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Ellinor #1
Resistor
Winner of The Literary Titan Gold Award!
Ellinor Rask has wanted one thing for the past eight years: vengeance. But when Ellinor is captured, she finds herself dragged back into the world she walked away from, entangled once more with friends she would rather forget.
As if that weren’t humiliating enough, Ellinor learns first hand that her magic can be stripped away by a piece of bio-tech—and her ex-boss is happy to leash her with the technology in order to get what he wants. If Ellinor behaves, the device will be removed. All she has to do is deliver a package. One containing a creature created from raw magical energy and discarded technology. Simple, right?
But when her goals start getting people murdered, Ellinor has to decide if the year’s planning, her honor, and even her own magic, are worth the lives it’s costing. Dodging ruthless gangsters, she finds herself on the run with a creature of immeasurable magical abilities alongside her one-time friends. Now, Ellinor must relearn to trust the people she once abandoned. She must put her faith in technology, and her life in the hands of independent contractors, all while racing to deliver the package before it gets taken by force, or worse, the creature decides to make an appearance itself.
Ellinor Rask has wanted one thing for the past eight years: vengeance. But when Ellinor is captured, she finds herself dragged back into the world she walked away from, entangled once more with friends she would rather forget.
As if that weren’t humiliating enough, Ellinor learns first hand that her magic can be stripped away by a piece of bio-tech—and her ex-boss is happy to leash her with the technology in order to get what he wants. If Ellinor behaves, the device will be removed. All she has to do is deliver a package. One containing a creature created from raw magical energy and discarded technology. Simple, right?
But when her goals start getting people murdered, Ellinor has to decide if the year’s planning, her honor, and even her own magic, are worth the lives it’s costing. Dodging ruthless gangsters, she finds herself on the run with a creature of immeasurable magical abilities alongside her one-time friends. Now, Ellinor must relearn to trust the people she once abandoned. She must put her faith in technology, and her life in the hands of independent contractors, all while racing to deliver the package before it gets taken by force, or worse, the creature decides to make an appearance itself.
436 pages, Paperback
Published August 7, 2020
About the author
C.E. Clayton
13 books247 followersC. E. Clayton was born and raised in the greater Los Angeles area. After going the traditional career route and becoming restless, she went back to her first love—writing—and hasn’t stopped. She is the author of young adult fantasy series, “The Monster of Selkirk”, the creator of the cyberpunk Eerden Novels, and her horror short stories have appeared in anthologies across the country. When she’s not writing you can find her treating her fur-babies like humans, constantly drinking tea, and trying to convince her husband to go to more concerts. And reading. She does read quite a bit. More about C.E. Clayton, including her blog, book reviews, social media presence, and newsletter, can be found on her website. She'd also be thrilled if you followed her on Instagram and liked her bookish and pet photos, and Amazon where you can get updates on her new releases. And there's always Facebook, if that's your thing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
February 22, 2021
3 stars
DNF @ 33%
You know, after reading a lot of books, you start to notice when a book just isn't doing it for you. It isn't that it is bad, per se, but you just feel like you've read it before. This book follows Ellinor as she is forcefully recruited into her old team for one last mission. Thing is, she still blames their boss (and the members by proxy) for the death of her husband Misho. As her magic is taken away, she must find a way to survive this mission against her old family, now enemies.
Here's the thing. This book doesn't really bring anything new to the table. It is like reading Red Queen but older and more science fiction. The execution is fine, but you know you read this before. Here is a list of who should read this book:
- you like Cyberpunk 2077
- you want to get into older books
- you want to get into SciFi but you love fantasy just so much
- you want to get into fantasy but you love SciFi just so much
For a more seasoned reader, though, you'll see the tropes, you'll think "ok", but you won't get anything really new out of this, and that just wasn't what I was looking for.
The one area of this book that I do have to applaud the author for, however, is the world building. The system of some random dude coming, seeing Earth, and transforming it a bit so that it would have two different magical races of men was kind of cool. Though the writing itself was sometimes a bit cringey, I do think that the actual world itself was great. It was also wonderfully supported by the atmosphere the author created.
Will I be continuing with this series? No. But I do think this can really be a favorite of a newcomer to the genre.
DNF @ 33%
You know, after reading a lot of books, you start to notice when a book just isn't doing it for you. It isn't that it is bad, per se, but you just feel like you've read it before. This book follows Ellinor as she is forcefully recruited into her old team for one last mission. Thing is, she still blames their boss (and the members by proxy) for the death of her husband Misho. As her magic is taken away, she must find a way to survive this mission against her old family, now enemies.
Here's the thing. This book doesn't really bring anything new to the table. It is like reading Red Queen but older and more science fiction. The execution is fine, but you know you read this before. Here is a list of who should read this book:
- you like Cyberpunk 2077
- you want to get into older books
- you want to get into SciFi but you love fantasy just so much
- you want to get into fantasy but you love SciFi just so much
For a more seasoned reader, though, you'll see the tropes, you'll think "ok", but you won't get anything really new out of this, and that just wasn't what I was looking for.
The one area of this book that I do have to applaud the author for, however, is the world building. The system of some random dude coming, seeing Earth, and transforming it a bit so that it would have two different magical races of men was kind of cool. Though the writing itself was sometimes a bit cringey, I do think that the actual world itself was great. It was also wonderfully supported by the atmosphere the author created.
Will I be continuing with this series? No. But I do think this can really be a favorite of a newcomer to the genre.
August 7, 2020
Thank you to C.E. Clayton for allowing me to read the e-ARC for my honest review.
I loved this book. This world, these characters. She has created an intense nee world.
This book definitely gives off a cyber punk feel. It has magic, tech, magical tech creatures! Vengence is a main theme, as is heartbreak.
The villians are cool, the heroes are cooler. Characters you think you hate, you fall in love with, want to hug them.
I read this book in less than 2 days, I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what happened next. And now I wait, not so patiently, for book two.
I loved this book. This world, these characters. She has created an intense nee world.
This book definitely gives off a cyber punk feel. It has magic, tech, magical tech creatures! Vengence is a main theme, as is heartbreak.
The villians are cool, the heroes are cooler. Characters you think you hate, you fall in love with, want to hug them.
I read this book in less than 2 days, I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what happened next. And now I wait, not so patiently, for book two.
August 31, 2021
Oh Jelani how I love thee, let me count the ways . . .
I mean, I suppose this is Ellinor's story and I'm getting ahead of myself but from the moment that boy jumped on the page I was INVESTED in him. If you know what I'm sayin'. ;)
ANYWAY. Resistor! I have loved what I've read of CE Clayton's Monsters of Selkirk books and Resistor is a beautiful example of author growth. Clayton continues to be a strong writer, who excels in deep worldbuilding and snarky characters. Ellinor is hard to love but oh so easy to cheer for, and watching her unfold into the character she's becoming is a joy. Kai is sassy and fluffy and the ultimate cinnamon roll.
And Jelani, well. I'm biased. But you need to meet him. SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! <3
I mean, I suppose this is Ellinor's story and I'm getting ahead of myself but from the moment that boy jumped on the page I was INVESTED in him. If you know what I'm sayin'. ;)
ANYWAY. Resistor! I have loved what I've read of CE Clayton's Monsters of Selkirk books and Resistor is a beautiful example of author growth. Clayton continues to be a strong writer, who excels in deep worldbuilding and snarky characters. Ellinor is hard to love but oh so easy to cheer for, and watching her unfold into the character she's becoming is a joy. Kai is sassy and fluffy and the ultimate cinnamon roll.
And Jelani, well. I'm biased. But you need to meet him. SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! <3
September 25, 2020
A fantastical blend of cyberpunk and fantasy with dystopian elements, C.E. Clayton's Resistor will pull at your heartstrings and send you on an emotional rollercoaster full of magic, revenge and healing friendships. The 1st book in C.E. Clayton’s new Eerden series; it follows an Air Caster named Ellinor, who longs for revenge against those responsible for the death of her husband, Misho. When she is forced into a dangerous mission by her ex boss, Ellinor will have to work with her old crew once again, reawakening painful memories, old friendships and feuds.
RATING THE STORY'S ELEMENTS:
THE CAST: 5/5
They are all deeply flawed and conflicted, but that doesn’t stop them from being likable.
- The main character, Ellinor sports a sarcastic, detached and cold persona, but at the same time is a deeply caring individual. She is so hellbent in getting revenge she is practically blinded by it. Her character arc is amazing, gradual and doesn't feel rushed at all. By end of the book she’s learnt so much but still has a long way ahead.
- The rest of the crew does not disappoint. I adore e Kai’s tender and loyal demeanor (even if he can be loyal to the wrong people sometimes), Pema and Talin’s loving relationship (f/f), Fiss’s extreme cuteness and empathy. Oh and don’t even get me started on Jelani. DREAM MAN!! <3 And these are just my favorites. There are many more incredible characters to love and villains you’ll hate with so much passion you’ll wish for their slow deaths.
