Review: A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan

A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan

Series: Memoir by Lady Trent #1
Genre: Fantasy/Historical
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All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world’s preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.

Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities; and of her thrilling expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever. 

Top Ten Favorite New To Me Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

New to me authors - those I read in 2015 for the first time. I'm definitely excited about doing this list because I'm really curious how many really great author's I've read this year!

December TBR

I did some maintenance on my TBR jar this month. I went through the whole thing, making sure I had every book written down and removing any books I read or got rid of. (For a total of 31 books!) If I keep this jar (lately it's been kind of useless) I plan on doing this quarterly, with the turning of the seasons.

Now on to what I'm reading this month! (At least, hopefully.) (11/28)

The first paper is green (fantasy) and it is
The Empyrean Key by J.L. Tomlinson
I was more excited about this book before I got a little more information on it, but I still want to read it because of diversity and because there should be some good banter here. (Though I've heard it isn't banter but the characters are actually mean to each other, so I'll see how it hits me.)

The second paper is orange (audio book) and it is
Dodger by Terry Pratchett
I've been wanting an audio book! I almost started one last month, but didn't. (Obviously.) Definitely looking forward to this, because it's probably the 'safest' of the audio books that I've got for me.

The third paper is green (fantasy) and it is
The Gate of Gods by Martha Wells
You should have seen me when I read that title, both my fists went straight up into the air. Needless to say, I'm excited. I've read the first two books in the series and loved them and I can't wait to finish the story.

The fourth paper is green (fantasy) and it is
Fireblood by Jeff Wheeler
Okay, I mean, I love fantasy, but this is getting to be a little much. I am very interested in this book, it really sounds like my kind of fantasy so, fingers crossed.

The fifth paper is red (contemporary) and it is
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
I've been promising myself since spring that I would finish this series this year. So here's to hoping that I finally do. (Yes, first reading.)

The sixth paper is green (fantasy) and it is
Books 2-4 of The Circle of Magic by Tamora Pierce
I actually rolled my eyes when I saw that this paper was green. However, any thoughts of putting the paper back left when I saw what books I drew. I already read the first book some time back, after being warned that the four books are really more one long book than four separate ones. So I promised myself I'd read the next three together.

The seventh paper is yellow (sci-fi) and it is
Starbridge by A.C. Crispin
Finally got a sci-fi. I'd kind of been waiting for that, but hadn't expected it to be one I just got. I've heard a few things about this book that makes me super interested in it, and I'm really excited to read it.






And, I think I'll stop there. I do wish I'd gotten a bit more of a selection, but if I read at the rate I did last month, I'll be able to add a few more books later on. I've got several books here that I'm pretty comfortable with so that should help balance things out with the books I'm taking a chance on.

Visual Novels - Like A Novel/Video Game Hybrid!

Today it's time for me to talk about something very dear to my heart - visual novels.

For those of you who don't know what that is it's, much as my title suggests, kind of a hybrid between two very different forms of storytelling. Visual novels - or VN's, as they are often called - tell a story using mostly static images, both of characters and locations, and text.

For example, this is a screenshot of the game 'Nicole' made by Winter Wolves. It depicts the characters of Darren and Nicole. (It also shows stats which all VN's have, though more often than not, they aren't shown to the player.) During their conversation, which can be read in the textbox at the bottom of the screen, their expressions will shift as their emotions do and, perhaps they might change the way they are standing. However, nothing is animated. In some of the more advanced VN's, the characters might blink or there might be wind blowing in the background.

Very little is described in VN's, no facial expressions and no background - not if it's shown in the images. The text is mostly dialogue and actions, which makes for a very different storytelling experience. Most VN's also have choices, where the reader/player can interact with the story. Sometimes it's for romance, other times it's major plot points that can be changed.

Choices like in this screenshot of 'Cinders' depicting her thoughts while speaking with Tobias.

VN's are originally from Japan - the land of anime! - but they have caught on a little here in the US. (Definitely have no idea their reception in other parts of the world, but if you know, I'd love to hear from you!)

The first VN I played/read was 'The Royal Trap' and I had no idea what to expect from it. What I wasn't expecting was something that was so immersive. It's like the perfect balance between video game graphics and the text of novels.

Often VN's get a bad name - they're not good writing or they're all porn, people say. I'll admit, some VN's have terrible writing. And some are nothing but porn. But there's also some pretty awesome stories that they tell.

And, for me, that's the important thing. I can easily get just as absorbed in a VN as I can any novel, sometimes even more so because unlike novels, I actually get a chance to interact with the VN environment.

So, tell me, do you play VN's? Do they sound like something you'd like? If you have any suggestions for good ones, let me know. And if you want any suggestions for good ones, just ask!

December Releases

It seems that the closer we get to 2016, the fewer new releases there are that I'm super excited for. This month, I only have three, but two of them are definite purchases for me.

