Nemesis Games (The Expanse Book 5) by James S. A. Corey

Just like last weeks post this week I  am doing a review on another of the Expanse series by James S. A. Corey.  In discussing this weeks book, I will likely bring up events, plot points and characters that may give clues to the ending of the previous books, you know, spoilers.  If you have not read any of this series (and I believe you should at least try it out) and wish to be spoiler free, turn back now and ,please come back when you've caught up.

When last we left Captain James Holden and the crew of the Rocinante they had just saved themselves and hundreds more from a planet.  Well, to be honest a planet re-engineered by one group and taken over by yet another.  All before humans even knew it existed. It was a story that delved into many hidden thoughts, feelings and talents of the Rocinante.  In Nemesis Games, we get the opportunity to find out the hidden story behind them and some of the crewmembers themselves.

The setting of this reminded me much of one of hA Song of Ice and Fire Books in that it took place in a finite period of time but, the story was told in many different places.  We are allowed to sort of time shift to see events take place in one locale and be reported in another.  This is one of those times when I'm not sure if it is easier to have more than one author on a project.  Seeing as James S. A. Corey is really two people writing these books together and they did such an awesome job at managing it all, there may be some benefit to it. They keep a good time line and a very good pace throughout the book.

This, though, is truly a story of character development.  Events unfold that lead to some having to confront past decisions and the consequences and maybe even atone for those acts in the present.  Then there is a sort of re-introduction of somebody who was sorely missing from the previous book, Chrisjen Avasarala, the potty-mouthed, no-nonsense politician of Earth's UN.  She was showed up very briefly in Cibola Burn but, never fear, the diplomat with the razor sharp tongue and wit to match is on full display this time.

The Expanse is a series that delivers each time a  new story is released and Nemesis Games is a fine example of that.  It is meant for a mature audience so still maintains its R rating for violence, language and mature subjects.



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by Tynga at Wednesday, September 14, 2016

 Hard Science Fiction, James S.A. Corey, Orbit, Purchased, Review, Science Fiction, Space Adventure, SyFy, The Expanse  Leave your mark

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Cibola Burn Expanse Book 4 by James S. A. Corey

This is the 4th book in the Expanse series by James S. A. Corey.  Not only has it spawned numerous books in the series (starting with Leviathan Wakes) but also a TV show on the SyFy channel.  Since this is the fourth installment of that series, I will likely be touching on major plot points from the earlier books and the series (also known as Spoilers). So, if you have not started reading or viewing this series but think you may, turn back now and get started already! It's an excellent series in both print and video.

Those who have read this series thus far probably remember the black goo that turned people into 'vomit zombies' and took over a couple of settlements in the 'Outer Planets'?  It's what led to James Holden and three of his crewmates/friends claiming by right of salvage a Martian warship.  It also brought the already strained relations among Earth, Mars and the Outer Planet Alliance to its boiling point.  All of which was rendered mundane when the origin of the black goo was discovered and a gate that was a shortcut to many habitable worlds was found.

Cibola Burn begins at that gait and just within.  The discovery of a world suitable for humans was too much for two factions to deal with and tensions are high once again.  This is actually the continuation of a story that always seems to be on the brink of resolution but never makes it.  That is not meant in a negative way.  In reality, life is only resolved when it is over and this story has plenty of life left in it.  This part of the story is merely the next logical steps after what has happened previously.

This book does take a bit of a departure from the rest in two ways.  One is in the setting.  The number of different settings is reduced and the nature of one of them is very different indeed.  The other difference is that more POV's from characters other than the major four occur in this book.  One the more unusual characters gives us insights that were missing and we didn't likely realize it.

