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Woven Magic Books

~ Book reviews, Book-ish Babble, and occasional writing advice.

Woven Magic Books

Monthly Archives: March 2015

Miss Misery Series by Tracey Martin

27 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Book Reviews

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

author, book, book reviews, books, characters, fantasy, fiction, literature, miss misery, novel, plot, read, reader, review, stories, story, Tracey Martin, urban fantasy, wicked misery, write, writer, writing

wickedmiseryWICKED MISERY

Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 306

Point of View: First (Jessica)

Released: October 7th 2014

Series: Miss Misery

Predictability: 3 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)

Source: Goodreads First Reads

My Rating: 7/10 Stars

I won this book from Goodreads First Reads program! (I hadn’t thought that possible.)

Unlike most Urban Fantasy books I’ve found lately with the traditional vampires, werewolves, and some sort of ruling council, Wicked Misery actually has a unique world! The world building was easily the best part of the book! (You all know how I am about world building)

There are humans with magic and they all work for the Griffins, a sort of police organization. And then there are the Preds; Satyrs, goblins, furies, harpies and Sylphs. These people have to feed off negative human emotions to live. (Satyrs lust, goblins greed, furies wrath, harpies jealously and sylphs vanity) They addict people to their powers and feed off of them.

Jessica is a human, but she has a power that is similar to that of a pred. At eighteen she was kicked out of the school preparing her for the Gryphons and told her gift had dried up, but it didn’t, it changed. She’s made the most of a bad situation, using her gift to find people who are truly evil and trading their souls to the preds. People make deals with preds in exchange for becoming an addict and Jessica trades a blood sample from a rapist or pedophile to the preds to save people who have come to her for help.

Jessica was a likable enough main character, if a bit abrasive at times. I liked her best friend Steph, sassy and unique, a computer expert and transsexual. Lucen was also a mysterious and sexy love interest. He’s been her friend for ten years, but she doesn’t really trust him because he’s a Satyr. The other Satyrs were cool too. (I personally have a bit of a crush on Devon.)

The way Jess could taste negative emotions was a nice addition. Like she doesn’t like anxiety because it tastes like spearmint to her and suspicion tastes like chocolate, which usually gives her a craving for cake.

The plot was quick and well paced. The murder mystery was obvious from the beginning, but I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the preds and Jessica’s powers.

The book was written in a lighter tone which was supposed to be funny, but wasn’t really. (It wasn’t bad funny though.) Okay I realize I need an example since I’m not making much sense. This paragraph pretty much sums up her humor.

I was also a twenty-eight-year-old waitress who carried a chip on her shoulder for having her dreams crushed at the age of eighteen. Who was I kidding? The thing I had the most of was not mojo. It was issues. Enough to keep your average psychiatrist employed for years, probably.

The Bad:

I was annoyed when Jess acted recklessly. In my opinion such a heroine is only a weak plot device. I hate it when she says, ‘this is stupid, this is suicidal’ and then does it anyway. If she wasn’t the main character she’d so be dead!


 LITTLE MISS MISERY

In the sequel she’s not as stupid, but she’s meaner. These people are your friends! They helped you! Could you get off your moral high horse and be nice for a change Jess?

Also the author decided to add in sex, which got a bit repetitive after a while. (Also the case she was investigating was sexual in nature.) At least the romance didn’t take over the plot.

The mystery was upped a notch. I didn’t know who’d done it until they told me!


 MISERY LOVES COMPANY

Finally banter! That’s what was missing from this series!

Also Jessica doesn’t act stupidly and she’s nicer! 

The mystery’s good too! (Still a little sex, but Satyrs are essentially succubus, so that’s to be expected.)

After that sequel I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue this series, but I’m glad I did. I rate this one 8/10!

I love how in each book we find out more about the world and the preds. It adds another layer of fantasy and mystery. (and since the world is the best part, it’s nice to keep getting more.)


I’m on an urban fantasy kick now. I love it when I find a series that just makes me want more. (In this case it was more Generation V that started it) Anyone know of a good Urban Fantasy? Before this year pretty much the only one I really liked was The Dresden Files.

If you’re interested in this series, they’re cheaper if you buy them from the publisher since there’s a 40% off all romance code. [COSMO1412] Yes, they’re only $5 normally. I’m insanely cheap what can I say.

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Sunbolt By Intisar Khanani

20 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Book Reviews

≈ 27 Comments

Tags

author, book, book reviews, books, characters, fantasy, fiction, Intisar Khanani, literature, novel, plot, read, reader, review, stories, story, sunbolt, Sunbolt By Intisar Khanani, write, writer, writing, young adult

sunboltGenre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 142

Point of View: First (Hitomi)

Released: June 17th 2013

Series: The Sunbolt Chronicles

Cover: Supernatural Snark

Predictability: 2 out of 5 (Where 1 is totally unpredictable and 5 is I knew what was going to happen way ahead of time.)

