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inkyteacups's reviews
220 reviews
Gears of War: Ephyra Rising by Michael A. Stackpole
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Plot-wise this book is very predictable but it treats the characters so well! Especially Marcus and Anya.
It's the first Gears novel where parts are written from Marcus' point of view. We get more than a glimpse into his mental state and how he struggles with PTSD while trying to build a new life. All while he also wants to build a future with Anya. During the novel, Marcus also visits places he has been to before - thinking of Mercy - and trying to work through what has happened, while following his new lead.
Anya shines a lot in "Ephyra Rising". Stackpole treated her character so well and with so much love. While I also adore Traviss' works, there Anya was kinda there as Marcus' love interest and rarely had her very own plot and moments. In this book, her plot is independent and she is shown as an extremely strong character.
"Ephyra Rising" shows people trying to build a new world, with all the corruption and the less beautiful pieces. As well as the beginnings of DB industries and what Cole was up to. It is also the first Gears' novel that has managed to transpire how gore-y the whole war was and that with one paragraph alone:
It's the first Gears novel where parts are written from Marcus' point of view. We get more than a glimpse into his mental state and how he struggles with PTSD while trying to build a new life. All while he also wants to build a future with Anya. During the novel, Marcus also visits places he has been to before - thinking of Mercy - and trying to work through what has happened, while following his new lead.
Anya shines a lot in "Ephyra Rising". Stackpole treated her character so well and with so much love. While I also adore Traviss' works, there Anya was kinda there as Marcus' love interest and rarely had her very own plot and moments. In this book, her plot is independent and she is shown as an extremely strong character.
"Ephyra Rising" shows people trying to build a new world, with all the corruption and the less beautiful pieces. As well as the beginnings of DB industries and what Cole was up to. It is also the first Gears' novel that has managed to transpire how gore-y the whole war was and that with one paragraph alone:
"She wouldn't have liked to hear about the war from his point of view, anyhow. Wiping blood off his face, picking strings of viscera off armor, combing fingers through his hair only to find chunks of brain tissue and bone fragments tangled there. Using Locust intestines to tie a door closed because that was the closest thing to a cord I could find."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, and Death
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Child death and Child abuse
Coalition's End by Karen Traviss
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and War
No Child of Mine by Olga Gibbs
"No Child of Mine" is a dystopian thriller that is set in a Britain of the future and ruled by a totalitarian party. The people are already brainwashed, believing this is the best life they could possibly lead. No other opinion is accepted because the State Security would make sure of it.
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
§ I received an ARC of this book from BookSirens to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this novel. §
"No Child of Mine" is a dystopian thriller that is set in a Britain of the future and ruled by a totalitarian party. The people are already brainwashed, believing this is the best life they could possibly lead. No other opinion is accepted because the State Security would make sure of it.
The story follows Tom: a happily married man with one child. At first, he is the typical citizen, following his routines and believing heavily into the party's ideals. Life is good. However, things start to change after the Parade. At first the state security burst into their flat in the middle of the night. From then on, things go from bad to worse.
Gibbs managed to create the right atmosphere by using inspiration from past leaderships, countries, as well as books that deal with a totalitarian government. The story plays in a country that is being branded as being the most free in the world, while it is obvious to the reader that it is no.
Throughout the book, Tom's motivation shifts from being a loyal citizen to just making sure his family is save. This, of course, leads to being forced to re-examing his ideals and the propaganda he had been raised with. A propaganda that is deeply rooted inside of him, and even his past choices come to haunt him as he becomes an enemy of the state.
This created a gripping story, which's degree of separation is almost a little too close to reality.
An in-depth review is available on my blog since the end of October.
An in-depth review is available on my blog since the end of October.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Minor: Gore
Aspho Fields by Karen Traviss
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The book is split into two plots: one takes place in the present - following an evacuation of supplies right after the events of the first game - as well as meeting an old Gear named Bernie who fought her way through half of Sera to get back to the COG. Bernie also served alongside Marcus and Dom's brother Carlos in Aspho Fields. Now, Dom wants to learn of the full story of how his brother had died. Even when Bernie and Marcus swore to never to this.
This makes up the second plot: the past. There we see Marcus' first day in school and as he cautiously starts to befriend a boy named Carlos Santiago and his little brother Dom. As time passes, they become brothers. This story climaxes at Aspho Fields where Carlos and Marcus are in the infantry, while Dom is in a commando unit. The very mission Carlos died in.
While Carlos is not a character to ever appear in the games, the story is set up perfectly. You automatically start to feel the bond between him and Marcus. The sense of brothers and family is natural. This makes the truth even more painful ...
As to be expected the book focuses more on the "past" than it does on the present mission. Since Carlos is the key to the story, the relationship between Marcus and him is moved towards the spotlight. Which, sadly, means that Dom and Marcus get little kid and teen bonding.
However, their deep friendship is a given anyway, and not to be questioned. This does show perfectly in the present because all Marcus had tried to do was protect Dom from the brutal truth. As well as Dom being the only person to correctly read Marcus.
Furthermore, the writing is lovely. The pacing is good and comfortable to read when on a train ride. There are fighting scenes - obviously - but instead of going for full on gore, Traviss focuses more on suspense and tight places to get out of. This gives you a novel with proper pacing, emotional aspects as well as slice and dice: the typical Gears of War recipe.
I couldn't resist to write a in-depth review, which is available on the blog
This makes up the second plot: the past. There we see Marcus' first day in school and as he cautiously starts to befriend a boy named Carlos Santiago and his little brother Dom. As time passes, they become brothers. This story climaxes at Aspho Fields where Carlos and Marcus are in the infantry, while Dom is in a commando unit. The very mission Carlos died in.
