March Wrap up

I got through a ton of books in March.  I reviewed almost everything I read too, which is even more impressive than the reading of the books.  I've been slacking on reviewing the audiobooks, but that's not unusual for me.  

Books/Ebooks/ARCs

• Space by Penny Reid
• Review
• This did not disappoint, though I didn't expect this to head in the direction it did.  This is not a bad thing, I kind of expected the reveal to happen in book 3 and the tension to linger, but Penny knows what she is doing and I'm not complaining.  I love Mona and Abram, and I really like where this ended.  I know our couple will face more challenges in the next installment but I like where things left off.  I know have to wait another month to find out how it ends.
• Bennett Mafia by Tijan
• Review
• I was excited to find out Tijan was releasing another book and that I was able to get my hands on an early review copy.  This is a mafia, hate to love romance book, and I really enjoyed it.  I'm about a quarter of the way into it.  The main character is spunky and she really surprised me at every turn. This came out March 4, 2019.
• The Last Wingman by Daisy Prescott
• Review
• This came out March 7th.  This is a fun, light hearted, small town romance.  It as exactly what I needed after a stressful few days.  The main characters are awkward and sweet and I loved them so much.  This is my first Daisy Prescott novel but it most certainly will not be my last.
• Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson
• Review
• This comes out March 5th.  This is a psychological thriller.  The main character is bipolar and begins to suspect that her neighbor may be a murderer, but she isn't sure of herself or if she is an unreliable narrator in her own life.  I've been really into thrillers lately and this one was amazing.  I highly recommend it.  It was entirely unpredictable and I did not see the ending developing until it happened.  It was so dark but so good!
• The Test by Sylvain Neuvel
• Review
• This was a strange little novella.  It was a quick read and really made me think.  If you liked The Themis Files I'd give it a try, but there aren't any robots or aliens.  It is more realistic/speculative fiction with a hint of psychological thriller.
• In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire
• Review
• This is another installment of the Wayward Children series.  It's good, but not my favorite.  I wanted more fantasy, action, and adventure.  It was also missing some of the whimsy that is present in the other books, this installment is far more serious than the others.  This is an origin story for one of the staff members at the school that the kids end up at, so it is a valuable story to be told.
• Erased, Volume 4 & 5 by Kei Sanbe
• I finally finished this series.  I'm so glad I went out of my comfort zone an tried something new.  This series was great.  It follows a man who goes back in time to his childhood to save a friend from being murdered.  He then works to solve the murder and catch the killer.  Book 5 gives a summary of each of the side characters in the series, and is a nice wrap up to see where each of them started and ended.  I never saw myself reading manga, and while it was a challenging format to get used to this series was excellent.  
• Saving Megan by D.J. Palmer
• Review
• This was a crazy medical drama/psycological suspense novel.  I really enjoyed it.  I had no idea who to believe or what to think as I was reading it.  This comes out April 9th.  You aren't sure if the daughter is actually sick, if it is all in her head, if her mom is making her sick, or if something else is going on.  What I suspected wasn't what was going on at all, and it really threw me for a loop.
• Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
• I got about 60% of the way done with this before my library loan ran out.  It is exactly what you would expect for the 4th installment.  There is a lot going on in this book, more characters and each of them have their own storyline to keep track of.  I was really enjoying it until was taken away...it's my own fault.  I had the audiobook but accidentally returned it, then I got the ebook and didn't give myself enough time to finish it.  Hopefully I'll get one or the other back soon so I can finish it.

Audiobooks

As usual who knows what I'll get to, but I've got the books listed below checked out from the library at the time of this post with the exception of Bloodwitch.  

• Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
• Review
• This series is so good.  The full cast is amazing!  I can't say enough good things about this series.  I love how this ended.  The audiobooks are amazing but I highly recommend checking out the books because the drawings are awesome too.  They aren't needed but they are just too good not to mention.
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
• Review
• I really enjoyed this.  It was more of a family drama than a mystery, but I liked it just the same.  Christopher was a wonderful character.  It certainly gave me some perspective about parenting and patience. 
• The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemison
• This was a bit different that the first two books.  We are still following Assun and Nassun on their journey to save humanity and the world by using their abilities.  We also get Hoa's perspective and background, which is a very valuable piece of information as to how the world got to be in this whole situation.  The extra perspective gives the book a different feel, but that doesn't mean it isn't as amazing as the others.  It is an excellent conclusion to an excellent series.
• Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto
• I actually didn't finish the audiobook of this.  I got through about 20% of it and returned it.  I really like the story, but the audio was kind of bland.  It has a full cast but I wasn't drawn into this book, and there are way too many characters for me to keep track of.  I have requested the e-book because I really do want to read this, the audio just wasn't doing it for me.
• The City of Brass by S.A Chakraborty
• This is another great book about mythology/folklore.  This focuses on Middle Eastern lore, specifically Djinn and Daeva in 18th century Egypt.  I've been meaning to read this for a while because the cover is stunning.  The audiobook is long, but it is really entertaining.  If you are a mythology lover like I am I recommend it.
• Becoming by Michelle Obama
• I've been waiting for this since it came out.  I highly recommend the audio, as it is read by Mrs. Obama herself and she really puts her emotion into the book.  You can hear her choke up a bit when she talks about losing her dad, and her frustration when she talks about the politics and campaigning.  I really enjoyed learning more about the former First Family.  This is a book I plan on purchasing for myself, I took a lot away from it.  While I'm not a person of color, I am a working mom and I related so much to the parts where she talked about balancing her work life balance and how important family is.
• Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
• I don't have the best luck with classics.  I wanted to make some progress with the Great American Reads list and this is a really short one.  This is about 4 hours long on audio.  It is an interesting book, but I can't say that I enjoyed it.  It just isn't my favorite type of book to read.  I can see why it is on the list, and definitely can see why people like to discuss it.

