Fool's Assassin-- Today is the Day!!

Book: Fool's Assassin
Author: Robin Hobb
Rating:★★★★★













 For anybody waiting for the newest Robin Hobb release, you're in luck! I thought I would share my opinion on why you should pick this one up!

First of all-- if you want to believe that Fitz lives out the rest of his days in happiness-- just don't read this one ;) I was surprised when I learned that Robin Hobb had another book for this series. Over the years I have enjoyed them all. I wondered though, what else there could be to say? Apparently, a lot. In fact at the close of the book it felt like all the others had just been the beginning. A lot of the information reader's think is true is called into question.

While the book centers on the everyday domestic life of Fitz, it is anything but boring. We are introduced to a new character Bee, his unexpected daughter.  We even get to see the world through her eyes at times. The perspective shift in the book was refreshing. I truly fell in love with Bee. She is a character I think readers will really connect with.

Bee is not the only new character. We are introduced to a few other new faces. It is always nice to see old ones as well. Because the main character and Chade age so slowly there is a chance for a lot of history to be built. The time span gives us the opportunity to really get to know Bee. The book brought plenty of new mysteries to be unraveled. Even though the plot seemed so clear to me, I found myself surprised at times.


The book is of course, in true Robin Hobb style. Whenever things seem to fall in place for a character, Robin is there is cut it all short. Whenever there is a chance on happiness, she is there to twist the knife. While I loved the book and think Robin Hobb an amazing author, I am wary about reading on in this series. These books have a tendency to go dark at times. The final line of the book was "Nothing warned me on the bright day that the darkest time of my life had begun." I just don't know if I want to meet a darker Fitz. He has been through very dark times, yet apparently it was only the start. I suppose I will have to leave it all in the author's hands. She has proven herself more than capable. I hope she continues to strike a balance between dark and light.

Doctor Who Tshirts-- Zebratees

I have been scouring the internet for a while to find the perfect shirt. Every time I see someone with Doctor Who memorabilia I stare fondly at them. Maybe if I was a brave person I would actually talk to them. However, being a introvert to the core I just think "hi friend". I saw this tee the other day and decided this was the the shirt---

I am in love. I found in on Zebratees.com they have a ton of Doctor Who shirts and other wonderfully nerdy designs--- AHH look at these ones. 

  

AND they are $9.. Each design is available for a week. The orders are then sent to the printer- which takes 10-30 days. I should be getting mine any day, the whole process took about 2 weeks for me. Probably not the place to order a tee if you need it right away. I'll snap a picture of mine when it gets here and review the quality/fit then.

The Immortals of Meluha

Book:The Immortals of Meluha

Author: Amish Tripathi

Rating:★★★★  
                                                                                                                                                

Set in 1900 BC we meet a young Shiva. He and his tribe leave behind their bloodthirsty lands and journey to Meluha. They find a utopian civilization. Society is ordered and scientifically beyond their time. Shiva's life turns upside down when he is named the people's savior. He alone is suppose to save the people from their evil neighbors.

I love when fantasy author's break the mold and set their novels in unexpected places. With such a rich cultural history, India makes a wonderful location. I thought Tripathi did a great job of educating the reader while entertaining. You learn a lot of new terms as you read.

There were parts of Shiva's journey that I really enjoyed and some that I didn't. I like that he wasn't made into a totally perfect, invincible character. He may be a very important figure, but he is also a man. He is not flawless. In the end he learns of his mistakes and takes personal responsibility for them. I thought that at times the attempts to make him human fell a little flat. A person isn't more human because they smoke marijuana and curse. I felt like he lacked some depth. He was given some personal vulnerabilities from his past- but it just felt a little disconnected. Sita's character as well. It would have been nice to hear about her journey from vikarma to regular society. I did think her character was very interesting though.

Where the book really started to catch my attention was the last quarter. The tension in the scenes of the battle was a great build up. You could feel something wasn't right. I usually hate cliffhanger endings, but this seemed like an almost natural place to end the first book. I don't know that it was a standout book for me, but it was entertaining enough.

*Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC, all opinions are my own. 

White Rabbit

Book: White Rabbit
Author: K.A. Laity

Rating:★★★★

                                                   

       What do you do when you can hear the undead-- but don't really want to hear them? You take a few snorts of fairy dust and become a "fake" psychic. So here we find our main character, Draygo, when he gets a famous client. Which is going great until she gets shot at his table, courtesy of her husband. This sends Draygo down the White Rabbit hole. He is joined by Saunders, a journalist who wants to get to the bottom of the white rabbit as well.  

