All Things Halloween Review - Silver Elite

Silver Elite (Silver Elite, #1)

By: Dani Francis

Publication: May 6, 2025 by Del Rey

512 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Psychic gifts are a death sentence and there are rules to survival: Trust no one. Lie to everyone. And whatever you do, don’t fall for your greatest enemy.

TRUST NO ONE.

Wren Darlington has spent her whole life in hiding, honing her psychic abilities and aiding the rebel Uprising in small ways. On the Continent, being Modified means certain death—and Wren is one of the most powerful Mods in existence. When one careless mistake places her in the hands of the enemy and she’s forced to join Silver Block, their most elite training program, she’s finally handed the perfect opportunity to strike a devastating blow from inside their ranks.

LIE TO EVERYONE.

But training for Silver Block can be deadly, especially when you’re harboring dangerous secrets and living in close quarters with everyone who wants you dead.

AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T FALL FOR YOUR GREATEST ENEMY.

As the stakes grow ever higher, Wren must prove herself. But that’s easier said than done when your commanding officer is the ruthless and infuriatingly irresistible Cross Redden, who doesn’t miss anything when it comes to her. And as war rages between Mods like her and those who aim to destroy them, Wren must decide just how far she’s willing to go to protect herself . . . and how much of the Continent is worth saving.

The world of Silver Elite has been killing off anyone with psychic abilities, called Modified or silverbloods. Their veins glow when they're using their powers, so it's not something that is easily hidden. However, Wren is unique. Her veins don't glow. Wren's parents were killed, and her mother entrusted her to a man she called her uncle, but they didn't share any blood. Jim took her into an area covered in darkness at all hours of the day. They lived there for years. Wren learned how to navigate it, and Jim taught her how to use her abilities.

But Uncle Jim gets captured as a suspected rebel participating in the Uprising. And he gets condemned to execution. In an attempt to save him. Wren gets captured as well. And her "sentence" is to go through the training program which ultimately leads to the Silver Elite. She is up against many other cadets who are trying for the program too. And there are challenges, but only in the way of training. Wren is now in the most dangerous place possible. She is surrounded by people who would kill her on the spot if she displayed any psychic abilities. Cross in particular is nearly convinced that she's a Mod, but he isn't certain yet. And keeping his eye on her in the only way to be sure one way or the other.

Some annoyances for me involved Wren's expectations of a relationship/marriage. She claims that she's seen many women bend to the will of men. Yet diversity for diversity's sake is present within the story. So how does that qualify? I also don't like the flippant use of the b-word. There are spicy scenes that I could definitely do without. And language abounds, which I also find unnecessary for a good story.

-..."reckless is not the same as brave."

-"Rushing headfirst into danger is not an act of courage..."

Nearly all of my highlights had to do with things that annoyed me or things I thought would come back around. So there's not much in the way of poetic or memorable quotes.

The best part of this book is the suspense of will she or won't she get caught. And that was on-point. There's one more book in this series, I believe, and I want to read it, but I'm not dying for it immediately. Silver Elite gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Silver Elite? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

All Things Halloween Review - Sunrise on the Reaping

Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, # 0.5)

By: Suzanne Collins

Publication: March 18, 2025 by Scholastic Press

400 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Source: Borrowed from the e-library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch's name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.

As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

I don't often return to series that I feel has been complete when additional books are written over time. Especially if a large amount of time has passed, and even more especially if the new book is a prequel. The Hunger Games already had a prequel that I wasn't the least bit interested in. I tried to force myself to get it and read it just to complete the series, but I was never interested in President Snow's story, so I never finished The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, but Haymitch was a much more interesting character from the original books in my opinion, and I heard good things about it from my nephew. So I decided to check it out. And I actually listened to this almost non-stop on our trip to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN in April.

Because this is a prequel, you already know how Haymitch's story ends. He wins his year of the hunger games. He is District 12's only winner. And he lives alone in the winner's village, drinking himself into a stupor more times than not. And yeah, so that's exactly where Sunrise on the Reaping ends. What the reader doesn't fully know or understand is the journey to get there.

I want to discuss some topics in detail, but I don't want to spoil anything for the reader since we already know so much about how this story ends; spoiling anything else would make the book pointless. I won't say that Sunrise on the Reaping is necessary to enjoy the series, but it does make an already interesting character more understandable and interesting.

The narrator, Jefferson White, did a great job. I can't tell you the last time I listened to a book entirely narrated by a male, but I enjoyed this one. Sometimes the female voices were a bit much, but it didn't bother me too much.

Sunrise on the Reaping was better than I thought it was going to be. At one point, I was hoping for an ending that was different from what I knew to be the actual ending. So to get me invested enough to hope against what I know to be true felt like a feat well accomplished. Sunrise on the Reaping gets 4 Stars. Have you read or listened to Sunrise on the Reaping? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

All Things Halloween Review - Ruby Red

Ruby Red (Ruby Red Trilogy, # 1)

By: Kerstin Gier

Published: May 10th 2011 by Henry Holt (first published January 6th 2009)

330 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Source: Christmas gift from my friend Paula

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

My friend Paula actually gifted me Ruby Red more than ten years ago back before I was a mom and still worked at the same office as her. She read the series and enjoyed it. But to be honest, time travel books are ones that I often struggle with. As a matter of fact, I never seek them out. Even when some of my favorite authors go that route, I end up not reading those books. But Paula and I usually end up liking the same books, so I finally decided to see if the e-library had a copy of the audiobook, and they did.

Gweneth is a sixteen year old girl that has always known that the time traveling gene runs in her family, but it was supposed to come to her cousin Charlotte, not her. Yet Gweneth ends up with the gene and not Charlotte afterall. Charlotte has spent her entire life preparing for this, and Gweneth has not. It doesn't help that Gweneth is being paired up with Gideon who she has a little crush on, but he has some kind of relationship with Charlotte.

