Review: Moroda by LL McNeil

Details:

Title: Moroda

Author: LL McNeil

Publisher: LL McNeil

ISBN 13: 978-0995792203

Synopsis:

If one dragon burned the city of Niversai to the ground in a single night, how would we fare if a hundred besieged our world? Moroda s life is thrown into turmoil after she is publicly arrested her city is destroyed and she narrowly escapes the chaos on a sky pirate s airship. But she finds no salvation outside the blackened city walls; a vigilante from an exiled race has left a trail of destruction everywhere his growing army has travelled. With compulsion at his fingertips, he strengthens his hold over Linaria s people by stealing the power of dragons. It s only a matter of time before she, too, is forced to submit. With war nipping at her heels and danger lurking in her companions and adversaries, Moroda must quickly learn about herself, her world, and the dragons so intent on reducing it all to ash.

Review:

Review: The Starlight Watchmaker by Lauren James

Details:

Title: The Starlight Watchmaker

Author: Lauren James

Publisher: Barrington Stoke

ISBN 13: 978-1781128954

Synopsis:

Wealthy students from across the galaxy come to learn at the prestigious academy where Hugo toils as a watchmaker. But he is one of the lucky ones. Many androids like him are jobless and homeless. Someone like Dorian could never understand their struggle - or so Hugo thinks when the pompous duke comes banging at his door. But when Dorian's broken time-travel watch leads them to discover a sinister scheme, the pair must reconcile their differences if they are to find the culprit in time.

Review:

Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag

So up until the end of June 2019 I have read 81 books.

I have given 27 books 5 stars and 35 books 4/4.5 stars.

Without further ado onto the questions

Medieval-a-thon 2019 TBR

For the whole of July (1st to 31st) (and yes this tbr is going up a bit late) I am going to be taking part in the Medieval-a-thon hosted by the lovely Holly Hearts Books.

I will leave a link to the original youtube video post explaining it all here.

Without further ado onto my TBR...

June Wrap Up

In June 2019 I managed to read a total of 16 books.

Audiobooks -

War of the Bastards by Andrew Shvarts
Narrated by Brittany Pressley
Length - 11h 58m
Star rating - 5 stars

I loved this book. I adore the narrator who has narrated all three books in this trilogy. The last in the Royal Bastards series got a little more political and examined the state of the kingdom. Old characters returned, things were said that needed to be and overall it was a very satisfying conclusion.

Viper by Bex Hogan
Narrated by Saffron Coomber
Length - 11h 2m
Star rating - 4.5 stars

This was packed with so many things I love: escapades, pirates, secrets, badassery, strong well developed characters, plot twists and a sense of adventure. Highly enjoyable with a really strong narration.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Narrated by Rebecca Soler
Length - 10h 3m
Star Rating - 5 stars

I loved this. I went in a bit sceptical as it is a very hyped series but it very quickly won me over with the most adorable characters and a really interesting story. I loved the nods to other fairytales. And a bit of political intrigue too which is always a good thing in my book. Looking forward to more in this series!

Beyond a Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake
Narrated by Alana Kerr Collins
Length - 12h 22m
Star Rating - 4.75 stars

The mash up of Norse and Celtic mythology was really really good. The main character was strong and badass and I really enjoyed her development as the story went on. One of my favourite narrators read this book and her grasp of accents is just spot on.

 Novels  -

                             

Contender: The Chosen by Taran Matharu
Length - 400 pages
Star Rating - 5 stars

This was intense. I was a little unsure when I first started due to the modern setting but as soon as it got going I really enjoyed it. It had everything I love; endearing characters, personal journeys, suspense, mystery and, of course, dinosaurs! I love Taran Matharu's writing and love everything of his I read.

                                                                       

Cogheart by Peter Bunzl
Length - 362 pages
Star Rating - 3 stars

While I enjoyed aspects of the world building and the steampunk aspect of this book it did fall a little flat for me. It was perhaps a little young for me as I saw all of the twists before they happened. At the same time when big life changing things happened the kids in the story would be fine and just carry on without much emotion or impact. 