Review: Saving Meghan by D.J. Palmer

Saving Meghan by D.J. Palmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was crazy. It kept me guessing the entire time. I wasn't sure who to believe or what to think. The end was completely unexpected. You really couldn't tell if Meghan was really sick or if it was all in her head. This book will take you on a medical mystery adventure filled with family drama and psychological suspense that you won't soon forget. I don't want to give away too much of the plot because thrillers such as this are best discovered as you read.

This is told from multiple perspectives, Meghan the daughter with the undiagnosed ailment, Becky the devoted mother who has all of the makings of Munchausen's by Proxy, and Zach the doctor who is caught in the middle trying to save Meghan but also has his own baggage. The characters are all very well developed and they all have so many things going on that you aren't sure what to believe or who is at fault. Who I thought was at the center of the whole thing was not the culprit at all, they turned out to be just another victim of the true criminal mastermind. Each of the characters and all of their emotional baggage have a very specific role to play in this story. All of the characters were well developed, and came with their own backstory. You can tell that D.J. Palmer did his his homework and researched the medical aspects of the story. I very much enjoyed that there was just enough medical terminology but not too much that I needed to google things to understand what was going on in the book.

I was provided an advanced copy via the publisher in exchanged for an honest review. My head was spinning the entire time I was reading this, and I highly recommend it.

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Review: In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire

In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While still a good story, this was not my favorite of the series. It wasn't as whimsical as the others, it was far more serious with less action and adventure. This felt more character driven than plot driven which isn't my taste. This is still extremely imaginative and well written. It is still enjoyable and fits right in with the rest of the series. I recommend it for fans of the series and I'm looking forward to more books in the series. Unlike the other books in the series, this focuses on one character instead of visiting other characters at the school or somehow ending up back at the school with the other characters.

This is the backstory for Katherine Lundy, who if you recall is the child therapist at Eleanor West's school for wayward children who have gone through doors and can't quite adjust to their original lives. We learn about Lundy's experience in the Goblin Market and the choice she was faced regarding her door. Lundy grew up as a lonely young girl, but found her true identity in the world of the Market. As she traveled between the land of the Goblin Market and the "real world" she learned about fair value, trade, friendship, family, and love. In the end she must provide fair value in one world, but she must give up the other world completely because she can't provide fair value in both.

As always McGuire paints such a vivid picture of the characters and the world they are in. While I didn't love Lundy, I also don't think I was supposed to. She was detached and cold for much of the book only showing warmth to The Archivist and Moon, and then at the end to her little sister Diana. Her closed off demeanor is part of the reason why she ended up in the Goblin Market, she was lonely and detached from the world. I don't think you were supposed to love her. The rest of the characters aren't the focus of the story and they are well developed for the roles they play. The world building as always is great. I really love how Seanan McGuire tells a story.

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Review: The Test by Sylvain Neuvel

The Test by Sylvain Neuvel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a strange little novella. It packs a punch in such a short little book. I really enjoy Nuevel's writing and his imaginative plotlines. If you are expecting giant robots and aliens you won't find them here. This is more speculative/realistic fiction set in the future. I can actually see this happening in the not so distant future, but I hope this never comes to pass. Parts of this read like a psychological thriller. This book is the perfect length and the story is well developed. Because it is a novella and fairly short, I don't want to spoil too much.

The story follows Idir, a dentist from Iran, who wants a better life for his wife and two small kids. He is taking a citizenship test so they can move to the UK. He has to answer 25 questions on UK facts and history to see if he and his family will be granted citizenship. While his family is waiting, terrorists swarm the testing center and Idir is singled out by the ringleader. Idir is tasked with choosing who lives and who dies? As you read you find out if it is too much for him and if he can actually make the choice? All he wanted when he started his day was a better life for his family. I won't say more than that.

This book really makes you think. The things that happen in this book could actually happen in some form or fashion and in some ways they already do. I hope that what Idir went through never becomes a reality.

As far as the character development goes, Idir was great we get to know him very well. Some of the side characters were lacking, but I almost feel like that was by design as they weren't a major part of the story but they did drive what happened. Overall, this was a quick read that really made me think. It is a bit dark, but it was well worth the read.

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Review: Space by Penny Reid

Space by Penny Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an arc of this via the Author in exchange for an honest review.  This was released on March 11, 2019.  Check out my blog tour post for an excerpt and all of the purchase links.

I love Mona and Abram together. I also love that we get to see Kaitlyn from the Elements of Chemistry and I really like how she has grown since finding her passion in music. She is a great friend to Abram and so much like Mona that she sees through the hot mess of Mona's emotions.

Mona and Abram have been apart for 2 years since they spent a week together. Mona still feels guilty about not telling him the truth, and she hasn't been able to move on. They are forced to spend time in the same house during Mona's winter getaway because her brother Leo invited all of his musician friends to their mountain house to write music. Abram is not happy to be snowed in with Mona after realizing she deceived him. Mona wants to clear the air, however Abram gives her the cold shoulder. Mona of course shuts down because she doesn't know what to do with her feelings which makes Abram rage all the more. The entire time they are drawn to each other like magnets and can't deny the attraction they feel for each other. When Abram challenges her to be honest, Mona is finally able to tell her side of what happened that week. Abram lets his wall of anger down and lets himself get to know the real Mona.

