Dec 16 2015
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Niki’s Top Ten Favorite Books of 2015!

top ten tuesday

Okay, I know I missed Tuesday, but this is one of my favorite topics, so I’m doing it anyway:

Niki’s Top Ten Favorite Books of 2015!

I’m sure the caliber of authors doesn’t surprise anyone – they’re popular for a reason, after all. What surprises me is how difficult it was to narrow the list down to just ten titles. “Read the best books first, for you may not have the chance to read them all” really is a mantra worth having. It is really difficult to pick a favorite, but if push came to shove, I select Fool’s Quest by Robin Hobb.

What were your favorite reads of 2015?

by Niki Hawkes

Dec 14 2015
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DNF Review: Seveneves by Neil Stephenson

sevenevesTitle: Seveneves

Author: Neil Stephenson

Series: N/A (Standalone)

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: DNF

The Overview: An exciting and thought-provoking science fiction epic—a grand story of annihilation and survival spanning five thousand years. What would happen if the world were ending? A catastrophic event renders the earth a ticking time bomb. In a feverish race against the inevitable, nations around the globe band together to devise an ambitious plan to ensure the survival of humanity far beyond our atmosphere, in outer space. But the complexities and unpredictability of human nature coupled with unforeseen challenges and dangers threaten the intrepid pioneers, until only a handful of survivors remain . . .

Five thousand years later, their progeny—seven distinct races now three billion strong—embark on yet another audacious journey into the unknown . . . to an alien world utterly transformed by cataclysm and time: Earth.  

The DNF Review:

This is a reviewing feature I’ve been eyeballing on one of my favorite book blogs There Were Books Involved for a couple years now because I think it’s an excellent way to talk about an unfinished book fairly. I’m incredibly grateful because Nikki (the brains behind the blog, who has a most excellent name)  kindly allowed me to steal the idea and questions for my own blog. As my list of “amazing books to read” continues to grow, I find I have less and less time and patience to devote to the books I’m just not enjoying. I never would have considered DNFing a book ten years ago, but then I came across a quote, “Read the best books first, for you might not have the chance to read them all,” and have since made it my personal mantra. So let the Q&A begin!

This was a book club book that I pushed for because it sounded so dag-gun interesting. And interesting it was, but that’s as far as I go on it… Here are some reasons why Seveneves just missed the mark with me.

Did you really give Seveneves a chance?

Considering it’s an 800+ page book, I think making it 60% through qualifies as a fair chance. I invested a lot of time and energy into it.

Have you enjoyed other books in the same genre?

Many. I can’t seem to get enough science fiction lately, although I admit I lean more towards space operas like Leviathan Wakes & Red Rising (although the hard-core science fiction stuff doesn’t scare me as long as it has good plot and character connection). Here are some of my favorites:

Did you have certain expectations before starting it?

Yes – colossal ones; and I blame the synopsis. It gives the impression (to me at least) that the focus of the book centers around the 7 distinct races who evolved from the survivors of earth. Well, I was 50% through the book and EARTH HADN’T EVEN BEEN DESTROYED YET! Meaning the main thing that drew me to the book really wasn’t even its focus. I read another 100 pages or so and finally decided I was tired of waiting for a payoff that seemed like it was never coming. Between the pacing issue and the false advertising, I’d had enough.

What ultimately made you stop reading?

I kind of touched on that already, but I’d still like to elaborate: 2 things – the waaaaaay too drawn out “beginning” (i.e. at least 60% of this 800+ page book), and the fact that one of my book club members did some research and found that most people basically enjoyed the book but DIDN’T LIKE THE ENDING! O_o. I thought “well, why am I working so hard to get to that portion of the story if most people found it a letdown?” Excellent question. I threw in the towel and picked up a Sanderson instead.

Is there anything you liked about Seveneves?

I found the characters interesting even though they always kept me at arms distance. I also love science & astronomy, and especially appreciate the research within the book… Although there were many places it could’ve been integrated more smoothly.

Would you read anything else by this author?

No… I’m too disappointed in too many things.

So you DNF’d the book – would you still recommend it?