          
                                                     

The Summoner: Battlemage by Taran Matharu
Length - 432 pages
Star Rating - 4 stars

The final installment of the summoner trilogy did not disappoint. It had action, adventure, heart and humour. I really really love how well Taran writes his characters, I felt for Fletcher so much and his relationship with his demons is simply heartwarming. I was overall pretty satisfied with how this series ended even if I do want another little book catching up with those who remain at the end and seeing a little into their future. 

                               

Romanov by Nadine Brandes

Length - 337 pages

Star Rating - 3 stars

The writing in this was really nice and the story was okay but I found it didnt really go anywhere. The magic system was interesting but, for me, there was too much emphasis on the romantic aspect. A good read but a bit forgettable perhaps.

           

The Paper and Hearts Society by Lucy Powrie

Length - 355 pages

Star Rating - 4 stars

This was a far more emotional book than I expected it to be. At times it brought back some rather unpleasant memories from my school years back to the forefront of my mind, things I thought I'd left behind but realise now do still linger at the back of my mind even now, though thankfully with less strength as I've grown older. It's an incredibly well written book with interesting characters and a style which is easy to read. I definitely enjoyed it and on a lighter note want to do the literary road trip with my own bookish besties.

                 

Ship of Smoke and Steel by Django Wexler

Length - 367 pages

Star Rating - 4 stars

I didn't expect much when I went into it but I really enjoyed it. The ship setting was intriguing and I really liked the descriptions of everything. The characters were interesting and well developed and I adored Meroe so much.

Starfell: Willow Moss and the Lost Day by Dominique Valente

Length - 288 pages

Star Rating - 4.5 stars

I had so much fun while reading this book. It had everything I wanted, magic, a quest, diverse characters and a really good feeling while reading. I loved Willow, she was a very sweet and kind character who I was rooting for. I also love the growth she had during the book.

Sanctuary by Caryn Lix

Length - 480 pages

Star Rating - 4.5 stars

This was a great atmospheric thrilling read, I really liked all the characters especially the core group and thought the plot was well thought out. There were a few surprises which I didn't see coming - but probably should have with my scifi reading background lol.

Kenzie was a great character (although she did get convinced to switch sides a little too easily but I'm letting her age excuse that) and I really liked her development.

LifeLike by Jay Kristoff

Length - 398 pages

Star Rating - 4 stars

This was a full on action packed story. It definitely had moments of Mad Max and Bladerunner which was what the blurb suggested. I really enjoyed Lemon Fresh, her unique style of speech was brilliant and her friendship with Eve was adorable.

There were a few surprise moments and a few I wondered about before the reveals. Overall it was a great scifi adventure and I look forward to the sequel.

          

                                                 Graphic Novels -

                             

The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O'Neill
Length - 136 pages
Star Rating - 5 stars

I read the Tea Dragon Society last year when it came in an owlcrate box and this prequel is just as cute. The artwork is stunning and the story has some really lovely messages running through it but they don't seem too pushy, if you know what I mean. Loved it and cannot wait to own a copy.

                                                                       

Black Widow: Deadly Origin by Paul Cornell
Length - 112 pages
Star Rating - 2 stars

Urgh what a way to ruin a character. This whole graphic novel was plot what plot and really did nothing to show the amazing kick ass character Natasha is. Definitely not one I will be reading again or keeping.

Review: The Squirrel Squire and the Tournament of Oaks by Erik DeLeo

Details:

Title: The Squirrel Squire and the Tournament of Oaks

Author: Erik DeLeo

Publisher: Dark Cat Publishing

ISBN 13: 978-1733513807

Synopsis:

Squire Puff faces many pressures, but searching for a missing knight isn’t supposed to be one of them. When things take a turn for the worse, can he face his fears and help avert disaster? If Puff can’t find the champion, he’s the only one left who can fight.

Review:

May Wrap Up (delayed thanks to holiday)

In May 2019 I managed to read a total of  13 books.

Audiobooks -

King of Fools by Amanda Foody
Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld
Length - 17h 30m
Star rating - 4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I adore the narrator and she tells this story wonderfully. The second in the Shadow Game series really upped the anti and I loved how Enne gained confidence and her girl gang was awesome. Levi got on my nerves a little bit but Jac was the new star for me. I am in completely love with him.