Like Motion, this ends on a cliffhanger, but you knew that going in. I'm anxiously awaiting the final installment of this series. I love the main characters and I really like where their story is headed. I know there are more challenges that they will face, but I'm hopeful that all will workout for them in the end. I was surprised to get alternating perspectives, but it really gave the book something extra. As always Penny doesn't disappoint.

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Blog Tour: Space by Penny Reid

Space, the second book in the all-new Laws of Physics Trilogy from Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid, is available now!

One week.

Private cabin.

Famous physicist.

Still an unrepentant slacker.

What’s the worst that could happen?

Mona’s meticulously planned allotment of relaxation is thrown into chaos by the unscheduled appearance of her older brother’s band of friends, including the one person she'd hoped to never face again. Abram still makes her feel entirely too much, which is one of the reasons she disappeared after their one week together. But now, trapped on a mountain of snow and things unspoken, Mona will have to find a way to coexist with Abram, chaos and all.

Laws of Physics is the second trilogy in the Hypothesis series; Laws of Physics parts 1 (MOTION) & 2 (SPACE) end with a cliffhanger.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SL7P09

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2WOXsrj

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/SpacePR

Nook: http://bit.ly/2I1Rekw

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2GzSvwS

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2RRny94

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2tfBT5C

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2SpmiKZ

Excerpt:

“Hi—hello,” she said, stepping forward but not out of the way, drawing my attention.

She was still staring at me, her face still pale, but her eyes had turned searching instead of stunned.

“I—” She stopped herself, swallowing, her gaze dropping to the front of my coat, a cute little frown furrowing her eyebrows. In the next moment, she was pulling off the glove of her right hand. Abruptly, she shoved the ungloved fingers toward me, returning her eyes to mine. “I’m Mona.”

I suppressed my disbelief at her small action before it could break my outward mask of calm. I wasn’t calm. Just to be clear, I was the opposite of calm.

The fact that she was introducing herself to me now meant that she thought I was too stupid to figure out her lies over the last two-and-a-half-fucking years. She was arguably one of the smartest people in the world, after all. To her, people like me must seem like housebroken pets. So it shouldn’t have surprised me. But it did. The tension and tightness around my ribs reappeared, squeezing uncomfortably.

Dropping my attention to her bare hand, I pressed my lips into a tighter line, dismissing the way my pulse jumped at the sight of her wrist, the olive tone of her skin under the yellow string lights overhead. Glaring at her outstretched offering, I considered telling her to go to hell.

I considered it, but I wouldn’t.

I didn’t trust myself to speak, that was reason number one.

The other reason was harder to explain, or use as a justification, or admit to myself. Staring at her hand, I braced against a sudden flare of hunger. She might consider me a lower life-form, but that didn’t change the fact that I wanted to touch her. I wanted to touch her more than I wanted to tell her to go to hell, and that was fucking pitiful.

But there it was.

Acting on the compulsion, I lifted my right hand and tugged off the ski glove, sliding my warm palm against her much colder one. Her hand felt good in my hand, the right weight, the right size, the right texture, and I inhaled freezing air.

Mona also seemed to suck in a slow but expansive breath as our hands touched, held. This brought my eyes back to hers in time to see her lashes flutter. Pink colored her previously pale cheeks. The sound of the wailing wind, the sting of the air and frost momentarily melted away, leaving just her, her soft skin warming against mine, her beautiful face filling my vision.

So beautiful.

She really was. She was stunning. I hated that she was still so beautiful to me.

Start the series today!

Motion

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2T5iZto

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2QYvTaB

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Motion

Nook: http://bit.ly/2R1mpvn

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ASuOfq

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2DoH8pv

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2T4ebo9

Pre-order the highly anticipated conclusion today!

Time

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Gk59Aq

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2MYQ73J

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TimePR

Nook: http://bit.ly/2TFwsIH

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2RTODZD

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Sm1Zmu

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2WSQbXe

Meet Penny Reid:

Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

Connect with Penny:

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2AXQQxj

GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2sCQ1pi

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2W67eow

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2U3dKdW

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2FDLziw

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2sDBr0u

Stay up to day with Penny by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2szN34G

www.pennyreid.ninja

Review: Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson

Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was so messed up and I mean that in such a complimentary way. So many time when I read a psychological thriller I find that I have things figured out by the halfway point. This had so many twists that I didn't see coming. I loved that this was not predictable. Everytime I thought I had things figured out none of those things happened and Peter Swanson took things in a completely different direction. This read like realistic fiction because the characters and the setting were so realistic and relatable. The thriller parts were dark and haunting and made my skin crawl. If you like psychological thrillers, you need to read this. It is well paced, and so well written.

This is told in multiple perspectives. Henrietta (Hen) the artist, Matthew the teacher, and Richard Matthew's brother all take turns narrating the story. I can't really say much more than the synopsis does about the plot because it would spoil things. I will say that I thought that Swanson's handling of mental health in this book was very open and respectful. I also love how Hen spoke up when she felt like she was being placated or ignored because she has mental health condition.

This was my first Peter Swanson book, but it certainly will not be my last. I was provided an ARC of this book via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This was released on March 4th, 2019. 

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Release Blitz: Space by Penny Reid

Space, the second book in the all-new Laws of Physics Trilogy from Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestselling author Penny Reid, is available now!