THE WORLD: 5/5
An absolute treat. It’s so intricate and a perfect mixture between magic and technology. Casters, either Seersha or Humani, are able to control one or more of the four elements (Fire, Earth, Water and Air) and can use technology to enhance their powers (or vice versa). There are also Dreeochts and Doehaz, which are magically attuned creatures, very distinct from each other, that are attracted to magic. The way the world works is both unique and familiar, with some elements that resemble our society but still let you live a completely new experience.
THE PACING: 4/5
It starts a bit slow, but picks up, building perfectly towards the climax and giving us time to know and love the crew as they navigate through challenges. It is heavily action packed but also has many tender moments and interactions between characters as well as insightful reflections.
FINAL RATING: 4.5/5 rounded up to a 5 because all other elements are absolutely amazing!
I highly recommend this book to fans of Star Wars and Marie Lu's LEGEND series as well as anyone that enjoys the cyberpunk or fantasy genres.
A huge thanks to C.E. Clayton for giving me a free ARC of RESISTOR. I can't wait to see what awaits Ellinor and the rest of the crew in the next installment!
* DISCLAIMER: I WAS GIVEN A FREE ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
RATING THE STORY'S ELEMENTS:
THE CAST: 5/5
They are all deeply flawed and conflicted, but that doesn’t stop them from being likable.
- The main character, Ellinor sports a sarcastic, detached and cold persona, but at the same time is a deeply caring individual. She is so hellbent in getting revenge she is practically blinded by it. Her character arc is amazing, gradual and doesn't feel rushed at all. By end of the book she’s learnt so much but still has a long way ahead.
- The rest of the crew does not disappoint. I adore e Kai’s tender and loyal demeanor (even if he can be loyal to the wrong people sometimes), Pema and Talin’s loving relationship (f/f), Fiss’s extreme cuteness and empathy. Oh and don’t even get me started on Jelani. DREAM MAN!! <3 And these are just my favorites. There are many more incredible characters to love and villains you’ll hate with so much passion you’ll wish for their slow deaths.
THE WORLD: 5/5
An absolute treat. It’s so intricate and a perfect mixture between magic and technology. Casters, either Seersha or Humani, are able to control one or more of the four elements (Fire, Earth, Water and Air) and can use technology to enhance their powers (or vice versa). There are also Dreeochts and Doehaz, which are magically attuned creatures, very distinct from each other, that are attracted to magic. The way the world works is both unique and familiar, with some elements that resemble our society but still let you live a completely new experience.
THE PACING: 4/5
It starts a bit slow, but picks up, building perfectly towards the climax and giving us time to know and love the crew as they navigate through challenges. It is heavily action packed but also has many tender moments and interactions between characters as well as insightful reflections.
FINAL RATING: 4.5/5 rounded up to a 5 because all other elements are absolutely amazing!
I highly recommend this book to fans of Star Wars and Marie Lu's LEGEND series as well as anyone that enjoys the cyberpunk or fantasy genres.
A huge thanks to C.E. Clayton for giving me a free ARC of RESISTOR. I can't wait to see what awaits Ellinor and the rest of the crew in the next installment!
* DISCLAIMER: I WAS GIVEN A FREE ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
October 25, 2020
25/10/2020 Update!
Here's the full review I promised a couple of weeks ago!
Resistor by C.E. Clayton is a great and engaging read for those of you who don’t mind some cyberpunk mixed in their magic. It’s a bloody tale of what happens to you when you’re hellbent on revenge and how you can rediscover yourself before you’re lost completely. It’s a book about rediscovering friendship and hope, about freeing yourself from the painful past, and making sense of it all again.
Resistor explores an imaginative and rich world created by a god who once upon a time whisked away a planet and modeled it to fit his tastes. He created beings of extraordinary power and potential, and left them to their own devices. It’s a world worth discovering one step at a time, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to read the book. All opinions are my own.
07/10/2020
Oooh, just finished this last night, so grateful for the ARC I got through Netgalley. It was so much more than what I expected! Full review will come one of these days! I just have to gather my thoughts.
Here's the full review I promised a couple of weeks ago!
Resistor by C.E. Clayton is a great and engaging read for those of you who don’t mind some cyberpunk mixed in their magic. It’s a bloody tale of what happens to you when you’re hellbent on revenge and how you can rediscover yourself before you’re lost completely. It’s a book about rediscovering friendship and hope, about freeing yourself from the painful past, and making sense of it all again.
Resistor explores an imaginative and rich world created by a god who once upon a time whisked away a planet and modeled it to fit his tastes. He created beings of extraordinary power and potential, and left them to their own devices. It’s a world worth discovering one step at a time, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to read the book. All opinions are my own.
07/10/2020
Oooh, just finished this last night, so grateful for the ARC I got through Netgalley. It was so much more than what I expected! Full review will come one of these days! I just have to gather my thoughts.
October 8, 2020
Vengeance is not all there is to life
Resistor by C.E. Clayton is a superb mix of all my favorite genre, sci-fi and fantasy with a dash of dystopian cyber-punk. The novel is surprisingly awesome, filled with heartbreak, friendship, vengeance, magic, futuristic tech and complex characters.
Ellinor Rask wants revenge but before she can achieve it, she is captured by her former boss and is again thrust into a world of old friendship and grudges. But before she can save herself, she realizes the hard way that her magic can stripped away with a piece of tech around her neck.
If she want it back she need to do as her ex-boss says. Deliver a precious cargo safely and the collar around her neck comes off.
Well it is not that straightforward, as she soon discovers.
People are getting killed, mobsters are behind her team, all trying to steal the cargo. She has decide if all of her plans are worth the lives they are costing, decide who to trust and if putting faith in independent contractors will not get her and her friends killed. All the while questioning where she is going and that her heart and mind is in the right direction.
This is book is excitingly action packed, with such complex, conflicted and flawed characters. The integration of magic and tech is flawless, there are different types of people and creatures living with and without magic making their world intricate and distinct.
The book was slow to start but picks up its pace soon, thus it helps us understand the world and its system better.
All in all Resistor is a thrilling novel. I am eagerly waiting to read the next novel and see where Ellinor goes.
Thank you C.E. Clayton and NetGalley for the ARC
Resistor by C.E. Clayton is a superb mix of all my favorite genre, sci-fi and fantasy with a dash of dystopian cyber-punk. The novel is surprisingly awesome, filled with heartbreak, friendship, vengeance, magic, futuristic tech and complex characters.
Ellinor Rask wants revenge but before she can achieve it, she is captured by her former boss and is again thrust into a world of old friendship and grudges. But before she can save herself, she realizes the hard way that her magic can stripped away with a piece of tech around her neck.
If she want it back she need to do as her ex-boss says. Deliver a precious cargo safely and the collar around her neck comes off.
Well it is not that straightforward, as she soon discovers.
People are getting killed, mobsters are behind her team, all trying to steal the cargo. She has decide if all of her plans are worth the lives they are costing, decide who to trust and if putting faith in independent contractors will not get her and her friends killed. All the while questioning where she is going and that her heart and mind is in the right direction.
This is book is excitingly action packed, with such complex, conflicted and flawed characters. The integration of magic and tech is flawless, there are different types of people and creatures living with and without magic making their world intricate and distinct.
The book was slow to start but picks up its pace soon, thus it helps us understand the world and its system better.
All in all Resistor is a thrilling novel. I am eagerly waiting to read the next novel and see where Ellinor goes.
Thank you C.E. Clayton and NetGalley for the ARC
September 24, 2020
Thank you to @booksirens and @chelscey for providing me with an e-arc of this amazing book!, 🖤
Wow this was such a wild ride... Everyone check out this book because it is so so good you will not regret it! This world, these characters, the plot everything was just *Chef's kiss*
I really liked C.E. Clayton writing and found myself really enjoying reading this book!
The big thing for me about this book is the characters. This book has such an amazing diverse cast of characters and all we're so likeable (well, except for the bad guys aha). I especially really liked the main character Ellinor! I loved how real she seemed and had genuine emotions. I really liked that we got to see her grief from the death of her husband, I like when characters aren't 100% headstrong and emotionless.
I also LOVED this world! It is so cool and well thought out and I need more! I cannot wait for the next book, I need it now 😭
Would highly reccomend to any SFF lovers, paperbacks are out now I believe and the ebook is out October 1st!
I really hope I can get a hold of a physical copy soon, I already want to reread and annotate it 😅
Wow this was such a wild ride... Everyone check out this book because it is so so good you will not regret it! This world, these characters, the plot everything was just *Chef's kiss*
I really liked C.E. Clayton writing and found myself really enjoying reading this book!
