Review: Spectacle by Jodie Lynn Zdrok

Title: Spectacle Written by: Jodie Lynn Zdrok Published: February 12, 2019 by Tor Teen (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: A YA murder mystery in which a young reporter must use her supernatural visions to help track down a killer targeting the young women of Paris.   Paris, 1887.   Sixteen-year-old Nathalie Baudin writes the daily morgue column for Le Petit Journal. Her job is to summarize each day's new arrivals, a task she finds both fascinating and routine. That is, until the day she has a vision of the newest body, a young woman, being murdered--from the perspective of the murderer himself.  When the body of another woman is retrieved from the Seine days later, Paris begins to buzz with rumors that this victim may not be the last. Nathalie's search for answers sends her down a long, twisty road involving her mentally ill aunt, a brilliant but deluded scientist, and eventually into the Parisian Catacombs. As the killer continues to haunt the streets of Paris, it becomes clear that Nathalie's strange new ability may make her the only one who can discover the killer's identity--and she'll have to do it before she becomes a target herself.

You know when there is a YA historical mystery I'm not going to be far behind wanting to read it. Especially one with fantasy elements and one set in Belle Epoque Paris. This is such a me book. Which is why I was so thankful to Alyssa (aka WiththeBanned) for sharing her ARC with me. And while this book wasn't perfect it was engaging and compulsively readable.

My favorite thing about this book was the setting. I like historical fiction and because of that I read a lot of it. The best ones do a really good job of establishing time and place. This was one of those books. The author clearly did her research into what life was life in Paris during the end of the 1880's. For me, Paris really came to life in this book and it had me wanting to go back to the city. I also feel like she did a great job with establishing the culture of the time for the wealthy class, with their fixation on dressing up to visit the morgue and attending seances. I even found myself wondering if there was actually a serial killer in Paris at the time because it did feel so grounded in the history. I felt like this setting was a great aspect of this book and with someone who has been wanting books set in Belle Epoque Paris, that is a definite plus.

I also really enjoyed the fantasy elements of this book. It added a great layer to not only the setting, but the plot of the book. It reminded me a lot of The Diviners series by Libba Bray. It had that same kind of vibes. It was sometimes gory and grotesque and sometimes mysterious and fantastical.  I really like that the magic had clear rules and consequences and that each person's powers were different and that they were connected to the individual. What I really like is that it was grounded in science and history. The experiments that lead to the magic seemed like the kind of thing that someone would actually have done. It felt possible which made me enjoy it even more.

However, I wasn't totally impressed by the plot development and pacing. I am a plot-driven reader so a strong plot is very important to me, especially when it comes to mysteries. I like my mysteries to be complex and solvable. I want to be able to solve them along with the reader. Here I felt like this was the kind of mystery where they didn't want you to solve anything. They wanted to just surprise and take you for a ride with interesting twists and turns. Which is fine, and definitely what this book did, but that's not the kind of book that I enjoy. I wish it was more of a detective novel. But instead it just felt a little bit disconnected where a big reveal was then followed up with a slower sections where things would drag until the next twist. If there was more of a slow build up to a big reveal I think I would have enjoyed the plot more.

The characters too fell a little flat for me. I did like the main character of Nathalie. I feel like she was probably the most interesting character. She's one of those historical fiction heroines who is a bit ahead of her time and wants to be something that society doesn't really accept her as because she is a woman. A good amount of this book is her figuring out exactly who she wants to be and not caring about what society says about it and that is something I will always get behind. But the rest of the characters didn't make a great impression. This is the kind of book where you very easily could have a had a squad behind you with Simone, Christophe, and Louis but they were just tangentially involved. But this book was much about Nathalie and she really carried it.

All in all, I thought this was a good read. It's fast and engaging with a good historical setting, an interesting magical system, and a plot full of twists and turns. It's not the most complex mystery I have read and the pacing was a bit off but I still really enjoyed it. It was a book I was really looking forward to and it met my expectations.

I give Spectacle by Jodie Lynn Zdrok 8 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. If you are a fan of historical mysteries and want a quick and interesting read I would check this one out from your local library. It didn't blow me away but I definitely enjoyed it.