Cibola Burn is an action filled story that not only gets the heart pumping at times but also forces us to engage our minds and emotions.  This whole series has intense violence at times, frank sexual discussions and liberal use of language so, it gets a mild R rating from me

 

 

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by Tynga at Wednesday, September 07, 2016

 Action amp; Adventure, Hard Science Fiction, James S.A. Corey, Orbit, Purchased, Review, Space, SyFy, The Expanse  Leave your mark

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Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse #1) by James S. A. Corey

I think it might be obvious what brought this choice to mind since recently SyFy has started airing a TV series on this book series.  So, let's address the 800 pound CG gorilla in the room:  This is NOT made by the same folks who gave us Sharknado.  The TV show Expanse is a well done small screen adaptation of the book series.  Yes, there are differences between the two but, it is a case of Vive la difference! Now, we have two very cool science fiction stories to get lost in!

Now, on to the book!  This is a true space opera.  I imagine it helps that James S. A. Corey is actually two authors so, offering them the ability to develop the story in parallel while still maintaining a central theme.  This is something that Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck (their real names) manage to do very well.  It's like when children sing songs like Row-Row Your Boat in the round only, these guys are doing that with at the concerto level.  It moves from exposition to cliff hanger and on to the next scene with a certain grace.  I never felt bombarded by tech or period jargon.

There are many characters we get introduced to in this, the first installment of the series but, it's easy to pick out the ones you will see the most of as the story unfolds.  We get to see many of the most familiar archetypes: The Hard-nosed Detective, The 'Boy Scout', The Hard Drinking Lech and many more.  I don't want to give too much away because, this is one of those tales where the fun is in the journey and the journey is often less than predictable.

The scenes and scenery are just as unique and almost as plentiful as the characters.  These also have the added bonus of giving the reader a glimpse in the origination and motivation of the people who inhabit this world.  To me, it brings up the age old question of "nature vs nurture".

Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey is an entertaining space opera that will both engage and intrigue most readers.  There are many scenes of harsh violence and some mature discussions all of which lands in the PG13 rating but, not too deeply.

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by Tynga at Wednesday, January 20, 2016

 Hard Science Fiction, James S.A. Corey, Orbit, Purchased, Review, Space Opera, SyFy, The Expanse  Leave your mark

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Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach

What do you do when the goal of  the career path you place yourself on requires experience 10 years beyond your projected lifespan in your chosen profession?   For Deviana Morris, the answer was simple, find another way.  Having gone as far as any armored mercenary could and still be active, Devi needed to find a way to reach her goal without going backwards or waiting too long.  Consulting an old 'friend with benefits', she finds her answer is to be as security for the unluckiest freighter where her life become more interesting.

This is a more unique twist to what is becoming the 'tough lead female' trope. This story is more unique because it takes place in space and the element that separates her from the Honor Harringtons out there is that Devi is a grunt.  She's a soldier and doesn't engage the enemy with the push of a button.  This gives the reader a far more unique perspective on combat in space than most space operas are inclined to give.  We get to see the tactical instead of the strategic approach to combat and in the way the main character views the world.  The author used this well.  Instead of slow anxious times between big events, we got the quiet yet busy times of those whose jobs don't stop between big events.

The reader gets a pretty good insight into Devi's character.  We learn her origins, much of her early life and her feelings regarding her current circumstances.  There are times when one may thing she is a Mary Sue  character but, we eventually get to see enough of her flaws to dispel that assumption.  The rest of the characters are a bit flatter because of their limited use or possible exposition in later books.  It's very understandable for an introductory to a series of books.

Fortune's Pawn is an interesting departure from some many space novels.  We have a strong-willed woman who is more likely to utterly destroy a ship from the inside out than to try and pilot one.  This is a very entertaining read and I'll likely pick up on the rest of the series, myself.  It is not for the youngest among us and lands pretty deep in the R ratings for violence and sexual content.

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by Tynga at Wednesday, June 17, 2015

 armored mercenary, Orbit, Paradox, Purchased, rachel bach, Review, Science Fiction, Space Opera  Leave your mark

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Take Two: Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson

Jenn reviewed this book when it released in 2013 and you can read her thoughts here, now it's my turn to give it a go!

