Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

Space opera fans will find much to love about this new novel by debut fiction author, Arkady Martine. Filled with intrigue, strong female characters, and LGBTQIA characters, this novel opens up an intricate galactic world which will remind readers of Ann Leckie and Yoon Ha Lee.

Lsel Station borders the Teixcalaanli Empire, chafing at the militaristic threat at their doorstep. When their Ambassador to the Empire, Yskandr Aghavn, unexpectedly dies without providing essential information to Lsel, his replacement, Mahit Dzmare, finds herself in the heart of a dangerous political situation. Soon cut off from her only source of information, Mahit must rely upon her training and few Teixcalaan allies as the body count and intrigue increase.

The world-building and the characters are top-notch in this action packed sci-fi novel. The author’s academic background is evident in the meticulous details that are ingrained in the Teixcalaanli Empire. The names and terms used in the novel are complex, which lends itself well to the audiobook narrated by Amy Landon. What makes the book standout is the fine balance it strike between presenting complex ideas such as identity and culture, with a plot that keeps the reader turning pages. Martine finds a way to interpose just the right about of world-building at any given moment without overwhelming the reader. The use of Mahit as the fish out of water helps in that respect. My personal favorite aspect of the Teixcalaan culture are the names. There is a particularly funny joke about tasteless names that is imminently relatable.

Hardcore sci-fi fans along with those readers who want to branch out will find much to enjoy in this book. It is poised to be a great entry into a series, as the second book has already been announced for publication in 2020.

Humor in the Stars

I have pretty narrow reading tastes, most of which consists of science fiction and fantasy. Unfortunately, for a long time there was a trend of super serious space operas and epic fantasy (*cough* Game of Thrones *cough*) which I don’t generally care for.  Lately, however, I have seen a recent uptick in lighter sci-fi fare.  Most of it features motley crews doing dirty work across systems.  Basically a Firefly resurgence building on the original themes of a space western.  You can tell these books because the description uses terms such as “misfits” or “ragtag” and implications of criminals with hearts of gold.

There have been so many that I haven’t had the chance to read all of them, but here are some I’ve seen published recently if fun adventures of the episode are your jam.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

I mentioned Chambers and her universe of stories in my world-building post, but I am mentioning it again because I feel that it really kick-started this new publishing trend.  This novel burst out on the self-published scene and was then re-published to great acclaim.  When I first read it, it felt like a blast to the past of the campy Star Trek days.  Featuring a woman trying to escape her path, she finds newfound purpose and place on a ship that tunnels wormholes.  Kind of like construction workers of the future.  Fun with great character development.

The Salvagers series by Alex White

This series is one that I have had my eye on for about a year.  Featuring two down and out women running from circumstances that threaten their lives, a speed racer and a treasure hunter fall into a smuggling crew for an intergalactic adventure.  This book pretty much ticks off all the tropes associated with this type of space opera.  Criminals who stand in opposition to conspiracy, characters who are initially at odds then bond over shared experiences, and of course probably a lot of space fights.

Gate Crashers by Patrick S. Tomlinson

I think that humans as a fallible species is something that is often explored, but I never get tired of it. Serious space operas are too full of self-righteous posturing that gets tiresome.  So instead, it is fun to watch humans do what they do best, stumble around and try to get themselves out of the messes they create.  This concept is the heart of the first contact novel, Gate Crashers, where a research ship discovers then takes (very colonial like) an alien artifact and sets off conflict with other species.  I like the concept that humans make mistakes and then learn from them (hopefully that is what happens).

Starflight series by Melissa Landers’

YA lit tends to be a little more fun, but I feel that this series channeled the spirit of the crew on the run better than most.  The books follow Solara, who is on the lower rungs of society as she tries to escape her circumstances.  Of course, hijinks ensue and she ends up on a suspect ship and crew. The first book is better than the second.

Space Unicorn Blues by T.J. Berry

This book sounds kind of ridiculous.  I haven’t read it so I am not sure if is fun ridiculous or over-the-top. The description where magical creatures in space can be used as fuel and or good-luck sounds like this series will be a urban fantasy space opera mash up.  Sounds great in theory but I am a little skeptical about the execution.  But really, can’t get more campy than unicorn renegades in space, right?

Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse series by Jim C. Hines

Actually, I don’t know if unicorns in space or low-intelligent human janitors in space is more ridiculous.  Jim C. Hines is the author of the Libriomancer series, which is urban fantasy at its campiest so there are similar vibes from this series.  Set in the future, humans on Earth are now reduced to feral creatures with some “rescued” humans existing as maintenance crews for aliens.  As per usual, not all is what it seems though. This book is definitely on the far side of kitschy, so you really will have to love the cheese.

The Finder by Suzanne Palmer

Many of the books above have humor built into the core of the story.  Others, like this one, feature an anti-hero with a gallows-like sense of humor that creates levity in an otherwise straight forward space opera.  This novel features a repo-man who gets caught up in a job gone bad in the edge of civilization.  The idea of assisting down-trodden but hard working folk is very much in the space western purview.  I’ve only started to read this one, but it has that feel of a somewhat lighter adventure story.  Fans of Richard Kadrey’s Sandman Slim series or the Netflix version of Altered Carbon will find much to enjoy here.

 

Language Barriers

Language is an interesting theme that is often explored in books.  Communication is such a key component to relationships and can facilitate empathy and interaction.  I remember the Star Trek: The Next generation episode of “Darmok” being played in language classes to demonstrate the need for translation.  Recently, I started reading The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie which touches on this topic and it made me think of different works I’ve enjoyed that use language as a key literary element.  Here are some that I found interesting and engaging.

Embassytown by China Miéville

This book features a similar theme to “Darmok” with an alien species that has a unique language that makes translation difficult.  When cultures and species clash, things turn deadly and frightening for both the native species and the human colonists.  I loved the way the language was used as a framework for the culture and how it can lead to paradigm shifts.

Arrival [DVD] directed by Denis Villeneuve

This movie is based on the novella, “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang.  I debated which I would include on the list, but I haven’t read the novella so I thought I would talk about the work I have seen.  Arrival was a great film that stayed true to its science fiction roots.  While there is some tension and conflict met with violence, ultimately it was more of a concept film that remained accessible to the masses.  The directing and acting are superb and gives me hope that more science fiction will be adapted in a true fashion.

Lexicon by Max Barry

The premise of this book is a bit strange.  Basically people have archetypes and if you are familiar with these psychological profiles, you can control anyone with the right combination of words and sounds. This book follows the secret organization that leverages that power and what happens when one breaks rank.  I enjoyed the concept of using language as a weapon and the literal effect it can have in this book.

The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon

Imagine what would happen if language and communication became increasingly reliant on technology and social media.  What if it became susceptible to the same exploits and hacks as your phone?  What if people began to lose the ability to communicate?  This novel explores those concepts in this fast pace thriller that kind of gave me the Dan Brown vibes.

Netherspace trilogy by Andrew Lane and Nigel Foster

I’ve only read the first novel in this trilogy, Netherspace, but I enjoyed the overarching concept that aliens may simply be so foreign that communication is impossible.  With almost all the other works in this list, everyone ultimately finds a method for communicating, but it is not so clear in this series. Also, these aliens are super weird and not idealized like in other books, so I appreciate that as well.

Ann Leckie books

Language is something that Ann Leckie likes to explore.  As I mentioned earlier, The Raven Tower is the most recent Leckie book that made me consider this subject as a whole.  However, upon reflection, the use of language is important to her award winning Imperial Radch universe, the first of which is Ancillary Justice. In the latter, aliens resort to breeding translators to overcome the language barrier.  The Raven Tower uses the barrier between mortals and gods a key story element. Leckie’s writing is compelling and simultaneously high concept and accessible.

Gender Dystopias

A little over a year ago, I made a display called reproductive dystopias featuring a wide range of speculative fiction in which there was a gender and/or reproductive imbalance.  It was Handmaid’s Tale read-a-like essentially.  Since then, there have been even more books published along these lines! This trend is unsurprising as gender inequality is a pressing topic of our time. Here are some of the books I’ve heard come down the pipeline if you can’t get enough. I personally haven’t read many of them because frankly, it is all too real.

Vox by Christina Dalcher

The premise of this book is that women are restricted to a certain number of words per day, which was apparently a popular theme last year as there was another YA book, All Rights Reserved by Greg Scott Katsoulis, that had a similar plot though without a focus on gender.  In a way, the direct comparison to losing the right to speak and having a voice and agency is a little heavy handed, but considering real life events, it is almost eerie to considering the loss of such fundamental rights.