One week.

Private cabin.

Famous physicist.

Still an unrepentant slacker.

What’s the worst that could happen?

Mona’s meticulously planned allotment of relaxation is thrown into chaos by the unscheduled appearance of her older brother’s band of friends, including the one person she'd hoped to never face again. Abram still makes her feel entirely too much, which is one of the reasons she disappeared after their one week together. But now, trapped on a mountain of snow and things unspoken, Mona will have to find a way to coexist with Abram, chaos and all.

Laws of Physics is the second trilogy in the Hypothesis series; Laws of Physics parts 1 (MOTION) & 2 (SPACE) end with a cliffhanger.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SL7P09

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2WOXsrj

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/SpacePR

Nook: http://bit.ly/2I1Rekw

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2GzSvwS

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2RRny94

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2tfBT5C

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2SpmiKZ

Start the series today!

Motion

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2T5iZto

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2QYvTaB

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Motion

Nook: http://bit.ly/2R1mpvn

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ASuOfq

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2DoH8pv

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2T4ebo9

Pre-order the highly anticipated conclusion today!

Time

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Gk59Aq

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2MYQ73J

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TimePR

Nook: http://bit.ly/2TFwsIH

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2RTODZD

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Sm1Zmu

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2WSQbXe

Meet Penny Reid:

Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher,

but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.

Connect with Penny:

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2AXQQxj

GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2sCQ1pi

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2W67eow

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2U3dKdW

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lakzsD

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2FDLziw

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2sDBr0u

Stay up to day with Penny by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2szN34G

www.pennyreid.ninja

Review: The Illuminae Files Series Review

I binge read this series after getting sucked in by Illuminae.  I tried to read Illuminae several years ago via audio after hearing how awesome it was but I just couldn't get into it.  The epistolary nature of the book was  hard for me to follow the first time around.  Fast forward a few more years and about a hundred audiobooks later and I decided to give it another try.  I've listened to a few more books of this type and really enjoyed them.  I'm really glad I gave this series another shot, it was worth every second.  I'm actually sad to be done with it and almost want to start over from the beginning and binge it again.  The full cast was amazing and has some of my favorite narrators in the audio world.  I highly recommend checking out the books themselves as Marie Lu's illustrations in the print books are just awesome and give amazing visuals to an already excellent storyline.


Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was amazing. It tells the story of Kady and Ezra, a former couple who have been forced to flee their home when evil corporation Bei-Tech attacks the planet they live on. When ships come to rescue the survivors of the attack, Kady ends up on one ship and Ezra ends up on another. In this universe, soldiers fight for corporations, and because we have two corporations at war, Ezra ends up being conscripted as a fighter pilot. Kady has a bad attitude, so she doesn't end up in military service but that doesn't mean she isn't a whiz with computers. Secretly Kady is a genius hacker while pretending to be inept.

As Kady and Ezra reunite via electronic means and begin to patch up their relationship, Bei-Tech is on the heels of the escaping fleet. In the meantime, the AI computer onboard on of the ships appropriately named AIDEN starts doing crazy stuff to protect the fleet. AIDEN is one of my favorite characters because you just don't know what he's going to do next. He's a computer, but he keeps giving you the vibe that he's a little bit human too, and he is completely unpredictable. Not only do the crew and passengers of the 3 ships in the fleet have to deal with their home being destroyed, an attack ship coming after them, but now they have a deadly virus spreading on one of the ships, and their AI system is going insane.

The story is told through emails, instant messages, radio transmission transcripts, and other mixed media. The audiobook is amazing because it has a full cast and each character has a voice so you almost always know who is speaking. This was such and exciting book to read. I was always on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next. I loved the characters and the world building was amazing. This story is incredibly atmospheric and I loved every second of it. I also recommend checking out the actual book. The drawings and mixed media on the page are amazing and while not necessary to understand what is going on, they are really cool.

Gemina by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This picks up where Illuminae left off, but instead of telling us more about Kady and Ezra, we learn about Hanna, Jackson, Nik and Ella. We heard a bit about the Heimdall jump station in Illuminae, as the refugees are heading there. Heimdall is a wormhole station for interstellar travel and communication. Kady's father is stationed there and Hanna's father is the commander. Hannah is Heimdall's pampered princess, she is dating the cute technician Jackson, but she likes to have fun. Fun is where Nik comes in, he is part of the space mafia family who run drugs and other nasty things. He is also a little sweet on Hannah. Ella is Nik's cousin and another super genius hacker. We come to find out that Bei-Tech isn't only out to shut down Kerenza's mining operation, they are also out to take over Heimdall. When a strike team invades the station because there is a mole planted on Heimdall, Hanna, Nik, and Ella are found defending the station from the bad guys.

Just like in Illuminae, the cast of characters finds themselves fighting several different battles at the same time. Nik's mafia family runs drugs remember? Well the critters they use to produce those drugs get loose and start attacking anyone they come across. Oh and the wormhole generator is broken, and all the dimensions of space and time will be destroyed if our motley crew can't fix all of the the above mentioned problems. Our favorite insane AI along with Kady, Ezra, and the rest of the survivors on the Hypatia make a return to help Hanna, Nik, and Ella.

I loved this book. It was funny, atmospheric, the world building was awesome, action packed, and I loved all of the characters. Like Illuminae this is told through mixed media. The full cast of characters was as amazing as the last book. I also recommend checking out the print book so you can see Marie Lu's amazing illustrations.