Gweneth's mother has kept her true date of birth a secret because she was hoping to spare Gweneth the time traveling world. Her mother seems to think that there's something to be afraid of. Not to mention that one of Gweneth's ancestors has defected from the group and stolen a major artifact needed in the time traveling process. Gweneth doesn't know the truth about any of it. Why did Lucy steal the cronograph? What does St. Germain really want? What happens with the cronograph is sealed with the blood of all twelve time travelors. What is being hidden from her? And who are the real bad guys?

Ruby Red is a book that I'm definitely glad I listened to on audio. The romance is slow burn and barely there at this point. You know it's building from what is hinted at, but if you're looking for action or a romance driven plot you will be disappointed. I know my friend, Paula, read the whole series, so I do plan to continue with the series, but at this point, I don't have any free holds with the elibrary, and I've got 6 weeks until my next hold is up. Plus I'd rather snag the 2nd book in the Divine Rivals series as my next hold. But I have been holding onto this series for over 10 years as it is. It isn't going anywhere. I'm giving Ruby Red 3 Stars. Have you read or listened to Ruby Red? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

Daggermouth - Review

Daggermouth (The Heart, # 1)

By: H.M. Wolfe

Publication: March 3, 2026 by Scarlett Press

544 pages

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Dystopian

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Set in a corrupt surveillance state ruled by the masked elite, this true enemies-to-lovers dystopian romance that’s Conform meets V For Vendetta follows a mercenary who botches the assassination of the president’s son and ends up forced to marry him.

The first thing you’ll learn in New Found Haven is that mercy doesn’t exist. The second thing is that, from the highest glass atrium in the Heart to the windowless slums of the Boundary, the Veyra are always watching.

The last lesson is the hardest, but you must remember it: Love outside of your ring is a death sentence.

The city is carved into rings of privilege and poverty, ruled by the masked elite who will do whatever it takes to hold onto power. Obedience is demanded. Rebellion is crushed.

Greyson Serel has spent his life caught between two worlds. Publicly, he’s the flawless heir to the presidency. Privately, he’s entangled in secrets that could topple the regime. But when he’s forced into a political marriage meant to bind him tighter to the government’s brutal laws, he finds himself shackled to a bride as lethal as she is unwilling.

Shadera Kael is a mercenary raised to kill, not to wed. Yet when her bullet misses its mark, survival leaves her tied to the very man she was sent to eliminate. Trapped inside the corrupt heart of the city, she becomes both prisoner and wife, her every step watched, her every move tested.

Their union is no love story—it’s a battlefield. As secrets come to light and betrayals fester within the walls of power, Greyson and Shadera must decide between annihilating each other or burning the city to the ground together.

In a world where passion has consequences and loyalty is paid for in blood, their forced bond may be the spark that ignites a revolution. Or the fire that consumes them both.

Daggermouth is a dystopian book at heart. It's told from multiple POVs, whichever character has the most important information to share in the moment. It has some technology that isn't quite widely used today, but none of that is out of the realm of possibility for today so it doesn't quite fit science fiction. And while there are relationships, I also didn't really feel like it fit into the realm of romance either.

I've seen Daggermouth praised in the Bookstagram world so I figured I would check it out. But I have to say that I wasn't quite as blown away as those I saw praising it. Mostly I felt like there were too many inconsistencies. I'll spend most of my review addressing these.

Why can an assassin feel so much hatred towards an executioner? Both characters are taking hit orders from someone else. Neither know the people they are killing intimately. Both understand that the people they are killing have families and people who care about them. Both feel the weight of what they're doing. One is forced into a role without their choosing, the other chose their role. Neither know each other well enough to judge the other, but do so anyway.

People in this world are regularly executed for falling in love across "rings". Yet because someone from the lowest ring saw someone from the highest ring unmasked they are forced to get married? That makes no sense. Even the idea of marrying between the rings to unite them is inconsistent. The entire point of their political world seemed to be to keep people in their rings. No rising or falling. Just stay where you are in your place. So Shade and Greyson being forced to "marry" just because she saw him unmasked made no sense.

This world starts off feeling like the "royal" family is almost mafia. All of the family members have their places and assignments. Yet the further into the book we go, we see such subjugation for the women in this world. And it just felt a little forced to me. If this were a political commentary on today's society (which I'm not saying it is), Daggermouth would show how far we've come past women's subjugation today.

Then, a character is shot literally 3 different times in the span of a week and continues to fight on like his entire body isnt facing multiple debilitating injuries. But maybe he's built up a tolerance to pain through his history. Yet the first bullet left him near death. Another character is injured similarly. Not quite 3 bullet wounds. But still, this is so unrealistic it's laughable.

Look, I don't avoid books that have spicy scenes if the plot is good. But I'd rather not have them in there. I don't think it's necessary. And Daggermouth had less and more than I expected. The only full scene (and I say full given the amount of description and the act itself) was early in the book. There are a few more partial scenes that were descriptive, but didn't go as far as I expected. I have to say that given the proclivities of the two main characters, I'm glad that things didn't progress as much as one would expect. But I don't understand why almost all of the scenes in this world had to include violence of some kind. Maybe it's just me, but even if it is, I feel like it shouldn't be.

I think Daggermouth was supposed to have some big plot twists. But if you read enough books, you can begin to predict things that might happen. This was the case with me reading this book. There was only one small surprise for me at the very, very end of this book. Everything else I predicted. That's not to say that every reader will do this. I know some friends of mine never try to predict what's going to happen, but my brain can't turn that off. I'm always thinking "oh I bet this unexpect thing is going to happen." Anyway, at the same time, with the way Daggermouth ended, I really don't see the need for a second book. I know there are a lot of holes, but none of them feel pressing enough for me to need a second book.

