Storm Siren

Storm Siren by Mary Weber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With all due respect to those who found this a 5-star read, I have to disagree. This one made it just over the 3-star mark for me.

Storm Siren and I got off on the wrong foot. I started it on audio, narrated by Christine Stevens. Sadly, she is just not a voice actor and proved to be a deplorable narrator. Even at 2X speed the audiobook could not be redeemed.

So I switched to ebook format. I probably should have just done that at the outset because I would likely have had a better opinion. As it was, I found Nym to be one of those characters who acts one way at the outset and then out of the blue begins to contradict her own actions. There wasn't sufficient character growth for that to happen.

Character development in general is where this book failed me. World building - yes. Action - yes. Cool elemental powers - yes. But characters? Nope, not at all. The whole "going to parties" thing really tended to bog down the pacing. Eogan just annoyed me as Nym's mentor. He never really settled into the love interest role even remotely. Colin and Breck were refreshing and entertaining as were the costumes worn by Adora. The bad guys were pretty bad, which provided a good contrast.

Overall this was a miss for me. However . . . the sequel, Siren's Fury, has a different narrator. Sampling it offers the possibility of a vast improvement, and we all know that a good narrator can elevate a so-so story. This story has some good elements to it, so hopefully the next installment will be better. I'm going to give it a try.

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The Moon Dwellers

The Moon Dwellers by David Estes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I started reading this as an ebook and just couldn't get into it. But on audio? It's a different book entirely!

This is one of those books that would make a fantastic movie. The action gets going and never lets up; there are chases and bombings and shootouts and escapes and outlaws and even a cannibal! Oddly, none of these situations are out of line with the plot, which is just a girl trying to put her family back together. They've been arrested and split up between prisons and an orphanage, and she's determined to break everyone out and reunite them. In the process, she picks up a couple of friends and crosses paths with the President's son and his right hand man.

The characters here are all well-developed and even endearing. Adele starts out seeming like a total badass, but her compassionate and sensitive side quickly emerges. Tristan is just a likable guy. He's not too pretentious or overly noble in his view of his father's politics. I think the best part for me was that neither of these two characters took themselves too seriously. When reading this previously in print, some of the dialogue and inner monologues seemed forced, like the book was trying too hard to be funny. But on audio, Julia Whelan and Will Damron are able to give such personality to the characters that they translated as having somewhat of a wry wit. Rock, who is Tristan's sidekick and best friend, has some of the best lines. This isn't a funny book at all, but there are occasional moments when things are a bit lighter. And that's good, because with all the serious action going on there needed to be some high points.

Rivet, the big bad guy, was somewhat underdeveloped. He was evil - but why? We really knew nothing about him other than he was the head of a goon squad and a brief physical description of him. What was his motivation? There was also a band of outlaws who were never really well-defined. They popped in and out of the story very briefly and it seemed a shame, because the leader had a lot of potential to be an interesting side character - maybe one that could have been morally gray. Maybe we'll see him again in the sequel.

Overall this was a great read, made even better by the narrators. They gave the story presence and atmosphere - I was right there in the damp caves with hard stone floors and utter darkness. The audio was really, really well done.

These two narrators also do the sequels in the series. I can't wait to move on to the next book.


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Light in the Shadows

Light in the Shadows by A. Meredith Walters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Now this is my kind of New Adult recovery story.

In this sequel to Find You In the Dark, we pick up where things left off - Clay is in therapy at a mental health facility and Maggie is back home trying to get over him. Clay's recovery is precarious at best, and he's told Maggie to move on. Of course she can't, neither can he, and when he has to return to their town they have to face their issues.

And face them they do. This time it's without all the drama, which was so refreshing! This is a well-written story about recovery, triggers, things that cause relapse and a true commitment to just get better. There is real honesty and struggle here. At times it's raw and at times it's frustrating. But Walters hit the mark when she refused to bring the plot to a big terrible climax. The other shoe didn't need to drop, it needed to get figured out. And it does.

She's given us rich, realistic characters here that example the best way to deal with terrible situations. Clay and Maggie may have been a bit mature for their years, but in their respective situations they had to be. Mental illness is always a difficult subject because it is so full of tragedy. Where Find You In the Dark was full of destructive behavior and emotionally taxing, this sequel was full of hope. Young Adults need to be reading this stuff.

Bravo to Walters for taking on such a scary, complicated issue. And bravo for giving us characters who cared about overcoming it and had no illusions about how hard it would be - or would continue to be. This is a happy ending I can appreciate.

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Boneshaker

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fantasy, steampunk, the old west, the American Civil War, and zombies. This book has it all.

The premise here is a really interesting one. The story opens with a bit of a history lesson about the purchase of the Alaskan Territory by the US from Russia. Set in the mid-1800's, it involves the gold rush and the invention of a machine designed to dig through ice and tundra in order to extricate gold. It's invented in Seattle, goes haywire during a test and destroys the city. In the process it digs deep enough to release gases which turn people into zombies - the high functioning kind that can run and climb. Seattle is evacuated and a wall is built to keep the zombies and gas inside. The widow and son of the machine's inventor are ostracized as they live in The Outskirts, the city next to Seattle formed by the evacuation. In the rest of the US the Civil War rages on in an altered, fictional future.

