tag over at SMELLFOY CAN READ?

Since I should probably give this post a little pizzazz, here’s some Six of Crows art from one of my favorite comic artists/book cover artists, Kevin Wada. (Same guy who drew the covers for Carry On and Wayward Son, actually!)

Image result for six of crows kevin wada

Let’s begin, shall we?

The Thief • Kaz Brekker: A Layered or Complex Character

One of my first thoughts here was Art from Like a Love Story. Definitely someone who presents a tough exterior, but is deeply wounded on the inside.

Image result for like a love story

The Wraith • Inej Ghafa: A Book With a Twist You Didn’t See Coming

Without question, the end of Thunderhead. The ending came out of nowhere…I think I still bear the scars from having to wait almost two years to see how it all turned out…

Image result for thunderhead neal shusterman

The Sharpshooter • Jesper Fahey: An Author that Never Misses the Mark

Though I haven’t read any of his adult works, Jay Kristoff has never disappointed me. With his signature wit and heartrending writing, I’ve never read any book by him that I didn’t like.

The Heartrender • Nina Zenik: A Book that Broke your Heart or Gave you All the Feels

There’s a long list, and since I’ve already spoken about the aftereffects of A Monster Calls, I’d have to say To Kill a Mockingbird. Feels were had. Tears were shed.

Image result for to kill a mockingbird

The Convict • Matthias Helvar: A Character Caught Between Two Worlds

My first thought here was Abe Sapien from the Hellboy and B.P.R.D. comics. I mean…the guy’s amphibious…talk about being literally and figuratively being caught between two worlds…

Image result for abe sapien the drowning

The Explosives Expert • Wylan Van Eck: A Book that Went Out with a Bang or a Cliffhanger

Yikes, can I put Thunderhead on here twice?

Just kidding. Dare Mighty Things certainly ended with a bang AND a major cliffhanger. Talk about another ending that absolutely wrecked me.

Image result for dare mighty things book

I tag any fellow Six of Crows fans who’d like to participate!

Since I’ve posted twice today, head over to this week’s Book Review Tuesday for ~~even more Radiohead~~ today’s song.

That just about wraps up this tag! Have a wonderful rest of your day, and take care of yourselves!

thank you for reading.jpg

Book Tags, Books

20 Questions Book Tag

Posted on January 11, 2020January 11, 2020 by Madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

book tags header.jpeg

Happy Saturday, bibliophiles!

I came across this tag on the wonderful Megabunny Reads, and I thought it would be fun to participate. Here goes nothin’…

HOW MANY BOOKS IS TOO MANY IN A SERIES?

I’m notorious for starting series and never finishing them, but I feel like the limit for me would be once it passes the double-digit mark. Unless they’re spin-offs, I’m not sure how any series could possible perpetuate a story for so long without making it needless.

Image result for too long gif

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT CLIFFHANGERS?

If done well, they’re an excellent way to keep the reader hooked. If poorly executed, I sometimes find that they can be a pathetic excuse for a rushed ending. But most of the time, I find them good, but painfully so.

Image result for cliffhanger gif

HARDBACK OR PAPERBACK?

Eh…I don’t really discriminate. Hardback is more expensive, but I feel like there’s an equally likely chance for them to get damaged, so either one works for me.

Image result for both is fine gif

FAVORITE BOOK?

Hands down, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

Image result for frankenstein book cover

LEAST FAVORITE BOOK?

Probably The Witch of Blackbird Pond. We had to read in in 6th grade, and I despised it with every cell of my being. So dry and boring.

Image result for the witch of blackbird pond

LOVE TRIANGLE…YES OR NO?

I mean…no. I can recall many times where they’ve worked out, but most of the time, they definitely bug me.

Image result for ew david gif

THE MOST RECENT BOOK THAT YOU COULDN’T FINISH?

I hate to say it, but Half Bad by Sally Green. After adoring her Smoke Thieves series, I was so disappointed at how little plot there was. But hey, debut novel. Everybody makes mistakes.

