The Alchemists of Loom (Loom Saga #1)

                Hello happy readers!  Guess what?  I finished another audiobook?  I can't believe it took me until the end of last year to really get into them because they are so awesome!  I listened to this one in one day, 90% while at work so whoohoo talk about productive.  The book in question today is The Alchemists of Loom (Loom Saga #1) by Elise Kova.  She has several other books, she's like a book writing powerhouse, and I have read the first two books in her Air Awakens series and enjoyed them just got caught up and derailed from continuing on but plan to finish those this year.  I have reviewed Air Awakens & Fire Falling.  

Rating: 5 Stars

                So this is a new story and I didn't know a ton about it going in.  I remember reading the summary back when it was first announced and wanting to read it but that's it.  Like all her books the cover is very eye catching and I liked the unearlthy feel of it with the color contrasts and such.  Plus the chick on the cover looks pretty kick butt!  So we follow Ari, of Loom who lost everything when the Dragon King came down and took control of Loom.  She has turned her gift for machinery and her unique ability to thieving and making life as hard as possible for the Dragon oppressors.  Cvareh, a Dragon, has left Nova and come down to Loom, with others seeking his head, to try and align with Loom and help his family topple the Dragon King once and for all.  When Ari sees Cvareh she sees an opportunity for valuable parts while he sees a guide to get where he needs to go.  So he offers her the only thing that could stay her hand at trying to murder him, a boon.  Now they must travel together to get to the Alchemists Guild.

                This audiobook, it was only about ten hours and some change which doesn't seem long at all and it did fly by yet Kova still managed to get so much into this book.  It dives right into the action and we are literally introduced to the story as it is unfolding around us.  Oh and not just one but two worlds full of magic, rules, politics and the like but new creatures.  Dragons, who aren't what one normally things of Dragons or the people of Loom (the name of which I can't spell because audiobook) and chimera.  These different aspects alone make this a super unique type story but then you add in all the magic and the politics of the worlds both past and present and you have yourself a thrilling story.

                Let us not forget we also have fast paced action happening.  From heists and daring escapes, to straight out battles between different groups it was full on intense.  One of the reasons it flew by so quickly was that I was constantly on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next.  With the action and overall story you also have all the delicious tension from two enemies being forced together where they have problems trusting the other.  This is one full book of awesome stuff.  I can't think of too many things to say about the story itself without giving so much away so I really just have to recommend you dive in and enjoy.

One of my favorite lines ever!

                Something I can touch on without giving much away is that we also get multiple POVs that jump around and really broaden the horizon and give you more depth and understanding to each of our characters.  We also see from all the different sides and while you clearly are rooting for some less than others, having the insight into them really added to the story.  I finished this book and I wanted more right away.  Thankfully the next book, The Dragons of Nova, comes out next month 7/11 so I don't have to wait long.  There is no pre-order for the audiobook yet but I am hoping to continue in this format and maybe finish in another one day listen!  Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys intricate worlds and magical systems, high fantasy and complex characters!

                Until next time…

The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I worked this one but I did get some sleep and some OTC stuff and my sinuses are back to their normal irritating levels.  I also had a chance to finish some great books and one I’d like to discuss today is The ShadowQueen by C.J. Redwine the first book in the Ravenspire series.  I previously reviewed the Defiance series (Defiance, Deception, Deliverance) if you'd like to check them out.  Clearly I went in a fan of her writing and ready to see what new fantasy was coming to life. 

Rating:  5 Stars

                For those who don’t know The Shadow Queen is a Snow White retelling of sorts with the evil queen and the innocent princess and rightful heir wanting to take back her crown and save her people.  Lorelai, the princess and fugitive, has one mission:  killing her step mother and evil queen Irina before she completely destroys their land.  They have one thing in common, magic.  Irina has been using her magic for longer than Lorelai has been alive and is known as the most dangerous sorceress any has ever known.  So when a neighboring kingdom Eldr, a land of dragon shifters how cool, find the war in their land with invading ogres has taken a turn they are not equipped to take on, their leader Kol will make a deal with the queen to save his land.  Bring the queen Lorelai’s heart and the ogres will be stopped; the only problem is Lorelai is on her own mission to save her people and not a damsel in distress. 

                First side note that adds to the book love, how pretty it is.  The cover is simple and perfect, even more so as you read, but the naked book…those end pages in the bright red map!  OH I was so excited for them. 

               Now moving on to what is important, what’s inside the lovely book ends.  I was in LOVE with this book from the start.  The Shadow Queen starts off with a bang for sure and in the first 50 pages I was entranced and didn’t want to put it down.  First Irina is evil incarnate and pretty badass, I can admit when someone is a good villain, while I never rooted for her I respected her power and her level of crazy.  Lorelai was just endearing from the start in her Robin Hood type moves to try and help her people and build herself up.  Plus her interactions with Leo and Gabril cemented the familial bond and I just adored them.  And while I’m not personally a fan of feathered creatures in real life, hey fears run deep, still I loved Sasha and the conversations about "gifts" brought me up every time.  Kol was very similar in several ways.  I found him charming in the best of ways not only because of the obvious charm but for his humor and his strength of conviction to what is right and to his people.  No matter how flippant he may seem in the beginning as soon as things get serious he steps up.  And while he may do anything to save his people he still struggles with his decisions and find a way to continue to be honorable. 

