ARC Review: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Title: The Bone Season (The Bone Season, #1) 

Author: Samantha Shannon

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Release Date: August 20th, 2013

When it comes to The Bone Season, I hardly know where to begin. For one, this book has received an innumerable amount of mixed reviews, many of which I find misleading, and for another, this debut is so impressive in its scope that I feel unprepared to truly discuss it. Nevertheless, if one thing is certain concerning Samantha Shannon's novel, it is this: I loved it.

The Bone Season is set  deep in the heart of the criminal underworld of London. In 2059, Scion, the current ruling system of government, is charged with the task of rounding up and capturing clairvoyants, a group of individuals who possess abilities to see into the aether, or spiritworld, that other humans are blind to. Paige, our nineteen-year-old protagonist, is a dreamswalker working for The Seven Seals, an elite group of voyants and especially known for her rare abilities. Within pages of starting The Bone Season, however, Paige is taken by Scion to - what she thinks is - prison. In reality, though, Paige is a slave to the Rephaim, an unknown group of beings who protect Scion from deadly creatures and hold voyants against their will.  And now, within seconds, Paige is one of them. Unless, of course, she can regain her freedom...

From the first few pages of The Bone Season, it is easy to see why so many readers claim this book is full of info-dumping. Even I won't deny it - the first two dozen pages of The Bone Season immediately lay down the foundation for this world, hurling information at the reader at a breakneck speed. Is all of it necessary? No. And yet, it's easy to forgive these first few chapters of an overwhelming nature as the story soon kicks off and this world slowly, but surely, materializes before your eyes. Samantha Shannon is a creative storyteller, building her universe very thoroughly and soon, the world-building is threaded through the narration. Even those first few pages, despite their initial confusion, begin to make sense as the story progresses - which it does - very quickly. In my eyes, this small rough patch shouldn't be a deterrent to the book at all. If you were able to get through the beginning of, say, Stormdancer, another debut fantasy I adored, then The Bone Season is not a problem at all.

Now, that myth laid to rest, it should be noted that the rest of Samantha Shannon's debut is very nearly perfect. One of my favorite aspects of this book is the fact that it straddles the line between fantasy, dystopian, and paranormal. Although it may seem as if elements of The Bone Season are familiar - dystopian government controlling its citizens, fantasy protagonist with unique abilities - it is still wholly new as well. In some ways, these classic tropes are finally done right and after so many disappointments from these three genres, it was refreshing to see them in a new and improved light.

Moreover, Paige, our heroine, is a character whose complexity astounded me. As the story progresses, a new layer is peeled back, exposing us more and more to the vulnerable and insecure Paige who lies within the tough and courageous dreamwalker. One of my favorite aspects of Paige's character is that she is, at her core, a good person. Although she can be rude and sarcastic, lashing out at those who hurt her, she's also always there for those who need her. Furthermore, Paige, unlike most heroines in this genre, already knows how to fight and use her powers. Thus, seeing her hone those skills and overcome her mental barriers to improve was a far more rewarding journey.

Paige aside, The Bone Season presents Warden, a.k.a. Mr. Mysterious. What I love about Warden's character is that it's impossible not to hate him. Impossible. As Paige's Keeper, Warden essentially holds power over Paige and is expected to use it. Yet, as the plot wears on, it is obvious that there is more to Warden than what meets the eye. Despite being one of the enemy, Warden helps Paige in small ways that slowly begin to make us doubt his initial motives. Warden and Paige share a strange and complicated relationship, one that evolves into one of trust by the end of the novel. I wouldn't claim that their story arc contains much romance, because it doesn't. It isn't wrought with sexual tension and any glimpses of romantic interest are only gleaned by the end. Thus, the focus of this book on character development, plot, and world-building was gratifying. I have no doubt at all, though, that in the future, this is a swoon-worthy couple to look out for.

