Tabitha Tomala

The Skaa have been beaten into obedience, serving the nobles as slaves and seen as less than human. Rebellions have come and gone, snuffed out by fear and brutality. Until Kelsier rises from the pits, surviving what everyone knows as a death sentence. Having snapped under heartache and abuse, Kelsier has become a Mistborn allomancer. Able to give himself enhanced powers over his mind and body by ingesting metal. And he’s ready to recruit a crew of Skaa to rise up against the Lord Ruler.

The Final Empire spends much of its time developing the world and metal magical system called allomancy. While this slows down the plot, there is a lot of information needed to paint the world in the reader's mind. Each piece of worldbuilding is easy to understand and enhances the reader's experience as they are drawn into the story. And when Brandon Sanderson flips the switch, bringing the characters into the climax of the story, it will be challenging to put it down.

Character dynamics are integral to the story. Kelsier is a complicated character, one who wants what’s best for the Skaa and has a burning hatred for the Nobility and the Lord Ruler. He takes a huge amount of risk, yet has an intricate plan for how the current rebellion can succeed. But he isn’t perfect, and some mistakes will cost him dearly. There are times he’ll overplay his hand, and unforeseen circumstances will startle even Kel.

Then there is Vin, a fellow mistborn discovered by Kel. While she starts off as a meek girl hiding in the shadows to survive, Kel and the crew’s influence allows her to blossom. Seeing how far along Vin develops by the end of the novel is amazing. Vin counters Kel’s risky behavior by questioning everything. As the two interact readers will see how they each help the other grow into a better person.

Given the amount of twists and turns the first book in Mistborn revealed by the end, I am eager to see where else this story goes. There is so much left for the crew to accomplish. I can’t wait to see how they further develop and the new challenges ahead. I highly recommend this for fans of high fantasy.

The D’Yer Wall is all that stands between the evil magic of Blackveil Forest and the kingdom of Sacoridia. If it falls, evil will be unleashed and the descendants of Mornhavon will be one step closer to their goals. Over the centuries, knowledge of the D’Yer wall has faded away, and the guardians within it are beginning to fail. Though Karigan sent Mornhavon forward in time, there is no telling when he will reappear in their future. As the fate of the wall hangs in the balance, Mornhavon’s descendants are beginning to mobilize, utilizing magic unseen since Mornhavon’s time. The green riders have no idea the enemy they are about to face, and the power they wield.

When Karigan is asked to deliver messages and purchase horses for the green riders, they seem like ordinary enough tasks. But along for the journey is a new green rider named Fergel. Karigan was quite the troublemaker as a student, and Fergel is going to test her patience. Reading how Karigen becomes frustrated trying to find ways to work with Fergel will make readers reflect on how Karigan herself behaved in the first novel. Readers will find Fergel has many difficulties emotionally and mentally he has to face, adding extra depth of layer to the character.

The High King’s Tomb makes many characters face the mistakes of their past. Not only does Karigan find herself with a difficult student but Alton D’Yer is faced with the consequences from book two. As the only person able to help the D’Yer wall, he embodies frustration at the inability to complete his task. This elicits anger and outbursts as he tries to process and face the reality of his actions. Kristen Britain does a fantastic job showing characters during difficult times and the downward spirals they can experience. Alton’s struggles coincide with the wall’s deterioration, building a sense of unease and gradually mounting tension.

The amount of character growth and development seen in this series is phenomenal. The High King’s Tomb also continues to expose the lore of the world, unearthing forgotten magic and past fears. There are small moments teased throughout the novel showing how far Mornhavon’s followers will go to bring back his evil. And despite such small actions on their part, they elicit rippling effects felt by everyone. I cannot wait to see where book four ventures, and what Karigan and crew will face next.

The Deseran Dominion seeks to reclaim lands lost to King Jeremiah, and reunify people under their religious doctrine to the Wizard Titan. And if they are to succeed, their fanatical ways will be forced on the people they rule over. As they launch an invasion, the fates of Gabriel, Tele, Navid, Amie, and her sister Mara will become interwoven. Each has their part to play against the Dominion from succeeding, even if they don’t realize it.

