Lore Olympus Vol. 4 by Rachel Smythe

 

The rumor mill of Olympus is constantly churning, but Persephone and Hades are all anyone can talk about. With the constant gossip creating intense pressure on the pair, they decide to slow down their budding romance and focus on sorting out their own issues first.

But that's easier said than done.

Pages: 416

The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid

 

Pages: 448

"In her forest-veiled village, Évike is the only woman without power, making her an outcast clearly abandoned by the gods. When soldiers arrive from the Holy Order of Woodsmen to claim a pagan girl for the king's blood sacrifice, Évike is betrayed by her fellow villagers and surrendered. But when monsters attack the Woodsmen and their captive en route, slaughtering everyone but Évike and the cold, one-eyed captain, they have no choice but to rely on each other. As the son of a reviled foreign queen, Gáspár understands what it's like to be an outcast, and he and Évike make a tenuous pact to stop his brother. As their mission takes them from the bitter northern tundra to the smog-choked capital, their mutual loathing slowly turns to affection, bound by a shared history of alienation and oppression. However, trust can easily turn to betrayal, and as Évike reconnects with her estranged father and discovers her own hidden magic, she and Gáspár need to decide whose side they're on, and what they're willing to give up for a nation that never cared for them at all."

I loved the premise for this story, mixing the Jewish and Hungarian mythologies and religious prejudice set a great background for the plot. I was a little disappointed in the dialog, it got a little repetitive and the chemistry between the love interests was a lacking.

The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Pages: 346 

"Once upon a time, the kingdoms of Wales were rife with magic and conflict, and eighteen-year-old Mererid “Mer” is well-acquainted with both. She is the last living water diviner and has spent years running from the prince who bound her into his service. Under the prince’s orders, she located the wells of his enemies, and he poisoned them without her knowledge, causing hundreds of deaths. After discovering what he had done, Mer went to great lengths to disappear from his reach. Then Mer’s old handler returns with a proposition: use her powers to bring down the very prince that abused them both. With a motley crew of allies, including a fae-cursed young man, the lady of thieves, and a corgi that may or may not be a spy, Mer may finally be able to steal precious freedom and peace for herself."

I love a good re-telling. This one is based off the Welsh myth of Cantre'r Gwaelod. Add a heist, adorable corgi, and an intriguing magic system and I was sold. My only complaint is that the characters felt a little flat and recycled from common tropes seen in fantasy YA. I wish there was a little more development but the plot and twists make up for it.

The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim

 

Pages: 482

    "Princess Shiori made a deathbed promise to return a dragon's pearl to its rightful owner, but keeping that promise is more dangerous than she ever imagined. She must journey to the kingdom of dragons, navigate political intrigue among humans and dragons alike, fend off thieves who covet the pearl for themselves and will go to any lengths to get it, all while cultivating the appearance of a perfect princess to dissuade those who would see her burned at the stake for the magic that runs in her blood.
    The pearl itself is no ordinary cargo; it thrums with malevolent power, jumping to Shiori's aid one minute, and betraying her the next—threatening to shatter her family and sever the thread of fate that binds her to her true love, Takkan. It will take every ounce of strength Shiori can muster to defend the life and the love she's fought so hard to win."

I was a little disappointed in this sequel. There was a lot of repetition from the first book and an attempt? at a love triangle that made no sense. I still really enjoyed the storytelling and setting, but I felt like the book could have been split into two different ones. We start with the underwater dragon palace, which was amazing, but leave it too soon for a demon plot.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Pages: 454 

    "Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control and catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.

    Raikama has dark magic of her own, and she banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes, and warning Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.

    Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and, on her journey, uncovers a conspiracy to overtake the throne—a conspiracy more twisted and deceitful, more cunning and complex, than even Raikama's betrayal. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to contain—no matter what it costs her."

I really enjoyed this book. I originally picked it up for the pretty cover but stayed for the characters. The relationship between the main character and her brothers is so sweet and I absolutely love Kiki and her snarky comments. The storytelling was phenomenal as well, “Find the light that makes your lantern shine.”

The Rig Veda (Penguin Classics)

One of the oldest sacred texts in the world, it was very interesting to see a glimpse of ancient Indian culture, as well as the mythological foundation of much of the Western world-for example, Indra, king of the gods, has many of the same qualities/abilities as the Greek Zeus, and the name of Varuna the sky god of order is a cognate of Ouranos (Uranus). The descriptions of ritual and stories of the gods were most interesting (sooo many cows!) I was looking forward to the chapter on women, until I read the introduction: "The Rig Veda is a text written by men, for men, about men". Oh... Oh no. Yes, it was as bad as it sounds, and so crude! *disappointed, but not surprised*

352 pages

Buddha Volume 1: Kapilavastu by Osamu Tezuka

 

I really enjoyed Tezuka's Black Jack, and I've heard good things about this series so I thought I'd give it a try. It is really good! A fictional retelling of the story of the Buddha across eight volumes, this one starts with events leading up to and around his birth. There are a lot of fictional elements and even a few modern references, but mostly the artwork and story are stunning in their depiction of Ancient India. Very good start to what I am sure is an excellent series. 