I must admit, though, that The Bone Season is not a perfect novel. Even past those initial pages, there still remain flaws. Most notably, the secondary characters never come alive on the page. If anything, most of them are seen as expendables for a rebellion and the handful of important secondary characters, who will certainly be playing a big role as the series progresses, are only lightly touched upon. On one hand, this book doesn't really need them to have that added layer of depth. Samantha Shannon gives us just enough information to be satisfied and I suspect that these characters will be elaborated on in the sequels where they play a larger role. Nevertheless, it was a small qualm I reflected upon, long after having finished this book.

Ultimately, The Bone Season is not to be missed. With its large marketing campaign, it likely won't be, but it is truly worth the attention it's been receiving. I fell into this book completely, heart and soul, utterly invested in this world and its characters. It's hard to form such tight connections and bonds with just a debut, but Samantha Shannon manages to do it. Granted, her beginnings need a little improvement, and she's certainly not the next J. K. Rowling (no one is!), but all in all, I have to say that this start is quite a remarkable one.

A Quick Note on the Glossary: I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Bone Season which came with a printed version of the glossary, which can also be found in the back of the book. Shannon has many different meanings for some terms we take for granted, so during the first hundred pages of the novel, I found myself using the glossary very frequently. It's definitely helpful to have a copy beside you as you read, so that would be my recommendation, especially for those who feel as if they'll struggle with the world-building.

A huge thank you to Bloomsbury USA for sending me an ARC of this one! I loved it! :)

Review: The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen

Title: The Peach Keeper 

Author: Sarah Addison Allen 

Rating: 3 Stars

Unfortunately, The Peach Keeper lacks the magic that made Garden Spells such a breath-taking read. And by magic, I mean that in both a literal and metaphorical sense. Literal because Allen is renowned for her magical realism contemporaries and, sadly, this novel lacks the magical component of that term. While there is magic in this piece, it lies in the past, seated in legends and long forgotten history. It isn’t a daily part of life and, as such, the novel did suffer for it. Metaphorical because although this book contained all the right components, mixed together, they just didn’t create the same sense of peace, comfort, and utter warmth that Garden Spells did. Where I couldn’t bear to set down Allen’s debut, her latest novel is one I finished quite happy to forget about, for quite some time.

When it comes down to it, a contemporary novel ticks for me when its characters come alive. And perhaps if I hadn’t read Allen’s debut, I would have found this novel to be remarkable. Yet, because I’ve already read Garden Spells, I know for a fact that Allen can write better than this; her characters can come alive and bury themselves in my heart. With The Peach Keeper, I found myself fascinated by Pax and Willa, the two protagonists of our tale who form a fast friendship, but I never truly felt them to the depth I wanted to. Pax and Willa attended high school together, but Pax’s wealth and friend circle set her apart from Willa, who was the school prankster. Thus, their road to friendship is unlikely, unsteady, uneven, but a wonderful tale nevertheless. Despite this, though, I cannot claim to have felt their bond as strongly as I did the bond between Claire and Sydney, the sisters of Garden Spells.

In addition to the friendship element, this novels romance fell disappointingly flat too. On one hand, I have to admit that I have never read romances like these. Pax is in love with Sebastian, a good friend of hers who she saw kissing a guy back in high school. As such, their relationship seems to be breaking apart; where before they were tight friends, now Pax’s affection is wrecking the perfect friendship they had. Willa, on the other hand, is slowly becoming involved with Pax’s twin brother, Colin. Colin was thought to be the high school prankster until the last day of school when Willa revealed who the Joker truly was. Ever since, Colin has been inspired to live his life on his terms, not those of his rich family, and, as such, he rarely stays for long in his small town. And yet, Colin is so interested in Willa because of what she hasn’t done – she hasn’t left town, she hasn’t chased dreams, and she doesn’t pull pranks anymore. I love that the center piece of this romance was the sudden realization that people grow up and as they do, their happiness and priorities in life change too, as Willa’s did. Still, while I enjoyed the different scenarios this book tackled when it came to romance, I cannot deny that I simply was not as invested in them.