Jim Wilbourne works with multiple characters' POVs and takes time to immerse the reader in each character’s story. They have such different experiences throughout the novel, yet their stories fit together extremely well. Readers will find themselves emotionally invested in the characters as they experience tragedy and revelation. Each of them will find their views of the world constantly expanding as the story progresses.

The pacing of The Seventh Cadence was so well done. Enough time is spent with each character to really understand where they are coming from, and who they are to become. Not a single POV was left without emotionally charged scenes and self-discovery. Towards the end of the novel, their POVs gradually become more clipped and intense. This builds such an enormous amount of tension as everyone’s life and future hangs in the balance. I had to make myself slow down because of the driving need to know what was going to happen.

There is also a delightful new take on dragons and mystery surrounding magic. Magic for the most part was lost with Wizard Titan’s sudden departure. Having seen how the world was using magic, Titan chose to leave it behind instead of laying witness to his creation being used for evil. There are those who keep the histories and information called Keepers, but they are being eradicated from the world. Tele is one of the characters charged with maintaining knowledge of magic and the world’s inner workings until Wizard Titan reappears. Through Tele, readers will rediscover magic and the capabilities it could have for both good and evil. Including the emergence of dragons and the unique twist seen on them.

I highly recommend The Seventh Cadence to fans of high fantasy. There is always something to keep the reader’s attention, whether it is the inner turmoil the characters are facing or an outside threat. The world building is so artfully layered into the story, accenting the experience and fully immersing readers. I cannot wait to see what else Jim Wilbourne writes, I am fully invested in this world.

When Remi steals a cell phone, she’s brought out to the family estate instead of going to jail. Her mother is at her wits end trying to figure out how to handle Remi’s impulsive and angry behavior. With nowhere else to go Remi begins to explore the dusty halls of the estate and discovers the library. And within the shelves of books, is one special to the family. One that may hold all the reasons Remi doesn’t quite fit in.

Remi was at times an over-the-top character with her reactions and attitude, but it all added to the believability of her age. She clearly has anger issues and is dealing with the emotions that come along with not fitting in. She verbally strikes back at her mother, and there are times when the reader may feel uncomfortable with their interactions. But it lays down quite the foundation for Remi to evolve as a character.

While the build-up of Remi’s background and reasoning for behaving as she does is well established, her evolution as a character happens at a hastened pace. Readers will be able to see why she begins to make different choices, but it is a little jarring to see her change her mind so quickly. A slower-paced discovery and change in attitude would have helped her character development be more believable. And I would have loved to see more interactions with her mother showing this slow progression.

Dragonmarsh has an interesting take on dragons, and how they exist in the world. Remi is a feisty teenager who discovers there is much more to the world than what she believes. And through her discovery, she begins to learn how to reconnect with family and discover who she really is.

Readers will have a chance to see Viv in her younger years, eager to become a mercenary, yet hindered by a recent injury. Stuck in the small town of Murk, there isn’t much to do aside from wandering the beach or visiting one of a few shops. When Viv comes across a bookstore that has seen better days and a bakery filled with delicious pastries, it will be her first step towards finding new friendships and new possibilities.

The bookshop owner Fern was quite the character. If you’ve read Legends and Lattes, Thimble is the exact opposite of Fern. Even Viv comments on how Rattkin tend to be on the quiet side. But Fern is quite the spitfire with her language and attitude. Her humor and passion for the bookstore will quickly endear readers. And the way she effortlessly entices Viv and others to read is wonderful. It's easy to see how Viv becomes tied to Fern and the bookshop, doing what she can to help save it.

There were many memorable moments between the characters. From Maylee the dwarf baker who gave up adventuring to open her own bakery, to Gallina, the annoying yet helpful gnome. Throughout each of the character interactions, the seeds are planted for Legends and Lattes. Viv begins to picture what life could be like after her time as a mercenary comes to an end. She experiences friendship, first love, and the joy of reading during her path to recovery,

Bookshops and Bonedust is another wonderful cozy adventure. The low tension of Fern on the verge of losing the bookstore, coupled with the looming threat over Murk will hook readers. With an entertaining cast of characters, and just the right amount of low stakes, it is sure to become a favorite.