So suffice it to say that the world building here is spectacular. It is gritty and desperate. Priest has even done so good a job as to make it difficult to breathe and claustrophobic at times. The action is palpable. The description is rich. The situations are dire. And the whole thing doesn't bog down at all as the events happen.

The characters here are all well-developed and multi-faceted. Briar, the main character, is determined but knows her limitations. Zeke is brash and young but not altogether stupid. He has just enough sense to be his mother's son. Swakhammer (what a great name for a guy in a novel like this!), Lucy, Captain Cly and Minnericht were all entertaining and excellent supporting characters - I was drawn in by them and kept interested with their unfolding backstories.

The plot here is what really takes center stage. Getting to the bottom of the mystery is really the point. Zeke's motives for entering the city become more and more cloudy as the story progresses, but the overall story of Levi Blue and his motives become clearer. It's a nice interplay.

On audio, the book is narrated from two points of view by Kate Reading and Wil Wheaton. Reading, while expressive, tended to be a bit stiff. Wheaton on the other hand was fantastic. Reading's expression was obviously limited by her character's voice, as Wheaton's was enhanced. Overall the narration was great and enhanced the story.

There are several more books in this series but they appear to be companion novels, set in the same world but stand-alones, occasionally picking up a character or two from this novel. I doubt I'll be continuing simply because this isn't my genre of choice. But if I am in the mood again for steampunk, this world is where I'll look first.

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Find You in the Dark

Find You in the Dark by A. Meredith Walters
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My impressions after finishing this book: emotionally exhausting, sad, tragic. This is dysfunctional love on a highly elevated level.

This is the story of Maggie, high school senior with a boring life. She's a bit emo and self-pitying despite having wonderful parents who love her and a couple of wonderful friends. The book is told in first person and when we meet her, initially Maggie seems to be an average girl, happy but bored with her life. But as soon as her conversations with her friends begins her sarcastic voice emerges. On the one hand it gave her character some depth - but on the other hand it was just annoying. This is a girl with a great home life and good friends, so why does she need to be so stand-offish? If all this can be attributed to her insecurity, it makes sense. Otherwise it's completely at odds with the person we meet at the outset.

It is also the story of Clay. Poor guy, he's the new kid at school and as soon as Maggie crashes into him he's confronted with her arrogant attitude. The mystery that surrounds him is well done. I didn't guess his situation as much as recognize it. It's always nice to discover a plot rather than predict it. He's a great guy in a bad situation, trying desperately to overcome his demons with both a lack of support and a high schooler's perspective. Even as we root for him we're torn up by his innate inability to fix himself.

The relationship between Maggie and Clay was just tragic - and this because it was so realistic. It was painful to watch because it was so much like real life. Believable? Absolutely. Entertaining? Not so much. These characters were well-developed, full of depth, rich, even likable at times. But overall they were painful to watch as they tried to navigate a situation that in real life ends badly.

There's no cliffhanger but not really a happy ending, either. On the one hand it's a relief that things came to a head and finally it's over. On the other hand it's worth picking up the sequel just to see how things turn out. The sequel promises to hold the same types of struggle that the this one does, but hopefully with a more uplifting ending.

This book is heart-wrenching and hard to read. Great characters? Check. Good writing? Check. Entertaining? Not so much. Tragedy is hard even when it's as well done as this is.

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Looking for Trouble (Jackson: Girls Night Out #1)

Looking for Trouble by Victoria Dahl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well now here's refreshing plot. Daughter and son of parents who had an affair are attracted to each other. Romance ensues. Hmmm.

As romance stories go, this is pretty average. Gorgeous girl hides behind a retro, librarian facade (and she really is a librarian). Gorgeous hunk rides a motorcycle and doesn't do relationships. Nothing is unexpected here.

But Dahl did put a nice spin on the plot. It's a small town, so she uses the stigma of adultery to capitalize on the relationships within the families and the town at large. Politics and gossip lean everyone one way while reality balances it another. The social pariahs raised some sense of injustice so I wasn't just interested in these characters, I was emotionally invested in the story.

The characters were believably developed. Also refreshing was the way they behaved; they may have had distorted reasons for their behavior but at least it was realistic on some level. The romance wasn't so much sweet as savory, a welcome change in the genre. It maintained a nice balance between sugary sweetness and the tart sense of the forbidden.

This is a decidedly above average book for me - I'd give it 3.25 stars. It's an easy read in one sitting. And hopefully it's a taste of good things to come from this author. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

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The Heir (The Selection #4)

The Heir by Kiera Cass
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

No, no no no no. Just, no.

The Heir is the start to a spin-off series following The Selection, which is a trilogy: The Selection, The Elite and The One. The trilogy details a process by which a wife is found for the prince elect of a dystopian USA ruled by a monarchy. In it several girls vie for the attention of Prince Maxon and one finally wins his heart.

Fast forward 20 years and Maxon and America, his queen, are the parents of four children: 18-year old twins Eadlyn and Ahren and two younger sons. Eadlyn is seven minutes older than her brother Ahren and the laws have been changed, so she is the Queen Elect. The country is in turmoil since the caste system has been thrown out. So the royals decide that they need to distract the people with another Selection - this time finding a husband for Eadlyn. Eadlyn is reluctant but deigns to suffer the process because she feels it's her duty.

