Before I get started with this review, I just want to say really quick that I received this book for free in exchange for review. All opinions expressed in this post about this book are my own.
When David Meredith, author of Aaru, approached me about reading his book in exchange for a review, I was a bit hesitant at first due to not knowing if this would be a book I would like. I don't read as much sci-fi as I used to. Once I read the description, though, my interest was piqued and said yes to the review.
The story of Aaru follows the story of Rose Johnson, her little sister Koren, and. a little later in the story, Magic Man (who we never find out the real name to). At the very beginning, we start with Rose being in the hospital with leukemia. We are introduced to Mr Ashe as well, head of Elysian Industries, who explains what Aaru does. Aaru allows those who pass away to live on through the technology they have created at Elysian Industries. Rose passes away within the first couple of chapters (this isn't a spoiler, I promise) and wakes up in Aaru. The story continues from there and you get to see what happens within Aaru and what life is like for Rose there. And you also get to see what happens after Rose's passing through Koren's eyes as well. Like I said, later in the book, we are introduced to Magic Man and he was definitely not my favorite person. In this book or any other book that I have read this year. If ever.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. The concept behind the story was interesting. Who wouldn't want to overcome death and live beyond it? It was a good idea going back and forth between Rose in Aaru and Koren outside of it. You could see the sisters struggle with wanting to do even the simplest of things that they were able to do before Rose's death, like give the other a hug when it was needed.
I was drawn in at page one and it carried on for the first few pages. And then got a bit bored going into the story due to having to learn the ins and outs of Aaru and what life was like after Aaru entering the Johnson family's life.
Things picked up and got so much more interesting within the second half of the book. Especially as we are introduced to Magic Man. That man creeps me out to no end. The way he spoke, thought... Horrible man.
With the way this book ended, it set it up fairly well for a second book. I would definitely be interested in picking it up when it does come out.
I do have a couple of issues with the book. There were some grammatical issues that I wanted to fix but couldn't due to my copy being a PDF file that I received directly from the author. The other issue I had with it was that the only ways I could read it were electronically, either through my Kindle or the Kindle app on my phone. As was mentioned in a previous post, ebooks are my least favorite way to read books. But that's more of a personal preference and not something to do with the book itself. There were things I wanted to mark in the book or tab but couldn't in the way I wanted to but couldn't due to it being electronic. But again, that isn't the fault of the copy I have and more of a personal preference.
Overall, this a fairly solid 4 out of 5 star read for me.
If you've read this book, let's discuss it in the comments. If you're interested in reading, let's discusss that, too! Or if you want to discuss it on Twitter, you can reach me at @KindredBookmate.
Your kindred bookmate,
Cassie
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Friday, December 29, 2017
Best and Worst of 2017!
It always amazes me when we get to the end of another year. The year always seems to fly by and I have yet to find a way to make time slow down. Especially when in the middle of a good book. And since we're here for the books, let's get started!
Shortest book I read: When God Whispers Loudly by Chris M Hibbard, which came in at 14 pages. This was a free ebook that I read on my Kindle and had picked it up on a whim. I liked the the premise of it, that people and whatnot are more important than money. It just didn't feel long enough to really get into the theme of it.
Longest book I read: It by Stephen King which came in at 1,116 pages. Listened to this as an audiobook through Audible. I had grown up watching the old mini series with Tim Curry as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. I even watched the new It in theaters twice. Since I loved the mini series and movie so much, I figured that it was time to read the book. The size of the physical book was a bit intimidating, so I opted for the audio route. I quite enjoyed it as an audiobook and listened to it leading up to Halloween. The creepy factor worked perfectly for it.
I reread a number of books this year. My favorite reread has to be a tie between Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and Pandora by Anne Rice. These books are definitely reminders of my teenage years and early 20's. Life seemed a lot easier then.
Least favorite book: Rushed by Brian Harmon. This book had so much potential in it. The synopsis of it made the book sound really good. And better yet, it was free as an ebook. There were so many points where I wanted to DNF it due how bad it was. There were so many phone calls from the main character's wife, as if Harmon just wanted to add dialogue to the story. And some of the stuff that Eric encounters are just ridiculous. Somehow I managed to get through this terrible book. However, it is definitely not one I would recommend to anyone.
Out of the 83 books that I've read and finished this year, I have 7 different favorite books from this year! For the most part, these are in no particular order. Until we get to the top three, which are actually series/start of a series.
Number 7: Freeks by Amanda Hocking. This one follows a girl who grows up in a carnival but she's the only one in that carnival without an act. She's always helped out others with their act and her mother is a psychic. They get a letter from someone who used to be in their carnival and it has an offer for them. They haven't been making much money, so they go to where their friend is currently and the town isn't quite what they thought it would be.