Even though the majority of my review has been negaitve, I read Daggermouth quickly. I wanted to keep reading when I needed to put it down. So it wasn't all bad. I had hopes for the characters, which I guess hasn't fully fleshed out and maybe that's the idea behind the second book, but yeah, I also can't rate Daggermouth as some masterpiece either. At this point, I'm giving Daggermouth 3 Stars. I'll probably read the second in the series when it publishes, but time will tell if my interests drops before it publishes. Have you read Daggermouth? What did you think? Let me know!

Seek the Traitor's Son - Review

Seek the Traitor's Son (The Burning Empire, # 1)

By: Veronica Roth

Narrated By: Imani Jade Powers; Max Meyers; Rebecca Soler; Steve West

Expected Publication: May 12, 2026 by Tor Books

432 pages

Genre: Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A new epic romantic, dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor's Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth

Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

Seek the Traitor's Son had a slow start for me. I liked the idea of two people receiving the same prophecy. The prophecy isn't set in stone on which woman will come out as the "winner," but both will be the rise or fall of their people. Both will fall in love with a man. Man, I'm butchering this. Check out the description to see the details about the prophecy.

Elegy has always been the spare daughter. Her mother has served a prominent role in her nation, and her sister will be the heir to receive the role after their mother passes. Elegy doesn't even know her real father, but her adoptive father is basically the one who raised her. Elegy has an entire life. And not to spoil things, but the reader would know quickly upon the start of the book that Elegy is married at the beginning. So to hear this prophecy that she (or Rava Vidar) will be the one to conquer the other for their nations, and Elegy will fall in love with a man, she knows that it isn't her husband. Elegy rejects the idea of being the Hope of Cedrae. The reader has to know that Elegy's husband is either destined to die or they will get divorced. The reader just doesn't know which.

I am thankful that I had Seek the Traitor's Son on audiobook. This is definitely a book that would have been put off for months or years if I were actually reading it. The narrators did well. I was kind of sick of hearing the whole name Rava Vidar by the end of the book. I guess I would have likely felt that way whether listening or reading. But the emphasis that was put on this name was a little annoying. It kind of added to her character build-up that I didn't think was deserved.

Theron was up and down for me. He didn't have any more choice in his destiny than Elegy did. He was thrust into a position that he wasn't fully prepared for. He was once a coward, and then had to go through extensive difficulty to come out a different person. Theron's relationship with the guy who hated him felt forced to me. I can't remember his name, and due to having the audiobook copy, I can't exactly go hunting for it. This didn't feel realistic to me at all. I honestly chose to block it from my memory until the time to write this review. Had I known that this content was present within the book, I probably would have taken a pass on it.

The book ended on a cliffhanger, and at the time, I definitely thought I would need to find out what was going to happen next. But now that I've had a little distance between finishing Seek the Traitor's Son and writing this review, I've already lost a lot of my interest in seeing what's going to happen next. I can definitely see myself not continuing this series. It was complex, but I kept feeling like the story was lagging. Overall, not my favorite book from Veronica Roth. Seek the Traitor's Son gets 3 Stars. Have you read or listened to Seek the Traitor's Son? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Seek the Traitor's Son

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Seek the Traitor's Son

By: Veronica Roth

Expected Publication: May 12, 2026 by Tor Books

432 pages

Genre: Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Science Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A new epic romantic, dystopian fantasy begins in Seek the Traitor's Son, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth

Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - The Giver

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

The Giver (The Giver, # 1)

By: Lois Lowry

Publication: April 26, 1993

225 pages

Genre: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Dystopian

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Life in the community where Jonas lives is idyllic. Designated birthmothers produce new children, who are assigned to appropriate family units; one male, one female, to each. Citizens are assigned their partners and their jobs. No one thinks to ask questions. Everyone obeys. Their community is a precisely choreographed world without conflict, inequality, divorce, unemployment, injustice ... or choice.

Everyone is the same.

Except Jonas.

At the Ceremony of Twelve, the community's twelve-year-olds eagerly accept their predetermined Life Assignments. But Jonas is chosen for something special. He begins instruction in his life's work with a mysterious old man known only as The Giver. Gradually, Jonas learns that power lies in feelings. But when his own power is put to the test -- when he must try to save someone he loves -- he may not be ready. Is it too soon? Or too late?

At 38 years old, I've finally experienced Lois Lowry. I listened to The Giver on a family vacation while driving there and home. Middle Grade isn't my favorite, but I'm reading more in this age range to offer my kids suggestions when the time comes. 

I was easily hooked into this story of The Giver. I could easily see myself recommending this to my kids. As the story progressed, I questioned whether I would still recommend it. The world-building happened at just the right pace. At first, the reader doesn't notice much difference between the fantasy world The Giver is set in compared to the real world. Slowly, differences emerged. And the differences and Jonas's reaction to them propel the reader forward. 

Jonas begins the book at 11 years old. And he will soon participate in the Ceremony of Twelve where the kids his age will be given a job to help the community. Jonas is given a "special" job. And it's this job that the majority of the story is about. But I can't discuss it in detail because that would be spoilers. 

Parts of this story didn't feel appropriate for younger children. But I guess I am more of a sheltering parent than most. And if you really get analytical about some aspects of this world things do begin to break down. 

As someone who doesn't love ambiguity, I can't say I loved the ending. Yet the unique world and wanting to learn more propelled me to keep listening. At the same time, I'm not sure if I want to recommend this book to my kids or others. I guess I give The Giver 3 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) The Giver? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Sunrise on the Reaping

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, # 0.5)

By: Suzanne Collins

Expected Publication: March 18, 2025 by Scholastic Press

400 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Science Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for?

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.

Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.

When Haymitch's name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town.

As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Watch Me

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Watch Me (Shatter Me: The New Republic, # 1)

By: Tahereh Mafi

Expected Publication: April 15, 2025 by Storytide

368 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopian, Science Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Lose yourself in this exhilarating return to the #1 global bestselling Shatter Me universe, the first book in a new series set ten years after the fall of The Reestablishment.