 Have you read Spectacle? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

January Wrap Up and February TBR

Read in January: Science Fiction

I have been going through a pretty serious blogging slump lately and it has made me super behind on basically everything including reviews and my monthly wrap up. But I wanted to start the year off with a little bit more accountability and responsibility. Plus, I wanted to brag a little bit because I have not been going through a reading slump this month. December was rough but I am definitely back on track. Because, you guys, I read 16 books this month. SIX-TEEN! And only a quarter of them were comics. I am completely back on track with my reading and hoping to continue that in February.

For challenges, this year I'm low key doing challenges. The only one I am legit doing is how many books in a year. I set a Goodreads goal of reading 150 books in a year. My original goal last year was 150 but I had to lower it so I want to make that happen this year.  For the rest of the challenges I only low key set them. I want to read 20 debuts this year and I read 2 this month which is on track for the year. I haven't really been reading e-books lately but I did get approved for a good amount on Netgalley so I need to hold myself accountable. I want to read 15 books this year. I read two this month so I might be able to do better with this in 2019. I also want to read 20 backlist books. This month I read 3 backlist books which means that I am on track for this one as well.

The Books

1.) Runaways Vol. 2: Best Friends Forever by Rainbow Rowell and Kris Anka 
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
2.) Ski Weekend by R.L. Stine Rating: 6 out of 10 [Podcast Review]
3.)  White Stag by Kara Barbieri Rating: 7 out of 10 [My Review]
4.) Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers Rating: 9 out of 10 [Review to Come]
5.) In An Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [My Review]
6.) The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi Rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars [My Review]
7.) Saga Vol. 5 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples Rating: 9.5 out of 10
8.) From Twinkle, with Love by Sandhya Menon Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
9.) Giant Days: Early Registration by John Allison Rating: 8.5 out of 10
10.) Sage Vol. 6 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples Rating: 9.5 out of 10
11.) Skyward by Brandon Sanderson Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
12.) Saga Vol. 7 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples Rating: 9 out of 10
13.) Undying by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [My Review]
 14.) The Girl King by Mimi Yu Rating: 8 out of 10 [Review to Come]
15.) Double Date by R.L. Stine Rating 5 out of 10 [Podcast Website]
16.) Space Opera by Cathrynne M. Valente Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [Review to Come]

To Be Read in February: Historical Fiction/FRANCE!

And here is hoping that I can continue the strong reading month. A ton of really great books are coming our this month, including a few I have been waiting on for years. I am hoping to read at least a dozen books this month. And I am also bringing back the monthly themes. I looked at the books I read last month and I basically did a sci-fi month and then realized I was planning on reading mostly historical fiction and even a few set in France.

Books for Review

Dark of the West by Joanna Hathway - Add to Goodreads
I received an advance copy of this from the publisher and I started reading it but put it down because King of Scars came out and I'm sorry all other books, Nikolai comes first. But I do want to finish it.

Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers - Add to Goodreads
I read the first book in this series ages ago because I heard good things and I was not disappointed. But I didn't complete the series until last month in preparation for this book.

Enchantee by Gita Trelease - Add to Goodreads
I am so excited that Paris is having a moment in YA literature because I have been wanting more Parisian historical fiction for years now. And this is a magical version of the French Revolution. GIMME!

Spectacle by Jodie Lynn Zdrok - Add to Goodreads
Another historical Paris, this time the Belle Epoque and a murder mystery with a magical element. Like seriously, it's the most Cassi book.

Immoral Code by Lilian Clark - Add to Goodreads
In case I need a break from the historical fantasy and high fantasy, I have this YA mystery/thriller to break up the monotony.

The Fever King by Victoria Lee - Add to Goodreads

This is technically a March release but it is one of the Kindle First Reads this month and there is almost never one of those I want to read so when I saw this I snatched it up.

New Releases

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo - Add to Goodreads

New Grishverse book... THIS IS NOT A DRILL! I got this book last week when I went to Leigh's signing in Boston and I have been reading it all weekend!

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas - Add to Goodreads
I plan to listen to this audiobook (it's narrated by Bahni Turpin who is amazing and narrated The Hate U Give). It comes out tomorrow and I plan to get it then.

Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard - Add to Goodreads
I have been waiting for this book to come out for two years and it is almost here! Susan is coming t Boston in a few weeks and I am planning on being at here event to meet her and get all my books signed.

Backlist Books

Blood Water Paint by Jody McCullough - Add to Goodreads

I have wanted to read this book for awhile but then I heard it is a novel in verse and lost some interest. But I saw the audiobook from the library and decided to take a chance. I'm glad I did because I am actually enjoying it.

The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry - Add to Goodreads
This is another book I have been wanting to read for ages and even tried once but I never did. But I want to make a concerted effort this month.

There you have it. Some of the books I hope to read in January. As always, these are subject to change. I may read all of these or I may only read a few and then read a bunch of different ones. But honestly I think this list I can stick to. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Review: The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi Blog Tour

Title: The Gilded Wolves Series: The Gilded Wolves #1 Written by: Roshani Chokshi Published: January 15, 2019 by Wednesday Book (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Set in a darkly glamorous world, The Gilded Wolves is full of mystery, decadence, and dangerous but thrilling adventure.  Paris, 1889: The world is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. In this city, no one keeps tabs on secrets better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier, Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. But when the all-powerful society, the Order of Babel, seeks him out for help, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.  To find the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin will need help from a band of experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian who can't yet go home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in all but blood, who might care too much.  Together, they'll have to use their wits and knowledge to hunt the artifact through the dark and glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the world, but only if they can stay alive.

The Gilded Wolves was one of my most anticipated books of 2019. I mean, come on, it’s a total me book. Not only am I a huge fan of historical mysteries and heist novels, but I have been wanting to read a book about Belle Époque Paris for ages. This book seriously checked all the boxes and it is written by an author I have enjoyed in the past. It was a no brained for me. And while there is a lot to like about this book, it didn’t end up being a book I loved.

One thing I did love however is the setting. Belle Époque Paris was indeed the setting I was dreaming of for a book like this. Roshani did a great job of establishing the historical time and place. Starting of course with the backdrop of the Exposition Universelle and all the majesty and mechanics it brought Paris. This was the year the Eiffel Tower opened and I loved that Roshani showed how many Parisians hated it. But she also didn’t shy away from the more negative aspects of the Exposition and the time period including the “Negro Village” and the mistreatment of minorities and those deemed lesser. It gave the book a lot of depth and accuracy in terms of the period. The contrast wall the more obvious because of Roshani’s writing. She’s always done a great job describing the beauty of a setting and transporting the reader there and this book was no exception.

But the actually setting was only the beginning of the world in this book. There was also a really interesting magical system. The book is an alternative universe and what makes it that way is that this is a world where people have the ability to Forge which allows them to control a substance or a person. It was sort of similar to bending in Avatar: the Last Airbender. I liked the overall concept but it just didn’t feel fully-formed as a magical system. I like my magic to have rules, which this did, but those rules need to be explained. The reader needs to understand how the magic works. They need to see it in action. But I didn’t feel like we were able to see Forging as much as I would have liked. There were a few opportunities where we saw someone mention a Forged object or talking about how they could Forge but I would have liked to see it used in a bigger way. I think this was just a case of the author telling instead of showing when it came to the world-building.

The other thing I liked about this book was the characters. This is a book full of a diverse cast of characters including those of different races, ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientations. Each of the characters had their own backstories and their own way they were trying to prove themselves. It was easy to root for them and want them to succeed so that they could overcome adversity. Although I do think that there was a lot of info-dumping in the beginning when it came to introducing the characters. Most of them had perspectives so it was a bit overwhelming to learn a ton about one and then switch to a different person. But the weird thing is, I don’t think one perspective was more interesting or engaging than the others. I think Laila might of been my favorite because she’s the one I want to know more about but all of them were compelling which is hard to do. That I think is a testament to how likable the characters were.

However, my biggest disappointment with this book was with the plot. I was so pumped to read a heist novel, especially one with a historical spin. And there was definitely a heist aspect to the story, and those were some of the best moments for me. I loved the puzzles and the near disasters that came with trying to steal something. However, it felt a little too easy. They knew every answer almost right away and then they would explain everything in such detail that it would take me out of the story giving the background of things like the Fibonacci sequence and the golden spiral. Heists are hard to do because you really need to have t all planned out walk a fine line between surprising your readers and giving them the knowledge to figure things out. This just didn’t do a great job of walking that line for me. Many of the reveals were not big surprises and I felt like some of them were too easy even for the characters. But I might just be hard to please when it comes to a heist. I tend to be good at solving things so maybe it was just me.

