Book Review: Firefight (The Reckoners #2) by Brandon Sanderson

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Dystopian/Sci-fi
Length: 416 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: January 6th, 2015
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Babylon Restored, formerly Manhattan, may give David answers. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David’s willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David’s heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic—Firefight. And he’s willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers. 

UNPREDICTABLE.

I’m not a general sci-fi fan. Is Sanderson changing my mind? At least about his sci-fi books! I am really enjoying this series. I am luckily clicking with all things dystopian and sci-fi in this young adult series.

I ADORE David. Oh my goodness. I legitimately laugh out loud multiple times as I was reading. I know his inability to craft puns/similes is ridiculous, but it truly adds to his charm. He’s a brave character who has a stubborn streak. I love seeing David grow over these books and after that ending I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.

Firefight could have been in this a bit more (I mean, it is titled after her?). Really could have used more of her throughout. The new location and villains were solid additions. It added a change of pace to the storyline and spread out the entire plot. We even got some more information on Calamity itself. I love the way Sanderson drops in the information and tidbits for an epic conclusion.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult dystopia / sci-fi
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: physical, superpowers, murder, guns (not gory, but is fairly violent)

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ARC Book Review: Redemptor (Raybearer #2) by Jordan Ifueko

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Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 336 pages
Author: Jordan Ifueko
Publisher: Amulet Books
Release Date: August 17th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The hotly anticipated sequel to the instant New York Times bestselling YA fantasy about Tarisai’s quest to change her fate

For the first time, an Empress Redemptor sits on Aritsar’s throne. To appease the sinister spirits of the dead, Tarisai must now anoint a council of her own, coming into her full power as a Raybearer. She must then descend into the Underworld, a sacrifice to end all future atrocities.

Tarisai is determined to survive. Or at least, that’s what she tells her increasingly distant circle of friends. Months into her shaky reign as empress, child spirits haunt her, demanding that she pay for past sins of the empire.

With the lives of her loved ones on the line, assassination attempts from unknown quarters, and a handsome new stranger she can’t quite trust . . . Tarisai fears the pressure may consume her. But in this finale to the Raybearer duology, Tarisai must learn whether to die for justice . . . or to live for it.

Thank you to Amulet Books and Netgalley for an eARC!

MOSTLY FINE.

Ahhhhhhck.

Okay. The story was good. It was. The world building with all of the different nations is well written. I mostly liked the magic system and I once again really love this found family council that Tarisai has.

This book draaaaagged. I had to look up the page number amount because I swore I was reading something 450ish pages. Nope, 336. Felt so much longer and not in a good way. The repeated plot of Tarisai finding another group of council members rang hollow. When the other lines of the story with redeeming the horrific children sacrifices were being discussed, that was where everything was strong. The pacing was just off between the two major schemes.

Random plot lines were also thrown out and others added in. All of a sudden, Sanjeet was out for 90% of the book, and a newcomer (not named because, spoilers) is kind of involved, but not really? I don’t like random toss-ups like that. I did end up liking how the second “interest” worked into the story. He played a much bigger role than I expected and helped further the plot rather than being there purely for a love triangle.

Still really into this found family and all of the type of love witnessed. It’s such a great cast and I wanted more of them like I read in Raybearer. I love that there was more Dayo, but I wanted everyone else too.

The ending wrapped up the story well. All of the underworld scenes were really short compared to what I thought was coming. I felt like at least I wasn’t left with a long list of questions. I think it gave the final pages hope for a different and new future that did make sense for the world.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses to heated make-outs
  • Violence: physical altercations, battle scenes, magic attacks
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: alcohol consumption, drug use, child abuse and neglect, murder

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Book Review: Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crown (Nevermoor #2) by Jessica Townsend

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Middle Grade Fantasy
Length: 544 pages
Author: Jessica Townsend
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: October 30th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Wunder is gathering in Nevermoor …

Morrigan Crow may have defeated her deadly curse, passed the dangerous trials and joined the mystical Wundrous Society, but her journey into Nevermoor and all its secrets has only just begun. And she is fast learning that not all magic is used for good.

Morrigan Crow has escaped her deadly fate and found a new home in the fantastical city of Nevermoor. She has also discovered that she has a strange and magical ability. But will her unique talent be a blessing or another curse?

Now that Morrigan and her best friend Hawthorne are proud scholars in the elite Wundrous Society, she is sure that she’s found a place to belong at last, but life is far from perfect. Can Morrigan prove that she deserves to be in the Society – or will an unexpected new enemy ruin her new life?

Return to the magical world of Nevermoor! Morrigan Crow’s perilous adventures continue in the most anticipated sequel of the year, a treat for all fans of magic and Wunder.

GREAT READ.

What a fun fantasy series! I really enjoyed this installment.

I love the found family Morrigan has found and how she’s learning to escape people’s expectations. She’s striving to find who she is and what her magic can do in the world around her. Morrigan is such a wonderful character and this is such a fantastic series two books in.

The world building is unique and I love the idea of knacks and all the different versions people have. I’m curious how Wunder functions in the magic system and how that’ll continue to progress! The plot keeps the action rolling and all of the side characters are filled with personality.

This is a charming series fit for the middle-grade category, but definitely appeals to a broad audience. I can’t wait to continue reading these books.

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle grade fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Violence: kidnapping, physical (nothing gory/intensely violent)

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Book Review: Gods & Monsters (Serpent & Dove #3) by Shelby Mahurin

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 624 pages
Author: Shelby Mahurin
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 27th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The spellbinding conclusion to the New York Times and IndieBound bestselling trilogy Serpent & Dove. This stunning fantasy take on French witches and forbidden love is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas.

Evil always seeks a foothold. We must not give it one.

After a heartbreaking loss, Lou, Reid, Beau, and Coco are bent on vengeance more than ever before—and none more so than Lou.

But this is no longer the Lou they thought they knew. No longer the Lou that captured a chasseur’s heart. A darkness has settled over her, and this time it will take more than love to drive it out.

THE DISAPPOINTMENT I FEEL HURTS.

My one main sentiment is that of the previous sentence. Why can’t I get a good ending to a series? Is this why I have a hard time finishing them? UGH.

I love the characters and this world and I think that’s also what made the dissatisfaction more apparent. Everyone on this cast is solid and well rounded with flaws and strengths. Wit and passion that make me love them. And I desperately needed more of that.

What I missed most was Reid and Lou, being Reid and Lou. In vague terms, both characters were dealing with separate debacles that took until page FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE to be completely and fully resolved. To say I was salty was an understatement. I wanted the banter and flirtation that was way more present in the first two novels. The main conflict doesn’t always have to come between the couple. Especially if the couple has already truly gotten together before the finale then why not LET THEM WORK TOGETHER. Gosh dang it, such a missed opportunity.

With those debacles came a very round about and torturously long route to the final battle. With many scenes that dragged on. And when the sex scenes came into play I didn’t love those either. They didn’t fit the story, and they definitely didn’t fit the YA category. A big mash up of MEH.

I was full of anguish at how all of this went down. I loved the tidbit from a past character. That was sweet and hopeful. The ending wrapped things up at least, and the epilogue was cute.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses to two brief open door scenes
  • Violence: physical, magical, near drowning, fires, loss of friends, battle scenes

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