[Review] Read Roundup - Jan 2024
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booknookI read quite a few things as part of a reading challenge in a discord server I'm in. Part of the challenge is reviewing what you read in order to prove you read it, so you can get those sweet fake internet points. And I figure I can share these with you! :D
These are pretty short reviews, since the purpose was just "hey I read this book!"
These are in reverse order of the time I read them, since I copied the reviews from discord in newest -> oldest order. The date beside the title is the date I finished/reviewed them.
Book Author: Martha Wells
Finished Page Count: 245
Genre: Sci-Fi
Review: So many emotions. While I'm sad I didn't get to see that much of Three in this book, I am immensely relieved that nothing happened to it because honestly I went out of Network Effect with a new love and I was *so worried* things would go wrong for Three. It's not the main character! It doesn't have plot armor! Every time there's a new book from here on out I am just constantly going to be worried for Three, LOL.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Loved the AdaCol2 and Ratthi, and enjoyed seeing Murderbot dealing with Even More Emotions™. Thought the conflict was interesting and as always ART is a delight. I'm very happy with this one.
Book Author: Sarah Honey
Genre: Romance
Review: This is a werewolf fated mates romance, between Nate, who signs up to spend a summer with a hot werewolf in return for a large sum of money, and (help, I finished this two seconds ago and have already forgotten his name) Cooper, the werewolf who ends up buying~ (but like, consensually) him.
It's a short, sweet and steamy read, and I was surprised by the angst in the last chapter when Nate is like (SPOILER) I didn't think I'd gotten that attached, but I was a bit emotional there.
Nate and Coop have a fun relationship together, and it was a nice read. I enjoyed both of them as characters, and they had Instant Chemistry that worked for me. This basically went Insta-Lust -> Insta-Love (the book takes place over like, 2-3 days, lol). Overall it was an enjoyable read!
Book Author: Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
Genre: Romance
Review: In which Archer, frat boy extraordinaire, meets a cute guy (Eli) at a wedding and gets the guy's number. 1 million years later (slightly exaggerating) Archer realizes, with the help of his fellow frat bros, that hey, maybe Eli was flirting. So obviously he texts Eli that he's straight because he can't just leave the guy hanging. That would be mean.
And obviously, they become great friends. In realizing how great Eli is, Archer also realizes what a travesty it is that Eli is single, and he sets out to fix this by matchmaking. And maybe they kiss once or twice but hey, that's just bros being bros.
Only. When Eli is on a date with this great guy, Archer feels sick. Like... maybe he's homophobic—spoiler: he's not homophobic. Turns out he's bi! And into Eli! And ooooh, Eli is into him, too!
It's all coming together now, I solved it! I'm a master detective!
It was a fun romp. I loved all the characters. Eli was sassy, Archer was ridiculously oblivious but in a fun way, and all the side-characters were great. It was glorious chaos when all the characters were in the same scene. (My favorite is Marty! Chaos energy all the way!) Overall, an enjoyable read.
Book Author: W.E. Johns
Genre: Adventure
Review: Biggles uncle Dickpa found a treasure in South America, but was left for dead by his guides who wanted the treasure for themsevles. Nonetheless he manages to get back home, where Biggles finds him in the middle of a siege - the enemies followed Dickpa, stopping him from leaving the house lest he be shot.
Biggles, Algy and the mechanic Smyth decides to go to South America with Dickpa in order to find the treasure first, upon which they have some adventures. Eventually an air battle takes place. Alls well that ends well.
I'm not actually sure what happened to da Silva, the rich guy who was also after the treasure. He just never appeared and I guess when they flew into another country over a storm (from Brazil to Bolivia, I think?) they lost him? Maybe.
There's some racism in this book. The book was written in the 1930s and takes place mostly in South America; I kind of suspected.
Aside from that it's a fun, Biggles-typical romp with some really pretty imagery. Overall I enjoyed it.
Book Author: Tal Bauer
Genre: Romance
Review: Steven Baker, President of the United States, is killed His Vice Precident and best friend Jonathan Sharp thinks it's murder, and he enlists the help of the Secret Service Agent Sean Surname Forgotten to investigate.
Anyway, so it turns out...
I enjoyed the book on the whole. Thought the romance was sweet and liked al the characters. Though the fact that like literally every female character turns out to be a despicable murderer was like. A choice. For sure.
Will probably read more of Bauer's works.
Book Author: W.E. Johns
Genre: Adventure
Review: Clever schemes. Reemergence of an old enemy. Daring rescues. Biggles is hired to ferry gold to France, and must outfox nefarious forces on the hunt for just that gold. And he succeeds! Until his friend Algy is captured by the enemy and a most daring rescue attempt is undertaken....
