Tag: Book Review

Book Review: The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Fiction
Length: 260 pages
Author: David Baldacci
Publisher: Warner Books
Release Date: November 4th, 2001
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington D.C. to L.A in time for Christmas. Forced to travel by train, he begins a journey of rude awakenings, thrilling adventures and holiday magic. He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart, as he rediscovers people’s essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost.

The Christmas Train is filled with memorable characters who have packed their bags with as much wisdom as mischief … and shows how we do get second chances to fulfill our deepest hopes and dreams, especially during this season of miracles.

WHAT A RIDE.

Am I clever yet?

I didn’t have any sort of expectations going into this. I picked it up at a free little library years ago, and chose this past Christmas to finally read it. I also listened to it on audio and thought it was well read there too. It had fun train sounds between chapters that added to the atmosphere.

This book had its ups and downs. I liked Tom and thought the concept of riding a train during Christmas was a solid idea. I’ve never ridden one so it was fun seeing how everything is set up for a passenger train. Tom ran into a large cast of characters on his travels. Some of it felt a bit scattered, but things came mostly together by the end to not leave wide plot holes.

I liked the soft second-chance romance. It sweet and fit in nicely. I thought they had chemistry and were clearly still into each other. I thought Tom and Ellie were able to finally communicate and work things out together which was was nice to see.

The ending was a bit improbable, but I guess with the other antics and hijinks of the story it worked out well enough. This felt Christmas-y and was a quick read. A nice holiday choice.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christmas Fiction
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses, some innuendo
  • Violence: avalanche, theft

Instagram || Goodreads

Book Review: Skyhunter (Skyhunter #1) by Marie Lu

GoodeyReads4 Comments

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Sci-fi
Length: 374 pages
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Release Date: September 29th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In a world broken by war, a team of young warriors is willing to sacrifice everything to save what they love.

The Karensa Federation has conquered a dozen countries, leaving Mara as one of the last free nations in the world. Refugees flee to its borders to escape a fate worse than death—transformation into mutant war beasts known as Ghosts, creatures the Federation then sends to attack Mara.

The legendary Strikers, Mara’s elite fighting force, are trained to stop them. But as the number of Ghosts grows and Karensa closes in, defeat seems inevitable.

Still, one Striker refuses to give up hope.

Robbed of her voice and home, Talin Kanami knows firsthand the brutality of the Federation. Their cruelty forced her and her mother to seek asylum in a country that considers their people repugnant. She finds comfort only with a handful of fellow Strikers who have pledged their lives to one another and who are determined to push Karensa back at all costs.

When a mysterious prisoner is brought from the front, Talin senses there’s more to him than meets the eye. Is he a spy from the Federation? Or could he be the weapon that will save them all?

FANTASTIC.

A nod to the audio for this one as well. I loved it.

This book was great. I have a hit and miss vibe with Lu’s books, this has renewed my faith that I do love her writing and story telling. I was captivated from the first chapters for Skyhunter. It’s so easy to fall into the writing style and to be captured by how everything starts out.

I loved the scheming and plot. I knew what the story was about and loved the shock value moments of finding out new information. Talin was such a formidable heroine. She is strong and memorable. Talin and Red are a new fav ship that better be sailing off in the next book. Their connection and friendship really helped drive the story as two people from different sides of the land. There’s so much action, and twists and turns. For a sci-fi/dystopia novel I was enraptured (it’s usually not my go-to). The flow kept things moving and I don’t remember anything ever dragging.

But also, THAT ENDING. Talk about a cliffhanger. I have no idea where things are going now and I kinda love it. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult dystopia / sci-fi
  • Language: a little
  • Violence: physical, creature attacks, zombie (referred to as ghosts) attacks, depictions of battles; bloody/gory but not overly so

Instagram || Goodreads

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

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

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)

Instagram || Goodreads

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

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

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

Instagram || Goodreads