Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons get to be whomever they want. Tess, stubbornly, is a troublemaker. You can't make a scene at your sister's wedding and break a relative's nose with one punch (no matter how pompous he is) and not suffer the consequences. As her family plans to send her to a nunnery, Tess yanks on her books and sets out on a journey across the Southlands, alone and pretending ot be a boy.

Where Tess is headed is a mystery, even to her. So when she runs into an old friend, it's a stroke of luck. But the friend is a quigutl--a subspecies of dragon--who gives her both a purpose and protection on the road. But Tess is guarding a troubling secret. Her tumultous past is a heavy burden to carry, and the memories she's trying to forget threaten to expose her to the world in more ways than one. 

Review

I have been wanting to read this book since I first heard about it and saw that awesome cover! I had also been wanting to read Seraphina's books. So when I got a copy of this book from NetGalley and read that it was set in the same world as Seraphina, I decided that I should read Seraphina first so that I could get as much out of this book as possible. I am glad I made this decision!

Although TotR is not part of the same series, and you could probably read TotR without reading Seraphina first, I wouldn't recommend it. TotT takes place in the years following Seraphina's books, and Seraphina's books contain quite a bit of (very well written) world building and background information that may make parts of TotR difficult to interpret without.

I love how Rachel Hartman talks about important issues that we face today in such a unique way that captivates readers! She takes topics that are so prevalent and important to talk about in today's culture and perfectly fit them into a story about dragons! For example, Seraphina focuses heavily on racism and the acceptance of interracial relationships.

Both Seraphina and this book talk quite a bit about religion. In Seraphina, the Sons of Ogdo use religion as an excuse to hate. In this book, Tess' mother uses religion to keep her family in line. This book even touches on gender identification (Quigutls can change their gender), rape, and slut shaming.

Tess takes place in a time after the war, in which people are supposed to be more accepting of dragons.

I ♥ that we get to learn more about quigutls in this book! We meet several briefly in Seraphina's books, but they are not the focus. We get to spend much more time with them in this book, and we get to learn more about their personalities and the way they live.

Tess dreams of being an adventurer like Dozerius the pirate that she read about as a child. She runs away from her family after an embarrassing, drunken wedding. Luckily, she runs into Pathka, her childhood quigutl friend, and they go on an adventure together, like they talked about when she was younger.

This was an awesome book! I highly recommend it! I can't wait to see what happens next! My only issue is how long I am going to have to wait to read the sequel!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. 

Other books by Rachel Hartment, based in Tess' world:

       

Seraphina series by Rachel Hartman

    

In her New York Times bestselling and Morris Award-winning debut, Rachel Hartman introduces mathematical dragons in an alternative medieval world to fantasy and science-fiction readers of all ages. Eragon-author Christopher Paolini calls them, "Some of the most interesting gradongs I've read in fantasy."

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadoes, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high. 

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered--in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

Review

I have been wanting to read this book since I first head about it quite some time ago. When I learned about Tess of the Road (TotR)and found out that it is set in the same world as Seraphina, I knew I had to read Seraphina before starting TotR.

Before I started reading this book, I went back and read a bunch of reviews. Sometimes I get a little skeptical when I read so many reviews that talk about how great a book is, but Seraphina does not disappoint! It was AH-MAY-ZING!!!

I laughed, I cried, and I looked up a bunch of words that I didn't know the definition of (thank you Kindle app for your built-in dictionary).

I absolutely ♥ ♥ ♥ Seraphina, and I absolutely ♥ ♥ ♥ Rachel Harman's writing! Her world building and character development were extraordinary.

I also ♥ ♥ ♥ Orma! He was one of my favorite characters.

I was so thankful that I had access to book #2 right after finishing #1.  I would have been very sad if I had to wait to see what happened next.

Shadow Scale (book #2) was not quite as good as book #1, but it was still fun and entertaining and well worth the read. Plus, to better understand TotR, I definitely recommend reading both books.

