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You hate. We love. I devour you whole: Reviewing The Archive Undying by Emma Meiko Candon

Hi everyone! I’m back! It feels like I have been away for too long. Some exciting life changes happened recently so my attention has been elsewhere. I just didn’t have the attention span to buckle down and finish anything. Until now, that is. Let me not ramble for any longer. Let’s talk about The Archive Undying.

Content Warning: Strong Language, Some Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery, Intense Battle Scenes

The world has been ruled by AI gods for eons and, when a god falls, the city it rules dies with it. The city of Khuon Mo was one of these doomed cities. Its god, though, didn’t destroy everything. It left behind one survivor: a child named Sunai. In the seventeen years since the city was destroyed, Sunai has wandered from city to city, unable to die and haunted by the destruction he witnessed. He copes by throwing himself into work, drugs, and the beds of strangers. One of these strangers, an eccentric and guarded archivist, suspects that Sunai hides a secret. The two soon find themselves with a ragtag group of merchants who are tasked with finding a valuable artifact before a dangerous entity finds it. Sunai finds himself thrust back into the world of gods and machines where the stakes are higher than ever.

As I was reading this book, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Gideon the Ninth. Funny enough, the quote on the cover is from Tamsyn Muir herself. With that being said, The Archive Undying is a standout science fiction novel with a vivid setting and compelling world-building. Emma Meiko Candon seamlessly blends a wry sense of humor with a kaleidoscopic, multifaceted narrative. Everything in this book was so vivid, from the massive mechs to the AI gods. It jumps between trippy visuals with existential questions about existence and religion, to intense battle sequences and great interpersonal drama. I desperately needed a good sci-fi novel and I am so glad I found this one. You should absolutely read The Archive Undying if you want a book that feels like a breath of fresh air in the sci-fi landscape.

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After a while, though, things will fall into place: Reviewing Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

Hey everyone! I’m back again! I love being able to give you all back-to-back reviews. I have been sitting on this particular book for a while now. I know most people read Kindred in high school or undergrad, but I hadn’t read any books by Octavia E. Butler before so I had been looking forward to this one for a while. I won’t ramble on much longer. Let’s talk about Kindred.

Content Warning: Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Self-Harm and Suicide, Harsh Language and Slurs, Historically Accurate Depictions of Slavery, Sexual Assault

Dana was living her ordinary life in 1976 with her husband. Suddenly, she is pulled through time from her home in California to the antebellum South. She ends up saving the life of Rufus, the white son of a wealthy plantation owner. Soon, Dana finds herself repeatedly drawn back in time to save Rufus. In the past, Dana took it upon herself to save as many of the slaves as she could while trying to convince Rufus to break the cycle of violence on his father’s plantation. As each stay grows longer and more dangerous, Dana begins to worry that she might not make it out alive.

I can’t believe it took me so long to finally read an Octavia Butler book. I have been missing out. This was such an intense and exceptional story that was far ahead of its time. Butler takes an unflinching look at the realities of slavery in the antebellum South and the undeniable impact that history has had on the present day. It was a difficult read, but only in the sense that the prose is visceral and can be hard to confront, but that is Butler’s purpose. Not many historical novels confront that brutality of the past in such an eloquent way, but Butler does so. There is so much to be about this book, but I think you are better off experiencing it for yourself. If you haven’t read this one in school, then read Kindred because you need to.

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When you’ve been set up to lose everything, what is there left to fight for?: Reviewing Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Hello everyone! Holy cow! I’m so excited to review this book. I swear I will get to my other books but I had to drop everything for this one! For those of you who don’t know, I have been a longtime Hunger Games fan. I was obsessed with the books in middle school and high school. My first ever midnight movie premiere was the first Hunger Games movie. Needless to say, I was so excited when Suzanne Collins announced that she was going to write another book about Haymitch’s Games. Anyways, I’m going to stop yapping and get to reviewing. Let’s talk about Sunrise on the Reaping.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Harm Towards Children, Animal Death, Substance Abuse

It’s the morning of the Reaping for the 50th Hunger Games. This game is a Quarter Quell, which means four tributes will be chosen from each District. It is also Haymitch Abernathy’s sixteenth birthday. He tries to push aside his fears by focusing on what he loves the most: his family and his girl, Lenore Dove. His fears are realized when his name is called during the Reaping. He and three other tributes are ripped from their beloved homes and forced to be the Capitol’s entertainment. Along the way, Haymitch meets other people who want to bring an end to the Hunger Games and he takes a chance on these secretive rebels. Once he’s in the arena, though, all bets are off and Haymitch what’s worth fighting for.

