A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin

Release Date: March 4, 2011 (First published August 6, 1996)
Publisher: Bantam
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire series, Book 1

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
In a world where summer can last for years and winter is harsh for even the most hardy of person, Westeros was home for families who traced their lineage back to the founding fathers. Knights and nobles traveled the land while their peasants kept the grand houses running. When the King came calling at Lord Stark's household, he could hardly refuse with their bond a deep as siblings. It was during the King's stay that Stark's world changed forever.

Soon the Stark family has been scattered upon the winds as some travel in company of the King and others had their own agendas to fulfill. Secret deals and bloodied hands tested the most stalwart of nobles. After the kingdom sees the death of one king and the rise of another, the cold winds of winter began to sweep through the land. Prophecies long forgotten by many started to unfold before the eyes of the current generation. Where will it leave the land of Westeros? Will all the answers ever be found?

Review:
I reviewed Book III of this series last year as I had bought up to that particular book. Now that I own the complete released set which includes all five books, I decided to read the series from the beginning. To keep from repeating myself, I won't be reviewing the third book but I will read it again so I can keep track of the intricate layers of theory and revelation going on within the saga. Truth be told, I actually read the second book years ago without realizing it was a series. It wasn't until word about the television show began to spread that my interest was piqued once again.

The first book in the series set the groundwork for the world in which the characters lived. Many of the characters were enmeshed in centuries old prophecies and allegiances that weighed on them in their present day. There was no central character for the entire book to revolve around, but each chapter was headed by a different person. All manner of people filled the world of Westeros. Rich, poor, honorable, dishonorable - nearly every part of society was present in the different areas of the book. Those we thought admirable have a bleaker, darker side that slowly revealed itself. The grey areas made the large book enjoyable for me.

With a lot of ground to cover and such a large cast of characters, it wasn't unexpected for the pace to be slow in some areas of the book. I did find myself skipping a paragraph here or there when the descriptions of the areas went on a bit long, but ultimately went back to read them because I had missed something. When the intrigue or battles began, there was a feeling of anticipation within the writing as events headed toward conflict. Now, with so many pieces in the game, it will be interesting to see how the entire saga concludes in the future books.

Overall, I liked this book even if I struggled through the slow parts of the story. I'm curious to re-read the other books and find more of the secrets that I missed the first time through the stories. Even though many have voiced their favorite houses or characters, I'm still undecided with this book. I loved how sassy Tyrion was but also how deep honor was ingrained in Eddard's character. Maybe the second book will help me to narrow down the field. If you're a lover of long, sweeping sagas or enjoy a large-scale adventure novel, this will be the series for you to begin - whether you've seen the show or not.

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin is currently available both online and in many local retailers across the globe. The book can be purchased in hardcover, paperback, audio-book, and Kindle formats. Clicking on the link below will bring up the book's Amazon page.
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin

Currently Reading

Well, I've got a bit of a situation. I'm nearly finished with one book and about halfway through a second. But I'm not finished with either, so I can't very well say they're off my TBR list right now. I've debated what to do for the better part of the morning and I've decided to mark this as nothing finished. Let's be honest, being close to the end doesn't mean I'm finished with the book.

Today will be spent finishing the two titles I'm working on and some crochet to stay ahead of my projects. My mind has been blank in the writing department for quite a long while, but I've had a few ideas floating around the last day or so. Picking up where I left off with NaNo2012 might be a good thing after my work's done for the day. We'll see.


Saying hello from the top of the TBR list;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Phantom of Fifth Avenue: The Mysterious Life and Scandalous Death of Heiress Huguette Clark by Meryl Gordon


Goodbye to these books;
None


As the summer winds down, I'm finding it a little easier to get through the days without health issues keeping me from the computer or yarn. Hopefully, I'll be able to be back on top of things soon. I'm excited to see so many book-related movies being made. Many will be released this fall. That being said, what book-related movies are you most excited to see?