400 pages

Last Minute Additions

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green

I loved his first book, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing,  in which metal alien statues-affectionately named Carl-land all over the planet and people go nuts. This sequel is even better! Carl is back, and saves a primary character through alien prosthetics, leaving her with an android-like appearance. The group of friends then have to face off against a hyper-realistic virtual reality gaming company with much more nefarious intentions.I think what I like most about these books is that the author is not afraid to comment on tough current issues-income inequality, social media conspiracies, information privacy, the list goes on and on. This was a very fun science fiction duology!

452 pages

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

Binti is the first of her people to attend Oomza University, even though it means she will be ostracized by her community. However, trying to maintain her traditions in a high-tech society also does not help her fit in with her peers. Then the Meduse attack.. I was amazed at how much world building Okorafor was able to put into 90 pages. This was a really good novella, and I will probably pick up the others in the short series.

90 pages

Read Harder Task #17


Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi

A loose retelling of Snow White set in a Massachusetts small town during the 1950's/60's. Boy escapes her abusive father, eventually falling in love with a carpenter. Their daughter, Bird, is dark skinned, and exposes them as African Americans passing for white. Honestly, I thought the plot dragged a bit, but that final plot twist at the end makes the story worth it.

308 pages

Read Harder Task #2



Fashion Jewelry: A beginner's guide to jewelry making by Courtney Legenhausen

I've been dabbling with some jewelry making for a while, and I thought I'd finally pick up a book to learn the actual techniques, instead of my current stumbling along with Pinterest and Youtube videos. Apparently I was opening jump rings wrong. I also know the correct way to finish a piece. And crimp beads are lifesavers. With lots of step by step pictures, I thought it was useful for a beginner.

175 pages




Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland

I wish they would have told me this was based on a true story up front, because I thought the premise was ridiculous-if this was fiction, why would someone write such a dismal novel? Florence, while training to prepare for her English Channel swim, accidentally drowns. Her family decides not to tell her sister, because they are afraid she will get upset and miscarry as she did before. So, we get six months of family members frantically trying to keep a secret. Meanwhile, there's a weird subplot about Florida real estate? I was not impressed.

309 pages




The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara feels unheard by her family, her church, and to some extent, her friends. Secretly dating Aman, and forced into confirmation classes by her mother, she channels her frustrations into her notebook. She finally finds her voice through an invitation to join her school's poetry slam club-allowing her to blossom. The audiobook of this is sooo good, and hearing the poetry spoken by the actual author is quite effective.

361 pages

Read Harder Task #8


The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

This intense story follows the lives of three women in an Irish quarantined maternity ward over three days during the flu of 1918. The story is brutal, refusing to shy away from the reality of medical interventions, nauseating symptoms, and the brutality of poverty and the Irish orphanage system of the time. This book was very detailed, emotional and shocking. Definitely not for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

295 pages




Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh 

When Henry Silver arrives as a new resident of Greenhollow, his interest in folklore leads him to investigate the Wild Man of the wood. Dryads, old curses, a mysterious past, teen abductions, and a gentle romance compose this creative fantasy retelling of the Green Man myth. I thought it was a great debut, and I plan to look out for Tesh's next book.

109 pages




The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O'Neill

A companion novel to The Tea Dragon Society, this graphic novel provides some backstory for two society members of the first book. They return to Silverleaf village, where everyone lives alongside tea dragons. we meet a young dragon who has just awoken from an unintended 80 year nap. Once again the artwork is beautiful, the characters are diverse, and the tea dragons are adorable. I never thought I would see sign language in a graphic novel-it was very well done!

131 pages



Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump

I've been trying to stay away from reading political stuff right now (easier said than done), but the premise for this family narrative and memoir was too tempting. Mary's personal experiences, familial knowledge and clinical Ph.D psychologist's expertise give us a unique character study that certainly explains... a lot. Toxic families create toxic people. A very interesting read.

225 pages





The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

The reviews for this book were so positive, but I thought it was so bad. I get it, it's a memoir about grief, but using obscure references to celebrities and writers just left me lost and confused. Way too much name dropping, and not really much emotion, considering her situation. If I wasn't listening to the audiobook, I probably would not have finished this one.

