Strong World-building Skills, Complex Characters, and Engaging Plot!
355489
This book was received in exchange for an honest review through christinaescamilla.com. A longer version of the review can be found there.

With so many current dystopians on the market it would be easy to discount this book as yet another attempt in the genre. However, "Hope's Rebellion" certainly stands on its own two feet.

First and foremost, I must commend Varden on an extremely efficient job at world building. Everything from the social structure to simple nuances of clothing are handcrafted and it is very easy to step inside this world and get lost there. To that extent, the main premise of the world is that the population is segmented by hair color; with blondes being favorable over brunettes. Those with the wrong color hair are on lower rungs of society, while those with higher are given a more luxurious life. Though, as one gets into the book, the idea of what is considered a life free from hardship is very questionable and is one of the ways this book is so special. It tackles notions of power, discrimination, femininity, and so forth in a highly engaging way.

Though some readers might find the subject matter especially dark, especially for a YA novel, as a whole, there is no question - this makes for a very interesting read. Aside from this initial lauding, one minor flaw readers should note is that there are no breaks to differentiate between one scene from the other, so please keep this in mind when reading.

However, with a world that is rich and vibrant, a plot that lays out more than a few surprises, and extremely complex and capable characters, this book is definitely worth checking out!
1972225
Spectacular job for a debut novel. I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this story. It's a skillful balance of character development & plot. The expositions flow easily and give just enough details to draw-in your imagination to this alien world. The dialogue is genuine and smooth. Priestley does a thorough job of introducing appealing supporting characters that I hope to see grow in the next installment of this series.

The main character, Dani Standich, is from Earth and has psi abilities unknown to her. She's strong, smart and likeable. She gets caught up in an alien war, where she meets Ian Cavacent, an alien from Sandaria. Ian struggles between his duty as Protector of Earth and his growing desire for Dani. They cannot resist each other and their involvement could result in the downfall of an empire.

Looking forward to Book 2
1311916
I was sent the audiobook of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Keeva came across as a very strong female character which I am all for! It wasn't that she was great at hand-to-hand combat or that she could use a gun without any hesitation, she was strong in the sense that she was a fighter at heart. She knew what she believed in and never hesitated to question the way things worked in her world. She had a good head on her shoulders and I fully enjoyed the story from her point of view. Calix was the second POV in this book and I really liked his character. With a power hungry maniac for a father, it should have been easy for Calix to follow in his father's footsteps. Instead, Calix also questioned his father, his motives, and what affect his father's experiments had on the people of their world. He was a silent rebel and for him to be young, Calix was smart and a complementary POV to Keeva's.

The mix of a dystopian society and fascinating life forms was such a great blend in this book, I had a hard time figuring out how to explain the concept to someone who asked me what the book was about. It felt like an alienesque adventure but also not since there weren't actually any aliens. It was a futuristic story that had me on the edge of my seat at some points and mixed in with torturous experiments, kids on the run, an underground civilization that is believed to be nothing more than a fairytale, genetics having a huge part in the story, dark secrets, and twists and turns, it was a book I had fun listening to. The creativity of this novel was entertaining and refreshing and I'm excited for the next installment of the series!

Overall, I was just really impressed with this book. The scientific and futuristic mood and themes of this book were so interesting, the descriptions were simple to understand and imagine, even the explanations of the genetics and science of the world was easy for me to understand, science being my least favorite subject. The world building was strong, the writing was excellent, and the adventure was thrilling! I highly recommend this book if you're in the mood for an exciting sci-fi dystopian novel. I also highly recommend the audiobook as the narrator put on a fantastic performance, almost soothing me to sleep many times. As a final note, I also loved that there was only a tiny hint of romance in this novel, it allowed me as a reader to remain completely focused on what was going in the world of this novel without feeling like it was some sort of space-opera.