Jessica has had a lot on her plate since this journey started (was it really just a week ago??) and this time won't be a vacation either. It's in fact her toughest challenge yet, but she must rise and shine if she hopes to save her mate from an angry, sadistic Goddess.

If I had one word to choose to describe Hot Blooded it would definitely be action-packed. From beginning to end there isn't a single down moment, so don't even think of taking a breath! Jessica sets on her mission with her twin brother, their friend Danny and a duo of unreliable vampire siblings. On their journey, they face challenge after challenge and the things they have to face are simply unpredictable. Carlson dug up some really old mythology to throw in the mix and surprise us, and she did it well.

If I had one complaint about this novel it would be how Jessica's blood always seemed to be the answer to every challenge they faced and how her 'instincts' were always right. She has no idea why she does this or that, but when confronted by Tyler, she just says she has no idea but it feels right. It just felt like an easy way out. I wish she'd made at least one or two mistakes, the whole thing would've felt more plausible. I mean, she's a newbie werewolf, with no idea what she's doing, facing a Goddess backed up by the Underworld and she makes no mistakes? Please...

The whole story revolves around a limited number of characters and it felt right in such a retrieval mission. Everyone contributed and felt equally important, even human Ray, whom I came to appreciate along the journey. Naomi (one of the vampires) also turned out to be a pleasant surprise and I hope we see more of her in the future.

I wish Rourke had been present, but since the whole deal was to save him it makes sense he isn't there lol But I would lie if I said I wasn't impatient to know more about him and to finally see Jessica and him as a couple. Their relationship has been pretty chaste thus far and it would be about time they get down and dirty hahaha

Overall, I liked this installment and I would definitely recommend this series to urban fantasy lovers. You will find sassy and loveable characters, action-packed encounters and thrilling plot-lines. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

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by Tynga at Friday, February 20, 2015

 Amanda Carlson, Hachette, Jessica McClain, Orbit, Paranormal Romance, Purchased, Review, Urban Fantasy, werewolves, Witch  Leave your mark

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Daring by Elliott James

Daring is the sequel to Charming, of the Pax Arcana series.  You can see Jenn's review of Charming HERE.  I totally, 100% agree with her enthusiastic praise of Charming.  And I, too, couldn't wait to get my hands on Daring.  I was on my library's request list for it before the release date!  I wasn't surprised to find myself in love with Daring, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I loved it for very different reasons.

So far, this series has been my first and only foray into adult urban fantasy, but I'm so glad that I've found this genre!  The main character, John Charming, has been dealt a rather hard hand in life.  He comes from a long line of Charmings who are all Knights Templar, tasked with slaying monsters and dragons.  In this modern age, the Knights Templar keep the busiest making sure that regular folks like you and I don't encounter any nasty creatures like vampires or werewolves.  Unfortunately, he was cursed from birth by a werewolf's bite.  So what do you do when you're under a magical geas (compulsion) to fight creatures like werewolves... but yet, you are part werewolf?

While Charming shows the Knight side of John, Daring lets the reader get to know John's werewolf side.  He's left his bar in Virginia and joined a werewolf pack in Wisconsin.  If you're a fan of the supernatural, this book is definitely for you!  Nearly the entire book follows werewolves as they work with a wizard to battle immortal Knights Templar.  The author does a fantastic job with the narration; I really felt like I was in John Charming's head the entire time.  I love how smoothly James Elliott works in explanations for all the supernatural phenomena, and how the Knights Templar manage to keep regular folks from seeing any of it.  The reader gleans a ton of information as John explains situations to other characters, or as he thinks through solutions to problems or threats, without ever feeling "preached to," and with little or no break in the action.  Another bonus:  John's characteristic humor is present in full force in this book too!  A little bit dry, and sometimes self-deprecating, it kept me smiling throughout the novel.  However, if you're looking for the same swoons from Charming, you may be slightly disappointed.  Daring focuses entirely on John and his mission with the werewolf pack.  I didn't even think about romance (or the lack thereof), because I was so caught up with the action.  This one is just more action-packed and less smooches-packed than the first installment.

