Tag: audiobook

Book Review | Clocktaur War Series by T. Kingfisher

Posted August 6, 2024 by Haze in Book Reviews / 2 Comments

Clocktaur War Series : Clockwork Boys and The Wonder Engine

A paladin, an assassin, a forger, and a scholar ride out of town. It’s not the start of a joke, but rather an espionage mission with deadly serious stakes. T. Kingfisher’s new novel begins the tale of a murderous band of criminals (and a scholar), thrown together in an attempt to unravel the secret of the Clockwork Boys, mechanical soldiers from a neighboring kingdom that promise ruin to the Dowager’s city.

If they succeed, rewards and pardons await, but that requires a long journey through enemy territory, directly into the capital. It also requires them to refrain from killing each other along the way! At turns darkly comic and touching, Clockwork Boys puts together a broken group of people trying to make the most of the rest of their lives as they drive forward on their suicide mission.

Pull three people out of prison–a disgraced paladin, a convicted forger, and a heartless assassin. Give them weapons, carnivorous tattoos, and each other. Point them at the enemy.

What could possibly go wrong?

In the sequel to CLOCKWORK BOYS, Slate, Brenner, Caliban and Learned Edmund have arrived in Anuket City, the source of the mysterious Clockwork Boys. But the secrets they’re keeping could well destroy them, before the city even gets the chance…

For the Reading Challenge(s):
2024 Audiobook Challenge

The Reason

I’m a fan of T. Kingfisher and I’m making my way through her books. I got these on audio s

The Narrator(s)

Khristine Hvam. I enjoyed her narration.

My Thoughts

It was just what I needed. I enjoyed the story; I love when we see different people who otherwise wouldn’t be friends come together for a specific reason, because the story is as much their relationship dynamics as well as what happens in the plot. Caliban and Slate reminds me a little of Joscelin and Phedre in Kushiel’s Dart, and the whole band reminds me of Bayaz’s band in Before We Are Hanged. I also really enjoyed the element of Slate’s allergies/powers, I thought that was hilarious and interesting.

My Feels

I have a lot of feels about a certain ship with Caliban and Slate. I love how it develops and how they are with each other. I wish I could see more of them and apparently there are more books set in the same world, but they feature different characters and I’m not sure if any of the characters from this series appear again. I may revisit in the future.

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars. 4 stars for both these books and the series as a whole.

Have you read this series? Would you read this series? Did you like it or do you think you would like it?

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Book Review | The Woman In Me by Britney Spears

Posted May 22, 2024 by Haze in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

The Woman In Me by Britney Spears

The Woman in Me is a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.

In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.

Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.

For the Reading Challenge(s):
2024 Nonfiction Reader Challenge
2024 Audiobook Challenge
2024 Library Love Challenge

The Reason

I grew up with Britney and enjoyed a lot of her music. I was aware of the drama and all the criticism she faced, and I’ll be honest and say that I bought into a lot of it as well. I don’t know why I decided to read this book, but I’m so glad I did because I learned a lot about myself even as I learned about Britney.

The Quotes

“There have been so many times when I was scared to speak up because I was afraid somebody would think I was crazy. But I’ve learned that lesson now, the hard way. You have to speak the thing that you’re feeling, even if it scares you. You have to tell your story. You have to raise your voice.”

“If no one is used to you being assertive, they get very freaked out when you start speaking your mind.”

“I wanted to hide, but I also wanted to be seen. Both things could be true.”

“Everyone thought it was hilarious. Look how crazy she is! Even my parents acted embarrassed by me. But nobody seemed to understand that I was simply out of my mind with grief. My children had been taken away from me. 

“Think of how many male artists gambled all their money away; how many had substance abuse or mental health issues. No one tried to take away their control over their body and money. I didn’t deserve what my family did to me.”

The Narrator

Michelle Williams. I think she did a great job. The way she narrated Britney’s story felt full of emotion and compassion, and at times, I felt like I was truly listening to Britney’s voice.