I loved that Rachel Hartman was able to discuss serious issues that are present in today's society while telling a story about dragons in a fun and entertaining way (and not preachy). She talks about racism and race relations, as well interracial relationships. She talks about religion and misplaced hate, disguised as religion. She even touches on gender identity!

I think Norah Piehl said it well on Teen Reads:

Rachel Hartman's debut fantasy is self-assured and ambitious, with a complicated plot that is nevertheless engaging from first to last. It also possesses a sly commentary on our own political landscape, as Seraphina urges her human companions not to paint dragons as evildoers with too broad a brush.

Seraphina is a dragon novel that seemingly has it all: political intrigue, an imaginative world that never overwhelms the suspenseful plot, a wry sense of humor, a genuine romance, and, as readers will be pleased to discover, not only a satisfying narrative arc of its own but also the promise of a sequel. The end of the book finds Seraphina satisfied, having found her own "place to stand." Readers will be eager to discover where she'll land next.

I highly recommend this series! Check it out, then when you fall in love with Seraphina, read about her sister, Tess!

Stay tuned for my review of Tess of the Road! I will post it next week!

       

Redworld: Year One (Redworld, #1) by A.L. Collins

Belle Song and her family are aliens on a new world. The Songs came to Mars to seek a new life, but living on the red planet isn't easy. The land is rough. The people are strange. The weather is unpredictable, and water is always in short supply. However, adventure is never far away. Belle adapts to her new life on Mars, faces dangerous Water Raiders, explores wondrous ancient sites, and has other amazing adventures on Redworld. From the rich imagination of author A.L. Collins comes a fantastic sci-fi western story of growing up on the Martian plains. 

Review

Let me first say that I am much older than the target audience for this book. I may ♥ YA books, and I may have read some amazing MG books recently, but this book is geared for a much younger age group.

I thought this was a YA book when I requested it. I just looked back on NetGalley, and I see that it says Middle Grade, but I was browsing through YA books when I found this one.

SIDE RANT:  I would love it NetGalley would either integrate information from GoodReads into their site or develop their own information system that gives more information about books, besides their title, author, publisher, and a synopsis. for example, sometimes NetGalley doesn't list if a book is part of a series. I have unknowingly requested the 2nd or 3rd book in a series before, then had to find and read the other books before I was able to read the one book I thought I was requesting.)

But I digress...

Although this book was written for a younger audience, I still found it entertaining, and I know if I were younger, I would have absolutely loved it.

Not only does it allow younger readers to imagine what it might be like to travel to or live on a different planet, but it also touches on some important topics, like race relations, but in a way that younger readers can understand and enjoy.

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. 

The Lost Plot (The Invisible Library #4) by Genevieve Cogman

A covert mission
A royal demand
And a race against time

The fourth title in Genevieve Cogman's witty and wonderful The Invisible Library series, The Lost Plot is an action-packed literary adventure. 

In a 1930s-esqu Chicago, Prohibition is in force, fedoras, flapper dresses and tommy guns are in fashion, and intrigue is afoot. Intrepid Librarians Irene and Kai find themselves caught in the middle of a dragon vs dragon context. It seems a young Librarian has become tangled in this conflict, and if they can't extricate him there could be serious political repercussions for the mysterious Library. And, as the balance of  power across mighty factions hangs in the balance, this could even trigger war.

Irene and Kai find themselved trapped in a race against time (and dragons) to procure a rare book. They'll face gangsters, blackmail and fiendish security systems. And if this doesn't end well, it could have dire consequences for Irene's job. And incidentally, for her life...

Review

I absolutely loved the first three books in The Invisible Library series! So, when I saw this book on NetGalley, I was super-excited! 

If you haven't read the other books, check out my review of them HERE. 

It took me a little longer to get into this book than it did with the first three in the series. This may have just been because it didn't follow the same main plot lines that had been for the most part, resolved at the end of the third book. 

A few chapters in, I got sucked into the new plot, and by about half-way through the book, I couldn't put it down! I read the second half of the book in a few hours. 

As always, I ♥ ♥ ♥ Irene and Kai!!! I ♥ both of them, and they make a great team!

