Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

Imagine a world where cities can move across the land. A world where cities are hungry and always hunting down other cities. How about a world where cities must fight to survive or become nothing but a wasteland. Well, check out the futuristic steampunk book Mortal Engines by Philip Reeves. This book is the first in The Hungry Cities Chronicles.

  • Title: Mortal Engines
  • Author: Philip Reeves
  • Year Published: 2001
  • Page Count:320
  • Author Site: Here
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

SYNOPSIS:

In the world of Mortal Engines, there are different kinds of cities. The old cities that we once use to know is called Static Cities that don’t move and stay where they are from years to come until a moving city comes to eat it. These moving cities are know as traction cities. THey are mechanic and have the ability to move across the land. But sadly in this future resources are scare and the end is coming near. The cities must find a way to survive. In order to do this cities must eat other cities in order to keep moving.

That’s the world that Tom lives in. An orphan boy who is taken in by the guild and is historian apprentice. He ends up meeting a man known as a famous engineer named Valentine and goes on a trip to the gut along with his daughter Katherine. During this trip, Tom ends up saving Valentine from a mysterious female assassin wearing a scarf. Suddenly, after Tom saves Valentine he gets thrown into another world called Out Country. There he is forced to team up with the mysterious assassin whose name is Hester if they want to return to London.

Along the way, both Tom and Hester encounter dangers that they encounter from hungry cities, pirates, slave traders and must work with a mysterious woman in a red cape if they ever wish to return.

Review

I never heard of this book. In fact, the only way I discovered it was when I went to go see the latest Jurassic Park movie. There I saw the trailer for the movie and thought it was something I knew I would really enjoy. When I read it was a delight to find out my curiosity was worth it. Did I mention I enjoy a post-apocalyptic steampunk book?

The concept of the book was fresh and unique. DIfferent from what is out there. From the idea of cities that can move and travel. Cities with the need to survive and must feed off of other cities in order to live were cool. I also like the element of the survival of the fittest as them in the book. Alongside that, I also enjoyed the fast past action and the steampunk elements that was in the story. You got your mixture of crazy engineers, Victorian styled London, and airship pirates. What’s not to love. Add in a murderous assassin seeking revenge which adds the cherry on top of cake.

There was also a mixture of lively characters that held the story well. I liked the main character, Tom. When the story started he was a wuss and that need the adventure to help him grow up and face his fears. He also had to struggle with the fact that the world he once knew was way different from the outside. As well as trying to put his life in the hands of a dangerous girl who tried to kill the man he admired.

As for the female character Hester. I totally adored her character and thought she was a badass. She is strong, tough and not afraid of most things. Not willing to let anyone stop her from reaching her end goal. I also like the fact that the book also gave her a soft side which I appreciated.

Overall, the book was really fun and I am really excited to read more from the series and see how characters develop as it goes on. As well as seeing more of the post-apocalyptic steampunk world.

Links:

Buy the book
The Author’s Site
Goodreads Page

Honor Among Thieves by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre

Take a trip to the galaxy in this science fiction adventure alongside a spaceship that is an alien at the same time. Discover the mysteries and secrets behind the book Honor Among Thieves. Honor Among Thieves is co-written by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre.

  • Title: Honor Among Thieves
  • Author: Rachel Caine
  • Year Published: 2018
  • Page Count:480
  • Author Site: Here
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

SYNOPSIS:

In the Honor Among Thieves, we meet a girl named Zara who is estranged from her family and lives in the streets of New Detroit. Instead of moving to Mars with her sister and mother she choose a life as thief. In the the story, Zara ends up stealing a purse from a girl who ends up being the daughter of a dangerous crime boss. This leaves Zara fearing for life and must find a way to hide. In order to do this Zara purposely ends up in rehab where she previously stayed at and decides to hide as a patient. Thinking it was a great plan as a way to hide gets ruined when she mysteriously gets recruited to join the elite group of people known as Honors.

