A Conspiracy of Alchemists

Today’s post is on A Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz. It is the first book in the Chronicles of Light and Shadow. It is 336 pages long and is published by Ballantine Books. The cover has the main character Elle looking out on a steampunk Paris. There is some language, lots of action, and no sex in this book. The intended reader is someone who wants to start reading steampunk, romance, and lots of adventure. The story is told from the third person close of the main character’s changing as needed over the course of the story. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- In a Golden Age where spark reactors power the airways, and creatures of Light and Shadow walk openly among us, a deadly game of Alchemists and Warlocks has begun.
When an unusual cargo drags airship-pilot Elle Chance into the affairs of the mysterious Mr. Marsh, she must confront her destiny and do everything in power to stop the Alchemists from the unleashing a magical apocalypse.
Discover this trilling new series that transforms elements of urban fantasy and paranormal romance into pure storytelling gold.

Review- This was a fun book and a good place to start if you are looking for something steampunk to read. The main focus is the adventure and there is plenty to have. Elle is a good heroine but she angst over the hero a little too much for my taste. Marsh is a good hero but I think that he can be a little heavy handed from time to time over the course of the story. I think that Schwarz wanted to write a romance but why she did not I do not know. She does make the adventure and the thrill of this world more important but only just. I am curious about where she is going with the overarching story. The writing is solid, the world building is very good, and I am going to be reading this second volume. I may be buying this series to own but I need to see where things are going and even how we are going to get there before I do.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 26

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 26 by Akimine Kamijyo. It the 26^th in the series and so you need to have read the first 25 to understand the story. It is published by Tokyopop. The cover has Yukimura on it looking cool. The intended reader is someone who loves samurai manga, lots of character’s and unexpected romance. There is implied nudity, language, and lots of violence, older teens and adults only for the best. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- In order to put a stop to Haira of the Twelve God Shogun, Bontenmaru must resort to his ‘Beast’ mode if he wants to come out victorious- and alive. Next, Yukimura defends his men against the unstoppable Shindara, which results in a heart-touching revelation. And at last… the identity of the Former Crimson King is revealed!

Review- Kyo is not much in this volume but Bon is funny. He has to fight and it gets nasty. But he wins and the story gets to the real meat of this volume. All about Yukimura and real Crimson King. The King is something both funny and very scary. I really want to see some interactions between him and Kyo. We get to see why he is still in power in spite of the Five Stars being so powerful.  Then Yukimura takes the stage. We get what happened between him and Shindara and bonus we get to meet more of Yukimura’s ninja’s. There is some foretelling with Yuya but I cannot wait to see it come to fruition. Lots of plots development and fighting and stuff. Great manga.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

The Good, The Bad, and The Undead

Today’s post is on The Good, The Bad, and The Undead by Kim Harrison. It is the second in her Hollows series. It is 453 pages long and is published by Eos Fiction. The cover has a pentagram with Rachel standing in it. There is some language, sex, talk of rape, and lots of violence in this book and series. The intended reader is someone who likes gritty urban fantasy, strong female leads, and magic, adults only for the best. The story is told in first person point of view of Rachel. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- It’s a tough life for witch Rachel Morgan, sexy, independent bounty hunter, prowling the darkest shadows of downtown Cincinnati for criminal creatures of the night.
She can handle the leather-clad vamps and even tangle with a cunning demon or two. But a serial killer who feeds on the experts in the most dangerous kind of black magic is definitely pressing the limits.
Confronting an ancient, implacable evil is more than just child’s play- and this time, Rachel will be lucky to escape with her very soul.