I'm not sure if this is in every edition, but my copy had an "Extras" section at the end that contained the first few chapters of the third book!  While you could possibly read Daring on it's own, my recommendation would be to start with Charming for maximum enjoyment.  Then you can join me in waiting impatiently for the third book!

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by Tynga at Thursday, January 22, 2015

 contemporary, Elliott James, Fantasy, Library, Orbit, Paranormal, Pax Arcana, Review, Urban, Urban Fantasy  3 People left their mark

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Red Blooded by Amanda Carlson

I was really looking forward to RED BLOODED because every chapter in Jessica's story has been so amazing. Sadly, this instalment, while good, was not quite as stunning as I'd hoped it would be. This isn't to say that it's a bad story -- far from it -- but Carlson has set the bar quite high in her previous books and RED BLOODED fell just a teensy bit short for me.

RED BLOODED takes us to a different part of the Jessica McClain universe: the Underworld. I've been curious about this since the end of the previous novel and, as usual, Carlson throws us almost immediately into the action, with Jessica getting accidentally sent to Hell before she's ready. ('Cause where would the fun be if she was all prepared, right?) Much of the novel is Jessica on her own in Hell because time moves more slowly in the Underworld. As a result, Jessica spends much of the novel trying to find her brother Tyler and avoiding the thousands of demons who live in the Underworld and who would love to get their hands on her. Carlson does a good job of creating an Underworld that's not exactly the same as what we've seen in other series, and she even has time to introduce her take on the chupacabra, which I quite enjoyed.

One of the best things about RED BLOODED is that we see a lot of the series mythology get unpacked. We learn more about the various prophecies that have come into play and what they mean for Jessica and her friends and family. I found this aspect of the novel to be extremely satisfying and I'm sure that you will, too, since it's part of the payout that we've been waiting for. I'm thrilled that Carlson doesn't make us wait longer, though this is typical for her. (One of the major reasons I'm such a fan.)

Despite all of this goodness, and the page time with some fascinating new characters, there was just something about RED BLOODED that didn't live up to its predecessors. I think it's just a matter of this book being a teensy weensy little bit less fabulous than Carlson's other stories; it remains a wonderful piece of urban fantasy. It's hard for me to pinpoint exactly why I didn't super love RED BLOODED because the are no bad parts to the book but I will say that the usual Carlson spark was just a little dimmer than usual. Despite this, I remain a staunch Jessica McClain and Amanda Carlson fan and I strongly urge you to give this series a try if you haven't already!

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by Tynga at Monday, September 15, 2014

 Adult, Amanda Carlson, Hachette, Jessica McClain, Netgalley, Orbit, Review, Urban Fantasy, werewolf  Leave your mark

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Married With Zombies by Jesse Petersen

I’ve been binge watching The Walking Dead lately so that made me revisit my favorite zombie novels, MARRIED WITH ZOMBIES. Since it’s nothing like the famous AMC TV show, I would say the only thing they have in common is zombies. However, this is the book that started my fascination with zombies. Before, I was a little disgusted/afraid of them but now, I simply see them as unfortunate beings that can sometimes bring comedy in books like MARRIED WITH ZOMBIES.

I guess you can say the book begins like any contemporary book where a couple is having marital issues. Sarah and David have been seeing a couple’s therapist about their problems and they were actually on their way to therapy when they first discovered the apocalypse was upon them. The whole scenario is actually quite funny and ironic because what was making their marriage fail was their ordinary life, while what eventually makes them a stronger unit is the end of the world. And the most ironic thing is that what really begins their reconciliation is actually killing their marriage counselor turned zombie.

I would say Jesse Petersen’s comedy is really original. I’ve never encountered another book that’s quite like it. The humor and the zombie-ness is balanced perfectly and she is able to pull off the comedy really well, in what could have been a disastrous attempt to make light of a difficult genre to write. I really admire her ability to make you laugh and keep things light, while still making her hero and heroine fight off hordes of zombies. And she’s not afraid of gruesome details. And what’s even better is the fact that the humour is actually the kind of humour that makes you laugh out loud and make you stop reading because you have the absorb the greatness of the hilarity. It’s not just haha filler-type comedy.