The big thing for me about this book is the characters. This book has such an amazing diverse cast of characters and all we're so likeable (well, except for the bad guys aha). I especially really liked the main character Ellinor! I loved how real she seemed and had genuine emotions. I really liked that we got to see her grief from the death of her husband, I like when characters aren't 100% headstrong and emotionless.
I also LOVED this world! It is so cool and well thought out and I need more! I cannot wait for the next book, I need it now 😭
Would highly reccomend to any SFF lovers, paperbacks are out now I believe and the ebook is out October 1st!
I really hope I can get a hold of a physical copy soon, I already want to reread and annotate it 😅
October 2, 2021
Oh my!!!! Resistor is the first cyberpunk book I’ve read. I had no idea what I was getting into when I first started it, didn’t even bother reading the blurb. All I saw was the art of a certain character in this book and immediately went “I HAVE to read it!”
So, this is very much a plot-driven book in which the romance takes a back seat. Which is fine! I’m all for that slow burn where the characters begin as reluctant allies to friends to something more and I can totally see that little spark of chemistry between Ellinor and Julani (whom I absolutely ADORE!!) Loved their dynamic in this and I’m very excited to see their characters grow in the coming books.
I loved the world building, too. It was easy to picture everything so vividly in my mind’s eye. And the magic system reminded me a bit of Avatar’s with the elemental bending. The beginning starts off a little slow as I was introduced to all of the characters. The only reason I gave this 4-stars is because at certain parts I had some trouble remembering which character was who.
Now that I’ve finished reading I will be waiting anxiously for the second book. Thankfully November is only a month away!
So, this is very much a plot-driven book in which the romance takes a back seat. Which is fine! I’m all for that slow burn where the characters begin as reluctant allies to friends to something more and I can totally see that little spark of chemistry between Ellinor and Julani (whom I absolutely ADORE!!) Loved their dynamic in this and I’m very excited to see their characters grow in the coming books.
I loved the world building, too. It was easy to picture everything so vividly in my mind’s eye. And the magic system reminded me a bit of Avatar’s with the elemental bending. The beginning starts off a little slow as I was introduced to all of the characters. The only reason I gave this 4-stars is because at certain parts I had some trouble remembering which character was who.
Now that I’ve finished reading I will be waiting anxiously for the second book. Thankfully November is only a month away!
August 17, 2020
Oh man. What. A. Ride. This book is amazing and it took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I adore Ellinor, Jelani, Kai and especially Fiss who is so adorable. It was so well written and I found myself not wanting to stop reading. I simply cannot describe in words how amazing this book was. I cannot recommend it enough. If you are even considering reading it, just do it.
5 stars and I would give more if such a thing were possible.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 stars and I would give more if such a thing were possible.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 28, 2020
I received an advanced review copy of this for free from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
Ellinor Rask has been captured by Cosmin, the crime lord she used to work for, and forced back into a life she tried to leave behind. Her former boss needs her to do a job, and teams her up with her old crew, many of whom were hurt by Ellinor’s sudden departure. Things quickly go awry, of course, and while trying to survive, Ellinor must reevaluate the choices she made that led her to this point.
Well this was a lot of fun! The book starts with a history of how the world of Eerden was created, and the world building throughout was really interesting. The magic is elemental and character’s powers range from dabbling to extremely powerful. There is a lot of tech as well, and I found the times where magic and tech combined to be really intriguing. There’s also a little side plot, of sorts, about AI and magic, which is a pretty exciting niche for me.
The characters were really great. Ellinor has created a reputation for herself as some sort of vigilante after leaving her crew, as she seeks revenge against her former boss. She has succeeded so well that new members of the crew are afraid of her, and other characters we meet have heard of her. I was worried that she was going to be too overpowered for a while, but I shouldn’t have worried. For one, in the very beginning she is cut off from her magical powers, and for two, she hasn’t gained her reputation easily. She fights tooth and nail every time, and things are hard for her, but she is completely unwilling to give up. She was a very compelling character, struggling with grief and guilt and anger.
Jelani is another character that I found really intriguing. He hides a lot from the crew, but as he grows to trust Ellinor he slowly unfolds his back story to her (and to us), and it’s worth the wait! The rest of the crew was less fleshed out, but there was enough there to make me care about them. Pema and Talin are fierce and fiercely in love; they would do anything for each other which also makes them each other’s weakness in battle. Big, sweet Kai is pining for a man who will never love him back and for a return to his friendship with Ellinor, who is also unwilling. I initially found Irati really interesting but unfortunately she never really developed into anyone compelling, and I was exhausted by her by the end.
I love romance and while there was none here outside of Pema and Talin, that did not stop me from reading between the lines between certain characters. And it definitely was textual at times! So I can only hope it will get further development in future books. Please C.E. Clayton if you are reading this I am begging for just a scrap of a romance between them in the future (I’m sure you know who I mean!!).
The main plot involved Ellinor taking a package from Cosmin to another gang leader, Zabel. Things hit the fan repeatedly, and there are a ton of battles that were all great to read, and quieter character and team building moments in between that I really liked. There are twists and turns and I never got bored, even when the characters are just sitting around talking.
My one quibble is rather subjective, and it’s that I don’t like when characters are referred to by their whole name in narration after being introduced. For example, the narration would frequently and randomly refer to Ellinor as “Ellinor Rask did this”. Or refer to a character by just their first name at the top of a paragraph and then in the last sentence use their whole name. Every time I would read a whole name at random points it would take me out of the story a bit.
I really enjoyed reading this. Not only was it a thrilling ride, but it also examined grief and the cost of vengeance, and really forced its characters to examine their choices, which I never expected when I got this book. I already can’t wait for the next one.
Ellinor Rask has been captured by Cosmin, the crime lord she used to work for, and forced back into a life she tried to leave behind. Her former boss needs her to do a job, and teams her up with her old crew, many of whom were hurt by Ellinor’s sudden departure. Things quickly go awry, of course, and while trying to survive, Ellinor must reevaluate the choices she made that led her to this point.
Well this was a lot of fun! The book starts with a history of how the world of Eerden was created, and the world building throughout was really interesting. The magic is elemental and character’s powers range from dabbling to extremely powerful. There is a lot of tech as well, and I found the times where magic and tech combined to be really intriguing. There’s also a little side plot, of sorts, about AI and magic, which is a pretty exciting niche for me.
The characters were really great. Ellinor has created a reputation for herself as some sort of vigilante after leaving her crew, as she seeks revenge against her former boss. She has succeeded so well that new members of the crew are afraid of her, and other characters we meet have heard of her. I was worried that she was going to be too overpowered for a while, but I shouldn’t have worried. For one, in the very beginning she is cut off from her magical powers, and for two, she hasn’t gained her reputation easily. She fights tooth and nail every time, and things are hard for her, but she is completely unwilling to give up. She was a very compelling character, struggling with grief and guilt and anger.
Jelani is another character that I found really intriguing. He hides a lot from the crew, but as he grows to trust Ellinor he slowly unfolds his back story to her (and to us), and it’s worth the wait! The rest of the crew was less fleshed out, but there was enough there to make me care about them. Pema and Talin are fierce and fiercely in love; they would do anything for each other which also makes them each other’s weakness in battle. Big, sweet Kai is pining for a man who will never love him back and for a return to his friendship with Ellinor, who is also unwilling. I initially found Irati really interesting but unfortunately she never really developed into anyone compelling, and I was exhausted by her by the end.
I love romance and while there was none here outside of Pema and Talin, that did not stop me from reading between the lines between certain characters. And it definitely was textual at times! So I can only hope it will get further development in future books. Please C.E. Clayton if you are reading this I am begging for just a scrap of a romance between them in the future (I’m sure you know who I mean!!).
The main plot involved Ellinor taking a package from Cosmin to another gang leader, Zabel. Things hit the fan repeatedly, and there are a ton of battles that were all great to read, and quieter character and team building moments in between that I really liked. There are twists and turns and I never got bored, even when the characters are just sitting around talking.
My one quibble is rather subjective, and it’s that I don’t like when characters are referred to by their whole name in narration after being introduced. For example, the narration would frequently and randomly refer to Ellinor as “Ellinor Rask did this”. Or refer to a character by just their first name at the top of a paragraph and then in the last sentence use their whole name. Every time I would read a whole name at random points it would take me out of the story a bit.
I really enjoyed reading this. Not only was it a thrilling ride, but it also examined grief and the cost of vengeance, and really forced its characters to examine their choices, which I never expected when I got this book. I already can’t wait for the next one.
December 2, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Resistor
Author: C.E. Clayton
Book Series: Ellinor Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: sci-fi and fantasy lovers
Publication Date: August 7, 2020
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 17+ (language, violence, gore, death, grief, slight sexual content, slut shaming)
Publisher: Starfish Ink
Pages: 436
Synopsis: Ellinor Rask has wanted one thing for the past eight years: vengeance. But when Ellinor is captured, she finds herself dragged back into the world she walked away from, entangled once more with friends she would rather forget.
