Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima

Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm always a bit hesitant to read a spinoff series in case it somehow lessens the original. I enjoyed this one thoroughly, though. It moves to the next generation after the The Demon King series, and I was sad to see the turmoil and grief that haunted the kingdoms, but I also felt like it was a totally new story.

This series is written a little differently, as companion novels with a single, overarching story. I found it really helpful to know in advance that there are different main characters in the first three books. As I was reading, I also found that the story sometimes backtracks to cover the same period of time with a different character.

So just know that the story is told in a more parallel than linear fashion, and be prepared to be introduced to new characters when you're dying to know what's going to happen to the old ones. Some of the main characters do make appearances in books where they're not the focus, and the final book does pick back up with all of them so you're not left hanging. And like I said, I enjoyed the whole thing.

The Summer Tree - Guy Gavriel Kay

The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Well this was a disappointment after Tigana. If you haven't read Tigana, don't judge Kay by this. I think it could have been interesting, but the style is so flowery and pompous and full of info dumps that my eyes glazed over far too many times. It read like an attempt at being Tolkienesque, with the tone like when Gandalf sets up the back story before the quest, but liberally throughout, and with so much meaningless detail because I didn't know any of the names that were being thrown about.

There were some interesting things in the actual story, even if the entire book read like a prologue. Unfortunately, the distant tone made it hard to connect with the characters, even with some huge things happening to them, and then came the rape and torture. Before that, I would have probably given this 3 stars, but it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Now I understand why reviewers are always talking about 80s fantasy as being overly flowery and full of rape.

I might still have to give the second book a chance, since it ended right where things are really just starting, and on a cliffhanger.

In the Balance - Patricia Wentworth

In the Balance by Patricia Wentworth


This was a chilling story of emotional abuse. If you've been in an emotionally abusive relationship, you might want to steer clear. It affected me a lot. If you've ever wondered why people stay with partners who abuse them, this might give you some idea. There's lots of lies, gaslighting, manipulation.

I'm sure a lot of people might think the victim is too passive, trusting, etc. Perhaps she is, but a big part of that is the confusing situation she finds herself in. I found it far too realistic, way too close for comfort. I'm not talking about the more obvious traumatic situations like almost getting killed. I'm talking about the much more subtle undermining that occurs in ordinary, everyday events like eating breakfast. And the way that you grasp at any sliver of positive to believe that everything's not so bad. Wentworth captures the paralysis you feel when you're the object of this kind of abuse and can't even trust your own feelings or judgement. Disturbing, and very real.

Faro's Daughter - Georgette Heyer

Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was beginning to think I had already read all the best Heyer romances. This was a nice surprise. It had me laughing several times, too.

Maulever Hall - Jane Aiken Hodge

Maulever Hall by Jane Aiken Hodge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I mostly enjoyed this old-school gothic romance. It has so many classic elements - old house, the moors, hostile servants, sinister woods in the fog, mysterious murder attempts, and questions of identity and intent.

If only there hadn't been so much plot driven by lack of communication! Even though I realize that this happens in real life, I usually just want to scream at characters to talk to each other.

Still, I think it's actually my favorite Hodge so far. She actually gives more to the romance than stating a happily ever after in this one.

This is lighter gothic fare, and I wouldn't go into it expecting anything unfamiliar or earth-shattering. Although I do enjoy the familiarity of a classic gothic atmosphere, myself. There's something cozy about it.

Breakaway - Michelle Diener

Breakaway by Michelle Diener
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Note: This book is not the first in the series, even though it's technically #1. You need to start with the prequel novellas, Interference / Insurgency, since they take care of a lot of world-building. Plus they're really good for novellas.

I'm really enjoying this series so far. It's a combination of Sci Fi lite and Romance lite that works for me. I previously really liked Diener's Class 5 series, but wasn't too thrilled with Sky Raiders because it lacked the multi-cultural space opera intrigue and felt more dystopian to me (I only read the first one).

Now with the Verdant String, I feel like Diener has returned to form. It's been a while since I was tempted to binge read a series, but I seem to be doing so with this one!

Siege & Storm - Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have this flaw, and know I'm not alone because there are plenty of us suckers who love the bad boys. I really, really want the intriguing bad guy to turn out not so bad. To have the option to be evil, but have a noble core.

There's something wrong with me when a bad guy perpetrates unforgivable wrongs, and yet I can overlook it and continue to hope he will turn around and prove to be redeemable. And continue to wish the actual, already-noble good guy out of the way.

I don't learn... I'm still hoping for book 3...