         This book drove me crazy. From the moment it began I both loved and hated the main character. This is not the hero you want to sweep you off your feet, this is the one you want to punch in the gut. A fraud and boozer who can hear from the undead but shuts them out. The story is sort of a crazy ride, it does not pause to explain itself, just keeps going ahead. While the story is interesting, it also contains some deep questions. The reader has something to chew on when the book ends. 

         What I found irksome about this book is the thousands of loose ends. If you are looking for a story with a complete ending, where everything is fleshed out, this is not it. This made a little crazy. There were a few key scenes and components that just don't get explained. I still have so many questions. While I can say these things frustrated me, they didn't ruin the book for me. I definitely suggest reading this book with a strong cup of coffee, if you didn't want one when it started, you will by the end. Seriously, send Jinx my way.    
*Thanks to NetGalley for the Arc, all opinions are my own.

Of Bone and Thunder

Okay, another book for me to read. Chris Evans is the author of this book, out for your reading pleasure October 14th. I am sort of in love with this cover. It's gorgeous. This looks like another refreshingly different book. I can't think of another fantasy novel that is set in the period of the Vietnam War.

"Channeling the turbulent period of the Vietnam War and its ruthless pitting of ideologies, cultures, generations, and races against each other, military historian and acclaimed fantasy writer Chris Evans takes a daring new approach to the traditional world of sword and sorcery by thrusting it into a maelstrom of racial animus, drug use, rebellion, and a growing war that seems at once unwinnable and with no end in sight. In this thrilling epic, right and wrong, country and honor, freedom and sacrifice are all put to the ultimate test in the heart of a dark, bloody, otherworldly jungle.

In this strange, new world deep among the shadows under a triple-canopy jungle and plagued by dangers real and imagined, soldiers strive to fulfill a mission they don’t understand and are ill-equipped to carry out. And high above them, the heavy rush of wings slashing through the humid air herald a coming wave of death and destruction, and just possibly, salvation."

Books to Read

   After a little reading hiatus I have two new book to read. I guess it's time to stop watching old episodes of Heroes and get back to business. I'm pretty excited to read both of these books. Reviews to follow :)

This first book is a little departure from my usual epic fantasy favorites. It looks a little grittier. The book is White Rabbit, By K.A. Laity. Here is the description--
    
"Sometimes the shadows that haunt us are what lead us back to the light.


Disgraced former police detective James Draygo has sunk as low as his habit allows, working as a fake psychic despite his very real talents. When a media mogul’s trashy trophy wife gets gunned down at his tapping table he has to decide whether he can straighten up long enough to save his own skin. He may not have a choice with Essex’s loudest ghost bawling in his ear about cults, conspiracies and cut-rate drugs. Oblivion sounds better all the time…"

The next in queue is The Immortals of Meluha by Amish Tripathi. This one isn't available until December 2nd (thanks Edelweiss for the ARC). This one looks really interesting to me, very different.

"1900 BC in what modern Indians call the Indus Valley Civilization and the inhabitants called the land of Meluha: a near-perfect empire created many centuries earlier by Lord Ram--one of the greatest monarchs that ever lived--faces peril as its primary river, the Saraswati, is slowly drying to exctinction. The Suryavanshi rulers are challenged with devastating terrorist attacks from the east, the land of the Chandravanshis. To make matters worse, the Chandravanshis appear to have allied with the Nagas, an ostracized and sinister race of deformed humans with astonishing martial skills.

The only hope for the Suryavanshis is an ancient legend: When evil reaches epic proportions, when all seems lost, a hero will emerge. Is the unexpected, rough-hewn Tibetan immigrant Shiva that hero? Drawn suddenly to his destiny, duty, and by love, Shiva will attempt to move mountains and lead the Suryavanshi to destroy evil."

And Another-

Can't forget this one!

Doctor Who Teaser

   The countdown for Doctor Who has begun! Next month it finally begins. Honestly, I'm a little nervous. Every time a new Doctor comes on the scene, I'm nervous.. But this time the change seems so much bigger. Going from Matt Smith to Peter Capaldi is a huge jump. I guess that's the point of the show though-- what keeps it fresh. It is always changing, developing, showing new sides of the Doctor. They seem to be hinting that Twelve will show us the Doctor's dark side---


 

The Key to the Realm

    Summer is in full swing in my part of Oregon. I can hear the tractor making hay outside, my grass has turned a hideous shade of brown and I think a trip to the river is in order. Nothing like reading in a nice shady spot at the river! I feel like I have read a few okay books lately. I'm really looking for a standout to fall in love with. I guess I better keep reading.