Review- I, like just about everyone else who like urban fantasy, like this series. Rachel is a very strong female lead. She is pretty funny, clever, and willing to be wrong. Rachel thinks from the beginning of the book that Trent, another of the main characters, is THE bad guy. He is a bad guy but he is not the bad guy and when she discovers that Rachel deals with it. She is not afraid of being wrong, just staying wrong. I like a person, real or not, that can handle being wrong. There is so much going on this book. More world building, more character development, and of course getting stuff in line for the next book. I do not say that as a bad thing. I do not see where Harrison is going with the overall story but I like to see the threads for future books being laid out. In the world building we see more of Cincinnati and the Hallows. For character development we learn a lot about Rachel. Most of it what very unexpected and interesting. I must include a warning about the rape- it happens off camera but it feels very real. It is a very important plot point for Ivy in this book at the very least if not for the rest of the series. Harrison handles it well in my opinion. The rape is horrible but I was not overwhelmed by it. I really want Harrison to talk about it later in the series. Rape is something very serious and should not just by a plot point. It should change the character it happens to and those around them. I recommend this book and series.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.

Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 25

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 25 by Akimine Kamijyo. It is published by Tokyopop. As it is the 25^th in the series you need to have to the first 24 to understand the story. The cover has Kyo and Yuya on it in the winter, it is very cute. The intended reader is someone who likes samurai drama, good art, and cool characters. There is no sex, some language, and lots of violence in this volume, older teens and adults only. The story is told from third person god perspective with character’s thoughts added in for character and plot development. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Akira, Benitora, and Hotaru continue to fight against Kubira’s deadly illusions until Antera enters the scene. While Antera reveals the secrets of her past, Kyo and Bontenmaru reach the final gates, only to be stopped by another of the powerful Twelve God Shogun!

Review- This blurb is actually not that bad. It does give a basic outline of the plot for this volume. All of those things happen in this volume. So I think that this is the best blurb for the series so far. Akira, Hotaru, and Akari made me laugh so hard in this volume. Because Bontenmaru ‘won’ by going with Kyo getting the right gate. They see this as losing to him. Then Kyo made me laugh by just being himself. Bontenmaru does not want to fight the guy who challenged him so he wants Kyo to switch with him but that does not go over well. But it is funny. Kamijyo does not do anything with one of the plot hooks from the last volume. Yuya saw what looks like her brother and now she is distracted by it. Akari is very concerned because she could not stop or get through to Yuya but does not know what to do about it now. I am very curious about where and how this is going to end. And I cannot wait to see what Kyo thinks about this. I am going to bet that he is going to kill someone over it. And look cool while doing it.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Village of Secrets: Defying the Nazis in Vichy France

Today’s nonfiction post is on Village of Secrets: Defying the Nazis in Vichy France by Caroline Moorehead. It is 384 pages long including notes and a bibliography. The cover is a picture of village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. The intended reader is someone who is interested in War World 2 history and hopeful, real life bravery. There is no sex, no language, and the violence is just talked about. The story is told from third person close with letters and interviews added in for depth. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Le Chambon-sur-Lignonis a small village of scattered houses high in the mountains of the Ardeche, one of the most remote and inaccessible parts of eastern France. During the Second World War, the inhabitants of this tiny mountain village and its parishes saved thousands wanted by the Gestapo: resisters, Freemasons, communists, OSS and SOE agents, and Jews. Many of those they protected were orphaned children and babies whose parents had been deported to concentration camps.
With unprecedented access to newly opened archives in France, Britain, and Germany, and interviews with some of the villagers from the period who are still alive, Caroline Moorehead pains an inspiring portrait of courage and determination: of what was accomplished when a small group of people banded together to oppose their Nazi occupiers. A thrilling and atmospheric tale of silence and complicity, Village of Secrets reveals how every one of the inhabitants of Chambon remained silent in a country infamous for collaboration. Yet it is also a story about mythmaking, and the fallibility of memory.
A major contribution to WWII history, illustrated with black-and-white photo, Village of Secrets sets the record straight about the events in Chambon, and pays tribute to a group of heroic individuals, most of them women, for whom saving others became more important their own lives.