I had fun! I like the pacing; it's very easy to get into the flow of the book and let time just run right by. I like all the characters and their friendships, and I enjoyed von Stalhein's reappearance and the mutual faith Biggles and von Stalhein have in each other despite being on opposite sides.
And I thought early on it was (SPOILER) and I was *right*, lol. Vindication!
Book Author: W.E. Johns
Genre: Adventure
Review: In which Peter (called 'Thirty') Fortymore's brother is missing and presumed dead in war and so naturally Thirty runs away from school to join up, together with his trusty friend Rip. They successfully bluff their way into the squadron led by Biggles, and with Biggles' help Thirty sets out to save his brother!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it's the first Biggles I've read in somebody else's POV and I like Outsider POV so I had fun 😄 I liked Thirty, too, and had a good time with him. Excited to read moar Biggles.
Author: K.R. Alexander
Genre: MG Urban Fantasy
Review: In which twelve-year-old Sebastian sees ghosts, is haunted by a particular ghost (who is super dangerous and who none of the adults will admit exists) and after a harrowing experience starts going to a boarding school to learn how to kill ghosts. He makes friends, enemies, and is super special. Like, here's a magic system where literally anyone can have magic but the main character is still super special with super special parents and a super special power, and he's the only one upon who everything rests, look how special he is! (It's a pet-peeve of mine.)
This book has some really cool imagery, but imagery alone does not a good *story* make. I'm mostly disappointed; it felt like if the author and editor had put in like 10% more effort this book could have easily been twice as good. All the pieces were *there*, but they weren't used, and it is *so annoying*. I spend the later half of the book making rude faces at it.
The characters felt flat to me, relationship development was non-existent (we were just told they were friends now, instead of like, actually showing them becoming friends), the worldbuilding had cool parts but it didn't dig deep enough into anything for me to get invested. At it's core, there's no exploration; of the world, of the characters, of the magic, of the relationships. It's all stale, and while it sure is a pretty picture, if I poke it'll fall over like a house of cards. To me, it was empty nothingness.
Author: Martha Wells
Genre: Sci-Fi
Review: 3 is my new favorite character, hands down. I was caught from start finish, and the instant that the enemy ship first appeared I was like "ART! ART is back!!!" and then I was (SPOILER) lmao.
I was so worried for all the characters during like 99% of the story, and I'm so glad they lived. It was really fun to meet new characters and I thought the stuff with the alien remnants was interesting, and I'm so sad that (SPOILER) died.
Ultimately it was a really enjoyable read, and I'm excited to read the next one!
Author: Eden Finley, Saxon James
Genre: Sports Romance
Review: Tripp is in love with his best friend. Dex, the best friend in question, just broke up with his girlfriend because of a fear (?) of marriage. Naturally, Dex asks Tripp to marry him.
For pretend, obviously. But the chapel actually files the marriage registration so now *oops*, they're married, and they have to make it look good for the press, lest one of them get traded to another hockey team, which neither of them wants.
Ultimately, it turns out Tripp's feelings aren't all that one-sided, and the marriage isn't all that fake. I never could have seen that coming, no sire, I definitively missed all the signs on every single page that they *loved each other*. Mutually. In love. Romantic-style.
It was a fun read! I really liked Tripp's and Dex's relationship progression, and tbh, I just like the way the authors do characters interactions, always. Something about it I really vibe with, LOL. However, I didn't like the constant poking fun of Dex's intelligence that even the narrative gets in on; it felt mean-spirited and unnecessary to me, especially when it never ends up getting challenged.
I'm a bit bummed out about that, but otherwise I mostly enjoyed the book; there were a few things that made me go *hmm, I don't like that* but to be frank I've forgotten what. I should have written them down.
Author: Ann Leckie
Genre: Sci-Fi
Review: The library loan expired, LOL. Anyway, I liked what I've read, just wasn't able to get quite into it, so read excruciatingly slowly. I'm mostly left with a lot of questions at this point—how did Seivarden pop back up after a millennia after her death and however did Breq end up in a human body?
I have no answers, I didn't get far enough. I'm intrigued by the worldbuilding and enjoyed Breq's narration, but yeah, just wasn't able to read it with any kind of speed and ran out of time. I could not summarize this beyond; Breq coincidentally finds an old acquaintance she didn't much like then and doesn't much like now, decides to drag Seivarden along on her quest regardless and wants to kill the emperor, although I'm not sure she genuinely intends to do that or is just saying stuff to get results. Fun, but I'm not quite vibing with *something* about it.
These are pretty short reviews, since the purpose was just "hey I read this book!"
These are in reverse order of the time I read them, since I copied the reviews from discord in newest -> oldest order. The date beside the title is the date I finished/reviewed them.