Book: The Key to the Realm
Author: Roberta Trahan
Rating: ★★★★

                                                            
This is the sequel to The Well of Tears-- which I reviewed a bit ago. I thought this sequel improved upon some of the pitfalls from the first book. I thought both stories were fun, engaging reads. The author switched a few things up with this book a bit. Some of the story-lines that were moving in an obvious direction in the last book changed. Not so much that it was disorienting though. I think Trahan really listened to some of the critiques of her previous book and improved this one.

   I was glad to see the bedroom scenes omitted. It really would have had no place in this book anyways. The book adds even more characters and new story-lines. This only worked because most of the other non-essential characters were not present. It still felt like A LOT of characters. I think that kind of watered down the story she was trying to tell. You just didn't have much of a connection to them. Somebody dies, somebody betrays-- oh well. I thought this was a missed opportunity. Especially when Glain learns who betrayed her.

    I enjoyed the story being told through Glain's eyes. It was a smart choice to let Alwen's perspective go.
I did feel like the villain got neutered at the end. The main thing I dislike about the books is still the same, it just lacks creativity in the magic department. I get that it is suppose to be a historical setting, but the magic she added could have been a little more original. What is it with fantasy writers and enchanted forests??? Instead of creating an interesting magic system it was just a jumbled mix of every magic form. We have shape-shifters, mythical dog-beasts, evil-spirit things the list goes on and on.. I'm guessing she pulled a few of these from myths, since the book has the historical side? When a book contains every magic imaginable, it just loses its potency. What is going to show up next?? Vampires, zombies? I guess at least she hasn't stooped so low :) Maybe I'm just getting too picky.

     I don't regret reading either book. They were entertaining enough. Will I buy them so I can reread them? probably not.

The Well of Tears-

Book: The Well of Tears
Author: Roberta Trahan 
Rating:★★★★



I stayed up late last night finishing this one! It was an enjoyable read. I thought the author showed a lot of promise and skill.

Unfortunately the book wasn't all that original. It relied heavily on a lot of familiar fantasy tropes. It was like 10 different fantasy books smooshed into one. I wish the author had chosen to set more bounds on her magic system, or even created a magic system. It was just kind of a vague mishmash. Between that and the unimaginative worldbuilding, this book kinda fell flat on that level. There were a lot of characters. I felt like the author could have cut the whole Tribe of t he Wolf King or MacDonagh clan out. While the relationship between Alwen and Bledig was a nice touch it just went too Diana Gabaldon for me. It felt like some dimension should have been cut while other areas developed better. It stretched too thin, more depth was needed. 

BUT that didn't make it a bad book. I still enjoyed reading it. I wanted to know what happened next, I was interested in the characters. The sex scenes I could have done without. Not that sex and fantasy don't mix, I just think it can head into paperback romance territory if an author isn't careful. Sometimes it's more powerful just to close the scene than reveal every detail.

Now perhaps I sound a little critical-- and I don't feel bad about that. Because I think this author has a lot of potential. She could write a really amazing book. I just wish I heard her voice a little more, and less of other authors. I feel like in a few months, I wont even remember what this book was about. It wont stick with me.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing the book in exchange for my review. 

Half a King

Book: Half a King
Author: Joe Abercrombie
Rating:★★★★★

                                                                                                                                               


    I was very excited to read this ARC provided by NetGalley. The book will be published July 15th.