Barish-Estranza corporation has set its sights on a planet where colonization didn’t go as planned. Their plan is to persuade the colony to join work camps under the false belief of a better life. But Murderbot, ART, and crew hope to find the colonists and prevent them from signing their lives away. When Barish-Estranza realizes the team's intentions, they pull every underhanded tactic to claim the colonists. Willing or not.

I absolutely enjoyed the portrayal of how stress eats away at someone’s primary functions until they’re allowed to relax and take a break. With the stress of an entire colony’s hope hovering over the team, Murderbot worked quickly, pulling in all team members to create a solution. And as time ticked by, the stress levels increased. When they finished their best efforts, Murderbot was exhausted and ready for a reboot.

Martha Wells has an amazing way of showing readers the complexities of human emotions through the eyes of Murderbot. As Murderbot struggles to come to terms with past trauma, its input and performance rating dwindle. Second guessing itself, and making mistakes, all of this takes place as Murderbot begins to realize what is affecting its actions. But knowing the cause (emotions, ick!) and working through those pesky emotions, are two entirely different things.

There is a well-established balance between viewing Murderbot’s internal struggles and the outside forces working against the team. Action and emotion combined to create an engaging story. System Collapse was another phenomenal addition to the Murderbot Diaries. With each new book, Murderbot’s awareness and understanding increases. And each story shows readers a bit more of the world and how the corporations work within it.

Thank you to Henry Roi PR for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

Through Resler’s experience, readers will see the twisted and manipulative sides of corporations. They force employees to work long hours for little pay, watching their every move. If someone takes too long of a break, or unplugs from data sifting too many times, they’ll be punished with more work. And just when someone may think they’ve caught a break by helping the company achieve a deal, they’ll be given the choice of going into further debt, or quitting the company.

Mia’s storyline takes a more personal look at the corruption in Berlin. In debt to her fixer, she’s taking on a big job to try and come away debt free. She’s hired to remove a man experimenting on young women. But Benz is a high target, and she’ll need more resources at her disposal. Forming a crew to take him down will require Mia to scour the underbelly of Berlin. And with her choices limited, she’ll have to take chances.

There are various forms of slang used in Pacific State. The slang used in the corporate world can be a bit hard to understand. Being new to the corps, Resler helps the reader along in his assumptions of what is being said. And the slang used on the streets can take a moment to pick up on, but the context clues will help. Each use of language shows where characters come from and add to the overall worldbuilding.

When Resler and Mia cross paths, they’ll both have lives on the line and people caught in the crossfires. Working together to bring down Benz will be risky, but neither have much choice in the matter. While there will be moments the pacing slows as the characters work around challenges, the action and tension will mount as they get closer to their target.

Readers who enjoy cyberpunk will be pleased with the use of technology and cybernetic enhancements. Pacific State is a book for readers who enjoy dark and gritty sci-fi.

Barish-Estranza corporation has set its sights on a planet where colonization didn’t go as planned. Their plan is to persuade the colony to join work camps under the false belief of a better life. But Murderbot, ART, and crew hope to find the colonists and prevent them from signing their lives away. When Barish-Estranza realizes the team's intentions, they pull every underhanded tactic to claim the colonists. Willing or not.

I absolutely enjoyed the portrayal of how stress eats away at someone’s primary functions until they’re allowed to relax and take a break. With the stress of an entire colony’s hope hovering over the team, Murderbot worked quickly, pulling in all team members to create a solution. And as time ticked by, the stress levels increased. When they finished their best efforts, Murderbot was exhausted and ready for a reboot.

Martha Wells has an amazing way of showing readers the complexities of human emotions through the eyes of Murderbot. As Murderbot struggles to come to terms with past trauma, its input and performance rating dwindle. Second guessing itself, and making mistakes, all of this takes place as Murderbot begins to realize what is affecting its actions. But knowing the cause (emotions, ick!) and working through those pesky emotions, are two entirely different things.

There is a well-established balance between viewing Murderbot’s internal struggles and the outside forces working against the team. Action and emotion combined to create an engaging story. System Collapse was another phenomenal addition to the Murderbot Diaries. With each new book, Murderbot’s awareness and understanding increases. And each story shows readers a bit more of the world and how the corporations work within it.