Not of my own initiative, but if someone professed a love for story elements I remembered from it, I might mention it.

by Niki Hawkes

Nov 9 2015
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Book Review: This Gulf of Time and Stars by Julie E. Czerneda

This Gulf of Time and Stars by Julie E. Czerneda

Title: This Gulf of Time and Stars

Author: Julie E. Czerneda

Series: Reunification #1

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: …I’d lived on a starship long enough to value the small sounds the Fox made: the whoosh of air through vents, the bone-deep growl of lift engines, and the reassuring almost-whine that meant not only gravity, but that we were moving through subspace under power. Sound meant we were safe and all was well.

Silence meant the opposite…

The Review:

I’d like to start out by saying that Julie E Czerneda is my favorite science fiction writer and This Gulf of Time and Stars is just one of the more shining examples of why I enjoy her books so much. There’s a few reasons why I highly anticipated this book in particular, but one stands above the rest:

At the very back of A Rift in the Sky (the final book in her Stratification Trilogy), almost as an afterthought, Czerneda conveyed the following in her Author’s Note:

I hope you enjoy the first six books of the Clan Chronicles. Once you have, I hope you paid attention and have questions.

Because I promise…

You ain’t seen nothing yet.

I was excited before, but coming across a documented promise from the author that she will soon delve into one of the coolest mysteries I’ve come across made me practically dance with excitement!

This Gulf of Time and Stars was a compelling start to a new chapter in the Trade Pact Universe (and Sira & Morgan’s lives). It started with a ton of nostalgia that reiterated all the things I loved about the characters. Then it proceeded to rip out my heart and take me on an emotional roller coaster all the way to the end, where I sat there exhausted, elated, and eager for more. I can’t wait to have more questions answered and see what Czerneda has up her sleeve next!

If you’re a fan of the Trade Pact Universe, this continuation is ESSENTIAL to your reading repertoire. If you just enjoy a good old sci-fi/space opera love-story with great characters, loads of action, and badass aliens, I’d recommend starting with A Thousand Words for Stranger (or Reap the Wild Wind, if you want to go chronologically). Heck, you might as well pick up Migration (#1 in the Species Imperative Trilogy) and my personal favorite: The Beholder’s Eye (#1 in the Web Shifters trilogy) while you’re at it. ;-)

I’d like to thank Penguin Group Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW, Julie Czerneda, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy of This Gulf of Time and Stars!

Other books you might like (besides ALL THE THINGS Czerneda):

by Niki Hawkes

Oct 26 2015
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Book Review: The Caretaker’s Guide to Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

The Caretaker's Guide to Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Title: The Caretaker’s Guide to Fablehaven

Author: Brandon Mull, Brandon Dorman

Series: Fablehaven #5.5

Genre: Middle Grade

Rating: 5/5 stars

The Overview: The 3.5 million fans who bought Fablehaven know the series has many imaginative mythical creatures especially dragons. Every one of the dragons has a name and a special power and they all look different and are described in words, but they existed only in our imagination….UNTIL NOW. The Caretaker’s Guide to Fablehaven is the first visual discovery of the creatures in the series and is written as if the reader is the new caretaker of the Fablehaven preserve. It has all sorts of insider’s knowledge the new caretaker of Fablehaven would have to know, such as dragon tears are very powerful in making potions but they are extremely difficult to come by and cruel people have been known to torment young dragons just to collect tears!  So don’t YOU want to be their caretaker?

Entries detail important information about artifacts large and small, a complete bestiary of creatures (from fairies to trolls to satyrs), a guide to identifying demons, dragons, and wizards as well as valuable insights into the other magical preserves. Scattered throughout the book are colorful fairies that also mark some of the characters, artifacts, and creatures that will be featured in the upcoming sequel series, Dragonwatch.

The Review:

I am a HUGE fan of the Fablehaven series. Not since Harry Potter has a middle grade series caught and maintained my adult (and I use that term loosely) attentions and tastes with such alacrity. I’ve read them all several times, and finishing the final chapter is always bittersweet – it ends so well, but I never want it to stop. BUT NOW THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!!! And I couldn’t be more thrilled.

The Caretaker’s Guide is just what the doctor ordered to hold me over until the new novel (Dragonwatch) comes out in fall 2016. I’ve always thought the art throughout the series was part of what helped make it so special – I’d constantly find myself eager to get the next scene depiction hidden amongst the pages. Bringing those gorgeous illustrations all into one place with multiple character and creature profiles resulted in the coolest guidebook I’ve ever seen. I think every fan of the series would enjoy seeing so many aspects brought to life. I will definitely be snagging a physical copy for my own collection asap.