    We begin the book in Yarvi's teachers chambers. We are on familiar ground with this fantasy trope. The wizened old woman teaching her student. Things continue in a predictably boring manner. Yarvi, who has no plans to become king, is now elevated to that role. His kind old uncle offers him support and his daughter. His daughter Isriun, just happens to be the perfect woman for Yarvi. I was beginning to wonder if it was Joe Abercrombie I was reading. Was there a mistake? Then Yarvi is thrown off a tower by uncle and left to die.. and I knew I had the right author....
     Now Joe begins to weave a very different type of tale. This is not about a king, but a slave. We follow Yarvi as he rows across the shattered sea. He plots to return home, take the thrown and exact his revenge. On his journey he finds friends and enemies.
    I love how in all Joe's books one can never be quite sure who is an enemy and who is a friend. Often times the character you have picked out as a villain becomes a friend. He has a great strength for showing just how human and complex people are. In life people are rarely as straight-forward as good and evil.
   I think this went a step further in this book. One of the main themes was "the lesser evil and the greater good." This is a concept that changes with each persons perspective. In many instances the villain is acting from this sentiment. So sure that the evil they commit will work towards the greater good. Some characters pay for these choices with their lives.
   There are lots of surprises for the reader in this book. Even when you think you have the book figured out, it twists again. Even to the very end. I did guess the main twist. Even though, it didn't make reading it any less dynamic. The final explanation of what happened took me by surprise.
   Yarvi's character really grew on me. At first he was so self-loathing and sulky I wasn't sure. He is no soldier. It is more than just his crippled hand, it's who he is. He doesn't have the stomach for fighting and killing. I thought the way the author dealt with this was very smart. Yarvi doesn't become the invincible super character. He just is who he is. He doesn't delight in killing, it makes him sick. He does fulfill his vow though. He isn't the same Yarvi as at the start of the book, but he doesn't change into another person.
   In the end the joke was on me. It was a set up after all. Here I thought Joe was losing his touch, instead he was skillfully setting up a great adventure. I think it made the book even more poignant. The book was tied up nicely in the end. After reading a few HUGE books I found it a refreshingly short read. I can see it as a stand alone book or a series. If more are written, I will be reading them.

The Queen of the Tearling

Book: The Queen of the Tearling
Author: Erika Johansen
Rating:★★★★

                                                           

     My latest read was a fun one! This book will be available to purchase July 8th. I received the ARC through Edelweiss. I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel. I had never hear of Erika Johansen or this book. Now I'm asking myself-- why not? It's was so good.
      We begin the book with Kelsea. For nineteen years she lived in isolation. Raised by foster parents who teach her all they can (except for anything to with her mother). She is the heir to the Tear throne. When her nineteenth birthday comes, it is time to take her crown. With many out to keep that from happening, she is hunted all the way to the throne, and after. She finds many things are not what she expected. Her country is poor, her people starving and her mother was no saint. She has navigate the injustices in her land while trying to keep her head. A formidable evil, the Red Queen threatens to make war on her land. Kelsea has inherited a rather big job.
    The book itself is a classic fantasy setting--- but it's actually a dystopian book as well. This instantly sets it apart. At first the dystopian element seemed lacking. As the book progresses though, your knowledge grows. It was a really interesting addition. I have a feeling that in future books this will become more important.
    Female main characters are something a lot of fantasy writers struggle with. They are often one-note, beautiful, invincible, and stronger than any man. I thought that this author did an amazing job writing this character. She was very real. Plain and just a little tubby. Kelsea had her strengths and her weaknesses. She was guided by a strong sense of justice and was willing to make personal sacrifices to fulfill it. I think writing a strong female character takes a deft hand. I was surprised and pleased by how much I like Kelsea.
     I can actually say I didn't skim any parts of this book. I didn't want to miss a thing. The plot is full of intrigue. It keeps going and it doesn't stop. All the supporting characters were very strong. None seemed unnecessary. The villain is formidable, fear inspiring. But not invincible.
     The romance element was done with a light touch. It is obviously something that is going to be built on. I feel like this was a very balanced book between light and dark. There is obviously a dark element. Instead of overpowering the book these just make the good parts of the book all the better.
    I really hope that the author is writing a sequel to this book! I will buy it. I think a sequel will add a little more depth where this one lacks. There are so many mysteries that I want to know the answers to. These are the sorts of questions that will keep me reading.     

The Goblin Emperor--

Book: The Goblin Emperor
Author: Katherine Addison
Rating: ★★★
                                                     

   Maia is half goblin, half elvish. He is the product of a unhappy, detached political marriage. After his mother's death he lived in near isolation. Raised by his cruel cousin Setheris, he never dreamed of becoming king. When his father and brothers are killed, Maia finds himself in that exact position.
  He is whisked away to an unfamiliar court with a very big task. His family has no love for him and he in very much alone. He has no friends and certainly no one to trust. The book follows him as he navigates the tough political waters.   