Source: Netgalley

My Rating: 10/10 Stars

Possibly the best indie book I’ve ever read! While this novella didn’t feel too short I was left wanting more. It’s a complete story don’t get me wrong, but I want the other books in the series now, okay? Apparently the sequel is going to be a trilogy. Yay!

I can tell a lot of thought went into the world. Karolene is an island nation of traders and an evil arch mage is controlling the sultan. A group is fighting back in the shadows (called the Shadow League) trying to save people. Lead by the mysterious Ghost, a charismatic good looking young man who comes off as the perfect male lead in a young adult book, but surprisingly winds up only a minor character. There are also other species like Fangs (think vampires) Lycans (werewolves) and there’s even a Tanuki! The trickster raccoon dog from Japanese mythology.

There are really only two characters that we spend enough time with to develop, but the minor characters who just made a short appearance were good too. I loved Hitomi! She’s not that great of a fighter but she managed to be strong when it counted. A thief and hidden mage, (called a Promise) she’s lived a tough life, but she’s definitely still a good person. She’s also not stupid either! I really liked the male lead too. There wasn’t a romance, more a potential forbidden friendship. (Which was the best part of the book!) I hope he comes back in the sequels! It’s weird because we don’t learn much about him, yet his character was well established. (Who he was as a person.)

Hitomi doesn’t know a lot about magic (yet) so there isn’t very much, but I really enjoyed what we learned about the magic system. It was a very realistic, well described sort of magic.

Sunbolt is one of those nothing goes as the character expects and they wind up with different goals sort of plots. (But I have a feeling the whole defeat the evil arch mage thing will be the theme of the upcoming sequel trilogy.) As expected of only 142 pages it’s quick paced and I was only wishing they would get on with it at one point. (When Hitomi was ‘borrowing’ a carriage, it was a tad long.)

Needless to say I plan to read the sequel, Memories of Ash which comes out this summer.

 

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R.I.P. Sir Terry Pratchett

13 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Book News

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

color of magic, death, Discworld, good omens, guards guards, light fantastic, mort, reaper man, Terry Pratchett

04_terryp

Terry Pratchett died yesterday after an eight year battle with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 66. As most of you know, he’s my favorite author. I cried when I read his tweet. It was in all capital letters like his character of Death always speaks.

“AT LAST, SIR TERRY, WE MUST WALK TOGETHER.”

For those of you who haven’t read one of his books I can’t recommend them enough! My first and still one of my favorites was Good Omens co-written by Neil Gaiman. His Discworld series has many story lines and you can really start with any of them.

The Color of Magic & The Light Fantastic was the first book(s) in the series and introduces the inept wizard Rincewind. (My personal favorite.)

The Guards story line is also popular and terrific! It starts in Guards! Guards! Which was originally just going to be just one book about the guards who are always throw away characters in fantasy novels.

Mort stars Death’s storyline, but you can start with Reaper Man too. I accidentally started with Hogfather, so you can really start most of these books anywhere.

I had gotten out of the habit of reading because I was having issues getting the words to stick in my head. I was home sick and grabbed the closest thing I had to read, a copy of The Color of Magic that I’d bought months ago after enjoying Good Omens so much. I’d tried to read it before but couldn’t get into it with that weird intro. Being stuck on the couch was good for me, because not only did I read the whole book but as soon as I was well enough I bought several more. I was addicted! (The used book store people used to call me Pratchett girl.) I love a book that can make me laugh!! (In this case of Pratchett’s books out loud and repeatedly!)

pratchettshelf

 

Who is your favorite author?

“No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away.” -Terry Pratchett (Reaper Man)

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Top Ten Tuesday: Best books I’ve read in the last three years

03 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by Molly Mortensen in Top 10 Tuesday

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

top 10, top 10 tuesday, top ten, top ten tuesday

image

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. They come up with top ten lists that people can blog about every week.

Since a straight top ten best books would be too hard, I’m doing it by category! 🙂

Sorry for no postage last week. I’ve been sick. Finally feeling better now though!


Best Super Hero (powers) Book: Vicious vs Steelheart

World Building: Steelheart. Since Vicious was set in our world and Steelheart is set in the steel city of Newcago in a post apocalyptic like setting this was a given.

Characters: Vicious. Hard to beat Victor, I’m not sure if he’s an anti-hero or a villain, but he rocks!

Super Powers: Steelheart. Most of the powers were pretty standard (though I did love Victor’s from Vicious) but in the end Steelheart won with the unique weakness thing.

Plot: Steelheart. This is just a personal preference, because Vicious’ tale of revenge didn’t have any flaws. I just preferred the mystery of figuring out the super powered people’s weaknesses. (And though Vicious’ flashbacks were well done, I prefer a more standard timeline)

Winner: Steelheart

steelheart

Runner up: Vicious

vicious2


Best Urban Fantasy: Generation V vs Hold Me Closer, Necromancer (Since Dresden Files was disqualified because I read it too long ago)

Characters: Generation V. Suzume is one of the best characters I’ve ever read and though I liked all of the characters in Necromancer they just weren’t as well fleshed out as Fort and his crazy family in Generation V.