In fact, I was not too invested in this book in general. Allen writes interesting characters and interesting romances and even an interesting plot consisting of a discovered dead body, but ultimately, the depth of emotion and feeling was minimal. Garden Spells packed a punch with its small town and its people trying to do the best they could and growing and learning from it. The Peach Keeper tries to do something similar, but somewhere along the lines, its story loses the magic that kept my eyes glued to the pages of Garden Spells. Allen’s writing is still as sharp and beautiful as it always is and, admittedly, I was quite interested by the mystery in this piece, so there is no denying that I will be back to read Allen’s upcoming novel and her last two books as well. The Peach Keeper, though, I would not go out of my way to recommend but to the most devoted of fans. If, like me, you can’t get enough of Allen’s writing and language, this will likely be a few hours well spent. Otherwise, if you’re new to Allen entirely, I cannot recommend Garden Spells enough. If anything, this book has made me realize that Allen’s debut is something I will re-read and treasure for many, many years to come. I can just feel it.

Series Review: Sirantha Jax by Ann Aguirre

Title: Grimspace (Sirantha Jax, #1) 
Author: Ann Aguirre
Rating: 4 Stars

It's official: I am a fan of Ann Aguirre. Granted, my first foray into the works of Aguirre was a disaster, to say the least, but I've finally concluded that her YA novels just aren't for me. On the other hand, her work for adults is superb. First Bronze Gods and now this utterly delicious start to what is sure to be a fantastic series. Consider me sold.

Grimspace is space opera at its best, a genre that mixes science fiction and urban fantasy to deliver fast-paced action-packed adventures full of airships, multiple planets, aliens, and - my personal favorite - genetic engineering. In the world Aguirre creates, rare individuals born with a J-Gene are indispensable and used to jump through grimspace. Sirantha Jax is an anomaly among her kind, thirty-three years old and still jumping successfully unlike the countless others who have burned out young. Now, however, Jax is the sole survivor of a crash - one in which she lost her best friend and lover, Kai - and unable to remember the details of that event, she is kept in a psychiatric ward. Enter: March. A hard, inscrutable mind-reader (of a kind), March offers Jax a position with his crew to jump with them and help other planets. Needless to say, Jax takes the opportunity to escape her prison and before she knows it, she's on the run.

Hands down, one of the best aspects of Grimspace is its heroine itself. Sirantha Jax isn't a kick-ass fighter-esque chick the way Katniss is, but she knows how to hold her own and her sharp tongue, unexpected honesty, and sass make her a thoroughly enjoyable narrator. Furthermore, her back story and present psychological situation make for a perplexing and unusually deep character. Additionally, her relationship with March is so twisted and unusual, filled with two individuals who are broken, but who don't necessarily heal each other. If anything, they understand one another and manage to retain their individuality. Furthermore, March is a hero in his own right, one who tries to atone for his past sins through a better present and this only makes him all the more attractive. Although theirs was an unconventional relationship that took on a different arc than most, it fit them perfectly and I've fallen for this scarred pairing. (Not to mention I am all for couples who do NOT look like they've walked off a runway. I don't know anyone who looks like that in real life and neither does my mirror.)

Grimspace is a perfect blend of depth and action, a character-driven novel with plenty of world-building, rich secondary characters, and on-the-run chases to keep us flipping the pages frantically. While there isn't a cliffhanger of any sort, there is that pleasant ache when you finish the book - the kind that makes you want to come back for more. And more of this I will be having. I will.

Title: Wanderlust (Sirantha Jax, #2)

Author: Ann Aguirre

Rating: 3 Stars

Wanderlust reminded me, unfortunately, of why it is I prefer stand-alones to sequels. As a follow-up to Grimspace, this book only disappoints. From the beginning itself, the story is slower, full of unnecessary details by the first third that only slow down the narration. Jax herself soon becomes irritating, chock-full of contradictions and repeating her thoughts too much for me to enjoy. Sirantha is a complex heroine, one whose paranoia and fear make her seem vulnerable when she truly is an iron core. And striking this balance isn't easy. Granted, Sirantha had her fair share of panic moments in Grimspace, but she also grew immensely as a character. With Wanderlust, her fear is still present - almost too potent - and her neediness irritated me. While I appreciated the direction Aguirre took with her character plot, separating her from March and allowing her to form close friendships with new secondary characters, I still never felt the same sense of growth from her.