  The book was not without some bumps along the way. To me, the purpose of developing a culture with specialized names, language, titles, landscape is to create richness in a book. It brings to life a new world, where obviously things are different. That it is one of my favorite things about fantasy books, and a mark of a skilled fantasy author. These things help us visualize this foreign landscape. A book that lacks creative world-building falls flat. On the other hand, a book that is too specialized... Is just annoying.

  Instead of enriching book it often just left the reader confused. I found it very hard to imagine the scenes of the book because I never had any idea who the people were. It's impossible to tell whether a character is male or female until the author specifies. The names give nothing away. Some of the names are almost identical. The author includes for us 16 pages at the end of the book listing all the people, places and gods. I found this when I had finished the book-- and at that point I just didn't really care. This all explains how to tell gender/status. These nuances become totally lost to the reader with every thing else one has to figure out. I think the author needed to mindfully choose which part she wanted to go crazy with. If you are going to have 10,000 characters, give them names that are easily distinguished and more familiar. Or, if you want the crazy names, do less characters.  

  I thought this really held the book back. Sometimes I would just skim a paragraph because I had no clue what was going on, or who was talking. I think this will turn a lot of readers away. It was at times, just tedious to figure out who was doing what.

  BUT here is the good news-- the book was actually pretty interesting. The story-line kept the book moving right along. The main characters struggle endeared me to him. Even though it relied on elves and goblins, the author made the races her own. I am glad that I stuck with the book and finished it. I hope Katherine keeps writing interesting books-- but maybe streamlines her ideas.   

  

Summer Reading--

    I used to look forward  to summer with a feverish excitement. It meant I could finally read all I wanted, and books that had nothing to do with school. Then I grew up. As an adult summer is often more busy and  hectic than any other season. I still can't help but fit a few extra books in, for the sake of nostalgia. Here are a few to add to your summer reading list--- you can click the images to find out more.

                                                                                                                                         

    

  Let's just say you have a lot of time to kill. Then hey- check out this series. At just over 1000 pages, it should keep you busy for a bit. And it's $2.99 right now on Amazon for Kindle. Which is a pretty good deal. This is just the type of book I like to read. The shear expanse of this book is impressive. Brandon Sanderson creates an entire world. There are many regions and cultures. There are so many little threads of stories, little mysteries and surprises. The second in the series is out as well, Words of Radiance.

           

                                                                                                      

Guy Gavriel Kay is one of my all-time favorite authors-- and this is my favorite of his books. There are books that you just read to enjoy. They are fun and a good time. Then there are books that stay with you. That you carry around in your heart and change you. This is one of those books. I don't know what I could say to convey how good this book is. Just thinking about it makes me want to read it again.

                                                                                                                                  

This was a enjoyable debut from J. Kathleen Cheney. The book is set in Portugal, which immediately sets it apart from other fantasy books. The book has spies, mermaids, selkies, magic and even a little romance. I was initially thrown because of the selkies, or seal people. The main love interest is half selkie. They are described as being highly sexual... I grew up on the ocean-- and I'm sorry there is just nothing sexy about seals to me. It's just kinda ewww. The author did a good job though. I was happy to see a good balance between the fantasy part of the book and the romance between the characters. This was not a bodice ripper, which I was happy about. This is a fun, light read.
                                                                                                                                

I can't believe how long it took me to read this book. How did I not know about it? Blood Song by Anthony Ryan was released back in 2012. I read it in May, and was thankful I didn't read it earlier--- because July 1st the second book comes out. I am really looking forward to it. I couldn't stop reading the first book- I started and finished it the same day. The book follows Vaelin beginning from his boyhood days. He becomes a warrior for his faith- a member of the Sixth Order.

                                                                                                             

I have to wait until fall for the newest Patrick Rothfuss release-- which I eagerly await. I also want to finish the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher-- only 2 more books to go. The other series I'm contemplating starting is The Malazan Book of the Fallen. I have heard good/bad things. We shall see what this summer holds for me!

On my bedside table..

I have a really large stack of books on my bedside table right now. It's seriously out of control. The one I started today was The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (aka Sarah Monette).

I will be honest, I did not have high hopes for this book. However I am enjoying it so far. It seems to have created some buzz online as well. Here is the description from Amazon---

"The youngest, half-goblin son of the Emperor has lived his entire life in exile, distant from the Imperial Court and the deadly intrigue that suffuses it. But when his father and three sons in line for the throne are killed in an "accident," he has no choice but to take his place as the only surviving rightful heir.