World Building: Generation V. This was a close one because they’re both fairly similar with a council (Necromancer) or a family (Gen V) in charge over other supernatural beings and investigating problems these people have. But I prefer the almost mafia style of Generation V and it spends more time establishing the different peoples.

Magic/Powers: Necromancer. The powers of the vampires and Kitsune, etc are cool in Gen V, but there was more time establishing the magic of the Necromancer. (and it’s hard to beat kick butt death magic)

Plot: Necromancer. This was another close one, because I prefer the fighting of the big bad like in Necromancer over the littler cases in Generation V, but since Gen V is a longer series a big bad can still be in the works.

Humor: Generation V. For me Urban fantasy and humor go together and these are both funny books with a similar sense of humor, but once again Suzume tips the scale for Gen V.

Winner: Generation V
generationv

Runner up: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer necromancer


Best Dystopian: Legend vs Red Rising vs Divergent vs The Hunger Games

World Building: Red Rising. There are few books to stand up to the futuristic color tiered world of Red Rising, though both Hunger Games and Divergent came in a close second and third.

Characters: Legend. I just like both Day and June. Some people say they’re too much alike, but that’s what I liked about them. They came from two opposite kinds of life, but in the end they had a lot in common.

Plot: Hunger Games. For starting this whole Dystopian craze in the first place. Red Rising comes in a close second. (I know many will say Red copies HG, but Red has spaceships!)

Romance: Legend. I just like Day + June and I’m not a big fan of Katniss + Peeta (Hunger Games) and Tris + Four (Divergent). I have hope for Reaper + Mustang (Red Rising) but since that’s not concluded yet it’s hard to say.

Winner: Legend
legend

Runner up: Red Risingwpid-wp-1408668260148.png


Best Epic Fantasy: A Song of Ice and Fire vs Sword of Truth vs The Saga of Recluce 

Characters: A Song of Ice and Fire. Though I like the characters of all of these books no one creates likable diverse characters like Martin.

World Building: Tied. Surprisingly while good none of the epic fantasys I love have outstanding world building.

Plot: Sword of Truth. I like Ice and Fire’s plot, but it annoys me how I never know what’s going to happen next, unless a character thinks ahead, then I know nothing’s going the way they think. It’s like there’s a rule that no plans can work.

Magic: Saga of Recluce. Though I like the magic in Sword of Truth, Modesitte creates the best magic systems.

Battles: A Song of Ice and Fire. There are many ways to do large battle scenes but my favorite is to be in the mess of things and Martin does that like no one else.

A Song of Ice and Fire
gameofthrones

Runner Up: Sword of Truthswordoftruth


Best Young Adult: Daughter of Smoke & Bone vs Lunar Chronicles vs Snow Like Ashes vs The Grisha

Characters: Cinder. With having a different protagonist in each book Cinder won, but Daughter of Smoke and Bone was a close second. Grisha wins for minor characters, but I just don’t like Alina and Mal.

World Building: Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Grisha was a close second for a cool Russian like culture, but when it comes to world building Daughter of Smoke and Bone is one of the best.

Magic/powers: Grisha. Mostly elemental, but the cool light and dark powers are just awesome. I did enjoy the wishing magic of Daughter of Smoke and Bone a lot too. I have a feeling Snow Like Ashes will be a contender after a couple more books.

Plot: Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Plot is hard to compare, because all of the books have different goals, but overall I liked the war between the chimaera vs angels best.

Winner: Daughter of Smoke & Bone
daughterofsmokeandboneRunner up: Lunar Chronicles

cinder


Best Middle Grade: Percy Jackson and the Olympians vs Skulduggery Pleasant vs Magisterium (Harry Potter would so win if I’d read it recently)

World Building: Percy Jackson. A new take on Greek mythology while still staying true. Skulduggery is a close second only because Magisterium only has one book.

Characters: Percy Jackson. Some of my favorite book characters are those from Percy Jackson and the main protagonist (Percy) himself is my favorite which never happens.

Plot: Magisterium. Percy Jackson’s plot is pretty straightforward, stop the bad guy. Skulduggery is pretty much the same with some little cases thrown in.

Magic: Skulduggery Pleasant. I like the powers half bloods of Percy Jackson get from their godly parents, but those books don’t focus on magic as much as Skulduggery does.

Humor: Percy Jackson. Skulduggery is the master of sarcasm, but no one does a bad pun like Percy.

Winner: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Percy Jackson

Runner up: Skulduggery Pleasantskulduggery-pleasant


I had lots of categories to start, Scifi, indie, humor, romance (and I debated doing best vampire, thief, etc) but it got way too long. Which books would you pick?

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