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Storm and Fury Review

by Cynthia Bujnicki
written by Cynthia Bujnicki

Oh, this was a brilliant novel! Jennifer L. Armentrout has astounded readers yet again with Storm and Fury, a genuinely unique and breathtaking novel.

Storm and Fury Review

Storm and Fury by Jennifer Armentrout
Inkyard Press

This novel reminded me of Gargoyles in all the best ways. I loved that cartoon, still do, in fact, I just binged watched it with my son. That is part of what drew me to this novel, the fact that it was about Gargoyles and that is not something that I have seen already made the novel stand out to me. Then I started reading it and it blew me away.

Great Writing

Storm and Fury follows Trinity, a human girl living with Gargoyles, typically called, Wardens. Wardens protect humankind from demons; that is their purpose in life. For Trinity, things get a little more complicated. She can see and speak to Spirits and Ghosts, and she is not entirely human. That was great. All through the novel, I kept asking myself what she is if she is not human. It intrigued me, keep me engaged in Trinity’s backstory. Armentrout also using subtle language to tell the reader that there is something wrong with her eyesight.

Armentrout is a great writer. She uses language to brilliantly in her storytelling because she never just gives anything away to the reader. Instead, she keeps the reader engaged by creating intrigue and mystery.

Amazing Protagonist

Furthermore, what I also loved was the way she brings Trinity to life.

Trinity is reckless and impulsive, but more than that, she is lonely and compassionate. Moreover, she does have a disability, but she does not let that keep her down. Instead, Trinity is the strongest character in the novel, physically and mentally. Trinity’s history, her backstory is grief-stricken, and while the guilt lingers there, she uses it as fodder to push herself further in her training.

Armentrout has told a brilliant story here with Gargoyles reminiscent of Goliath and Demona, filled with demons with loving hearts, and a girl who just wants to belong. It is moving, thoughtful, action-packed, and unpredictable, and that is what makes it so brilliant.

Looking for more great reviews?

Check out my review of Storm Crow here.

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Aurora Burning Review
Anti-HeroAsian-InspiredBook ReviewsDisabilitiesFeaturedLGBTQPlot TwistsRomanceSiblings

Aurora Burning Review

by Lucsbooks
written by Lucsbooks

WARNING: Not advisable for people who have asthma, heart problems, panic attacks, or weak nerves. You have been warned. Read at your own risk.

Do you think you know high stakes? You haven’t known high stakes until you read a novel written by Ms. Kaufman and Mr. Kristof.

In Aurora Rising we were introduced to a lovely mixed bag of overachievers and bottom of the barrel rebels who are forced to work together in order to help a stowaway with newfound powers save the universe.

In Aurora Burning the readers were promised a more tightknit Squad 312, (really familiar in some cases) that begins to understand and prepare for the danger they are about to face. Hopefully.

Aurora Burning Review

Aurora Burning Kristoff Kaufman
Still not over this cover. Never was, never will be.

General Impressions

If Aurora Burning had been written by anyone else other than the duo behind Illuminae I would probably praise it a lot more.

As it is I still think it’s an amazingly original story with a group of characters that will forever be at the top of my favorite fictional people list but it fell somewhat short.

Don’t get me wrong I loved seeing Squad 312 interact with more alien species and getting to learn more about their universe but it felt too much like any other middle book in a trilogy.

The plot was predictable, I saw the villains coming a mile off and the final plot-twist can barely be called that.

The Setting

Flawless.

That’s it. Nothing more to add.

No one can create believable, diverse, culturally rich societies the way Jay and Amie do.

If there is something in Aurora Burning in which I cannot find fault are all the people and traditions we were introduced to. Everything from the smallest detail to the biggest cultural differences make sense.

The Characters

One of Aurora Rising’s biggest gifts to its readers were its characters. The way they were treated in Aurora Burning ended up being one of its biggest sins.

The foremost relationship in everyone’s mind was Kallis and Aurora. Although I did like to see all that “instant mate mumbo jumbo” being furthered into an actual relationship with the couple taking the time to interact with one another, the chemistry was still lacking.

More than romantic feelings, what I liked seeing the most in this book were the friendships, mainly when it came to people that hadn’t had any up until then.