This book was a tad different than the first three, but if you like the other Invisible Library books I guarantee you will like this one!

Oh, and the ending was awesome! There wasn't a huge cliffhanger, but it was definitely enough to make me anxious to see what happens next. It just sucks that I have to wait until who knows when to read the next book! (There is no title or cover for it yet, and there is no intended release date listed on GoodReads.)

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

               

Shadow Rise (Shadow Fall #2) by Audrey Grey

Terrorist. Rebel. Traitor. 

One rash decision during the Shadow Trials led to unspeakable horrors that left innocents dead, friends injured and hunted by the Empire, and Maia Graystone imprisoned in the Toward at the Archduchess's mercy. 

Unsure if Riser Thornbrook survived, Maia must find a way to battle the Empire from within its own walls and escape so she can fulfill the promise to her father and stop the asteroid. But when she breaks free and joins Nicolai's Rebel army, she discovers she's been branded a traitor. With war between the Rebels and the Empire looming, old alliances shifting, and suspicion hanging over her head, she must fight in the Rebel Blood Courts - and win command - to regain their trust. 

Only problem is, first she has to defeat the reigning champion, someone she knows all too well. Will Maia's emotions lead to her defeat, or will she rise up and claim her victory?

Review

This book picks up where Shadow Fall left off. Maia had been captured after the botched attempt to murder the Emperor. 

There were little things that irked me about this book (mostly plot holes), but it still had me sucked in and I couldn't put it down.

I thought the surprise ending was a little odd, or maybe a bit rushed? I definitely wasn't expecting it, though!

This book was great! I think I liked this book better than the first, but there are certain things from the first book that I liked better.

As with the first book, Maia still bothered me at times, but I still ♥ ♥ ♥ Riser! (I know this is a small spoiler from the first book. Sorry!)

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

       

       

Shadow Fall (Shadow Fall #1) by Audrey Grey

The asteroid hurtling toward the earth will kill billions. 

The Emperor and his Gold Court will be safe in their space station, watching from the stars. The Silvers will be protected underground. But the Bronzes must fight it out at the Shadow Trials for the few remaining spots left on the space station. 

When an enigmatic benefactor hands Maia Graystone a spot in the Trials, she won't just get a chance at salvation for her and her baby brother, Max: She gets to confront the mother who abandoned her in prison, the mad Emperor who murdered her father, and the Gold prince who once loved her. But it's the dark bastard prince she's partnered with that will make her question everything, including her own heart. With the asteroid racing closer every day, Maia must trust someone to survive.

The question is who?

Review

I found Shadow Rise on NetGalley, and it looked so good that I decided to actually buy this book when I couldn't find it at the library or anywhere else online for free.

If you have read some of my previous posts, you may know how cheap I am. This is only the second book I've actually bought in years... like a lot of years.

Just to emphasize how significant it is for me to BUY a book, here an excerpt from my post about the one other book I've bought in the past at least 7 to 10 years:

I have not actually purchased a book in years. Anything that I can't get from the library or request to read and review, I usually just wait until I can. To emphasize my point, let me give you an example, a few of the best series I've read in the past couple of years, I was literally DYING to read the next book in the series. Even after being super upset at having to wait 6 months to a year for the next book to be released, I waited until I could download a copy through the library, even though there were a ton of people that had it on hold in front of me, and it ended up taking at least another couple of months. 

Now that I have given you a little insight into just how cheap I am when it comes to reading, let me reiterate it for you: I BOUGHT this book!!

When I started this book, I still had a little bit of a book hangover after reading the Graceling series, and I was looking for another book that would help cure it. This was a good choice!

As some of the other reviews on GoodReads pointed out, this book does have some similarities to The Hunger Games. However, it is definitely not a complete replica.

This book has a very unique concept: there is an asteroid that is weeks away from destroying the world, which has turned into a dystopia in anticipation of Pandora (the asteroid), with an evil Emperor leading them all to their doom in "Uploaders" that look like caskets. In there, people will upload to the consciousness of the Chosen 100.