Honors are a group of people who are chosen to go on a trip to space and ride ship. This spaceship actually turns out to be an alien race known as the Leviathan. The Leviathan is responsible for saving the Earth from its own destruction and in return Honors are chosen to travel the galaxy in with them for a year.

Zara gets thrown into this world and must train as an Honor. Once aboard the alien spaceship, she meets a girl named Bea and the Leviathan named Nadim and learns about what it takes to survive in space. Through the story, Zara also uncovers mysterious secrets about the alien race and discovers that there are more dangerous things than trying to hide from a crime lord.

REVIEW:

This book floated on my radar because I am a big fan of Rachel Caine’s written. And in fact, that I have reviewed some of her books from The Great Library series and The Morganville books. This book caught my eye because it was different from her other stuff the fact its science fiction and it was co-written by Ann Aguirre.

As for the actual book I thought the concept and idea of an alien who is also spaceship were unique. I also thought it was different from the average blue alien type of story that I am more familiar with. I also like the fact that the aliens have a name and it’s own personality. Most stories where there is an alien they can be cold creatures that just hate Earth. In this book, the main Leviathan whose name is Nadim has a warm friendly personality that also makes you forget that he is an alien ship.

As for the main character Zara, I thought she was a badass. She comes from a not to great upbringing and brings her street smarts to space. Despite living in the streets, she also is smart and actually is able to adapt to the setting she is in. I also like the fact that was willing to connect with the Nadim which helped the story. I like seeing the bond grow within the story.

As for her connection with the other main character Bea. I like the fact that the book has two strong female characters that can handle themselves on a ship. When things get ugly they pretty are a strong team that just kick ass. Especially Bea who actually I can see how she started out as a scared panicky girl that refuses to leave room to a girl who ends up being a smart ass that knew who to code and command a computer station.

That said there was something that I would have to see in the story where it fell short on. I would have like to see more of the exchange of point of views in the story. I know it’s a book focused on the main character Zara but I would’ve like to see the point of view on the other main characters so I can learn more about them rather it being told to me. Especially Bea. As much as I saw how she developed through the story I would like to see how can grow out of the fear she had and changed from her perspective.

I also felt like as much as things were explained in the story towards the end, there were still things I am still wanting to know more about. I also felt like there were some parts of the story where it was slow and need to be shorter like the beginning. The story also didn’t really explain why the Zara was the chosen one for the job.

Overall I really liked the book and like the story idea. It was fresh and exciting. There was the mystery and the book did make it hard to put it down because I wanted to know more. I am hoping the next book in the series steps up with the action and I like to see more of the side characters developed more as well.

Links:

Buy the book
Author Site
Goodreads Page

Head On by John Scalzi Book Review

If you are looking for a book that has the combination of a crime mystery, a comedy with tons of laughs but is also has a mix of science fiction in the direction of the android type of world than well today we will be discussing John Scalzi’s newest book Head On. Head On is the sequel to Lock In. If you haven’t read Lock In I have a review on the first book here. In this sequel, we return with characters Agent Shane and Agent Vane to solve a mystery.

  • Title: Head On
  • Author: John Scalzi
  • Year Published: 2018
  • Page Count: 384
  • Author Site: Here
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

SYNOPSIS:

In the sequel to Lock In, this book focus on the mysterious murder of a famous athlete Duane Chapman. Who is a player of the game Head On? A game where players are mostly Hadens and the object of the game is to take the head of a player and taking it to the goal in order to score points. After the mysterious murder happens Agent Shane and Agent Vann is called in to solve it. As they investigate they must jump over hurdles that step into their paths keeping them from getting close to finding the true culprit.

I had a fun time reading Head On. I loved Lock In when it came out and it made me a fan of John Scalzi’s writing. But with Head On it reminded me why his books rock. First off, I like how I got to see more of the world of Hadens in this book but with the mix of sports. A fictional sport that is popular in the book and how it plays in everyone’s lives. I also liked the mystery plot and it had me at the edge of the seat. I wasn’t sure who would be the main villain but all I wanted to do is to find out. ON top of all that I got to enjoy the interaction between Agent Vann and Agent Shane. They are the perfect duo and the way they talk all the time is just funny. It was fun and I hope for another book soon. So are you someone who has read the book yet? Well, let me know in the comments. And if you are looking to check it out do click on the links below to learn more. Until next time keep on reading.