Image result for half bad sally green

A BOOK YOU’RE CURRENTLY READING?

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. I haven’t even hit the 100-page mark, but I already love it.

Image result for on writing stephen king

THE LAST BOOK YOU RECOMMENDED TO SOMEONE?

My school’s book club meeting for this month was yesterday, so I certainly threw out a boatload of recommendations. I think the most prominent one that hadn’t previously surfaced was Alexander Freed’s novelization of Rogue One.

Image result for rogue one book

OLDEST BOOK THAT YOU’VE READ?

I think that Frankenstein would take that title as well.

Image result for frankenstein gif

NEWEST BOOK THAT YOU’VE READ?

Hmm…I think it might be Marissa Meyer’s Supernova. That one was just published last November.

Image result for supernova marissa meyer

FAVORITE AUTHOR?

I don’t think I can pick just one, but Mary Shelley, Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman, Tony DiTerlizzi, Neal Shusterman, Ray Bradbury, Sarah Maria Griffin…the list goes on.

Image result for long list gif

BUYING BOOKS OR BORROWING THEM?

I practically live at my local library, and I borrow books nearly every week; that being said, I don’t prefer it to buying. So, again, I’m indecisive.

Image result for both are good gif

A BOOK YOU DISLIKE BUT EVERYONE ELSE LIKES?

Red Queen. I’m still so baffled as to why it’s got such a huge fandom. It’s pretty much just ripping off every YA trope and rolling them into a sloppy, disgusting ball…

Image result for red queen cover

BOOKMARKS OR DOG-EARS?

Bookmarks, no question. Dog-earing is blasphemy, and you cannot change my mind.

no no no no.gif

A BOOK YOU CAN RE-READ OVER AND OVER?

Heart of Iron, Aurora Rising, and B.P.R.D., Vol. 2: The Soul of Venice and Other Stories, to name a few.

Image result for over and over gif

CAN YOU READ WHILE LISTENING TO MUSIC?

I almost always read while listening to music! I sometimes change the song if it doesn’t fit the mood of the book, but you can almost always see me with my headphones on while I’m reading.

Image result for listening to music gif

MULTIPLE POVs OR ONE POV?

I can go either way. One POV eliminates confusion, and with multiple, you can get several perspectives, as well as the possibility of dramatic irony. Either works for me.

Image result for either way gif

DO YOU READ A BOOK IN ONE SITTING OR OVER MULTIPLE DAYS ON AVERAGE?

Multiple days, depending on how long the book is. It’s rare that I finish a book in one sitting.

Image result for days gif

I tag anyone who’d like to join in!

Today’s song:

(I’ve been on a big Phoebe Bridgers kick lately…)

That just about wraps up this post! Have a great rest of your day, and keep on reading!

thank you for reading.jpg

Books

My 5-Star Reads of 2019

Posted on December 28, 2019January 2, 2020 by Madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hi there, everyone!

As 2019 (and this decade) draws to a close, I’ve decided to make a comprehensive lists of all of my 5-star reads for this year, and, by proxy, my favorite books that I’ve read this year. Most of these are what’d you’d expect, if you’ve scoured my book tags and reviews, but I know there’s a few that I haven’t talked much about. These are in chronological order of when I read them, though their actual rankings vary a fair bit.

Now, without further ado…this year’s 5-star lineup!

KING OF SCARS–LEIGH BARDUGO

Bardugo’s veritable masterpiece, all at once a rollicking adventure and an exploration of internal conflict, was my first 5-star rating of this year. And…Nikolai. ‘Nuff said.

Read my review here!

THE ILLUMINAE FILES TRILOGY–AMIE KAUFMAN and JAY KRISTOFF

I mean, I read all of these in the span of a few months, and I gave all three books five stars…

For good reason, I think. I doubt that we’ll ever come across a trilogy quite like this in a very long time.

Read my review (Illuminae) here!

