Thursday, December 31, 2015

The New 52 - December Edition



This year is coming to a close and so is the New 52!
Check out how I did


Wow! That's a lot of books! Here's what I read this month

by Michael J. Sullivan 


1:17 Hours

One of the genre's favorite pairs returns in a classic fantasy short for both Riyria veterans and first-time readers.
Several years have passed since the war-weary mercenary Hadrian and cynical ex-assassin Royce joined forces to start their thieves-for-hire organization better known as Riyria. Things have gone well enough for the team as they do "jobs" for various nobles throughout Elan. Usually that means stealing something, but when a young heiress asks them to steal her…well, that's a first for the pair. All is not as it seems, but Royce is determined to get the bottom of what's actually going on. After all, he has his professional integrity at stake.
Originally released in the Blackguards anthology published by Ragnarok Publications, this is a standalone short story of 10,800 words. No prior knowledge of The Riyria Revelations or The Riyria Chronicles is required to enjoy it to its fullest, making this a perfect introduction for new readers or a chance for existing fans to spend a little more time with old friends.

Since I'm a member of Audible and I only get 1 credit a month, it sucks when I finish my book before the new credit comes through. Sadly that was the case this month. Since I prefer to listen to audio books instead of music when I'm out, I had to find something else that worked. That led me to downloading some free short stories from the site. This was the first one and it was a lot of fun.  I found that I really enjoyed the duo and their quest to kidnap the young heiress. I also really enjoyed the banter between the men when the kidnapping doesn't go as planned (#)



by Michael J. Sullivan 


0:53 Hours

WHO WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH?
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A thief, a candlemaker, an ex-mercenary, and a pig farmer walk into a trap…and what happens to them is no joke. When Riyria is hired to retrieve a jester’s treasure, Royce and Hadrian must match wits with a dwarf who proves to be anything but a fool. Difficult choices will need to be made, and in the end those who laugh last do so because they are the only ones to survive.
This is a standalone short story of 7,200 words, originally published in the Unfettered anthology. No prior knowledge of The Riyria Revelations or The Riyria Chronicles is required to enjoy it to its fullest, making this a perfect introduction for new readers or a chance for Riyria veterans to spend a little more time with old friends. The Jester is a story of adventure, bonds of friendship, and a recognition that the choices we make dictates the future we find.

I enjoyed the first short story so much, I decided to listen to another one from the same series. This story sounds like a typical dungeon crawl where everything goes wrong and every move you make is disastrous, yet humorous. Well, at least the duo is humorous.  (#)
I was happy to find out that Adam actually owns this series and I'm looking forward to reading it.


by Katharine Kerr 


396 Pages

For years the provinces of Deverry have been in turmoil; now the conflict escalates with the kidnapping of Rhodry Maelwaedd, heir to the throne of Aberwyn. Intent on rescuing him, his beloved Jill and the elven wizard Salamander infiltrate the distant land of Bardex, where Rhodry is held captive. Tied to Deverry by obligation and circumstance, the immortal wizard Nevyn begins to see that all the kingdom's problems can be traced to a single source: a master of dark magics, backed by a network of evil that stretches across the sea. Now Nevyn understands that he too is being lured away to Bardek--and into a subtle, deadly trap designed especially for him.
Katharine Kerr's novels of the Kingdom of Deverry unfold in a world of stunning richness and depth. Her vivid portrayal of characters caught in a complex web of fate and magic captures the imagination with a realism that few can match. Now she retums to this enchanted kingdom, where the wheels of destiny are tuming anew.

This is one of those series that I seem to have been reading for years and I'm still only on the 4th book out of 15. Yeah, I've got some reading ahead of me. My problem, is that it's not really all that good of a series. The only reason I still seem to be reading them is that they show up on my TBR list every year. 
The other books were okay because they took place both in the main story line and also in reincarnated past lives. The past lives always seem to be the most interesting parts. This book didn't have any in it and only mentioned them in passing.
I've felt bad for Jill through a lot of the series, but I think she's finally making the right choices now (¥) and I'm sort of interested in seeing what happens with her. So I guess maybe I'll add the next book to next years list.



by Brian D. Anderson


1:52 Hours

From the world of The Godling Chronicles.
Filled with confidence and no small measure of arrogance, young Lee Starfinder, along with Millet Gristall, set off on their very first adventure. Lee quickly discovers that life beyond Hazrah can be far deadlier than he could have ever imagined. And soon he must learn that muscle and steel cannot replace loyalty, bravery, and friendship.