This story was done relatively well in the previous trilogy. Although America was frustrating at times, she had some sense of her own faults. In this case, Cass is working with a storyline that's already been done once. She could have changed it up dramatically with the idea that it's guys trying to win the princess's hand, but unfortunately it missed the mark. Not only that but she's created a main character here that is simply insufferable.

In fact, my primary problem with this book was the main character. I don't like shallow, self-absorbed, selfish, arrogant people in real life, so it stands to reason that I certainly wouldn't want to read about one. This girl had so few redeeming qualities that I was shouting at my iPod as I listened. She was such a martyr! For someone who was supposedly so devoted to her people she was completely clueless. Her cries of failure as she attempted to fix the country's problems with this selection process was indicative of the type of leader she was: out of touch with her kingdom, insensitive and even cruel at times. When people told her the truth she either fell into a pity party or she got angry. The times she was civil to those around her were so colored by her selfishness that I never had one ounce of sympathy for her.

The problems didn't stop there. With the Selection trilogy we had not just character development but we got a feel for the state of the country. Clear examples of the archaic legal system helped create a world that we could at least imagine. In this case, we have no idea what's going on in the country at large. There are numerous references to "unrest in the provinces" but where was the action? Where was the threat? There are rumors that an uprising is brewing to overthrow the monarchy, but they were vague and only referenced via the nightly news and daily papers. We never got a character to connect us to this potential uprising.

Even the character development fell short. There are several endearing characters, guys involved in the Selection. Distinct personalities emerge. But while Cass gave us strong, confident leaders in Maxon and America in The Selection, now they have apparently devolved into old and tired romantics who both refuse to inform their daughter about their experiences and indulge her in every way possible. They are terrible parents. Prince Maxon was strong and decisive. King Maxon is just stressed out and weak. America had a heart for her people and a respect for Prince Maxon - Queen America is removed and too busy with royal affairs to be much of a mom.

The plot seemed to drag along with endless instances of Eadlyn either demeaning those around her or foolishly thinking that her life was hard and everyone was against her. The side characters made it interesting as they had glancing influences on the Princess. It wasn't uninteresting, it was just frustrating. I nearly DNF'd this book just out of disgust for such a self-involved brat. That said, there are a couple of instances where side characters call Eadlyn to account - especially her brother - and my sense of justice was appeased. It was enough to keep reading, at least. There is a climax at the end of the book which rang hollow; honestly, I didn't even care and I felt as if I should have cared a lot.

The book is narrated on audio by Brittany Pressley, who does a great job of voicing each character. She was able to distinguish the male voices well. They sounded similar but were each distinct in very slight ways. And her accents were spot on.

There is always the possibility that Keira Cass has written this main character and the book simply to set up a redemption story in the next one. It's always interesting to see who she'll choose - but I'll be checking reviews before I pick up the sequel. Even a cliffhanger didn't make me want the next book.



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The Cupcake Queen

The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nobody really bothers with cake anymore - it's cupcakes that everyone wants these days. They make a great backdrop for a cute coming-of-age storyline.

This is the story of Penny, whose parents are separated. She's moved with her mom to somewhere north of New York City, about 300 miles north to a small town called Hogs Hollow. It's a beach town despite the clear farming reference. Penny is a 14-year old freshman in high school and is learning to cope with high school, new surroundings and her mom's cupcake shop.

There is bullying that happens here and it goes unaddressed by the adults who are clearly aware of it. This is sad - while it is realistic it isn't ok for kids to behave this way. Fortunately Penny finds some friends who help her cope. But it doesn't erase what is clearly adding to Penny's heartbreak over her parents' split. The great thing that balances this is the maturity of the characters. One is quirky, one is wry. Penny herself is quiet and reserved, handling the abuse doled out to her by a jealous mean girl with aplomb. Marcus, the love interest, is adorable. And the romance develops on the side, enhancing the plot without overtaking it.

This was just a sweet little slice of life, a peek into the life of a high school girl whose life is dramatically changing. It's a quick read and thoroughly enjoyable. Just a bit of sugar - not a whole cake, just a cupcake's worth.

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Salt & Stone (Fire & Flood #2)

Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The grueling, punishing, unrelenting quest for the cure continues.

In this sequel to Fire & Flood, Tella faces two new legs of the race: the ocean and a frozen mountain. She's kept her Pandora Madox and added in a couple more. In fact, she seems to be the Pandora Whisperer, charming everyone's animal companion. She's changed a lot from the first book and that's a good thing.

The general adventure and world building in this story are wonderful. It is very reminiscent of The Hunger Games, but with a much lighter presence. Although the four legs of the race are difficult, there isn't an air of dread or hopelessness. The Pandora companion animals are vivid as are the landscapes. Scott has done an excellent job of placing us right in the center of each environment.

Tella, the main character, has really grown. In the first book she was sarcastic and flip and came off as trying too hard to be funny and cute. In this book she's much smarter. Although she spends some time trying to establish herself as a leader - another example of her trying too hard - she has gained the ability somewhat to evaluate a situation and make good decisions. Her compassion is prominent as is the depth of her care for those around her.

