And the second of two topics this month that I just can't pass up. Why would I even not take the chance to talk about books that betrayed me? Why? I wouldn't. Ever. Warning: Here Be Spoilers!
Let the world burn.
With an iron fist, the Great Library controls the knowledge of the world, ruthlessly stamping out all rebellion and, in the name of the greater good, forbidding the personal ownership of books.
Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower, doomed to a life apart from everything she knows.
After embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies make one wrong move and suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London.
But Jess’s home isn’t safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon, Jess must choose between his friends, his family, and the Library, which is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control…
Notes: I didn't quite love the first book, but it was a near thing. It was unique and different and maybe even a little edgy. Then this one came along. Without getting too deep into it, let's just say it committed one of my biggest pet peeves. Someone died. Oh, but wait! They're not really dead. You just thought they were. Sucker! (I didn't even finish the damn thing.) (And I'm never sure if a fake death is better than a literal resurrection or not.)
Firefighter and mercenary Marat Azarov thinks he’s being noble when he rescues a beautiful slave woman from certain torture. Alas, she turns out to be more than she appears and does not appreciate his interference. In an attempt to redeem himself—and perhaps win her regard—he concocts a plot that even his grenade-flinging colleague Striker deems unwise. Soon, he’s blowing up androids, being shot at by pirates, and earning the wrath of his own boss, and he’s not even sure if the woman likes him.
Some days, it doesn’t pay to be a mercenary.
Notes: This is a pen name for Lindsay Buroker - one of my favorite fantasy authors, someone who I've liked everything I've read by. But this book... I wasn't prepared emotionally or mentally for a man (not the love interest! thankfully...) fighting the leading lady, and though she gave as good as she got, beating her up pretty badly, all with the end game in mind that he was going to rape her. This was after several hours where she thought rape was going to happen soon. Well, thankfully too, she didn't get raped, but after spending a little time in the medbay (and coming out bruise free thanks to the sci-fi gadgets) she decides she wants to have sex with the love interest. Now, I know people deal with trauma differently, but you will never be able to convince me that so soon after a woman was assaulted (just because the bruises aren't there doesn't mean that the memory isn't) she will be in a state of mind for healthy sex. You're just not convincing me and I thought this whole thing was handled very heavy handed.
In a continent on the edge of war, two witches hold its fate in their hands.
Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home.
Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she's a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden - lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult's true powers are hidden even from herself.
In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls' heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.
Notes: I think this is mostly because of the way it was publicized. Everyone from the official synopsis and publisher all the way down to the book bloggers that reviewed it talked about the amazing friendship between the two main girls. And completely ignored the atrocious romance. Well, I didn't feel the friendship. In my mind, the girls seemed to barely care/know about each other the the romance turned into this all-consuming sludge. Because if it had been advertised as what it truly is, I never would have been interested it it.
Your presence is requested at romantic Twill Castle for the wedding of Miss Clio Whitmore and . . . and . . . ?
After eight years of waiting for Piers Brandon, the wandering Marquess of Granville, to set a wedding date, Clio Whitmore has had enough. She's inherited a castle, scraped together some pride, and made plans to break her engagement.
Not if Rafe Brandon can help it. A ruthless prizefighter and notorious rake, Rafe is determined that Clio will marry his brother—even if he has to plan the dratted wedding himself.
So how does a hardened fighter cure a reluctant bride's cold feet?
● He starts with flowers. A wedding can't have too many flowers. Or harps. Or cakes.
● He lets her know she'll make a beautiful, desirable bride—and tries not to picture her as his.
● He doesn't kiss her.
● If he kisses her, he definitely doesn't kiss her again.
● When all else fails, he puts her in a stunning gown. And vows not to be nearby when the gown comes off.
● And no matter what—he doesn't fall in disastrous, hopeless love with the one woman he can never call his own.
Notes: This was probably my own fault, but after the amazing that was Romancing the Duke I had expectations. This book easily drowned them. I didn't like the characters, I thought the romance was unpleasant - at best and all wrong at worst - and the humor was just flat-out trying too hard.
The electrifying conclusion to the epic young adult science fiction series that began with The Comet's Curse
Council leader Triana Martell has returned from her journey through the mysterious wormhole, but she isn't alone. She is accompanied by the ambassador of an alien race—the Dollovit.
While the Council and crew of Galahad struggle to come to terms with the existence of the Dollovit, the ship begins to flounder. The radiation shields threaten to fail, damaged by the appearance of multiple wormholes. The Dollovit have a proposal for the crew: an offer of assistance that could be their only hope for survival. But their offer comes with an astronomical price. Beset with doubts and surrounded by danger, can Triana and her crew find a way to reach their destination—a new home for the human race?
Notes: This is a series where the best book was the first book - and they just all went slowly downhill from there. But this, the final book in the series was such a disappointment. Mostly because of the 'resolution' for Roc (their computer and without a doubt the best thing about this series) and it just hurt. Also though, because there is no closure. We spent six books preparing for the moment we arrive at our new planet home and the reader doesn't even get to see it. What is that about?
That was actually a bit more difficult than I thought it's be. Anyhow, have you read any of these books? What books have betrayed you?