Obsidio by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As with the previous two books, the audio cast was spectacular. I highly recommend the audio version, the print version is excellent as well. As with the prior books I did both at the same time and the illustrations from the print book just add a little something extra, but the full cast really gives life to each of the mixed media transmissions presented in the story. I will say I could have done without the date and timestamps being read to me every time we switched who was speaking or what the transmission in the file was. If you were reading the print book you would have skimmed over that part, but it was read to you on the audiobook and after three books you know who's voice is which character by now. That is really my only complaint.

Obsidio jumps settings quite a bit. Heimdall has been saved, but the Hypatia is on her last legs. We meet some new characters as we learn that there are survivors on Kerenza, oh and AIDEN is still insane and doing his own thing. As with the previous books, the gang is fighting more than one problem at a time before all is said and done. Our new characters Rhys and Asha are on opposite sides of the Kerenza conflict. Rhys is a techy soldier working for Bei-Tech, but he has a strong moral code and doesn't exactly know or support what Bei-Tech is doing on the ground on Kerenza. He has spent most of his time working on the mobile wormhole generator that Bei-Tech flies around with in their fleet. Asha, who happens to be Kady's cousin, works in the hospital and she is just trying to survive. We come to find out that Rhys and Asha had a romance in the past that didn't exactly end well for either of them. Rhys has to decide if he wants to join Asha and the resistance or if he wants to fight for the company that brought him to the planet. Meanwhile the refugees from Kerenza, the crew of the Alexander and Hypatia, and the survivors of Heimdall have to figure out how to get to Kerenza to save their friends and family and defeat Bei-Tech. If they can't win, they atleast have to get word to their company about what happened so Bei-Tech can be held accountable for this whole mess.

This book has it all, humor, action, romance, great characters, and some great twists and turns. I really wasn't sure how things were going to end. This is a great wrap up to the series. I honestly want to start all over again from the beginning and do it all over again and keep the books on repeat they were that good.

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Review: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this! I really enjoyed learning about a new type of mythology/folklore from Eastern Europe. I don't know much about Russian folklore, but this has inspired me to pick up more books on the subject matter. I want to know more after reading about Vasya and the house spirits and other beings she encounters in the tale.

I listened to the audiobook and it was wonderful. The pacing of the book is slower, but I didn't find it to be a slow moving book at all. I was completely entranced by the story the entire time. I loved getting to know Vasya and her family. I will say that it took me quite a while to figure out the characters because they all go by multiple names. I find that easier to do on the page versus listening to the book because I can flip back and forth, however I was quickly able to figure out who was who.

Arden does an amazing job building the setting and the atmosphere of the book. I felt like I was in the forest with Vasya. Vasya is a wild, spunky, independent girl in a time when girls are supposed to be quite, well kept, and reserved. She can see and talk to spirits during a time when magic is dying and Christianity is taking over. Her mother had magic in her blood and knew Vasya would be special. Vasya's father does his best to foster Vasya in her mother's memory, but he also has to keep up appearances and his role as lord of a small Russian village. Vasya's step mother is very pious, but she sees "demons" everywhere she turns, not realizing that she also possesses a bit of magic. When a young, enthusiastic priest is sent to their village, Vasya must keep up the offerings to the local spirits as the townsfolk begin to abandon the oldways in favor of Christianity. The townspeople continue to befall more accidents of the paranormal type as the spirits don't have the strength to protect the people because they are no longer being cared for by the people. Behind the scenes a great battle of the gods is building, and Vasya is at the center of it. Meanwhile the priest finds himself caught between being obsessed with Vaysa and her salvation and just being obsessed with her. Vasya just wants to be left alone to do as she pleases and not be held down by the expectations of others.

I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I am anxious to find out how Vasya learns to use her magic and how her story progresses. I loved all of the spirits/demons that were present in the story.

I used this for the Popsugar prompt to read a book set in the season it is set in because it is set in winter.  You could also use it for a book about a family, featuring an imaginary creature, or inspired by mythology, legend, or folklore.  I have other books lined up for those prompts.

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Review: The Last Wingman by Daisy Prescott

The Last Wingman by Daisy Prescott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review.  This released today March 7, 2019.  You can check out my release blitz post from earlier today for all the order links.

This is my first Daisy Prescott book, but it won't be my last. This is a complete standalone, however I want to go back and read the other 5 books in the series. You absolutely do not need to read the rest of the Wingmen books, but you will want to get to know all of the other characters.  I know the rest of the series has just jumped to the top of my TBR.

I adored main characters Jonah and June. They were funny, awkward, and sweet. I really liked that this was told from Jonah's perspective. You don't see that much, books are typically told from the female lead's perspective or they alternate between the leads. Jonah is a bit of a hipster, he has tattoos, piercings, and puts off the bad boy vibe from the outside. On the inside he's a bit of an introvert, he loves books, random facts, video games, other nerdy stuff, and he is a sweetheart. June owns the local yarn shop, she is a total introvert, witty, a trivia wiz, and a bit standoffish. We come to find that June has judged Jonah by his exterior, but as she gets to know him she recognizes a kindred spirit as she finds out their exteriors may be opposite but they have more in common than she could ever realize. It takes June quite a while to get over her preconceived notions about Jonah, but when she does sparks fly.

I adored this slow burn romance. The characters were quirky, funny, and so relatable. I loved all the puns and references to pop culture especially Harry Potter. I loved that the characters were older. This is exactly the type of romance I like to read. It is set in a small town with unique characters, awesome side characters, and a setting you want to be transported to. I didn't want to book to end because I wanted to be apart of it.