The side characters remain important but not vital; several are killed off. There are some heartbreaking scenes with the Pandoras. The action is really what takes center stage here, even with the addition of some new characters. Scott took the time with some of the side characters to show the way competition can make people more selfish. There are some damaging choices made with dire consequences.

The romance here is scaled way back in favor of the ultimate journey to win the race. It's still there but runs on par with the other friendships. It was nice to see a romantic relationship being given the same value as a friendship.

The ending was a letdown. I got to the end and thought 'wait! Where's the rest?' It's left so open-ended that it can't even be called a cliffhanger. It's as if the author wasn't sure there would be a third book, so she just kind of left us all hanging and wondering. There are a lot of loose ends. Scott has hinted that there might be a third book wherein the survivors of the race take down the people who run it. A lot of noise about that happens in the book, so it will be interesting to see if the publisher and/or author choose to finish the story.

This is a good series but not great. There are some problems - but overall, it's a good adventure with some suspense and interesting elements. It's worth the read even if it never properly concludes.

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'89 Walls

'89 Walls by Katie Pierson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Here's an interesting history lesson with some high school romance thrown in for fun.

The book takes place in 1989 and covers most of the political events of that time period. Quinn and Seth are students in a high school history class where their teacher is a bit of a liberal but who sparks a lot of good debate on current events. Seth's been in love with Quinn for forever but too shy to let her know. He sees the world in broader, more democratic way than Quinn, who is the only child in a very politically aware, Republican family. Quinn sees Seth as a raging liberal, albeit an interesting one. This is the story of their relationship as they finish high school.

The book has a decidedly political agenda, focusing on world events and American foreign policy in the late 1980's and early 1990's. There's a lot of commentary via the history class discussions and the book contains a world-event timeline and glossary of terms. It's a bit too much to really function as a backdrop; it takes center stage for the better part of the story and is also fleshed out in the actions of the main characters.

Seth is a great guy; he's honest and caring. His mother has been in a steady decline from MS and he is a devoted son without being a mama's boy. He's really much more of a dreamer trapped by circumstance. He's clever and witty, and fortunately Quinn sees this as soon as he expresses some interest in her. He's pretty much the perfect boyfriend, focused on things that matter. His only downfall is his tendency to look down on those who follow the status quo.

Quinn was a much more flighty character. She tended to try on relationships like clothing and was much more concerned with appearances. This follows even into her relationship with her dad. She does begin to see the error of her ways pretty early on, though.

The romance happens quickly but takes some time to develop overall. It was very realistic for teenagers then and now - this is definitely YA but it is older YA, age appropriate for high schoolers and up. It is a sweet story of taking chances and overcoming fears. A nice little slice of life.

It was a bit too info-dumpy and political for my taste. While written well and containing relatable, likable characters, the backdrop took over too often. It was a mix of history and the agenda of the author, which is fine but definitely biased. If she just wanted to show us what life was like in 1989, she could have done so without focusing so much on human rights, American foreign policy and even women's rights. It detracted from the story enough to feel like a history lesson.

This book has its place. It will likely be found on the shelves of high school libraries and even used in classrooms. Romance and political bias aside, it's a good look at America in 1989.



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Broken Juliet (Starcrossed #2)

Broken Juliet by Leisa Rayven
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Oh Cassie, you really are a seriously screwed up Juliet, aren't you?

This sequel to Bad Romeo reveals more of the details of the college romance of Ethan Holt and Cassie Taylor. Now in their mid-20's, they've been cast in a Broadway play after a bad breakup at their graduation from drama school. The book alternates between present day and 4-6 years earlier, and talk about a mess of a relationship. Ethan's back to regain the trust of the love of his life. But trust is a difficult thing to re-establish when you've been a jerk. And Ethan Holt has been a colossal jerk.

Not that Cassie's handled the breakup much better, sleeping with anyone and everyone in her continual attempt to get over Ethan. She's a strong, centered girl in college that has since become self-destructive. She's having a hard time getting over the love of her life, even questioning whether he really was.

Ethan's character has serious issues but they're never really defined. All we really know is that he was adopted and has a bad relationship with his dad. He's got a great relationship with his sister and he's a talented actor, so what's the real problem here? There was a lot of back and forth with him deciding what was good for Cassie and what wasn't (namely, him). Angst abounds. Someone needed to tell this guy to just get over himself.

This story was difficult to read with all the ups and downs of the relationship essentially based on great sex. It has it's redemptive qualities in the present day telling, but overall it was really sad. Even with an unlikely-in-real-life happy ending, it's a good account of what not to do in a relationship. The ups and downs, bad choices and actions and two people who hurt each other was almost too much. The college scenes were a little too graphic. The author uses an education in drama and acting to include homosexuality and promiscuity. These seemed like gratuitous plot devices, given the physical relationship between the two main characters. It could have been better.

Everyone benefits from therapy, but having a character go from night to day like Ethan did was a bit of a stretch. It was a little too extreme, especially on the "I'm all better now" scale. Cassie's hesitance to trust him got to be almost a way to punish him for his behaviour in their earlier years. Both of them needed to get over themselves.