Furthermore, the romance this time around is flat-out annoying. It's the third worst romance trope of we-should-stay-away-for-your-own-good (right after love triangles and insta-love if you were wondering). And while that may work in some situations, it doesn't work in this one. Especially as March and Jax go through a period of drama, get back together, and then logically separate. Honestly, their relationship goes nowhere in this one, running around in circles. Where I loved their complex relationship in the predecessor, this novel doesn't do much except to shed light on the fact that even March cannot deal with all of Jax's mood swings - and thank god for that. Sirantha Jax isn't an easy character - or person - to like, but there are certain qualities about her that keep people loyal to her. While the end of this novel ties up the relationship between March and Jax on a much more realistic footing than the ending of Grimspace did, I certainly did not enjoy all the drama it took to get there.

And, lastly, I can't not mention the fact that this series is one of those where a certain degree of belief suspension is required. Certain events happen that are too convenient, but you have to look past that. For the most part, this is easy. Aguirre's writing flows with sassy dialogue and close friendships, which is really what saved this novel for me. I may not have liked Wanderlust, but I plan to give this series one more book before completely giving up on it. Hopefully, Sirantha Jax will charm me again. *fingers crossed*

Title: Doublebind (Sirantha Jax, #3)
Author: Ann Aguirre
Rating: 5 Stars

It probably comes as a surprise that prior to picking up this novel, I was very nearly finished with this series. Wanderlust was a sorry companion to the kick-ass series that Grimspace promised and I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to continue - especially when the path ahead seemed to be littered with angst, drama, and unnecessary situations. Thankfully, though, I took a gamble on Doublebind and am so glad I did. Unsurprisingly, this installment will not be a favorite among all readers, mostly because it revolves around space politics - which, I know, seems like a snooze, but believe me, it really isn't. If anything, this is the best of the series so far and I can only hope the future installments continue this level of excellence.

One of the best aspects of this novel is the growth that Sirantha both exhibits and undergoes. Gone is the carefree girl she once may have been and gone is also the insecure girl we've known. Sirantha is still very much chock-full of her flaws and doubts, but she has learned to steel herself to the world. Now, truly, she is pushed and tested to the limits, both diplomatically and personally. In prior novels, we've seen Jax break down and seek comfort from March, who has always been her rock solid wall. Now, however, March is no longer there for her, suffering from his own inner demons and struggling to find his humanity again. Seeing Jax pull up her socks to save both herself, her mission, and her man was a huge turn-around for her - and a hurdle that was necessary, though difficult, to cross. Doublebind exposes a far more delicate and vulnerable relationship between Jax and March than we've seen before, but it is still just as strong, just as durable, and just as lovely.

And yet, the true show-stealers of this novel are the secondary characters, particularly Vel. Traveling to Vel's home planet, we slowly uncover more and more of Vel's past and come to see him as more than merely Jax's best friend, but as a character in his own right. Vel has endured far more than we could ever imagine and, surely, he has risen to becoming one of my favorite characters in this series, notwithstanding March. Dina and Hit, too, become more fully realized in this novel and as a whole, this group has become one of my favorites. Their loyalty, support for one another, and range of emotions is widespread and real. Aguirre manages to draw you into the lives of her characters, though they're in a distant planet in space. Truly, if that isn't the best you can ask for from a book then I don't know what is.

Summer Series Reading Challenge: 13

Review: Cold Fire by Kate Elliott

Title: Cold Fire (Spiritwalker, #2) 

Author: Kate Elliott

Rating: 5 Stars

First, let me tell you what Cold Fire is like. Cold Fire is like ripping your heart out, stuffing it into a washing machine, and watching it go around and around, twisting and turning in every which way while you are helpless to do anything. Of course, then you try to do something to this poor heart of yours, so you rush forward to stop the washing machine, but it’s in the middle of the wash, so even when you get your heart out, you still have to wring it out and dry all the excess soapy water, so the end result is the same: pain.
                                                                                     
In other words, Cold Fire is a whirlwind of emotion. With Cold Magic, Elliott lay down the rules, introduced us to the world, and made us care for her characters. In Cold Fire, though, the fun finally begins with politics, intrigue, mystery, betrayal, world-building, friendship, kinship, and, best of all, romance. If Cold Magic failed to convince you that this trilogy was worth investing your time into, I implore you to give Cold Fire a try. If nothing else, Andevai will trap your heart so thoroughly you won’t be able to tear away from these books after all.