NEVERWHERE–NEIL GAIMAN

I’ve been a fan of Gaiman’s work for some time, but I chose this one for an English project, and I fell so in love with the fantastic world-building, as well as each and every character.

Find it on Goodreads here!

ONCE & FUTURE–AMY ROSE CAPETTA and CORI MCCARTHY

A feminist, LGBTQ+ retelling of the legends of King Arthur…need we say more? A wonderfully fast-paced space adventure, reminiscent of Captain Marvel.

Find it on Goodreads here!

HONOR BOUND–ANN AGUIRRE and RACHEL CAINE

Even more daring than its predecessor, Honor Bound is a complex space opera to die for.

Find it on Goodreads here!

TENNYSON: POEMS–ALFRED TENNYSON

Yes, I was/still am that kid who sits in the corner reading depressing, 19th century poetry. Do I regret it? Absolutely not.

Find it on Goodreads here!

AURORA RISING–AMIE KAUFMAN and JAY KRISTOFF

You’ve already sing praise of this one innumerable times, so I’ll just leave it at this: I FOUND MY DREAM BOOK, PEOPLE. THIS IS EVERYTHING.

Read my review here!

THE PIONEER--BRIDGET TYLER

An inventive, heart-pounding sci-fi adventure, The Pioneer was very nearly flawless, and I’m itching to get my hands on the sequel next spring! 😀

Read my review here!

AN ANATOMY OF BEASTS–OLIVIA A. COLE

Delving deeper and growing even twistier than its predecessor, A Conspiracy of Stars, this novel is dazzlingly well-thought out, the prime example of what speculative sci-fi should be.

Find it on Goodreads here!

THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES–RAY BRADBURY

Did I mention how much I love sci-fi? No?

Ray Bradbury is a talent to be reckoned with, able to deftly weave together a thought-provoking story in the span of under 100 pages with ease.

Also, I was today years old when I realized that the hand on the cover has six fingers.

Find it on Goodreads here!

SOUL OF STARS–ASHLEY POSTON

The epic conclusion to the Heart of Iron duology, Poston deftly wraps together a complicated universe of familial bonds and political intrigue. Love, love, love, LOVE…

Read my review here!

FAHRENHEIT 451–RAY BRADBURY

Again, Ray Bradbury. I rest my case.

Find it on Goodreads here!

SPARE AND FOUND PARTS–SARAH MARIA GRIFFIN

A futuristic Frankenstein for the modern age, this is a grossly underrated writing, atmospheric and poetic.

Read my review here!

THE DEMON WORLD–SALLY GREEN

The pulse-pounding sequel to The Smoke Thieves, Green delivers an even more potent punch of her signature world-building and fantasy action.

Read my review here!

HOUSE OF X/POWERS OF X–JONATHAN HICKMAN

The newest installment in the legendary X-Men mythology, Hickman weaves a mythical and symbolic world, with a hopeful conclusion and the potential of many mutant tales to come.

Find it on Goodreads here!

LIKE A LOVE STORY–ABDI NAZEMIAN

Would you look at that…I think this is the only historical fiction in this post…

A hearstring-tearing and poignant coming-of-age LGBTQ+ novel. So many feels. INFINITE feels.

Read my review here!

THE TOLL–NEAL SHUSTERMAN

The conclusion to the unforgettable Arc of a Scythe trilogy, this novel is solid proof that Shusterman is a sci-fi author to be reckoned with.

Read my review here!

Man. What a year this has been…

Have you read any of these novels, and what did you think of them? Let me know what you thought in the comments below!

Have a lovely rest of your day, and take care of yourselves!

Book Review Tuesday, Books

Book Review Tuesday (10/8/19)-DEV1AT3

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

Hey there, fellow bibliophiles, and welcome to today’s Book Review Tuesday!

As I hinted in a few previous posts (namely this one…), I read Jay Kristoff’s DEV1AT3 last week. And the final verdict?