LINKS:

Head On by John Scalzi on Amazon:
Author Site

Map of Shadows: A Mapwalker Novel by J.F. Penn Book Review

I when I first so the book review request in my inbox, I knew that this book was super interesting. I also felt like the idea was fresh and just something I needed to get out of a reading slump. If you like books that take you on an adventure or someone who loves maps, this book review post will be for you. Today I will be talking about Map of Shadows: A Mapwalker Novel by J.F. Penn.

  • Title: Map of Shadows: A Map Walker Novel
  • Author: J.F. Penn
  • Year Published: 2017
  • Author Site: Here
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

SYNOPSIS:

The Map of Shadows starts off with a man who gets murdered by a mysterious man along with his pack of wolves one night. Then fast forward to the chapter one, we focus on the main character Sienna Farren. She is dealing the loss of her estranged grandfather and has to go to his map store to help close shop. Once there she get’s inherited the shop and a lot more than she thought. Sienna finds out her family is part of a secret agency called the Ministry of Maps. The Ministry of Maps is in charge of the protecting the borders of the world and the otherworld.

During the book, Sienna also gets tangled up in the mystery of her grandfather’s death and also the knowledge that her long-lost father may still be alive. Sienna soon joins of a group of mapwalkers in order to the solved mystery but also to help protect the borders from those that want to wreck havoc on the world.

REVIEW:

This book sucked me in once I read the book but once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. It was fascinating and just addicting. Throughout the book, I was thrown into the world of maps and also got to explore a world where people can change the landscape of the world. But also people who can travel with just using a map. It was really cool. I also like how each of the characters has cool unique abilities but also exploring an alternate universe. I also enjoyed the main character Sienna and seeing her need to save her father but also the struggle she has with having way too much power. I can’t wait to see if there is a follow to the book and see where the story leads.

LINKS:

Map of Shadows: A Mapwalker Novel on Amazon:
Author Site

Winter Glass by Lexa Hillyer Book Review

When I read Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer I couldn’t put it down. If you are like me who love fantasy, retellings and even sleeping beauty but looking for something new this book was it. So, I can’t help but be even more thrilled when I got the opportunity to read Winter Glass which is the second book the series. The book had more magic, mystery and a splash of strong female characters that help carry the story.
Missed Spindle Fire? Read the full review Here

  • Title: Winter Glass
  • Series/Trilogy/Duology: Spindle Fire
  • Author: Lexa Hillyer
  • Year Published: 2018
  • Page Count: 352
  • Author Site: Here
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

SYNOPSIS:

In Winter Glass, we continue on where we left off. The book begins after Aurora wakes from the sleeping curse and the kingdom is on the brink of war against the evil fairy Malfleur. In the book, we focus on he bothe sister where they must find a way to defeat the fairy and to save the kingdom. Aurora must return to her world and find a way to save the people from the Borderlands. The world that she was trapped in under the sleeping spell. In order to save the people she must team up with an unlikely friend.

I

As for Isabel must learn to face her feelings towards Prince William whom she loves. To make matters worse she must help him save the kingdom from the evil fae. In order to do that she must unit two kingdoms if they want to defeat the fae. On top of that Isabel find a mysterious glass slipper that holds secrets that could save the kingdoms and be the answer that will stop the queen.

REVIEW:

TI really enjoyed this book and in fact it’s my favorite out the two books. The book has mix of magic, action and shows the bond between two sisters. Each sister also shines in their own quest and must make hard choice that detect the results of the story. I also like that the book has many strong female characters from the villain to the heroes. That said I would’ve liked to see more Prince William in the story and more of the secondary characters that happen to be in the story. But overall I really enjoyed it.