The reason why I didn't give this book a five-star rating is because while I enjoyed mostly everything about this book, I didn't enjoy that it was a little hard to get into in the beginning. It's the case with a lot of sci-fi novels so don't take it too seriously. I think if you give this book enough time to really get the ball rolling, it's worth the read and time in my personal opinion.
268667
I really enjoyed this LITRPG book, hardly putting it down from beginning to end. With the premise of a cataclysmic end in site, I enjoyed how the author put some deeper emphasis on the feelings that (naturally) would bring up in a person, rather than simple acceptance and 'on to the adventure'. The world-building was good, with some creative classes brought to the forefront. The character development was also well done, I find myself genuinely invested in what happens to them as this series continues. Looking forward to the next book!
4787949
Review originally posted on thatcozybooknook.com

Disclaimer: **I received an e-copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own, and this review has an extremely mild spoiler!**

Eye of the Storm reminded me of an old-school fantasy novel in a good way. From the first fifteen to twenty pages, the plot is intriguing and the intent is clear. The reader knows whats going on, as well as the obstacles that have presented themselves early on, and it was that intrigue that pulled me in right away. Dr. Anna Fayne is an anthropologist and along with former SEAL Eric Slade, they lead a research expedition to investigate the appearance of a Neanderthal. From there ,the anomalies begin piling up, and the research team find themselves in a new world that has its own share (many, many shares!) of problems. Dr. Fayne and Slade are soon caught on opposite sides of a war that has been brewing, as well as a plot to overthrow the city of Tulkoras.

The fight to survive in this alternate world drives the first half of the book, and there is no shortage of action and humor as Fayne and Slade get themselves into some less than desirable situations. The whole book is in third person and told in multiple points of view. In one, we are getting incredibly rich world building from Cavallo and learning about the slow burning plot involving the warrior queen, Threya, as well as learning more about the Eye of the Storm. In the other, we are with Fayne and Slade as they attempt to grow more accustomed to this new world. The more familiar they became with their surroundings and comfortable with survival, the more the reader does as well, which is something I particularly enjoyed; And lastly, we get the story from both Fayne and Slades perspectives once they are separated and become involved in the budding war in their own ways.

Cavallo really took his time painting each region of the this world, from Tulkoras to Tvath (the City of the Black Sun), it was all believable and so well-imagined, with enough history and depth to keep me turning to the page. The connections to our own modern world were woven in so expertly into the lore of Tulkoras and Tvath.

Unfortunately, what lacked depth were the two main characters, Anna and Slade. They experience tragedy along the way, which they react to in very nonchalant manners that had me raising my eyebrow. Slade reacts like this more than once, and though he delivers most of the humor throughout the book, that didn't excuse his flat actions and reactions over the course of the story.

When we start getting the bits of story from Annas side, it becomes even more dry. I couldn't help but feel that she was underdeveloped as her perspective dragged on. While Fayne and Slades separation played really well into the end-goal of the book, I will say that they were much stronger and a hundred times more interesting when they were together.

This book has everything- alternate worlds, magic, dragons, wizards, queens, technology- I mean, the list goes on. Its for that reason that also I started getting turned off a little as I neared the middle of the book. It was still a great read overall, but there came a moment where I felt like having so many fantastical elements in one book was a bit too much, and it just became cluttered, as though I was trying to parse out those aspects of the story to keep track of what was really going on.

Eye of the Storm was a solid, entertaining read and one that I would recommend to folks who already love fantasy. The world is imaginative and the story itself is sure to have you intrigued if you decide to give it a chance, though I personally was not a huge fan of the main characters or the overabundance of multiple fantastical elements. While this is sure to sit well with core-fantasy fans, I wouldnt say this is the best book to pick up if you want to dive right into the genre for the first time.
2291220
An exciting, page-turning addition to the Immortal Empire series!

Xandra proved herself to be a kick ass heroine in the debut, but she's even more hardcore in the sequel. She's craving violence, ready to rip out a few throats, and becoming unapologetic about who and what she is. I absolutely loved it!