Until next time,
Kay B

The Sentinel: The Sundering, Book V by Troy Denning

Release Date: April 1, 2014
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Series: The Sundering series, Book 5

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
As Toril descended into chaos, the dark threat of the Shadovar continued to spread throughout the world and brought the chaos into the heart of Marsember. Kleef Kenric, a member of Marsember's Watch and devotee to Helm, didn't hesitate when the Shadovar showed themselves within his city. He pursued them, subdued them and discovered their threat was much greater than he had anticipated.

With a member of Marsember's nobility in peril, Kleef joined with a band of others who were Chosen, those called upon by various gods in order to save their world. Through numerous struggles, each of the group must complete the dangerous mission given to them without giving in to the tempting rewards of the Shadovar. However, not all of the gods want happiness and light to surround Toril. Some want to plunge it into darkness and strife. Can the world survive if Kleef and his gang achieve their mission? Or will it all be for nothing?

Review:
The publisher had graciously allowed access to this series throughout the books' releases at NetGalley and I was very fortunate to enjoy them. This book was the fifth one of the series (see reviews for Book I, Book II, Book III and Book IV by click the links). More information about the origin of the wars and the sudden emergence of gods who were thought dead was intertwined with the introduction of more Chosen warriors in this story. As with the other books, this one began by revealing a group of main characters before they embarked on their part of the journey to fulfill the overall prophecy.

Because there are as many Chosen as there are gods in Toril, each of the books was able to focus on a few at time without becoming overwhelmed. In this particular novel, Kleef Kenric found himself a Chosen only after he rushed into battle in order to protect two other Chosen. Thus, he and Arietta Seasilver joined the others on a mission that may very well tip the balance of the war in their favor. Within the group there were the usual allegiances between the warriors and yet, jealousy and deceit crept within as well. Just when the four companions believed their group to be well on their way to finishing the task at hand, the secret, hatred-filled plans made an attempt to undo everything.

The book opened with an introduction to the four companions as well as a battle with the Shadovar. From that moment the chase was on and the momentum increased steadily throughout the following chapters. I definitely felt there were moments where the warriors and I could catch our breath, but they were promptly interrupted. The chase continued! Between all of the fighting and escaping, there was a lot of inner reflection among this group of warriors. I'm not sure if it was the result of the particular gods these Chosen followed or simply the way the story unfolded. It added a certain amount of depth to the story, in my opinion, and made it more than a hack-and-slash type of novel.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a great addition to an already entertaining series. I loved the fact each of the books does well on its own, but they bring something special to the series. I think this book took a look at love, duty and honor as many of the characters (and gods) battled their own thoughts about those very subjects. It will be exciting to see how the entire series comes together in the end. If you enjoy a great fantasy series filled with intrigue, double-crossing shadows, and campaigns with surprise endings, then this book is one you should definitely consider!

The Sentinel: The Sundering, Book V by Troy Denning is currently available at all online retailers and many local bookstores. You can purchase a copy of this book in hardcover, paperback, audiobook and Kindle formats. Clicking the link below will take you to the book's Amazon page.
The Sentinel: The Sundering, Book V by Troy Denning

Wool 2 - Proper Gauge (Silo #1b) by Hugh Howey

Release Date: November 30, 2011
Publisher: Broad Reach Publishing
Series: Wool series (Book 2), Silo series (#1b)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
After a cleaning, celebration and relief filled the air of the silo. Unfortunately, this cleaning also left a hole within the administration and forced Mayor Jahns and her deputy to consider three candidates for the job. Mayor Jahns used the celebratory atmosphere to visit the lower levels of the silo in order to get a sense of her candidates instead of forcing them to come to her.

As she and Deputy Marnes traveled over a hundred floors into the darkness of the silo, Mayor Jahns found herself accompanied by the ghosts of promises unfulfilled and unanswered questions. Interviewing their main candidate aimed a bright light on more than was expected, but all those problems lit a fire inside Mayor Jahns to make things right when she reached her home level. An unexpected incident put a dent in her plans, but will it stop everything? Will it put the entirety of the silo in jeopardy?

