Category: Science Fiction & Fantasy

Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: The Novice

by Zaheerah2 Comments on Book Review: The Novice

review_thenovice

Rating: ★★★★☆

Well, I actually quite liked The Novice. A lot. Considering I started this series with not the highest expectations possible. Recently I’ve taken a step back from YA high fantasy but since reading The Novice, I definitely want to come back in.

The Novice follows young blacksmith apprentice Fletcher when he learns how to summon demons and finds himself joining, by chance, the Adept Military Academy. At the academy, those with the gift to summon are trained in the art of summoning and become a battlemage to fight in the Hominum Empire’s war against orcs.

The Novice was an exciting high fantasy novel that was really enjoyable! This series is basically a mix of LotR, GoT and HP, which felt more aimed towards the younger side of the YA book spectrum. I had so much fun reading this novel and its concept was so cool. It has politics, war, clashes between the commoners and nobles with orcs and elves. While the pacing slowed for me in the middle, the rest of the flow was great. All the characters were so wonderfully likeable. Ignatius was basically a mini-Toothless from HTTYD. All the demons just came across as adorable, even the large dangerous ones. It also has a great cast of characters, my favourite being Gen or Sylva.

The world-building is one of my favourite parts of this series. I was so hooked on learning about spells, demons and the Ether from which they originate from. There is so much creativity to it which made is so much more enjoyable. But that ending though… What a cliffhanger. It’s a promising start to a series I know I want to continue.

you can find the book at:
GoodReads | Official site | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: Machination & Counterpart

by Zaheerah2 Comments on Book Review: Machination & Counterpart

review_machination_counterpart

* I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.  This in no way affected my opinion of the book.

I originally read Machinations but never wrote a review for it and since then, I also got a Kindle copy of its sequel so I decided to do a double review.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

When I first requested this on NetGalley, I didn’t think much of it. I just wanted something sci-fi to read but, I have to admit, I was pretty impressed.

Plot-wise, I really liked it. This kind of plot had always low-key been my favourite. The Machination series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where machines have risen against humanity. Following Rhona Long when she is killed on a rescue mission gone and later wakes up in a new body, a clone of herself. While I wished the description of the machines themselves were more detailed (like the higher echelon) but I was quite satisfied with the overall way the world works.

Continue reading “Book Review: Machination & Counterpart” →

Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: Rebel of the Sands

by Zaheerah2 Comments on Book Review: Rebel of the Sands

review_rebelsands

you can find the book at:
GoodReads | Author’s website | Amazon | Bookdepository
my review:
Rating: ★★☆☆☆

[EDIT 14/01/17: I’m adding link’s to Fatima and Aimal‘s review of Rebels because I urge you all to read them. Their criticisms were more well explained than mine]

I have never wanted to finish a book so quickly than this one. And I don’t mean it nicely. I was expecting this. I should’ve turned the other way when I saw it in Waterstones. I should’ve trusted my gut feeling and not listened to the random girl talking to her friend who said this was ‘the best book she’s ever read,’

Originally, I was intrigued by the Western/ Middle Eastern concept but only after a couple of pages, I realised how terribly clichéd it was and decided that this fusion was a terrible idea and she didn’t pull it off if you ask me.

I’m guessing the western concepts were the dustbowl towns and gun-toting civilians and when it came to the Middle Eastern aspects it was folk tales and mythology. As much as I loved Aladdin and Thousand and One Nights, it shouldn’t be the only model for stories about the Middle East and its people and culture. Desert, magic, threats of forced marriage and oppressive family. Rebel of the Sands is just one of many that are part of the YA fantasy boom that utilises Islamic folklore as the main concept of their novels but fails so badly. Her fusion felt so forced and artificial, more western than Middle Eastern. You could easily tweak a couple of things and just like that, the backdrop could easily become the dystopian USA. (And it breaks my heart knowing that publishers PREFER this, knowing that somewhere a Middle Eastern writer has probably written a fantasy book with their own folklore twist but their voice was passed over and they have to watch Hamilton and so many others make their debut from barely even touching their culture.)