Suzanne Collins has done it again. She has delivered her most poignant, heartbreaking, and remarkable entry to her franchise yet. Before I even begin talking about this, I urge all of you to read the quotes that Collins included at the beginning of the book. Everything about Sunrise on the Reaping is so deliberate and topical. I love the themes of this book. On top of that, we also get some really interesting bits of lore that all Hunger Games fans have been dying to know. Haymitch is a great main character as his personality shines with equal parts charm and reliability. This book, though… This book is brutal. No punches are pulled before, during, or after the Games. I had to set this one aside a few times just to process what had happened. I was in genuine shock, but that was the best part. If this book doesn’t make you uncomfortable, then you aren’t truly reading this book. I could write a twenty-five to thirty-page essay on this book, but I will refrain from doing so. I will leave you with this: go pick it up immediately because it needs to be experienced, especially in the current political climate.

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We look toward the unknown future…: Reviewing Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. It has been a bit since I reviewed a Star Wars book. This also isn’t the first Star Wars book I have reviewed by Claudia Gray. If you want, you can check out my review of Master and Apprentice. It is time once again to go to a galaxy far, far away and talk about Lost Stars.

Content Warning: Intense Battle Scenes, Some Violence, Some Descriptions of Injuries, Mild Sexual Content

It has been eight years since the Old Republic fell and the Galactic Empire rules in its place. Very few leaders are willing to speak against the tyrannical rule of Palpatine, and those who do pay the price. On a small planet, childhood friends Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree dream of serving as pilots for the Imperial Army. Together, they train to reach their dreams. As time passes, they find themselves going down different paths. Thane sees the cruelty of the Empire and wants to fight back. Ciena is determined to hold the oaths that she swore to protect her fellow Imperial officers. With war on the horizon, Ciena and Thane must decide where their loyalties lie.

For Star Wars fans out there, this book is set during the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. If you’re interested in that, then stick around for the rest of this review. I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did, but I found Claudia Gray’s original characters to be compelling and I liked the perspective of this book. If I were to describe this book, it would be Romeo and Juliet but with cool space battles. I really wasn’t expecting to like a Star Wars book centered mostly on a romance but I was proven wrong. Even though the events of the book play out as they do in the movie, I was still on edge because I had no idea if any of these characters were going to live or not. Claudia Gray does an excellent job writing the intense space battle scenes, which were honestly one of the highlights of this book. Overall, this is definitely another win for Star Wars books so go ahead and check it out.

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This is how we fight: throw ourselves at each other and see whose parts give out first: Reviewing All Systems Red (Book 1 of the Murderbot Diaries) by Martha Wells

Hey everyone! I hope you are doing well! I also hope you are staying safe, especially if you live in the path of Hurrican Helene or Milton. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones. If you have to hunker down, maybe this post will distract you for just a bit. After this review, I will be getting into the spooky stuff so fear not! (Or fear a little because, you know, Halloween and stuff). Either way, I’m sending you all my love. Now, let’s talk about All Systems Red.

Content Warning: Violence, Strong Language

Corporations rule outer space. Missions are regulated and delegated by these corporations. Safety, though, isn’t much of a concern. Humans rely on specialized robots for protection on dangerous planets. One particular robot, who refers to itself as “Murderbot”, is reluctant to leave its serials and venture out with a team of human scientists. The mission quickly takes a dangerous turn and its up to the Murderbot and humans to figure out the truth.

All Systems Red is a fun, fast-paced read with plenty of classic sci-fi thrills and wry humor. What really helped this novella stand out is Murderbot as the narrator. I related to the Murderbot because I too don’t like being important at my place of work. Martha Wells manages to pack in a lot of interesting world building and concepts in less than 150 pages. I personally would have loved for this book to be longer because I loved Murderbot’s voice and wanted to know more about the world of this novel. I will probably be picking up the sequel some time in the future. If you are looking for your next sci-fi read, look no further than The Murderbot Diaries.