The town (village?) of Skendrick has a dragon problem. But when the council can’t even decide if Skendrick is a town or a village, how are they expected to deal with a dragon? They enlist the help of Heloise the bard to spin a fanciful tale of conquest and treasure. If the dragon has treasure is anyone’s guess, but it makes the deal sound better. Especially because the town (village?) can’t actually pay their future heroes. And spin the tale Heloise does, catching the attention of Nadi and her crew.

The dynamics of the characters are phenomenal. They all play off one another with their personalities and brand of humor. Whiska delivers such deadpan lines, that to the reader are hilarious, but to Whiska are entirely serious. Borg is portrayed as slower to react due to the speed at which rock giants move and comes out with winning one-liners slightly delayed from the conversation. Then there is the play on words where Heloise breaks the third wall to explain things such as insults or slang to the reader. This creates not only humor among the action, but worldbuilding as well. And throughout it all are snarky sarcastic quips. No matter the reader’s brand of humor, there is something for everyone.

Alongside the humor and hijinks, are wonderful forays into action and adventure. And some encounters end in unpredictable ways. Twists and turns abound as the would-be heroes run through faulty plans and mishaps. Readers will also have the chance to read Heloise’s dolled up bardic version of each new adventure first. Then the following chapters will tell readers exactly what happened. And Heloise does not spare any details, even if they are highly embarrassing!

The Part About the Dragon Was Mostly True is pure fun. This is a book able to make readers burst out laughing in public. It is filled with classic fantasy adventuring and endless pages of entertainment. Fans of tabletop adventures, magic, fantasy, and dragons need to read this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

When Corey finds out the two people closest to her have deceived her, it begins a slow-winding spiral she can’t escape. And when one of them passes away, Corey is torn between feeling glad they are gone and guilty over the feeling itself. Corey’s journey of discovery will take her into the realm of Hades as she comes to terms with her feelings and discovers what she truly desires.

Her Dark Wings creates a modern day society based around Greek mythology. Melinda Salisbury has carefully incorporated beliefs and culture into the island’s people, laying the foundations of Corey’s tale. When Corey is whisked away to the underworld, the imagery paints a vivid picture for readers to become immersed in. Her new surroundings force Corey to face the bitter truths.

The themes surrounding forgiveness and overcoming betrayal create an emotionally packed story. Corey is the type of character to form bonds quickly when shown kindness, even if there are red flags. This leads to a building of tension among the characters as Corey discovers their true intentions. And even though she understands the godly being she befriends cannot relate to her human life, she wants to connect with them on an emotional level. Corey's need for companionship will lead her down darker roads. Ones that threaten to change who she is at her very core.

Her Dark Wings is a modern retelling of Hades and Persephone with all the young adult emotion one could hope for. And while one of the catalysts of the story is a relationship gone wrong, the writing focuses on Corey's recovery and ability to move forward. The story isn’t afraid to explore the darker parts of our personalities, and the struggle it can be to forgive. This is a great entry into mythology retellings.

Violet Sorrengail has her heart set on living a life among books and history as a scribe. But her mother has other plans. As the commanding general, Violet’s mother will never allow one of her children to hide away in books. Forced into joining the elite college of dragonriders, Basgiath War College, Violet must embrace her new life or die. Every day she walks a fine line. If the training doesn’t kill her, one of her fellow students certainly will.

Violet must learn to survive in a dangerous and fast-paced world. Each day brings on new threats as fellow students put the pieces together of who her mother is. Not only will she have to step up her physical prowess, but she will have to quickly learn who to trust. And not everything, or everyone, is as it seems. Rebecca Yarros has artfully hidden away twists and turns readers will never see coming.

As soon as the dragons are introduced the stakes are raised as they begin to burn those deemed unworthy. And each time they reappear the intensity ratchets up. The dragon interactions and violence of the trials create a wonderful mix of apprehension. Violet is forced into a pulse pounding scene of events. And despite playing into common tropes, the writing does a wonderful job of pulling readers into the moment.