From the beginning itself, Cold Fire is nothing like its predecessor. For one, the pace is breakneck, from the start to the finish, a refreshing change from the slower commencement of Cold Magic. Additionally, the primary setting of this novel is not the Ice Age Europe we’ve come to know, but rather the Americas. With this brings on a slew of new world-building, just as interesting and creative as that in the first book. I love drawing the threads of familiarity between our world and that which Elliott has created, which makes discovering every layer of this intricate fantasy that much more astonishing.

And yet, Cold Fire shines, through and through, because of its protagonist, Cat. Cat finally comes to find answers to many of her pressing questions about her lineage, but at a price. While she may have been curious and stubborn in Cold Magic, this is the installment where she truly comes into her own. For one, I love that this book portrays women in a strong and independent light. Cat never answers to anyone for her actions and while there are those who tear her down for sticking by her decisions, there are others who understand and accept her for who she is, flaws, mistakes, and scruples aside. Moreover, Cat becomes an even more well-fleshed character in this book, coming to admit her faults and try, painstakingly, to correct them. I love that despite all the changes she undergoes in this installment, she retains her innate traits, all while moving onto becoming a better person; one who is more certain of her place in the world.

In addition to Cat, Bee also finds many answers in this novel. I love that this trilogy is so focused on the friendship between these two girls, both who are powerful and just as important to each other as they are to the story. One of my favorite aspects of their relationship is the fact that they manage to be such tight confidants to one another despite not constantly being together. I find this is such a realistic aspect of friendship, for making it work despite the distances, both physically and mentally, is a barrier many relationships are subject to. And Bee and Cat endure all that and even more together, their love and understanding a shining beacon in their otherwise darker lives. For them, they are more family than friends, and that bond is irreparable and resolute, which is so very rare in fiction. I adore it.

Nevertheless, it would be remiss of me to write this review without a mention of my favorite cold mage (and the keeper of my heart), Andevai. If you thought you swooned towards the end of Cold Magic, think again because you might as well faint from how utterly delectable Andevai is in this book. Where Cold Magic looks to deconstruct Andevai as we know him, introducing us to this arrogant cold mage and peeling back the layers until we see his vulnerable interior, Cold Fire seeks to exploit that kindness, making Cat realize just how wrong she was about her husband. I loved seeing Andevai work ceaselessly to win over Cat’s heart. It’s nothing short of heart-wrenching and their constant back-and-forth banter, wit, and sexual tension kept me on my toes. One of my favorite elements between these two is that their romance keeps you guessing, praying it’ll work out and worried that it may not because of one or the other’s strong personality. And yet, by the end, these two come to complement each other perfectly, their feelings for each other only fueling their grounded characters. I rarely come to enjoy, anticipate, and cherish a romance, but this one I fell for; every unspoken word, glance, and kiss a simmering flame of hidden depths and utter perfection.

At the end of the day, this is simply a trilogy not to be missed. If you’re a fan of strong world-building and character growth, this book has it in spades. If you even remotely enjoy complex politics, revolutions, and impending war, though, this is even more of a gem. Elliott sets up an interesting political scheme with Cold Magic, but Cold Fire is the actual fire to the action. With plenty of  new political players and old ones coming to join the mix, there is no end to the assassinations, betrayals, and lies. Which, trust me, I loved. I cannot imagine a book more tightly plotted, well-researched, or full of emotion than this one. It took me by surprise, the way it played with my emotions, and kept me up late at night, huddled in blankets for it felt as if I could feel the searing cold of the mages myself. Its characters are so very real and its world so very believable that I weep to think of it being nearly over. Without a doubt, however, this is a book I will be re-visiting, many times over. After all, I still need an answer to the question vai I cannot have Vai. (See what I did there?)