LINKS:

Winter Glass on Amazon:

Author Site

Token Huntress by Kia Carrington-Russell Book Review

In the near distant future where humanity is at its end. The world has been taken over by a war between Vampires and the Hunters. In Token Huntress, there is a combination of action, vampires, and romance that will keep the story movie as you read it.

  • Title: Token Huntress
  • Author: Kia Carrington-Russell
  • Year Published: 2015
  • Page Count: 222
  • Author Site: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

SYNOPSIS:

The Token Huntress takes in the future where humans are scare and the world is taken over but three races of vampires. The Council which is made up of civilized Vampires, vampires that do what they please, and Sabers. Sabers who are beyond saving. In order to protect humans, there are THe Hunters. A race that is part human part Vampire with strong abilities and evenly matches to vampires. They fight to protect humanity from them and vow to fight vampires.

In the book, the story focuses on Esmore who is known as the Token Huntress. Her duty is to lead her guild and to fight all vampire and protect humans and the world. But unlike her hunters, she is born without a gift and has dark eyes. Despite not having a gift. She is a force to reckon because she is the strongest fighter and can outwit vampires. Things take a turn, Esmore meets a mysterious vampire that wakes a darkness within her. Throughout the book, she must discover the reason behind this darkness if she wants to save her kind of vampires. But will the mysterious vampire be a step in the way?

REVIEW:

This book is exciting. When I was reading it I couldn’t put it down. I read it like in two days and just want more from it because it was so good. There is action, a strong female characters, a hot romance and just lots of fighting scenes that held my attention. At first, when I learned that it was a vampire book I expected a typical urban fantasy vampire book but this was totally fresh. I think the end of humanity idea where humans are close to extinction, a world taken over by vampires and hunters at war with them gave it a fresh interesting take on this world. I also like the way the author built the world and history and lets you know why the world is this way and helped paint the picture. As for the main character Esmore, I think she is a strong bad ass. She can fight and doesn’t rely on special abilities except for her skills when it comes to a bow and sword. I actually can’t wait to see what comes next and see how the story continues.

LINKS:

Token Huntress on Amazon:
Author Site

Paradox Bound by Peter Clines Book Review

Dive into the world of Paradox Bound, and go on the action-packed road through history on the search for the American Dream. This book has a time-travel, a mixture of American history and fast-paced car chase scenes that leave you wanting more. This is a book by Peter Clines and I can’t wait to talk about it.

  • Title: Paradox Bound
  • Author: Peter Clines
  • Year Published: 2017
  • Page Count: 384
  • Author Site: Here
  • Goodreads: Here
  • Buy Book: Amazon

SYNOPSIS:

Paradox Bound focuses on a boy named Eli, who meets a woman with car trouble. Next thing, you know she vanishes. Years later Eli, is working at a bank and then runs into the woman again. She has a secret. Then she is gone again. Things take a wrong turn when men without faces are looking for her and anyone associated with her are in danger. Eli takes it upon himself to travel across America to find the mysterious woman in the car and finds himself on road trip adventure he never thought possible. Eli and the woman who goes back Harry travel through history in search of the American Dream and also try to avoid falling into the grasps of the faceless men who would stop at nothing to keep them away from the Dream. Throughout the book, Eli learns about the history of America and what makes it great and learns to find the power within himself if he wants to survive in one piece.

REVIEW:

I wasn’t sure how the book was going to turn out when I first put a request on it. At first, I really like the premise and the cover but was afraid that it would disappoint me. But, as it turns out I was wrong. I really enjoyed the book and couldn’t get enough of it. There was time travel or should I say traveling through history, there was a bad ass female character drives an awesome car and there was action at every turn. I really like the story how it brings in the American Dream and how the author came put it in this fresh story. My only issue was that there were some parts that left me a little confused and had a hard time wrapping my mind around but overall I enjoyed the book.

Links:

Buy book

Goodreads

Author Site