               

                The world we are thrown into is one of magic both good and evil and so much more.  I felt like I understood the world, though I still have much more to learn.  This is after all the first book in a new series and the map has lots of other places on it….just saying.  Plus we spent pretty much the whole time in Ravenspire and I look forward to seeing more of Eldr and the other lands.  Some of the magic has yet to be expanded upon but again more books.  The story moved along very quickly and there was a ton of action from chases to fights both normal and magical with never a dull moment.  When you're a fugitive you can't sit still too long!  We also have some romance happening and while this is a surprisingly short book it didn't feel rushed to me, it felt natural given the pacing and events in the book.  Blending foes and friends and finding the right path.

                Basically I loved it and think you should pick it up if you're in the mood for a face paced magical retelling that will keep you hooked from the start.  I can't wait to see where Redwine takes the series next.  I know throughout the book I was constantly trying to figure out what would happen and while some aspects I pegged others came about in such a different want than I expected.  I'd love to hear your thoughts below on the new series in the comments below. 

                Until next time…

Cogling

                Happy belated Valentine’s Day!  I don’t normally care much for the holiday myself, though this year I did have fun doing some baking for the work crew with themed cupcakes.  Also best part, discount chocolate this week!  Also this weekend The Walking Dead returned (I haven’t watched yet I’ve been at work since 6pm last night and yes I’m still here but it’s waiting for me on my DVR) and this weekend Deadpool came out!  I saw it Thursday since I had to work the weekend.  Hilarious!  This weekend I also got to read a book that recently came out, Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth Mierek.  I previously reviewed another title by her, Escape From Witchwood Hollow and was excited to learn about her new title and receive a copy for an honest review. 

Rating: 5 Stars

                Cogling is a different type of story involving hags and magic and coglings, clockwork changelings that replace children the hags steal, and one sister willing to risk anything to get her brother back.  Even rely on the help of a thief with secrets of his own.  Enduring several obstacles on their journey only to discover a much larger plan at play.

                I really like the idea of changelings.  So much material there to work with but adding in the added aspect of them being made of gears and parts, just a machine even more interesting.  Edna and her brother are really close and she is really worried about the change in him and quickly discovers he’s been taken by hags and replaced but no one will believe her outrageous tale.  The only clue she has to find Harrison is the watch that powered his cogling before it crumbled and when Ike sees it in her hand he is able to tell her more about it than anyone else.  So what if he’s a thief.  He’s willing to help and she can’t be picky. 

                There are some interesting characters in this.  We start with Edna and Ike.  Edna is driven by fear for her brother and you want her to succeed.  She is likable and relatable but still has this part of her that is unknown.  Then you have Ike, a thief living on the street but who has some secrets of his own and knows a lot about the hags and their plans.  He also seems to have his own motivations for helping Edna.  We also get to know in some form or fashion other characters like Mother Sambucus, Lady Rachel, Harrison, Hilda, and so many more. I feel we learn a bit about each of them and what drives them.  In this world we also get a variety of species and types.  I just love the world build with the automatrons, the Nix, foxkin, dragons, and tomtars everything was so enchanting.  I really enjoyed seeing and learning about each one and how they interacted in the world.  It was a great mix of magic and steampunk aspects.  I just adored Silver!

                There is constantly something happening, I’ve been really loving the fast pace of the books I’ve been reading as of late.  They really fly by.  Edna and Ike find themselves facing obstacle after obstacle trying to reach her brother and then to find a way to expose what has been happening to prevent it from happening again.  The constant will to keep going despite everything.  I was pulled in and really enjoyed it and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy or magical story. That’s all for now, share your thoughts below in the comments. What would you do if you found your sibling or loved on was replaced by a cogling?  Would you go after them? 

                Until next time…

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Portia by Christina Bauer

               “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

 

Portia by Christina Bauer

Out:  10/27

From Goodreads:

                Unlike her famous older brother Maxon, Princess Portia isn’t known for killing demons or attracting admirers.  The reason why is simple:  a spell was cast on Portia, and the magic has marked her to one day transform into a dreaded Void demon.  To fight this horrible fate, Portia’s spent her life hiding in libraries and learning magic.  But when the Void demons threaten to destroy all the after-realms—and the handsome dragon Emperor Tempest offers his help—then Portia suspects that her future holds more than just demonic metamorphosis.  Fate is calling the bookworm princess onto the battlefield, and it’s a fight against both deadly enemies and her heart’s desires. 

My Thoughts:

                Do I need to say much?  I love all the Angelbound books thus far and have read and reviewed them all in the original series and I just loved Maxon’s story so I’m stoked to learn about his sibling.  Plus this world is always so well developed and full of new characters that keep you guessing.  Plus there is a dragon on the cover...so yeah.