227 pages




You Brought Me the Ocean by Alex Sanchez, Julie Maroh (ill.)

A coming of age story about friends drifting apart, college applications, and discovering your truth. Of course, the main character lives in a desert and has magical powers that react to water-you know, just to make it interesting. I don't think I've ever seen a comic focused entirely on Aqualad. I love how DC has been embracing such diverse characters lately. This was fun!

186 pages



And now I am FINALLY caught up so I don't have to do these crazy long posts.

Staked (The Iron Druid Chronicles #8)

 Staked (The Iron Druid Chronicles #8)
by Kevin Hearne
Pages: 310
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Atticus has made some enemies in his over two thousand years of life, including some vampires. Now he has made an agreement with a coven in Poland to rid all of Poland of all vampires and vampires from around the world are taking revenge, especially one powerful, old vamp, Theophilus. 

Atticus ends up with backup from some unexpected places.  This is good since new druid Granuaile is trying to free herself from Loki and deal with some personal issues from her own past and his arch-druid is trying to start a school for new druids and doesn't need trouble with vampires too.

Besieged (The Iron Druid Chronicles #4.1-4.2, 4.6-4.7, 8.1-8.2, 8.6-8)

 Besieged (The Iron Druid Chronicles #4.1-4.2, 4.6-4.7, 8.1-8.2, 8.6-8)
by Kevin Hearne
Pages: 256
Rating: 5 out of 5

I always love short story collections of a fun series. The shorter snapshots can give you insight to a character's past and personality. Sometimes the shorter story just allows you to have a great visit with a favorite fictional character. If you enjoy the Iron Druid Series don't miss this short story collection. Though there were a couple minor spoilers for me in since I am on book 7.

Shattered (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #7)

Shattered (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #7) 
by Kevin Hearne
Pages: 352
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Atticus O'Sullivan the last surviving Druid now has company. His apprentice Granuaile is now a full-fledged Druid and his mentor has been rescued from an island frozen in time. But Owen has been there For nearly two thousand years and basics of every day modern life are shocking too him.

While Atticus is trying to help Owen acclimate, Granuaile is called to India to face an evil spirit that his possessing her archaeologist father. Assisted by the witch Laska Granuaile may be able to vanquish the spirit but will her father survive the process?

And we get to meet Yeti. They love Bacon!

Two Ravens and One Crow (The Iron Druid Chronicles #4.5)

 Two Ravens and One Crow (The Iron Druid Chronicles #4.5)
by Kevin Hearne
Pages:
Stars: 4 out of 5

In this novella Atticus's training of Granuaile is interupted by the Morrigan, the Celtic Chooser of the Slain. She insists he leave with her at once if he wants to save his and Granuaile's lives. What choice does he have but to follow her.

Originally released as an ebook, this story if now available in print.

The Siren by Kiera Cass

The Siren by Kiera Cass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book!

Sure, it’s a bit cheesy at times, but the world and characters are interesting, overall. And yes, there’s some insta-romance, but it mostly works. This book has plenty of drama, as you would expect from Cass, and it’s a fast, easy read.

It wants my love, but I think we’ll just be friends. . .

The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

In this first book in the newest series by Riordan, The Trials of Apollo, the Greek god Apollo finds himself cast down to earth as a mortal, bound to a demigod, and forced to undergo a series of trials in order to regain his divinity. The power of prophecy has deserted the Oracle (aka Rachel Elizabeth Dare) and it is up to Apollo, now a sixteen-year-old boy with a major case of acne, along with his fellow campers to return the prophecies and defeat a new evil.

In this new series we see a lot of familiar faces from Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus, though of the main characters only Percy and Leo make an appearance. As a fan of mythology I continue to enjoy these books, though some of the originality and excitement has worn away as Riordan continues to build on previous story lines from his earlier series.

376 pages

The Eternity Key by Bree Despain

Summary: "Haden, Prince of the Underrealm, is determined to defy his fate to protect Daphne, even as they and their small group of friends continue the search for the lost Kronolithe, the key of Hades--but his undeclared love for a mortal girl is a terrible risk, and they must both decide what they are willing to sacrifice to protect one another."

The Eternity Key is the second installment of the Into the Dark series. It ends with multiple cliff-hangers, and I will have to wait until Fall 2016 to see what happens next! The Eternity Key has more intrigue, more characters, more Greek gods, and more surprises than I expected. While it was intriguing and suspenseful, I was left wanting more. I certainly could use some more interaction between Haden and Daphne...how are readers supposed to appreciate their growing love for each other...when they hardly ever talk or hang out? 