I loved reading Ty and Fin’s chapter and learning more about their pasts and hangups. Zila’s I have mixed feelings about.

One of my other favorite aspects was how thirsty Fin and Scarlet were for their other squadmates and their own praise of their own attributes but there were some instances in which it crossed a line for me and felt forced or even “icky”.

An Ode to Scar and Fin

Not only are they gorgeous, smart, and refuse to take sh*t from anyone…

Scar is the kind of character that few authors would dare to make female, even today. The way she spoke about her body and sexuality and refused to let anyone else define her is the greatest not only of examples but compliments to all the teenage girls that will get to know her.

As for Fin? Good luck finding someone with a major disability being portrayed not only as a hero but having their disability, only one part of them and not their entire identity.

Fin is his squadmates equal in every way (except when he is much better which is often). And when he has to slow down, that is never used as an excuse to leave him behind any more than when someone else is hurt.

Conclusion

“Real space is rainbow-colored. Ours is no exception. :)”

Jay Kristoff

When you hear an author whining about forced inclusion and how writing diverse stories is not believable, show them this book.

There was disability rep, LGBTQ rep, faith rep, diversity rep,…this might not have been my favorite book but I’m ecstatic that this is a book written for everyone, where no matter what you identify with or what you look like, you know they got you covered. You know you get to be the hero.

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Looking for more great books?

Check out my review of Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie.

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The End and Other Beginnings Review
Anti-HeroAsian-InspiredBook ReviewsDisabilitiesFeaturedLGBTQRomanceStand Alone

The End and Other Beginnings Review

by Lucsbooks
written by Lucsbooks

The End and Other Beginnings is a masterclass in writing women.

When starting a book makes you tremble in fear, you know the author is good. Veronica Roth is very good…

Reading about such a diverse group of characters trying to save a galaxy, fighting to save a friendship, or simply striving to beat their own weaknesses while being unapologetic in their womanhood was absolutely stunning.

These five stories are connected by a common theme: the future, but they couldn’t be more varied.

Different characters, different genres, different settings, different galaxies,…if you are curious about Mrs. Roth, this is the book to start with.

The End and Other Beginnings Review

The End and Other Beginnings Veronica Roth

Inertia

The first story in The End and Other Beginnings is Inertia.

Inertia bludgeons every one of your defenses into smithereens and leaves you to deal with the aftermath.

We can’t help but root for Claire, a young artist that feels she has to choose between her art and her mental health.

Not only this reminded me of how artists often fear that the cure will take away all that makes them creative, but it also felt like the most personal of all the short stories.

The writing was absolutely beautiful, with several turns of phrases that forced me to stop and appreciate what was in front of me and the characters’ interactions were also brilliant.

Funnily enough, and maybe because I’m rereading them, this reminded me of Twilight (*DON’T come at me!*).

The Spinners

In The Spinners, Aliens are now a common ocurrence and a common threat.

Despite being one of the more attention-grabbing stories, it was probably the least interesting for me.

Still, I liked the overall themes of family, grief, and the tragedy of growing up and how the male interest never obfuscated the main characters.

The Leeches reminded me of the Souls in The Host by Stephenie Meyer, only evil. Last Stephenie Meyer reference, promise.

Hearken

In a ruined world, music is the ulimate power, able to divine all your secrets. Master it and bestow immortality.

Veronica Roth once again wrote about Art but instead of making it a hobby or something that eased life, she made it a dangerous weapon and I only wish I could read a few hundred more pages set in this world.

The characters and their family dysfunctionality were a pleasure to read, but it was Darya that grabbed all my attention with how insightful and attuned she was with her own feelings and shortcomings and how the people around her exploited that.

Vim and Vigor

If you like Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl, this story is just up your alley. For those that are not familiar with it (if such people still exist) this is a story about the power fandom, something we know nothing about obviously ;).

Despite this being the story where the Sci-Fi was kept to a minimum, it was where Veronica Roth’s writing shone the brightest for me.

The way grief, female friendships and the feelings that come with growing out of people and things were explored along with the fact that Eddie, the main character, was a feminine girl that loves clothes, make-up and neuroscience (because you don’t have to freaking choose!!!!!) was what made “Vim and Vigor” my favorite.