System Collapse (Jan 30)
Book Author: Martha Wells
Finished Page Count: 245
Genre: Sci-Fi
Review: So many emotions. While I'm sad I didn't get to see that much of Three in this book, I am immensely relieved that nothing happened to it because honestly I went out of Network Effect with a new love and I was *so worried* things would go wrong for Three. It's not the main character! It doesn't have plot armor! Every time there's a new book from here on out I am just constantly going to be worried for Three, LOL.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Loved the AdaCol2 and Ratthi, and enjoyed seeing Murderbot dealing with Even More Emotions™. Thought the conflict was interesting and as always ART is a delight. I'm very happy with this one.
Contractually Yours (Jan 24)
Book Author: Sarah Honey
Genre: Romance
Review: This is a werewolf fated mates romance, between Nate, who signs up to spend a summer with a hot werewolf in return for a large sum of money, and (help, I finished this two seconds ago and have already forgotten his name) Cooper, the werewolf who ends up buying~ (but like, consensually) him.
It's a short, sweet and steamy read, and I was surprised by the angst in the last chapter when Nate is like (SPOILER) I didn't think I'd gotten that attached, but I was a bit emotional there.
Nate and Coop have a fun relationship together, and it was a nice read. I enjoyed both of them as characters, and they had Instant Chemistry that worked for me. This basically went Insta-Lust -> Insta-Love (the book takes place over like, 2-3 days, lol). Overall it was an enjoyable read!
The Amazing Alpha Tau Boyfriend Project (Jan 24)
Book Author: Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
Genre: Romance
Review: In which Archer, frat boy extraordinaire, meets a cute guy (Eli) at a wedding and gets the guy's number. 1 million years later (slightly exaggerating) Archer realizes, with the help of his fellow frat bros, that hey, maybe Eli was flirting. So obviously he texts Eli that he's straight because he can't just leave the guy hanging. That would be mean.
And obviously, they become great friends. In realizing how great Eli is, Archer also realizes what a travesty it is that Eli is single, and he sets out to fix this by matchmaking. And maybe they kiss once or twice but hey, that's just bros being bros.
Only. When Eli is on a date with this great guy, Archer feels sick. Like... maybe he's homophobic—spoiler: he's not homophobic. Turns out he's bi! And into Eli! And ooooh, Eli is into him, too!
It's all coming together now, I solved it! I'm a master detective!
It was a fun romp. I loved all the characters. Eli was sassy, Archer was ridiculously oblivious but in a fun way, and all the side-characters were great. It was glorious chaos when all the characters were in the same scene. (My favorite is Marty! Chaos energy all the way!) Overall, an enjoyable read.
Biggles and Cruise of the Condor (Jan 23)
Book Author: W.E. Johns
Genre: Adventure
Review: Biggles uncle Dickpa found a treasure in South America, but was left for dead by his guides who wanted the treasure for themsevles. Nonetheless he manages to get back home, where Biggles finds him in the middle of a siege - the enemies followed Dickpa, stopping him from leaving the house lest he be shot.
Biggles, Algy and the mechanic Smyth decides to go to South America with Dickpa in order to find the treasure first, upon which they have some adventures. Eventually an air battle takes place. Alls well that ends well.
I'm not actually sure what happened to da Silva, the rich guy who was also after the treasure. He just never appeared and I guess when they flew into another country over a storm (from Brazil to Bolivia, I think?) they lost him? Maybe.
There's some racism in this book. The book was written in the 1930s and takes place mostly in South America; I kind of suspected.
Aside from that it's a fun, Biggles-typical romp with some really pretty imagery. Overall I enjoyed it.
The Night Of (Jan 19)
Book Author: Tal Bauer
Genre: Romance
Review: Steven Baker, President of the United States, is killed His Vice Precident and best friend Jonathan Sharp thinks it's murder, and he enlists the help of the Secret Service Agent Sean Surname Forgotten to investigate.
Anyway, so it turns out...
Spoilers
Baker's wife, Felicity (real name Yekaterina) killed the president. Apparently she was a russian spy all along; I caught no foreshadowing of this and was completely blindsided. Like, when it became clear she was the one who did it I just thought it was because she was cheating on Baker and had some kind of complex about divorce, but no, she was a spy all along. Not gonna lie, that tripped over my suspension of disbelief. If it had been foreshadowed better it might not have, but like, *nothing indicated that to me*. So yeah. Blindsided.I enjoyed the book on the whole. Thought the romance was sweet and liked al the characters. Though the fact that like literally every female character turns out to be a despicable murderer was like. A choice. For sure.
Will probably read more of Bauer's works.
Biggles and Co (Jan 17)
Book Author: W.E. Johns
Genre: Adventure
Review: Clever schemes. Reemergence of an old enemy. Daring rescues. Biggles is hired to ferry gold to France, and must outfox nefarious forces on the hunt for just that gold. And he succeeds! Until his friend Algy is captured by the enemy and a most daring rescue attempt is undertaken....