The Chosen and the Goles, the elite, or at least the ones that aren't suspected of sympathizing with the rebels or using banned technology, all get to ride out the end of the world on a space station.

I really liked this book, but I also felt like the author could have added more explanation into some places. It was still great, though!

I ♥ ♥ ♥ Riser! He was my favorite.

I'm glad I have the next book on hand (thanks again, NetGalley!) and don't have to wait to see what happens next!

I will post my review of the sequel to this book, Shadow Rise, in a few days. 

       

Ludlow Lost (Osgoode Odyssey #1) by Kate Robinson Dunne

From GoodReads:

If you're reading this, you've probably never had the bad fortune to be kidnapped and held captive by creatures human beings don't believe in. 

Ludlow Osgoode has not been as lucky as you.

A Kirkus Indie Book of the Month (August 2017)

From Amazon:

This first book in Kate Robinson Dunne's Osgoode Odyssey introduces readers to Ludlow Osgoode and an assortment of creatures human beings don't believe in.

A few interesting facts about these creatures...

1. Banshees are not known for their ability to nurse children back ot health and are definitely not qualified to prescribe medication.
2. Goblins have terrible memories and are known to hold grudges, although they usually can't remember why.
3. Fairies are not known for kidnapping human children, nor for having their hearts broken by them, but both of these things have happened - this is the story of it.

Review

Although this book wasn't at all what I expected, I really enjoyed it!

I'm curious to see what the author does with the sequel. She didn't leave this book with a big cliffhanger, and there are so many different ways she could go with the story. I have a few ideas from the way the last few pages, but there are so many different possibilities. 

I am quite disappointed that the sequel (according to a note in the back of the book) will not be released until Spring 2019! Why so long?

I loved the humor in this book! There are some very silly parts. ☺

The goblins were definitely my favorite! They were hilarious!

This book reminded me a little bit of Coraline (the book, not the movie. I haven't seen the movie, but I would like to.). It was a little dar

I really don't know what else to say about this book without giving away spoilers...

Overall, this was a great book! I definitely recommend it for all ages! 

My only problem is how long I'm going to have to wait to read the sequel! 

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. 

Shadow Weaver by MarcyKate Connolly

The shadows that surround us aren't always as they seem...

Emmeline has grown up with a gift. Since the time she was a baby, she has been able to control shadows. And her only friend and companion is her own shadow, Dar.

Disaster strikes when a noble family visits their home and offers to take Emmeline away and cure her of magic. Desperate not to lose her shadows, she turns to Dar, who proposes a deal: Dar will change the noble's mind, if Emmeline will help her become flesh as she once was. Emmeline agrees, but the next morning, the man in charge is in a coma and all that the witness saw was a long shadow with no one nearby to cast it. Scared to face punishment, Emmeline and Dar run away.

With the noble's guard on her trail, Emmeline's only hope of clearing her name is to escape capture and perform the ritual that will set Dar free. But Emmeline's not sure she can trust Dar anymore, and it's hard to keep secrets from someone who can never leave your side.

The first in a dark middle-grade fantasy duology, MarcyKate Connolly weaves a tale filled with shadows, danger, and magic that has the feel of a new classic. 

Review

I loved this book! It was awesome!

I started reading Middle Grade books last year. I have read several now, and I have been pleasantly surprised by them. So far, I think The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding was my favorite, then this book and Ludlow Lost probably tie for second place with the MG books I've read so far. From the description and reviews, I was expecting something kind of along the same lines of Coraline. There were definitely some similarities in the feel of the story, and think it was just as good as Coraline (the book, not the movie. Well, I haven't seen the movie, so maybe the movie...)!

This book has an interesting concept. Emmeline can manipulate shadows, and her only friend is her shadow. When a man comes to offer a parents a chance to cure her of her magic, she runs away with her best friend, her shadow named Dar.

That is the main plot, but there are lots of twists and turns. Like Coraline, it is a little dark for a children's book (definitely not a bad thing). It almost reminded me of Miss Peregrine a little, too.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone, especially if you like YA books that are a little dark.

I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series! My only complaint is that I have to wait so long to see what happens next!

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.