Entirely unschooled in the art of court politics, he has no friends, no advisors, and the sure knowledge that whoever assassinated his father and brothers could make an attempt on his life at any moment.

Surrounded by sycophants eager to curry favor with the naïve new emperor, and overwhelmed by the burdens of his new life, he can trust nobody. Amid the swirl of plots to depose him, offers of arranged marriages, and the specter of the unknown conspirators who lurk in the shadows, he must quickly adjust to life as the Goblin Emperor. All the while, he is alone, and trying to find even a single friend . . . and hoping for the possibility of romance, yet also vigilant against the unseen enemies that threaten him, lest he lose his throne–or his life"
                                                                                                     

It is an interesting concept. However I'm finding it little hard to get into, the names are pretty much all gibberish-- and all similar. I have been trying to figure out who is who. It's not just the character names, it's locations, titles and buildings. It's hard to imagine the landscape and the city when you are just totally confused. I am hoping when I get further in it will be easier. I will type of a full review when I finish it! 

New From Robin Hobb and Joe Abercrombie

  These two big name fantasy authors both have new releases this summer. I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing both of them.

 
                                                                                                                             

 Fool's Assassin will be out Aug 12th. This is the newest installment of Fitz's adventures. Be sure to look for this one when it comes out! I really enjoyed it. This is will be a treat for long time readers. Let's just say a lot of what you believe about the series will be called into question. This book really opens the door for more novels to come. I will publish my review in a few weeks.
                                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                            

  Half a King will be available on July 15th. I think this one is a must-read for this summer. Let's just say, at the start of this book I was like-- boring boring boring... Then... I couldn't put it down. I'll have a review up for this one in a week or so. 

                                                                                                                             

Reading When You're Busy-

  When I get busy, the first thing I stop doing is reading. I get in a funk sometimes and stop reading for a week or a month. This became especially hard when I became a new mom. Sometimes balancing it all can be tricky. Reading is important to me though. One of the amazing things about being a stay-at-home mom is that I make the schedule. I sometimes have to be creative about making free time. BUT it can be done-- and reading is important to me. So here are a few tips if you can't remember the last time you read a book--

-Find a book that excites you. Did you stop reading because you were bored? I really think there is a book for everybody out there. Resources like Goodreads can be really helpful. If you can remember a book you loved, search for similar titles. Or just reread an old favorite.

-Shuffle time. I can usually make time for the things I love, it might just take some shuffling. Maybe instead of spending an hour Pinning recipes I don't plan to make, I can read a book. I usually have wasted time I could turn to more practical endeavors.

-Talk to people who love books-- I find it really inspiring to discuss my current reads with people. Unfortunately fantasy novels are not a hot topic with the mom's I know. Luckily there are plenty of nerds like me on the internet.

-Read a little at a time. Even if you can't spend a ton of time reading a book, sometimes just starting helps. Reading for a few minutes every night instead of watching a show. Bonus, it helps you sleep better. Unless your like me and stay up until 4 a.m reading-- and then are plagued by weird dreams all night.

  Sometimes I just have to accept that I don't have time. Some things are just more important. I know eventually I will be wandering the library again. 

And now for a change of pace..

  Two weeks ago I got lost in the black-hole called NetGalley. You get to read and review ARC's in exchange for your reviews. I thought perhaps I was dreaming. Read this book for free, then I just tell you what I thought?? Yes please. So here is another installment courtesy of NetGalley. Seriously, if you love to read, check it out. I also just got wind of Edelweiss, a similar site.

  This pretty thing is from a husband and wife team. They are Miraval chef's and their cook is described as "spa cuisine". I really enjoyed this cookbook and wouldn't mind owning it myself.

 


I have never been to a spa. The thought of spa food was a bit of a mystery. What do they eat? Baby carrots and celery? After reading Miraval's Sweet & Savory Cooking I can tell you it isn't as bad as that. Not by half. As it turns out you don't need to be rich or snobby to enjoy this food. The recipes are for everyday people, who make mindful choices about food. The book is full of clever tricks and switches built into the recipes. I usually have to take it upon myself to make these swaps. Sometimes with disastrous results. Here the recipes are built around them, by people who know what they are doing.

I thought the premise of the book- Sweet and Savory- really tied the book together. I love that it was a married couple who brought their ideas together for this book. I have to say, I favored the sweet recipes. There were many savory recipes that I plan on making. Especially the soups. However I found some of them were just too involved for a weeknight meal at my house. By no means does that make the recipes bad. Just perhaps not as practical for me. For the most part I found the recipes balanced enough for the home-cook.