Review- I found this to be a very inspiring story. One group of people led by both their local leaders and their own sense of right decided that no one was going to the Germans. This village was truly something unique. Over the course of the occupation only 12 people were taken from Le Chambon-sur-Lignonis. They hid at least 883 people and if you count all the people who hid there for a short time or just passed through to get documents the numbers become staggering. The writing is approachable. The story is moving and the real people are interesting. Moorehead wants to try and set the record straight about this little village and the province that it is in. The people who live and lived there value silence so there has been rumor with little to no fact checking but Moorehead was able to get more information. With archives opening up, interviews with children who lived there and through the war, and just plain old research she wants to lift the veil on this story. I think she did but I knew nothing about this place and its people before reading this book. I am going to be doing some personal research into this now to see for myself.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I was given this book by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

Breathe

Today’s post is on Breathe by Sarah Crossan. It is the first in a duology. It is 371 pages long and is published by Greenwillow. The cover has three figures in shadow standing in front of a huge bubble with the outline of a city in it and dracked bear earth under it and them. The intended reader is young adult but I think that if you like YA books and stories about environmentalism you would enjoy this one. There is no language, no sex, and some mild violence in this book; readers 13 and up should be fine. The story is told in first person close moving from of the main characters to the next over the course of the book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Inhale. Exhale.
Breath.
Breathe.
Breath…
The world is dead.
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina
has been stealing for a long time. She’s a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she’s never been caught before. If she’s careful, it’ll be easy. If’s she’s careful.

Quinn
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even thought this is dangerous, it’s also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn’t every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they’d planned a trip together, the two of them, and she’d hoped he’d discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days’ worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

Review- I enjoyed this novel. It was light, easy to read, and fun. I know that the topic was very heavy but I just get into that part of it. The characters were not bad and they had some growth over the course of the story. The one thing that I really did not like was the Resistance. They were not good people. They treat anyone who is not one of them for any reason, including not being given the chance to join, very badly. They tormented one old woman who they had no real reason to do that to. The reason was the old woman was at one time part of Breathe but she was not now and had not been for a very long time. I think that I can see where Crossan is going with that but it was not fun and it made me dislike the Resistance as much as Breathe. The dialog is pretty good and I think that is the best part of the novel. How the characters interact with each other in the dialog. If you are looking for the next Hunger Games is it not it but if you want a interesting dystopian then give this one a try.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.

Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 24

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 24 by Akimine Kamijyo. It is published by Tokyopop. As it is the 24^th in the series you need to have read the first 23 to get the story. The cover has Sasuke and Yukimura on it looking cool. There is some language, no sex, and lots of violence in this series and volume. The story is told from third person god point of view with character thoughts added in for character and plot development. The intended reader is someone who loves samurai manga, strange love stories, and cool guys with red eyes. Older teens and adults only for the best. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Akari battles Mekira, a wielder of an ancient Mibu weapon that can turn enemies to stone. Enraged by Mekira’s treatment of Santera, Akari reveals a secret of his own! Meanwhile, Sasuke and Izumo travel to the peak of Mt. Fuji, where Kotaro stands in their way- and Kotaro and Sasuke begin a battle that may shatter their friendship forever.

Review- This is a fun volume with Sasuke taking the limelight. He takes the stage and he shines. We get some great fights, plot development, and some more questions about what the Mibu are trying to do. Sasuke is a ‘rare breed’ and now people want to eat him. He does not get eaten but he does give us some new moves and he reveals his own demon eyes. The new questions about the Mibu are about what they were trying to do when they created Sasuke. When he gets really mad in his fight he ‘awakens’ to his demon eyes and aura. Very badass but again we do not really learn anything about the big evil plot. When it comes to this manga I have too much tolerance and love that I do not care that Kamijyo just keeps giving me beautiful red eyes and new questions but little resolutions. But one plot thread that she finishes this volume is what really happened between Sasuke and Kotaro. So I guess that I can be happy with that and continue to love my series.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Red Rising

Today’s post is on Red Rising by Pierce Brown. It is the first in a trilogy. It is 382 pages long and is published by Del Rey. The cover is black with a red wing coming up the bottom. There is language, talk of sex and rape, and lots of violence in this book. Because of the intense violence in this book adults only. The story is told from the first person close of the main character Darrow. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- “I live for the dream that my children will be born free,” she days. “That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them.”
“I live for you,” I say sadly.
Eo kisses my check.
“Then you must live for more.”Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of mars livable for future generations.
Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.
But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet, Darrow- and Reds like him- are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity’s overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society’s ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies… even it is means he has to become one of to do so.