Review:
I purchased this book after I finished the first story in the series, Wool (Silo #1a), which I found thanks to OHFB. The events in the book began where the first ended, but the author used the opportunities within the story to give the reader a tour of life within the silo itself. There was a different air about this book since the cleaning relieved the pressure of uncertainty and uneasiness that filled the first book. Though this was the second in the series, the story within stood on its own and referenced enough of the first book to give the reader a full view of events without rehashing everything.

Two of the main characters in this book were introduced in the first one. Both Mayor Jahns and Deputy Marnes played supporting roles to Sheriff Holston. In this book their histories and current lives were on display as was their candidate to fill the void left by Holston. In an interesting twist, the silo itself became a main character as they traveled into its depths to interview someone on the deepest levels. On the way down to the Mechanical levels, we were given a glimpse of how life in the silo worked. Shops, farms, and porters filled the levels and provided everything that the people within could ever want. Hidden within the information about the various floors were tiny nuggets of information about the people that live and work on those same floors.

With the story beginning slightly after the events of the first book, the pacing started off strong. It continued on a steady pace as the story unfolded. There were moments where the characters rested or reflected on things in the past. These allowed a moment or two for the reader to take a breath and digest what had been revealed. I won't spoil the story, so the major points will stay hidden. However, I will say that much of the story provided background, but there were a few jaw-dropping moments that left me wanting to know more.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next part of the series. Many of the questions I had after reading the first one were answered in this one. I have a feeling that many more will be answered the deeper I dig into the series. With this being a quick read, the pages all but turned on their own as I wanted to know more of what was happening. If you like dystopian or post-apocalyptic stories filled with humanity and intrigue, then this book (and the series) is the one you need to read!

Wool 2 - Proper Gauge (Silo #1b) by Hugh Howey is currently available at many online retailers in either paperback or Kindle formats. Click the link below to visit the book's Amazon page.
Wool 2 - Proper Gauge (Silo #1b) by Hugh Howey

Currently Reading

Can you believe that it's August already?

I can't either. It really seems this year is flying right past me. With all that's on my plate thanks in part to my recent health challenges, I don't know that I'll finish this year as strong as I did last year. That doesn't mean that I'm not going to try! Only one book read this week. I'm thankful for that as I have dealt with a lot of things behind the scenes.


Moving to the top of the list;
The Saeshell Book of Time, Part 1: The Death of Innocents (Children of Sophista #1) by Rusty Biesele
Jackfish Reborn by Rejean Giguere
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Phantom of Fifth Avenue: The Mysterious Life and Scandalous Death of Heiress Huguette Clark by Meryl Gordon


Off to the big library in the sky;
The Sentinel: The Sundering, Book V by Troy Denning


Still moving steadily through the list. I feel a bit bad for leaving the printed books on the TBR list so long. I am trying to slip in a few pages here and there, but it always seems easier to pick up that Kindle these days. What is your TBR pile looking like?

Until next time,
Kay B

Sworn (Book #1 of the Vampire Legends) by Emma Knight

Release Date: September 7, 2011
Publisher: Emma Knight
Series: Vampire Legends series, Book 1

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
After her family moved from Pennsylvania to New York, Rachel Wood faced the overwhelming challenge of starting a new school and finding new friends. First couple of days in school didn't go as smoothly as she anticipated, but her world brightened when one of the cutest boys in school asked her to go to a party with him. Despite bumps along the way, her first date and house party seemed fun until a group of girls decided she wasn't welcome. Her first week in the new town ended with both sweet and sour notes.

Instead of letting the bad times keep her down, Rachel focused on the happy moments and tried to figure out a way to see Rob, the guy of her dreams, again without all the drama. As her plans unraveled, her path led Rachel straight into a dangerous, life-altering situation. A mysterious stranger appeared from the shadows, rescued her and turned her world upside for the second time since moving to the new town. What do these changes mean for Rachel? Will she be able to figure it all out before it's too late?


Review:
When this book showed up on OHFB and at a sale price, I thought it deserved a chance to be read. It was a little out of my comfort zone since it was labeled YA, but I began reading the book with an open mind.  Right away I got the sense that Rachel was the typical middle child who didn't know who she wanted to be, stuck between the seemingly perfect older sister and easy-going younger brother. Combine that with the trauma of moving from her small hometown into a larger, suburban city and it became a recipe for disaster for the main character.