Summer Series Reading Challenge: 12

ARC Review: Omens by Kelley Armstrong

Title: Omens (Cainsville, #1) 

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Rating: 4 Stars

Release Date: August 20th, 2013

I doubt there is anything like discovering a book that, after a slow and disappointing start, finally hits its stride - and marvelously so. Armstrong's latest novel may not have the most gripping of beginnings, and I suspect a solid fifty pages could easily be cut off, but after roughly a fifth of the story, it truly takes off. Ever since I read Armstrong's DARKEST POWERS trilogy when it first released, I've been a die-hard fan of the author. I tried my hand at her other adult series, but was sadly unimpressed by BITTEN. In OMENS, though, it seems I've finally found another promising series from her.

Unlike most of Armstrong's novels, OMENS reads more like a murder mystery than a paranormal story. Olivia Taylor-Jones lives a rich and privileged life, until, that is, she discovers she's adopted and her real parents are Todd and Pamela Larson, notorious serial killers. Thus, fleeing her past and desperate for answers, Olivia turns to Cainsville and begins seeking the truth about the ritualistic murders her parents committed. With the help of Gabriel Walsh, a cunning lawyer, Olivia begins to investigate whether her parents continued claim of innocence is really true. If only superstitions and mysterious omens would stop following her wherever she went...

It is clear that Armstrong wanted to try her hand at a new type of paranormal/occult brand, one that didn't involve shapeshifters. While there are plenty of superstitions and ominous portents in this novel, I appreciate that they are toned down. Of preceding importance is the case against Olivia's parents and her own investigations to see whether or not they murdered all eight of the people they were charged with. One of the strengths of this mystery is that it is impossible to know whether or not these people are truly murderers. Of course Olivia hopes they're not, but the evidence against them is so overwhelming that we're kept guessing till the very end. And even then, there are so many unanswered questions - ones I am clamoring to find answers to in the sequel. Furthermore, though the novel is told primarily from Olivia's first-person perspective, the reader is given glimpses of multiple third-person perspectives that crop up and only add to the chilling element of the storyline. At first, I was increasingly confused by these but I grew to anticipate the insight they'd provide as the novel wore on.

Yet, OMENS shines because of its narrator, Olivia herself. As the daughter of two notorious serial killers, Olivia cannot help but wonder what truly wins out - nature or nurture? In OMENS, Olivia investigates more than just her parents murders - she investigates herself. From the beginning itself, Olivia is plucky, independent, and strong. Although she's engage, she doesn't hesitate to make it clear that her future plans are just as important as his. And later, when that engagement breaks off - along with many other relationships - Olivia doesn't hesitate to find her own two feet, move, get a job, and make a new life. Moreover, she slowly comes to accept that along with being prim and proper Olivia Taylor-Jones, she's also superstitious Eden Larson as well. I found that Olivia's growth was well-paced and gradual, something I loved because there is still so much room for her to change in a realistic manner.

Nevertheless, my favorite character in this story has to be Gabriel. A ruthless lawyer and closed-off individual, at first glance Gabriel seems to be nothing more than a ticket for Olivia to use. After all, she's not attracted to large and muscular men like him, and especially not ones who are used to getting their way...right? OMENS brilliantly sets up a relationship between these two, though, and as they become business associates and then business partners and possibly even unlikely friends, the sexual tension between them only starts to simmer. I am a total sucker for a slow-burn romance and this one has all the necessary - and delicious blue-eyed - components. Gabriel is complex enough to stand as a formidable character on his own, though. We've only peeled back a few layers of him in this installment, but it's enough to keep our interest piqued. More than anything else, I suspect I'm looking forward to reading more about this hunky lawyer in the books to come than anything else.

OMENS was, ultimately, a pleasant surprise. Armstrong has crafted a brilliant mystery plot line and an even more remarkable overarching storyline with plenty of clues to keep readers thirsty for more. With strong characters added to the mix and an intriguing small town, full of their own quirks and superstitions, it's safe to say that I will be lining up to have the next book in my hands - and soon! Welcome to Cainsville...indeed!