Jane, Unlimited - Kristin Cashore

Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really admire authors who can pull off more than one genre. It takes talent to manage a completely different tone and voice. Kristin Cashore has done that here, and done it well. She has written a slightly bizarre postmodern story that is worlds apart from the Graceling series. I honestly couldn't tell this was the same author.

It starts out as a contemporary story set on an island off the coast of New York. Jane runs into an old friend, who invites her to the island for a gala that's being thrown by her enormously wealthy family. Jane, who has been at loose ends since her aunt died, accepts the invitation.

Where the story diverges from a normal contemporary novel is when we start seeing the same couple of days play out in different ways. The story changes depending on which decision Jane makes at a single point. Each choice results in a wildly different version of her life, ranging from the more ordinary to the paranormal and bizarre.

Each version gives the reader a new layer of understanding of what's happening in the house far beyond what Jane actually gets to see for herself. It also gives you a sense of how a small decision can alter your life. It may even make you wonder if multiverses really are out there, created by every decision you've ever made.

It ended up being a rich story, but also just plain weird at times. Strange, yet captivating. I have never enjoyed postmodern fragmentation before. It's usually not my thing. I could have done without a couple of the weirder turns Jane's life took, but I can still appreciate the overall effect, and I did mostly enjoy reading this.

I'm still trying to decide which version of Jane's life I would pick for her. Too bad she can't have everything. Or maybe she can, since it's all versions of her who are living out different lives in the multiverse?

Between Two Thorns - Emma Newman

Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was not at all what I was expecting, and I was surprised that I ended up liking it. First of all, I thought it was going to be a historical fantasy set in Regency-era Bath. Instead, what I got was a modern urban-ish fantasy with a portal world called the Nether that's stuck in the past as far as social expectations go. So it's a Regency-like setting, but one that's aware of the modern world, and sticks its nose up at it for being mundane.

The clash of modern and 19th C values intrigued me, especially as it doesn't idealize the good old days as most Austen-esque stories do. Instead, it highlights the absolute lack of rights of women in that time. I'm curious to see if future installments bring about some modernization in the society of the Nether - I'm sure some kind of upheaval is set to take place and am looking forward to it.

I was also intrigued by the glimpses of other parts of society in the different worlds, and various types of magic, and then there's the greater mystery embarked upon by the the arbiter and gargoyle that has barely been touched. Again I'm eager to discover what changes will take place in the future to these aspects of society.

One of the main characters, Cathy, was a bit over the top in her inability to conform to her society's expectations or even to be civil. She doesn't even know how to pretend just a little bit, which I thought was unwise - and also irritating. But at the same time, I have a feeling it's going to be instrumental in some of this upheaval I'm looking forward to.

The Midnight Rose - Lucinda Riley

The Midnight Rose: A Novel by Lucinda Riley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Midnight Rose was completely absorbing. I love these gothic novels with rich atmosphere and dual timelines, although I sometimes have to take more tragedy and bleakness than I would like along with them. I've read one novel by Lucinda Riley before, and loved how her story included exotic locations as well as England. But it was so sad that I couldn't bring myself to read another of her books for several years.

This time I was braced for tragedy at least in the earlier timeline, and ended up cursing myself for still getting attached to the characters. There's no doubt that Riley can suck you in and make you dread what's going to happen to them. The haunting sadness of their story clung to me for several days after I finished reading.

The thing that disappointed me about this one is the modern timeline. I was really hoping it would make up for the tragedy of the past. It did offer a bit of redemption, but it was not nearly as satisfying as it could have been. The romance was underdeveloped, and materialized almost out of nowhere. I didn't have the chance to become invested enough in it. That dissatisfaction also lingered with me for several days, making me waver between 3 and 4 stars on my rating.

Still, the haunting nature of both books I've now read by Riley tells me that I will be back for more in the future. Like a moth to a flame.

The Tudor Secret - C.W. Gortner

The Tudor Secret by C.W. Gortner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First things first, this is not a mystery. For some reason I thought it was, but it's really just Historical Fiction. It covers a period of about 3 weeks, and the huge leaps in character growth during that time are quite unbelievable. Our main character starts out a naive, bumbling country boy who picks up on court intrigue and gains maturity with startling swiftness, in a matter of days. Definitely some suspension of disbelief is needed.

However, I found it a quick, light read, especially for a historical fiction set in the Tudor period. Things are not as fleshed out as they could be, but I liked the main character and a couple of the minor ones too. I might even choose to read more about them at some point.

In the Ruins - Kate Elliott

In the Ruins by Kate Elliott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In the Ruins was definitely a transition book. The cataclysm took place at the end of the last book, and now what? Now the face of the world has changed, and so have allegiances. Power vacuums must be filled, and broken empires must band together or take advantage of the chaos.

Ultimately, this was a large-scale moving of chess pieces into place for the coming confrontation over what the world will look like. Whose religious vision will win out? The fanatics, the heretics? Which empire will be the strongest? Will people find peace or continue to slaughter each other over ancient grudges and differences?

Bewitching Season - Marissa Doyle

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Usually the London season is a backdrop, not the entire plot of a book. This may be the most boring Regency I've ever read, and that's with a kidnapping, secret magic, and a plot to take the throne. So much potential unrealized.

A Court of Mist & Fury - Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't really sold on the romance in the first book, but I love the direction that it took in this one. It felt authentic and realistic to me. There are real relationships and issues here, not just fairy tales. And the world grows wider along with the complexity of the plot and characters. I loved it. I'm glad I waited so I can follow up soon with book 3.

My only complaint is how often Feyre was sick for the first half or so - that is not something I enjoy reading about. Hence an alert for the squeamish. I did get past it though.