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Release Blitz: The Last Wingman by Daisy Prescott

It's time for the last of the Wingmen to get his story! Don't miss THE LAST WINGMAN, the final book in USA Today bestselling author Daisy Prescott's Wingmen series. Be sure to grab your copy today!

About the Book

Jonah Kingston is the last wingman standing.

June Moxee doesn’t care if he’s the last man on earth.

I haven’t exactly avoided relationships, but love has never been a priority. Solitude doesn’t bother me and being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. Until she moved to the island and I had to reconsider everything.

June seems content running her yarn shop, knitting with the local church ladies, and avoiding me. She’s a temptress in a handknit sweater. And for some reason, she’s not a fan of mine. It might be the tattoos. Or the beard. Or the fact that we’re polar opposites.

A woman has finally caught my attention. Too bad she thinks she hates me.

Good thing I’m stubborn enough to try to change her mind.

The Last Wingman is the sixth standalone, lighthearted small town romance in the Wingmen series. You do not have to read the previous books first to enjoy this book.

Add THE LAST WINGMAN to your Goodreads TBR!

Get your copy of THE LAST WINGMAN today!
Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook

Don't miss the other Wingmen books!

Ready to Fall | Confessions of Reformed Tom Cat | Anything But Love
Better Love | Small Town Scandal

About DAISY PRESCOTT

Daisy Prescott is a USA Today bestselling author of small town romantic comedies. Series include Modern Love Stories, Wingmen, Love with Altitude, as well as the Bewitched and Wicked Society series of magical novellas. Tinfoil Heart is a romantic comedy standalone set in Roswell, New Mexico.

Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their rescue dog Mulder, and an indeterminate number of imaginary house goats. When not writing, she can be found in the garden, traveling to satiate her wanderlust, lost in a good book, or on social media, usually talking about books, bearded men, and sloths.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub

Top 5 Wednesday: Favorite SFF Creatures

March 6: Favorite SFF Creatures *Booktube SFF Awards Crossover Topic*

-- Discuss your favorite creatures from Science Fiction and Fantasy books! This is a crossover topic with the Booktube SFF Awards Book Babble discussion for this week.

I love Science Fiction and Fantasy, they are the bulk of what I read. I didn't pick anything from Harry Potter or Percy Jackson because those characters are awesome and way too easy.

• The familiars from The All Souls Series by Deborah Harkness
• Diana has a Firedrake named Corra who if I remember correctly we meet in The Book of Life and in Time's Convert her son discovers his own familiar, a Griffin who he names Apollo.
• The Lamina from Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
• These things were creepy. They produced psychotropic slime that was used to make drugs but as they got bigger they became brain sucking killers. I believe there were some pictures in the ebook of what they looked like at various stages. I listened to the audiobook but they were so disturbing.
• Xemerius from The Precious Stone Trilogy by Kerstin Gier
• While this series was not great, Xemerius was the best!  He was the ghost of a demon that main character Gwen finds in a church on her adventures through time.  He latches onto her and provides much needed comic relief throughout the series.  While she is the only one who can see and hear him, and he can't actually do anything in the real world, he can find things for her and keep an eye on things for Gwen.  He says some of the most hilarious things, which is one of the reasons why I kept reading the series.
• The many Local Spirits from The Bear and the Nightingale
• I love mythology and there were many house spirits and local spirits that helped with the horses and lived in the water and other local places in the Russian landscape.  Main character Vasya is on of the few who can see them and talk with them, but as Christianity becomes popular, the people stop providing tithes to the local spirits.  Vasya continues to provide offerings to the spirits in exchange for their protection as well as accepting Christian teachings.  I loved how each spirit was described and they each had a job or purpose.  
• Pinfeathers and the other dreamworld characters from The Nevermore Series by Kelly Creagh
• This was a dark YA series inspired by the writings of Edgar Allen Poe, so you can see where that is headed.  The characters in the dreamworld were dark and creepy, and a manifestation of the dreamers thoughts.  I was appropriately disturbed by the dreamworld characters, but Pinfeathers was my favorite.  He's a little goth like Edward Scissorhands, but with claw hands and weird red hair, and I envision him being made of like porcelain with cracks all over and he's just empty in side where the pieces are missing.

Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an interesting book. This follows a brilliant 15 year old boy named Christopher, who is a bit different. He loves red, dogs, math, and physics. He hates brown, yellow, and being touched. When he finds his neighbor's dog murdered one day, he decides he is going to take on the mantle of one of his favorite characters Sherlock Holmes and solve the murder. Christopher also decides to write a book about solving the murder of poor Wellington the dog.

As Christopher puts on a brave face and talks to neighbors he doesn't know to solve the crime, he comes to find out more about his family than he expected while also finding out who killed Wellington. As he find out more about what happened to Wellington, he also learns about his mother, he faces many of his fears to achieve his goals, and he learns many new things.

This is more of a family drama than it is a murder mystery. We learn about Christopher's journey through life through his eyes as he sees the world through a totally different lens and most people just think he's crazy or weird. His own parents get frustrated with him because they don't understand his needs and why he does things the way he does.

I'm really curious how a person with Asperger's/Autism would feel about this book or a parent with a child would view this book. While I really enjoyed the story and learning about Christopher's journey, I have no personal experience to draw from or to compare to. I am a mom and I can certainly relate to some of the parenting struggles that Christopher's parents went through with the general parenting stuff as all kids have things they do that make them unique.