Gilded Cage by Vic James
Narrated by Avita Jay
Length - 11h 52m
Star rating - 4 stars

It took me a while to get into this book but once I got about three quarters of the way through I started to very much got into it. I like that we get POV's from a variety of characters, the world set up is scarily something I could see happening too. Very good first book.

Tarnished City by Vic James
Narrated by Avita Jay
Length - 12h 54m
Star Rating - 5 stars

Well things certainly got more heated in this one. Again we get the multiple POV's which is a really clever way of showing both sides of the fight and makes it much harder to dismiss the 'bad' guys as just bad. The skilled world is just as much of a cage as the unskilled find themselves in. The politics was a fascinating aspect for me personally.

Bright Ruin by Vic James
Narrated by Avita Jay
Length - 13h 23m
Star Rating - 5 stars

Obviously being the last in a series I don't want to spoil anything so all I will say is I was very satisfied with the ending of this trilogy. I adore Luke and Silyan and their particular story was definitely my favourite, Silyan is such a complex character - far more than you first realise. Loved it. And highly recommend the audio, the narrator does an incredible job.

 Novels  -

                               

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
Length - 394 pages
Star Rating - 4.5 stars

My full review can be found here

                                                                         

Queenslayer by Sebastien de Castell

Length - 400 pages
Star Rating - 5 stars

This is the penultimate book in the Spellslinger series and my goodness it was a great one. Kellen really is growing as a young man and it's nice to see that throughout the last couple of books especially. I adore his relationship with Reichis and that remains one of my favourite parts of the series. A solid 5 stars and I am half anticipating and half dreading the next book as I don't want the series to end!

                                                                 

A Good Girls Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Length - 432 pages
Star Rating - 4 stars

This came highly recommended by some friends who had read the arc last year and I was so glad I listened. I would say murder mystery type books aren't my thing but then I have read and enjoyed One of us is lying too so maybe they are. This one was brilliant, the characters were well written, the plot was incredibly well constructed and I loved the twists and turns which I mostly did not see coming. Highly recommended.

                                     

The Dragon with the Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis

Length - 249 pages

Star Rating - 5 stars

This was a super cute middle grade which I read for a reading challenge and it honestly kept me hooked. I loved it and the overall positivity you got from reading it was wonderful to see. In fact I loved it so much I immediately brought the sequel which I am hoping to get to soon.

           

Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt de la Pena

Length - 336 pages

Star Rating - 3 stars

This is the last in the DC Icons series and I was apprehensive going into it as Superman is not a favourite character of mine but neither was Batman and that ended up being the best in my opinion. Sadly for Superman it was not meant to be and I found it a little slow, boring and not overly well written. Definitely my least favourite of this series.

                   

Finale by Stephanie Garber

Length - 400 pages

Star Rating - 4 stars

The last book in Stephanie Garber's Caraval series was satisfying but didn't truly capture the wonder and magic of the first book for me. While I enjoy the characters and plot I do think the first book is the strongest of them all. I am glad I read them however and will read whatever Stephanie does next. A solid read just missing that extra sparkle.

Nocturna by Maya Montayne

Length - 300 pages

Star Rating - 2 stars

This book fell very flat for me, it felt full of rehashed storylines from other popular, and dare I say, better written fantasy stories. It was overly long, I didn't come to care about any of the characters and the repetition of the word 'maldito' made me want to throw the book across the room. Definitely not a read for me and I will not be continuing on with the series - where is it even going to go from there?

The Inquisition by Taran Matharu

Length - 407 pages

Star Rating - 4.5 stars

This was a brilliant sequel, admittedly it threw me a bit when it started as a longer amount of time had passed than I realised at first but it soon got back into the swing of things. I really love the relationships between the summoners and the demons and this book had more political intrigue going on which is a personal preference of mine.

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Length - 470 pages

Star Rating - 4.75 stars

Ensemble sci-fi is great and Jay and Amie are phenomenal at writing it so I had high hopes for this book and it did not disappoint. While it didn't have the uniqueness that Illuminae had it still had solid characters and an intriguing plot. I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes.