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The Undine's Tear (Rise of the Grigori #1)
10.0
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She's destined to save the world . . . if she doesn't destroy it first. Calandra’s destiny is...
Young Adult Fantasy Mythology
ClareR (5721 KP) rated The Heroines in Books
Oct 29, 2023
Greek mythology is pretty much an insta-buy and read for me. I’m drawn to historical fiction anyway, and the Greek myths have always felt like an extension of that for me. That’s probably also why I’m especially attracted to the type of Greek myths that are so popular at the moment. I suppose it could be referred to more as Greek historical fiction rather than myth. The Gods and Goddesses have been taken out of the equation (inasmuch as Christian figures are in other historical fiction novels - they’re spoken of, but they don’t have a leading role), and the mortals are left to make their own life choices - even if they still like to blame it on the Gods.
Laura Shepperson gives voice to the women in the myths, and we see the story of Theseus and Phaedra from Phaedra’s point of view. There’s also a chorus of women who are suffering under the mistreatment of the men in Theseus’ palace. Servants and slave women had to do as they were told. The struggle for the women against this patriarchal system is at times violent, and the women rarely come out of it well.
There were a lot of characters in this, and I wonder if all of them were necessary. I’ll be honest, and it could be down to the good ole peri-meno brain, I did get a little confused at all the characters, but it didn’t spoil the story!
I enjoyed this quick read (ok, I didn’t put it down!). It gave me enjoyment for a couple of days - and that’s what reading is all about really, isn’t it!
Laura Shepperson gives voice to the women in the myths, and we see the story of Theseus and Phaedra from Phaedra’s point of view. There’s also a chorus of women who are suffering under the mistreatment of the men in Theseus’ palace. Servants and slave women had to do as they were told. The struggle for the women against this patriarchal system is at times violent, and the women rarely come out of it well.
There were a lot of characters in this, and I wonder if all of them were necessary. I’ll be honest, and it could be down to the good ole peri-meno brain, I did get a little confused at all the characters, but it didn’t spoil the story!
I enjoyed this quick read (ok, I didn’t put it down!). It gave me enjoyment for a couple of days - and that’s what reading is all about really, isn’t it!
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Blood Pact (Youkai Bloodlines #2) in Books
May 7, 2021 (Updated Jul 26, 2023)
BLOOD PACT is the second book in the Youkai Bloodlines series, and we start off with Hiro. He is a geisha, taken in from the street, and now a man of renown because of his voice. When a local thug takes offence at Hiro entertaining a samurai; Hiro's world is torn apart.
This isn't a romance story, per se. It is diving into the world of the mythological, fantastical, and horrible. Hide would do anything for Hiro, apart from showing it! And Hiro has enough heart for both of them. Even Asagi recognises that. Yes, they are in here too, but I don't think life has treated them kindly since last we met. I do so want a HEA for them, back with their maker.
Although this is book two, as Hiro puts it, this is only the beginning. I love where the story is going, plus the character development and supporting cast. You end up with more questions than answers, and it's just perfect for this series. This book is long enough to sink your teeth into (!), and is perfectly paced, giving you action and then a time of rest. Diving into cultural mythology is a bonus for me.
A fantastic addition to the series and absolutely recommended by me. I can't wait to see what happens next.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 7, 2021
This isn't a romance story, per se. It is diving into the world of the mythological, fantastical, and horrible. Hide would do anything for Hiro, apart from showing it! And Hiro has enough heart for both of them. Even Asagi recognises that. Yes, they are in here too, but I don't think life has treated them kindly since last we met. I do so want a HEA for them, back with their maker.
Although this is book two, as Hiro puts it, this is only the beginning. I love where the story is going, plus the character development and supporting cast. You end up with more questions than answers, and it's just perfect for this series. This book is long enough to sink your teeth into (!), and is perfectly paced, giving you action and then a time of rest. Diving into cultural mythology is a bonus for me.
A fantastic addition to the series and absolutely recommended by me. I can't wait to see what happens next.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 7, 2021
Tides of Torment (Immortal Realms #2)
Elle Beaumont and Christis Christie
7.0
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He’s the king of the sea. She’s a pirate captain. Together they must save the middle realm. ...
Fairytale Retelling Fantasy Romance Mythology
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Crown's Fate in Books
Sep 7, 2017
Amazing worldbuilding (3 more)
Well-rounded characters
Gorgeous descriptions
Good use of Russian mythology
An excellent sequel to The Crown's Game
The Crown’s Fate is a sequel to the amazing debut novel, The Crown’s Game. The first book left me crying and a little traumatized, it was so elegant and heart-breaking. The second has proven to be a worthy successor, and healed most of the hurts caused by the first.