All in all, this was a good read, it just didn’t blow me away. It had an engaging setting and likable characters, I just wanted a little bit more surprises and magic.

I give The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi 8 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. If you are new to heist novels and you want to read a book with a subtle mystery and historical fiction with diverse characters then check this one out. But if you are looking for a thrilling adventure of a fantasy heist this book might not be the beat choice.

Have you read The Gilded Wolves? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Review: Witch Born by Nicholas Bowling

Title: Witch Born Written by: Nicholas Bowling Published: September 25, 2018 by Scholastic (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Alyce's mother has just been burnt at the stake for practicing witchcraft. With only a thin set of instructions and a witch's mommet for guidance, Alyce must face the world that she's been sealed off from -- a world of fear and superstition. With a witch hunter fast on her trail, she'll need the help of an innkeeper and a boy looking to discover the truth behind his own mother's past.  But as her journey continues, another war rages: a hidden war of the supernatural, of the living and the dead. Good and evil are blurred, and nobody's motives can be trusted. And Alyce finds herself thrown unwillingly into the conflict. Struggling to understand her own powers, she is quickly drawn into a web of secret, lies, and dark magic that could change the fate of the world she is just coming to know.  This dark, twisty, and thrillingly original debut will leave readers entranced in its suspenseful plot and rich prose.

*** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ***

I first learned about this book at ALA and it sounded like a total me book, historical fantasy with witched and political intrigue, sign me up. I wasn't able to get a copy there but I requested one from the publisher afterwards and they were nice enough to send me a copy. And I am so glad, because this really was a fantastic read.

One of the things that I liked most about this book is the setting. Historical fantasy is one of my favorite subgeneres. I find it so entertaining for the author to take something that from history that I know well, or even a little bit, and make it their own with fantastical elements. That is exactly what Nicholas Bowling did with this book. He took the Elizabethan era and the battle for the throne between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen and Scots. That in and of itself is an interesting enough full of political intrigue and then Bowling did a great job with establishing the time and place. The 16th Century streets of London come to life along with the witch histeria, the dirty streets, and the distrust of women. I do wish that the figures of Queen Elizabeth I and Marry Queen of Scots had been given a little more attention, but it did make me want to learn more about them which a lot of historical fiction does.

But I think I enjoyed the world of this book so much because of the atmosphere. I love an atmospheric fantasy, especially in the fall, and this book had total fall vibes. I'm not really sure I would call it a dark fantasy but it was full of magic and mystery. What I liked about the magical system is that it seemed to be rooted in historical activities that got women accused of being witches like potion-making and being an apothecary. Then it took things further with magic I like alchemy and necromancy. I wish this magic got a little more explanation because it was really interesting and it felt a little basic.

But there was a lot of this book that was pretty basic, including the plot. Now don't get me wrong, the plot of this book was engaging. I was invested in what was happening and was curious from beginning to end, but the problem is I'm not sure if this was supposed to be a plot-driven narrative or a character-driven one. Is it about Alyce's development as she figures out who she is and her place in the world, or is it about the power struggle between two queens and their witch hunters? Unfortunately I think that the book wasn't quite sure either and that was to its detriment. It had decent character development with some twists along the way, and it had okay plot with the plot intrigue but I think the plot would have been better if it had committed to one or the other. It made for a fast read, an interesting read, but it made for a basic read.

 The characters too were a bit on the simple side, and just like the plot they were engaging but basic. Alyce was a good main character. She was one of those characters who was easy to root for. From the very beginning, things were not easy for Alyce. Society took her mother from her and threw her into an asylum. But despite all that she is strong and determined. The interesting thing too is that throughout the book I spent a lot of time trying to decide which characters were supposed to be the protagonists and which were supposed to be the antagonists. They all felt very dubious and those are the kind of characters I like best. That being said, a book full of those kinds of characters often means I keep them at arms length and never fully connect with them. It made them interesting characters but not particularly likable ones.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't perfect but it was a thoroughly entertaining read perfect for fall. It had an atmospheric setting that blended history and magic in a way that drew me in, an engaging plot that had me wanting more when it was over, and dubious characters.