This was another short story that I listened to while waiting for my credit. Sadly it was the only one that I listened to that I didn't particularly like. Perhaps if I knew the characters better, I would understand a bit better, but Lee was a jerk and I didn't like him at all. He seemed to think that whatever god-like powers (¥) that he had made him better than everyone else. I felt sorry for Millet for having to put up with him. I also didn't like that they used the only female character for bait (#). She was at least interesting. I would've read a story about her in a heartbeat. I may look into this series and see what people have to say about it, but based on the short story alone I'm not really impressed.
by Steve Umstead


2:43 Hours

Evan Gabriel wasn't always a feared and respected North American Federation Navy Commander. Before dangerous missions to the ice-bound planet of Poliahu, the deadly jungle world of Eden, and politically corrupt Mars, he was a simple recruit, fighting to make his mark in the elite Naval Special Forces...and was part of a top-secret military experiment that would change his life forever.
Zero Point tells the tale before the science fiction/adventure trilogy, a tale of a young man faced with difficult choices and dangerous trials. Fans of the series will see part of the mysterious past Evan Gabriel carries with him, while readers new to the series get a preview of what is to come in a military man's haunted life.

Zero Point is the true beginning of Evan Gabriel, and his story is just getting started


I really liked listening to this short story. I'm not a huge fan of the Sci-Fi genre, but stories like these tend to make me wonder if I should give it a better chance. Although the story was riddled with tropes, they were mostly (#) ones that I hadn't seen this year and that lent itself to something a bit more fun. It basically translated into a shitty action movie, and I loved that. I'm willing to take a chance on reading some of these books to see if I really am missing out on Sci-Fi



by Jacqueline Carey


456 Pages

And that hot-as-Hel series is back—but this time the paranormal Midwestern town of Pemkowet is feeling a frost in the air and the residents are frozen in fear....
The Pemkowet Visitors Bureau has always promoted paranormal tourism—even if it has downplayed the risks (hobgoblins are unpredictable). It helps that the town is presided over by Daisy Johanssen, who as Hel’s liaison is authorized by the Norse goddess of the dead to keep Pemkowet under control. Normally, that’s easier to do in the winter, when bracing temperatures keep folks indoors.

But a new predator is on the prowl, and this one thrives on nightmares. Daisy is on her trail and working intimately with her partner and sometime lover from the Pemkowet PD, sexy yet unavailable werewolf Cody Fairfax. But even as the creature is racking up innocent victims, a greater danger looms on Pewkowet’s horizon.

As a result of a recent ghost uprising, an unknown adversary—represented by a hell-spawn lawyer with fiery powers of persuasion—has instigated a lawsuit against the town. If Pemkowet loses, Hel’s sovereignty will be jeopardized, and the fate of the eldritch community will be at stake. The only one who can prevent it is Daisy—but she’s going to have to confront her own worst nightmare to do it


This was a great ending book to a really fun series. I didn't realize that it was the last book when I started it. It almost stated out with a short story that didn't really link to the rest of the book except as foreshadowing the fact that Daisy has to confront her deepest fears (¥)
I love her relationship with her mother and for the first time, they actually talk about what happened with her mother and the demon (%) and how that makes a difference in Daisy. She also continues to have her love triangle with Cody and Stefan (▲) I gotta say, I'm happy with her final choice. I've been routing for that team since the beginning.
And as far as conflicts go; awesome! I wasn't expecting that and was thrilled with how it turned out.
I'm sad to see this series end, but I'm really looking forward to see what Jacqueline Carey writes next.



by Jenny Lawson


330 Pages

When Jenny Lawson was little, all she ever wanted was to fit in. That dream was cut short by her fantastically unbalanced father and a morbidly eccentric childhood. It did, however, open up an opportunity for Lawson to find the humor in the strange shame-spiral that is her life, and we are all the better for it.
In the irreverent Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson’s long-suffering husband and sweet daughter help her uncover the surprising discovery that the most terribly human moments—the ones we want to pretend never happened—are the very same moments that make us the people we are today. For every intellectual misfit who thought they were the only ones to think the things that Lawson dares to say out loud, this is a poignant and hysterical look at the dark, disturbing, yet wonderful moments of our lives.


For any fan of The Bloggess this book is a must read. you know her quirky writing and her stories about Beyoncé the Chicken, now read her life story and be glad that any of these hilariously, crazy stories aren't your stories.
As someone who suffers from anxiety and depression, I really appreciated reading about her own struggles with it and how she manages or doesn't manage to deal with it, mostly though humor. It makes me feel less alone in the world. It had a lot of moments that made me laugh out loud and ones that made me want to cry. Most books don't do that, so I've got to recommend this one for sure



by Dakota Cassidy


339 Pages

Delaney Markham doesn't just see dead people, she hears them too. And FYI-communicating with tortured souls all day can really wreak havoc on your love life. Sans boyfriend, Delaney makes the best of her gift by holding séances to make ends meet-that is until one incredibly annoying ghost just won't go away.
Besides being sinfully hot-in a college professor sort of way-all signs point to Clyde Atwell being much more than the ordinary spirit. In fact, he's a newbie demon whose first assignment is to take Delaney back down to hell with him. Yeah, like that's going to happen on the first date. 