Number 6: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee. This one was floating around Booktube quite a bit when it first came out and for a while after. After reading it, I could see why. It follows Monty, the son of a lord that has been trying to groom him to take over the household. Monty, however, has other ideas. He's fond of the party life and is in love with his best friend, Percy. The book starts right before Monty and Percy go on their Grand Tour of Europe. The Grand Tour's first stop is in France, where they will stay until they can drop off Monty's sister, Felicity, at a finishing school, before moving on. Monty does something he isn't supposed to in true Monty style and an adventure is started from there. Only thing would have made it better would have been to see a little bit more of how hard life was for Percy since he is a person of color.
Number 5: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. This is another one that was floating around on Booktube. I listened to this on Audible as well and loved it. I found Lazlo Strange, the main character, an awkward yet lovable character. He is a librarian obsessed with the lost city of Weep since he was a small child. He wanted to know what happened to the city 200 years ago. An opportunity presents itself and Strange jumps on the opportunity to go. I loved going on this adventure with Strange and cannot wait to continue when the next book, The Muse of Nightmares, comes out.
Number 4: The Walking Land by Callie Bates. This is one I definitely thought I wasn't going to like when I first picked it up. This one follows Lady Elanna Valtai. She was taken from her family by the king at age 5. She was raised by him as a daughter. When she is older, she must return to her homeland and in the process, embarks on an adventure I enjoyed quite a bit. The main off putting thing was the romance was a bit quicker paced than I thought it should have been. I hear there is going to be another book next year, so I can't wait to see what happens in The Memory of Fire.
And now we're to the top 3! These ones are in order and so hard to place, mostly with numbers 2 and 3.
Number 3: Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones. This one has Labyrinth vibes to it and I loved it. In the story, Liesl has grown up with stories of the Goblin King. When she is 19 years old, she must go save her sister Kathe from the Goblin King. She goes to his realm and he agrees to let her go. As long as she agrees to stay in her sister's place. This book just amazed me at how well the author wrote this book and I am so very excited to read what happens in Shadowsong.
Number 2: The Illuminae Files, by Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff, which so far is comprised of Illuminae and Gemina. The third book, Obsidio, comes out in March of 2018. This series is told through emails, dossiers, IMs, etc. Illuminae follows Kady and Ezra in the year 2575. It starts the day their planet is invaded and the bulk of the story takes place aboard ships in the fleet that invaded. One of the ships has a killer AI called AIDAN. Gemina follows Hannah, who lives aboard the Jump Ship Heimdall., which we learn about the jump ship in Illuminae. I have Obsidio preordered and cannot wait to get my hands on it.
And finally, last but not least!:
Number 1: The Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff. Book one is Nevernight. Godsgrave just came out in September of this year. I listened to Nevernight the first time around on Audible right before Godsgrave came out in September and I immediately had to preorder the next book on Audible. I fell in love with Nevernight so much that when a friend asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told her that I wanted was Nevernight. I got lucky and she bought it for me in paperback. I read it a second time and loved it even more. My copy is all tabbed out. I preordered Godsgrave in paperback, which doesn't come out until June, so that I have a matching set. As soon as the third book book to come out. Nevernight follows Mia Corvere as she makes her way to the Red Church, which worships the Lady of Blessed Murder, to learn the ways of killing and become a Blade within the Red Church. Her family was taken out by the government and as she learns, she has specific men in mind to offer to the Lady of Blessed Murder.
Through the 2017 year, I've read 28,293 pages. Some of those pages were definitely better than others. It's been an adventure. But tell me, what was your favorite book that you've read this year and what was the worst? Have you read any of the books I've mentioned here? Cannot wait to hear all of your thoughts!
Your kindred bookmate,
Cassie
Shortest book I read: When God Whispers Loudly by Chris M Hibbard, which came in at 14 pages. This was a free ebook that I read on my Kindle and had picked it up on a whim. I liked the the premise of it, that people and whatnot are more important than money. It just didn't feel long enough to really get into the theme of it.
Longest book I read: It by Stephen King which came in at 1,116 pages. Listened to this as an audiobook through Audible. I had grown up watching the old mini series with Tim Curry as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. I even watched the new It in theaters twice. Since I loved the mini series and movie so much, I figured that it was time to read the book. The size of the physical book was a bit intimidating, so I opted for the audio route. I quite enjoyed it as an audiobook and listened to it leading up to Halloween. The creepy factor worked perfectly for it.
I reread a number of books this year. My favorite reread has to be a tie between Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and Pandora by Anne Rice. These books are definitely reminders of my teenage years and early 20's. Life seemed a lot easier then.
