Tag Archives: book reviews

Jul 18 2013
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Coming Soon: Horde by Ann Aguirre

10596724Title: Horde

Author: Ann Aguirre

Series: Enclave #3

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: October 29, 2013

The Overview: The horde is coming. Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they’re not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn’t run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade’s love. Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn’t been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them. This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.

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Nik’s Notes:

This is the third book in a series that I have yet to read… But rest assured it is incredibly high in my TBR pile. I fell in love with this author’s adult Grimspace series and have since purchased everything she has on the market. I love her voice, her characters, and the way she writes relationships. I would say this is the teen series I am most looking forward to reading this summer.

Who else is excited for this release?

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 15 2013
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Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition (7/16/2013)

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I’m so excited for this top ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) because it gives me the opportunity to introduce you guys to a couple of little-known authors that totally rocked my world. They all have a few things in common: excellent writing, great characters, killer stories, and epic world-building. They all also happen to be high priorities on my reread list. The saddest common factor? I’ve never had a conversation with anybody who’s read more than one of these titles (if any…at least before my recommendations).

So without further ado:

Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition!

#1 Glenda Larke: I’ve devoured everything this woman has ever published, even going so far as to pay astronomical shipping on the Mirage trilogy only available in Australia. If she ever chooses to write anything else, she will get top priority on my reading list. She has the best world-building of any author I’ve ever read; creating settings that are truly stunning.

#2 Jennifer Fallon: I loved everything about these books. It was an excellent story that was frankly better than most of the “popular” authors out there and it makes me sad she didn’t get more attention. I will say though, this is the only trilogy of hers I’ve read so far.

#3 Elizabeth Haydon: I admit the first hundred pages of the first book is a little difficult to get into. Some truly remarkable things happen in a rather confusing manner that only makes sense as you keep reading. Clear as mud? Aside from that, Haydon gave me brilliant characters, exceptional races and cultures, and dragons. I have actually reread these, and like them just as much the second time.

#4 Juliet E. McKenna: I am flabbergasted that this series is not more popular. It has all the elements I’ve come to expect from an epic fantasy adventure and yet barely anybody has heard of her. It’s a shame because the only difference between McKenna and highly successful fantasy authors is… Nothing. I love these books.

#5 Julie E. Czerneda: This author dazzles me with her creativity and great characters. Despite how much I love #6 on my list, this author is my all time favorite science fiction writer. Her stories are burned into my brain and I can’t wait for the chance to experience them again.

#6 Ann Aguirre: sort of a mix between a science fiction and an urban fantasy, this author really gets how to create great relationships between humans and other interplanetary characters. These books make me excited to talk about them and are easily some of the ones I recommend the most.

#7 Daniel Abraham: this is a new (relatively) fantasy author who is starting to gain a little bit of momentum for himself. He is actually the first author on my list who I recommend towards fantasy buffs who have read “everything” already and are looking for the next great thing.

#8 T.A. Pratt: this guy is not only one of my top urban fantasy authors, but he happens to be one of my favorite writers. I look up to him for his talent and dedication and hope to one day have the opportunity to pick his brain. His stories are as entertaining as they are unique.

#9 Lawrence Watt-Evans: I have never read a piece of work from this author that I didn’t absolutely love. His dragons series is my favorite on the market and inspired me enough to hunt them out in hardcover. I own everything he’s ever written and it’s all fantastic!

#10 Rachel Aaron: this woman is amazing! There is not a single thing I did not like about her books and in fact plan to go back and reread them to improve my own craft. She adds an element of wonder to adult fantasy that makes you feel like a kid again. Some authors try to do this, but they come off more whimsical and ridiculous rather than brilliant like Aaron.

You may have noticed that I don’t have any teen books on this list. It turns out that I can name at least a dozen people who enjoyed all my favorites, so comparatively they are already gaining tons of recognition, know?

Anyway, which titles made your list? I’d love to hear if someone has read more than one of the books on my list. :-)

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 12 2013
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Coming Soon: The Companions by R.A. Salvatore

9780786963713_p0_v3_s260x420Title: The Companions

Author: R.A. Salvatore

Series: The Sundering #1

Genre: Role Playing Fantasy

Release Date: August 6, 2013

The Overview: This latest installment in New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore’s beloved fantasy saga, The Companionsmoves Salvatore’s signature hero Drizzt into a new era of the Forgotten Realms. As Drizzt’s fate hangs in the balance, he reflects on the lives of the trusted allies who stood by his side throughout his early life—the friends now known as the Companions of the Hall. Meanwhile, the first stirrings of the Sundering begin.