I give Witch Born by Nicholas Bowling 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fantasy. If you are looking for a YA that blends the two in an engaging way then this is a good read. If you like stories about historical witches this is also a good choice.

Have you read Witch Born? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Competence by Gail Carriger

Title: Competence Series: Custard Protocol #3 Written by: Gail Carriger Published: July 17, 2018 by Orbit (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: From New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger comes the delightful sequel to Imprudence.  Accidentally abandoned!  All alone in Singapore, proper Miss Primrose Tunstell must steal helium to save her airship, the Spotted Custard, in a scheme involving a lovesick werecat and a fake fish tail.  When she uncovers rumors of a new kind of vampire, Prim and the Custard crew embark on a mission to Peru. There, they encounter airship pirates and strange atmospheric phenomena, and are mistaken for representatives of the Spanish Inquisition. Forced into extreme subterfuge (and some rather ridiculous outfits) Prim must also answer three of life's most challenging questions:  Can the perfect book club give a man back his soul?  Will her brother ever stop wearing his idiotic velvet fez?  And can the amount of lard in Christmas pudding save an entire species?

I adore Gail Carriger and her books. They are always such a pleasure to read and I need a fast and fun book to read this summer. Of course a Gail Carriger book is a great choice for that. This book, like all her previous were full of adventure, humor, and amazing characters.

I absolutely love the characters in all of Carriger's series and in three books I have come to love these characters so much. In this book the focus shifts a little bit to be less about Prudence and more about some of the other characters in the series. Rue of course was as fabulous and fiesty as ever. But it was nice to get a little bit more of a focus on the other characters, especially Prim and Percy. I absolutely love the Tunstell twins so getting this book from their perspective was so fantastic. Prim is really the one who gets the cover and the majority of play though. She has really great development here. The characters are really the foundation of this series. Their quirky, complex, and incredibly likable.

One of the things that I have to say about the characters, because it is one of the things I love about this series and Carriger's books in general is the LGBTQIA representation. It's great to see a book, with a historical setting no less, not shy away from those kinds of characters and embrace them in a really great way. You really connect with these characters and their desire for love. And I really appreciated the fact that Carriger had Prim at the center of this dealing with how society would view her for the person that she loves. It added a good dimension to the relationship and made it all the more satisfying.

But this is not just a book with good character development, it is also a book with great plot development. Carriger's books are always full of action and adventure and Competence was no exception. There are daring escapes and thrilling fight scenes that keep a plot driven reader like me on their toes. One thing I will say however, is that the adventure story aspect really did feel like a bit of an afterthought. This was more a quieter and character-focused narrative. I'm not saying that is a bad thing, it's just different.

The other thing that I really loved about this book was the setting. This series is one that feels like a globe trotting adventure. It takes you all around the world and in this book it took the reader from Asia to South America. I loved being able to explore the two different places, especially Peru. Peru is one of those places that I have always wanted to visit and after reading this book I want to do that even more now. The country really came alive along with it's history and culture. I also really liked the way that Carriger incorporated a specific supernatural creature that is rooted in the culture of Peru into the story. The combination of history, supernatural fantasy, and steampunk has always been the hallmark of Carriger's books and I love the way she is further developing the world with this book.

It's no surprise that I just adored this book. After 13 books Gail Carriger continues to delight and entertain me. The characters are amazing and likable, the plot is character-driven and engaging, and the setting is fantastic.

I give Competence by Gail Carriger 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! If you are a fan of Carriger, I'm sure I don't need to tell you to read this book. The Custard Protocol is an amazing series and I definitely recommend it to fans of steam punk, supernatural fantasies, or anyone looking for a fun and entertaining read.