Before She Sleeps by Bina Shah

This book escaped my radar when it was first published, which is too bad because I am happy to see a #weneeddiversebooks perspective on this issue.  Set in South West Asia, Before She Sleeps explores the adverse effects of gender disparity and forced breeding.  This book explores the way in which procreation and reproductive rights are an essential part of the conversation concerning gender rights.  Many feminist dystopias focus on this topic, so it will be interesting to see Shah’s perspective.

The Water Cure by Sophie MacKintosh

This book is one of the few I have read.  It is interesting as the narrative structure and unreliable narrators make it difficult to determine how much the gender disparity is real and how much is imagined.  Ultimately the latter is more frightening.  This book is bleak and lyrical with a tight thriller undercurrent.  I listened to the audiobook and the narrators gave life to the three sister who try to survive in a hostile environment.

I was interested in this book when it was announced, but didn’t realize it would include a feminist component.  From the near future, an oppressive government uses time travel as a punishment for those who do not comply.  This story follows one young woman as she is sent back in time to where gender policies can be used to punish her rebellion.  Also pitched as a love story, I need to put this book back on hold to see where this book leads.

Hazards of Time Travel by Joyce Carol Oates

Motherland by Lauren Beukes (April 1, 2019?)

I could have sworn I saw that this book would be available this year.  It seems that the e-book will be published on April 1, 2019, but it looks like the physical book will not hit Stateside until May 1, 2020.  Lauren Beukes has written some excellent novels that straddle the line between sci-fi and horror, so be assured that this novel is probably going to get a bit grisly.  Set in the future where men are precious few after a deadly virus, one woman goes on the run with her male child.  Based on her previous novels, I am not hopeful for the survival of either, but we shall see.  I am getting a Children of Men vibe from the description.

Women’s War by Jenna Glass

This book comes out next week!  With a fantastical setting, the book focuses on the shifting power dynamics after oppressed women gain magical powers.  In some ways it reminds me of one of the big feminist books of last year, The Power by Naomi Alderman.  It will be interesting to see how this book compares especially as most feminist dystopias focus on more contemporary or near future settings. I just hope it is better than the Worldbreaker Saga which tries to explore a tyrannical matriarchy (unsuccessfully in my opinion).

Please let me know if you hear of others!

Added April 7, 2019:

The Tiger Flu by Larissa Lai

Just recently heard of this book which features parthenogenic women and tensions that arise from these different communities and possible epidemics.  It sounds thrilling.

If you build it, I will read

One of my favorite aspects about sci-fi and fantasy is the intense world-building that can ensue.  I love these imaginary places and people where the culture is richly defined, especially novel magical systems.  However, there is a fine line between establishing a strong sense of a world and being way too detailed (I’m looking at you, Brandon Sanderson).  Here are some books featuring world-building that I have found to be strong but not overwhelming, for the most part.

The Divine Cities trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett

When the first book came out, City of Stairs, it barely on my radar but I gave it a shot and I am so glad I did.  This book was heartbreaking and dramatic with everything I love.  Gods, cities, culture-clash, and complex characters.  Bennett pulls no punches and throughout the trilogy your heart will break, but you will also fall in love with this complicated and brutal world where gods once ruled and magic lives in the margins. This trilogy is the type of urban fantasy that will bridge the gap to epic fantasy.  Somewhere between The Dresden Files and Mistborn.

The Craft Sequence by Max Gladstone

What if magic was law and sorcerers were lawyers?  That is the basic premise of the world in the Craft sequence.  Set in a world where some gods have fallen and others fight, magic is transactional and politics abound. There are many storylines to follow in the Craft Sequence which all relate in some form or fashion.  It’s hard to say where to start with this series as the publication order is different from the internal chronology.  For the first five books, the number referred to in the title reflects its place in the world’s chronology. So you can either start with Last First Snow (first in chronological order) or Four Roads Cross (first published).

The Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin

N.K. Jemisin is a star in the speculative fiction world, having won three straight Hugos for her Broken Earth Trilogy.  However, I was first introduced to her work with The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms and I still enjoy it more.  I’m not sure if it is because it was my first Jemisin or because it was sexier, but I found it to be more accessible than the Broken Earth trilogy.  Also, it featured what is becoming increasingly obvious as I make this list is a favorite subject of mine, interesting gods and their complex relationship with mortals. So if you like Jemisin’s newer works, it is interesting to look at her earlier work. This trilogy pairs well with the Divine Cities.