There is a lot of forward progress in this story regarding the changes in Xandra's life. Along with her new Goblin Queen status, she's learning to adjust to the new physical and psychological changes, including her increasing desire for flesh and blood and her violent temper.

She also finds herself in the middle of a game of politics. Each faction wants to align themselves with the Goblin Queen and this causes a lot of complications, especially with her boyfriend Vex. But despite the problems that arise within his pack, their relationship begins to strengthen and by the story's conclusion we witness some progress between them as well.

Aside from Xandra herself, what I loved most about this novel was the time spent with the goblins. They are explored more in depth and Xandra begins to realize that she should not fear her plague and that they should be valued and appreciated. Although they can be ruthless and deadly, her people are also very loyal and protective and smarter than she ever gave them credit for. I've become very fond of the plague's prince and I'm looking forward to spending more time with him in future installments.

I'll admit that I wasn't very interested in the story's main mystery with Xandra searching for her missing sibling. But there were many, many other things to enjoy and overall I thought this was a fantastic follow up to God Save the Queen!

Paranormal fans who enjoy dark fantasy with steampunk elements, The Queen Is Dead is a must read!
1157211
I have NO idea why this book hasn't had more hype! I really, really enjoyed it and it's like nothing I have ever read - which is saying something, especially in the YA world!

The world building is complex, thorough and absolutely fascinating: Erica Cameron has done an AMAZING job of creating a distinctive and diverse fantasy world.

The writing is descriptive and yet easy to read and the world is full of gritty and shocking detail. There's a glossary provided at the back of the book to help orient the reader (if necessary) and it's clear that every last detail has been so well thought out in advance; from the social structure to the politics to the culture. There's a whole lexicon of rankings and unique terms and while this may be confusing or intimidating to some readers, THIS particular reader was entirely grateful and appreciative of the intricacies and involvement of this world and the sheer depth of world-building involved.

The island of Shiara is dystopian-esque in quality and the intensity of the plot is breathtaking from the very first chapter.

I absolutely LOVED how effortlessly diverse this book is. It wasn't diverse for the sake of being diverse; it just was. There were multiple sexual orientations (including asexual), an absolute plethora of varying skin colours, even a third gender with its own specific pronouns!! Yet none of this was unusual in this fantasy world and sex positive society.

The main character, Khya was just a breath of fresh air. She's a Desosa Mage which means she can manipulate energy and in her particular case she is a fykina ward mage -able to shield herself and others from both magic and the physical world. She's a warrior in every sense of the word and her fierceness, stubborn nature and dedication both to the clan and to her brother completely endeared her to me and seeing this world through her POV and watching her character development throughout the book completely invested me in the world and the plot.

All of the characters in fact were just fantastically written - multilayered, complex and so REAL with their own personality quirks and flaws.

The romance!!! Wow, the romance. It was a complete SLOW BURN and somehow it featured all of my most favourite tropes and I just SHIPPED IT SO HARD!!! It was a total asset to the story and yet also managed never to be the center of attention and didn't take away from the main plot arc at all. I wouldn't mind seeing A LOT more of the romance in the next book - just saying!!

The magical system in this world is also really well thought out and systematic. There wasn't any one point where it was too unbelievable and the use of magic always took it's toll - I appreciate that in a fantasy.

This completely unique book is full of mind-blowing creativity, unpredictable twists and turns, one of the most enticing romances I have read in a while and a riveting plot that draws you in further and further until the desperation is palpable. I definitely cannot wait to read more of this series and I can't wait to see where Cameron takes us next.
2784916
I'm not an excellent reviewer, but I really enjoyed this story. The main character is drawn from our world into the land of Llandrana where she is tested, used, and thrown into a battle against encroaching evil.

What stood out most to me was the excellent worldbuilding. It drew me into the story immediately. Llandrana is a world of underlying melodies and Songs connecting people to one another.

Secondly, the romance in the book was captivating. The hero really spoke to me. I could really understand him... his needs, wishes, dreams and desires.