My Thoughts

I was a fan of Britney’s music but only ever just a casual fan. I didn’t really follow her career past the few couple of albums, and I have to admit I believed a lot of what the media said about her. All the criticisms and misogynistic opinions, including those that came from people very close to me, made me feel like they must be true. Reading this book made me examine my own thoughts about Britney at the time, and other female celebrities and women in general, and wonder why I never realized the double standards. To be fair, I did apply those double standards to myself too because of the social expectations and cultural beliefs in my world. I’m still unlearning a lot, and relearning new things.

The bottom line is that Britney’s story is horrifying. What her family did to her was horrifying. What she went through was horrifying. And the fact that she went through so much of it publicly, without empathy or compassion from the media, that’s horrifying. We made fun of her, yes I did too, for her public meltdown, but I know that if I went through half of what she went through, I wouldn’t have half the strength she had to get past it.

My Feels

I have so much love and respect for Britney. She inspires me to keep going, to keep fighting for myself no matter how tough it seems and no matter how alone I feel. She reminds me to advocate for other women, to check myself of my learned prejudices, to remember that there is a person beneath the public persona. She reminds me to extend that compassion to myself, remember that I’m also a person, a flawed human being.

I’m horrified at what she went through, but I’m inspired by her journey and I’m glad she’s doing better now. I wish her so much love and happiness, and I hope things keep getting better for her.

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Have you read this book? Would you read this book? Did you like the book or do you think you would like it?

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Book Review | Blitz by Daniel O’Malley

Posted April 26, 2024 by Haze in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

Blitz by Daniel O’Malley

September, 1940. Three women of the Checquy, the secret organization tasked with protecting Britain from supernatural threats, stand in the sky above London and watch German aircraft approach. Forbidden by law to interfere, all they can do is watch as their city is bombed.

Until Pamela, the most sensible of them, suddenly breaks all the rules and brings down a Nazi bomber with her bare hands. The three resolve to tell no one about it, but they soon learn that a crew member is missing from the downed bomber. Charred corpses are discovered in nearby houses and it becomes apparent that the women have unwittingly unleashed a monster.

Through a city torn by the Blitz, the friends must hunt the enemy before he kills again. Their task will take them from the tunnels of the Underground to the halls of power, where they will discover the secrets that a secret organization must keep even from itself.

Today. Lynette Binns, a librarian with a husband and child, is a late recruit to the Checquy, having discovered only as an adult her ability to electrify everyday objects with her touch.

After completing her training, she is assigned to examine a string of brutal murders of London criminals and quickly realizes that all bear the unmistakable hallmark of her own unique power. Unable to provide an alibi and determined to prove her innocence, she flees, leaving behind her family to venture into the London underworld to find answers. But now she is prey, being tracked by her own frighteningly capable comrades.

As Lyn fights off powered thugs and her own vengeful colleagues, she will find that the solution to the murders and to the mystery of her own past lies in the events of World War II, and the covert actions of three young women during the Blitz.

For the Reading Challenge(s):
2024 Series Enders Challenge
2024 Finishing the Series Challenge
2024 Audiobook Challenge
2024 Library Love Challenge

The Reason

I read the first two books – The Rook and Stiletto – and loved them, and so had to read this one too!

The Quotes

“Over the centuries, many Pawns had fallen prey to the seductive charms of succubi, incubi, and, in several memorable and bewildering instances, incunabula.”

“In their day to day lives apprentices were always under pressure to remain discreet, concealing their true nature from the civilians around them. It was heady to be plunged into a situation where everyone knew the truth of matters and there was no need to hide.”

“Until I was eleven, I lived with a Checquy Pawn and her husband in Oxford,” Pamela told me. “They were lovely—I still write to them. They schooled me and three other girls in the basic skills of reading, writing, firearms, arithmetic, religious education, history, unarmed combat, science, sketching and watercolors, armed combat, and, of course, the core skill of any Checquy operative.” “Which is?” I asked her. “Keeping one’s abilities secret.”

The Narrator

Moira Quirk. Same narrator as the second book, and this time there’s no weird spaces in between chapters so that was great!

My Thoughts

The author tells a great story and I loved this one too, but I have to admit I’m disappointed that it’s not a continuation of the previous books. I feel like I had the wrong idea of the three books out in this series, because I thought they were going to be the same story – the second book didn’t focus on the first book’s main character, but the stories still seemed linked together more than this one did. There were things that happened in the first two books that I was looking forward to getting a resolution on, and obviously didn’t get one from this book.