I had fun! I like the pacing; it's very easy to get into the flow of the book and let time just run right by. I like all the characters and their friendships, and I enjoyed von Stalhein's reappearance and the mutual faith Biggles and von Stalhein have in each other despite being on opposite sides.
And I thought early on it was (SPOILER) and I was *right*, lol. Vindication!
Biggles and the Rescue Flight (Jan 16)
Book Author: W.E. Johns
Genre: Adventure
Review: In which Peter (called 'Thirty') Fortymore's brother is missing and presumed dead in war and so naturally Thirty runs away from school to join up, together with his trusty friend Rip. They successfully bluff their way into the squadron led by Biggles, and with Biggles' help Thirty sets out to save his brother!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it's the first Biggles I've read in somebody else's POV and I like Outsider POV so I had fun 😄 I liked Thirty, too, and had a good time with him. Excited to read moar Biggles.
Gallowgate (Jan 11)
Author: K.R. Alexander
Genre: MG Urban Fantasy
Review: In which twelve-year-old Sebastian sees ghosts, is haunted by a particular ghost (who is super dangerous and who none of the adults will admit exists) and after a harrowing experience starts going to a boarding school to learn how to kill ghosts. He makes friends, enemies, and is super special. Like, here's a magic system where literally anyone can have magic but the main character is still super special with super special parents and a super special power, and he's the only one upon who everything rests, look how special he is! (It's a pet-peeve of mine.)
This book has some really cool imagery, but imagery alone does not a good *story* make. I'm mostly disappointed; it felt like if the author and editor had put in like 10% more effort this book could have easily been twice as good. All the pieces were *there*, but they weren't used, and it is *so annoying*. I spend the later half of the book making rude faces at it.
The characters felt flat to me, relationship development was non-existent (we were just told they were friends now, instead of like, actually showing them becoming friends), the worldbuilding had cool parts but it didn't dig deep enough into anything for me to get invested. At it's core, there's no exploration; of the world, of the characters, of the magic, of the relationships. It's all stale, and while it sure is a pretty picture, if I poke it'll fall over like a house of cards. To me, it was empty nothingness.
Network Effect (Jan 9)
Author: Martha Wells
Genre: Sci-Fi
Review: 3 is my new favorite character, hands down. I was caught from start finish, and the instant that the enemy ship first appeared I was like "ART! ART is back!!!" and then I was (SPOILER) lmao.
I was so worried for all the characters during like 99% of the story, and I'm so glad they lived. It was really fun to meet new characters and I thought the stuff with the alien remnants was interesting, and I'm so sad that (SPOILER) died.
Ultimately it was a really enjoyable read, and I'm excited to read the next one!
Irresponisble Puckboy (Jan 5)
Author: Eden Finley, Saxon James
Genre: Sports Romance
Review: Tripp is in love with his best friend. Dex, the best friend in question, just broke up with his girlfriend because of a fear (?) of marriage. Naturally, Dex asks Tripp to marry him.
For pretend, obviously. But the chapel actually files the marriage registration so now *oops*, they're married, and they have to make it look good for the press, lest one of them get traded to another hockey team, which neither of them wants.
Ultimately, it turns out Tripp's feelings aren't all that one-sided, and the marriage isn't all that fake. I never could have seen that coming, no sire, I definitively missed all the signs on every single page that they *loved each other*. Mutually. In love. Romantic-style.
It was a fun read! I really liked Tripp's and Dex's relationship progression, and tbh, I just like the way the authors do characters interactions, always. Something about it I really vibe with, LOL. However, I didn't like the constant poking fun of Dex's intelligence that even the narrative gets in on; it felt mean-spirited and unnecessary to me, especially when it never ends up getting challenged.
I'm a bit bummed out about that, but otherwise I mostly enjoyed the book; there were a few things that made me go *hmm, I don't like that* but to be frank I've forgotten what. I should have written them down.
Ancillary Justice (Jan 5)
Author: Ann Leckie
Genre: Sci-Fi
Review: The library loan expired, LOL. Anyway, I liked what I've read, just wasn't able to get quite into it, so read excruciatingly slowly. I'm mostly left with a lot of questions at this point—how did Seivarden pop back up after a millennia after her death and however did Breq end up in a human body?
I have no answers, I didn't get far enough. I'm intrigued by the worldbuilding and enjoyed Breq's narration, but yeah, just wasn't able to read it with any kind of speed and ran out of time. I could not summarize this beyond; Breq coincidentally finds an old acquaintance she didn't much like then and doesn't much like now, decides to drag Seivarden along on her quest regardless and wants to kill the emperor, although I'm not sure she genuinely intends to do that or is just saying stuff to get results. Fun, but I'm not quite vibing with *something* about it.