Daughter of the Burning City

****

4/5

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for giving me this book to review.

Daughter of the Burning City is a really interesting and unique fantasy book which really sucked me into its story. This book is built on the mystery of who is killing Sorina’s family which has lots of twists and while I guessed some, most really surprised me. This book is well written and had very descriptive and good world building, especially considering most of the book was set in Gomorrah. However, there was a plot hole in the book which did make the story feel a bit to unrealistic but it is a very big spoiler so I will not ruin it.

Sorina is determined but also has many insecurities as she feels like she is a freak and that the only people who like her are the family who she created. Luca is mysterious, sarcastic, but not in a mean way, and can come across as a bit innocent despite really understanding how the world, and more importantly people, works. He is very distinctive in many ways, from his dress sense, to his powers, to his personality. I loved Sorina’s family as they were their own people with their own wishes and fears, and after the first 20% of the book I never got them confused with each other.

This a very good book from debut author Amanda Foody and I am really looking forward to reading more of her books and any sequels to Sorina’s story. I would recommend Daughter of the Burning City to fans of unique fantasy books.

Flame in the Mist

**

2/5

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me this book to review.

Flame in the Mist is an ok fantasy book but it did not hold my interest and I found it forgettable. I didn’t like the romance as it really came across as Stockholm Syndrome as she fell for someone she believes tried to kill her and killed her friends, which is a massive turn off in romances for me. The world building, especially the magic was not explained well at all and even by the end of the story there were lots of unexplained parts.

With Mariko, I wish Ahdieh has shown not told us how smart, resourceful, and observant she is, as I saw hardly any of them qualities in her during this book. The rest of the characters I didn’t really care about them apart from Kenshin, who I understood his motives and his loyalty towards his family.

I was indifferent towards this book which is disappointing as I was looking forward to it.

Fireblood

***

3/5

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me this book to review.

Fireblood is the second book in the Frostblood saga and while an enjoyable book I felt it was not as good as Frostblood. The story was fast paced and well written but was also predictable and has all of the clichés I would expect from middle book. I really was not a fan of the love triangle as it was not needed and was only there to add drama when Kai and Ruby could have just been good friends and the story would have been practically the same.

Ruby want to discover her potential and find a place she belongs but it is annoying that she is the special snowflake and Chosen One when her character isn’t that interesting. She has also learnt to think more before she acts but still lacks emotional control. We do not see as much of Arcus as I would have liked but he is still stubborn, protective and moody. While I was not a fan of the love triangle, I really liked Kai as he was charming, charismatic and flirty, and was not afraid to express his emotions and vulnerable side.

I felt the ending was a bit rushed but I am still looking forward to the next book Nightblood. I would recommend Fireblood to people who enjoyed the first book Frostblood.

Frostblood

***

3/5

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me this book to review.

Frostblood is an enjoyable YA fantasy book which is both fast paced and romantic. It is a book of two halves which had a different tone to them, however the story was full of clichés and predictable. While the world building was good I would have liked other countries to be fleshed out a bit more.

Ruby is short tempered and has a lack of emotional control but is also kind and inquisitive. Arcus is moody and damaged both physically and mentally but he is also loyal and protective. My favourite parts of the book were the banter between Ruby and Arcus and how slow the romance was in building.

I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the sequel Fireblood. I would recommend Frostblood to fans of The Storm Siren trilogy by Mary Weber and the Fairy Queen books by Amber Argyle.

Turbo 23

***

3/5

Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for giving me this book to review.

Another romp through the crazy life of Bounty Hunter and all-round klutz, Stephanie Plumb.  Her latest adventure involves working undercover at an ice cream factory, finding dead bodies, and being undecided between her two romantic partners, as usual.  She is aided and abetted in this by her friend and colleague, Lula, and her slightly dysfunctional family, especially Grandma Mazur.

The plot is not very complicated, and the whole book is very light and easy to read, and provides many a smile, so long as you don’t take it too seriously.  The humour is quite slapstick in nature, and there is always the opportunity to smile and marvel at the chaos that is Stephanie’s life.  The characters in this book are, as usual, larger than life, and not always based in reality, but if you wanted realism, you would not choose to read this series of books.

My favourite character, is, and always has been, Grandma Mazur.  I love the fact that she’s reached the age and attitude where she doesn’t care about anything, is willing to try everything, and is afraid of nothing.  She has buckets of self-confidence and I hope I am as feisty as she is when I get older.

I enjoyed Turbo 23 and would recommend it to people who have enjoyed other Janet Evanovitch novels, or those who like light comedy/crime novels.