The writing was just as beautiful and whimsical as the first book, but I enjoyed this sequel even more. I believe the main reason for that was becauseThe writing was just as beautiful and whimsical as the first book, but I enjoyed this sequel even more. I believe the main reason for that was because the female main character was intelligent and independent which are two characteristic I really appreciate seeing in female protagonists. She didnt make as many frustrating I also liked decisions as the main character in the first book. I also liked the dynamic between her and the love interest a whole lot more. The story revolved around a tournament of wishes and that was really exciting. Similar to one of my favorite elements of the first book we get a demon helping them a long the way. Not to mention a fascinating side character named Aasha. Ill definitely be reading the novellas so I can get to know her better....more
This had less focus on the characters, but a lot of action with some pretty big shit going down. We got to know the characters well in the first instaThis had less focus on the characters, but a lot of action with some pretty big shit going down. We got to know the characters well in the first installement so I was perfectly fine with having more action in this sequel. There's some pretty big reveals and the stakes are pushed even higher. I felt like the intensity was maintained throughout the entire novel. Im so happy Im loving this series because I like supporting Canadian authors whenever I can. I cant wait to get more answers in the third and final book....more
I liked getting to see how the twin sisters turned out to be so different from another as well as how their relationship changed over time. I thought I liked getting to see how the twin sisters turned out to be so different from another as well as how their relationship changed over time. I thought the contrast between what they were experiencing in their new world was interesting. I tend to love dark and dangerous worlds so it was no surprise to me that I found the eerie quality of the Moors captivating. I thought Jack was really sweet, but there was just something about Jill that I found really fascinating. I also thought it was nice to have the author narrate this one....more
The gaming made this book a must read for me, especially since Ive been loving scifi lately. It did take me a bit to get into since we were kind of juThe gaming made this book a must read for me, especially since Ive been loving scifi lately. It did take me a bit to get into since we were kind of just thrown into the story, but once I got a feel for the world and the characters the mystery behind the kidnapping and the blackmailing was thrilling. I had a bunch of theories that I couldn't wait to find out if they were true. The concept was fascinating but the world building was a little vague at times. I felt like I didnt get a decent grasp on the world until about a 25% into the book.
The fast pace plot kept things exciting but I wasnt completely invested in the characters. I liked the main characters but I didnt connect with them as much as I would have liked. Maybe once I read the sequel and spend more time with them Ill feel differently. Sofis love for her brother was really sweet but we dont really get to know him or their mother. I loved Sofis punk gamer vibe and Miguels heart of gold hidden behind the bad boy image. I didnt trust some of the characters but that made the story even more entertaining. I want to know more about the Aliens and where they come from.
I was frustrated when they would mention the blackmail photos but not tell us what they were. If the character gets to see them than so should we. This book ends on a major cliffhanger that made the book feel incomplete to me. They were in the middle of doing something important and all of sudden its over. Although it does make me want to pick up the sequel to see what happens next and get some questions answered. So far most of my theories were right which is disapointing because I love being surprised so hopefully the sequel has a few twists and turns I dont see coming.
*received in exchange for an honest review*...more
In the first book Ice Massacre, the supplies on the island of Eriana Kwai have been depleting for years and with the deadly mermaids keeping them fromIn the first book Ice Massacre, the supplies on the island of Eriana Kwai have been depleting for years and with the deadly mermaids keeping them from fishing and trading the inhabitants only solution is to send out a crew of trained sailors every year who can kill off enough mermaids to make the sea safe again. This year they are sending an all female crew in the hopes that without the lure of the siren call they will be more successful than their male predecessors.
Metlaas flaws were a lot more apparent in this book. Her character arc led her to be more focused on revenge than anything else which made her feel like a different character for a good portion of the book. Im happy she came back to herself by the end. I loved her relationship with Lysi and seeing her learn more about her world. I wasn't sure about Bens perspective at first but I like what it brought to the story. I also enjoyed getting some of the antagonist back story because it made his motivations clearer.
I loved the LGBT elements, friendships and familial relationships. I missed some of the side characters from the first 2 books but I loved seeing more of Spio. The author did a great job creating a captivating underwater world with beautiful creatures and a unique spin on mermaid culture. The legend of Eriana Kwai and the goddess was wonderful. The writing was easy to get into and the plot was pretty straight forward. The pace was a little slow in some places, but it didnt last long before we were introduced to some more action.