The book was narrated on audio by Andi Arndt was average. I didn't care for her voicing of Ethan, although the emotional detail she gave was good. This was a rare occasion when a book with a female lead might have been better narrated by a man. It would have lent weight to the story.

This series is slated to include a companion novel focusing on Ethan's sister Elyssa. Given Rayven's tendency to go heavy on the drama and sex, it's a specific flavor and not for everyone. Maybe it was the drama school setting, but this one just didn't do it for me.

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The Hidden Masters of Marandur (Pillars of Reality #2)

The Hidden Masters of Marandur by Jack Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The adventure continues as Alain and Mari venture into unknown territory. Being on the run has never been this much fun.

In this second book in the Pillars of Reality series, the two young prodigies from the Mage and Mechanic Guilds find themselves in some serious trouble. Their Guilds want them silenced in their challenge to the status quo. The two are avoiding assassins and disasters in general, braving the elements, falling more in love and struggling to define their relationship.

There is some serious character development happening here and it's delightful. Alain continues to emerge from his shell as Mari struggles to accept her prominent role in the future of their world. As they gather the clues that will give them the tools they need to fight the oncoming storm, their clever banter gets better and better. Alain learns the nature and practice of sarcasm as Mari teaches him about appropriate social cues. We meet some new characters and situations. And we get to see even more of their natural talents as they evade capture and death - life is a lot easier when you can do magic and blow stuff up.

The world gets more extensive here as well. We find an entirely new society hidden from the rest of the world, which only deepens the story as the saga continues. The romance deepens and well, let's face it - the whole book is just a continuation of the fantastic story that is the Pillars of Reality.

Once again MacLeod Andrews is astounding in his narration. The way this guy can bring a specific character to life is just amazing! These characters are so diverse and yet he distinguishes each one so well. I never felt I was being read a book or even hearing narration - rather it was like listening in on the conversations of characters. The publishers hit it out of the park on the choice of Andrews as narrator.

This series has been written specifically for audio and boy does it deliver. The projected release date for the next book, The Assassins of Altis, is July 2015. I cannot wait. Bring on the barrage of Mages and Mechanics!

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The Dragons of Dorcastle (The Pillars of Reality #1)

The Dragons of Dorcastle by Jack Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Steampunk plus fantasy equals fantastic in this world where magic meets science. What a great book!

This is the story of Alain, young Mage prodigy on his first assignment. The Mages in this world are stoic wielders of magic, concentrating on the idea that life is an illusion and can be manipulated if you just concentrate hard enough. It is also the story of Mari, a young Master Mechanic who's risen up through the ranks of Mechanics rather quickly and unbelievably to most of her superiors. She has a bit of a chip on her shoulder because most Mechanics won't take her seriously. She's also on her first assignment in a world where Mechanics are the engineers and scientists. They build machines that make life easier.

The world building in this book is fabulous. The two Guilds (Mage and Mechanic) are established immediately. The story begins with a caravan, setting up the geography of the place and giving context to the world in general. The towns are vivid as are details even down to the type of jackets the Mechanics wear and the foods everyone eats. The society is set up in a way that doesn't just tell us about the world, it serves to further character development. Campbell hit a home run on this front.

The characters are so likable that even if the plot were weaker, they'd save it. Alain's view of life and the world is so firm that he's equally enviable and pitiable. Mari has such spunk and self-confidence that it's impossible not to love her. But the real appeal here is the way they interact. They really do come from different worlds, different languages, different concepts of reality. Even better is the fact that Campbell wrote a female lead here that really leads. She makes decisions that Alain follows even when they're in opposition to what he's been taught. They're both characters who think beyond their training and circumstance, great companions on an interesting quest.

There is a slow-developing romance here which balances the plot about 50/50. Some might find it overpowering, but for me it just served to further the character development. It was surprising near the end but also funny. Campbell just wrote these characters really, really well.

The plot is interesting as the two main characters explore themes of questioning the status quo and searching out the real villains. In some ways the world itself is the villain; certainly the political situation is. It's intricate enough to keep going at a good pace without the need for unnecessary devices.

On audio the book is narrated by MacLeod Andrews. He is simply stellar - I cannot rave enough about how incredibly he brings these characters to life. The book would have been good on its own, but Andrews really brought it over the top. His ability to distinguish each voice with its own personality was amazing.

This series is one I will be re-reading (re-listening) in the future. It is great entertainment at its finest. Campbell is a well-established sci-fi and fantasy writer and this foray into YA is spectacular. Bravo!

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Beautiful Redemption (The Maddox Brothers #2)

Beautiful Redemption by Jamie McGuire
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ah, the continuing saga of the Maddox brothers. They are a lively bunch.

In this second installment of the companion series to Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster, we meet Thomas Maddox. He's the eldest brother living a secret life as an FBI agent in San Diego. The family thinks he's "in marketing" in California. He's an angry man, using his anger to cover his personal issues and essentially taking everything out on the world in general and his coworkers in particular.