James Anderson had a plan. Or half of one. All that matters is that he managed to do what his older brother, the famous Aaron Warner Anderson, never did: infiltrate Ark Island, the last refuge of The Reestablishment. In the past decade no outsider has breached the stronghold of the authoritarian regime, but James is in. In a prison cell, sure, but as far as James is concerned, a win is a win.

It’s been ten years since the fall of The Reestablishment. Ten years since the notorious duo — Juliette Ferrars and Aaron Warner Anderson — led a worldwide rebellion and established the New Republic of the West. But after a decade of unsettling quiet, The Reestablishment is ready to make a devastating move, and they have the perfect person for the job.

Rosabelle Wolff had a plan. She always has a plan. On Ark Island, where constant surveillance is packaged as security, even emotions must be experienced with caution. A trained assassin, her every movement is monitored by synthetic intelligence—and when she’s given an order to kill, she never hesitates.

Brimming with pulse-pounding action and torturous romance, Watch Me is an explosive journey through a dystopian landscape where enemies-to-lovers has never felt more impossible. Step into a beloved and breathtaking world that demands an answer to a desperate question—

Who are we when no one is watching?

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

All Things Halloween/Homeschool Friday - The Wild Robot

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

The Wild Robot (The Wild Robot, # 1)

By: Peter Brown

Publication: April 5, 2016

279 pages

Genre: Children's Fiction, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Source: Personal Kindle Library (was on sale)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Can a robot survive in the wilderness?

When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is--but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a violent storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants.

As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home--until, one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.

From bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Peter Brown comes a heartwarming and action-packed novel about what happens when nature and technology collide.

I got The Wild Robot a while back because I'm trying to increase the number of chapter books that I am reading aloud to my kids. My kids are currently 8, 6, and 3. We just finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire which is a massive book for the age of my kids. I wanted to take a break from the Harry Potter series before we started that one, but my daughter was determined to push forward. I am forcing a break before we move into book 5 though because the subject matter gets more mature and the plot gets more complex. But back to The Wild Robot. I might have an easier time convincing my kids to pick this one as our read-aloud option before bed if I were more familiar with it. So I get the audiobook from the e-library. 

Kate Atwater does a wonderful job with the narration. She is robotic when Roz speaks without being too over the top. And her voices for the other characters were just enough to distinguish them without making it feel like too much either. I think my kids would enjoy the audiobook version as well, since I have the Kindle version, I will probably just read this aloud to them when convenient. Kate did give me a great jumping-off point to guide my own inflection while reading aloud.

The book description tells you about all that I can when it comes to plot. Roz is a robot that wakes up on an island. Some robot pieces were scattered around where she wakes up, and she realizes that she's the only robot who survived. And survival is exactly what Roz needs. I love this concept. That's what most of us humans are doing as well. We're surviving. We have to survive in the basic sense of feeding and clothing ourselves. Of course, our society is more advanced in technology so we have many of our survival needs almost on autopilot. But there's still more we have to survive. We need other humans for survival. We need relationships. And so we have to manage, navigate, and sometimes survive our relationships. And how we survive becomes learned and ingrained. Roz does the same thing. She has to adapt to her environment to survive. She doesn't have basic needs as far as eating or sleeping. She can rest, but many of her instincts are about helping her not to die rather than needing xyz to survive. Either way, she sees that she needs to learn from the animals on the island if she's going to survive.

But life should go beyond mere survival. Of course, if we don't have our basic needs met, we can't look beyond that to relationships. But once we have the basics we can move from surviving to thriving. Roz shows us that the most satisfying "survival" we can have is to be helpful to others. We can create better relationships that allow us to both survive and thrive when we're living a life that helps and serves those around us. Roz goes from being viewed as a monster in the eyes of the animals on the island to being family. 

I'm always on the lookout for books with strong moral values--especially if those can be taught in a way that doesn't cram the message down the reader's throat. The Wild Robot succeeded in that area. When we get to the end of the book, the stakes are raised, and the adventure peaks. Some sensitive readers might find this to be too intense for them, but I think my kids would be just fine. They survived Cedric Diggory's murder as well as Charlotte's self-sacrifice from Charlotte's Web. So I think they will handle The Wild Robot without any issues. I'm not sure if we'll continue the series as I've heard less than stellar opinions about the subsequent books in this series. But for now, The Wild Robot gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) The Wild Robot? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

Lost Crows and Fallen Stars - Review

Lost Crows and Fallen Stars (Bonds of the Imnicus, # 1)

By: Abelia Sumpter

Publication: April 9, 2024 by Rose & Lavender Press, LLC

383 pages

Genre: New Adult, Science Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--For romantasy readers who want to dip their toe into sci-fi, this enemies-to-lovers thriller will enchant you before it breaks you.

Today I met my husband for the first time . . . again.

Milo Arris–the young ruler of two planets–is as cruel as he is handsome, and for some reason, he chose me to be his wife. He chose me to be the Columess–the girl he seems to hate more than the invaders who wiped my memories.

But I have bigger problems than Milo’s cold words. Servants in the palace are hiding strange burns on their bodies. A maid is murdered at the ball. Not to mention there’s the looming mystery of why my memories were wiped to begin with.

Danger lurks in the shadows, and with every strange occurrence, I fear someone aboard the Imnicus may be putting both our lives in jeopardy.

Lost Crows & Fallen Stars is a new-adult space romantasy. Please see the author’s website for a full list of content warnings.

I was sucked into the story of Lost Crows and Fallen Stars pretty quickly. Amnesia stories bring intrigue from the questions immediately thrust upon the character and the reader. Margot wakes up from what appears to have been an attack where she was tortured for information. She doesn't know who she is, but her lady's maid is brought to the hospital to help her figure out who she is. We learn that she's the Colum's wife (Colum = King). 

