Review: Moonlight & Mechanicals

Moonlight & Mechanicals (Gaslight Chronicles #4) by Cindy Spencer Pape

I did something with this book that I really rarely do - I read book 4 without reading any of the preceding books in the series. To be fair, it is a romance and generally you can get away with reading out of order for most romance series (of course, there are exceptions). I didn't realize it was a book 4 when I first requested it, but I really had no trouble getting into the world, so it all works out. I plan on reading the other books too, so that works out better.

This is a paranormal romance with an infusion of gadgets and alt-Victoriana.

Winifred, better known as Wink, is a brilliant scientist and inventor who used to be a street urchin before she was adopted. Liam is a werewolf who works for Scotland Yard. She's been in love with him for years. He has feelings for her, but fears his werewolf self is too dangerous to be around. He has many issues stemming from his parents abusive union.

Both are involved with the Order of the Round Table, who use magic and gadgets for queen and country.

Review: Katya's World

Katya's World by Jonathan L. Howard

Right now this is one of my favorite YA books read this year, as well as my favorite YA Sci Fi book read in recent memory.

I fully do realize that a part of my excitement for this book is that it is a YA book with NO ROMANCE. I can't remember the last time I read a YA book that didn't have romance. Middle School books, yes, but not YA.

It's not that I hate romance, but it was sooooo refreshing to read a book that in the middle of a battle with a semi-sentient AI bent on destroying everyone, there wasn't a subplot about unrequited love, or which of 2 suitors to pick. And it could have happened, and might have even worked for me, but the story worked so well without it that I'm glad it wasn't added because "that's what you do these days with YA."

I get asked by folks to recommend books, and a common question I get is if I know of any new YA titles that don't have romance. Now I have an answer.

Katya's World is an action-filled sci fi set on a planet completely filled with water, so everyone travels by submarine. I freaking love anything with submarines. I used to watch the Disney version of 20K Leagues over and over again. I wanted to live on the Nautilus. My inner child is still squeeing.

Katya's ancestors were colonists from Earth who braved a new, harsh environment and survived. When the Earth, or Terran, forces finally came to "check on them", the colonists weren't interested in being ruled by anyone other than themselves. Cue a war that the planet is still recovering from.

Katya has finally earned her license and is ready to start working on her uncle's sub. Kids grow up fast here, and they have an ingrained sense of responsibility and rugged determination. Without it, they wouldn't live very long.

Her uncle's sub is commandeered by a Fed transporting a prisoner. Soon, they make contact with something that the Terran forces left behind and Katya is on an adventure that will test her trust in others, her bravery, and her skills.

Katya was strong, older than her years, very smart - my kind of lead. Kane is an intriguing character. I got in the end why he did what he did, but sometimes I had to wonder. I thought the other characters were well done as well. This is the first book, so there is a lot of introduction. It will be interesting to see where it all goes next.

There is a lot of action here, and I felt like I was hurtling to the end, but it kept my attention and I really enjoyed the book.

I will be eagerly awaiting book 2.

Katya's World will be out November 6, 2012.

[Received an ARC to review.]

Review: Blackwood

Blackwood by Gwenda Bond

The second I heard that Blackwood featured the disappearance of the Roanoke colonists, I HAD to read it. The Roanoke mystery is one of my favorite historical conundrums. What happened to them? Where did they go? Did anyone survive?

This one begins in present day Roanoke Island. Miranda Blackwood is an intern with The Lost Colony production. It is a welcome respite from her days of tending her alcoholic father and dealing with constant taunts from the locals. The Blackwoods have always been known as screwups, cursed with being lowlifes, and always stuck on Roanoke.

Then Miranda sees something strange, a gigantic ghostly ship, and the next day, 114 people have vanished, her father included. Although he isn't missing, he's dead and soon the snake birthmark on his face is now on Miranda.

Phillips has a bad reputation - he broke every rule he could in an effort to get sent away, the only way he knew to escape the voices of the dead that invade his mind. However, when 114 people disappear from the island, Phillips father, the police chief, knows something weird is going on, and that he needs Phillip's help.

Soon Phillips and Miranda have teamed up, trying to stop what was started years ago when the first colony vanished.

There's alchemy, curses, and two leads that I really liked. Miranda is geeky (her favorite curse is frak) and snarky. She's more than a bit bitter about how she has been treated, and is rightfully freaked out by what is happening. She is not completely altruistic, but she also doesn't back down. Phillips knows about being cursed - he hears the voices of the dead and can't control it. He and Miranda have a bit of a past history. At first, I thought that their teaming up happened a bit too fast, but as I got to know the characters better, it made sense.

Blackwood is fast paced with some romance. It is also the rare YA standalone, so the story has an ending and you won't be waiting a year (or more) to find out how it all ends. While I do like reading series, it is so nice to have a standalone too.

I'll be looking for the next book from Bond.

Review: The Assassin's Curse

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

I really got into this one. The pages flew by and I had a lot of fun reading it. You know I love YA, and I can usually handle ones set in high school, but I've read lots of those lately. I LOVE that this is a YA fantasy outside of the schoolroom, in a completely unique world.

Ananna is a pirate, raised in a pirate clan on the seas. She is an expert thief, knows her way around a sword, and while not bloodthirsty she also doesn't run from a fight. She also has a good sense of self-preservation and while her manners might be rough, she is very intelligent.

So, I was very, very happy with our lead.

Ananna's parents are trying to marry her off to the pretty boy son of another pirate clan. Of course, Ananna has other plans. Her father taught her to take advantage of opportunities when they arise, and she jumps at the first chance to escape. Her intended's family sends an assassin, Naji, after her, a blood magician and the stuff of legend and nightmares. However, Ananna saves the assassin's life and he becomes bound as her protector, something neither one wants. He is overcome with intense pain if she is too far away from him or if she is in danger. Ananna and Naji team up to find a way to break the curse and stay one step ahead of everyone trying to kill them.

This is action-packed goodness right here. There is a teensy bit of romance, something that I'm sure will develop in another book. I liked how Naji and Ananna start forging a tenuous friendship. Neither one trusts easily. I really liked both leads and I'm looking forward to them traveling to new lands with even more adventures.

The story is definitely not done, but I got enough for now.

Highly recommended if you like YA Fantasy, fairytales, magic and pirates.

[I received an ARC to review.]