Almost all the sweet recipes are ones that I would make for my family. I love baking for my kids but struggle to find healthy recipes. I do wish a few of the gluten-free recipes had used coconut flour/almond flour. I'm not a huge fan of potato starch and tapioca flour, which the recipes rely upon heavily. I also would have liked to have seen a different sugar substitute rather than agave. However these things are all personal preference. There are still a ton of other recipes to choose from.

I thought the book on a whole was gorgeous. The photographs were spot on, beautiful lighting. Each recipe included serving size, calorie, fat, carb, fiber and protein information. Anyone who is watching their weight would find this information helpful. This is the type of book I would cook from time and time again

The High Druid's Blade

Book: The High Druid's Blade
Author: Terry Brooks
Rating:★★★★
                                                                                                                                                              

 This delightful ARC was provided by NetGalley. The book itself will be published on July 8th. I give this release four stars... although that might be a bit generous. Read it for yourself and see!

  As a long time Terry Brooks fan, I always enjoy reading his new releases. I love returning to the world of Shannara. Even though this book is set further in the future it is still familiar. New readers won't miss a beat. The story isn't built too much upon older books. However for long-time readers will find familiar names.

The book is built around the Leah family. Paxon, the protective older brother looking to protect his crazy younger sister. All the while they get caught in a much bigger plot. Betrayal among the Druids order and a nasty sorcerer named Arcannen.

Is the story enough though? Compared to some of the amazing new releases this year does this book stand up? I find myself sort of caught. I love returning to Shannara for the nostalgia. I would recommend the book to long-time readers. I also think this is a good book for readers looking for a lighter fantasy book. Someone looking for an adventure and some fun without too much complexity. You don't have to learn a new language to read the book, or commit to 1000 pages.

At the same time the book is missing a lot. The characters just aren't developed. You barely have a chance to get to know them-- then they are in the thick of being tortured.  I worry that new readers will find this one lacking.
   

The Blade Itself...

Book: The Blade Itself

Author: Joe Abercrombie
Rating: ★★★★★
                                                                                                                                                           

   Joe Abercrombie is a name most fantasy readers will instantly recognize. I picked this book up on a whim one day. I was glad I didn't research it much, because otherwise I'm sure I wouldn't have read it. I'm sort of a sissy when it comes to torture.

     If you are looking for a lighthearted, feel good read-- this may not be the book for you. There is torture, battle and a lot of politics. When I began reading I was sure I would dislike it.
What really took my by surprise-- what really made this book beautiful- are the characters. On one page I was sure that I disliked them, sure they were terrible. Then a moment later I was rooting for them. Many characters are ugly, crippled in mind or body. I fell in love with the book as the author showed us different facets of each one, giving them humanity.

     Glokta is a great example of this. He is in one moment s***ting his bed, carried around like a feeble infant, surely a useless man. Then he is the most powerful dangerous man in the room. He is dangerous, ripping out teeth, guessing motives, taking confessions. You often get to read snippets of his inner voice. His two Practices are almost equally intriguing.

     Logen, Bayaz, Ardee, Jazel, Ferro- the characters all come to life in all their grisly splendor. There is constant intrigue. I did get bogged down in the politics of it all. There were points where I found myself skimming. Some sections were just not gory for my taste, especially the torture. That is simply a matter of personal preference. I skimmed a few. I hope the next book in the series surprises me just as much. I plan to read on. The book left many mysteries yet to be discovered or understood. 

For the love of books...

  So here's the thing-- I read a lot of books. Every time I go scouring for a new one, I like to check the reviews first. I spend a lot of time checking out what other people have said. After years of reading, I realized I have a lot to say about these books too.
   My main love is fantasy novels. I just can't help myself. I take my two kids to the library (3 and 1) and it's pure chaos. They have a hard time being quite while I spend time choosing books. My method is to "look for the unicorn". Our library has the genres labeled on the spine with stickers. Fantasy is the unicorn. So I walk briskly through the isles, grabbing as many unicorns as I can. This method has proved mildly successful. I get a lot of duds but some gems as well. So here I will share my thoughts on all these unicorns.
   I also love reading cookbooks, gardening books and various non-fiction as well. My main occupation title is "housewife", so these sorts of books play a part in my everyday life.
   SO, here I am. I am not a fancy blogger, but I think I can figure all of this out.