December 1st

The Death of Dulgath by Michael J. Sullivan
Three times they tried to kill her. Then professionals were hired. So was Riyria.
When the last member of the oldest noble family in Avryn is targeted for assassination, Riyria is hired to foil the plot. Three years have passed since the war-weary mercenary Hadrian and the cynical ex-assassin Royce joined forces to start life as rogues-for-hire. Things have gone well enough until they're asked to help prevent a murder. Now they must venture into an ancient corner of the world to save a mysterious woman who knows more about Royce than is safe, and cares less about herself than is sane.

From the best-selling author of The Riyria Revelations comes the third installment of The Riyria Chronicles. Although part of a series, it's designed to thrill both new readers looking for fun, fast-paced fantasy and Riyria veterans wishing to reunite with old friends.

Want to read so badly. I should be getting my copy really, really soon, too.

December 8th

Inherit the Stars by Tessa Elwood

Three royal houses ruling three interplanetary systems are on the brink of collapse, and they must either ally together or tear each other apart in order for their people to survive.

Asa is the youngest daughter of the house of Fane, which has been fighting a devastating food and energy crisis for far too long. She thinks she can save her family’s livelihood by posing as her oldest sister in an arranged marriage with Eagle, the heir to the throne of the house of Westlet. The appearance of her mother, a traitor who defected to the house of Galton, adds fuel to the fire, while Asa also tries to save her sister Wren's life . . . possibly from the hands of their own father.

But as Asa and Eagle forge a genuine bond, will secrets from the past and the urgent needs of their people in the present keep them divided?

I've got pretty mixed feelings about reading this book - because I can totally see the romance overtaking what should be an epic sci-fi story. I'm not sure I really need the swoonyness of this, but we'll see.

December 15th

Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes

Rebels, royals, and monsters wage war over the Mytican throne in the shocking fourth book of the Falling Kingdoms series, from New York Times bestselling author Morgan Rhodes.

CLEO: Reeling after a bloody showdown in Limeros ending with Amara’s abduction of the water crystal, and a vacancy in the Mytican throne, Princess Cleo must cast aside her feelings and look toward her kingdom with the eyes of a Queen.

MAGNUS: With the kingdom in chaos, Princess Lucia still missing and quite possibly in danger, and a shocking realization about Cleo, the steely prince is once again torn between love and duty, leaving him wondering whether he’s strong enough to rule his people.

LUCIA: The young sorcercess has had her vengeance after the cruel death of her first and only love. Heartbroken and unable to trust anyone, she allies with the awoken Fire god, who also seeks revenge.

JONAS: After escaping death by the skin of his teeth, the defeated rebel—along with a mysterious stranger–leader reunites with Princess Cleo, only to find himself a mere pawn in a dangerous hunt for the elusive Kindred.

KING GAIUS: Abandoned by Melenia and betrayed by his own children, Gaius flees Mytica and sails to Kraeshia, where he attempts to ally with the famously brutal emperor across the Silver Sea.

Yay, yay, yay! This is going to be awesome. I've been looking forward to this since I read the third book and now I'll be able to get it soon. So looking forward, too, to getting back to Mytica - because that spinoff just didn't do it for me.

And that's it. Told you this month was a little light. Anyway, I am definitely looking forward to two of these and very interested in the other. How about you? Interested in any of these books? What books are you most excited for this month? (Seriously, shove some at me.;))

Review: The Child Prince by Honor Raconteur

The Child Prince by Honor Raconteur

Series: The Artifactor #1
Genre: Fantasy
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Sevana Warran, reigning prodigy Artifactor of the age, has absolutely no desire to selflessly serve her fellow man. She wants, in fact, to be left alone so that she can putter about in her workroom.

But her efforts in avoiding other people prove to be in vain. The reigning family of Windamere is no longer sitting upon the throne and the Council has instead taken power. The sole hope of avoiding the evil machinations of the Council is Bellomi Dragonmanovich, Prince of Windamere. As a twenty-one year old cursed into the body of a perpetual eight year old, he lacks the power and ability to stop the Council.

Sevana, after a judicious review of the situation, decides that she cannot let things continue. If she did, she’d never be left alone and would instead be buried in paperwork if the Council has anything to say about it. So she kidnaps the prince from where he was locked away in the palace and sets about breaking his curse.

Prince and Artifactor quickly realize that simply breaking the curse won’t be enough to free Windamere from the Council. It will take training, cunning, allies, information and more than just a little magic if they are to reclaim the throne.

Top Ten 2016 Debut Novels I'm Looking Forward To

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

Getting close to the end of the year and here we are, looking forward to awesome new books for the next. Debut novels are always difficult for me to truly get excited over. Sure, they might sound good - even good enough for me to pre-order occasionally - but I have nothing besides the blurb and cover to base my excitement on. What's the writing style like? POV? Important things that helps me decide on a book. That being said, there are some great sounding debuts coming in 2016.