It’s time again to ask ourselves the three W’s:
What’s all the hubbub, bub?
What didja expect?
Eh, what’s up, Doc?
Wait, no, that’s not right. We ask these three W’s:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam @Taking on a World of Words.
Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton
★★★★★ || Goodreads
It’s overrrrr. There are no more words. *sobs* I’m pretty sure this is the first series I ever gave full five stars to all books. I loved everything about it and can’t recommend it enough to anyone who hasn’t read it. There were sections toward the end that were pretty dang cheesy, but hey, they earned it. I absolutely LOVED the way the very end was told, in a sort of storyteller fashion with a juxtaposition between the myths and the truth of the characters. It was such a poignant, perfect way to end it.
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow
★★★★★ || Goodreads
Oh, what even to say about this? Eventually, I need to just do a series review, because right now, I can’t even. It’s whimsical, but at the same time explores a lot of darker undertones (in this book, in particular, there was a lot of prejudice). I felt like this had even more magic, more whimsy, more darkness, and so much bigger stakes. Also, the characters are slowly coming into their own, as they do, which was so much fun to read. I need the next dang book already!
The Book of M by Peng Shepherd
★★★✩✩ || Goodreads
I wanted to love this. On paper, it seemed like I should have. Dystopia? Check. Interesting, unique take on the plague trope? Check. Some fantasy thrown in for good measure? Check. Unfortunately, there were just too many plot holes. The fantasy didn’t feel grounded or make any sort of sense, things just happened out of nowhere because they had to, and the saving grace in the book ended up being one big deus ex machina with no explanation whatsoever and nothing about it made any sense. There were so many inconsistencies with the “savior character” that I would have stopped there had I not been almost finished. First maybe three-quarters of the book was great, but I didn’t like basically any part of the ending.
Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Status: pg 108/659
Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.
The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.
Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.
When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.
But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.
I did say I had to get my other library books out of the way before I could pick this one up, and guys … I made it! Ahhhh. Cue the choir of angels, please. I’ve been waiting to read this since I finished Illuinae, and I’m excited to start it. There’s a fun little picture Hanna drew in her diary on page 20 of what food in the space station looks like ((green stuff that tastes brown; I don’t even; wtffff?; probably protein?!)). Hubby and I both agreed that it was 100% his own reaction to most food. And then I compared him to a teenage girl and it went downhill from there, but it was worth it. 10/10 would do it again.
I stumbled upon The Assassin’s Curse at a library book sale, and eagerly snapped it up. Because it has assassins and curses, and how can you go wrong with that?! I hadn’t realized then that it was a series until I happened to come across The Manticore’s Vow on NetGalley and managed to snag an eARC. So just to round out the series, I bought the second one, The Pirate’s Wish, and between assassins, pirates, and manticores, this upcoming week is sounding pretty dang fantastic. The Manticore’s Vow doesn’t officially release until June 6, and it contains three short stories that go with the series (two of which were previously released and one which was not), so I’m eager to dive in. Also, look at that manticore! It’s so fierce. I want one, even though it would 100% guaranteed eat me.
Ok, obviously I need to read Alwyn Hamilton’s books! What is the first in the series? Because, you know what I need, another series to become obsessed with! Actually, that is always true isn’t it? I should just finish one series once in a while. Have a great week! https://silverbuttonbooks.com/2019/05/15/www-wednesday-may-15-2019/
I think we all always need a new series to become obsessed with. xD It’s sort of our lifeblood, isn’t it?
Rebel of the Sands is both the first book and the series name! Go forth and read and love it. I’ve actually been on a really big Djinn kick lately, which is why I originally picked up the books. But it’s basically Middle East meets gunslinging West, which sounds like a weird combination, but it was a great world. 🙂
Oh so glad you loved Wundersmith as much as I do!! If you loved that worldbuilding and whimsy with bite you may love Malamander by Thomas Taylor which is out September in the US.
Oooh, thanks for the recommendation! I’ll check it out!
I really want to read Nevermoor. It sounds so good. I love that book cover for the sequel. Sucks that you didn’t love The Book of M. I’ve had it on my TBR, but never got around to picking it up. I hope you enjoy your upcoming reads!
I can’t recommend Nevermoor enough! Especially if you’re a fan of things like Harry Potter or any sort of magical whimsical midgrade.
I have Rebel of the Sands on my TBR. Hopefully I can get to it soon!
I hope you enjoy it when you get to it! Definitely one of my top series.
I’m currently reading Illuminae and it’s pretty good so far!
Here’s my WWW:
https://rabbitearsblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/15/www-wednesdays-17-may-15-2019/
I hope you enjoy it! The second book so far has been just as good as the first. :3
I’ve look at The Book of M a few times and thought about reading it. Not sure now. Happy reading.
I think if you can read sci-fi and not ask questions, it would be a fine book. As long as you don’t need any sort of explanations as to why things are happening and can just go along with the fact that they are, it would be an enjoyable read. But I need more detail than that, personally. I don’t need all the explanations, but I do need some.
Yay, I’m glad you loved Wundersmith just as much as Nevermoor! I actually didn’t love it quite as much but I am pretty sure that was partly because I was reading it at a bad time. 🙁 I will have to do a re-read before Book 3 comes out and see what I think then.
I think it’s hard because Nevermoor is an introduction into the world, so there’s always that initial surge of, “Oh, this is something novel and new and look at how fun.”
I didn’t feel like Wundersmith had as much wonder (no pun intended) as the first book, because Morrigan had been there for a while and it wasn’t always, “Oh, look at this new thing!” It was a bit darker, too, but I enjoyed that progression, personally, and the hints that there’s still some major secrets and something insidious going on.
So I can definitely understand the second not having quite the same feel as the first. 🙂