I listened to the audiobook and I very much enjoyed it.  I read this for the Book Riot Read Harder challenge prompt for a book by or about someone that identifies as neurodiverse.  This was also on The Great American Read list, and I'm trying to read as many of those as I can.  I can see why this gem is on that list.  I'm so glad I took the time to read this.

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Review: Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a great debut, this was such a fun book! This book had a little bit of everything, magic, fantastical characters, curses, and great friends.

Morrigan Crow expects to die on her 11th birthday because she is supposedly cursed. Bad things happen everywhere she goes, and if she is anywhere near anything remotely unfortunate she gets blamed and her father pays the damages to save his reputation. Morrigan's luck changes when Jupiter North, a strange man from a strange place called Nevermoor, offers to take Morrigan away from her fated death to compete for a place in the Wondrous Society. Jupiter is a member of the society as he has a talent kind of see the future, that isn't exactly his talent, but it is the best way to describe it. He is convinced Morrigan can pass the trials to get into the Society even though she doesn't know what her talent is yet. He assures her that he's seen it all and he'll take care of everything. Morrigan knows that the Society is her only hope because she can't go back home. While preparing for her trials, Morrigan moves into Jupiter's hotel where she meets and befriends all sorts of people and creatures.

While this is most definitely not Harry Potter, it gives you the same vibe. It is creative, fun, action packed, has great friendships, and has those same types of elements you expect from a magical middle grade fantasy. I highly recommend it. I can't wait to read the next one.

I also recommend the audio book. I mostly read the ebook, but the audiobook was excellent as well.

I read this to fulfil my popsugar challenge prompt to read a debut novel, and I really loved it.  Can't wait for the next installment.

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Review: Bennett Mafia by Tijan

Bennett Mafia by Tijan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review.  This was released today March 4, 2019. 

I think this is the first mafia book I've ever read, and I really enjoyed it. Tijan really knows how to write couple storylines and this one took me through so many ups and downs. This is dark and gritty, and really takes you down into the bowels of what one would expect a mafia family to have to deal with day in and day out. This is a bit on the violent side so if that isn't your cup of tea, be warned.

On one hand we have Riley, daughter of a corporate power-broker with a mean streak and penchant for violence. Riley was sent away to boarding school at a young age as a protective measure, while at school she met and befriended Brooke. Brook Bennett is a mafia princess, and eventually her older brother becomes head of the family and she leaves school and Riley behind. Riley finds herself reunited with the Bennett family years later after Brooke goes missing and older brother Kai thinks Riley can help locate her. Kai's methods are a bit unconventional, but considering he's a mob boss his actions aren't really out of the ordinary. Kai is the most powerful mafia boss in the business, but he has a weak spot when it comes to Riley. He will do anything to protect his family and anyone he cares for.

This book had several twists and turns and kept me guessing as I read. I always like to guess what's going to happen next and love when I don't see something coming. The romance aspect of this book was really well done. Kai and Riley were enemies to lovers, and many times Riley expressed how she didn't want to like him but she couldn't deny the attraction to him. Their story unfolds as the plot unfolds as they really don't have much of a backstory to tell, they only met once or twice briefly in passing. There are many steamy scenes between them but their emotional connection takes quite some time to build and feel genuine.

This is a standalone for now, but I'm hoping we get more books about the side characters. I would really like to get to know the other brothers as well as Brooke, and Riley's friends. They each brought something to the story. I enjoyed the characters, everytime I rolled my eyes at Riley for doing something "weak", she surprised me by doing something unexpected and strong. Kai was nothing other than what he presented himself to be, a brutal, powerful mafia lord, who will do anything to protect his loved ones.

Excerpt

I woke in a bed with the softest sheets I’d ever felt, and drool. So much drool. 

It took a second for me to catch up, but once I did, I bolted upright with a gasp. 

It was pitch-black outside. 

Glass doors. The same modern bedroom with an entire apartment just beyond the doorway and the soft glow of a light on in the other room. 

I was in Kai Bennett’s room, in his bed. 

Could I close my eyes, go back to sleep, and wake up in Oz? Was that an option? I’d take it in a second if so. 

The sound of a page turning came from the next room. Then I heard a chair push back. 

Soft footsteps came until he stood in the doorway. 

The light was on behind him, casting him in full shadow, so I couldn’t see any details except his very trim and toned silhouette. 

Why’d someone so evil have to be that good looking? 

“Why’d you take me?” I shifted to a sitting position, pulling the sheets around me and noting that I was in a different shirt and wore boxer briefs over my underwear. He’d changed my clothes. 

That was low on the list of problems, but… “Where are my clothes?” 

He let out a soft and tired-sounding sigh. “You stumbled going into your room and hit your head. My brother didn’t notice the blood trickling down your back, but my guards did. They alerted me.” He nodded. “Your clothes were bloody. They had to be changed.” 

Now that he mentioned it, my head was pounding. 

I touched the back of my head and hissed, feeling a large bruise. The fact that I hadn’t noticed that spoke volumes. I was too consumed by everything else. 

And speaking of that, on to my second question. “What do you know about 411?” 

He answered without hesitation, crossing his arms over his chest and propping one shoulder against the doorframe. “I know they helped hide you and your mother. I know they’re relatively new, but they’re effective. They have heavy funders backing them, and I know they set up one man for murder, who is now in prison. I know your employers might mean well right now, but they are dangerous.” 

I blinked a few times, taking that in. 

