Ricky Pine's Blog, page 64
October 22, 2018
Review: The Rising Gold
The Rising Gold by Ava JaeMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Me when this book was first announced:
Clearly, it ain't October unless I'm reading one of the books in this magnificent trilogy, because I read the first book in October 2016 and the second in October 2017. And now, what will Gabe gift us with for October 2019, if anything? For sure I'll be eagerly reading anything they write. As for The Rising Gold, though? Also for sure, it's a lock for the 2018 Pinecone Awards just like its immediate pre...
October 20, 2018
Review: The Storm Runner
The Storm Runner by J.C. CervantesMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The latest in the Rick Riordan Presents lineup brings an #ownvoices look to Mayan mythology in the very style that we've come to expect from Percy Jackson and all the rest of the Camp Half-Blood multi-pantheon universe. Yes, I'm pretty sure all the Rick Riordan Presents titles are part of the same 'verse too. That's official, right? If not, why not?
While a lot of the story is familiar to anyone who's spent years and years experienci...
Review: The Flash: The Tornado Twins
The Flash: The Tornado Twins by Barry LygaMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
"IT'S BANANA PEELS!!!"
-Ezra Miller
The last of Barry Lyga's Flash adventures for kids? Say it ain't so! Also say it ain't so that I'm the first to leave an actual review on Goodreads for this one? *checks* So I am. Shame, y'all are sleeping on these Flash stories. And Jo Whittemore's Supergirl books, too, but that's a story for another day.
Today, though, I'd like to highlight The Tornado Twins, the conclusion to Lyga's increa...
October 16, 2018
Review: Lethal White
Lethal White by Robert GalbraithMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Lethal White.
Now THAT is a title.
It's been too long since our last Cormoran Strike story, and now I see why, with the sheer length of this book in addition to J.K. Rowling's other projects (namely, the Fantastic Beasts screenplays) keeping her busy. I hate to say it, but perhaps this book is a little too long and complex for its own good. I mean, when was the last time you saw a mystery novel over 600 pages long? Not that Galbraith sl...
October 13, 2018
Review: Tricks for Free
Tricks for Free by Seanan McGuireMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
To hear Seanan McGuire tell it, Annie's become her favorite of the three Prices to write, and so it's pretty clear now that we're not done with her after this book. Not when the whole "Money for Nothing" parody naming scheme is gonna continue with at least one more book, That Ain't Witchcraft. What is some good witchcraft, though, is McGuire's continued grasp on the fine art of, you know, having got it. And it, of course, is some ser...
October 12, 2018
Review: Mirage
Mirage by Somaiya DaudMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Veronica Roth's recommendation was what got me to read this book first and foremost, and I'm pretty glad I did. Not only because it's very #ownvoices, steeped in cultural influence from across the historical Muslim world, but also very Roth-like in a lot of ways. Though the world-building barely scratches the surface in this book, it's still as rich and detailed as you can hope for. Maybe the book's a little shorter than I would have liked, and...
October 11, 2018
Review: A Map of Days
A Map of Days by Ransom RiggsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
My reaction, when thanks to Tahereh Mafi tweeting about it, I knew this book existed and all I could say was: I. AM. DECEASED.
The fourth book in Riggs' signature series plays out a bit like Iron Gold for me in that it's long and a little bit on the slow side sometimes, but it does a great job of expanding the world as built in the original trilogy too. Though Riggs doesn't do the four-POV route like Pierce Brown did - once again, Jacob's...
October 10, 2018
Review: Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts)
Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) by Lev A.C. RosenMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
When my friend Harry brought this ARC to my attention, he and I both worried that the book would rely a little too much on the "promiscuous gay" stereotype. And when I finally opened it up to read the prologue, talking about all sorts of "fourgies" and our protag Jack's reputation for hooking up with literally every man he can, was that a confirmation of our worst fears?
Well, then Chapter 1 comes along and we finally g...
October 5, 2018
Review: Smoke in the Sun
Smoke in the Sun by Renee AhdiehMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I wasn't a big fan of the first book in this series, but the conclusion to the duology is a welcome step up. Like The Heart Forger to The Bone Witch, Smoke in the Sun takes its predecessor's world and zooms in on the court-intrigue part to present some seriously heightened stakes. And with the magical elements of the story being much more in the foreground, that's an improvement too. Though the book does still feel a little long and m...
October 4, 2018
Review: The Heart Forger
The Heart Forger by Rin ChupecoMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Let me be perfectly clear, this sequel to The Bone Witch is every bit as unique as its predecessor, and every bit as uniquely hard for me to rate. The world-building work has mostly been done in the first book, so this one's a little less dense and meaty on that front. But it's still a very long read all the same. That said, though, the stakes (I almost typed "steaks" because I'm watching tonight's episode of The Good Place, set in a p...