I think the prejudice between the mermaids and humans was well done. The ending was heartwarming but I wanted to see her parents reaction to a certain bit of news. I wish that reunion would have been extended a bit longer, but besides that I liked how the trilogy wrapped up. Its made me want to read more mermaid books. Id recommend this if your looking for a diverse read or if you're into mermaids. Plus this gets bonus points for being set in Canada and Im pretty sure its self published.
Still Working on my Review but this is what I have so far.
Nyxia was an amazing read. It had a gripping plot mixed in with the perfect amount of characStill Working on my Review but this is what I have so far.
Nyxia was an amazing read. It had a gripping plot mixed in with the perfect amount of character developpement. The setting and intensity reminded me why I loved the Red Rising trilogy so much. Its the type of novel that would usually give me a book hangover so before the hangover could set in, I figured Id write a review to help me process everything and hopefully move on to another book. Even though I rather not. I rather be able to unread this book just so I can read it again for the first time. Its definitely made it to my top favorite books of all time.
Ive been loving scifi books lately, especially the ones set in space with cool technology and this did not disapoint in the slightest. At first I thought a good portion of the book was going to be set in Detroit where the main character Emmett is from, but thankfully that wasnt the case. The 10 teenagers who were chosen to travel to the new planet Eden and mine Nyxia leave on the spaceship almost right away. To get them ready for life on Eden they have to train and compete in a number of different tasks that test their intelligence, ability to strategize, endurance and combat skills.
I loved the diverse characters from all around the world and the whole premise. The main character Emmett isnt perfect or good at everything, which was extremely refreshing. He had to fight tooth and nail throughout the entire story. I love competitions in novels and this one had plenty of it. The score boards were the perfect addition to the story. I enjoyed getting to see everyone progress. I also thought the rivalries and friendships were compelling. I loved Kaya and Bilal the most but a lot of the characters were likeable in their own way. Kaya and Bilal story line gave me so many feels.
I didnt know what to expect while reading this. One things for sure, it was nice not to be able to predict much of the plot for once. The Nyxia substance was super fascinating and the mystery of the Babel Corporation was very intriguing. Throughout the whole book Emmett kept saying how there was something sinister about Babel but it takes a long time before we find out if its all in his head or not. The way this ended was bittersweet. I need the next book like I need oxygen. I dont know how Im going to wait over a year for the sequel. Its torture....more
This was a thrilling alien invasion story with a diverse cast of characters. We get a gay couple and characters from different ethnic groups. The mystThis was a thrilling alien invasion story with a diverse cast of characters. We get a gay couple and characters from different ethnic groups. The mysterious aliens were very captivating and I loved how they used sign language to communicate. The pace was slower than I usually like, but I didnt mind too much since it worked for the story. The way the story and the characters were written made this crazy alien story feel more real. The grief and hope gave it a lot of depth and the whole wilderness camp made their survival more believable.
I liked how despite having martial arts training the main character Raven wasnt invicible and good at everything. She was a relatable and well developped character. The story focuses more on Rave being a badass, surviving and fighting aliens, but we also see a bit of the racism she has to endure for being biracial. Showing us what she would likely deal with in our world added another layer that made this story more believable. I wasnt a big fan of the cheating and I feel like the story could have done without it since it wasnt important to the story. I also thought it was pretty freaking stupid that she confided in Topher.
In the summary it mentions the 2 main characters teaming up so I kept expecting it, but it didnt happen until halfway through. I wish the summary hadnt mentionned it. I really enjoyed the aliens perspective. He was intriguing. I rarely like relationships that develop after a kidnapping. Their was a couple things about the relationship that rubbed me the wrong way, but at least he knew it was wrong. Their was also some really cute moments that ended up making me root for them. I was also afraid that throwing stuff off the balconie would alert the others to their location.
I loved the meaning of the title and its always a pleasure finding a book written by a fellow Canadian. Plus its set in Canada and thats definitely a huge bonus, especially since I read mostly scifi and high fantasy which are never set in Canada. Not to mention, the plot and characters were fantastic. The part with the babies and dogs made me so sad. I loved how the mystery surrounding the aliens compelled me to keep reading. The ending was fantastic. I can't wait to read the sequel and learn more about these aliens. Id love to see some fanart of these aliens and the cast of characters. I would definitely recommend this.