Many of the characters were the stereotypical teens in high school - the jocks, the popular girls, the goths, the punks and many more. The author did a good job of showing those cliques and their interactions. Rachel's awkwardness as the new girl in school became apparent before she even stepped into the building while her siblings projected their own personalities with ease. Her parents made brief appearances in this book, but they were concerned and interested in their children's lives which I thought was refreshing.

The pacing of the story was a little all over the place for me. The events of the school year happen so quickly that I wasn't sure how much time had actually passed in the story. One moment the family moved into their house. A few weeks later found the school preparing for the Homecoming Dance though there had been no discussion of the dance throughout the scenes at the school. While I thought the story was a good one for YA readers, I also thought there could have been so much more included that would have added more dynamics.

Overall, the story was a good one. I believe the author has the base of a really good series, but there were a lot of editing errors that distracted me. Things happened with little explanation or warning and often left me wondering why or how they impacted the story. I honestly hope the author takes some time to go back through this book and work out some of the listed issues so the story can shine. If you're looking for a YA paranormal to add to your collection or need something to fill an hour or two, this may just be the book for you.

Sworn (Book #1 of the Vampire Legends) by Emma Knight is currently available online at several retailers in both paperback and Kindle formats. Click the link below to visit the book's Amazon page.
Sworn (Book #1 of the Vampire Legends) by Emma Knight

One of Us by Tawni O'Dell

Release Date: August 19, 2014
Publisher: Gallery Books

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
Sheridan Doyle, aka Danny, was used to obstacles. He overcame them to escape the poor, broken home he was born into and to climb the tower of success as a forensic psychologist. Putting the past behind him gave him the freedom to explore the complexity of the human mind, a fascination that never left him.

When his beloved grandfather fell ill, Danny made the decision to return to his hometown, Lost Creek. Among the expected onslaught of memories, secrets waited their turns to be unearthed and threw his world into chaos. Can he decipher the clues around him before it's too late?

Review:
Receiving permission to read this from NetGalley, I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. From the description, I knew it would have elements of a paranormal and a thriller. I wasn't sure how it would play out. The further I read, the more enjoyable the book became. With the book's setting and subject matter, the story was dark, twisted and an interesting twist on the idea of secrets always finding a way to the surface, no matter how deeply they're buried.

The book introduced Danny first, carrying the story through his point-of-view. The reader was given his thoughts, feelings, and emotions as the past and present collided for him. As he returned to his hometown, it became clear how the isolation and bleakness of the town played a major role in many of Danny's decisions later in his life. Ingrained traditions from his childhood followed him whether he acknowledged them or not. The author presented Danny's family in such a way that the reader both empathized with his plight and cheered as he moved beyond the clutches of the small town.

Lost Creek was a major character in the story as well. The town's own history bled into everything that the townspeople did, mirroring the way the coal dust settled onto and into everything. The actions of early settlers brought consequences upon their descendants. About a third of the way into the book, the point-of-view shifted from Danny to another character and a whole new perspective was added to the small town. I admit, the change was a little confusing at first because I missed the subtle way it was announced. As with nearly everything else in the story, the two characters were nearly complete opposites of each other and provided another layer of intrigue to the mix.

Despite the confusion with the change in characters, the only other drawback I found with the story was in its pacing. There were several chapters were it sailed smoothly at a pretty steady pace. I didn't want to stop reading and kept going until I hit a patch where the pace lagged. The weight of the town's history seemed to bog down the pace, even though it added depth to the overall story. I dreaded the revelations that came out and how they impacted others. All in all, I enjoyed the twists and turns as well as the darkness of the characters. If you're looking for a book with polar opposites mixed with layers of intrigue and ghosts, then definitely pick up a copy of this book!

One of Us by Tawni O'Dell will be available at major retailers upon its release in August 2014. It can be pre-ordered in either hardcover or Kindle format. Click the link below to reserve a copy from Amazon.
One of Us by Tawni O'Dell