Books! And only like, a week late. :/
8) Wheel of the Infinite by Martha Wells – I enjoyed this right until the end. I appreciate Martha Wells frank writing, her fantasy books are definitely very grown up without being gratuitous, and I love how she writes these unlikeable, prickly, jaded characters and makes them very engaging. The dry, dark humour helps too. I recently read an element of fire and that too I liked but could not quite get into it. I think I liked this one better- I loved the world building and the court intrigue and the twisted magic in element, but I did not enjoy how the book ended nor the romance in it. I liked the world building here too, and I liked the exploration of religion and religious magic even if toward the end it derailed into something more sci fi than I usually enjoy, and the ending was just unbelievably strange. I definitely enjoyed the romance here more. The romance in element was one of the rare cases I wish it had been left out, but I enjoyed it here.
9) Somatesthesia by Ann Somerville – Dragged quite a lot somewhere just after the middle but enjoyable enough. Enjoyed the main characters relationship and appreciated how the author handled the situation where they were work partners. a great streak of humour throughout too. A quick, satisfying read that I’m likely going to forget about immediately.
10) City of Bones by Martha Wells – Yes, another Wells. These books were very cheap though, with element being free and wheel and city being under £2 each. Anyway. when I first started this book I was bored and confused. I couldn’t get a grasp on the world and the characters. However I soon found myself immersed in this, unable to put it down. I grew to love this book, in fact. I never had any moments like in Element of Fire of Wheel of the Infinite where I was going WTF or getting frustrated or wishing that things would go a different way. Its a slow book, that takes a while to start up, but once it gets going it’s fascinating, with amazing characters and a lot of interesting twists, leading to a very satisfing end. There was something rather sad about the ending, yet it felt right. I think this may be my favourite Wells I’ve read so far.
11) Lord of the White Hell Pt1 by – This book was hilarious. oh there was plenty of serious stuff, but I mostly enjoyed the often humorous descriptions of a fantasy (boarding) school and teenage boys being teenage boys, even in this fantasy setting.
12) Lord of the White Hell pt1 by – OK, I really hate how this author has basically taken a whole book and sold it in two very expensive parts. It’s not right, that. But, well. Whatever. I liked these books enough to make the sacrifice. this book, much like its other half prequel was also hilarious with some serious stuff. I also enjoyed it although I realized I really did not like the main character, kiram at all. I actually skipped pages because it was so awkward to read about the things he does and says. I just felt so embarassed for him. I’ve mentioned I hate feeling embarassed while reading a book yeah? also it was obvious by the end of part one who was behind the curse, so spending this book watching these characters running around not realising the bloody obvious was infuriating. how could such clever boys be so thoroughly stupid?
13) Devil’s Peak by Deon Meyer – Separate post here. Enjoyed this quite a lot.
14) Strange by Fredrick James – separate post coming soon. Most frustrating, disappointing book I’ve read in a while.
At this point I ran out of money, so I reread a bunch of books.
15) Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale – This book is perfect. I realised I was actually quite disappointed in Lord of the White Hell, if only because I admit I was expecting something as phenomenal as this, and did not receive it.
16) Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot – This book is set in a regency England where magic exists and is accepted. It follows the letters between cousins Kate and Cecelia. Kate has gone off to London to accompany her younger sister for their fist season, and Cecelia has been left behind in their home in Essex. There is a light mystery involving a magic chocolate pot and a mysterious marquis, among other things. There are a lot about this book I thought would not work for me- the historical setting for one, and the epolstary format for another but nope, really enjoyed this both times I have read it. Kate and cecy’s letters make for a delightful and thoroughly fun read. It does read a little young, but I think this is one of those books that both adults and children can enjoy tremendously. Like a good Disney movie.
17) Among the Living (PsyCop #1) by Jordan Castillo Price, 18) Criss Cross (PsyCop #2) by Jordan Castillo Price and 19) Body & Soul (PsyCop #3) by Jordan Castillo Price – So, I’ve posted about these before and I said I liked them, and I do, because I am rereading them after all. However that does not mean I don’t have problems with these first three books of the series. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t like the relationship between Jacob and Victor here. There is something about it that comes off as very unhealthy in these first few books- the relationship is rushed and feels based more on the physical connection than anything else, and the way Jacob views Vic’s abilities does not feel right. I mostly enjoyed these out of love for Victor and for the wonderfully realised ideas about psychics and how they fit in our world, and how these gifts would affect those who had them.
20) Secrets (PsyCop #4) by Jordan Castillo Price – This was the book where I stopped merely liking this series,and started to like it quite a lot. Camp Hell would seal the deal for me, but this book definitely worked for me a lot more than the previous ones. It’s almost a pity you have to read the first three first to get the most out of this book, as this is really the book where the story really starts to develop and better yet, Victors relationship with Jacob finally starts to work for me here because they finally had problems. That sounds weird but it was great to see them argue and doubt each other, and to watch them become closer emotionally because of it.