Have you read Competence? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Before the Devile Breaks You by Libba Bray

*** This is the third book in a series. If you have not read The Diviners and Lair of Dreams proceed with caution, there may be spoilers. Also, read those books because they are amazing. ***

Title: Before the Devil Breaks You Series: The Diviners #3 Written by: Libba Bray Published: October 3, 2017 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: New York City. 1927. Lights are bright. Jazz is king. Parties are wild. And the dead are coming... After battling a supernatural sleeping sickness that early claimed two of their own, the Diviners have had enough of lies. They're more determined than ever to uncover the mystery behind their extraordinary powers, even as they face off against an all-new terror. Out on Ward's Island, far from the city's bustle, sits a mental hospital haunted by the lost souls of people long forgotten--ghosts who have unusual and dangerous ties to the man in the stovepipe hat, also known as the King of Crows. With terrible accounts of murder and possession flooding in from all over, and New York City on the verge of panic, the Diviners must band together and brave the sinister ghosts invading the asylum, a fight that will bring them fact-to-face with the King of Crows. But as the explosive secrets of the past come to light, loyalties and friendships will be tested, love will hang in the balance, and the Diviners will question all that they've ever known. All the while, malevolent forces gather from every corner in a battle for the very soul of a nation--a fight that could claim the Diviners themselves.

I love this series so much and thereforeI was anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. After two years and couldn’t wait to read this one. It was another inventive story from Libba Bray with great characters.

In three books I have become incredibly attached to these characters. This is a book with a ton of different characters and a ton of different perspectives. I am not always a fan of that but I think in this case I enjoyed it because I really do just live all these characters. Some more than others, of course, but in general I think every character is fantastic and complex. With each book different characters get more of the focus and attention. This book gives us a lot more of Theta which was amazing and Mabel which was interesting. There was also plenty of Sam which I appreciated. And while each character was good on their own, they were even better together. They all have great banter and relationships. Plus they make a great team.

But the other great thing about this book is the world building. I’m a big fan of historical fantasies and this book is a perfect example as to why. It’s the kind of book that balances history, mystery, and fantasy. The historical setting here is New York in the 1920’s. Which is such a lush setting prime for adventure and intrigue. Libba does a fantastic job at immersing the reader in that world with the slang from the time and incorporating actual things from the time including flappers, jazz clubs, the Follies, and more. It’s such an interesting and fun period and this book definitely takes advantage of that.

But there are also fantastic supernatural and mystery elements to this book. Here we get to learn a lot about The Diviners and their powers. I really enjoyed getting a bit it of history and learning more about Project Buffalo. There is still a lot more to learn but I am very intrigued by where and how it is all going. And then there is the supernatural elements. Of course we have the Dinivers powers and seeing them use them which was really interesting but there wasn’t a lot of attention on them. There was also plenty of ghosts and those sorts of elements here but this book was definitely not as spooky and scary as the two previous books. It really downplayed the horror elements I think. There supernatural elements but I didn’t find myself on edge in the way I was previously. I think probably this one felt more fantasy and less horror.

I will say, however, that my biggest criticism of this book is that the overall plot here wasn’t as good for me because it didn’t fell very self-contained. The thing about this book is that it didn’t have it’s own storyline really. It built on elements and storylines from the first two books and set things up for the final book in the series but it didn’t really have something unique to itself. The plot was good and it was interesting but I just wish it had something a little bit more two it. More of it’s mystery maybe, more to solve, more or a big reveal. Just more.

But I also want more because I want the final book in this series. The way this book ended I am really itching for the final book in the series to find out what happens to these characters that I love. I hope I don’t have to wait too long for it.

Overall this was a good book with great characters, an engaging historical setting, engrossing fantasy and mystery element. It was another good book in a fantastic series that I am completely committed to and engaged in.

I give Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. If you liked the first two books in this series definitely check this one out. And if you like historical fantasies and haven’t read this one then don’t waste any more time and read it.

Have you read Before the Devil Breaks You? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Odd and True by Cat WInters

Title: Odd and True Written by: Cat Winters Published: September 12, 2017 by Amulet Books (Abrams) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Trudchen grew up hearing Odette’s stories of their monster-slaying mother and a magician’s curse. But now that Tru’s older, she’s starting to wonder if her older sister’s tales were just comforting lies, especially because there’s nothing fantastic about her own life—permanently disabled and in constant pain from childhood polio. In 1909, after a two-year absence, Od reappears with a suitcase supposedly full of weapons and a promise to rescue Tru from the monsters on their way to attack her. But it’s Od who seems haunted by something. And when the sisters’ search for their mother leads them to a face-off with the Leeds Devil, a nightmarish beast that’s wreaking havoc in the Mid-Atlantic states, Tru discovers the peculiar possibility that she and her sister—despite their dark pasts and ordinary appearances—might, indeed, have magic after all.

**** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher at ALA and via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ****

I read my first Cat Winters book last year and loved it. Since the I have been wanting to read more of her books. So when I saw this one at ALA I of course picked up a copy. And I loved it. It was a great historical fiction with a supernatural and mystery flair to it.

I like my historical fiction to take real historical events and add fictional people to it. That's what this book does. The setting of the book was atmospheric and engaging. Cat Winter's does this era so well and absolutely allows the reader to immerse themselves in the historical setting. It takes us to the early 20th century and explored plenty of different themes of the time for young women. For the most part however I would say that these elements were subtle. I appreciated that it didn't try to hard to explain and explore what things were like for women who didn't fit into the social conventions. But it still did just that.

I think maybe this was because much of the focus of the book was actually focused on the Jersey Devil or Leeds Devil as it was know. It took on a great historical fantasy feel as it involved mythology and fantastical creatures. And even though this was the bulk of the plot it too wasn't too overwhelming either. It gave it all this realistic feel that the Devil and all the other monsters were in fact possible. I honestly didn't think they were going to be. I don't want to say too much but I loved the way they handled this. It made for a good balance between history and mythology which I really appreciated.

But that wasn't the only aspect to the plot of this book. There was also I really subtle mystery. It wasn't anything that you really try to solve, it was just one more thing about the book that kept me reading. It added a lot of atmosphere and interest to the book. This was one of those narratives where you get past and present to learn how the characters got to be where they were and how they are the way they are. It all unfolded in an interesting way but this was also my main criticism. We have multiple perspectives and multiple settings and time periods which made things a little hard to keep straight. I liked the way it unfolded but I wish there was more of a distinct feel between each section.

What made up for that however were the characters. The real heart of this book was in the relationship between the sisters. I loved the relationship for Od and Tru. They had so much respect and love for one another. They very easily could have had a protector and protected relationship but it goes deeper than that. Yes, Od takes care of Tru but in the end they realize that they need each other to be at their best and I loved that. It was just another great theme about the book.

But the characters in general were really likable and complex. Cat Winters does a great job in developing strong female characters. And you can look at this book and think that we are talking kickass female heroines chopping off heads and taking names but that is not what you will find in this book. Instead you will find intelligent and strong-willed women who don't allow their weaknesses to get the best of them. In this book we alternate perspectives between Od and Tru and I liked that. It gave the book and characters a lot of depth. And honestly I really liked both Od and Tru. I thought it would be for different reasons but in the end they both had kind of tragic backstories and were stronger for it. I liked them both so much that I can't say which one I liked more and that's not very common for me. But the author really did a great job with the writing complex and likable characters.

All in all Odd & True was a good historical fiction novel. It had an engaging historical setting, plenty of mystery and fantasy to create a great atmosphere, and complex and likable characters. I really enjoyed it.

I give Odd and True by Cat Winters 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. I would definitely recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed and think it is a good fall read for people who aren't necessarily fans of horror. Although I think it's far from Cat's most complex work. If you are looking for a YA historical fantasy check this one out.

Have you read Odd and True? What did you think? leave me a comment with your thoughts.Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Audiobook Review: Prudence by Gail Carriger

Title: Prudence Series: The Custard Protocol #1 Written by: Gail Carriger Published: March 17, 2015 by Orbit (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible) Synopsis: From New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger comes a new novel in the world of the Parasol Protectorate starring Prudence, the daughter of Alexia Tarabotti.   When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is given an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female would under similar circumstances - names it the Spotted Custard and floats to India in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea. But India has more than just tea on offer. Rue stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis and an embarrassing lack of bloomers, what else is a young lady of good breeding to do but turn metanatural and find out everyone's secrets, even thousand-year-old fuzzy ones?

