Review: Victorious by V.E. Schwab

Victorious by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ALC of this book via Negalley, all opinions are my own.

This is the conclusion to the series and follows several different characters we've met along Eli and Victor's journey and some new characters are introduced in this installment. This is told in alternating timelines, bouncing back and forth between the present and the past which at times was hard to follow along via audio, but it got easier as the book progressed and it became clear that things were leading up to something big. We spend much of our time with Sydney and Mitch and a new "villain" while Eli and Victor continue to evade each other. You know that when they finally do meet it will be explosive. I would have liked to see more of both of them on the page, as this series is so centered on the both of them

I loved Vicious and always felt it stood well on its own. I didn't love book 2 but I do love this morally grey world that Schwab has created and the concept of certain people being able to come back from death fully functional but with super human abilities. I was pleasantly surprised by this book and feel that it brings things together nicely and gives a sense of closure to the series. I do feel like the pacing was a little off, with the long build up to the "final battle" if you will, and then its over pretty quickly.

I did love the narrator and felt he did a wonderful job with the many characters he had to voice.

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Review: The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao’s Notes on the Inner Palace, Vol. 1 by Minoji Kurata (Artist), Natsu Hyuuga (Original Creator)

The Apothecary Diaries: Maomao’s Notes on the Inner Palace, Vol. 1 by

Minoji Kurata (Artist),

Natsu Hyuuga (Original Creator)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I'm a huge fan of season 1 of the anime, I'm waiting for season 3 to fully release so I can catch up on what is happening. I have not read the manga or the light novel yet so I can't compare them to this version.

This volume captures the humor and awkwardness of Maomao the lady-in-waiting and apothecary to one of the emperor's valued consorts and all of the things she gets up to through episode 9 or 10 of the show. Her skills with plants and their medicinal uses prove handy in all sorts of mysterious situations and she becomes a valued asset to Jinshi. If you haven't watched the anime (not a prerequisite), this is a great place to start as it gives you insight into what The Apothecary Diaries is all about. Every chapter finds Maomao solving another problem and driving Jinshi crazy.

I love Maomao's character both on the page and in the show. She is smart bringing her apothecary knowledge learned from her father as well as her street smarts learned from growing up in a brothel to the palace. She isn't a polished and poised lady like the other ladies in waiting who have trained to serve the consorts, but that allows her have difference priorities and to see things with a different lens. Jinshi is some sort of secretary to the emperor, taking care of accounts and making sure the business at palace runs smoothly. I can't quite figure him out, as he clearly has some sort of feelings for Maomao but she either ignores them or doesn't see it. Their dynamics are hilarious and I can't wait to see how things play out as the solve more mysteries and divert more catastrophes.

This also includes a bonus short story not found in the light novels set prior to Maomao's time at the Inner Palace.


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Review: A Confederacy of Dunces by Albert Monteys

A Confederacy of Dunces by Albert Monteys
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this graphic novel via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I have not read the original novel, and I wonder if something was lost in translation. I felt like I was missing something, but perhaps that is the nature of the storyline.

The art was great and depicted the story well. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the storyline at all. I didn't find this humorous at all, which is supposed to be the draw of this satirical novel. I thought a graphic adaptation would be a great way for me to finally tackle this. I didn't like any of the characters, which I think is the point and I'm not a fan of those types of books as a preference. I need someone to connect with and even if everyone is a villain, I still need someone to root for.

I give Monteys so much credit for adapting this and feel the art was very well done. Unfortunately, Toole's original story wasn't for me. If you are a fan of satire and social commentary this is a great option.

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Review: In a Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power

In a Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley ages ago as part of the paperback releaes campaign.  I listened to the audiobook in an effort to clear my shelf, as always all opinions are my own.

I found this a bit confusing.  I wasn't really clear on how the magic worked and because there were so many characters it was hard to keep up at times.  I like a book with court drama and political intrigue and this has quite a bit of that, but I wasn't always sure what was going on.  I kept forgetting who was aligned to which plotline, but it didn't really matter in the end as this is full of rivalries, betrayal, and who can out maneuver who plotlines.

The writing was good, but I would have liked more character development as I still don't feel like I know the characters well.

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Review: Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske

Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ALC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a unique fantasy that uses magic for healing.  Students with with healing magic attend university for several years before the Grand Exam where they are paired together as a group to diagnose and heal a patient.  Passing the exam means the students can perform healing arts on their own much like a doctor passing medical school and residency.   In this years exam our group of main characters enter the exam to find one of the top students in their exam room dead and possibly murdered.  The unlikely group each has a specialty, and Ysabel knew it, which is why she knew they would make the perfect team to not only get to the bottom of the experiment she was working on but solve her murder if she didn't show up for the Grand Exam.