352 pages

The Shadow Prince (Into the Dark #1) by Bree Despain

Summary: "In this modern retelling of the Persephone myth, Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, is sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead." 

The Shadow Prince is the first book in the Into the Dark series. Even though it started off a little too slow for my tastes, the story eventually picks up the pace. I couldn't put it down! It left me wanting more and eagerly waiting for the next book. The story alternates between Haden and Daphne's POVs. It is FULL of mythology, with the story of Persephone and the story of Orpheus intertwined. 

It isn't as witty as the Percy Jackson books, but the mythology is still woven throughout the story in a nice way. Some plot points are painfully obvious, but others deliver on shock value. 

I really enjoyed it! 

481 pages

"Enslaved" by Elisabeth Naughton

This is book five in the Eternal Guardians series and is about Gryphon, the Argonaut who was rescued by his brother, Orpheus, in the previous book.  He was tortured in the Underworld for three months and this story deals with the repercussions.  Gryphon was bound to the evil goddess Atalanta while in the Underworld, and now he hears her voice constantly calling to him and he thinks the only way to stop it is to kill her.  He doesn't know how to escape from the colony where he recovering, but Maelea does.  She's been in the colony hiding from Hades, the evil god of the Underworld who is married to her mother and hates her.  But Maelea is afraid that he will send his hellhounds for her and end up killing many innocents, so she plans her escape.  However, Gryphon intercepts her on the way out and gets them into dangerous situations in the process.

More world building and new creatures kept the story interesting when it seemed like Gryphon was so hopelessly damaged that he would never be likable.  Thankfully, Naughton redeems him and also makes Maelea a character in which the reader can be proud.  Now I have to wait for book six to be published.  374 pages.

(See my previous posts on book 1, "Marked," book 2, "Entwined," book 3, "Tempted," and book 4 "Enraptured.")

"Enraptured" by Elisabeth Naughton

This is book four in the Eternal Guardians series and focuses on Orpheus, the brother of Argonaut Gryphon, and Skyla, a Siren who works for Zeus.  Gryphon's body has been taken over by a warlock and his soul sent to the Underworld to be tortured for eternity.  Orpheus plans to steal a precious element and trade it for Gryphon's soul, and Skyla has been sent to kill him before he can.  However, when they meet, she recognizes him as the reincarnation of someone from her very distant past.  Will she be able to go through with her mission now that she recognizes him as the man she used to love?

The story is much more complicated than my description, and Naughton builds a world full of dangerous creatures based on Greek mythology.  Her description of the Underworld is especially well done and full of suspense, and Orpheus and Skyla are another well matched couple.  Still, I would like to have known more about her past.  I highly recommend this series!  402 pages.

(See my previous posts on book 1, "Marked," book 2, "Entwined,"and book 3, "Tempted.")

"Tempted" by Elisabeth Naughton

Book 3 in the Eternal Guardians series deals with Isadora, heir to the throne of Argolea, and Demetrius, the darkest of the Argonauts.  When Isadora is kidnapped, several of the Argonauts set out to rescue her.  Unfortunately, she and Demetrius ultimately end up on the island of Pandora, where they are hunted by dangerous beasts.  Based on Greek mythology, this series is full of action and many characters with unusual powers and weaknesses.  Will Isadora and Demetrius make it off of the island alive or will their mutual hatred do them in first?  These are two very different people with dangerous secrets, and I enjoyed seeing the way they both evolved over the course of the story.  411 pages.

(I posted about book 1, "Marked," and book 2, "Entwined," earlier this month.)

"Entwined" by Elisabeth Naughton

This is the second book in the Eternal Guardians series and focuses on Zander, an Argonaut who is descended from Achilles.  At 829 years old, he is tired of living, especially since his soul mate, the healer Callia, betrayed him 11 years ago.  But since he is immortal, suicide won't work.  The king of his homeland, Argolea, needs an Argonaut to marry and impregnate the heir to the throne, his daughter Isadora.  When he asks for a volunteer, only Zander agrees.  However, he must be checked out by the king's healer to confirm his ability to procreate.  And who is that healer?  Yep, it's Callia, who believes that Zander dumped her 11 years ago.  Will all these misunderstandings and secrets keep them apart forever?  Will Zander marry Isadora and produce an heir?

I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series, "Marked."  Lots of action and suspense enhanced the complicated relationship between Callia and Zander.  This book strongly reminded me of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and even had some very close parallels with its characters and storylines.  Highly recommended for paranormal romance enthusiasts.  336 pages.