War of the Realms series by J. Patrick Black

The first book, Ninth City Burning, has its detractors due to its possibly excessive world building.  It is definitely one of the lengthier mentions on this list but the detail, to me, was not overbearing.  In fact I relished every explanation of how the complex magic/science works in this alien-invasion story.  The plot is fairly complex and I don’t want to go into a lot of detail due as spoilers begin almost right at the beginning, but suffice it to say that humans are under attack and they are fighting back.

The Rook by Daniel O’Malley

Set in contemporary Britain, this book is what you would get if you crossed X-Men with James Bond and sprinkled in a little bit of Monty Python.  Filled with dry British humor, the story follows Myfanwy Thomas who awakes having had her memory erased only to find out that she is 1) under threat from unknown forces and 2)is a high ranking figure in the mutant government agency.  Myfanwy is helped by the clues her former self left behind for her, which prove to be excellent fodder for world-building.  There is a sequel to The Rook, Stiletto, but it does suffer a bit from sophomore slump.

The Founders trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennett

Yes, this is the second Bennett series on the list.  What can I say?  I like his stuff.  Foundryside is far and away more detailed than the Divine Cities, on the same level as Ninth City Burning really.  It however, has a unique and well explained magical system that is similar to coding.  The story follows a young thief, Sancia Grado, who gets on the wrong side of the all powerful Merchant Houses in a fantastical city that is reminiscent of Renaissance Italy. With intense and pretty crazy heists, fights, and action this book offers much for readers who enjoy Sanderson and Rothfuss.

Wayfarers universe by Becky Chambers

My love of world building stems in part due to my love of Star Trek.  I liked learning about new alien worlds and how they all interconnected.  For a while, I felt that science fiction was leaning a little too hard into the space opera or literary way but Becky Chambers brought fresh new life into the large but intimate galaxy of alien civilizations. While each book in the universe is standalone, they have some common characters and enhance the world that Chambers has created.  From ragtag crews of space tunnelers to the trials of generation ships, old science fiction fans and newcomers will find something to like in all of her books.

Imperial Radch universe by Ann Leckie

This series is one that has also garnered a lot of awards and attention.  The world that Leckie builds is both progressive and oppressive and gives the reader a lot to think about.  It follows Breq, a lone AI fragment of the destroyed battle starship, Justice of Toren, in her quest for revenge and answers.  Beyond the fast moving plot, the Radch empire is full of interesting characters and cultural norms.  With only one gender, all pronouns are feminine and the language style takes a little getting used to.  The follow-up novel, Provenance, adds a different human culture with three genders and establishes Leckie as a progressive and thoughtful speculative fiction author.

Rom-Com Reads

I’ve always loved romantic comedies as films, but never really got into them as books. I think I picked some duds to be honest, but I’ve rediscovered my love of funny romances with the latest trend of contemporary romance novels, especially with more diverse offerings.  Here are some books that I’ve read and my thoughts on them.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

This one is really a two-fer because it has also been adapted into a movie! I’ve only read two out of the trilogy, but I enjoy the catty tone of the books as well as the over-the-top events.  The first book is definitely the most “romantic” of the ones I have read but they all contain nuggets of dealing with an Asian family.  I particularly enjoyed the use of footnotes by the author.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

This debut novel has many qualities to recommend it.  It is a #ownvoice romance from a neurodiverse author featuring a neurodiverse character and a racially diverse love interest.  Stella Lane is a well-paid career woman who finds relationships and friendships difficult, in part due to her Asperger’s.  When pressured by family to pursue romantic relationships, she does her research and hires escort Michael Phan to teach her how to be good in bed.  The steamy escapades that ensue will remind readers of 2005 rom-com starring Debra Messing, The Wedding Date, and has some Pretty Woman vibes as well.  I particularly enjoyed the complex characters as well as the very accurate description of a Vietnamese family living in America.  Shrimp paste FTW!

 

The Wedding Date and The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

More #ownvoice books by a newcomer!  Not to be confused with the aforementioned rom-com film, The Wedding Date was Jasmine Guillory’s debut novel which features steamy scenes and the usual will they or won’t they plot. Attorney Alexa Monroe is barely thinking about her love life when she is trapped in an elevator with Dr. Drew Nichols.  On a whim, she agrees to be his last minute date to his ex’s wedding and of course this meet cute ends up with some action! However, emotional baggage and long distance get in the way.  Set in LA and the Bay Area, this novel is fun and sexy which has spawned more novels set featuring familiar characters, such as The Proposal and forthcoming The Wedding Party.

