Friday Reads - June 30, 2017

Recently finished...

Currently reading...

Currently listening to...

Reading next...

I'm not sure why, but when I checked out Duct Tape Marketing from my local library, I also grabbed this one from my TBR list on Goodreads. I have plenty of books here at home, but decided to get this one too. So I'm likely to read this next before it needs to go back.

Next audiobook...

I've been stressed lately, and the In Death series has over 40 books. To add to this, I haven't read the first few in a while. So I seem to be running through the start of the series again, and it's helping.

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Review: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Title: Poison Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Format: Audiobook

Summary:

Murder, mayhem and magic…

Locked in a coffin-like darkness, there is nothing to distract me from my memories of killing Reyad. He deserved to die—but according to the law, so do I. Here in Ixia, the punishment for murder is death. And now I wait for the hangman's noose.

But the same law that condemns me may also save me. Ixia's food taster—chosen to ensure that the Commander's food is not poisoned—has died. And by law, the next prisoner who is scheduled to be executed—me—must be offered the position.

My thoughts:

I very much enjoyed this story. I found the main character interesting in her accepting of killing a man, and yet not claiming self defense even though in the eyes of the law in the story, she was still guilty and would be sentenced to death. 

She finds a much needed friend in the trusted Commander's kind of, secret agent. He is a spy master and becomes someone we can trust; and even though he is someone who reports to the Commander, and keeps the law he's very understanding. He knows how to play things so that he doesn't have to break the law, but at the same time can still stop things, and keep the Commander and others safe.

Some in the Commander's house don't appreciate her, or think because she's already killed, she's going to kill again and is just biding her time. There are a few who trust her, and become her friends. It's amazing to watch these friendships develop. Her adventures are fun to experience. As a reader I felt I was in her head as things are happening, and things unravel.

If you enjoy a good fantasy, with some interesting adventures, and tests of loyalty, I think you'll enjoy this book.

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Review: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Title: Stormdancer
Author: Jay Kristoff
Format: Audiobook

Summary:

A DYING LAND
The shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima's imperial court are charged by their Shogun to capture a thunder tiger - a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shogun is death.

A HIDDEN GIFT
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shogun's hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, and she knows for certain is he'd rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

My thoughts:

I did not want to put this book down, I felt the story was amazing. There were times I could almost feel like there was a dance going on with the characters in the book, which only made me love the story more.

I enjoyed the take on pollution, and needing to do something to save their city. They were making their own pollution as a form of control. I thought this was a unique way of looking at a pollution problem.

I became connected to the main character. I've sometimes wished I could talk with animals and know what they were thinking. She doesn't have to wonder about this though, because she can talk to animals. This ability helps her, and even saves her life.

I would definitely recommend this story. If you loved Illuminae, you will love this story too.

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Wrap Up May 2017

Books Read:

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas: I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I listened to the audiobook and could not (okay there were points I had to, but I didn't want to) stop reading.

This is the final book in the Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy. It's upsetting to say goodbye to our friends, but this is so awesome I forgot it was the last book. 

In the second book Feyre returned to the Spring Court to play spy. In this book she is playing her little game in the Spring Court. Avoiding spoilers if you by chance have not read this book yet, all I'll say is I would hate to go against Feyre in a game of Chess.

The ending was unexpected, and so perfect how things happened and got wrapped up.

Poison Study by Maria V Snyder: This book was entertaining, and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I listened to this mostly while running outside training for a 5k. 

The main character has committed murder. In this world, murder is inexcusable. It doesn't matter if it was self-defense, if you commit murder, you are sentenced to death. Luck is with her though and she is offered the job of food taster.

I think the true plot with the father of the man she killed trying to have at her and the secret plot he is running is entertaining. I did not guess what he was truly after. I had ideas, but I didn't come close to how he was going about things.

If you don't know what to read, and are looking for something kind of smooth to read but entertaining, I think you would enjoy this book.

Currently Reading:

So if you read my last post, you'll know work has been getting in the way of my reading and fun time. Well, this is the only reason I have for not finishing this book yet...okay it's not the only reason. The other reason is my tablet is retarded, and it's time to replace it. When I open any of my apps to read a book, the app will crash. Due to this impending crash, and the 3 or more crashes that typically follow, I do not exactly look forward to reading. 

Having said that, when my Kindle app does allow me to read this book, I have been completely absorbed. In fact I was almost late for work once because I completely lost track of time and just managed to finish getting ready before my Dad arrived to drive to work together.

Okay, I must be honest. I think from all the hype maybe, I was expecting a bit more from this book. I borrowed the audiobook from my library, and am in no hurry to finish. I'm tempted to DNF this book, however I only have a little over 2 hours to go. I feel at this point, I may as well finish the book. If I can manage this before it's due back, you'll see this appear shortly after the month starts on my Goodreads.

Books I'm looking forward to reading in June:

Yes I realize this has been on my list for...a reeeeeaaaly long time. But, I even took it with me on vacation for Memorial Day weekend. I had every intention of finishing Fall of the Dragon Prince, and after I finish that I was going to this book. Well, things happen, and work happened, so I still haven't gotten to this. Hoping really hard, June 2017 will be the month I read Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes.

What books are you looking forward to reading in June? Let me know in the comments! :-) Happy Reading!

You can find me on Twitter, Goodreads, YouTube, and Facebook.

You can also help support this Blog and use this link to Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited with a free trial. I will get a small commission if you use this link to sign up now for Kindle Unlimited. This is a service I can get behind, and enjoy using. I would never recommend something I don't myself use or support.