Here at Chapter Break, we don’t always write a full review of every book we read. Well, now we decided to do these monthly wrap-up posts with roundups of our reviews this month and mini-reviews to fill in the gaps. Enjoy!
Gotta love when I’m actually reviewing all the books I end up reading this month. Check ’em out in the list below.
Leviathan Wakes: I’ve been on quite the Sci-Fi kick lately, between books and tv shows. And this book certainly scratches that Sci-Fi itch. We have questionable bad guys, a crazy alien species bent on destruction, some great space ship battles, but most importantly, characters that we follow, wanting and hoping that they come out the other end of the story safely. I was very impressed with the intricate plotting, especially with the action scenes. Audio narration is well done as well. Highly recommended if you are looking for some serious space action. Now let’s hope the Expanse series lives up to my expectations. Julie said the series moves along pretty slowly. And I did notice that the first season is only the first half of the book.
Journey of the Pharaohs: Oh, how I’m missing Clive Cussler right about now, thinking about not having more of his books to read in the future. It’s really bumming me out. Let’s hope his writing partners keep his spirit alive in more stories. I haven’t kept up with the Kurt Austin series (I’ve been more focused on the Juan Cabrillo series). Maybe if I had, this book would have had more of an impact on me. I think I had hyped this up in my mind so much that in the end, it was rather a let down. Lots of action, though. And glad in the end that I read it.
Archenemies: This series reminds me of The Boys. Not in the sex and violence, it’s YA for sure! But in the moral ambiguity of good and bad. In random thoughts: is it a true YA love triangle if the girl heroine has feelings for the boy hero and his alter-ego? Marissa Mayer does a great job sliding in some random humor and lots of emotional character growth. I found myself thinking that Nova has some great ideas about how to save the world. I just wish she’s act more on those, rather than letting both the Anarchists and Renegades make her decisions for her. Some edge of the chair action while characters are hiding their secret identities from others. Overall, I enjoyed this. And I’ll move on to the final book in the series after that cliffhanger of an ending.
Aurora Burning: Yes, I know. More Sci-Fi. This series, and this book especially, is amazing; it has it all. Adventure. Heart. Emotion. Humor. And great characters that are growing and evolving since the first novel. There is a CRAZY cliff-hanger of an ending. The Empire Strikes Back is a very suitable analogy. And so many Star Trek references for a geek like me. Be sure to read Aurora Rising first! 312 Stars for every crack in my heart that I am left with after finishing.
The Ark: This is the first in the Tyler Locke series. Honestly, it was ok for me. Nothing really to write home about. I have read better (and worse for that matter) of the action\adventure genre. I had some issues with the beginning and never really felt that spark. There are a number of perilous scenes where our hero is in danger, but I didn’t have that panicking, heart-racing moment where I feared for his life. I’m in no hurry to read the others in this series.
Books we reviewed this month:
- [2 May] A Firm Place to Stand by Lori Altebaumer ★★★★
- [8 May] Covey and JayJay Get Educated by Shelton Williams ★★★★
- [14 May] Thank You, Garden by Liz Garton Scanlon ★★★★★
- [26 May] How Big Is Your Brave? by Ruth Soukup ★★★★★
- [27 May] The First Emma by Camille Di Maio ★★★★
- [28 May] Rogue Reaper by Riley Archer ★★★★
Aurora Burning is going to be one of my first in-person indie book store purchases when I finally get up the courage/feel comfortable enough to shop in store. It’s been so long and I’m not ready yet. Great reading and book month!