Note: The next two short stories are part of the Carve the Mark universe which I did not read so you can still enjoy them if you haven’t either. (I decided to wait until I have the time to have my heart broken- I have been here before. I know how she rolls.)

Armored Ones

I liked Teka well enough but what truly made me enjoy this story was how RAGE fuelled this girl is and how that was never hinted at as being a masculine trait.

Cyra’s physique being described as if she was a bodybuilder was the cherry on top of the “Great Female Characters” cake. (Have you tried that cake? I think it might be my favorite cake).

The second part of this story is told through Akos’s eyes and focuses on…who I’m I kidding? There was LGBTQ rep and I screamed. Bless you, Veronica Roth!

The Transformationist

This was the second story in The End and Other Beginnings that I wish had been longer because once again, the culture and different traditions could not have been better devised.

Zoldan is a harsh planet and its inhabitants are just as hard so of course, the main character was an absolute marshmallow that we could not help but love and wanna protect at all costs. True evil thy name is Veronica Roth.

This was one of the saddest and more heartbreaking stories, with its focus on abusive parents, religious extremism, and social isolation but if you reading about different cultures then this might be your favorite story.

Have you tried any short stories collections or any Veronica Roth books? Let me know in the comments 🙂

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Looking for more great reviews?

Check out my review of The Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie.

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Deeplight Frances Hardinge Review
Book ReviewsDisabilitiesRetellings

Deeplight Review

by Cynthia Bujnicki
written by Cynthia Bujnicki

The gods are dead. Decades ago, they turned on one another and tore each other apart. Nobody knows why. But are they really gone forever? When 15-year-old Hark finds the still-beating heart of a terrifying deity, he risks everything to keep it out of the hands of everyone so that he can use it to save the life of his best friend, Jelt. But with the heart, Jelt gradually and eerily transforms. How long should Hark stay loyal to his friend when he’s becoming a monster? And what is Hark willing to sacrifice to save him?

Published by Amulet Books, Deeplight by Frances Hardinge is a fantasy adventure that combines Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Frankenstein.

Deeplight Review

Deeplight by Frances Hardinge

As compelling as the plot of Deeplight is, the character dynamics are offputting. The biggest turn off right from the beginning was Jelt.

Jelt being a terrible person was Hardinge’s intent, however, this worked against the reader. The manipulative, cruel, egotistical, self-centered attitude Jelt has repells the reader.

He is a horrible friend, putting himself first and putting Hark down when things don’t go according to plan. While offputting, it is an excellent representation of what a toxic relationship looks like.

There is nothing redeemable about Jelt making reading this friendship uncomfortable.

Nevertheless, Hardinge creates a wonderful scene to break up their friendship. Hark finally finds the strength to stand up to him, showing the reader how much he has grown. He learns to appreciate himself, learning about friendship during his time as an indentured servant; because they treat him with more respect and kindness than Jelt ever offered him.

It was also gratifying to see Jelt’s demise. Probably the best part of the novel, it brought out the monster the reader could already see inside of Jelt. The corruption, the malice, the sheer arrogance, and self-centeredness came to life in incredible detail. It is a beautiful scene to witness and probably one reader’s would repeatedly read.

Now, while the character dynamics were bothersome, Deeplight is a fascinating story.

The fantasy is there and written wonderfully. The detail, the mythology and connection to the gods, their beginnings, it was unique and wonderfully defined.

Hardinge writes with a vivid passion, allowing her to create such a brilliant fantasy with long-dead gods. The plane of existence under the sea was also unique. It is interesting to think of gods living below instead of above, creating a sinister edge to the story.

The development of the lore in Deeplight is fantastical, and I wish the book had more of it.

Overall, Deeplight is a good book, and there is something to be said about Hardinge’s representation. The fact that one of her best characters is a deaf girl is incredible.

There are not enough books featuring disabled people in strong roles, and here is one. She is a fierce, intelligent character, becoming the snarky friend Hark needs. Her dynamics with Hark are a saving grace for the novel.

There are parts that slow it down a bit to highlight Hark’s ability to grow and escape a toxic relationship. Not always easy, it is important for readers to see that nothing should trap them in an unhealthy relationship. Jelt being the only hindrance to the novel does not stop the story from being compelling.

Looking for more books? Check out our review of The Girl of Hawthorn and Glass by Adan Jerreat-Poole.

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