Reading List

This one’s a biggie. Apologies in advance.

April 2013

The Legend of Eli Monpress by Rachel Aaron

This three-novel omnibus is filled with fun, exciting, and creative popcorn books. It’s basically an anime in novel-format, and there’s not a thing wrong with that. Vivid characters in a fascinating world. My only complaint is that the pacing is a bit wonky, with a TON of stuff happening in a rush all at the end. I have zero regrets about reading these and recommend them to anyone who wants to read about a sly thief who could sweet-talk a crabby door into destroying itself.

A Delightful 9 out of 10.

August 2013

Amped by Daniel H Wilson

Sci-fi near-future where people who are augmented by “amps” (anything from corrective vision to “curing” autism) become the hated target of normal people and our just-a-guy hero finds out his father wasn’t quite honest about just what his own amp could do. Interesting concept with some really great scenes, along with the sharp look at how awful society can be to people that sci-fi is so prone to doing — but overall a bit of a miss for me. The main character was kind of blah. If asked to describe him, I really couldn’t. Glad I read it, but not chomping at the bit for more. Recommended for sci-fi fans, though.

A Thoughtful 6 out of 10.

The Spirit War and Spirit’s End by Rachel Aaron

The completion of Aaron’s Spirit series started at the top of this post. The pacing issues continue, but I was so invested that I couldn’t help but zoom all the way to the end. Fascinating and energetic read to the end.

A Roller-Coaster 8 out of 10.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

A short(ish) read and full of Gaiman’s legendary surrealism. This one had strong overtones of an almost Stephen King-ish flavor to it and was a fun and fascinating read. I’m still not a Gaiman fanboy, but I absolutely appreciate the man’s skill.

A Fascinated 8 out of 10

September 2013

Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge

I love this author. She’s relatively new, and has such a curious and deft skill with both wordplay and characters. Never predictable, and even when the political stuff got all mucky (yes, I’m an immature reader, I know it) I was still fascinated. I love her oh-so-fierce goose, and every one of Hardinge’s worlds have had incredibly fascinating bits of lore. In this one, it’s the naming of the characters that so enthralled me.

A Pleased 8 out of 10

October 2013

Cursor’s Fury and Captain’s Fury by Jim Butcher

Part of a series that I’d started previously. I’ve now read the entire series, and Captain’s Fury was my favorite of the bunch. (yes, and epic fantasy series that actually ends! Be still, my heart!). Fantasy set in a roman-ish empire, with all sorts of great world-building and societies, and a main character you really, truly root for. I did have one frustration throughout this series but it’s mildly spoilery so I’ll hold off saying it.

An exciting 8 out of 10.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

See my full discussion here.

A Fun 8 out of 10

November 2013

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

See my full discussion here.

An entertaining 7 out of 10

Princep’s Fury by Jim Butcher

The series is winding up to its culmination, but it doesn’t waste this book with buildup alone. I love the Canim, and this book really lets them shine. My second-favorite book in the series, easily.

A heart-stopping 8 out of 10

December 2013

Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban

See my full discussion here.

An exciting 7 out of 10

Lullabye by Chuck Palahniuk

A recommendation by a penpal, and one that started out so promising! The opening chapters are absolutely fascinating, about a woman who sells haunted houses deliberately, over and over again, to make commissions. The chapter ends with the hint that she’ll soon be dead herself.

AWESOME, right? Only … only then it goes into a lullabye that kills people if spoken aloud, and then the characters get all muddly and rather a lot of people die and there’s some awkward sex stuff and necrophilia and I have to say that although the author has a brilliant grasp on the written word, he’s not my kind of author.

An uncomfortable 3 out of 10

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Ocean’s 11, set in a fantasy, renaissancy Italian world. I loved this book. I cannot wait to read the next books in this series. The ONLY negative I’ve got is that the love interest female looks to be horrible. Which is not to say that the author can’t write strong females, as there are at LEAST two other heavy-hitters in this book who are fantastic. Still. The hint of what kind of person she was killed the 10 this book would have otherwise gotten from me. I loved the worldbuilding (the cinnamon brandy!) and Jean and so so so many little interactions throughout.

A Thrilled 9.5 out of 10

Ace, the Very Important Pig by Dick King-Smith

Ace, despite his piggy heritage, can understand human speech. As such, he finds his way into the farmer’s heart and even makes his way on television. There’s a corgi. And a cat. Overall? Not as entertaining as I remembered when I was a kid, but still cute.

A Nostalgic 4 out of 10

Babe, the Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith

On the other hand? Babe was STILL super fun and I love it. Sheepherding pigs and all.

A Delighted 7 out of 10

Oathblood, Oathbound, Oathbreakers (three books) by Mercedes Lackey

I re-read all three of these, and chose to keep only Oathblood. Mostly because it is an anthology that contained many of the best stories from the other two, along with its own new story. Love Tarma and Kethry, and how the author weaves the reality of life on the road with her stories of heroism.

Magic’s Pawn by Mercedes Lackey

If you want a good catharsis book, I recommend this one. A misunderstood and mistreated gay teen … grows up? He finds love, loses it, gains a talking horse, learns he can do magic, and a whole crapload of horrible stuff happens to him. This was too much of an “adventures of” style plotting book for me, and the unending anguish was effective enough to pull tears, but not fun enough to want to read again. Farewell, Vanyel. I loved ye well.

A cathartic 5 out of 10

By the Sword by Mercedes Lackey

The story of Tarma and Kethry’s granddaughter growing up and becoming a mercenary. I adore so much of this book, but at the end of the day, I’m not sure I’ll read it again. It’s leaving my bookshelves, but with a fond smile and a pat on the cover instead of disappointment. Just not my kind of pacing any more, and the final battle fell completely flat for me.

A fond 6 out of 10

January 2014

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

See my full discussion notes here.

An exciting 7 out of 10

February 2014

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

See my full discussion here.

An angst-ridden 5 out of 10

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

I seem to love pretty much all of this guy’s novellas. In this one, a cruel and impervious supervillain took over the city a decade ago and it seems there will be no end to his cruel reign. There’s one boy with a terrible secret, though. He’s seen Steelheart bleed.

A Glorious, Highly Recommended 10 out of 10

March 2014

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews

Book … 6? I think? In this future-world urban fantasy where technology and magic come and go in waves. Loved it. Will be following this series all the way. I adore the way this author writes, and this is one of my favorite series.

A fangirl-squealing 8 out of 10

Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter

A little girl plays the “glad game” — finding something to be glad about in every situation, and changes the lives of nearly everyone in a small town. I still love this book. I need a copy that’s a little less beaten and torn, but I love this book. Without fail, it makes me want to be a better person.

A GLAD 9 out of 10

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Not-so-surprisingly, this story of a brilliant child punishing the small-minded and cruel adults around her has lost its shine for me. I can see definite Harry Potter-esque situations and logic in this one, but overall, the magic is gone for me.

A quiet 5 out of 10

Dragonsong and Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey

More old favorites. The story of a quiet musician girl who fled the parents who did not understand her and impressed nine fire lizards, then grew to become the apprentice to the Masterharper of Pern himself.

Dragonsong won’t be staying — too many parts I skimmed to “get to the good stuff” but Dragonsinger is a permanent member of my library. Music, a quiet and loveable girl, dragons, and so much more. Love this book.

A Beauteous 9 out of 10

Related posts:

2012 Reading List (as of August)
2013 Reading List (As of March)
2012 Reading List (as of April)