Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber
Legendary is the second instalment of Stephanie Garber’s Caraval Trilogy. It’s another colourful confection with sumptuous descriptions of balls, palaces and tricky games played out following a trail of cookie crumbs.
I think it’s probably safe to say that if you liked Caraval you’ll almost certainly like Legendary. I admit that I enjoyed both books although on balance I probably liked the first the most. I found myself having reservations along the way and both books definitely led to a feeling of indulgence – which, I think stems from the fact that I’m aware of the issues that I have and yet I still can’t help reading in fairly short order and just plain enjoying the read.
To the plot. The story this time around is told from Tella’s POV. Tella has her own reasons for wanting to succeed and it seems that she’s made a pact with an unknown man who seems to be of a risky persuasion. Tella and Scarlett’s mother disappeared from their lives many years ago and until now her whereabouts have been a mystery. Winning Caraval could change all of that. Names are powerful things and it seems that somebody is very keen to have Legend’s true name. Can Tella succeed in finding out about the man behind the spectacle.
The characters. Well, as mentioned, this time the story is told from Tella’s pov. She’s playing the game and although Scarlett wanted to join in she seems indisposed for the majority of the story. We do have the addition of two extra characters. One called Dante who seems determined to follow in Tella’s footsteps. Dark of hair and of nature Dante is a conundrum and yet somehow he feels fair rather than foul. The other character, Jack, has a more dangerous feel. Both of them are mysteries when it comes to their identities. Of course we have other secondary characters who are there as props of the game and we of also have a few flashbacks to Tella’s mother.
The writing is again lush and although I can see how some might find Garber’s flowery prose a bit too much I find myself wallowing in it. I just like her style and find it very easy to read. It’s sugary sweet and uses all sorts of colours, feelings and food to pull together descriptions.
My criticisms are probably similar to the first book. I don’t really buy into the strength of feelings between the two sisters – which might be simply because they barely spend any time together in either of the books. I thought Legendary lost some of the fun of the game itself – but again, I think that’s because the author is taking things down a slightly darker route – the potential outcomes certainly seemed a lot more dangerous, in fact when I really think about it there was very little of the actual game involved this time. And, there is a romance taking place – not really a criticism to be honest just thought it worth mentioning.
In terms of what I really enjoyed. I liked the introduction of the Tarot cards and the fates all being intertwined. As with the first I loved the creativity and magic around Caraval itself. I thought we had a real opportunity to find out more about Tella and her strengths and weaknesses. And, can’t tell a lie – I enjoyed the romance elements and I think plenty of other readers probably will do so as well. The conclusion leaves the way open to a number of possibilities and I’m certainly intrigued to see what comes next – not least of all who the POV of the third instalment will be.
Overall, I had issues with this book but at the same time I found myself completely unperturbed by them. This was an easy read for me and an enjoyable one in spite of any quibbles I picked up along the way.
I received a copy through Netgalley courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Can’t Wait Wednesday : A Witches’ Yuletide by Ami McKay
13 June 2018
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Witches Yuletide, Ami McKay, Can't wait Wednesday, Wishful Endings
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that was originally created by Breaking the Spine. Unfortunately Breaking the Spine are no longer hosting so I’m now linking my posts up to Wishful Endings Can’t Wait Wednesday. Don’t forget to stop over, link up and check out what books everyone else is waiting for. If you want to take part, basically, every Wednesday, we highlight a book that we’re really looking forward to. This week my book is: A Witches’ Yuletide by Ami McKay. I enjoyed The Witches of New York and think this next book sounds great – plus I’m just a pushover for anything with witches.
During the nights between Christmas and New Year’s, the witches of New York–Adelaide Thom, Eleanor St. Clair and the youngest, Beatrice Dunn–gather before the fire to tell ghost stories and perform traditional Yuletide divinations. (Did you know that roasting chestnuts were once used to foretell one’s fate?)
As the witches roast chestnuts and melt lead to see their fate, a series of odd messengers land on their doorstep bearing invitations for a New Year’s Eve masquerade hosted by a woman they’ve never met. Gossip, dreams and portents follow, leading the witches to question the woman’s motives. Is she as benevolent as she seems or is she laying a trap. And so, as Gilded-Age New York prepares to ring in the new year, the witches don their finery and heard for the ball, on the hunt for answers that might well be the end of them.