I have been reading my way through Gail Carriger's catalog these past few years and with every series I get more and more impressed with her and her work. I had picked up the audiobook for this one ages ago during an Audible sale but I never found the time to read it. Well I needed a new audio and this perfectly fits my theme this months so I took the time to read it. And I am so glad that I did because it was fantastic.

First things first, I love the world of this series. And here I am not just talking about The Custard Protocal. No, I am talking about the Parasol Protectorate and the Finishing School series. Gail Carriger is one of those rare authors who has taken the world she created and moved it through different era, first backwards and now forwards. In this book we are taken twenty years  after the events of the Parasol Protectorate to the end of the 19th Century. But everything I loved about the first two series are back in this book. It's the perfect combination of historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy. It's a steampunk paranormal romp and I loved that. It's a world where steam machinery and dirigibles are everywhere but it's also a world where shapeshifters like vampires and werewolves control the government and society. You would think by now that would be old hat but Carriger manages to make it interesting by continuing to expand on all that. In this book we get to explore more of the British Empire and see more shapeshifters and see how the former has affected the latter. I loved the way this world continues to develop.

But my favorite thing about Gail Carriger's work is usually the characters and that was no exception here. Carriger really knows how to create fun and complex characters. First we have the titular character of Prudence aka Rue. Rue is the daughter of Alexia and Lord Maccon who was raised by Lord Akeldama. And honestly she was exactly what I expected with those three as parents. She's equal parts smart, resourceful, brash, flighty, and sarcastic. The last time we saw Rue she was an infant and she hasn't lost any of that trouble-making streak. I loved seeing her all grown up and using her metanatural talents sometimes for good and sometimes for not so good reasons. But honestly it's a serious shame that Rue could not have gone to Mademoiselle Geraldine's because she would have fit right in with those training to be spies.

But as usually this book was full of fantastic secondary characters as well. The crew of the Spotted Custard was all really fantastic. First of all we have the Tunstall twins, Primrose (Prim) and Percival (Percy). And Prim is so much like Ivy that I can't help but like her. Although she is a bit more practical with is nice. Percy however is totally different which didn't make him any less likable. In fact his love of books and knowledge made him one of my favorites along with inability to pick up on social cues. Then there is Quesnel. It was so much fun seeing him all grown up. He's quite rackish which as the child of Genevieve LeFoux I totally appreciate. Speaking of Mme LeFoux, she makes a brief appearance as do many of the other characters from previous series. Alexia, Lord Maccon, and Lord Akeldama are of course there being their usually amazing selfs, then there are members of the London pack like Biffy, members of the Kingair pack like Sidheag and Professor Lyall. It was great learning what had become of them all.

The plot too was really interesting. Like all the other books in the series it is full of action and adventure. Rue takes after her mother in that she is constantly finding herself in some kind of trouble and has to get herself out of it with a combination of quick-thinking and her supernatural ability. She's a little less aggressive then her mother though and more like Lord Akeldama in that she uses her intellect over weaponry. But either way, super engaging and interesting. The book also involved a covert mission which I thoroughly enjoyed. It's got a little bit of a spy novel feel to it but it also has a lot of mystery to it. It had me interested from beginning to end.

And because I listened to the audiobook I wanted to take a quick second to talk about that. I feel like the narrator did a fantastic job with this series. Moira quick also narrates the Finishing School series so perhaps that is why I found myself reminded so much of characters like Sophronia and a adolescent Vieve. But regardless, I thought she did a great job with each of the characters. They all felt unique and different and the accents were pretty good. Plus she set the tone and atmosphere for the book, which is what I like about audiobooks. She made the serious equal parts lighthearted and action-packed. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

But like all Gail Carriger's work I really liked this series. It's a brilliant addition to the world of these series. I don't even know what to call it. Is there a name for this universe? I don't know. WHo cares. It's great. It has a brilliant world, great characters, and a thrilling plot. It's everything I wanted in a historical fantasy and more.

I give Prudence by Gail Carriger 9 out of 10 stars

Buy.Borrow/Bypass: Buy. If you liked either the Parasol Protectorate or the Finishing School series I would absolutely recommend you read Prudence. It's Gail Carriger at her finest. If you haven't read any of these series and you like steampunk or are looking for a fun historical novel then check them out. But don't start here. Start with either of the other series.

Have you read Prudence? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!