As if that weren’t humiliating enough, Ellinor learns first hand that her magic can be stripped away by a piece of bio-tech—and her ex-boss is happy to leash her with the technology in order to get what he wants. If Ellinor behaves, the device will be removed. All she has to do is deliver a package. One containing a creature created from raw magical energy and discarded technology. Simple, right?
But when her goals start getting people murdered, Ellinor has to decide if the year’s planning, her honor, and even her own magic, are worth the lives it’s costing. Dodging ruthless gangsters, she finds herself on the run with a creature of immeasurable magical abilities alongside her one-time friends. Now, Ellinor must relearn to trust the people she once abandoned. She must put her faith in technology, and her life in the hands of independent contractors, all while racing to deliver the package before it gets taken by force, or worse, the creature decides to make an appearance itself.
Review: Oh my word this was an amazing book! I loved the complex world building and the character development. The characters and how they interact with each other is always C.E.’s strong writing points and I loved all of the characters in this universe. The book was also full of action and the magic system and tech was pretty well done as well.
The only issues I had with the book were that the book is pretty slow in the being and it takes some getting used to in order to get into the book. But, once I was into the book, it was a quick 5 hour read. There was also some slut shaming which put me off of the main character.
Verdict: Definitely a must read if you’re into fantasy and sci-fi!
Book: Resistor
Author: C.E. Clayton
Book Series: Ellinor Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: sci-fi and fantasy lovers
Publication Date: August 7, 2020
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 17+ (language, violence, gore, death, grief, slight sexual content, slut shaming)
Publisher: Starfish Ink
Pages: 436
Synopsis: Ellinor Rask has wanted one thing for the past eight years: vengeance. But when Ellinor is captured, she finds herself dragged back into the world she walked away from, entangled once more with friends she would rather forget.
As if that weren’t humiliating enough, Ellinor learns first hand that her magic can be stripped away by a piece of bio-tech—and her ex-boss is happy to leash her with the technology in order to get what he wants. If Ellinor behaves, the device will be removed. All she has to do is deliver a package. One containing a creature created from raw magical energy and discarded technology. Simple, right?
But when her goals start getting people murdered, Ellinor has to decide if the year’s planning, her honor, and even her own magic, are worth the lives it’s costing. Dodging ruthless gangsters, she finds herself on the run with a creature of immeasurable magical abilities alongside her one-time friends. Now, Ellinor must relearn to trust the people she once abandoned. She must put her faith in technology, and her life in the hands of independent contractors, all while racing to deliver the package before it gets taken by force, or worse, the creature decides to make an appearance itself.
Review: Oh my word this was an amazing book! I loved the complex world building and the character development. The characters and how they interact with each other is always C.E.’s strong writing points and I loved all of the characters in this universe. The book was also full of action and the magic system and tech was pretty well done as well.
The only issues I had with the book were that the book is pretty slow in the being and it takes some getting used to in order to get into the book. But, once I was into the book, it was a quick 5 hour read. There was also some slut shaming which put me off of the main character.
Verdict: Definitely a must read if you’re into fantasy and sci-fi!
March 29, 2022
Type of Ending ... "To Be Continued and Bittersweet Ending"
Okay ... so I started with the ending because I really don't like this type of ending and frequently will dock a book up to a full star on the ratings depending on how unfinished the story feels at that point. In this case, there was some resolution on the main character's redemption arc, but most of the major plot conflicts were left hanging. This is the ONLY reason this story doesn't get five (5) stars.
This is a science-fantasy story that blends technology with magic and seems to be part of a growing trend that I really enjoy. To be fair, it mostly comes down on the magic side for this book with what appears to be more tech coming up in the sequel. With this in mind, I really enjoyed the world building here (and I was completely impressed with the pronunciation guide in the FRONT of the book). Not quite dystopian, the story does take place within the seedy underbelly of society (aka organized crime) and was told from the POV of an anti-hero (which again seems to be all the rage these days).
What truly sets this book apart though is the character driven story where I had no trouble identifying with most of the characters AND all of the characters had a unique voice. The cast of characters are all dealing with loyalty, love, vengeance and forgiveness and the author gives you a front row seat to watch the struggle without any over the top drama. Ultimately I think that is why the "hero's journey" of the main character worked so well for me ... and I am absolutely invested in what comes next for her.
I was given this free advance review copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#Resistor #BookSirens
This is my first review using BookSirens ... I highly recommend them if you are interested in reading ARCs.
Okay ... so I started with the ending because I really don't like this type of ending and frequently will dock a book up to a full star on the ratings depending on how unfinished the story feels at that point. In this case, there was some resolution on the main character's redemption arc, but most of the major plot conflicts were left hanging. This is the ONLY reason this story doesn't get five (5) stars.
This is a science-fantasy story that blends technology with magic and seems to be part of a growing trend that I really enjoy. To be fair, it mostly comes down on the magic side for this book with what appears to be more tech coming up in the sequel. With this in mind, I really enjoyed the world building here (and I was completely impressed with the pronunciation guide in the FRONT of the book). Not quite dystopian, the story does take place within the seedy underbelly of society (aka organized crime) and was told from the POV of an anti-hero (which again seems to be all the rage these days).
What truly sets this book apart though is the character driven story where I had no trouble identifying with most of the characters AND all of the characters had a unique voice. The cast of characters are all dealing with loyalty, love, vengeance and forgiveness and the author gives you a front row seat to watch the struggle without any over the top drama. Ultimately I think that is why the "hero's journey" of the main character worked so well for me ... and I am absolutely invested in what comes next for her.
I was given this free advance review copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#Resistor #BookSirens
This is my first review using BookSirens ... I highly recommend them if you are interested in reading ARCs.
October 22, 2020
This is a cyberpunk, fantasy story about Ellinor Rask who is an Air caster that seeks revenge for the death of her husband, Misho. This book has a lot of magic, fantasy, and dystopian elements/features and it was actually really fun to read!
The story, however, started at a slow pace which I don’t appreciate because I want the fun and action to start already. Once you get past that though, the story will pick up and it will be amazing until the end!
The world building was definitely a “wow” moment for me! The details will give you a really good picture of the book’s set-up and how cyberpunk it is. I literally pictured it in my head. Also, the characters were outstanding. Each one of them has a good role to the story and they were all unique and fierce in their own way. Even the villains were so good that you would actually want them killed in the story because of how frustrating and annoying they are! I know I wanted them gone… LOL
I highly recommend this to sci-fi AND fantasy lovers, you will love this, for sure!
Thank you to the author for the copy!
The story, however, started at a slow pace which I don’t appreciate because I want the fun and action to start already. Once you get past that though, the story will pick up and it will be amazing until the end!
The world building was definitely a “wow” moment for me! The details will give you a really good picture of the book’s set-up and how cyberpunk it is. I literally pictured it in my head. Also, the characters were outstanding. Each one of them has a good role to the story and they were all unique and fierce in their own way. Even the villains were so good that you would actually want them killed in the story because of how frustrating and annoying they are! I know I wanted them gone… LOL
I highly recommend this to sci-fi AND fantasy lovers, you will love this, for sure!
Thank you to the author for the copy!
August 10, 2020
Ellinor Rask has been after vengeance for the death of her husband, Misho, for 8 years, but now she has a problem. She has been grabbed and taken back to her old boss. He has a job for her that he won’t let her refuse. And to do it, she has had her powers stripped from her by a piece of biotech that wont come off until she completes her mission. Sounds easy, but it’s not.
This is a really good start to CE Claytons new Eerden novel featuring Ellinor and her old team. We get enough background to make it interesting, and this is fast paced and well written enough to keep you hooked to the end. The characters are well rounded, you don’t know who all the bad guys are to start with, and the twists are surprising, which is always good. I look forward to the next instalment.
I received an ARC for free in return for an honest review.
This is a really good start to CE Claytons new Eerden novel featuring Ellinor and her old team. We get enough background to make it interesting, and this is fast paced and well written enough to keep you hooked to the end. The characters are well rounded, you don’t know who all the bad guys are to start with, and the twists are surprising, which is always good. I look forward to the next instalment.
I received an ARC for free in return for an honest review.
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August 20, 2020The cyberpunk/dystopian/fantasy blend I didn't know I needed! Love the hard-edged, complex characters who aren't always likeable but definitely carry the action and emotion of the story. No one is all bad or all good (well, maybe ONE person...) and their choices and decisions feel right for the story even when you really don't want them to go that way. Ruthless action with real consequences, and some fantastically original worldbuilding mixing technology and magic. MC Ellinor's growth (or recovery?) as a character towards the end was amazingly well-done, not too sudden or a total switch of personality, and definitely setting up for the rest of the series in a way that makes me want to read on.
