The Spirit Rebellion managed to bring what was great about book 1 back to the table and improve upon it in every way, adding important elements to the story that made the characters more compelling and increased my investment in the story.
Reviews
Review: Jade War (The Green Bone Saga #2) by Fonda Lee
Jade War by Fonda Lee increased everything I loved about the first book and made for a truly breathless read. While the first book was enjoyable, something about it was lacking for me. This sequel expelled any doubts and was a fantastic continuation of the story. (minor spoilers for the first book follow)
Book Tour: The Sword in the Street by C.M. Caplan
When I first dove into TSitS, I was immediately taken with Caplan’s use of language. He writes captivatingly, with vivid descriptions and intricate POVs that allow readers to truly know the characters in their own words. I’ve come across few other authors who are able to do that so spectacularly.
The Cruel Stars (The Cruel Stars #1) by John Birmingham
Combat Intellects, mechs with humans written from a source code, old family dynasties, more advanced tech than you can throw a stick at, and that’s just in the first chapter. It’s a smorgasbord of everything that’s cool about modern science fiction; it’s bonkers in all the right ways. It would definitely suit fans of explosive space battles in series like the Expanse and the body-switching, souls uploaded into chips, and other weird tech of Altered Carbon.
Review: Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes
Dead Silence is author S.A. Barnes’ lates release (and the first under that name, though the author has a whole portfolio of titles – mostly YA – under the name Stacey Kade). I thought this was a really good read, and it is exactly as billed: it’s the Titanic in space but also murdery with a touch of reality TV.
Review: Of Darkness and Light (The Bound and The Broken #2) by Ryan Cahill
For me personally Of Darkness and Light could have been 900 pages longer and it wouldn’t have mattered. It’s that epically good.
Review: Light Years from Home by Mike Chen
Light Years from Home is Mike Chen’s latest novel, and, in my opinion, it fits right in with the rest of the author’s portfolio. It is a sci-fi story written in Chen’s signature smooth style, with a narrative that includes family drama and alien technology, and a message full of hope. I definitely enjoyed this read.
Review: Swashbucklers by Dan Hanks
Swashbucklers is the latest release by author Dan Hanks (also known for Captain Moxley and the Embers of the Empire). It is billed as a nostalgic 80’s video game action adventure story. If that is purely what you are looking for, I would say this book accomplishes that task.
Review: Bastion (Immortal Great Souls #1) by Phil Tucker
Set in intriguing world of Hell, Bastion sports a fantastic set I’d characters and blends progression and cultivation elements into a wild roller coaster ride of a plot that grasps you from get go till the finale and leaves you screaming for more!
Review: Far from the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson
Far from the Light of Heaven is the latest release for noted SciFi author Tade Thompson (also known for The Wormwood Trilogy and the Molly Southborne series, among many others). This book is about a space mission gone awry. It is very murdery and includes rogue AI plus aliens. I was not the biggest fan of how everything was put together, but read on: this may be the very kind of book you connect with.
Review: Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
A delightful read! A breath of fresh air and a gratifying interlude, that I immensely enjoyed!
Of Darkness and Light by (The Bound and the Broken #2) by Ryan Cahill
Arrows whoosh. Fire burns. Hearts beat. Blood pumps, spills; the start of Darkness and Light is visceral like the Fall, but this situation seems entirely worse. What starts in fire and loss end in complete darkness with a singular ray of light that is the exciting, jaw-dropping cliff-hanger that rounds off such an expansive novel. It lifts the lid on the story that started with Of Blood and Fire. The Dragonguard and the imperial army descend upon one boy and his adolescent dragon. The night holds its breath as we wait for the fires to come …