I still think this story is great in itself, and I’m glad I read it. Pamela, Bridget, and Usha (I’m not sure if I got the spellings right!) took me on a great adventure, and I loved Lynn’s story too. I think I might love Lynn’s story a little more. I love how things tied up at the end, but I feel like there’s more story to be told for these ladies. Which makes things difficult for me because I’m realizing now that the next books (if there are more books to come – that’s not clear at the moment) might not even revisit the same characters.

I’m good with taking a break from this series for now though, and if and when there is a new book, I’ll know better what to expect when going in.

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.

Have you read this book? Would you read this book? Did you like the book or do you think you would like it?

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The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks | Book Review

Posted December 27, 2023 by Haze in Book Reviews / 4 Comments

The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks

Every harvest moon, the Witch Collector rides into our valley and leads one of us to the home of the immortal Frost King, to remain forever.

Today is that day—Collecting Day.

But he will not come for me. I, Raina Bloodgood, have lived in this village for twenty-four years, and for twenty-four years he has passed me by.

His mistake.

Raina Bloodgood has one desire: kill the Frost King and the Witch Collector who stole her sister. On Collecting Day, she means to exact murderous revenge, but a more sinister threat sets fire to her world. Rising from the ashes is the Collector, Alexus Thibault, the man she vowed to slay and the only person who can help save her sister.

Thrust into an age-old story of ice, fire, and ancient gods, Raina must abandon vengeance and aid the Witch Collector in saving the Frost King or let their empire—and her sister—fall into enemy hands. But the lines between good and evil blur, and Raina has more to lose than she imagined. What is she to do when the Witch Collector is no longer the villain who stole her sister, but the hero who’s stealing her heart?

The Reason

I came across this book browsing on my library’s catalog. I loved the premise, and I enjoy a good fantasy series, so I thought why not? I also wanted to read a couple of first in series, if I could, before the end of the year.

The Quotes

“Something must always be lost if you’re ever to gain. Don’t fear this. You will never move forward if you never leave things behind.”

“Think of the thing you want most in this world. It’s where true power comes from. We often hold the most will for our strongest desires.”

“There is no victory without sacrifice.”

The Characters

I really like Raina and Alexus as characters. In fact, I quite like many of the characters in this book. Raina is mute, and communicates with her hands, and that’s how she does her magic too. Alexus is the Witch Collector, and he’s an enigma, at least at first, but then we get to know him better. I also really like Helena and Nephele, the Frost King, Colden (love the punny name!), Rhonin, and even the villain Prince. To be clear, I don’t like the villain Prince as a person, but I like the character.

Also to be clear, I’m not sure I like the characters themselves, but rather, I like their backstories and how mysterious they were. There’s still so much we don’t know about many of them, and their backstories that have been told so far in this book have been very interesting. I’m curious to find out more!

My Thoughts

Here’s the funny thing, I don’t think the book was written very well. It goes on too long and there are several parts that made me frustrated because of how slow they were. The story doesn’t flow very well either, there were a lot of non-movements, stalling, back-and-forths, plans and “side-quests” that went awry and didn’t serve the story. Even the ending felt disjointed, it was like the author didn’t know where to end the book, probably because there are sequels, but the bottom line is that it wasn’t written very well. And I think that’s a shame because there’s a good story there, but the storytelling leaves much to be desired.

I should also mention that I listened to this book on audio. I started it on audio and stopped about 40% in because I couldn’t catch some of the low voices. I was going to try to get a print copy instead, but I wanted to finish this before the year was over, so I decided to push through and finish it on audio anyway. I did end up having to repeat a few parts to catch certain details, but for the most part, it wasn’t too bad.

My Feels

I feel ambivalent at this point. I’m still very curious about the characters and the story, and I would like to read more and find out more about them, but I wouldn’t feel the loss if I just never read the next books.

My Rating

3/5 stars. It’s got great elements, but bad storytelling.

Have you read this book? Would you read this book? Did you like the book or do you think you would like it?

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