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When a traumatic memory is unable to die, it learns how to become alive: Reviewing The Dawn Chorus (Book 2 of the Capherayna Chronicles) by Karen Menezes

Hi everyone! I’m back again and I am revisiting an indie author who I have reviewed previously. You are welcome to check out my review for the first book in this series, Safe Passage. I want to give a huge shout out to Karen for asking me to review her books. I will be linking all of her social media information below so you can show her your love and support. I absolutely love when authors reach out to me to review their books. If you are an aspiring author, then reach out to me! My contact info is listed on my blog. In the meantime, let’s talk about The Dawn Chorus.

Content Warning: Discussions of War, Explicit Sexual Content, Some Mild Language

Years ago, a terrible tragedy happened in the borderlands of Capherayna. Years later, its memory still haunts the Lightbender. He wanders the world, comforting the sick and dying, desperate to forget the ghosts of his past. He finally returns to Capherayna and makes peace with settled life. In the ancient city of Dorsfield, he rents a loft from a conspiracy theorist whose niece is rather gorgeous. She introduces him to a powerful man who knows too much about a terrible secret.

Where Safe Passage was more focused on the war itself, Dawn Chorus is a look at the aftermath of war on a personal scale and a public scale. The narrative here is a bit more of an intimate character study with slice of life moments that are peppered with details that almost feel too private for the reader. It made it all the more interesting, though. I liked Menezes took the time to develop all of the characters and make them feel like real people. All of the details add up into an interesting picture of different people dealing with the world around them. We also get an interesting range of characters, from a king to a nomad. The book cover quite a bit as it continues to explore the impact of war. Overall, Dawn Chorus was an interesting sequel and I am excited to see where the series goes.

Once again, thank you to Karen! You’re the best

Website: https://karenmenezes.com/the-chronicles-of-capherayna.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.menezes/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50832081.Karen_Menezes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_menezes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechroniclesofcapherayna

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Welcome to the universe, from which there is no escape: Reviewing Safe Passage by Karen Menezes

Hi everyone! I am super excited today because I have a review by another indie author! It is always a treat to get to do these kinds of reviews. I will link all of Karen’s socials at the very end of this review so you can send her your love and support. Thank you for reaching out to me, Karen! Now, let’s talk about her novel, Safe Passage.

Content Warning: Violence, Graphic Descriptions of Injuries, Discussions and Depictions of War.

The old-growth forest and the borderlands of Capherayna are a mystery. So are its people, the Xaeltik community. They live in a pre-industrial time warp, unable to defend themselves from the dark forces of the modern world. In the heart of the forest, a vortex of death is rumored to swallow the living, chew on them, and spit out the pieces. The Lightbender stumbles into Xaeltik territory after days of wandering the forest. He is welcomed by a macabre sight that changes the course of his destiny. To save lives, he must let them die.

What I loved about Safe Passage was the mixture of grounded social issues and fantastical sci-fi/fantasy elements that are used to build the narrative. It was as funny in a cheeky way as it was emotional and profound. Menezes doesn’t hold back when it comes to discussing war and the aftermath of it. I loved her use of descriptive language, the minute details, and the overall sympathetic tone that the novel takes. War is never an easy topic to tackle but Menezes shows every facet, from the people fighting the war to the people caught in the middle of the crossfire. Overall, Safe Passage is a refreshing and introspective novel with plenty of fun and interesting science fiction elements

Website: https://karenmenezes.com/the-chronicles-of-capherayna.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.menezes/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50832081.Karen_Menezes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_menezes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechroniclesofcapherayna

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Whatever it costs to achieve that goal, I will pay it: Reviewing Star Wars: Lesser Evil (Book 3 of the Ascendancy Trilogy) by Timothy Zahn

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well! I’m finally wrapping up the Thrawn: Ascendancy Trilogy. Feel free to go back and read the rest of my reviews of any and all Star Wars-related books. I read way more than I anticipated and have enjoyed all of them in their own ways. It’s time to talk about my latest read, Lesser Evil.

The Chiss Ascendancy is starting to fall apart. A clever foe has turned the Nine Ruling families and the Forty against each other. Alliances are tested and trust is breached among the Chiss. Civil war is on the horizon and it will cost the Ascendancy thousands of years of peace and stability. There is one thing, one mythical thing, that could save the Chiss. Thrawn must delve deep into the Ascendancy’s dark history to find the key to saving his people. The only way to save the Chiss will be to make the ultimate sacrifice and only Thrawn can be the one to make that sacrifice.