October 7, 2020
This right here is the perfect marriage of scifi and fantasy.
Ellinor has been avenging her husband's death for years. As she is closing in on finishing her goal, she is captured by the one she most blames for Misho's death, their former employer Cosmin. Now forced to work for him again, she must complete his task or risk losing access to her magic forever. But along the way she learns that maybe there are better things to do than constantly fighting for revenge...but is it worth giving up what she has worked so hard for?
Ellinor has been avenging her husband's death for years. As she is closing in on finishing her goal, she is captured by the one she most blames for Misho's death, their former employer Cosmin. Now forced to work for him again, she must complete his task or risk losing access to her magic forever. But along the way she learns that maybe there are better things to do than constantly fighting for revenge...but is it worth giving up what she has worked so hard for?
November 22, 2021
What a fascinating world that was built! It’s been awhile since I’ve read a very plot driven book and it was great. I’m thankful I can read book 2 right now!
September 7, 2020
Thank you Book Sirens and C.E. Clayton for an eARC of this book!
Ellinor Olyesha Rask is pronounced exactly how you would expect. Okay, now that is out of the way. Ellinor Olyesha Rask is a great main character, and I want more and that’s that. The scifi world building is so fun and cool. The science is so good it feels like magic, but there are also casters who are actually magical, so the line between science fiction and fantasy is blurry and I love it.
Ellinor is out for revenge. Her husband was killed in a fight with her former boss, but in her eight year quest to get back at him, she is captured. Her former boss, Cosmin, decides he needs her to help him. He puts her in a collar that cuts off her access to her magic and won’t take it off unless she cooperates. She then has to go on a mission with many of her former teammates to deliver Cosmin’s package and then she is done. But then team members are getting killed or going rouge, and her plans for vengeance don’t seem so simple. She has to learn how to trust again before she has to pay the highest price.
At first I could not stand Ellinor. But just watching her growth in her character arc made me like her a lot more than I did at first. It took me a hot minute to get into it, but by the second half, I did not want to leave Ellinor. Her main focus was on the death of her husband and her desire for vengeance. She had been working alone since her husband’s death, and seeing her having to interact with others that knew him forced her out of her new angry comfort zone.
For a book with one strong main character, there are a lot of side characters. A lot of her former coworkers were introduced early on, and I was unsure which to care about. I also got some of them confused with each other. But as the team shifted around and different people left, it became clear who mattered the most. It took a little bit of a long time for my liking, but once it did, I was really excited by the characters that were left.
A bit of a spoiler here, but the ending is not a closed door. There are definitely a lot of loose ends left over for the sequel, so if that bothers you, you have been warned. However, the way it ends does not have a just stop vibe. I hope the sequel picks up right were this left off and that’s all I will say on the subject.
Overall, this is a pretty good book. I like the world, I like the main character, and I think the character arc of the main character is one of the strongest I’ve seen in awhile. I highly recommend this for science fiction and fantasy fans!
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Romantic Subplot Rating: ❤❤❤/5
Ellinor is obsessed with vengeance for her husband and keeping his memory alive. So it is not until the team gets smaller that the twinkle of a subplot starts creeping in. I know Ellinor would be mad if I said it, but I have high expectations for the rest of her relationship with this particular character. And that is all.
Ellinor Olyesha Rask is pronounced exactly how you would expect. Okay, now that is out of the way. Ellinor Olyesha Rask is a great main character, and I want more and that’s that. The scifi world building is so fun and cool. The science is so good it feels like magic, but there are also casters who are actually magical, so the line between science fiction and fantasy is blurry and I love it.
Ellinor is out for revenge. Her husband was killed in a fight with her former boss, but in her eight year quest to get back at him, she is captured. Her former boss, Cosmin, decides he needs her to help him. He puts her in a collar that cuts off her access to her magic and won’t take it off unless she cooperates. She then has to go on a mission with many of her former teammates to deliver Cosmin’s package and then she is done. But then team members are getting killed or going rouge, and her plans for vengeance don’t seem so simple. She has to learn how to trust again before she has to pay the highest price.
At first I could not stand Ellinor. But just watching her growth in her character arc made me like her a lot more than I did at first. It took me a hot minute to get into it, but by the second half, I did not want to leave Ellinor. Her main focus was on the death of her husband and her desire for vengeance. She had been working alone since her husband’s death, and seeing her having to interact with others that knew him forced her out of her new angry comfort zone.
For a book with one strong main character, there are a lot of side characters. A lot of her former coworkers were introduced early on, and I was unsure which to care about. I also got some of them confused with each other. But as the team shifted around and different people left, it became clear who mattered the most. It took a little bit of a long time for my liking, but once it did, I was really excited by the characters that were left.
A bit of a spoiler here, but the ending is not a closed door. There are definitely a lot of loose ends left over for the sequel, so if that bothers you, you have been warned. However, the way it ends does not have a just stop vibe. I hope the sequel picks up right were this left off and that’s all I will say on the subject.
Overall, this is a pretty good book. I like the world, I like the main character, and I think the character arc of the main character is one of the strongest I’ve seen in awhile. I highly recommend this for science fiction and fantasy fans!
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Romantic Subplot Rating: ❤❤❤/5
Ellinor is obsessed with vengeance for her husband and keeping his memory alive. So it is not until the team gets smaller that the twinkle of a subplot starts creeping in. I know Ellinor would be mad if I said it, but I have high expectations for the rest of her relationship with this particular character. And that is all.
October 15, 2020
Thanks to BookSirens for a finished copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review (pub date Aug 7, 2020)--
Ellinor Rask is in a hell of a predicament. She's dead set on getting vengeance on her old gangster boss Cosmin, for allowing her husband to be irresponsibly killed on the job. But then Cosmin captures her, attaches a collar around her neck that takes away her magic, and forces her to go on a perilous journey escorting a dangerous prize: a dreeocht--a powerful creature formed from both magic and technology. To make matters worse, Ellinor will be taking this trip with her old crew, who she abandoned when she left her job. To say that the crew has complicated feelings about Ellinor would be an understatement.
This engaging premise starts C.E. Clayton's cyberpunk novel Resistor (the first of a series, so the ending is a cliffhanger), which takes place in a world called Eerden. Certain people in Eerden possess magical abilities that allow them to manipulate elements (for example, Ellinor can control air). Besides humani, like Ellinor, C.E. Clayton's universe also contains a race called the Seersha, sentient AI beings named Ashlings, and other monstrous critters formed when magic, technology, and organic matter collide. Ellinor must venture across this land with her wary crew and scary prize in tow, navigating mutinous plots and meeting helpful independent contractors along the way--all without the use of her magic.
C.E. Clayton's book will please readers looking for an epic science fiction/fantasy adventure, with plenty of play-by-play action scenes and tons of great characters (my favorite being Kai--Ellinor's former best friend, who's loyal to a fault, craves a good fight, and is head-over-heels in love with Cosmin). Sometimes the narrative can be a little slow moving, and there are a few moments where the exposition about some of the world's creatures happens a bit quick, but overall Clayton maintains a balance between moving the story forward and helping the reader learn more about the world and the characters. Perhaps the most moving element of the novel is an important commentary on vengeance, which Ellinor has to learn isn't everything. Sometimes your previous prejudices are upended and your plans need to change, which can be an important learning process and sign of growth--especially if your new goal involves help, care, and kindness.
Ellinor Rask is in a hell of a predicament. She's dead set on getting vengeance on her old gangster boss Cosmin, for allowing her husband to be irresponsibly killed on the job. But then Cosmin captures her, attaches a collar around her neck that takes away her magic, and forces her to go on a perilous journey escorting a dangerous prize: a dreeocht--a powerful creature formed from both magic and technology. To make matters worse, Ellinor will be taking this trip with her old crew, who she abandoned when she left her job. To say that the crew has complicated feelings about Ellinor would be an understatement.
This engaging premise starts C.E. Clayton's cyberpunk novel Resistor (the first of a series, so the ending is a cliffhanger), which takes place in a world called Eerden. Certain people in Eerden possess magical abilities that allow them to manipulate elements (for example, Ellinor can control air). Besides humani, like Ellinor, C.E. Clayton's universe also contains a race called the Seersha, sentient AI beings named Ashlings, and other monstrous critters formed when magic, technology, and organic matter collide. Ellinor must venture across this land with her wary crew and scary prize in tow, navigating mutinous plots and meeting helpful independent contractors along the way--all without the use of her magic.