Let's pause here and discuss this world. This is a science fiction story. The Colum, Milo, is the ruler over two plants, Lavenai & Ashtanabo. His home is on a space station, type of ship, or something that hovers near both planets. His father was Colum before him and conquered Lavenai. From what he shares with Margot, it seems like Lavenai just wants its independence back and is causing problems for Milo and his rule. He paints the picture that he's just trying to help Lavenai get back on its feet after the war, but they are rejecting all his attempts to aid them.

Milo has a group of special, military type of soldiers that he keeps close called proditors. They have superhuman abilities that deal with the mind when they touch other people. I got the impression that each one has a little uniqueness to their abilities, but only one was discussed in detail as to what that proditor could do. These people are stronger than the Colum but are his most trusted warriors, I guess. I'm struggling to find the right description for aspects of this book. There are five of these proditors that live on the Imnicus (the ship/space station where the Colum lives) that are the strongest and closest to Milo. I'll come back to them in a bit.

There was so much about this book that didn't make sense to me or didn't feel fully fleshed out. Margot wakes up from her amnesia and only remembers her first name. She gets immediately annoyed when she learns she's married and her husband hasn't come to visit her. It felt like she wrote him off immediately based on that. The two have a combative beginning. She's told they fell in love, but she's annoyed by the smallest things that he does. At one point, he even tells her that he hated her even before the amnesia. So how did they have this whirlwind love affair that resulted in their marriage while simultaneously hating each other? Aside from that, Margot makes several assumptions about life and other people in a way that doesn't seem to make sense given her amnesia. Granted, I don't fully understand how amnesia works, but I felt she was too opinionated over things she didn't know anything about.

Margot takes down a proditor that snuck up on her. They explain that her body has this muscle memory that her brain might not realize is associated with past memories. She's told she was a soldier who quickly worked up the ranks to become a spy. Apparently, she was extremely good at this. Later, we find out that Margot wasn't all that athletic when it came to physical fights, so how she had the muscle memory to take down a proditor doesn't make sense. The muscle memory thing is not over yet as far as not making sense. She opens a locked tablet with a passcode that her brain doesn't remember, but her fingers apparently do. She's ultimately sent on a spy mission for Milo. Before the mission, no one is particularly concerned about her amnesia because "don't worry, her muscle memory will take over." I feel confident that spies probably use their brains and training just as much as any muscle memory. The goal of a good spy would be to never need to be in a combat situation, right? Anyway, the only opportunity the reader has to see Margot spying is that she once follows Milo around for a week, trying to sneak up on him. He tells her almost immediately that he knew she was following him. And then we learn he even knew where she was so she didn't catch him off guard. This could be explained away with some spoilers, but I don't think the explanation makes any more sense than anything else about this book. Not to mention that we do learn that Margot wasn't all that capable of a spy in the first place.

Margot and Milo supposedly fall in love. I say "supposedly" because there are no events that happen that should create any deep connection between these two. Sure, they have several surface-level interactions. But there's no depth of feeling involved. There's no analysis of the other person's character that inspires any emotion. It's just like we're told they fall in love, and so we're supposed to believe it. Perhaps this is a telling versus showing problem. If anything, I believe there was some attraction and lust, but I didn't experience anything that would lead me to believe these two were in love at all.

Back to the proditors. The term crows is used about the proditors and their abilities. Someone's crows are sick. Someone else's aren't powerful enough to give them full proditor abilities. These guys are so confusing. There are 5 of them on the Imnicus. Two Margot has an immediate liking to. They feel like old friends in a way. One of them, she doesn't meet until her spy mission, and then he is only mentioned in passing. This HAS to be set up for some piece in the future of the series because otherwise, he was entirely unnecessary. One appears to hate her for no reason she can determine. One keeps getting her drunk and seems like he just wants to hang out with her. How their abilities work, how they work for Milo, nearly everything about them is just confusing. What in the world do crows have anything to do with anything? How many crows are there?

There's a giant twist that should make things make more sense. In some ways, the twist does, but in other ways, I just ended up with more questions. 

I read Lost Crows and Fallen Stars really quickly. I was driven forward to keep reading because I wanted the answers to Margot's memories. Who was she before all of this happened to her? But so much of this world and the events of this story didn't make any logical sense. I had more questions after the book than I did to start with. And I can't fully say that I loved any of the characters. Margot was made out to be some top-level spy with an epic love story with her husband that she doesn't remember yet falls in love with again. Milo seemed like a good enough leader with perhaps a short temper, yet I couldn't find anything in his character to draw Margot to him. And I couldn't see why he came to love her either, except perhaps she showed a little spunk. There are plenty of spoilers I can't talk about, but I have to say that I'm not sure if I'll continue this series or not. I'm curious about what might happen next, but with so much not making sense logically and with characters that I don't really care about, I am not sure I'll find the desire to continue the series all that strong when the time comes. I'm giving Lost Crows and Fallen Stars 2.5 Stars. Have you read Lost Crows and Fallen Stars? What did you think? Let me know!

Nyxia - Review

Nyxia (The Nyxia Triad, # 1)

By: Scott Reintgen

Publication: September 12th 2017 by Crown Books for Young Readers

384 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Emmett Atwater agrees to leave Earth behind when Babel Communications offers him a fortune. The catch? He has to launch into deep space to get it. One of ten selected recruits, Emmett boards the company's spaceship and sets course for a planet that Babel has kept hidden from the rest of the world.

Before long, Emmett discovers that all of Babel's recruits have at least one thing in common: they're broken. Broken enough that Babel can remold them however it pleases.

Every training session is a ruthless competition where friendships are tested and enemies are made. Each recruit must earn the right to travel down to the planet of Eden-- where they will mine nyxia, substance that has quietly become the most valuable material in the universe.

But Babel's ship is full of secrets. Secrets about the volatile substance they're hoping to mine, about the reclusive humanoids already living on Eden, and about the true intentions for the recruits.