Due for Publication: October 2018
Where Loyalties Lie (Best Laid Plans #1) by Rob J. Hayes
13 June 2018
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Best Laid Plans #2, Rob J Hayes, Where Loyalties Lie
Where Loyalties Lie is a winning combination of pirates and grimdark that isn’t for the faint hearted. No Disney style pirates here but plenty of raucous banter and bloodshed on the open seas.
As the story begins we make the acquaintance of Captain Drake Morass. He’s just made port at one of a number of pirate islands and he has a dark tale. It seems like the Five Kingdoms and Sarth are joining together in a bid to clean up the waters and they’re not taking prisoners. They’re destroying pirate townships, literally killing everyone and burning the place to the ground – and these are the good guys – so that might help to shed a little light on what you can expect from the rest of this book.
Basically, if the pirates are going to survive they need to wise up, pool resources and stand united under one leader and Captain Morass figures himself to be just the man for the job. Of course, being a lying, cheating, murdering, swindler and double crossing no good son of a so and so (characteristics which I might add are running amok amongst most of the pirates) most of his fellow pirates are reluctant to believe his story and smell a rat. What Captain Morass needs is an ally and he has the very fellow in mind, in fact he’s been told unequivocally that Kellin Stillwater is just the man to get the ball rolling. Now, there’s more to the plot than I’m outlining here – there are twists aplenty, what with pirates trying to outdo each other and all but I think that probably gives a fairly good flavour to whet your appetite.
So, lets get to the world building. To be clear from the start this story takes place very much on the high seas. Yes, I hear you – it’s a pirate story – but, really, seriously, the majority of the action takes place off terra firma so if you don’t have your sea legs you might like to take that into account. I just loved it to be honest. There’s such a lot of creativity going on here ranging from tempestuous sea Gods that might just kill a whole bunch of superstitious pirates on a whim, Islands with monsters living beneath the sand and tropical forests that just might lull you to sleep so that insects can slowly eat you. On top of that there’s magic, wielded by Arbiters and the like who hunt witches and burn them at the stake. There’s plenty going on here and no shortage of things to entertain.
The characters are up for scrutiny next. What to say really. They’re not a nice bunch in fact I spent a good part of the build up really puzzled about whether or not to like any of them – until they began to work their magic and win me over, some of them at least. The main characters are Keelin, Drake, Tanner Black, his daughter Elaina Black and an arbiter named Beck. For the most part the POVs switch between the occupants of the different ships which is a great way of varying the landscape and giving us a different perspective on things as they develop. I admit I’m impressed with the way the characters are built up. They slowly reveal little bits about themselves and there are a good deal of skeletons in closets. The whole lot of them are firmly in the area of grey – apart from Tanner Black who is literally a downright nasty piece of work and deserves his terrible reputation. But, two things that are worthy of mention. Firstly, grimdark really lends itself to the area of pirating. Let’s be honest now, these are people who, no matter how charismatic or charming they might appear, kill and rob on the high seas. The majority of them have little compunction about murdering a crew or torturing someone for information, they’re not nice people. That being said there is a certain camaraderie that eventually makes you view them slightly differently.. They begin to understand the predicament they’re in and just how desperate things are and they begin to pull together in real underdog style.
The writing here is really good, the dialogue is sharp, the pacing is fast, there is never a lull in momentum and the writing manages to show the restraint necessary to keep a good balance between action and intrigue. However, I can’t stress enough that this is downright dark and brutal and I feel that I must point out that there is rape and torture amongst the bloodshed. Now, I didn’t feel like any of the content was gratuitous, in fact I felt like it was relevant in really highlighting that these pirates are nasty and in fact some of them are downright evil.
In terms of criticisms. I don’t really have any. I think there was maybe a slightly slowish start but nothing that really stopped me from wanting to read on and I definitely had moments where I felt like I might struggle to like any of the characters and I worried that might be an issue. That didn’t turn out to be the case though.
I thoroughly enjoyed Where Loyalties Lie. It’s dark and twisted. It’s brutal and bloody. It’s entertaining and creative. It kept me hooked to the page with the intriguing plot and creative landscape. I loved this nautical adventure and look forward to reading the next instalment.
My thanks to the author for providing a copy for review. The above is my own opinion.
My rating for Where Loyalties Lie is 9/10 which equates to 4.5 out of 5
Wish you were there.
Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic. Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here. This week’s topic is :
Books That Awaken the Travel Bug In Me
Rebecca – by Daphne DuMaurier. An author who frequently wrote novels set in Cornwall. Always makes me want to visit and explore along the rugged coastline, stop in at some of the small fishing villages and enjoy a cream tea.
Chocolat by Joanne M Harris – even though I’ve visited many times this book makes me want to visit France all over again. I love the book and the adaptation, it has an effortless charm that brings to life the way of life.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres – beautifully evokes Greece, the crystal sea, the white houses the bright sunshine.
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons – set during WW2 and the siege of Leningrad you wouldn’t think this book would entice you to pack a bag and set off for distant shores but this book weaves a spell – a little description from the author’s website ‘Leningrad 1941: the white nights of summer illuminate a city of fallen grandeur whose beautiful palaces and stately avenues speak of a different age, when Leningrad was known as St Petersburg.’
The Immortals by Jordanna Max Brodsky – set in Manhattan and starring Greek Gods the descriptions play a major role in this thriller. Definitely enticing.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey – set in Alaska during the frontier years this book and the breathtaking descriptions of the wilderness and the cold are simply amazing.
Witchlight by Susan Fletcher – I absolutely love this book. It’s a historical novel based on true events that took place in Scotland in the year 1692. The main protagonist is accused of being a witch. Some of the descriptions of the rugged landscape are simply gorgeous.
Any of the Sherlock Holmes books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – make me long to visit Victorian London. I would visit Victorian London in a heartbeat – who has a time machine?
Books that use Venice – or a very familiar take on Venice. For example, Scott Lynch’s Lies of Locke Lamora – describes a city strongly reminiscent of Venice. If you haven’t visited then I absolutely recommend you do so and take this book as your holiday read.
That’s it for me – the tenth suggestion is left open for your suggestions please?
The Testament of Loki (Loki #2) by Joanne M. Harris
11 June 2018
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Joanne M Harris, Loki #2, The Testament of Loki
I just loved The Testament of Loki. It was such good fun, a really quick read and jam packed with humour and goodness. Arguably, I would say that this is even better than The Gospel of Loki, although it does have a younger feel which might not appeal to everyone. Where the Gospel of Loki was a retelling of Norse mythology and the fall of Asgard told from the tricksy perspective of Loki, Testament goes a step further. With this book Ms Harris opens up a whole new realm of possible stories. Of course, I have no idea if that was the intention but I would love to think that there are more Loki stories yet to come.
Personally I don’t think it’s necessary to have read The Gospel of Loki before reading Testament however, I would suggest you do so as it helps to build up the characters and whilst you might already have some knowledge of Norse mythology I still think the extra time spent with the characters, particularly Loki, can only be of benefit.
I’m going to give very little of the plot away so I’m sorry if that’s what you’re hoping for here. Suffice to say, and no real spoiler, Loki manages to escape from his dark prison. Of course if he can escape then others can surely do so too. And, whilst he begins to form a plan, and enjoy all the things denied him over the centuries it seems that others of the same nature have similar designs and Loki could be the key in bringing those plans to fruition. It simply doesn’t bode well – and just as he was enjoying cake, and pizza and girlfriends!
In terms of the world building, well, Loki find himself in our modern world and he’s prepared to enjoy himself enormously. Of course he has certain restrictions that I won’t elaborate on only to say that I loved this particular aspect of the story. Obviously there’s more to the world building. The realm of dream plays a fairly strong role in the overall story arc and things certainly become quite fantastical, not to mention twisted, as Loki begins to scheme and then scheme some more.
The characters. You may be pleased to hear that Loki isn’t the only one who has escaped. I won’t tell you who else joins the cast but I will say I don’t think readers will be disappointed. The rest of the cast are fairly young, teenagers around 17 ish. Jumps is particularly great to read about with all her trials and tribulations and fortunately she shares great chemistry with Loki which makes for some highly entertaining dialogue.
There really isn’t too much more I can say without giving things away and I realise that this makes for a rather short review however I can promise that it isn’t a reflection on the book. This is creative, entertaining and fast paced. The characters are diverse and the storyline allows for focus on teenage issues such as acceptance, self perception and eating disorders to name a few. but, more than that, Loki – do I really need to say more.
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. The fun feels almost comic like and the dramatic finale has a fantastic feel that goes a little batshit crazy. What is not to love. Really?
I received a copy through Netgalley courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Books and travelling with Lynn 