The two books tell the story of two enchanters in Tsarist Russia competing to become Imperial Enchanter. The competition, unfortunately, must end in the death of one of them, so Russia’s magic can be solely controlled by the Imperial Enchanter, and therefore be stronger for defending the realm. It only complicates things that one of the competitors is the heir to the throne’s best friend. And what happens when the two competitors fall in love?
Along the way, we see creative enchantments, volcano nymphs, elegant masquerade balls, battles for succession, and a quick glimpse of Baba Yaga’s house. (Oh, how I want to learn more about that!)
These two books are really amazing, but make sure you have the second on hand before you finish the first! I read the first when it was published, last year, and had to wait a year before being able to read the second! I don’t know if Vika and Nikolai’s story will be continued past these two books, but there is room in the world Skye has created for more stories, even if it doesn’t focus on the two enchanters. Especially now that magic beyond the control of the Imperial Enchanter is stirring in the land once again…
You can find all of my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
The two books tell the story of two enchanters in Tsarist Russia competing to become Imperial Enchanter. The competition, unfortunately, must end in the death of one of them, so Russia’s magic can be solely controlled by the Imperial Enchanter, and therefore be stronger for defending the realm. It only complicates things that one of the competitors is the heir to the throne’s best friend. And what happens when the two competitors fall in love?
Along the way, we see creative enchantments, volcano nymphs, elegant masquerade balls, battles for succession, and a quick glimpse of Baba Yaga’s house. (Oh, how I want to learn more about that!)
These two books are really amazing, but make sure you have the second on hand before you finish the first! I read the first when it was published, last year, and had to wait a year before being able to read the second! I don’t know if Vika and Nikolai’s story will be continued past these two books, but there is room in the world Skye has created for more stories, even if it doesn’t focus on the two enchanters. Especially now that magic beyond the control of the Imperial Enchanter is stirring in the land once again…
You can find all of my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
*＊✿❀ Maki ❀✿＊* (7 KP) rated The Lightning Thief in Books
May 3, 2018
Percy Jackson is a series that I've been meaning to get around to for ages. Pretty much everybody I know who have read the books absolutely adore them.
So, when I needed a few quick reads to play catch up on my reading challenge, I decided that it was a good enough time to give the series a go.
...and it's not too bad.
There was a lot about The Lightning Thief that I enjoyed. The premise was a lot of fun. I liked the humor - especially the chapter titles. I liked the translation of Olympus from ancient European culture to modern American culture. I loved that this is a kids' series that rewards children for knowing mythology - if you're familiar with Greek myths at all, you'll know almost from the start of each encounter what Percy and the group are up against.
That's also kind where I started having problems, though.
The book is essentially non-stop action. Which isn't, in itself, a bad thing. But the action plays out like a series of video game encounters. Percy and his friends will travel so far in their quest, run into someone/a monster who will (sometimes accidentally) help them get to the next step of their quest, where they'll travel a certain distance again before running into something else. Repeat throughout the entire book. There are small moments of character building, but they're squeezed in where they'll fit between action scenes.
I'm more than willing to admit that that's just me, though. I'm not exactly the book's intended audience, and I can completely see how the pacing and whatnot would appeal to kids. I did enjoy it enough to continue on in the series, though.
So, when I needed a few quick reads to play catch up on my reading challenge, I decided that it was a good enough time to give the series a go.
...and it's not too bad.
There was a lot about The Lightning Thief that I enjoyed. The premise was a lot of fun. I liked the humor - especially the chapter titles. I liked the translation of Olympus from ancient European culture to modern American culture. I loved that this is a kids' series that rewards children for knowing mythology - if you're familiar with Greek myths at all, you'll know almost from the start of each encounter what Percy and the group are up against.
That's also kind where I started having problems, though.
The book is essentially non-stop action. Which isn't, in itself, a bad thing. But the action plays out like a series of video game encounters. Percy and his friends will travel so far in their quest, run into someone/a monster who will (sometimes accidentally) help them get to the next step of their quest, where they'll travel a certain distance again before running into something else. Repeat throughout the entire book. There are small moments of character building, but they're squeezed in where they'll fit between action scenes.
I'm more than willing to admit that that's just me, though. I'm not exactly the book's intended audience, and I can completely see how the pacing and whatnot would appeal to kids. I did enjoy it enough to continue on in the series, though.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Rebel of the Sands in Books
May 19, 2018 (Updated May 19, 2018)
Amani is a girl in a country that doesn't value women, and treats them as useless property only good for breeding sons. The country is basically occupied by another country that the Sultan is "allied" with, but lets run roughshod over his people. She has her sights set on escaping her backwoods, dead-end town, and running to the capital city, where the aunt she's never met lives. All of that is derailed when she meets Jin at an underground shooting competition, and then later hides him from the armed forces hunting him.