Sarah and David’s quest to find safety makes them depend on one another. Their hope, not only to survive this thing, but their hope for their relationship makes this somewhat a romantic story. It does have those chick-lit moments but for those of you who stay clear of those, they are few and far between. It’s still nice to read about their relationship and how it evolves throughout the novel.

If you’re remotely interested in zombies, you definitely have to read this book. If you’re curious about zombies, you definitely have to read this book. If you’re crazy about zombies, you definitely  have to read this book. If you think zombies aren’t your thing, you have to at least try it, please! It will most probably change your opinion about zombies. This is without a doubt, my favorite zombie book and series. You can’t get any better than this!

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by Tynga at Sunday, April 27, 2014

 Apocalypse, Hachette, Jesse Petersen, Living With the Dead, Orbit, Purchased, Review, Zombie, Zombies  2 People left their mark

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Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells

In DIRTY MAGIC, Jaye Wells introduces us to a dangerous new world inhabited by alchemists and potion junkies. It's a fast-paced story that grabs your attention from the first page and will leave you begging for more when you hit the back cover. 

Kate Prospero, alchemist turned beat cop, does her best to maintain order in the Cauldron but it's a losing battle. Dirty magic potions are everywhere and addicts line the streets. Kate used to cook potions and was the heir apparent to one of the big bosses until tragedy struck. Now, she eschews all magics, even though she craves the powerful high that cooking brings, while raising her teenage brother and trying to get ahead in life. She's the kind of protagonist I instantly root for because she's so driven, fighting against some big obstacles. Plus she's a total underdog, especially once she joins up with the task force and its super talented members.

DIRTHY MAGIC is such a great book that it's hard to pinpoint my favourite parts. There's strong characterization, not just for Kate and the team, but for each of the major and minor players who enter the story. I really liked Penelope, Kate's best friend, in particular. She's such a sympathetic ear but she's also a very human element in a story with so many magical beings. The plot is also fantastic. Figuring out who's putting this dangerous new potion on the streets is a complex mystery that takes Kate all over the city, into some of the darkest parts of the town and her past.

While DIRTY MAGIC still has Wells' trademark humour and fast-paced action, it's a bit different from the Sabina Kane novels in that DIRTY MAGIC is more of a paranormal thriller. It's got a real hard-boiled feel to it, which I love. Gritty stories (almost) always have fantastic character arcs and twisty plots, which Wells delivers in spades. If you are already a fan, you'll definitely love DIRTY MAGIC. If you've never tried Jaye Wells before, now's the time because DIRTY MAGIC is near perfect urban fantasy.

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by Tynga at Monday, January 27, 2014

 Adult, alchemy, Hachette, jaye wells, Magic, Netgalley, Orbit, Prospero's War, Review, Urban Fantasy  14 People left their mark

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Cold Blooded by Amanda Carlson

Once again, Amanda Carlson kicks off her novel with a bang and doesn't let the reader -- or Jessica -- catch her breath, not even for a moment. COLD BLOODED is a fast-paced fight against everyone, just when things seemed like Jess might get a brief respite. In this third outing, Jess has to face off against vampires, demons, and werewolves while also trying to find her friend. In some novels, it would feel like too much but Carlson does a great job of jamming all of this in without having her reader feel like s/he's drowning, most likely because you know that there's a reason for each and every scene. Plus, Carlson does a great job of building tension -- you know things are going to escalate, and they do, and then it gets even crazier!

Case in point: Ray. He was such a tool in the first novel, and an even bigger pain in the butt the second time around, but he has a serious character arc in COLD BLOODED. It completely blindsided me and I loved it! I had no idea that this is what Carlson had up her sleeve but I was very impressed with what she's done and how she did it. I've gone from despising Ray to being completely intrigued by him. I don't want to say too much about his transformation because it would be such a spoiler but I will say that it was one of my favourite storylines in COLD BLOODED.