I can't wait to read the next installment!
1432498
Moonburner is a delightful fantasy read, filled with awesome powers, richly described characters and settings, and a strong heroine. Kai is a unique protagonist, and I love how you discover more and more of her history as the novel progresses. Even the secondary characters are written very well, showing great characterization. Fantasy is sometimes difficult to read for me, mostly because there are so many difficult names and places to keep track of. This novel does have that element, but the story line was so engaging, and it was written in such a way that I hardly noticed it. Ms. Luana has created a powerful fantasy world with a set of interesting characters and a page-turning plot in this enjoyable debut. I received this book in exchange for an honest review, but I would totally purchase it! Pick up a copy, you won't be disappointed.
4693348
I'm giving this a 4.5, but that's because there were a couple times I was exasperated by the two most primary characters, and there were a couple secrets I figured out very early on. Now that I've got that out of my system, allow me to say that I've been waiting for this book for months. MONTHS. I loved the premise and was eager to see if I lived up to its expectations. Short answer: It did. It absolutely did. The world building and magic is unique and exciting. The action was intense and clearly described. Ruby is a feisty lead character with a vulnerable heart and a temper, a perfect match to Arcus's icy demeanour, but I loved their interactions, and while they drove me crazy a couple times, I was relieved that they worked through their issues. I also liked Arcus was a different kind of handsome, and that he had his own fears and misgivings to work through. They're great characters and I'm excited to see where they go next. There is so much potential here and I know that just the surface has been scratched. Can't wait for the sequel!
3062375
great world building, interesting characters, a fine set up for future stories but still a very satisfying read. look forward to the next installment!
2137999
I normally don't pick up titles like this (I'm more of a fantasy geek), but I was hooked after a few chapters. Pix is an absolutely fascinating character and I loved gradually learning more about her in the different environments as well as her relationships and interactions with other characters. Character development is very well done in this book, as is world building. The writing style keeps the pace fast and urgent and there's enough action in each chapter to keep you wanting more....and more. It's really hard to put this book down because you get sucked into the story. The different characters' motivations and actions are predictable at times, but surprising at others, which is a balance I prefer. I love the diverse cast of characters and the relationships between them, especially the different types of relationships: warden/prisoner, lovers, trainer/trainee etc. The author's voice is unique, and the plot is pretty fresh. All in all an engrossing read and I'm looking forward to more books from this author!
3953456
Solid world building.  Good development for both primary and secondary characters.
539710
Note that this IS the second novel, though, and i don't think it's a good place to start; read the first before this one.

I loved learning more about Lena the dryad, both from her own narrative and in the story. She's a wonderful, fascinating character, with almost superpowers in some ways but serious intrinsic weaknesses in others. Excellently done and handled!

The plot is very complexz, and- which is rare in urban fantasy- NOT restricted to 2 sides. Bothe the "bads" and the "goods" have internal conflicts of priorities and goals, and these impact the way things play out. Even more, characters are conflicted and ambiguous about their own goals, and how well their "side" is going to let them achieve these goals. And it's not a simple matter of sowing division; the reasons why people hook up with one "side" or another are diverse, and that affects their reactions to what that "side" is doing, and how or whether they wish to cooperate with such. Nicely done! and far more subtle than most UF I've read recently.

The shout-outs to various books are a lot of fun. Also, I really liked that Isaac, our main protag, is so CURIOUS! When faced with a difficult situation, if it doesn't require an immediate response, his reaction tends to be "Hmm. Let's figure this out!" I LOVE that.