What’s more, there are hints and clues within the pages hinting to what we can expect in Dragonwatch. I was excited before, but I’m through the roof now! Brandon Mull took my favorite part of the Fablehaven saga (the dragon sanctuaries) and wrote AN ENTIRE SERIES around it. If you’re as excited as I am, take a peek at this guidebook – you won’t be disappointed!

Here are the Fablehaven books with their beautiful cover art… read them:

*I want to thank Brandon Mull, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and NetGalley for approving an early copy of this title – you made an uber fan very happy! :-)

by Niki Hawkes

Oct 8 2015
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ARC Book Review: Soundless by Richelle Mead

Soundless by Richelle Mead

Title: Soundless

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: Stand-Alone

Genre: Teen Fiction

Release Date: November 10, 2015

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom. When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation. But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

The Review:

Since I’d been stalking the author, the publisher, and all my blogging friends for the chance to snag an early copy of Soundless since the cover was first revealed in March, you can imagine how off-the-wall excited I was to be selected by Penguin’s First to Read program to receive a digital copy (thank you First to Read – you made my year!).

And, at the end of the day, all that clamoring was worth it – Soundless was a great read!

The setting, cultural immersion, and unique conflict (nobody in this mining town can hear, and now they’re all starting to lose their vision, too) were easily my favorite elements to the story. I can honestly say I’ve never read anything quite like it, so major kudos to Mead for originality.

But all the great atmosphere in the world wouldn’t be worth as much if there weren’t also compelling characters to go along with it. I really enjoyed seeing the world through Fei’s eyes (and hearing it, for that matter – it was fascinating to be immersed in someone experiencing sound for the first time). I also loved her interactions with the other characters – specifically with her sister and the love interest. Fei always seemed a strong, capable girl, and that’s definitely what I like to see in my YA heroines. Could she have possibly used her sharp wit a little more often? Probably, but I think that over-criticism stems from how enamored I still am with the brilliance that is Sydney Sage (Bloodlines), so I guess maybe I should cut Fei some slack. :-)

I’ve read everything Richelle Mead has published, and one of the main reasons she’s one of my top authors is the experience she creates by building this amazing momentum across each respective series. The stories always climb steadily for a long while before finally hurtling towards the end like one giant snowball. It’s truly fantastic! And while I feel Soundless had a decent bit of that momentum, at the end of the day, there’s just no way for a stand-alone novel to compete with a six book series – there’s just simply not enough time! I believe this is the only reason I wasn’t quite as emotionally invested as I have been with her works in the past, but Soundless was still a great story – one I’m sure I’ll find myself recommending often.

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Oct 2 2015
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Tackling the TBR [6]: October 2015

tackling the TBR

October is here (and where the heck did September go so fast? I’d like to know…) and it’s once again time for my favorite feature: Tackling the TBR! There’s nothing I love more than picking out which books to read next, and this slightly organized method of reading has really amped my enjoyment to the next level. Bring on the mantras!

Read the best books first.
&
Life is too short to read books you’re not enjoying.

However you put together your TBR for the next month, the goal is to reduce the amount of obligation in reading and increase the fun.

And that’s exactly what it did – last month was an awesome month – I read about half of the books on my TBR Tackler Shelf (which, for my current state of improving eye health, was awesome), And am probably halfway through most of the remaining titles (I read more than one book at a time… Does anybody else do that?).

Here’s a look at how the system works:

1. Identify the titles that take top priority in your TBR.
2. Combine them all in your own Tackling the TBR post.
3. Throughout the month pick from that pile as the mood strikes you.

Here’s what mine looks like:

October 2015 TBR Tackler Shelf:

Of all these titles, I’m probably most excited for the new Jim Butcher book! Although the conclusion to the Paradox series by Rachel Bach is also incredibly appealing…

Now, I can tell you from experience that this Tackling the TBR experiment is so much more fun and rewarding when there’s more than one person (me) participating. Does anybody want to play along?

Even if you don’t specifically use my system, feel free to share your versions of how you manage your TBR pile (and the links to your posts if applicable) in the comments!

Maybe we can help make each other’s systems even better. :)

What books are you Tackling this month?

by Niki Hawkes