Last year when I was creating my TBR list, I originally had My Way to Hell on it. But when I put it into Goodreads, I realized that it was actually book 2 in the series. I've spent all year looking for the first one and ended up ordering it in so that I could put the second one on next years list. As all Dakota Cassidy books go, this one is pretty formulaic, even if it wasn't an Accidental Friends novel .  

 - Get turned into whatever (okay, gets haunted by a demon)
- Freak out (check)
- Try and find a way to fix it (check)
- Lean on friends for support (not really, pushes everyone away {#})
- Fall in love with guy who did the turning (or haunting, as it were, check)
- Come up against someone who wants to get them for some random reason (check)
- At least 3 long sex scenes (middle, 3/4, and end of book), live happily forever after (check)

Yup, it still follows her formula. It wasn't the best book that I've read by her, but it always makes for a nice total junk food reading (easy, convenient, but not very satisfying in the long run)



by Mark Waid, Terry Dodson


120 Pages

When Princess Leia Organa was captured by the Empire, she never betrayed her convictions - even after the complete destruction of her home world, Alderaan. When her rescue came, Leia grabbed a blaster and joined the fight, escaping back to the Rebel Alliance and helping strike the biggest blow against the Empire - the destruction of the Death Star! But in the aftermath of that victory, the question remains...what is a princess without a world? As Leia comes to grips with her loss, a new mission leads her to the underground world of Sullust. The Empire is rounding up fugitive Alderaanians, and that doesn't sit well with their Princess! But what can one woman do against the Galactic Empire? They're about to find out! Join the galaxy's toughest Princess on a quest to save her people and rebuild her life!

I was super excited to get this trade paperback compilation of series #1-5 of the new Princess Leia comic. I've wanted to read these since they first came out! Adam bought it for me for Christmas and I spent a great evening getting lost in it. I mean, who doesn't love Princess Leia?
It takes place just as ANH is ending with the medal ceremony and continues to tell the story of Leia learning to deal with having her Home World blown up.  Not only does she not know how to mourn it properly, she feels guilty, as if it's her fault. But instead of hiding and trying to find peace, she strikes out with her new found companion Evaan to try and save the remaining Aleraanians from the Empire. With kick-ass fight scenes and stirring speeches, Princess Leia shows us how to stand up for what is right and to be proud of who we are.



by Ann Aguirre


311 Pages

Whenever Corine Solomon touches an object, she immediately knows its history. But the future concerns her more when former ally Kel Ferguson walks through her door with a warning for her: the Montoya cartel is coming for her-but they don't just pack guns. They use warlocks, shamans and voodoo priests. And Corine has become enemy number one...

As all series go, every book can't be the best, and although this one was good, it wasn't as good as the previous two. The mob that they pissed off in the first book is back and they've got a vendetta against Corine and only her new found abilities (¥) can save her. But instead of the Urban Fantasy vibe of the rest of them, this one had more of a Indiana Jones flare, where they're off in the jungle fighting demons and such (%)
I've never cared for the love triangle (▲) in this book and I was surprised when they made it even more complicated with Kel (&) which surprised me even more when I was all for it. Without giving it away, I was even more surprised at what they did with the love triangle at the end and not in a good way! I'm already eyeing up the next book so I can see what happens, surely it can't be permanent!


by Robert Jordan


780 Pages (24:20 Hours)

Rand, with Min, is on the run, and Cadsuane, in Carhien, is trying to figure out where he is headed.
Mazrim Taim, the leader of the Black Tower, is revealed to be a liar. Faile, with her companions, is a prisoner of Sevanna's Sept.
With Elyas Machera, Berelain, the Prophet, and an "army" of disparate forces, Perrin is moving through country rife with bandits and roving Seanchan.
In Ebou Dar, the Seanchan princess known as Daughter of the Nine Moons arrives. 

This book was the first Wheel of Time book that I ever own in paperback and I loved it! It also started the long waits between books being published, but to this day, it's still one of my favorites in the series. As much as I don't care about Perrin's plot for the next however many books, I really love both Mat's and Rand's plot.
Mat is trying to figure out how to escape the Seanchan in Ebou Dar and take the captured and hiding Aes Sedai with him. Rand and Min are on the run from the rogue Asha'man and plotting their deaths, but he makes an unexpected stop in Caemlyn where Elayne and Aviendha manage to get their hands on him (▲).
This has one of the best endings in the series and I always love reading and listening to it.



by S. Andrew Swann


338 Pages

All Frank Blackthorne wants is a little vacation from being the princess. The involuntary swap in gender has been bad enough, but being a figurehead for the Royal Court of Lendowyn is becoming downright oppressive. In a fit of drunken self-pity, Frank turns to using a cursed artifact, hoping to become a man again, if only temporarily.
The good news is he becomes a man again, a kingdom away from Lendowyn court.
The bad news is the man whose body he now occupies belongs to a notorious thief wanted by every kingdom in the known world. A man of ruthless ambition who has left unimaginable destruction in his wake. A man who Frank has inadvertently deposited in the middle of the Lendowyn court in the body of the princess.
Now he’s stranded, his only allies a group of outcast teenage girls convinced that he’s the legendary master thief Snake. He must get back to Lendowyn—avoiding the armies of thieves, mercenaries, and assassins after the bounty on his new head.