Emmett will face the ultimate choice: win the fortune at any cost, or find a way to fight that won't forever compromise what it means to be human.

______________________________________

"Brilliant concept meets stellar execution in this fast-paced deep space adventure. I was hooked from page one."
~Victoria Schwab, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“A high-octane thriller . . . Nyxia grabs you from the first line and never lets go.”
—Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Young Elites series

"Impossible to forget. Impossible to put down. This wonderfully diverse epic is an utterly thrilling binge-worthy treat." —Jay Coles, author of Tyler Johnson Was Here

I got Nyxia for review years ago, and it just kept getting put off. My bad. When I saw it available on audiobook with the elibrary, I put it on hold. It finally came around, and I can mark it off my way overdue books.

Babel Communications has recruited a group of 10 kids in need of financial assistance to take to a new planet in order to mine a substance called nyxia. The trouble: only 8 spots are available, and two recruits will not be taken to Eden. The 10 recruits have to compete in a series of tests to see who will win the 8 spots. These tests are similar to all that we seem to enjoy in series like The Hunger Games, Divergent, Fourth Wing, Red Rising, etc.

Scott Reintgen writes the contestants in a way that you can't help but root for almost all of them. A few are less likeable than the rest, but even their motivations are usually clear and relatable. This gets you attached to characters that you have no idea whether they will be sticking around or not.

Nyxia had no lack of twists. The tests that Babel constantly threw at the kids kept them and the reader on their toes. The recruits don't know who they can trust, and even when they have moments of levity, eventually, they all had to face off against each other. Babel is keeping secrets. And things are never quite what they appear.

Sullivan Jones did a wonderful job narrating Emmett. I felt his attitude, anger, frustration, and fears through his narration.

Nyxia was much better than I expected. I hate that I put off reading it for so long. Emmett's story was gripping, and I wanted to keep listening when I had to stop. Nyxia gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) Nyxia? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Light Bringer

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Light Bringer (Red Rising, # 6)

By: Pierce Brown

Expected Publication: July 25, 2023

704 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Space Opera, Dystopian

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Darrow returns as Pierce Brown’s New York Times bestselling Red Rising series continues in the thrilling sequel to Dark Age.

“The measure of a man is not the fear he sows in his enemies. It is the hope he gives his friends.”—Virginia au Augustus

The Reaper is a legend, more myth than man: the savior of worlds, the leader of the Rising, the breaker of chains.

But the Reaper is also Darrow, born of the red soil of Mars: a husband, a father, a friend.

The worlds once needed the Reaper. But now they need Darrow. Because after the dark age will come a new age: of light, of victory, of hope.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review - Defender of Walls

Defender of Walls (Kingdom of Walls, # 1)

By: Tanya Bird

Publication: February 20th 2021 by Tanya Bird

328 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopian

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository)

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Keep her inside. Keep her alive.

Blake Suttone has a stomach full of grief and no food. A decade of famine has taken its toll on the splintered kingdom, but it is the merchants who suffer most. A wall stands between the hungry and the food, and the kingdom’s defenders stand guard atop it. Desperate times lead to desperate acts, and Blake will do whatever is necessary to ensure her family survives. But a growing attachment to a certain commander was never part of the plan. Now the man protecting the walls seems determined to guard her too.

Commander Harlan Wright was raised on a diet of training and discipline. His mind is calloused and his heart closed. These are not faults in a defender but assets. Harlan’s path is clear, until he meets a merchant girl who pulls him in a dangerous new direction. Blake might be a fighter, but she is fighting a losing battle. As the walls continue to go up, Harlan must choose between head and heart, duty and love.

This is the first book in the medieval dystopian series Kingdom of Walls. If you enjoy high-emotion romance with plenty of action, then this dark star-crossed lovers tale is for you.

For some reason I thought there would be a little more supernatural elements to this book. I guess the world is fantasy. The religion is unique to this story. Maybe that's fantasy enough. There's no magic in the first book anyway. The description labels it as medieval dystopian.

Harlan's family lives in the merchant borough of this fantasy kingdom. They run a dress shop, but from what I can tell they don't do much business. I suppose one doesn't need fancy clothes when they can't afford to buy food. From what I gathered it seems like it rains in this fantasy kingdom more often than not. I guess the constant rain is what's driving the famine. Anyway, food is scarce at the very beginning of this story and it only gets worse as the story progresses. Blake's father passed not that long ago from a heart attack (or it was said that his heart failed him). The book begins with her brother dying in a collapsed illegal tunnel. This is where Blake meets Harlan--the commander of the borough.

Harlan can see the grief pouring off of Blake at their first meeting. And well, Harlan isn't unaccustomed with grief since his mother committed suicide. He sees something in Blake that stirs his pity and compassion. And the more opportunities these two have bumping into each other the more feelings begin to develop. But a relationship between a Defender and a Merchant will not end well. These aren't just class lines being crossed. Defenders are used by the king to enforce the rules and punishments. And Blake has a family to think of. It seems the girls are hoping to marry well and by marry well that means perhaps marry a farmer, but I don't know how that would happen when the boroughs never mix or cross over to the other.

I really enjoyed the building of the relationship between Harlan and Blake. They did not have an easy path. As a matter of fact, there was one point where even I was beginning to lose hope for Blake and for their relationship. Tanya Bird did a good job building up the drama and the mountain that needed to be overcome for these two to come together. I did find a few aspects of the overall story to be shallow or not fleshed out completely. It's possible Tanya Bird would know the answer to all of my questions, but as the reader, I was left wondering about a few things I think should have been explained. At the same time, I feel like she ultimately did focus on the parts of the story that mattered the most.

Favorite quotes:

-"I just think any man who makes you see yourself as the rest of us do is a hero."

-"You don't have to stand tall and strong when I'm around. I've got you."