C.E. Clayton's book will please readers looking for an epic science fiction/fantasy adventure, with plenty of play-by-play action scenes and tons of great characters (my favorite being Kai--Ellinor's former best friend, who's loyal to a fault, craves a good fight, and is head-over-heels in love with Cosmin). Sometimes the narrative can be a little slow moving, and there are a few moments where the exposition about some of the world's creatures happens a bit quick, but overall Clayton maintains a balance between moving the story forward and helping the reader learn more about the world and the characters. Perhaps the most moving element of the novel is an important commentary on vengeance, which Ellinor has to learn isn't everything. Sometimes your previous prejudices are upended and your plans need to change, which can be an important learning process and sign of growth--especially if your new goal involves help, care, and kindness.
September 3, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If I were to describe this novel in a single word, it would be “vengeance”.
It has been eight years since the death of Ellinor’s husband. Not a day goes by without her thinking about him and the man who committed the crime. Bent on revenge and rage, Ellinor vows to seek vengeance on her old boss. However, things get a little complicated when her old boss captures her and forces her to run a fool's errand without using her magical abilities. To make matters worse, Ellinor discovers that her old crew would be tagging along on the mission. Betrayal and deceit lurk around every corner. Ellinor must tread carefully if she wants to live, better yet, get her revenge.
Resistor is one of the most action-packed novels I have ever read. It started a little slow. But by 30%, you are thrown into nonstop action, where the stakes only seemed to get higher and higher. I was fascinated with the word and learning more about their technology and magical abilities.
I fell in love with Kai and Jelani almost immediately! Although their intentions were unknown at that point, I was with them until the end. As for Ellinor’s character, I thought she was quite complex. There are many layers to her, and she is very aware of which one she pulls back. There is so much to unpack about her character! However, her thoughts about vengeance kind of got a little old after a while. I would have liked to have been able to see Ellinor with her powers a little bit more at the beginning to understand how much of a disadvantage she is at throughout the book.
I was presently surprised by how fast I read this book. Clayton does a great job of keeping the readers hooked. If you like action and adventure, then this book is perfect!
One thing I was not anticipating while reading this book was the graphic detail of gore. While I did not have that big of an issue with it, it is something for others to keep in mind before picking up this book.
If I were to describe this novel in a single word, it would be “vengeance”.
It has been eight years since the death of Ellinor’s husband. Not a day goes by without her thinking about him and the man who committed the crime. Bent on revenge and rage, Ellinor vows to seek vengeance on her old boss. However, things get a little complicated when her old boss captures her and forces her to run a fool's errand without using her magical abilities. To make matters worse, Ellinor discovers that her old crew would be tagging along on the mission. Betrayal and deceit lurk around every corner. Ellinor must tread carefully if she wants to live, better yet, get her revenge.
Resistor is one of the most action-packed novels I have ever read. It started a little slow. But by 30%, you are thrown into nonstop action, where the stakes only seemed to get higher and higher. I was fascinated with the word and learning more about their technology and magical abilities.
I fell in love with Kai and Jelani almost immediately! Although their intentions were unknown at that point, I was with them until the end. As for Ellinor’s character, I thought she was quite complex. There are many layers to her, and she is very aware of which one she pulls back. There is so much to unpack about her character! However, her thoughts about vengeance kind of got a little old after a while. I would have liked to have been able to see Ellinor with her powers a little bit more at the beginning to understand how much of a disadvantage she is at throughout the book.
I was presently surprised by how fast I read this book. Clayton does a great job of keeping the readers hooked. If you like action and adventure, then this book is perfect!
One thing I was not anticipating while reading this book was the graphic detail of gore. While I did not have that big of an issue with it, it is something for others to keep in mind before picking up this book.
October 2, 2020
"This is for the ER doctors and technicians who said my brain was "unremarkable".
This is the dedication for Resistor by C.E. Clayton. I posted it so you can get just a small example of what a bad-ass this author is and how well it pours into her main character Ellinor.
The writer has created the original world of Eerden in her first book of this new action packed series. This is a world of magic mixed with technology and is like nothing I have read before and yet there was so much pure emotion that I was brought to tears.
Ellinor has spent 8 years planning her revenge for the murder of her husband by her ex gangster boss. Her plans go up in smoke when he captures her and puts her in a trap that prevents her from using any magic. He promises to free her after she makes a delivery for him of a very sketchy package. Forced to work with people she left behind years ago she has to rebuild trust and think over her revenge plans.
The characters in this book encapsulate so many great types from the villainous bad guys to the big scary giant with a heart of gold (Kai my 2nd fav).
Ellinor's arc reminded me so much of Michael in The Godfather. She tried so hard to get out of the criminal underground and like in that story, " everytime I try to leave they pull me back in". It's The Godfather + Blade Runner + Shadowhunters in one and yet it is its own new exciting experience.
The language is explicitly vivid like the cover of the book. You can see the grime on the walls, smell the blood from every fight and wonder of the power of a woman scorn.
After you read Resistor and wait impatiently for book 2 please check out the author's The Monster of Selkirk series. It is Buffy on steroids!
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
This is the dedication for Resistor by C.E. Clayton. I posted it so you can get just a small example of what a bad-ass this author is and how well it pours into her main character Ellinor.
The writer has created the original world of Eerden in her first book of this new action packed series. This is a world of magic mixed with technology and is like nothing I have read before and yet there was so much pure emotion that I was brought to tears.
Ellinor has spent 8 years planning her revenge for the murder of her husband by her ex gangster boss. Her plans go up in smoke when he captures her and puts her in a trap that prevents her from using any magic. He promises to free her after she makes a delivery for him of a very sketchy package. Forced to work with people she left behind years ago she has to rebuild trust and think over her revenge plans.
The characters in this book encapsulate so many great types from the villainous bad guys to the big scary giant with a heart of gold (Kai my 2nd fav).
Ellinor's arc reminded me so much of Michael in The Godfather. She tried so hard to get out of the criminal underground and like in that story, " everytime I try to leave they pull me back in". It's The Godfather + Blade Runner + Shadowhunters in one and yet it is its own new exciting experience.
The language is explicitly vivid like the cover of the book. You can see the grime on the walls, smell the blood from every fight and wonder of the power of a woman scorn.
After you read Resistor and wait impatiently for book 2 please check out the author's The Monster of Selkirk series. It is Buffy on steroids!
I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 25, 2020
I hunted down this ARC solely because of Bookstagram. I saw the cover, I read the blurb, I knew I had to read it. And it did not disappoint! I giggled and settled in for a good read when I saw the first chapter is titled "Well Shit...Part One."
The main character is perfectly sassy without being annoying - which is a rare achievement in the sci fi books I've read recently. She's funny and badass and humanly flawed. The world-building is interesting but not hugely fleshed out; instead a short backstory is placed at the beginning.
I'm still not sure how I feel about the main character's tragic backstory itself; there was a bit of "telling-not-showing" and I couldn't get a grasp on the personality of one of the characters. However, the rest of the cast in the present setting of the book were all excellent.
Resistor is definitely a setup for more world building and storytelling, as there wasn't really a solid "conclusion," but neither did it end on a true cliffhanger. I am looking forward to more!!
Thank you to the author and BookSirens, where I found this ARC.
The main character is perfectly sassy without being annoying - which is a rare achievement in the sci fi books I've read recently. She's funny and badass and humanly flawed. The world-building is interesting but not hugely fleshed out; instead a short backstory is placed at the beginning.
I'm still not sure how I feel about the main character's tragic backstory itself; there was a bit of "telling-not-showing" and I couldn't get a grasp on the personality of one of the characters. However, the rest of the cast in the present setting of the book were all excellent.
Resistor is definitely a setup for more world building and storytelling, as there wasn't really a solid "conclusion," but neither did it end on a true cliffhanger. I am looking forward to more!!
Thank you to the author and BookSirens, where I found this ARC.
September 24, 2020
When a book begins with a pronunciation guide and a map, I just know I’m in for a treat!
I don’t read a lot of sci-fi books but I definitely enjoyed this one. 💖 I love that the book started where it did, years past the pinnacle of Ellinor’s career, because it gave the readers so much backstory and mystery to sift through.
I also love that the book didn't revolve around romance, despite her motivations being rooted in her love for Misho. However, I had a bit of trouble fully connecting with Ellinor because she felt remote and disconnected from her surroundings in the beginning. I later understood that this was intentional and, I must say, it was executed very well. I loved seeing the characters' growth along the journey and I cannot wait to see what's in store for the rest of the series.
I don’t read a lot of sci-fi books but I definitely enjoyed this one. 💖 I love that the book started where it did, years past the pinnacle of Ellinor’s career, because it gave the readers so much backstory and mystery to sift through.
I also love that the book didn't revolve around romance, despite her motivations being rooted in her love for Misho. However, I had a bit of trouble fully connecting with Ellinor because she felt remote and disconnected from her surroundings in the beginning. I later understood that this was intentional and, I must say, it was executed very well. I loved seeing the characters' growth along the journey and I cannot wait to see what's in store for the rest of the series.
October 25, 2020
What an intricate and just down right colorful cyberpunk/fantasy book!
I absolutely loved the main character, Ellinor, whose life long mission is to get vengeance for the death of her husband. She's relatable, cold, and kind of a badass. However, as much as I found her legit amazing, she was extremely real. She gets to the point where she's almost blinded by her need for vengeance, which we can see how it affects her choices in the story.
The rest of the characters were 100% deep and I fell in love with all of them - they were SO well written!
Overall, this book was wonderful. The blend of magic and technology was beautiful and vivid, and I'm excited to read more from this author. Easily a new favorite!
Thank you so much to C.E Clayton and Netgalley for the ARC.
I absolutely loved the main character, Ellinor, whose life long mission is to get vengeance for the death of her husband. She's relatable, cold, and kind of a badass. However, as much as I found her legit amazing, she was extremely real. She gets to the point where she's almost blinded by her need for vengeance, which we can see how it affects her choices in the story.
The rest of the characters were 100% deep and I fell in love with all of them - they were SO well written!
Overall, this book was wonderful. The blend of magic and technology was beautiful and vivid, and I'm excited to read more from this author. Easily a new favorite!
Thank you so much to C.E Clayton and Netgalley for the ARC.
January 18, 2021
This is a great book! It will satisfy the lovers of fantasy fiction, science fiction, futuristic dystopian, cyberpunk— and it kicks ass if, like me, you’re into all of the above! Ellinor is a complex protagonist. She’s strong, skilled, and out for vengeance. She’s also got a realistic dab of fragility as she deals with the pain of loss. Clayton’s world-building is layered and interesting. This is at the core of her amazing storytelling. There is a ton of action- the book really satisfies in that way. While it is a complete novel, it also left me wanting more and excited for the next in the series. C’mon, Clayton! Put that “unremarkable” brain to work and crank more of these babies out!
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December 10, 2020I'm so excited and proud to bring you all the special hardcover of this book! It's in FULL COLOR and includes all the exclusive art that was only available with the pre-order, as well as the signed paperbacks. It also has new character art on it's dust jacket! I could honestly gush about how pretty this book is, but you can also see it for yourself and hold it in your hands now, too!
December 13, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this finished book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Resistor
Author: C.E. Clayton
Book Series: Ellinor Book 1
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Queer character, Lesbian character, Black character, Deaf character
Recommended For...: science fiction, heist
Publication Date: October 1, 2020
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 17+ (Language, sexual content, Religion, Death, Grief, Sexism, Romance, Gore, Violence, PTSD, Sacrifice)
Explanation of CWs: There is cursing in this book. There is some slight sexual content and romance. There is a scene of a spouse death and grief is dealt with throughout the book. There is some religion talk in this book. There is some sexism shown in this book. There is lots of gore and violence. There is a scene of PTSD and a scene of a sacrifice shown.
Publisher: Starfish Ink
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Ellinor Rask has wanted one thing for the past eight years: vengeance. But when Ellinor is captured, she finds herself dragged back into the world she walked away from, entangled once more with friends she would rather forget.
As if that weren’t humiliating enough, Ellinor learns first hand that her magic can be stripped away by a piece of bio-tech—and her ex-boss is happy to leash her with the technology in order to get what he wants. If Ellinor behaves, the device will be removed. All she has to do is deliver a package. One containing a creature created from raw magical energy and discarded technology. Simple, right?
But when her goals start getting people murdered, Ellinor has to decide if the year’s planning, her honor, and even her own magic, are worth the lives it’s costing. Dodging ruthless gangsters, she finds herself on the run with a creature of immeasurable magical abilities alongside her one-time friends. Now, Ellinor must relearn to trust the people she once abandoned. She must put her faith in technology, and her life in the hands of independent contractors, all while racing to deliver the package before it gets taken by force, or worse, the creature decides to make an appearance itself.
Review: Overall, I enjoyed my reread of this book. I loved the main cast of characters and I always enjoy a great heist read. I don’t see a lot of these heist books set in space, which is where I like to read, so it’s even better when the book is a sci-fi heist like book. The book had great world building and great character development. The book also had a good plot and the story flowed well. I also really liked the magic in this book and it worked well with the technology and sci-fi aspect.
However, I did feel like there was room for improvement in the book. There are a lot of characters and the amount of different characters and things you have to remember is a bit daunting. I found it hard to remember who was who from the huge cast. The book was a bit too fast paced in my opinion and I felt like I was being bounced around from place to place. It was hard to keep up with where the book was going sometimes. I feel like if the book was slowed down and maybe some more time was spent with the characters or if they were slimmed down a bit then it would have been a bit better for me.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: Resistor
Author: C.E. Clayton
Book Series: Ellinor Book 1
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Queer character, Lesbian character, Black character, Deaf character
Recommended For...: science fiction, heist
Publication Date: October 1, 2020
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 17+ (Language, sexual content, Religion, Death, Grief, Sexism, Romance, Gore, Violence, PTSD, Sacrifice)
Explanation of CWs: There is cursing in this book. There is some slight sexual content and romance. There is a scene of a spouse death and grief is dealt with throughout the book. There is some religion talk in this book. There is some sexism shown in this book. There is lots of gore and violence. There is a scene of PTSD and a scene of a sacrifice shown.
Publisher: Starfish Ink
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Ellinor Rask has wanted one thing for the past eight years: vengeance. But when Ellinor is captured, she finds herself dragged back into the world she walked away from, entangled once more with friends she would rather forget.
As if that weren’t humiliating enough, Ellinor learns first hand that her magic can be stripped away by a piece of bio-tech—and her ex-boss is happy to leash her with the technology in order to get what he wants. If Ellinor behaves, the device will be removed. All she has to do is deliver a package. One containing a creature created from raw magical energy and discarded technology. Simple, right?
But when her goals start getting people murdered, Ellinor has to decide if the year’s planning, her honor, and even her own magic, are worth the lives it’s costing. Dodging ruthless gangsters, she finds herself on the run with a creature of immeasurable magical abilities alongside her one-time friends. Now, Ellinor must relearn to trust the people she once abandoned. She must put her faith in technology, and her life in the hands of independent contractors, all while racing to deliver the package before it gets taken by force, or worse, the creature decides to make an appearance itself.
Review: Overall, I enjoyed my reread of this book. I loved the main cast of characters and I always enjoy a great heist read. I don’t see a lot of these heist books set in space, which is where I like to read, so it’s even better when the book is a sci-fi heist like book. The book had great world building and great character development. The book also had a good plot and the story flowed well. I also really liked the magic in this book and it worked well with the technology and sci-fi aspect.
However, I did feel like there was room for improvement in the book. There are a lot of characters and the amount of different characters and things you have to remember is a bit daunting. I found it hard to remember who was who from the huge cast. The book was a bit too fast paced in my opinion and I felt like I was being bounced around from place to place. It was hard to keep up with where the book was going sometimes. I feel like if the book was slowed down and maybe some more time was spent with the characters or if they were slimmed down a bit then it would have been a bit better for me.
Verdict: It was good!
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November 12, 20203.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and to the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This was an interesting book, a mix between sci-fi and fantasy (because we have an interesting blend of magic and tech, and this was great!) with some cyberpunk atmosphere to pleasantly add to everything.
The world-building could have been maybe sketched out more, or this is just me complaining a bit because I wanted more. I cannot say because we have enough in there, we see a lot of interesting new things and races, new places and technology, so I cannot really complain but… but yes, I wished to see a bit more. But this is just a minor thing.
And we have some interesting characters! Ellinor is our MC, and I am a bit confused about her. On one hand I enjoyed her quite a lot. She is a bad-ass, she is determined, she has some baggage, yes, but she has her heart in the right place (even if you may have to dig to find it) and all of this is great. But she is also a woman who cannot let go, she is consumed by her revenge and she is hell bent on her mission. And even if all this helps make her more human, more complex and more interesting as a character, sometime it was too much for me. I found myself rolling my eyes from time to time while I was reading about her. It wasn’t another big thing, yes, but sometimes it was a tad… boring.
Luckily for us we have a lot of others characters, and all of them are quite interesting. Cosmin is not my usual kind of character, but I enjoyed him anyway. Mind me, I am not a fan of his, and I cannot say that he is good, because nope, absolutely nope. But he is intriguing. A lot. And Kai? Don’t get me started on him. He is just the sweetest! (And yes, I think that some of my problems with Ellinor were due to some of her attitude on him. And yes, it was not an uncalled thing, and yes it makes sense and it helps make Ell more real but… sometimes it was like watching her kicking a puppy. And this is just not done!!!)
And Jalani is an intriguing character. I think that maybe I wanted to see more of him, but we see plenty of him, so again, this is a minor complain with no weight to it.