I really enjoyed getting to know each one of the characters.  Normally I don't like so many points of view, but Marske did a great job making sure each one of the five main characters got plenty of time on the page as well as had a sufficient backstory and plenty of interaction with the other characters.  We get to know each one of the characters and their personalities as they try to understand what is happening with their exam and what happened to Ysabel.  They each have their own unique skills and talents that make them suited to solve this puzzle and as they diagnose each ailment that becomes more and more clear what each of their roles are.  I also loved the use of singing as part of the use of magic when the group works together to heal a patient.  That was something that I don't think I've seen before, and it was a nice touch to keep the group connected and focused.

Overall I really enjoyed this.  It started out slow, but once you understand what is going on the plot picks up and I was completely invested in the characters and the storyline.

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Review: Until I Remember by Karla Sorensen

Until I Remember by Karla Sorensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC and ALC of this book via the author and Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

Amnesia isn't a trope I've come across very often, however I think the author did a great job using it with this couple. While Grant remembers everything, while Mercy has lost a year of her life and can't comprehend that there is a world where they would have gotten married and fallen in love. She remembers hating her brother's best friend, her brother's death, loving her job as a teacher, but nothing about something so significant as getting married and falling in love with a man she can't stand.

I enjoyed Mercy and Grant getting to know each other again. I really liked that he let her choose every step and take things at her own pace. She is initially very distrusting of everything he tells her and fights him at every turn. There are some moments when you can't understand what he likes about her, but I would be pretty adversarial and scared in her situation as well. Grant is so patient with her and my heart broke for him in those moments when she is mean, because he is trying to protect her and their relationship until she comes to the realization that they had something special even if she can't remember. Once she accepts that they could have had a real relationship and feelings for one another, Mercy lets down her guard and begins to get to know Grant again. While they have always pushed each others buttons, which leads to great chemistry in the bedroom, she realizes that there has always been something more simmering just underneath and she can have it if she wants it.

I will say that I thought it was strange that despite her having a pretty significant head injury and complete loss of memory there was no mention of any sort of therapy or medical intervention to help her recovery her memories. It wasn't ever discussed or brought up. They just kind of dealt with it and hoped or assumed that Mercy's memory would return someday. I didn't mind while I was reading the book, I enjoyed it, but as I was writing this and was doing a bit more critical thinking that thought came to mind.

Shane East was the perfect choice for Grant, one because he is one of my favorite narrators, and two because his English accent worked perfectly for Grant. Samantha Brentmore did a wonderful job as Mercy and the duet narration was excellent.

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Review: Beg Me by Adriana Locke

Beg Me by Adriana Locke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.

This was a really fun addition to the Play Me series. Markie has been betrayed by all of the men that she has let into her life. Even her half-brother treats her poorly, with no respect and no consideration for her time or her feelings. He only calls her when he needs to her take care of business for him in town. She keeps holding out hope that maybe one day they can have a relationship, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The one thing she looks forward to every year is the town's pickeball tournament and she is the reigning champion. Her partner has been her boyfriend, but since he cheated on her, she is now without a partner in more ways than one. Enter Jory Plath, a professional rugby player, with pre-teen son who has the confidence of a CEO. Gus meets Markie at the farmer's market and decides to play matchmaker to get a little bit of freedom as his dad is a little overprotective. They are new to town and Jory is new to being a dad. Markie has sworn off men, but Jory is sweet and his looks don't hurt either. Turns out he is her brother's best friend from college and living in his rental property so one of those business items he asks her to take care of for him is to give Jory the keys for something in the house. From there she ends up tutoring Gus in math, because math just happens to be her thing and Jory agrees to be her pickleball partner in exchange.

Jory and Markie were really cute together. They had good banter, and despite her pushing him away he was patient. I loved revisiting with all of the other characters from the town and they made a great support group for not only Markie but Jory as well as they navigated each other and their situations. I know nothing about pickleball, but it was evident that they had chemistry both on and off the court. I also loved Gus, he was hilarious as he played matchmaker and he was so full of himself but in a funny way.

I always love Addy's recaps at the end of a series that bring each couple's story to a close. You spend so much time with them and it really gives closure to the series as they move on to whatever is next and you feel like you can let them go a bit easier or you can start over from the beginning right away or revisit old friends whenever you want. This was a great ending to a great series!

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