I wanted to keep reading Defender of Walls any time that I had to put it down. Sometimes this isn't the best thing for my family because I find myself getting crabby because all I want to do is read and I actually have wife, mother, etc. responsibilities to see to. Defender of Walls gets 4 Stars. I am looking forward to reading the next book. Have you read Defender of Walls? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

Can't Wait for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, # 0)

By: Suzanne Collins

Expected Publication: May 19th 2020 by Scholastic Press

528 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Ambition will fuel him.
Competition will drive him.
But power has its price.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Defy the Worlds - Giveaway

Defy the Worlds (Constellation, # 2)

By: Claudia Gray

Publication: April 3rd 2018 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

481 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--This is the thrilling and romantic sequel to Defy the Stars from the New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Lost Stars and Bloodline.

An outcast from her home -- Shunned after a trip through the galaxy with Abel, the most advanced cybernetic man ever created, Noemi Vidal dreams of traveling through the stars one more time. And when a deadly plague arrives on Genesis, Noemi gets her chance. As the only soldier to have ever left the planet, it will be up to her to save its people...if only she wasn't flying straight into a trap.

A fugitive from his fate -- On the run to avoid his depraved creator's clutches, Abel believes he's said good-bye to Noemi for the last time. After all, the entire universe stands between them...or so he thinks. When word reaches him of Noemi's capture by the very person he's trying to escape, Abel knows he must go to her, no matter the cost.

But capturing Noemi was only part of Burton Mansfield's master plan. In a race against time, Abel and Noemi will come together once more to discover a secret that could save the known worlds, or destroy them all.

In this thrilling and romantic sequel to Defy the Stars, bestselling author Claudia Gray asks us all to consider where--and with whom--we truly belong.

The publisher kindly sent this book to me unrequested. I thought I might read it one day, but since it's the 2nd in a series and I never read the first I just haven't gotten around to it. Since we're all stuck in quarantine, I thought I might take this time to do a giveaway for this book. Please keep in mind that I might not be able to ship this immediately if you do win. Also, open to US only (so sorry international peeps, but I'm having to pay for the shipping myself on this one).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can't Wait for Chosen Ones

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Chosen Ones (The Chosen Ones, # 1)

By: Veronica Roth

Expected Publication: April 7th 2020 by John Joseph Adams/Houghton Mifflin

304 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The first novel written for an adult audience by the mega-selling author of the Divergent franchise: five twenty-something heroes famous for saving the world when they were teenagers must face even greater demons—and reconsider what it means to be a hero . . . by destiny or by choice.

A decade ago near Chicago, five teenagers defeated the otherworldly enemy known as the Dark One, whose reign of terror brought widespread destruction and death. The seemingly un-extraordinary teens—Sloane, Matt, Ines, Albie, and Esther—had been brought together by a clandestine government agency because one of them was fated to be the “Chosen One,” prophesized to save the world. With the goal achieved, humankind celebrated the victors and began to mourn their lost loved ones.

Ten years later, though the champions remain celebrities, the world has moved forward and a whole, younger generation doesn’t seem to recall the days of endless fear. But Sloane remembers. It’s impossible for her to forget when the paparazzi haunt her every step just as the Dark One still haunts her dreams. Unlike everyone else, she hasn’t moved on; she’s adrift—no direction, no goals, no purpose. On the eve of the Ten Year Celebration of Peace, a new trauma hits the Chosen: the death of one of their own. And when they gather for the funeral at the enshrined site of their triumph, they discover to their horror that the Dark One’s reign never really ended.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review & Giveaway - Iron Gold

Iron Gold (Red Rising, # 4)

By: Pierce Brown

Publication: January 16th 2018 by Del Rey Books

480 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--They call him father, liberator, warlord, Reaper. But he feels a boy as he falls toward the pale blue planet, his armor red, his army vast, his heart heavy. It is the tenth year of war and the thirty-second of his life.

A decade ago, Darrow was the hero of the revolution he believed would break the chains of the Society. But the Rising has shattered everything: Instead of peace and freedom, it has brought endless war. Now he must risk everything he has fought for on one last desperate mission. Darrow still believes he can save everyone, but can he save himself?

And throughout the worlds, other destinies entwine with Darrow’s to change his fate forever:

A young Red girl flees tragedy in her refugee camp and achieves for herself a new life she could never have imagined.

An ex-soldier broken by grief is forced to steal the most valuable thing in the galaxy—or pay with his life.

And Lysander au Lune, the heir in exile to the sovereign, wanders the stars with his mentor, Cassius, haunted by the loss of the world that Darrow transformed, and dreaming of what will rise from its ashes.

Red Rising was the story of the end of one universe, and Iron Gold is the story of the creation of a new one. Witness the beginning of a stunning new saga of tragedy and triumph from masterly New York Times bestselling author Pierce Brown.

Oh man! You guys, I am plumb ashamed at how long I put off reading Iron Gold. I really and truly am. Pierce Brown's Red Rising series smashed its way into my all-time favorite series list with the conclusion of Morning Star, which was believed to be the series ender at the time it published. These books have been so, so good, but at the same time, they are weighty. They are deep, complex, beautiful, ugly, sad, hopeful, angry, forgiving, and while I love them, they bleed me dry of my emotions. So after every single release, I've needed time to recover from the previous book. Even while dying to know what was going to happen next, I still needed an emotional break from what I previously devoured. This is one of the only series I've ever needed the entire year (and then some) between releases. I might initially think that's a bad thing, but it really and truly isn't. And that is the only reason why I've put off reading Iron Gold for as long as I have.

Iron Gold is set 10 years into the future from when Morning Star ended. I wish it would have been possible for me to have re-read the first three books before starting Iron Gold because I felt a little lost for the first 25% or so. Names of side characters, events, chronology... All of that just wasn't as fresh in my memory as I would have liked. Getting reacquainted with some old characters took longer than I wanted and caused a little slower of a start than I wanted.

