amanda_readingnwritinglife's reviews
135 reviews

Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon

4.0

I put this book off forever because I knew it would make me cry.  It's really the reason I don't like to read a lot of historical fiction novels.  They seem to be about hard times and people overcoming horrible circumstances.   I know that we need those kinds of books, but they're still hard for me to read.  This one was no different, but in spite of it not being a genre I love, this book was magnificent.  The character creation and personalities were wonderful and I loved the author note at the end so we get to see a little more of where this story came from and why she decided to tell it.  I just loved it and I'm so glad I finally picked it up.

The Pawn by Steven James

4.0

This was a great shake-up to the normal police procedural.  I mean, mostly it was the same except the key difference is in the way Patrick Bowers solves crimes (or helps with them).  He uses geography and a computer program to pinpoint places involved in each act of a crime and helps the detectives/special agents understand more about the killer/unsub.   He is an FBI special agent and he's just lost his wife to cancer and is trying to do his best to connect with his teenage stepdaughter.  Add in a serial killer and potential terrorist plot and it makes for a great book.  I can't wait to read more about this detective in the rest of this series.

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

5.0

Wow!  I'll never look at cookies and cream ice cream the same way.  There are other things I'll never think of the same way again, but I will think about the audio performer saying "blackbird" all the time.  I LOVED the audio narration of this book maybe more than I've enjoyed any audiobooks so far.  The editing that was done to layer their voices was just perfect and the banter between the characters made this the wonderful read that it was.  I am so glad someone picked this for our book club and I will definitely be waiting with bated breath for the next book to come out.  Meanwhile, I'm off to examine the backlist!! ;) 

Level Five by William Ledbetter

4.0

Level Five is an AI level and it's the highest.  And it's making decisions about its future that humanity knows nothing about.  This was so well done.  I really liked the multi POV and the fact that everything came together and flowed so well from one person to the next and from one event to the next to get to the climax at a great point!  I just really enjoyed it and I will definitely be reading the other books in this series.

Fable by Adrienne Young

4.0

 I saw YA and thought I needed to be wary of this one, but it was really good and I enjoyed it a lot. I love the idea of fighting for your place and I loved Fable and how headstrong and courageous she was. I will definitely be reading more about her and her friends and anyone else in this world. It was so much fun! 

The Widow of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox

4.0

This was such an enjoyable story.  I mean, it was dark at times and not everything was happy happy, but based on the cover no one was expecting that.  I liked this for the discussions around small town biases and how things can get blown out of proportion or believed by lots of people so they become truth.  I won't go into plot details because that will include spoilers, so I'll just say that it was worth the read and I'm glad I picked it up.

Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb

4.5

This far into this series, I don't know what else to say other than horrible crimes happen and Eve and the team are on the case.  I have such weird feelings about this whole series because these crimes are just disgustingly awful and I'm over here feeling wonderful about the whole things because I'm with Eve, Rourke, Peabody, and all the rest! :)  It's a weird way to feel about a crime procedural, but it feels like coming home!

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

3.5

I love the characters in this series.  I dislike that we continue to meet new people every time.  It seems like it doesn't fit with what I've read before, so not really like a series at all.  We have so many points of views and they jump around a little too quickly for me.  I really like the writing and I will definitely continue in this series.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

4.0

Other than everyone having 7 different names, making it hard to remember who is who, this was so good.  I loved the magic system and the created world.  I can’t wait for the next book. 

Blood Song by Anthony Ryan

4.0

This was so good.  Wonderful epic fantasy beginning.  I can’t wait to read more and see what’s going to happen in the next one.