The world-building was nothing special, and that’s a damn shame considering the concept and so much could’ve been done with it. The way this world runs was so confusing. These people drink yet pray so I’m assuming the predominant faith is Islam. If it isn’t, Hamilton hasn’t done much to clear the air since it’s entirely ambiguous. (Is there even a time period? Where are we?)

I keep reading all these 5 star reviews where they gush over Amani and Jin, but honestly, I don’t see it. And why I can understand with other YA couples but, with these two, I see absolutely nothing and I’m pretty sure you’re all lying to me about their relationship being amazing. Amani and Jinn have zero chemistry. Amani rarely acknowledges her feelings for Jin. And his introduction was so funny, I couldn’t stop laughing. We were only eight (eight!) pages in and she spent like a paragraph on how beautiful Jin was despite her being really anxious about to do a shoot off to win money, she still has the time to mention how extremely beautiful this random boy is. (Also, don’t you just love it when soldiers are chasing you and the only way you can hide is by kissing a boy you barely know #justgirlythings.) There’s also a huge time jump of around two months where these two supposedly become greater friends and I was so annoyed. The beginning could’ve easily been cut to allow us to see their friendship develop.

I have to admit Rebel of the Sands does pick up around the 200 page mark where what you’re promised to find is actually introduced to the story. It takes a very long time, though, and by the time I got there I was bored. I have no faith nor interest that the sequel will even be an improvement.

Paperback, 358 pages
Published February 4th 2016 by Faber & Faber
ISBN: 0571325254
Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Thrillers

Book Review: Bloodwalker

by Zaheerah3 Comments on Book Review: Bloodwalker

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you can find the book at:
GoodReads | Author’s website | Amazon | Bookdepository
my review:
Rating: ★★★☆☆

* I received an ARC of this book from the author.  This in no way affected my opinion of the book.

When the Zorka Circus comes into town, they leave the town population with fewer children than when they came to the town. Bloodwalker follows two different protagonists, Rurik and Sylvie.  Rurik, the circus security guard, who suspects the killer is amidst the circus performers and despite their closed ranks, he knows he can find them before anymore child have to die. Sylvie descents from a group of people who teach the knowledge of the Bloodwalkers – who follow ancient techniques in preparations of dead bodies. She comes to the Circus to get married but, instead, finds a body. And the duo’s path soon converges to reveal a sinister plan within.

What I really enjoyed about Bloodwalker was the concept. Especially, the Skomori’s knowledge and teachings. It was interesting to read about the way they honour and prepare the dead and stay to their ancient techniques and charms despite living in the modern day. I really enjoyed the snippets the novel includes at the beginning of each chapter from “The Bloodwalkers Book” which delved into the ritual and culture of the Skomori. The location itself was quite sparse since the circus is moving a lot so we don’t settle into the place long enough to fully immerse ourselves into it. But it added to the tension as each new place meant they never had enough time to fit its blind spots and to stop the kidnapping and murder. The way the plot blends well the supernatural and murder mystery elements which made it interesting to read. The circus performers, murderous clowns and the close-knit community of the Skomori, Bloodwalker is a decent novel which had my interest throughout and greatly surprised me at many moments.

I believe a weakness of this novel was the Rurik had the stronger plot, while the bloodwalkers are important, its relevance was at its strongest towards the end. In the overall story, it just felt like something that was there but not really delved into enough so Sylvie’s place in the story was much weaker and when reading, I wasn’t very excited since the actual plot was with Rurik. Sylvie’s side of the novel felt like it was there to incorporate the Skomori elements and there were moments in the middle particularly where Sylvie’s chapters could be skipped and not impact the plot much which was disappointing because I really liked Sylvie. She is quite a determined main character. Once she realised how dangerous her situation was, she went and actually did something to change that. But, overall, I did enjoy Bloodwalker despite certain things that I didn’t like, it was a good read.