Liis is a woman who's good at her job because she fails at pretty much everything else. She can be a nominally good friend, but she's a terrible girlfriend and has an ex-fiance to prove it. She's running away from that relationship in Chicago to the great weather of San Diego and the chance to move up the FBI ladder.

The plot is surprisingly realistic on many levels. There's angst, jealousy, angst, grief, angst, arguing, angst. Thomas' relationship with Liis runs the gamut, common for a story in this series. There are a lot of ridiculous scenes in the office which, while providing some great entertainment, make me worry for the FBI if they're even slightly similar to the way the FBI really runs. Liis is half-Asian, a nice nod from McGuire to some diversity in her characters.

I liked this story a lot; I like the series in general and this book in particular was markedly better than the last. What made this one just slightly above average for me were the contradiction in the main characters. Thomas is supposed to be a real jerk, but almost instantly he's a damaged soul with tons of baggage. That would have been fine if it had been a slower reveal. Liis was the more believable character in terms of development.

The secondary characters are highly entertaining. McGuire is great at inventing friends and co-workers with their own problems and perspectives, always complementing the main characters but remaining just interesting enough to make the whole thing enjoyable. Their enhancement to the plot really helped it along in places where it flagged.

McGuire self-published this book, which is interesting when considering the quality as compared to the previous book Beautiful Oblivion. I wonder if she had more creative control and less of a deadline, giving her a better opportunity to really build the story well. She's a great writer either way - but for me, this book was certainly better than the last.

Currently the book isn't available on audio. However, this will probably change as McGuire has been faithful to her audio listeners. I just hope she gets good narrators who will do the characters justice. They could knock this story up in to way-above-average territory.

All in all this was a good read in dependable Jamie McGuire fashion. She's a go-to author for me because of her honesty and grit in storytelling. She's created quite a family of Maddox brothers with this series. They're the kind of guys you wish you knew in real life, so hearing about the next one is a treat to anticipate.

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Sea of Stars (Kricket #2)

Sea of Stars by Amy A. Bartol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this series.

Sea of Stars finds Kricket in a difficult situation. She's chased, captured, chased, captured, chased, rescued, chased, captured, rescued. Rinse and repeat. Sounds like it would be repetitive and boring - but it's anything but that. It's a page-turning adventure that never slows down.

The trouble here is that Kricket is the child of parents from two warring clans. There is a prophecy that one of them will fall. So the leaders of each one want Kricket for their own - and especially because she has the gift of foresight. She gets knocked down by visions of the future. This works both for her and against her, depending on whose company she is in. Both factions want her; to one she's a military weapon. To the other, she's the intended consort of a political leader (or so he's decided). Ultimately, she's a capable girl on the run for her life.

The world building in this book is amazing. The planet of Ethar is brilliant in description; the floating Ship of Skye, the Valley of Thistle, chases through a city being ravaged by battle, even a medic unit are vivid and real. The characters are rich. The soldiers from the first book, Under Different Stars, are back and are just as entertaining as before.

Kricket seems to be a character able to maintain the balance between a smart, independent woman and the classic damsel in distress. She loves her man Trey and invites his rescue and protection. But she's also a smart, saavy girl who can escape when she's captured. She's an alien girl raised as a human who's coping with this new world as best she can. She's making decisions on the fly and leading when required. She's the furthest thing from a fainting flower as you can get.

And this is evident with the introduction of some new characters who are exactly that. This planet has a culture where women are indeed the weaker sex and are completely dominated by men, even though they are the ones with the true power. Kricket throws all that away and constantly questions the status quo. She doesn't just meet circumstances on her own terms, she pushes other women to do the same. I love this character for the example she is.

Kate Rudd narrates this on audio. She is spectacular. Bartol is a great writer, but Bartol and Rudd are simply amazing as a team.

I cannot rave enough about this series. It is completely enthralling. Just read it.

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Good For You (Between the Lines #3)

Good For You by Tammara Webber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Finally Reid Alexander has met his match.

In this third installment of the Between the Lines series, reckless movie star Reid Alexander finally messes up enough to get sent for some serious rehab. It isn't drug or alcohol addiction rehab as one might think - it's community service for having run his car through the house of a family in poverty. And it's about time.

We've gotten to know Reid as charming, self-absorbed and selfish in the previous books in this series. He's had a cavalier attitude about life and been focused on his own amusement. He's lived a pretty hedonistic life. He's a jerk. But he meets his match when he's sent to put in a month building a house through Habitat for Humanity. He meets Dori, who is unimpressed by him and is both a little star-struck and equally irritated with herself for being so. She's the daughter of a pastor and down-to-earth. But she's also the high-minded one when it comes to the relationship, which is a nice departure. Reid doesn't want to be there but mostly just doesn't want to stop being himself. Of course he can't help but be himself, his charming self, and Dori finds herself required to rise to her own standards and expectations.

It's nice to see Reid's character evolve here. The second book in this series was a bit unbelievable, light, fluffy, even silly. This book brings the story back to a level that takes the characters seriously. There is real change that happens in the life of this guy who ultimately finds himself lost in his life. That potential everyone thought they saw really emerges here. The best part is that Reid himself is the most surprised by it.