I am very much looking forward to #3. Do consider reading this series if you are a F/SF fan, and like books where that is honored!
4466457
The one bad thing: could use more editing (but I'm an English teacher, so I think that about every book). Now, all the amazing things: WOW. So, I bought this book because the author is an acquaintance/FB friend. Being a supportive friend totally paid off in this case, because what I got was a fantastic story full of complex and thoughtful plot. The main character, Lydia, is a very well-written, well-developed character who navigates the plot twists in a way that shows her character growing. She doubts herself in realistic ways, acknowledges her shortcomings and failures, but still manages to survive and learn from her experiences. This is only the second time I've seen a fictional witch use elements of real witchcraft and seem feasible - Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan is the other, but Rachel's world does not seem as realistic to me as Lydia's (this could be because I live in north Alabama, the setting for the book). Also, Harrison's world has an alternate-history setting; Grubb's world is the one her readers live in, as far as I can tell. I liked that Grubb did not make her "Cthonians" (vampires, werewolves, etc.) adhere strictly to legendary formula, but she did not stray far from it, either (no sparkles here, thankyouverymuch). I liked her portrayal of them more than Laurell K. Hamilton's first portrayals of the same sorts of creatures, and I'm looking forward to seeing how she develops the characters in her future work. I feel like I should say more about the plot, because that's what really impressed me. I thought it was going to be a straightforward save-the-world  la Buffy:tVS, but it was not. It was so, so much more, and so much better. There is a lot of fantasy/horror/alternate reality fiction out there, but I think Grubb has the potential to become of one of the leading names in the genre. I feel fortunate to be one of the first to read her work, and I can't wait to see what she brings us next!
2594200
I have a major thing for world-building. I love to read Brandon Sanderson and Hugh Howey precisely because they invent super creative worlds and develop them completely with carefully placed details that create the world without boring exposition. Sunbolt does this too. But the amazing thing about it is that the author richly developed this world and these characters in under 150 pages. That is some seriously talented writing!

And the plot? Sunbolt is chock full of fight scenes, creative magic, strong women, and scary nonhuman villains. The plot also twists and turns, so that at first it seems like a political intrigue book and then a vampire story and finally a magic powers story. I need book 2 now!

** Disclosure: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
2341596
The Dark City by Catherine Fisher is the first in a fast-paced epic fantasy series, Relic Master.  There are plenty of satisfying action, suspense, and adventure in this first, but there promises to be much more in the coming installments, the rest of which are thankfully going to be released one month after another this summer:  The Lost Heiress, The Hidden Coronet, The Margrave.

Fireseed storms, invisible islands, drowned forests in the middle of the ocean, and a beast-like tribe who lives above the dark city's rooftops.  The world that Fisher has created is elaborate and convincing.  However, there are little hints here and there that as different as Anara is, its cultural origins may not be so different from our own - The various mysterious relics described sound suspiciously like modern technological items of our time.  I am very interested to see how this similarity is explored in the coming books, as Anara's origin and history play an integral part in its troubled present and uncertain future.

"Galen stared at the bridge, his eyes deep and dark. 'There were men in the Order with great skills, boy. They knew the mightiest relics--handled them every day. The power of the Makers lingered in them. They knew strange things--things that have never been written, maybe even the secrets of the Makers themselves. An old man once told me that when the Makers departed the world, they left behind a certain book of their deeds wrapped in black cloth. Only one man knew the script it was written in. The knowledge was taught, from one Archleeper to the next, till Mardoc was betrayed. Maybe someone still knows it.'"

Additionally, Fisher starts each chapter with quotes and excerpts from Anara's mythology and belief systems which give enticing hints of how this world came to be and the catastrophic events which led to its present state.  What the relics truly mean are shrouded in mystery and superstition.  By the end, even with a startling resolution to the narrative, I had more questions than I started out with, but I still cannot wait to get my hands on the subsequent chapters of the Relic Master.

The Dark City  is the kind of book I loved as a kid, set in a rich world worth exploring and getting  lost in and peopled with characters who I could see myself having adventures with.  Galen, the gruff master beset by secret demons, and Raffi, the brave but uncertain apprentice make a likeable duo, but I loved the character of Carys - the tough girl of the streets with a torn conscience.  I hope that Fisher follows her story in one of the subsequent books, as it by the end of the Dark City, trio part ways.  Galen, Raffi, and Carys's quest to enter the dark city of Tasceron to find answers is an exciting one, beset with perils and wonders.