The country is definitely middle-east inspired, but there's a lot of religion-bashing, and complaining about the culture oppressing women. It's the same problem I have with a lot of knight-and-castle era fantasy - just because historically in OUR world those time periods weren't kind to women, doesn't mean they have to be the same in fantasy. It's FANTASY! It can be anything you want! Break the tropes! It's a fine line to walk, taking the good parts of a culture without just cherry-picking and appropriating the culture, and who's judging what the good and bad parts are, anyway? So I understand it's difficult, but bashing the culture in a book inspired by their mythology is not quite cool, either. I feel like City of Brass, another fantasy book set in the middle east, hit a better middle ground of embracing the culture of the inspiration without bashing parts of it.
That gripe aside, I really enjoyed the world-building. I'm not quite sold on the characters yet - Amani is far too quick to abandon things she should fight for - but I'm interested enough to see how they progress in the next two books.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
The country is definitely middle-east inspired, but there's a lot of religion-bashing, and complaining about the culture oppressing women. It's the same problem I have with a lot of knight-and-castle era fantasy - just because historically in OUR world those time periods weren't kind to women, doesn't mean they have to be the same in fantasy. It's FANTASY! It can be anything you want! Break the tropes! It's a fine line to walk, taking the good parts of a culture without just cherry-picking and appropriating the culture, and who's judging what the good and bad parts are, anyway? So I understand it's difficult, but bashing the culture in a book inspired by their mythology is not quite cool, either. I feel like City of Brass, another fantasy book set in the middle east, hit a better middle ground of embracing the culture of the inspiration without bashing parts of it.
That gripe aside, I really enjoyed the world-building. I'm not quite sold on the characters yet - Amani is far too quick to abandon things she should fight for - but I'm interested enough to see how they progress in the next two books.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Rachel King (13 KP) rated The Scorpio Races in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I loved this book right from the beginning. Though I am familiar with Maggie Stiefvater's writing style from other books, reading it in this one still felt fresh and new. I loved her imagery and witticism and how she described people and situations in new ways to me.
There is a major emphasis on all aspects of horses, and not just because of the existence of the water horses. Though the author pulls the water horses from mythology, much of their origins and abilities are cloaked in mystery. Sean Kendrick is one of the few on the island that understands the water horses -- both how to control them and respect them, as well as how to care for them properly -- though he does not share his knowledge with anyone. The fantastical elements of the water horses are understated, as they are more of a catalyst for the budding romance between Sean and Puck.
Sean is as much of a mystery as the water horses. The other inhabitants of the island respect him, but keep their distance. As a regular winner of the Scorpio Races, sean is the expected winner, but his attraction to Puck makes things unpredictable and unprecedented.
Puck is easy to like. She loves her horse, she loves her brothers, and she loves the island. She likes life simple and her motivations are not for wealth, but to keep her home and her family just as it is. Of course, life never stays stagnant, and her spontaneous entry into the Scorpio Races sparks enough conflict and controversy to change her life forever.
While I learned much more about horses than I would ever seek to learn otherwise, the book is more of a love story than a horse myth come to life, and I loved every word of it.
There is a major emphasis on all aspects of horses, and not just because of the existence of the water horses. Though the author pulls the water horses from mythology, much of their origins and abilities are cloaked in mystery. Sean Kendrick is one of the few on the island that understands the water horses -- both how to control them and respect them, as well as how to care for them properly -- though he does not share his knowledge with anyone. The fantastical elements of the water horses are understated, as they are more of a catalyst for the budding romance between Sean and Puck.
Sean is as much of a mystery as the water horses. The other inhabitants of the island respect him, but keep their distance. As a regular winner of the Scorpio Races, sean is the expected winner, but his attraction to Puck makes things unpredictable and unprecedented.
Puck is easy to like. She loves her horse, she loves her brothers, and she loves the island. She likes life simple and her motivations are not for wealth, but to keep her home and her family just as it is. Of course, life never stays stagnant, and her spontaneous entry into the Scorpio Races sparks enough conflict and controversy to change her life forever.
While I learned much more about horses than I would ever seek to learn otherwise, the book is more of a love story than a horse myth come to life, and I loved every word of it.
Kyera (8 KP) rated The Dark Prophecy in Books
Jan 31, 2018
Please read the first book in the series before delving into this one, otherwise, you will be very confused. I would recommend this book to middle grade/young adult readers who have enjoyed Rick Riordan's other novel, mythology, fantasy or action/adventure books.