*received in exchange for an honest review*...more
This is such an immersive dystopian world with characters that jump off the page. Set in a extremely polluted Taipei people who cant afford air regulaThis is such an immersive dystopian world with characters that jump off the page. Set in a extremely polluted Taipei people who cant afford air regulated suits die young from preventable diseases. I really enjoyed seeing the contrast between the world of the rich and the poor. It examines such important issues. The infiltrating and overthrowing an evil corporation was exciting and high stakes. I just loved the main character Jason and his group of friends. I also ended up loving Daiyu, the daughter of the owner of the evil corporation. The writing was so vivid it made the story play out like a movie in my head....more
I dont know if I can find the words needed to properly convey my feelings about this book. I wasnt expecting the beginning to hook me so quickly. It rI dont know if I can find the words needed to properly convey my feelings about this book. I wasnt expecting the beginning to hook me so quickly. It reminded me a bit of the Terminator movies and I loved those. Robots have turned against their creators and now with mankind extinct the 2 major One World Intelligence (OWI) are trying to assimilate every free robot to their programming. The main character Brittle spends her time in the Sea of Rust salvaging parts and running from the OWI. I enjoyed the present chapters more than the past, but I think those chapters were insightful and essential to the world building.
The concept was creepy to think about because the authors world building made me feel like it could actually happened. The depth of the story shocked me. I thought it was fascinating how the author used robots to explore what it means to be human. I found myself automatically trying to spot the similarities and differences between human and robot. Brittle was an antihero of sorts, but compelling to read about. Shes an engaging and complexe character. I dont know why she was so sure there wasnt any humans left. I also liked the other robots and how different they were from one another, but I wasnt very attached to them.
At first I was really immersed in the story, but as time went by I wasnt as invested. The pace was up and down for me. Its not that there wasnt any action because there was, I just felt like some of the fight scenes dragged on a bit too long towards the end. The writing was easy to understand, but I found myself skimming the repetitive hallucinations. I also thought the twist was pretty obvious. I tend to not reach for dystopians as much anymore, but this didnt feel like your typical dystopian. If you like books with artificial intelligence and robots than Id recommend putting this on your TBR.
I should have waited closer to publication day to read this but I was anticipating it too much to wait that long. Im always on the look out for great I should have waited closer to publication day to read this but I was anticipating it too much to wait that long. Im always on the look out for great dragon books and the fact that this was also written by a Canadian author made it to the top of my TBR. I absolutely loved the little stories through out the book and the power they held. The concept was just amazing. Using stories to lure dragons was fascinating and the Old God plot line intrigued me. The last third of the book was definitely the best part and I absolutely love the dragons.
I liked that the main character was kind of an antihero. I enjoyed the main character Ashas complexe relationship with her brother and cousin. I would have liked to see more of her relationship with her cousin. Her cousin could have been more developped, but the I thought the main character was well developped. I enjoyed the direction of her brothers plot line, but I wasnt impressed when he forbade her to do something. I thought the romance was cute. I even ended up liking Torwins character more than Ashas.
I felt like it would have simplified things if the obstacles had been dealt with differently. My main issue with this book was how Asha kept shrugging off important questions and not making the best decisions. Ashas naivety was frustrating to say the least, but I understand those stupid decisions were probably made so she could have some character developpement and to advance the plot. I just really wanted her to act against Jarek. If someone I cared about was missing I wouldnt be getting my dress fitted. By the end things start making more sense and the characters growth helped me overlook some of my earlier frustrations.
The writing was alright but it didnt completely hook me. Since this is a debut I expect the author will get better with more experience. There was also some tropes like being betrothed to a monster and her thinking shes not pretty and getting mad when someone tells her she is, but to be fair she is scarred and I dont mind the betrothal trope. I ended up liking the authors twist on these tropes. I loved the world, the dragons and the power of storytelling. I really enjoyed the ending and I have high hopes for the sequel. Id recommend this if you like dragon books with a unique concept.
*Id like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review*...more