I also really enjoyed the development of Jessica's character. She's really coming into her own as a leader and as a werewolf and it's nice to watch her evolution. She's still not 100% confident about her abilities, especially since no one really knows what she is, but she's come along way from the first pages of FULL BLOODED. She's not done yet, though, since there are at least two more Jessica McClain books in the pipeline.

Carlson's Jessica McClain series is definitely one that you'll want to check out if you haven't already given it a try. It's high-octane urban fantasy, packed with surprises, romance, and action!

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by Tynga at Monday, October 14, 2013

 Adult, Amanda Carlson, Hachette, Jessica McClain, Netgalley, Orbit, Review, Urban Fantasy, werewolf  Leave your mark

✎

Charming by Elliott James

The quick version: I loved this book. I wanted to read it so badly the instant I saw it online, got crushingly rejected for an eARC on Edelweiss, but then managed to get one through Netgalley, which I promptly devoured because CHARMING is six kinds of awesome. There is outstanding worldbuilding, intricate and well-paced plotting, and a host of characters you will instantly engage with (love 'em or hate 'em).

The long version: There's something extra delicious about a début author. You really don't know what you're going to get. In the case of CHARMING and the Pax Arcana, you get an interesting new urban fantasy world filled with Knights Templar, vampires, Valkyries, bar fights, dresniks, and damsels who may or may not be in distress. There's a love triangle of sorts but it's not the focus of the story. Instead, you spend the pages of CHARMING getting to know one of my favourite new UF protagonists, John, an immortal half-werewolf raised by the Knights Templar to be a monster hunter until they realized he was indeed supernatural. Now, they want him dead because, you know, abomination and all that. And even though John's in hiding, he's still forced to protect the world from dangerous supernaturals thanks to a geas put on him as a Knight as part of the Pax Arcana.

John does tortured hero very well but he's not the brooding type, thank goodness. He definitely has a grudge against the Knights Templar -- and with good reason -- but he doesn't let that stop him from doing what's right, even though getting the Knights' attention is the last thing he needs or wants. Plus, CHARMING wouldn't be much of a story if John took off the moment things got dangerous so it's good that he sticks around and gets sorely abused for his sense of duty.

The rest of the characters are just as interesting as John. Sig, the blonde who walks into the bar in the first chapter, is more than she seems and he knows it. She's a smart, capable woman and I loved her interactions with John. From the first, they are equals and their encounters are very interesting. Sig brings with her a motley crew and I was quite fond of half of them. You're not really supposed to like the other ones so don't feel bad for the instant dislike you'll feel for some of her team. :) Perhaps the best character in the book is the villain. I won't say much but I will say that this character has a big, menacing vision and it felt like the stakes (vampire pun!) were substantial and real. Plus, smart folks make the best villains since you know that things are going to be challenging for the good guys.

James also does a great job of creating a sense of place in CHARMING. I love the series mythology he's developed. The Pax Arcana is a really cool idea and I'm very curious to see how it plays out in future stories. I also love how he's incorporated real world history, like the Knights Templar and the Crusaders, and shaped them to form the magical background for the series. There's a lot of potential for growth and surprises and I can't wait to see what and who else John will encounter.

It's been a while since I've read a book that truly captured my attention from the first page the way CHARMING did. You will be full of the feels as you read this novel and your last feeling is going to be sadness because you won't be ready to let go of these characters when you hit the final page. James is a strong new voice in urban fantasy and I can't wait to read John Charming's next adventure. Definitely my favourite début of the year!

P.S. Love the t-shirt on the cover! I didn't notice the cross until after I finished the book. This is a damn fine cover. :)

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by Tynga at Monday, September 23, 2013

 Adult, Elliott James, Hachette, Netgalley, Orbit, Pax Aracana, Review, Urban Fantasy, Vampire  3 People left their mark

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