In hindsight, I am glad that I read the Thrawn trilogy before this one. Timothy Zahn has done a thorough job of creating such an interesting character as Thrawn and illustrating this tangled drama of espionage and war. It felt like a soap opera, but I say that with love. It was a bit tricky to keep up with, but all of the plot points come together nicely in the end. I liked the pacing of this one significantly better as you could see the build-up to the final battle throughout the book. I was so excited about the action because Zahn always delivers on space battles. All in all, the Ascendancy Trilogy was a super fun read and any Star Wars fan will have fun with these books.

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When the world is hard, love must be harder still: Reviewing The Stone Sky (Book 3 of the Broken Earth Trilogy) by N.K. Jemisin

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well and keeping cool during this intense summer heat. Before you read this review, read my reviews for the first two books in this trilogy, The Fifth Season and The Obelisk Gate. I have one more trilogy I am wrapping up after this and then I will be reading mainly standalone books. I got quite a few books for my birthday that I am so excited to read. I’ve been balancing that with some of my own creative writing. It pleases me to report that I am progressing on a potential novel (maybe two). If nothing else, I am excited to be writing again. Now, let’s talk about the final book in the Broken Earth trilogy, The Stone Sky.

Content Warning: Violence, Harsh Language, Grief and Mourning, Graphic Injuries, Grief and Mourning

The Moon is going to return, but that means humanity is doomed. Essun now wields an incredible power. She plans on using her newfound abilities to find her daughter, Nassun. Nassun, however, has discovered her own powers with the help of her mother’s former Guardian. While Essun is trying to save the world, Nassun is trying to destroy the world and, in turn, eliminate anyone who would bring her harm. It is a race against time as mother and daughter fight to try to control an ancient and powerful magic. Only one of them can change the world forever.

N.K. Jemisin has blown me away with this unique sci-fi/fantasy trilogy. The Stone Sky is easily the most emotional of the three books. The world-building is so strong and unique but it doesn’t outshine the characters and their journeys. At the heart of the book are themes of family bonds, self-acceptance, inner strength, and unwavering love. Jemisin explores the complications that come with differences in a society where differences aren’t accepted unless they are useful and/or non-threatening to others. There is an additional character point of view that showcases the fantasy elements of this story that I really appreciated. Granted, the book can be a bit tricky because some of the terminology is hard to follow but it is incorporated in the story so naturally that you forget that these are terms that exist only within the world of The Broken Earth trilogy. The Stone Sky was a strong end to an incredible series that I highly recommend to all of you.

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Eyes held high in pride are less able to see the uneven ground ahead: Reviewing Star Wars: Greater Good (Book 2 of the Ascendancy Trilogy)

Hey everyone! I hope you are keeping cool this summer. It has been a scorcher where I live and I am struggling over here. Before you check out this review, feel free to read my review of the first book in this trilogy, Chaos Rising. I have the third book in this trilogy ready to go. I also recommend checking out all of my other Star Wars book reviews. I’m still trying to find more to read. I might check out the High Republic books because I am watching Star Wars: Acolyte and I am enjoying it so far. Funny enough, I only became a Star Wars fan relatively recently but I rarely like anything casually I love to know about lore and backstories and other characters. Star Wars is the perfect franchise for this. Now, without further ado, let’s talk about Greater Good.

Thrawn’s victories have caught the attention of the Chiss and brought victory to the House of Mitt. Despite his unusual methods, he has earned the respect of his fellow officers. The threat to the Chiss Ascendancy, though, has not been eliminated. Their enemy lurks in the shadows and plays a different game, one that involves espionage and ulterior motives disguised by acts of generosity. This enemy has been sowing the seeds of discord with the goal of turning the Nine Ruling Families and the Forty Great Houses against each other. With civil war on the horizon, the Chiss must decide between family and the Ascendancy.

Greater Good may not be my favorite book in this trilogy but there was still plenty I appreciated about this book. Timothy Zahn takes full advantage of how vast and interesting the Star Wars universe is and creates these fascinating characters who might not be seen in any other Star Wars media. Thrawn isn’t heavily featured in this book, but there are plenty of other characters who are just as compelling. I like reading about how the Chiss society operates, the alliances, and all of the politics that come with it. It certainly wasn’t boring but I did prefer the battle scenes. Overall, this is a solid follow-up to Chaos Rising and I look forward to reading the next book in this trilogy.