I winced on the inside when he mentioned the frame job. That had been an operative who went rogue, but no one fought to defend the guy. 

I scowled. “He tried to murder his wife.” 

“But he didn’t.” 

I snorted. “You’re sticking up for the one slightly innocent monster? You?” 

Watch your tone, Riley. You forget who you’re talking to. 

I could hear my mother’s voice admonishing me, and I bit my lip as soon as the words were out. It was too late, though. I waited, watching to see if this infamous murdering monster would come toward me now. 

He didn’t move, just murmured, “You are not a good enough fighter to speak like that to me.” 

That same shiver went up my back. There was a deadly warning in there too. 

I swallowed over a lump. “I’m sorry.” 

But was I? Was I really? 

He had murdered. Cord. His father. Brooke?

I frowned. “You’re looking for Brooke? That’s why you kidnapped me?” 

“Among other reasons, yes.” He lifted his head again, straightening from the doorframe and taking a step toward me. Just one step—enough to be imposing, slightly intimidating, but still giving me space to breathe so I didn’t scare away. 

He was so measured, so calculating. 

“My sister contacted you the day before yesterday. I want to know where she is.” 

All the oxygen left the room, and my head started spinning again. “You think—what? No.” 

“Yes.” His voice was hard now. Gone was the subtlety. “Brooke asked me to keep tabs on you. She cares about you. You work for a network that specializes in helping people disappear, and I know she was desperate. She went to you; I know this much.” 

He took another step toward me. 

I sat up straighter, rolling to my knees and then to my heels, ready to spring if I needed to. 

Another step.

He squatted next to the bed so he was level with me, and now I could see him. He’d shifted out of the shadows, and I saw how fierce his eyes were. They blazed with anger and determination. 

His perfect lips barely moved as he grated out, “You will tell me where she is.” 

I swallowed again. The lump in my throat had doubled in size. 

He wasn’t going to take no, but I had to try. “Before I saw your sister on the news, I hadn’t really heard much from her since you drove her away from Hillcrest. I swear to you that’s the truth.” 

His eyes narrowed. “I know you know where she is, but don’t worry. If you won’t tell me, I know others who will.” He stood abruptly and went back to the main room. 

I scrambled out of bed and padded after him. 

I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. I don’t think anyone could’ve been. 

I thought he had been reading a book, maybe looking over files for his business. I’d been sleeping in his bed, and he was waiting with a glass of wine beside a fire. Something cozy like that. 

I was so wrong. 

As I got to the doorway, I saw them, and someone started screaming. 

It was me.

DETAILS:

Order links: https://books2read.com/u/bQxxrZ (homepage w/all links)

iBooks

Kobo

Indigo

Angus & Robertson

GR link: https://tinyurl.com/bennettmafiagr

Website: www.tijansbooks.com

Bennett Mafia website: www.tijansbooks.com/bennett-mafia.html

Reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TijansFanPage/

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March TBR

There are so many good books coming out in March.  I've got a bunch of ARCs I'm working through that come out in the first week and a few that come out in April.

Books/Ebooks/ARCs

• In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire
• I didn't get to this one last month.  It is going to happen in March though.  I can't wait to get back to this world.  This series has really grown on me.
• Bennett Mafia by Tijan
• I was excited to find out Tijan was releasing another book and that I was able to get my hands on an early review copy.  This is a mafia, hate to love romance book from what I can tell so far.  I'm about a quarter of the way into it.  The main character is spunky.  So far it's really good.This releases March 4, 2019.
• Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson
• This comes out March 5th.  This is a psychological thriller.  The main character is bipolar and begins to suspect that her neighbor may be a murderer, but she isn't sure of herself or if she is an unreliable narrator in her own life.  I've been really into thrillers lately and I'm looking forward to this one
• The Last Wingman by Daisy Prescott
• This comes out March 7th.  It sounded really good so I signed up for the PR campaign.  It is a standalone, small town romance and book 6 of the Wingmen series.  It sounds really fun and light-hearted which is exactly what I need right now
• Space by Penny Reid
• I'm so pumped for this!  This is the second in the Laws of Physics series and I loved the 1st book.  This is out already on ibooks, and will be out everywhere else on March 11th.  I'm honestly so honored to be on Penny's review team.  I truly love her work.  I've read chapters 1 and 2 and they don't dissapoint.
• Saving Megan by D.J. Palmer
• This is a family thriller.  Is it Munchausen's?  Is the daughter really sick?  Is there something wrong with the mother?  I guess we'll find out.  This comes out April 9th and I'm really excited to get to this.
• Erased, Volume 4 & 5 by Kei Sanbe
• I have had these checked out from the library and they are sitting on my dining room table.  I want to know how the story ends, but I haven't had time to sit down and concentrate on them.  I was able to renew them so hopefully once I get through the next round of ARCs.

Audiobooks

As usual who knows what I'll get to, but I've got the books listed below checked out from the library at the time of this post with the exception of Bloodwitch.  

• Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
• This series is so good.  The full cast is amazing!  I can't wait to find out how the series comes to a close. I've already started this and I'm almost done with it.
• The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemison
• I'm so happy to finally have this in my possession.  I was on the wait list forever for this one.  I can't wait to find out how this story ends.
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
• I'm using this one to fill a prompt for a book about a neuro-diverse character, it's also on the Great American Reads top 100.  I've decided to read as many of them as I can.
• Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
• Still waiting on the library to pick this one up, but I'm hopeful that because it is so popular it will be on the March purchase list.