Review- This was Rome on Mars. The way that the Society works, the way that the caste systems works, everything about it just screams Rome in Space. I feel that I have been readings a lot of books about Rome lately. Maybe that is what is going to be the next big thing then. Rewriting history in the future and Rome is a great place to start. Just looking at what little I know about Roman history there is murder, rape, wars, blood feuds, and so much more to work with. That said it is well written. The characters are mostly three dimensional. The dialog was used correctly; it moved the story along and gave some character development. The violence can be stomach turning but it fits the story. What happens is terrible but that is the way the world is. Brown is a good writer. He creates a dark adult world about people with very hard lives. That said at times it dragged a little. When we get to the school the story really slows down. The story slows down and the violence ramps up. So if you are looking for a very intense space opera try this one.

I give this book a Three out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 23

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 23 by Akimine Kamijyo. It is published by Tokyopop. As it is the 23^rd volume in the series you need to have read the first 22 in order to understand the story. The cover has Arika, Akari, Hotaru, and Bontenmaru on it looking cool. There some language, lots of violence and no sex/sexuality in this volume. The story is told from third person god perspective with character’s thoughts added in for plot and character growth. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Akari has returned! Now the Four Emperors are reunited for the first time in four years. Together, they defeat an army of thousands- alive and undead alike. But as they clear a path to the four doors that block the way to the Onmyo Shrine, there is a catch: Only one door actually leads to the shrine…

Review- This volume is really about Yuya and Akari. They are traveling together through one of the doors to the shrine. Akari is really funny but you get to know him/her. She is really more than just some crazy person all about Kyo. And she starts to see why Kyo is the way he is about Yuya. There is of course fighting and talking and saving a bad guy. Sadly there is little Arika but he is there and he is clever but he gets jumped by the other four. Kyo does not have much to say but he goes silent from time to time over the course of the story. Big plot developments with his body and what the Mibu are trying to do. So stuff happens and then we get Yuya/Akari development.  Ends with an interesting cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read the next volume.

I give this series and volume a Five out Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Today’s post is on To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It is 323 pages long and is published by Harper Collins. I have the 40^th anniversary edition. The cover is dark gray with a tree in the center. The intended reader is everyone; I personally believe that everyone needs to read this novel, I think that the youngest age to try and read this for the first time is about 10 that is the first time I read it. There is some strong language, talk of rape, and threat violence in this novel. The story is told from the first person prespective of Scout Finch. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
A lawyer’s advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee’s classic novel- a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unswerving honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. The conscience of a town is steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina and quiet heroism of one man’s struggle for justice- but the weight of history will only tolerate so much.

Review- I do not know where to start with this review. To Kill a Mockingbird is considered one of most important novels of the 20^th century. I guess the I only that I can really add to the discussion of this novel is not something very unique. I live in the Deep South. I grew up two miles from a paved road and I drank well water until I moved out on my own. Harper Lee was writing about fictional Monroeville, Al 1936 but she was still describing Alabama 1993. My personal southern life was not too different from hers. I had to be a lady when I was/am not. I had to be polite to people who were not to me because I was raised that way. I get her frustration with relations, school teachers, and having to wait for the too short, blazing hot summers. She gives her childhood and in doing that she give me mine. I think that this book is really about the hard issues of living the Deep South but the reflections of childhood was what really resounded with me. When I finished this novel I felt connected to my southern past and I hope, I think that Harper Lee herself, for a better future. The other thing that I was thinking about as I was reading this was about the first editor who read it. I could not imagine being the first person who finished this novel and just sat there. With all that Lee gives with this novel. I would have been speechless just like I was when I finished it myself 60 years forward from the first person. I think that the first editor cried.

I give this novel a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.