While Carlos is not a character to ever appear in the games, the story is set up perfectly. You automatically start to feel the bond between him and Marcus. The sense of brothers and family is natural. This makes the truth even more painful ...
As to be expected the book focuses more on the "past" than it does on the present mission. Since Carlos is the key to the story, the relationship between Marcus and him is moved towards the spotlight. Which, sadly, means that Dom and Marcus get little kid and teen bonding.
However, their deep friendship is a given anyway, and not to be questioned. This does show perfectly in the present because all Marcus had tried to do was protect Dom from the brutal truth. As well as Dom being the only person to correctly read Marcus.
Furthermore, the writing is lovely. The pacing is good and comfortable to read when on a train ride. There are fighting scenes - obviously - but instead of going for full on gore, Traviss focuses more on suspense and tight places to get out of. This gives you a novel with proper pacing, emotional aspects as well as slice and dice: the typical Gears of War recipe.
I couldn't resist to write a in-depth review, which is available on the blog
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Abandonment
Jacinto's Remnant by Karen Traviss
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
... is the second book in the Gears of War book series. It takes place right after the events of the second game and sinking Jacinto. As such the focus lies on the COG trying to find a new home with the remaining remnants of humanity. The storyline of the "past" deals with the opposite: the few days before and after the COG ruined their own world with the Hammer Strikes.
We follow this story, "Jacinto's Remnants" focuses more on emotional aspects. Especially in regards of Dom, who has to cope with personal tragedy on an unimaginable scale. Various chapters are written from Dom's perspective and some of those are not easy to stomach. He has good and bad days, breakdowns, and uncontrollable anger. Traviss is not shy about the messy business known as grieving.
In fact, "Jacinto's Remnants" deals with traumas of all sorts. From rape to guilt, regret and even generation wide trauma. All of them deal with it differently. Denial, and trying to reason with their own choices - making them right. Bernie straight up refuses to be victimised. All of these different reactions, are not over-written or trope-y. They fell normal. These characters still feel like people who follow a life despite all this shit.
"Jacinto's Remnants" contains fewer action scenes than the previous book but it makes up with this by dealing with complex emotional themes in an appropriate way.
We follow this story, "Jacinto's Remnants" focuses more on emotional aspects. Especially in regards of Dom, who has to cope with personal tragedy on an unimaginable scale. Various chapters are written from Dom's perspective and some of those are not easy to stomach. He has good and bad days, breakdowns, and uncontrollable anger. Traviss is not shy about the messy business known as grieving.
In fact, "Jacinto's Remnants" deals with traumas of all sorts. From rape to guilt, regret and even generation wide trauma. All of them deal with it differently. Denial, and trying to reason with their own choices - making them right. Bernie straight up refuses to be victimised. All of these different reactions, are not over-written or trope-y. They fell normal. These characters still feel like people who follow a life despite all this shit.
"Jacinto's Remnants" contains fewer action scenes than the previous book but it makes up with this by dealing with complex emotional themes in an appropriate way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape
Lying With Lions by Annabel Fielding
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
§ I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley/the author to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this novel. §
"Lying With Lions" is a historical fiction novel with a LGBT+ element. The story revolves around Agnes, who is an archivist in the noble Bryant household. Slowly, she starts to uncover more secrets and is pulled into the family business. Especially those of Lady Bryant.
Agnes and Lady Bryant stand out not because they are extremely strong characters in their own ways. Agnes is the quiet one who is smart and knows exactly how to play people. While Lady Bryant was born into power, and carries the strength to keep it. Criticisms does not matter to her. Her motives are indomitable according to her, even as a new age starts to dawn.
While the blurb promises one big secret to uncover, it is hard to discover which one exactly that is supposed to be. During the the whole plot there are plenty of scandals. So it was hard to focus on either of them because up until halfway through the book, I realised that there is not going to be a single big one that the story was building up to. In 233 pages there appear to be five family dramas, which is a lot to ask of so few pages. Added to that, that the pace is rather slow. So you end up with a book you can put aside almost any time.
However, the ending is *chef kiss*. It is raw, and powerful. In the end, it remains a tragedy and I loved it. Then there is the difference between the outside view and what really happened.
In the end, a good ending could not save "Lying with Lions" from its rating. Unfortunately, it is let down by various mistakes as well as a plot that appears to be all over the place.
A FULL REVIEW IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE ON THE BLOG LATER THIS WEEK!
"Lying With Lions" is a historical fiction novel with a LGBT+ element. The story revolves around Agnes, who is an archivist in the noble Bryant household. Slowly, she starts to uncover more secrets and is pulled into the family business. Especially those of Lady Bryant.
Agnes and Lady Bryant stand out not because they are extremely strong characters in their own ways. Agnes is the quiet one who is smart and knows exactly how to play people. While Lady Bryant was born into power, and carries the strength to keep it. Criticisms does not matter to her. Her motives are indomitable according to her, even as a new age starts to dawn.
While the blurb promises one big secret to uncover, it is hard to discover which one exactly that is supposed to be. During the the whole plot there are plenty of scandals. So it was hard to focus on either of them because up until halfway through the book, I realised that there is not going to be a single big one that the story was building up to. In 233 pages there appear to be five family dramas, which is a lot to ask of so few pages. Added to that, that the pace is rather slow. So you end up with a book you can put aside almost any time.
However, the ending is *chef kiss*. It is raw, and powerful. In the end, it remains a tragedy and I loved it. Then there is the difference between the outside view and what really happened.
In the end, a good ending could not save "Lying with Lions" from its rating. Unfortunately, it is let down by various mistakes as well as a plot that appears to be all over the place.
A FULL REVIEW IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE ON THE BLOG LATER THIS WEEK!
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, War, and Sexual content