It was really great to see Apollo's character continue to develop throughout the book. As time passes, he learns what it means to be human and begins to understand mortality. As a god, he was always removed from a situation - sending worthy Demi-gods to do his bidding without a care for their safety or lives. As Lester, he develops relationships with other people and learns to truly care about their wellbeing.
Although this series is called the Trials of Apollo, and Apollo himself would be quite insulted that I suggest he is not sufficiently impressive to carry this book - but there is not enough Percy Jackson. I am glad however, that there is a lot of Leo. He is hilarious and I am so happy to get to spend more time battling monsters and immortals with one of the Seven.
The endings feel like they come out of no-where, which is exactly how I felt rereading the first book in this series. Although the end of the book's plot follows the typical action-filled climax, conclusion of event and a short "how things have changed" final few pages - I will be reading, turn the last page and be confused when all I see are the terms in the glossary, rather than another chapter. It feels abrupt and I wish that there would be more to the end. The final pages feel like they're the end of a chapter rather than a book.
It was really great to see Apollo's character continue to develop throughout the book. As time passes, he learns what it means to be human and begins to understand mortality. As a god, he was always removed from a situation - sending worthy Demi-gods to do his bidding without a care for their safety or lives. As Lester, he develops relationships with other people and learns to truly care about their wellbeing.
Although this series is called the Trials of Apollo, and Apollo himself would be quite insulted that I suggest he is not sufficiently impressive to carry this book - but there is not enough Percy Jackson. I am glad however, that there is a lot of Leo. He is hilarious and I am so happy to get to spend more time battling monsters and immortals with one of the Seven.
The endings feel like they come out of no-where, which is exactly how I felt rereading the first book in this series. Although the end of the book's plot follows the typical action-filled climax, conclusion of event and a short "how things have changed" final few pages - I will be reading, turn the last page and be confused when all I see are the terms in the glossary, rather than another chapter. It feels abrupt and I wish that there would be more to the end. The final pages feel like they're the end of a chapter rather than a book.
Kyera (8 KP) rated The Last Namsara (Iskari, #1) in Books
Feb 1, 2018
The Last Namsara is Kristen Ciccarelli's debut novel and I am in love. The world building was brilliantly done and laid a strong foundation for her story to grow and develop.
Asha is a dragon hunter and a feared Iksari who is strong and dedicated to her role in the kingdom. Despite the fact that her actions as a child called the dragons who burned her city, she fights every day to redeem herself from her past mistakes and make her father, the King, proud. It was nice to see the main character learns to value herself, even though she has grown up shamed and feared by the people. She overcomes her prejudices and the damage instilled upon her over the course of the novel.
Her transformative journey begins when a slave, Torwin is introduced to her life. He treats her like a normal person, just as she learns to treat him as one. He opens her eyes to the truth of the world and thaws her damaged heart, leading her to learn so much about the people in her kingdom and a better way to live.
There was also a well-written antagonist who was so controlling and cruel that you couldn't help but hate him. It was a nice juxtaposition to Torwin's character and helped push the plot along. For me, the romance was a secondary plot point and sometimes only slowed down the pacing. It wasn't the most important element of the story.
The world building, mythology and the dragons are what shone for me. I cannot wait to see more of this world. I listened to this via audiobook and the narrator, Pearl Mackie did a fantastic job. I loved the authenticity she brought to Asha's character and would highly recommend this audiobook.
Asha is a dragon hunter and a feared Iksari who is strong and dedicated to her role in the kingdom. Despite the fact that her actions as a child called the dragons who burned her city, she fights every day to redeem herself from her past mistakes and make her father, the King, proud. It was nice to see the main character learns to value herself, even though she has grown up shamed and feared by the people. She overcomes her prejudices and the damage instilled upon her over the course of the novel.
Her transformative journey begins when a slave, Torwin is introduced to her life. He treats her like a normal person, just as she learns to treat him as one. He opens her eyes to the truth of the world and thaws her damaged heart, leading her to learn so much about the people in her kingdom and a better way to live.
There was also a well-written antagonist who was so controlling and cruel that you couldn't help but hate him. It was a nice juxtaposition to Torwin's character and helped push the plot along. For me, the romance was a secondary plot point and sometimes only slowed down the pacing. It wasn't the most important element of the story.
The world building, mythology and the dragons are what shone for me. I cannot wait to see more of this world. I listened to this via audiobook and the narrator, Pearl Mackie did a fantastic job. I loved the authenticity she brought to Asha's character and would highly recommend this audiobook.