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Nik’s Notes:

Those of you familiar with the Forgotten Realms empire are probably aware of the dozens of spinoff novels spawned by the highly successful Drizzt books of R.A. Salvatore. His latest novel, The Companions, is the beginning of a new such spinoff. This means the next three book in the series are written by different authors, and are essentially stand-alones. This first book is the only one containing the “companions” that we have all come to know and love, so I’m not totally sure it’s one I want to read, but I’ll probably break down and pick it up anyway out of nostalgia.

Here’s a look at the next three books in the series and their release dates:

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 11 2013
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Book Review: Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

11454587Title: Spell Bound

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Series: Hex Hall #3

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

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The Review:

As I’ve already beat you over the head a couple of times with how much I enjoyed this series, I’m going to keep today’s review on the shorter side. This third and final book in the Hex Hall trilogy was actually my least favorite of the three, but only by a little. There was an element of predictability that stole a bit of momentum, but that is the only thing I didn’t like. Everything else added up to a great conclusion – I was really sad when it ended because these were a ton of fun to read.

My favorite part of Spell Bound was the exploration of three conflicting societies that were only alluded to up to this point; and also the introduction of a few new characters who added a new complexity to the story. I love learning about stuff in books, especially if it’s fantastical – so exploring these secret societies and their role in the supernatural world was a lot of fun. As for the new characters, they were just interesting. Hawkins really has a knack for creating relatable characters, and I can’t think of a single one I didn’t like at least a little.

I believe I mentioned in my review of Demon Glass (book #2) that my favorite part of this series was the love story. I liked both love interests equally and therefore felt more invested in her conflict of which one to choose.

Overall, this was a highly entertaining series and is one of the best ones I’ve read this year. I like them enough that I will most certainly be rereading them one day.

Recommendations: I recommend these to any teen paranormal fan who has already read the Vampire Academy books. They are the ultimate “fun” read, and I consider them in the top five must-reads for the genre.

Other books you might like:

The Selection Review   •  The Sweetest Dark Review   •  Touch of Frost Review

by Niki Hawkes

Jul 8 2013
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Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten Best/Worst Book to Movie Adaptations (7/8/2013)

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This is a weekly feature by The Broke and the Bookish. I have come across some really excellent book bloggers by participating in this feature, which is why it’s one of my favorites. This week’s topic is:

Top Ten Best/Worst Book to Movie Adaptations

Although there have been quite a few adaptations that didn’t work for me, I decided it would be more fun to focus on my favorite ones this week.

 For me, the Lord of the Rings was not only the best book to movie adaptation, it was the best movie ever. It’s my all-time favorite, and nothing has come close since… except for maybe The Hobbit.

Yes, Twilight is on my list. I liked everything but Robert Pattinson. Get off my case.

The book “On Stranger Tides” actually follows the third movie the closest as far as story is concerned, but I liked the latest one better, so it counts.

I realize Vampire Diaries is a television show, but it happens to be my favorite so I hope you’ll let it slide.

There you have it! What movies ended up on your list?

Jul 6 2013
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Book Review: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

47212Title: Storm Front

Author: Jim Butcher

Series: Dresden Files #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Overview: For his first case, Harry is called in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with the blackest of magic. At first, the less-than-solvent Harry’s eyes light up with dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage. Now, that black mage knows Harry’s name. And things are about to get very…interesting.

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The Review:

I don’t think I’ve ever had a conversation about urban fantasy books without this series being brought up. It’s definitely one of the most recognizable stories of the genre and certainly among the top sellers. For some reason, I’d been stalling on reading it. It was one of those that had so much hype surrounding it that I was afraid I wouldn’t like it. Then, after some encouraging feedback from both my husband and best friend, I finally read it… and loved it.

The story was well woven and interesting – taking on a traditional mystery with a paranormal twist (as most urban fantasies tend to do). It had a delightfully layered plot that gave the protagonist plenty of things to “peel” away as the story progressed. It also had plenty of action, which increased in its intensity as it got closer to the end. Overall, it was a very well-conceived and well-paced book.

Character was my favorite writing element of Storm Front, specifically the voice in which the book was narrated. It was dry and sardonic, yet completely hilarious. Butcher’s great use of humor when a long way to revealing the character of his protagonists and making him someone I enjoyed rooting for. I also appreciated the myriads of side characters and look forward to seeing where their individual stories go in future books.

Overall, if all of his novels are as funny, fast-paced, and intricate as this first book, I’m going to be one happy camper.

Recommendations: this was a fantastic mix of mystery and paranormal. I would hand this to customers as a “gateway” novel to get them into urban fantasy (along with Moon Called by Patricia Briggs). It definitely deserves a place in the top five best urban fantasies out there… at least as far as I’m concerned.

Other books you might like:

Hounded Review   •   Dead Witch Walking Review   •   Blood Engines Review 

by Niki Hawkes