Dori is a girl who has lived a life of faith, doing what is expected but not to meet those expectations that are imposed by others. Instead they are ones she places on herself. When real disaster strikes in her life, she is forced to question that faith. She gets hit with the old "why do bad things happen to good people" slap. She begins to work through it and we get to see that in real life, faith is a journey and not a destination. And sometimes that journey can take a road that goes completely the opposite direction of the ultimate destination. Belief doesn't solve the problem, it provides a way through and it is never easy.

This series previously was a lighter look at romance and celebrity. This book brings out real emotion - heartbreak, gratitude, the gladness of potential beginning to be realised, the struggle of the stages of grief. It delves far deeper than just a teenage romance. This story has weight.

On audio the book is narrated by Kate Rudd and Todd Haberkorn. They are simply wonderful, giving just the right voices and emotional gravity to the characters. They were the perfect choices to narrate this series.

This series has gotten markedly better with this third book. If that's any indication of the quality of the fourth book, I can't wait for it.

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Savage Drift (Monument 14 #3)

Savage Drift by Emmy Laybourne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Toto, we're not in Monument anymore.

The Monument 14 kids have finally been rescued and taken to a refugee camp in western Canada. It's not the best of situations. In fact, it's not even as good a situation the kids had in the Greenway store from the first book. It is believable but sad, portraying the bureaucracy of the management of a natural disaster. It is reminiscent of the way FEMA handled the survivors of Hurricane Katrina but with a heavier hand. The camp is a place of refuge certainly, but it is also contained. The refugees aren't able to immediately leave and there is some funny business going on.

This final installment encompasses escape, adventure and serious danger in a way that goes beyond the first and second books. There is an element of the horrors of a concentration camp. There is a madman with a bit of power who is determined to wield it in a demeaning, destructive way. There are victims of the chemical weapons spill who are left to deal with the devastation they have caused while under its influence. And there are Dean, Astrid, Jake and Niko who are determined to rescue Josie and ultimately find their way to true safety.

The great thing about this book is the way the characters have naturally evolved. They still aren't adults but are teenagers who have been weathered by circumstance. They've gotten tough and have cast off any illusions about their situations. They don't condemn or hate adults but are smart enough to be wary of them. Dean is still struggling with a jealous resentment of Jake. Jake is still a jerk. Astrid is still conflicted. Niko is doggedly determined.

The action is steady as is the pacing. This is a page turner. Things get pretty desperate and some adult themes are referenced but not completely explored. It is age appropriate.

On audio the book is narrated by Todd Haberkorn, who has been the voice of Dean throughout the series. He was the perfect choice for a narrator. His ability to interpret the dialogue and narrative are absolutely expert.

This is a wonderful end to a great post-apocalyptic series. I'm sad to see these characters go! There are a series of novellas that go along with the series and they are worth checking out. They only add to what is already a thrilling tale of survival. Don't miss this series.

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Sky on Fire (Monument 14 #2)

Sky on Fire by Emmy Laybourne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Usually the middle book of a series is the lull in the action. This book blows that idea right out of the water.

Sky on Fire continues the story of the 14 kids, trapped in a Monument, CO Greenway store after both a natural disaster and a chemical weapons spill. They've survived pretty well, even after the effects of the chemical weapons spill manifests its effects on the kids. They've also been smart enough to spot adults that might not want to help. But this line gets blurred as they, as kids, struggle to balance their natural need for adult guidance with the necessity to avoid the crazies. And ultimately they find the need to be proactive in their own rescue.

A lot happens in this book. It's an interesting blend of some new characters, some new adventures and a lot of disaster and suspense. The darker side of the situation is revealed here. The real heroes rise up. The leadership structure of the group changes somewhat; those that can and can't handle it becomes glaringly evident. Because the characters are established, the action can come to the forefront. And because the story has progressed to include adults, the story itself becomes more adult. The kids here have become kids only in terms of their age; in all other ways they are simply survivors.

The adults in the story are portrayed positively for the most part. The actual villains are really just older kids. And in the end, Dean and Alex and Niko and Josie have to make mature decisions that will best benefit the group as a whole. The suspense here is palpable.

On audio the book is narrated by Todd Haberkorn who is just stellar. He makes the book come alive through Dean and Alex's voices. The book could not have benefited more from a better narrator.

This book takes the Monument 14 story to a whole new level. It is riveting, a true page turner. And a satisfying ending still leaves loose ends, paving the way for what promises to be a thrilling end to the series.

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Monument 14

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you have to survive an apocalypse, doing it in a Greenway Store (think Target or WalMart) isn't a bad way to go.

This is the story of Dean, a regular high school junior in Monument, CO who is riding the bus on the way to school. Suddenly there's a hailstorm of epic proportions, causing the bus to crash. The bus carrying his middle-school-aged brother fares better; the bus driver runs it right through the doors of a Greenway store. She unloads her kids and then drives over and collects those kids left on Alex's bus, taking them also to the Greenway. She then goes for help, leaving 14 kids to survive in the Greenway store until she can bring back a rescue team.