Least favorite book: Rushed by Brian Harmon. This book had so much potential in it. The synopsis of it made the book sound really good. And better yet, it was free as an ebook. There were so many points where I wanted to DNF it due how bad it was. There were so many phone calls from the main character's wife, as if Harmon just wanted to add dialogue to the story. And some of the stuff that Eric encounters are just ridiculous. Somehow I managed to get through this terrible book. However, it is definitely not one I would recommend to anyone.
Out of the 83 books that I've read and finished this year, I have 7 different favorite books from this year! For the most part, these are in no particular order. Until we get to the top three, which are actually series/start of a series.
Number 7: Freeks by Amanda Hocking. This one follows a girl who grows up in a carnival but she's the only one in that carnival without an act. She's always helped out others with their act and her mother is a psychic. They get a letter from someone who used to be in their carnival and it has an offer for them. They haven't been making much money, so they go to where their friend is currently and the town isn't quite what they thought it would be.
Number 6: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee. This one was floating around Booktube quite a bit when it first came out and for a while after. After reading it, I could see why. It follows Monty, the son of a lord that has been trying to groom him to take over the household. Monty, however, has other ideas. He's fond of the party life and is in love with his best friend, Percy. The book starts right before Monty and Percy go on their Grand Tour of Europe. The Grand Tour's first stop is in France, where they will stay until they can drop off Monty's sister, Felicity, at a finishing school, before moving on. Monty does something he isn't supposed to in true Monty style and an adventure is started from there. Only thing would have made it better would have been to see a little bit more of how hard life was for Percy since he is a person of color.
Number 5: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. This is another one that was floating around on Booktube. I listened to this on Audible as well and loved it. I found Lazlo Strange, the main character, an awkward yet lovable character. He is a librarian obsessed with the lost city of Weep since he was a small child. He wanted to know what happened to the city 200 years ago. An opportunity presents itself and Strange jumps on the opportunity to go. I loved going on this adventure with Strange and cannot wait to continue when the next book, The Muse of Nightmares, comes out.
Number 4: The Walking Land by Callie Bates. This is one I definitely thought I wasn't going to like when I first picked it up. This one follows Lady Elanna Valtai. She was taken from her family by the king at age 5. She was raised by him as a daughter. When she is older, she must return to her homeland and in the process, embarks on an adventure I enjoyed quite a bit. The main off putting thing was the romance was a bit quicker paced than I thought it should have been. I hear there is going to be another book next year, so I can't wait to see what happens in The Memory of Fire.
And now we're to the top 3! These ones are in order and so hard to place, mostly with numbers 2 and 3.
Number 3: Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones. This one has Labyrinth vibes to it and I loved it. In the story, Liesl has grown up with stories of the Goblin King. When she is 19 years old, she must go save her sister Kathe from the Goblin King. She goes to his realm and he agrees to let her go. As long as she agrees to stay in her sister's place. This book just amazed me at how well the author wrote this book and I am so very excited to read what happens in Shadowsong.
Number 2: The Illuminae Files, by Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff, which so far is comprised of Illuminae and Gemina. The third book, Obsidio, comes out in March of 2018. This series is told through emails, dossiers, IMs, etc. Illuminae follows Kady and Ezra in the year 2575. It starts the day their planet is invaded and the bulk of the story takes place aboard ships in the fleet that invaded. One of the ships has a killer AI called AIDAN. Gemina follows Hannah, who lives aboard the Jump Ship Heimdall., which we learn about the jump ship in Illuminae. I have Obsidio preordered and cannot wait to get my hands on it.
And finally, last but not least!:
Number 1: The Nevernight Chronicles by Jay Kristoff. Book one is Nevernight. Godsgrave just came out in September of this year. I listened to Nevernight the first time around on Audible right before Godsgrave came out in September and I immediately had to preorder the next book on Audible. I fell in love with Nevernight so much that when a friend asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told her that I wanted was Nevernight. I got lucky and she bought it for me in paperback. I read it a second time and loved it even more. My copy is all tabbed out. I preordered Godsgrave in paperback, which doesn't come out until June, so that I have a matching set. As soon as the third book book to come out. Nevernight follows Mia Corvere as she makes her way to the Red Church, which worships the Lady of Blessed Murder, to learn the ways of killing and become a Blade within the Red Church. Her family was taken out by the government and as she learns, she has specific men in mind to offer to the Lady of Blessed Murder.
Through the 2017 year, I've read 28,293 pages. Some of those pages were definitely better than others. It's been an adventure. But tell me, what was your favorite book that you've read this year and what was the worst? Have you read any of the books I've mentioned here? Cannot wait to hear all of your thoughts!
Your kindred bookmate,
Cassie
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