The Matchmaker’s List by Sonya Lalli

I recently finished this audiobook and I loved every minute of it! Set in Toronto, it features an Bengali-Canadian protagonist, Raina Anand, who is now a successful business woman with strong ties to her immigrant community. No tie is stronger than the one she shares with her Nani, as the surrogate mother for her own flighty teenage one.  However, Raina finds herself lost as she is pressured by her Nani to accept an arrangement for marriage which she had reluctantly agreed to with the deadline of her looming 30th birthday.  Naturally hijinks ensue, including one that really through me for a curve.

In addition to the somewhat predictable romantic plotline, Lalli digs into the complexities of being a second generation immigrant and the conflicts that come between tradition and new ways.  The description of the tight-knit immigrant community along with the Canadian culture (shout out to Ontarians!) is a welcome addition to the rom-com scene.

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating

I found this book using appeal and read-a-like features on NoveList Plus.  On one hand it did remind me of rom-com movies, but in the worst way.  Josh and Hazel are opposite types of people.  Josh is steady, responsible, and maybe a little boring.  Hazel is unpredictable energetic and ready to be friends with everyone, even if you don’t necessarily want her to be.  Basically Hazel is the literary equivalent of the manic pixie dream girl who complains that no one “gets her”.  It reminds me of the meme “If you can’t handle me at my worst, you don’t deserve me at my best”.  Neither Josh nor Hazel really endeared themselves to me, so it was difficult to get behind their ridiculous antics.  But there are plenty of romance readers who love difficult characters, such as some of Emily Giffin’s novels, so if you are one those, you might like this book.

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld

This one is almost a cheat because it is basically a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice, which is such a classic.  However, Sittenfeld does a great job at updating the tale to be relevant to modern times.  I particularly liked the inclusion of reality TV and Cross-Fit.  If you are familiar with the original story and want something new, this book will not be for you.  If you love that old workhorse in a new dressing, this novel has much to offer in terms to revisiting your old friends Lizzy and Darcy.

Books I am looking forward to:

Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal

Another Pride and Prejudice retelling.  I obviously have a problem.

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting

Pretty much the definition of a rom-com.

When Katie Met Cassidy

I’ve heard great things about this book and recently suggested it to a patron looking for a funny romance.

How to Hack a Heartbreak by Kristin Rockaway

I once did a display about digital dating, but it was hard to find enough books incorporating dating apps!  I am curious how this one will tackle the new standard in modern dating.

From Russia, With Love

I’ve noticed and enjoyed a recent uptick in Russian-based fantasy of late.  Here’s some mini-reviews of ones that I think are worth a look.

Vita Nostra by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko, translated by Julia Meitov Hersey

This novel was one of my favorites from 2018.  It follows a young Sasha who is accosted one summer by a strange man asking her to do even stranger things.  Eventually she is forced to attend a college with opaque curriculum and dire consequences. I can see why it took so long to be translated from Russian as the concepts and language are tricky to convey.  The pace is leisurely, but the tension and suspense keep you turning the pages until the very end.  The audiobook is a must if, like me, you are not familiar with Russian names.

The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden

A lush historical fantasy, Arden draws upon Russian folklore and historical events to craft a rich tale about a young Vasilisa.  Daughter of a rural lord, she finds her unique magical abilities pitted against the unseen folk and members of the clergy.  Trying to find a way to resolve this conflict between the old and new ways while keeping her family and country safe, Vasya is a complicated and real character with an inspiring inner strength. Recommended for fans of epic fantasies who like a strong sense of place.  Plus, the trilogy is complete so you don’t have to linger in anticipation!

Deathless by Cathrynne M. Valente

One of the first of the Russian-based fantasies that started me on this kick.  It’s been awhile since I’ve read this novel, but I remember it straddling the line of urban and epic fantasy in a way that was refreshing.  Those familiar with Russian folklore will recognize the trappings of the tale of Marya Morevna against Koschei the Deathless but Valente’s version adds another dimension to the characters and their motivations.

Grishaverse series by Leigh Bardugo

This ongoing YA book world by Leigh Bardugo only gets better with every new book.  The original series will feel a bit trope-y and somewhat bogged down by its YA status, but the worldbuilding is all-encompassing and the later novels gain ground where Bardugo really finds her voice.  While each trilogy or duology is technically stand-alone, you benefit greatly from reading it from start to finish.  Great for those readers who enjoyed Laini Taylor or their fantasy to be a little on the dark side.

Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter

Anothe YA novel, this book came out around the same time as The Bear and the Nightingale, featuring another Vassilissa.  However, this time it is set in a strange version of Brooklyn and features one of the more recognizable figures from Russian folklore, Baba Yaga. Vassa is living with her step-mother in New York when she accidentally is ensnared by one of the deadly convenience stores, Bab Yaggs.  Armed with only her wits and her animated wooden doll, Erg, she struggles to survive to avoid become a head on the post. A little more whimsical than the other books on this list, the incorporation of Russian figures in a modern New York setting is interesting and fun.

               

Uprooted and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Both of these fairy tale novels are more Slavic inspired than strictly Russian-based, but are both so wonderful that I couldn’t omit them.  Each novel is stand-alone and not set in the same universe per se, but I like to call them spiritually connected.  Uprooted is loosely based on Beauty and the Beast and Spinning Silver is loosely based on Rumpelstiltskin.  Each updates the classic tales and imbues them with richly drawn characters and imagery.  Staying true to the grimmer aspects of the classic fairy tales, Novik doesn’t shy away from addressing historical injustices such as sexism and antisemitism.  Move over Disney, these are the women I would follow any day.

**ADDED***

The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner

I can’t believe I forgot to add this book to the original list.  I read it and it reminded me of the trend, but then I forgot when I was typing up the list.  This book follows two sisters who each have a strange pull and power.  Left alone in the village by their parents they face anti-Semitic attacks and dangerous men.  Both fight to assert their own individuality while still being true to their family.  Each sister alternates in narration, one in prose and the other in verse.  The book, to me, felt like it was trying to hard and the ending was a bit forced.  But it is the most like a fairy-tale out of all the ones in the list.

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

Full disclosure: I only read this book as it was assigned for a Romance Genre training.  That being said I have been wanting to expand my repertoire of fiction and this seemed like a good opportunity.  I partially read this book and partially listened to the audio book which featured the voices of Jayne Entwistle, Fiona Hardingham, and Mark Bramhall.  It was nice to have different voice actors for the two main character point of views and all the voice actors performed convincingly.

The narrative device of the having alternating chapters from different perspectives worked well in this book especially concerning hi-jinks in the second half of the story. It created a fast paced story with some urgency. The plot as a whole was a little contrived and required a great deal of suspension of disbelief.  The characters were a little two dimensional, but there was sufficient character development throughout the book to warrant some investment into their story (barely).  Overall I feel like this book was lemonade, but maybe in a watered down “only because I am super thirsty” variety.

Read-A-Likes: Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding, Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

Well I finally read this book as it has been hyped up by all the publication outlet.  I was in a bit of a hurry to finish it because the book is overdue and there a ton of holds on it.  Overall I found it to be engaging, but definitely not as groundbreaking as everyone has it out to be.  It gently pokes fun at the typical speculative fiction tropes (fantasy versus sci-fi), especially concerning the romantic subplot.  By the end of the story, however, I was disappointed with everything wrapping up in a neat little bow.  The apocalypse backdrop for the personal development of the two characters was a little distracting and ultimately lessened any meaningful character growth.  Also, the ending seemed a bit rushed with the attempt to tie everything together in a neat little bow.  Overall, lemonade but don’t get roped in by all the hype or else you might be a little disappointed.

Read-A-Likes: The Magicians Trilogy by Lev Grossman

Starflight by Melissa Landers

I couldn’t sleep last night so I tried to listen to an audiobook in an effort to convince my brain to turn off.  Big mistake.  I had been listening to Melissa Lander’s new YA Sci-Fi (read by Amanda Dolan) romp and was just reaching the end of the story.  Of course, the fast paced adventure kept me intrigued until it was over so I didn’t fall asleep until the very wee hours of the morning.  That being said, this book definitely had its pros (strong female characters) and cons (overwrought romance plot) but despite minor flaws, I enjoyed it and I am already looking forward to the next installment.  Definitely lemonade in my book! For more (spoiler filled) details read on below!

Read-A-Likes: Tin Star by Cecil Castelucci, Earth Girl by Janet Edwards

Watch-A-Likes: Firefly, Dark Matter, Killjoys