Several of the kids are young, ages 5-8. There is also a a natural leader, football jock, a bully, a resourceful girl who steps up as a mother figure to the younger kids, a spunky girl with divided loyalties, a very obnoxious third-grader and Dean's brother Alex (who is a bit of a tech prodigy). It's impressive the way they organise themselves while still remaining kids. There are scenes where they decide that everyone needs new clothing, they manage to cook dinner, they make a place to sleep and a trash/bathroom area and they seal off the air supply to the store. On the other hand they have petty disagreements, eat candy non-stop, cry for mommy and opt out of helping to organise things. They're very resourceful and yet very immature. They're an interesting bunch.

The characters are what really make this story good. They're kids behaving like kids in an extreme situation where there are no adults. Some rise to the occasion, some don't. Dean vacillates between feeling lost, resenting his role in the group, struggling to break out of his social stereotype and feeling guilty for any and all of his negativity. He's a kid who's not cool but has had a crush on a girl for a long time. Seeing the way that translates to this extreme situation is really interesting. Jake is the star football player who always gets the girl - but he also loses his place in the group when it becomes apparent that being a sports star in high school doesn't always make you a great leader. Seeing him struggle to accept his new position (and fall from grace) is both heartbreaking and guilt-inducing when it really does seem fair. Niko is the geeky guy with all the good ideas who wants to lead but doesn't have the people skills that Jake has. But he can get things done even without Jake's help and support. Alex is a little brother through Dean's eyes, but fortunately Dean sees much more in him and Alex rises to Dean's expectations and requests. Dean is the best kind of big brother, drawing out Alex's strengths and taking care of him at the same time.

The romance here is complicated, but only such in that it's high school. It's teenagers trapped in a social structure that no longer works, except that they don't know how to navigate the new situation. Put that together with the apocalypse and a chemical spill and it's kind of a mess. And that's the best part, because this story is anything but a mess.

On audio, this book is narrated by Todd Haberkorn. He is fantastic! He's able to give voice to these characters in a way that brought them to life. I have a copy of this book in print, and flipping through it I know I never would have loved it had I not listened to it first.

This a fabulous YA apocalyptic book with identifiable characters that are well written. The story, although clearly fictional, is just this side of believable because of the way the kids respond to their environment and each other. It's fast paced and full of suspense. This was all around a great read.

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The Book of Strange New Things

The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So much has been said about this book. Some call it a masterpiece, innovative, fresh, thought-provoking. For me, this is a book about faith, plain and simple. And certainly a new take on it.

Peter is a missionary, but not one in the traditional sense. His mission field is several light years away on a different planet. The indigenous people there have requested a pastor to come and teach them in exchange for goods they provide to the human population there. The interviews begin and Peter is selected, although his wife is not. The two resolve to trust God that this is His Will and Peter travels to the planet, courtesy of a major corporation with a vested interest there. So his posting is purely secular in nature, a nice contrast to the man of faith that Peter is.

Peter's actions in the book are pretty typical of a pastor. The idea that the church is more important than his wife is a recurring theme, as it is in the real lives of pastors today. There is true sacrifice in his separation from his wife Bea on both their parts; this is seen in the correspondence between them. And there is the standard problem of absence; their lives are completely different despite the connection they both have to the home where Bea has remained. The details of her everyday life become mundane to Peter, who is having a completely alien experience. He’s also so immersed in his alien experience that he can’t translate it well to Bea, who then feels left out. Faber was able to expertly translate life in the service of the church, and that’s a pretty good trick for someone who doesn’t do it for a living.

The characters here are well-developed. Faber doesn't concentrate overmuch on Peter’s past in order to make him relatable. Instead we got just a few glimpses which balanced him out nicely. Of particular interest were the aliens. We forget their shocking appearances right along with Peter as he develops relationships with a few. An interesting assumption here is the idea that these aliens need saving just like humans do. Add to that the fact that not all the aliens are excited about the church and Peter and you have essentially the human experience displayed in alien form. They don’t behave much differently than we do.

The workers on the colony were interesting and varied. Seeing one crew member’s reaction to a eulogy Peter gives for a worker who has died was so true to reality; she has a very emotional reaction and then later is embarrassed about it, determined not to allow it to change her despite Peter’s lack of judgement.

The plot does meander a bit into more philosophical territory as Peter struggles to make sense of his relationships and mission. Some of that seemed a bit farfetched, only serving to move the plot along. Things change dramatically from there and Peter seems to gain some clarity. By the end of the book, he has made a decision about which he is as certain as was his decision to make the trip.

Any book dealing with religion and the Christian experience is going to spark controversy. But as a person in ministry for most of my life, I have to say that Faber got it more right than wrong. My favourite scene was the funeral for the dead crew member and Peter’s eulogy. It was a brilliant piece of writing that captured Peter’s view of the secular world from a place of faith. It also expressed the best of what a Christian should be. If that eulogy is any indication of the person that Peter is, then I want to attend his church.

The book was narrated on audio by Josh Cohen. While his voicing of the narrative was excellent in its translation, I found his voices for the aliens to be contradictory to my own imagination. Because of this I switched to the ebook. This is not to say that Cohen did a bad job there, it’s just that for me, this book was better read in print.

I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. It’s a philosophical examination of people and life and God and what it means to have a relationship with God. So many people get this religion thing wrong; Faber set a missionary in space and got it very, very right.


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