But the best was Fiss. He is just so sweet, and so cute! I need more of him in my life. And I won’t say more about him. You just have to meet Fiss for yourself!
The plot is not bad, it is full of action and intrigues, and it is fast-paced. It is not so original or unexpected. I mean, I knew we would get something like this well before the mid point, so there wasn’t anything unexpected but it was not boring, and coupled with an interesting world-building and some great characters makes this book worth reading!
Thanks to NetGalley and to the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This was an interesting book, a mix between sci-fi and fantasy (because we have an interesting blend of magic and tech, and this was great!) with some cyberpunk atmosphere to pleasantly add to everything.
The world-building could have been maybe sketched out more, or this is just me complaining a bit because I wanted more. I cannot say because we have enough in there, we see a lot of interesting new things and races, new places and technology, so I cannot really complain but… but yes, I wished to see a bit more. But this is just a minor thing.
And we have some interesting characters! Ellinor is our MC, and I am a bit confused about her. On one hand I enjoyed her quite a lot. She is a bad-ass, she is determined, she has some baggage, yes, but she has her heart in the right place (even if you may have to dig to find it) and all of this is great. But she is also a woman who cannot let go, she is consumed by her revenge and she is hell bent on her mission. And even if all this helps make her more human, more complex and more interesting as a character, sometime it was too much for me. I found myself rolling my eyes from time to time while I was reading about her. It wasn’t another big thing, yes, but sometimes it was a tad… boring.
Luckily for us we have a lot of others characters, and all of them are quite interesting. Cosmin is not my usual kind of character, but I enjoyed him anyway. Mind me, I am not a fan of his, and I cannot say that he is good, because nope, absolutely nope. But he is intriguing. A lot. And Kai? Don’t get me started on him. He is just the sweetest! (And yes, I think that some of my problems with Ellinor were due to some of her attitude on him. And yes, it was not an uncalled thing, and yes it makes sense and it helps make Ell more real but… sometimes it was like watching her kicking a puppy. And this is just not done!!!)
And Jalani is an intriguing character. I think that maybe I wanted to see more of him, but we see plenty of him, so again, this is a minor complain with no weight to it.
But the best was Fiss. He is just so sweet, and so cute! I need more of him in my life. And I won’t say more about him. You just have to meet Fiss for yourself!
The plot is not bad, it is full of action and intrigues, and it is fast-paced. It is not so original or unexpected. I mean, I knew we would get something like this well before the mid point, so there wasn’t anything unexpected but it was not boring, and coupled with an interesting world-building and some great characters makes this book worth reading!
September 4, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I've been a fan of Shadowrun since the days of the SNES game, the tabletop RPG, Robert N. Charrette excellent Shadowrun books through to the latest Shadowrun returns games. Needless to say, when I saw a book set in a similar world, i was eager to read it.
The book's tragic heroine is Ellinor Rask, desperately haunted by the death of her husband she lives for revenge. Ellinor had an "interesting" life she thought she had left behind until a figure from her past changes everything. Captured by her ex-boss, magic stripped away; the only option is one last desperate run.
Ellinor's world is similar in many ways to Shadowrun; she runs the job with her old crew in a setting more criminal underworld than the lord of the rings. The book isn't pure cyberpunk; it's more magic than technology in this book, a Shadowrun-Esque environment heavier in magic. The book starts slow, soon growing increasingly action-packed as the story progresses. Despite the above-average worldbuilding, the real star of the story isn't the plot, which has a satisfying amount of twists; it's the characters. There's a depth of complexity to the characters, richness, variety and flavour, so many authors struggle to achieve. Human and filled with flaws, they are easy to relate with. The memorable interactions between the members of Ellinor's crew add intricate layers to the story that elevates it above the norm.
This book does most things right; unfortunately, it's guilty of something I dislike. The story doesn't cleanly end; it stops abruptly leaving a lot of plot threads hanging to set up the next book. I recommend waiting for this series to finish before buying the books. An above-average book, I look forward to reading what happens next and possibly exploring more of the author's work.
I've been a fan of Shadowrun since the days of the SNES game, the tabletop RPG, Robert N. Charrette excellent Shadowrun books through to the latest Shadowrun returns games. Needless to say, when I saw a book set in a similar world, i was eager to read it.
The book's tragic heroine is Ellinor Rask, desperately haunted by the death of her husband she lives for revenge. Ellinor had an "interesting" life she thought she had left behind until a figure from her past changes everything. Captured by her ex-boss, magic stripped away; the only option is one last desperate run.
Ellinor's world is similar in many ways to Shadowrun; she runs the job with her old crew in a setting more criminal underworld than the lord of the rings. The book isn't pure cyberpunk; it's more magic than technology in this book, a Shadowrun-Esque environment heavier in magic. The book starts slow, soon growing increasingly action-packed as the story progresses. Despite the above-average worldbuilding, the real star of the story isn't the plot, which has a satisfying amount of twists; it's the characters. There's a depth of complexity to the characters, richness, variety and flavour, so many authors struggle to achieve. Human and filled with flaws, they are easy to relate with. The memorable interactions between the members of Ellinor's crew add intricate layers to the story that elevates it above the norm.
This book does most things right; unfortunately, it's guilty of something I dislike. The story doesn't cleanly end; it stops abruptly leaving a lot of plot threads hanging to set up the next book. I recommend waiting for this series to finish before buying the books. An above-average book, I look forward to reading what happens next and possibly exploring more of the author's work.
November 2, 2021
** Thank you Goodreads and CE Clayton for the free kindle book giveaway in exchange for an honest review **
This book gave me vibes of Cinder and Marvel mixed in one. Ellinor is a badass chick, with air powers, that has been on a long road of vengeance against those involved in the death of her husband. It’s been 8 bloody years since she walked out on her gangster boss, team and good friend. With her sights on killing the few remaining involved and the one who headed it all, she decides being captured by her old boss just might be useful, however, he has rendered her powers useless and forced her to do a job she didn’t know might change everything. Her only bit of comfort is that the job she’s required to do, involves being close to her dead husband’s residual power.
At first, I got a little tripped up on the who is who with the characters, but it wasn’t a big deal. Clayton has a good mixture of people and personalities in this book. People you might strongly dislike become those you root for and while Ellinor is a stubborn, strong willed, narrow minded person you can’t help, but to care for her.
Kai reminds me a lot of Hagrid from Harry Potter. He is large, strong, undeniably faithful and kind hearted at the same time. Kai was Ellinor’s good friend and teammate when she was their lieutenant, but he is also the person that put the ring on her neck to harness her powers. It’s a hard thing to forgive when all you feel is a void of emptiness where your powers used to be. Will she add him to her list of those who wronged her or will she be able to bounce back to their old friendship?
Jelani is the mysterious man thrown in to the mix. Ellinor finds him hard to read and doesn’t trust his intentions. When she finds herself in some bad situations she has to decide who in her old team she can trust and if Jelani is an enemy or ally. Out of all the characters I find myself wanting to know more about Jelani. He’s the onion.
While the book is a cliffhanger there is another one coming out soon and I’m hoping to see what comes of Jelani, Ellinor and the others. There’s so much that can go wrong and so many things I hope go right with a few of them.
This book gave me vibes of Cinder and Marvel mixed in one. Ellinor is a badass chick, with air powers, that has been on a long road of vengeance against those involved in the death of her husband. It’s been 8 bloody years since she walked out on her gangster boss, team and good friend. With her sights on killing the few remaining involved and the one who headed it all, she decides being captured by her old boss just might be useful, however, he has rendered her powers useless and forced her to do a job she didn’t know might change everything. Her only bit of comfort is that the job she’s required to do, involves being close to her dead husband’s residual power.
At first, I got a little tripped up on the who is who with the characters, but it wasn’t a big deal. Clayton has a good mixture of people and personalities in this book. People you might strongly dislike become those you root for and while Ellinor is a stubborn, strong willed, narrow minded person you can’t help, but to care for her.
Kai reminds me a lot of Hagrid from Harry Potter. He is large, strong, undeniably faithful and kind hearted at the same time. Kai was Ellinor’s good friend and teammate when she was their lieutenant, but he is also the person that put the ring on her neck to harness her powers. It’s a hard thing to forgive when all you feel is a void of emptiness where your powers used to be. Will she add him to her list of those who wronged her or will she be able to bounce back to their old friendship?
Jelani is the mysterious man thrown in to the mix. Ellinor finds him hard to read and doesn’t trust his intentions. When she finds herself in some bad situations she has to decide who in her old team she can trust and if Jelani is an enemy or ally. Out of all the characters I find myself wanting to know more about Jelani. He’s the onion.
While the book is a cliffhanger there is another one coming out soon and I’m hoping to see what comes of Jelani, Ellinor and the others. There’s so much that can go wrong and so many things I hope go right with a few of them.
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