Anytime a series ends and I'm happy with where the characters stand at the end, I struggle with torn feelings over the author choosing to return to the series. On the one hand, I'm excited to return to a world and characters that I love, yet on the other hand, I'm nervous because more books mean more conflict and a new ending that might not leave me as satisfied as the original did. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't wonder about this exact thing in the early chapters of Iron Gold when Brown was establishing the conflict for this book and the rest of the series. But he's seen me through some pretty rough spots already, and I have faith he'll see me through the rest of the series.

I was thrown off to see that Iron Gold features multiple narrators. We have Darrow--as always--and now Lyria, Ephraim, and Lysander also. Each person added a perspective only they could reveal for the different parts of the story and world. I didn't want to read anyone but Darrow in the beginning. Lyria is angry at the republic for the promises that they've failed to keep. She blames them for the deaths of her family members. And really she represents the average Martian citizen. I grew to like her as she grew in her character. Ephraim was easy to hate. I know everyone handles grief differently, but we also all have a choice in how we feel and how we react to the things that happen in our lives. Ephraim plays the victim in a similar way to Lyria, except he has a lot more information and control over things than she does. And he chooses wrong over and over. His pain blinds him entirely and he allows it to be an excuse. I could do without him in future books. Lysander...oh Lysander. I want so badly to like him, to support him. He's actually fairly easy to like. It seems like he's trying to do right, but I believe his ideas on what is right are a bit skewed. But that's kind of a running theme through this series. Right versus wrong and all the gray areas in between. And Darrow...oh Darrow. All I'll say here is that Pierce Brown does a wonderful job placing doubt in the reader's mind. But it's not hard to do so when Darrow doubts himself as well. I have my fingers crossed for Darrow. He's never been the perfect hero, but I can tell you right now that if things go south through these additional books and screws up the ending I was satisfied within Morning Star when it comes to Darrow I'm going to be highly ticked.

Even though I forgot several characters and names, some are unforgettable. Mustang, Sevro, Victra, Pax, Kavax, Holliday, Cassius, and some of the more prominent Howlers were involved as you would expect. I can't say much about any of them without spoiling things that shouldn't be spoiled. I do want to mention that I love how Pierce Brown has some amazingly strong female characters amid his cast of amazingly strong male characters. The strength of one gender doesn't necessitate the weakness of the other. Both equally strong male and female character. Both feminine and masculine. Both emotional and logical. I love these characters. I need more. I'm insatiable.

I do have to say that there were no real surprises for me throughout the story. Every piece that felt like it should have been a twist...I saw coming in some form or other. This was a little disappointing to me because Brown has done such a great job in the past of letting me figure some things out while completely blowing me away with other things.

I also just wanted to say that Pierce Brown incorporates the lack of knowledge very well. Not all the characters are aware of the same information at the same time. Some are still missing crucial information when the book ends. This is something that I respect from George R R Martin's work that's really a great conflict creator.

Another slightly disappointing thing for me was the lack of quotable moments. If you go back to my reviews of the previous books you will see that I had a hard time restraining myself with all of the great quotes. But here are my favorites from Iron Gold:

-"Because when the law is not obeyed, the ground is fertile for tyrants."

-Sharing a life threads more than flesh and blood together. It weaves her memories in and around and through mine.

-My wife is not as fickle as a flame. She is an ocean. I knew from the first that I cannot own her, cannot take her, but I am the only storm that moves her depths and stirs her tides.

-"Do not let fear touch you. Fear is a torrent. The raging river. To fight it is to break and drown. But to stand astride it is to see it, feel it, and use its course for your own whims."

-"I know it may be impossible to believe now, when everything is dark and broken, but you will survive this pain, little one. Pain is a memory. You will live and you will struggle and you will find joy. And you will remember your family from this breath to your dying days, because love does not fade. Love is the stars, and its light carries on long after death."

-"A new wound can take a body. Opening an old one can claim a soul."

-The key to learning, to power, to having the final say in everything, is observation. By all means, be a storm inside, but save your movement and wind till you know your purpose.

Iron Gold was a good start to reopen this series. Yet I found it a little lacking compared to the previous books. I wasn't caught off guard by any twists. The story did hook me once I got past the first 25%. By 50% I was dying to read until I could finish. I truly hope that I can pick up Dark Age pretty soon. Iron Gold gets 4 Stars. Have you read Iron Gold? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

Also, the publisher kindly gifted me a copy of Iron Gold to giveaway to a friend. It was always my intention to give it away here on my blog as I posted my review. Please enter the rafflecopter widget below. (US entries only please. I'm sorry, but I have to pay shipping myself.)

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Can't Wait for The Hive

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

The Hive

By: Barry Lyga & Morgan Baden

Expected Publication: September 3rd 2019 by Kids Can Press

416 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Cassie McKinney has always believed in the Hive.

Social media used to be out of control, after all. People were torn apart by trolls and doxxers. Even hackers - like Cassie's dad - were powerless against it.

But then the Hive came. A better way to sanction people for what they do online. Cause trouble, get too many "condemns," and a crowd can come after you, teach you a lesson in real life. It's safer, fairer and perfectly legal.

Entering her senior year of high school, filled with grief over an unexpected loss, Cassie is primed to lash out. Egged on by new friends, she makes an edgy joke online. Cassie doubts anyone will notice.

But the Hive notices everything. And as her viral comment whips an entire country into a frenzy, the Hive demands retribution.

One moment Cassie is anonymous; the next, she's infamous. And running for her life.

With nowhere to turn, she must learn to rely on herself - and a group of Hive outcasts who may not be reliable - as she slowly uncovers the truth about the machine behind the Hive.

New York Times bestselling authors Barry Lyga and Morgan Baden have teamed up for the first time to create a novel that's gripping, terrifying and more relevant every day, based on a story proposal by Jennifer Beals and Tom Jacobson.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!