It’s even better than LIFEL1K3. Ten times more action, intrigue, witty quips, and gritty sci-fi fun. In no way did this book disappoint.

(For my review of LIFEL1K3, click right here!)

Enjoy this week’s review!

41+pdUayIBL.jpg

DEV1AT3 (LIFEL1K3, #2)

After the battle at Babel, a rift has come between Lemon Fresh and her former best friend, Eve, who is now the opposite of who she thought she was. What’s more, she’s been separated from her only allies, Ezekiel and Cricket. And to top it all off, Lemon has just realized that she’s a Deviate: a human born with unique powers. Hers? Manipulation of electricity and machines.

But her new status has placed a target on her head, and Lemon must pit a desparate escape–from those who she thought were her friends, and the ever-vigilant Brotherhood, keen on slaughtering any and all Deviates.

Unbeknownst to her, Cricket has been captured and nearly brainwashed by the Brotherhood, and on the brink of being turned into a killing machine. His only hope is in Abraham, the disenfranchised son of Sister Dee, the enigmatic leader of the Brotherhood.

Will the ragtag gang reunite in time to save themselves?

It always stresses me out when characters I love are separated. But in DEV1AT3, I immensely enjoyed seeing where all of their paths (okay, mostly Lemon and Cricket) took them. With Evie out of the picture, we got so much more development of many of the characters that took a backseat in LIFEL1K3, which was not only much-needed, but an absolute joy to experience.

I’m having trouble coming up with any criticisms for this book. Even better than its predecessor, packed with the perfect amount of Kristoff’s signature writing and wit. DEV1AT3 is everything that I enjoyed about book 1, and then some; the deeply-layered world-building, the endearing characters, and the witty yet insightful writing. At this point, I’m DESPERATE for a sequel.

Jay Kristoff has confirmed that this series will be a trilogy (no suprise there…), but book 3 is, as of now, untitled. Sigh…

Thank you so much for reading this review! Have a wonderful rest of your day, and keep on reading!

Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (9/24/19)-LIFEL1K3

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Madeline @ The Bookish Mutant

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

I’ve been a fan of Jay Kristoff’s work for a decent amount of time now, what with his co-authoring of the Illuminae Files (you can find my review here) and Aurora Rising (you can find that review here). So, naturally, I’ve been wanting to read LIFEL1K3 for a pretty long time. I ended up buying it recently, and I must say, it was an absolutely WILD ride! Hardcore, gritty, post-apocalyptic sci-fi at its best.

Enjoy this week’s review!

LIFEL1K3 (Lifelike, #1)

In a post-apocalyptic California, Eve has lost everything. After a betting disaster, she, along with her best friend Lemon-Fresh, her robot companion Cricket, and her grandfather are on the run, with nothing left to lose. Gangs are closing in on them, and they’re being hunted by the anti-technology cult of the Brotherhood. On top of that, Eve may just have powers that change her life–for better or worse.

Then, Eve uncovers the remains of an android model–one that’s been banned and destroyed for as long as she can remember. His name is Ezekiel, and he may just hold the key to Eve’s true past. Can Eve and her ragtag band discover the truth about their origins–and survive?

LIFEL1K3 was an absolute riot, guys.

Kristoff’s signature writing takes the spotlight in this rollercoaster of a novel, and my god, I am HERE FOR IT. Gripping (and relentlessly over-the-top) action, witty banter, a ragtag cast of characters with impeccable chemistry, and a believable and well-designed future world. This book practically begs for the big screen; everything about this novel is wonderfully cinematic, and would be completely fit to contend with the action films of this day and age. Such a fun novel! Solid four stars. 🙂

The sequel, DEV1AT3, came out this June, and I just checked it out at the library! There is a final book slated for release, but it is, as of now, untitled and without a release date. Fingers crossed that DEV1AT3 lives up to this one. 😉

Thank you so much for reading! Have a wonderful rest of your day, and take care of yourselves!