Alongside the close calls and emotional devastation, a romance begins to simmer. While there is an abundance of sexual tension between characters, there is no build up of the relationship. The writing created a way for this relationship to be an instant attraction, but it felt hollow. The romance created an abundance of conflicts to drive the plot forward. Yet it never felt like a true relationship. Sure there were physical moments, but the emotional side was not as well portrayed.

Fourth Wing does a fantastic job of building friendships and rivalries. With the constant friction between characters and overall dangers, it’s sure to be an engrossing read. For those who enjoy the instant attraction and a physical instead of an emotional relationship, there will be an additional draw to the writing. But even if you do not enjoy romance in your novels, there is plenty of combat and risks to still give this a try.

Kissen barely survived the sacrificial burning of her family. As her father pulled her from the fire, she lost a leg, and soon after, her father’s life in return for her own. Anger filled the void she felt from the loss of her family. Anger she turned towards the gods and dedicated herself to their destruction. Now a godkiller she takes jobs to eradicate them. Until she finds one god she cannot kill. Skedi, bound to the human girl Inara. To do so would be to harm the girl as well. And Kissen will not kill humans. Together they must journey to Blenraden, to seek out answers from the wild gods. But even the smallest request will cost them.

Kissen is a hard-edged and torn character. Due to her horrific past her mental health can be a challenge. To push through the hardest times she creates an angry wall around herself. When Skedi and Inara enter the picture, she regretfully takes them on and it will mark the start of her evolution as a character. Were it not for Inara, Kissen would have slain Skedi and moved on. Yet she has no choice but to try and separate the two first. And the more time spent with the pair, the higher risk she runs of growing attached.

Inara and Skedi make quite the duo as they travel to Blenraden. Despite warnings from Kissen, Inara sees Skedia as her best friend. It’s hard not to with the little God being her constant companion. But venturing out into the world will see their friendship and trust put to the test. One small taste of power can lead to craving more. And in the thick of want and emotion, the best people can make the wrong decision.

And amidst the stories of Kissen and company, there is one final character who slides into the plot. Elogast, an ex-knight, journeys to Belnraden to save his best friend. Having given up a life of battle to become a baker, he picks up his sword for one last quest. Yet the answer that waits for him, will be nothing he envisioned. It will turn his entire world upside down.

Godkiller will come full circle in a brilliant display of battle. The Gods are never easy to work with. They will always demand a high price. Each character will have to decide if the price is worth what they desire most. And for some, what the gods demand will rock their very cores. Readers who enjoy high-stakes dark fantasy should give this book a read.

Thank you to Bound By Mischief for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

Miss Belle’s escort service is highly prized. Trained to be the best, her employees know exactly how to entertain their clients. And how to find useful information as well. When Lacey flies to Tokyo, it isn’t just to entertain a CFO, it’s also to find out company secrets. Ones putting lives in danger. But when an unexpected guest throws her carefully laid plans out the window, Lacey finds herself having to plan a rescue mission. Expediting information to Miss Belle, she must trust her to save hundreds of lives.

To the outside world, it appears as though Miss Belle runs a top-class escort service. And while those who work for her may be escorts, they are highly trained in espionage as well. Each and every one of Miss Belle’s employees are well cared for and given a choice in their jobs. Miss Belle is a hard-working woman. She does everything she can to give those in her care a better life. But readers will also see the toll Miss Belle’s job takes. She must be careful in all her interactions, to protect not only the business but everyone involved as well. This causes quite the tension among her personal connections outside the business.

C.H. Lynn is an expert at details. They give just enough information to let readers know the situations Miss Belle and Lacey run into. And despite the subject area, the spice level is low allowing readers who want to read a little bit of risque content at a happy level. Not to mention the cliffhanger chapters! Lacey and Miss Belle will be poised at the edge of danger, but readers will be moved back and forth between the two characters' viewpoints. Readers will be eagerly tearing through the pages wanting to know what happens next.

Lacey Goes to Tokyo is a fantastic start to the Miss Belle’s Travel Guide series. Both Miss Belle and Lacey are powerful and determined women. With such fierce independence and a drive to help others, I can’t wait to be introduced to more of Miss Belle’s operatives. Not to mention the snippets of travel guide-esque descriptions, placing readers right into the heart of their destinations. Readers who enjoy action packed and high tension stories should give this one a try.