Paperback, 284 pages
Expected publication: October 4th 2016 by Freedom Fox Press
ISBN: 1939844258


Books, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Book Review: Aceldama

by Zaheerah1 Comment on Book Review: Aceldama

review_Aceldama

you can find the book at:
GoodReads | Author’s website | Amazon | Bookdepository
my review:
Rating: ★★★☆☆
~e-copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review~

After purchasing a coin, Tim Harrington starts to have nightmares that become dangerously vivid. When he goes into a coma, his wife, Anna, embarks on a journey and soon learns that an ancient curse is what’s keeping her husband unconscious. She finds herself returning to Paris but her search for the truth goes much further in history. She has no choice but to follow her instinct, even if it means going against scientific logic, history and her own beliefs.

Aceldama has an intriguing premise. It was interesting reading this story as this coin is slowly passed through history, impacting the lives of all its bearers until it reached the hands of Tim Harrington. Hazen has created this intricate line of action with a variety of engaging characters. There were moments of great suspense and paranormal detail. I was intrigued by Anna as a protagonist and was attached to her from the beginning to the end as she did all that she could to save her husband.

However, for no one’s fault apart from my own, I found it difficult to start this book. I wasn’t at all captivated at the beginning but that did certainly change once everything started going. The mix of different perspectives was hard to follow at first, which was strange because I don’t usually struggle with that. For example, there are scenes set in Jerusalem around AD30 (I think) but the language used didn’t fit into the timeframe. The way some of the characters talked felt too modern for that time period and, to me, it felt jarring. There were moments, especially in the beginning, of info dumping which was a struggle to get through but, overall, it was an interesting read.

Kindle Edition, 285 pages
Published May 12th 2016 by Black Rose Writing (first published June 25th 2009)
ASIN: B01F7Q62M6
Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Young Adult/ Teen

Book Review: Schism

by Zaheerah1 Comment on Book Review: Schism

review_Schism.jpg

you can find the book at:
GoodReads | Author’s website | Amazon | Bookdepository
my review:
Rating: ★★☆☆☆

*This review is not spoiler-free*

~ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review~

Set years after a virus wiped out the older population, the only survivors are prepubescent children. SCHISM follows Andy and her friends as they are forced to love their home in Bermuda and return to the US. Soon they band together with other fellow survivors in search of a new home.

SCHISM wasn’t all that bad. It was adventurous and fast-paced. I’ve been wanting to go back to reading more dystopian types of books. And I guess I was sort of satisfied. But my opinions on this book were quite divided.

A big weakness of this book is that, in my opinion, too much happens. In this one book alone, the time frame is quite long and wasn’t delved into that much. So much happens that the suspense that should be there didn’t have much of an impact because whatever issue there was, it was basically resolved in the next few pages.

As I was reading, I kept thinking that this one book could’ve easily been written as two, maybe three. Many things happen and could’ve been much better if they were expanded on.

  • Like more time spend in Bermuda to help us understand how they developed their skills. (because I don’t think it’s possible to be naturally good at being a doctor – there’s a reason why they train for so long and it didn’t seem plausible that Andy could ‘inherit’ her father’s medical skills.)
  • The pacing in this novel was sub-par. One moment they’re in Bermuda, next, they’re in New Mexico, Colorado and finally New York. Like I mentioned before, if expanded more, the events in book one alone and would’ve been a much more enjoyable book if most of the scenes weren’t skipped over in favour of the more boring ones. (they get to the US by boat- the journey and implications alone with such an act could’ve been really interesting to read about)
  •  Character-wise, it’s lacking in diversity. It felt like the author was ticking off some imaginary tick box on what to include in a dystopian novel. Everyone is beautiful. Everyone is smart. (see: Andy inheriting her father’s skill) They were all black and white, fitting the stereotypical qualities you usually see in novels like these.

Overall, I believe the author had something with this novel. So much could’ve been explored in terms of setting, history and development.

Kindle Edition, 274 pages
Published March 14th 2016 by Delirious Pixie
ASIN: B01D0KTJYO