This was another one of those fun books that you just get lost in. Being mistaken for a notorious thief is bad enough, but being body swapped with one is even worse! Especially when you realize that he is now the Princess  and all the horror that may ensue in your absence. I love the band of teenage girls , with tragic backstories (%) , that he ends up teaming up with, even if they don't seem to ever talk to each other (#). My favorite was Krys; a FTM trans-gendered boy, who was really sweet and the only this he wanted was to have the correct body to feel comfortable in. He almost uses the body swap gem at one point, but decides not to, because it wouldn't be fair to the person he swapped with. The only thing I wished they would do better was write him with the correct pronouns. I say this as a LGBTQA+ ally, knowing how important it is for trans-gendered people to be recognized as they see themselves. I can understand why they constantly referred to him as her, as to not to confuse people who maybe don't know this, but it still would've been nice. I'm just glad that S. Andrew Swann recognizes the need for more representation of non-binary people. It's heartening.



by Ian Fleming


192 Pages

Tiffany Case, a cold, gorgeous, devil-may-care blonde, stands between James Bond and the leaders of a diamond-smuggling ring that stretches from Africa to London to the United States. Bond uses her to infiltrate this gang, but once in America the hunter becomes the hunted. Agent 007 is in real danger until help comes from an unlikely quarter, the ice maiden herself.

Oh my, where does one even start with a James Bond book...
Now don't get me wrong, I love James Bond, but I realize that there are a lot of problems within the franchise and I only picked up this book because it was the last book on my TBR list. Not to mention, that it really is badly written. Most of the book is spent with him either travelling of gambling and it's really boring, I meant really boring... I could never read more than a few pages at a time before putting it down and going to do something else.
I really hate how her treats Tiffany Case, a young woman with a troubled past (#), though out the book. He knows that she is fragile and that when he gets involved with her, he will have to see it through, even though he knows he's not going to. He knows that breaking her heart will do irreparable damage to her, knowing she has no one to turn to (%), but decides sleeping with her is a good idea anyway. Guess I shouldn't be surprised.




Remeber at the beginning of the year when I decided that I was going to keep track of trends while reading? Well, here are the results of those trends.

Rape

% - 40/76

Friendship Romance

& - 13/76

Touch of Power
Enclave
White Heart of Justice
Outpost
Moon Called
Murder of Crows
Winter Moon
Blood Bound
Blood Red
Witches With the Enemy
Magic Bites
Breakout
Shady Lady


Failed  Bechdel-Wallace Test

# - 14/76

The Bloodbound
Black Powder War 
A Dirty Job
Blood Bound
The Call of Cthulhu
Specter of the Past 
The Bloodforged
Professional Integrity
The Jester
The Jewel of Dantenos
Gabriel: Zero Point
Kiss & Hell
Dragon Thief 
Diamonds Are Forever


Microwave Tea

@ - 2/76

I Want It That Way
Charms and Chocolate Chips



Magical Heritage

¥ - 21/76

White Heart of Justice
Blue Diablo
Charms and Chocolate Chips
Moon Called
Winter Moon
Hell Fire
Some Enchanted Éclair
Blood Bound
Blood Red
Witches With the Enemy
The Court of the Air
Magic Bites
Wish Bound
Endsinger
The Call of Cthulhu
Specter of the Past
Besieged
The Dragon Revenant
The Jewel of Dantenos
Poison Fruit
Shady Lady


Love Triangle

▲ - 25/76

Touch of Power
Enclave
Green Rider
Blue Diablo
Outpost
The Bloodbound
Moon Called
Hell Fire
The Great Hunt
The Dragon Reborn
Blood Bound
The Shadow Rising
Envy
Blood Red
Horde
The Fires of Heaven
Magic Bites
Lord of Chaos
A Crown of Swords
The Bloodforged
Splendor
The Path of Daggers
Poison Fruit
Shady Lady
Winter's Heart

Come on writers, you can do better that this! Over half of the books contained rape? That's just awful! There are stories out there that don't need to fall into these trends! You can do it authors! Think of it as a challenge for yourself! I believe in you!



So, 76 books all together. Wow. that was way more than I was anticipating! I wonder how well I will do next year? Only time will tell. Guess I better get reading
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