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rowena_m_andrews's reviews
538 reviews
A Prison In The Sun by Isobel Blackthorn
3.0
Overall, I did enjoy reading this book, and it was an interesting read. The ending was probably the weakest part of the book, as it didn’t seem to quite mesh with the rest the book and was a little frustrating in that it didn’t tie up the threads. Hopefully, there will be future books that help tie up those loose ends. However, the historical parts of the book, and the writing more than made up for that, and I would recommend this book, especially to anyone wanting to read about this part of history.
Full review on blog.
Full review on blog.
Kilo: Inside the Deadliest Cocaine Cartels - From the Jungles to the Streets by Toby Muse
5.0
Kilo was a thought-provoking read and what that will remain with you for a while. The writing was fantastic, investigative but descriptive, bringing the account to life through skill and personality. The narrative does not let you go from start to finish, immersing you in this journey from the coca farms to the international market. I would highly recommend this masterful view of the drug’s world to anyone with interest in non-fiction, and or crime fiction. And I hope that many people will leap at this chance to take this journey.
*Full review on Blog.
*Full review on Blog.
Night of the Dragon by Julie Kagawa
4.0
A fantastic end to this trilogy, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it from the worldbuilding, to the characters and their development, and the narrative. A well-deserving conclusion, and a series that would happily recommend to any fantasy lover
Goldilocks by L.R. Lam
5.0
I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Goldilocks was a book that hit home. Perhaps the current context has made it more relevant, but this exploration of a future that is a worryingly recognisable possibility stands above and beyond that. It is a warning of what could happen, to a world that is rapidly approaching possible tipping points beyond which action might not be possible. It offers a vivid, realistic vision of what the future could be for the environment, for humanity and for women. And it drove it home because above all else this was a story about people, about family, and survival. It was wrapped in something familiar and personal, and that made the narrative all the more powerful.
An aspect of SF that I have sometimes struggled with is believability when it comes to the science, but Goldilocks blew straight through any doubts or reservations I might have had. The details – perfectly balanced to draw us into the world, to make us see it and believe the possibilities of what was being done, without detracting from the story – gripped me. I was fascinated with the botany on the ship, the problem solving, and more than that, it felt real, even when it branched out into space travel beyond anything we have now.
The characters though are what make this book. Every single one of these women is beautifully and thoroughly developed, and even though we don’t follow them all in so much detail as we do Naomi, by the end of the story, I felt as though I knew them just as well. They were fierce women, standing apart because of their talents, as well as their choices to risk everything for a future, and a chance to escape the dystopian society that stood against them. But, each one of them was much more than that. They had complex relationships with each other, with themselves and where they had come from and what they had left behind, hopes for the future, dreams and doubts. There were no linear paths, no simple conclusions, and the characters were constantly growing and changing, shaped by the events occurring in Space and back on Earth, even as they shaped those events.
The writing throughout was spectacular, and the pacing was spot on throughout, the tension bleeding into the pages between moments of calm, of friendship and family. The flashbacks adding depth to the story, adding context and backstory, that not only drove the narrative forward and gave it more meaning but made so that we could understand why these five women are here. Why they took this path, and to understand the decisions that they make. Choices that we would never be able to imagine ourselves making, or that we would claim that we would never be able to make – and to empathise with their choices, to understand the logic that was often uncomfortable.
This was a fantastic read that I devoured in the space of a day as I couldn’t tear myself away from what was happening and the possibility of what could happen next (and most of the time, I was caught by surprise). Goldilocks is a beautiful example of how Science Fiction can explore the future and make it heartbreakingly human. It has left me with a lot to think about and is without a doubt, one of my favourite books this year and probably beyond.
Goldilocks was a book that hit home. Perhaps the current context has made it more relevant, but this exploration of a future that is a worryingly recognisable possibility stands above and beyond that. It is a warning of what could happen, to a world that is rapidly approaching possible tipping points beyond which action might not be possible. It offers a vivid, realistic vision of what the future could be for the environment, for humanity and for women. And it drove it home because above all else this was a story about people, about family, and survival. It was wrapped in something familiar and personal, and that made the narrative all the more powerful.
An aspect of SF that I have sometimes struggled with is believability when it comes to the science, but Goldilocks blew straight through any doubts or reservations I might have had. The details – perfectly balanced to draw us into the world, to make us see it and believe the possibilities of what was being done, without detracting from the story – gripped me. I was fascinated with the botany on the ship, the problem solving, and more than that, it felt real, even when it branched out into space travel beyond anything we have now.
The characters though are what make this book. Every single one of these women is beautifully and thoroughly developed, and even though we don’t follow them all in so much detail as we do Naomi, by the end of the story, I felt as though I knew them just as well. They were fierce women, standing apart because of their talents, as well as their choices to risk everything for a future, and a chance to escape the dystopian society that stood against them. But, each one of them was much more than that. They had complex relationships with each other, with themselves and where they had come from and what they had left behind, hopes for the future, dreams and doubts. There were no linear paths, no simple conclusions, and the characters were constantly growing and changing, shaped by the events occurring in Space and back on Earth, even as they shaped those events.
The writing throughout was spectacular, and the pacing was spot on throughout, the tension bleeding into the pages between moments of calm, of friendship and family. The flashbacks adding depth to the story, adding context and backstory, that not only drove the narrative forward and gave it more meaning but made so that we could understand why these five women are here. Why they took this path, and to understand the decisions that they make. Choices that we would never be able to imagine ourselves making, or that we would claim that we would never be able to make – and to empathise with their choices, to understand the logic that was often uncomfortable.
This was a fantastic read that I devoured in the space of a day as I couldn’t tear myself away from what was happening and the possibility of what could happen next (and most of the time, I was caught by surprise). Goldilocks is a beautiful example of how Science Fiction can explore the future and make it heartbreakingly human. It has left me with a lot to think about and is without a doubt, one of my favourite books this year and probably beyond.
The Ranger of Marzanna by Jon Skovron
4.0
The Ranger of Marzanna was a book that I thoroughgoingly enjoyed reading but did leave me with somewhat mixed feelings. I enjoyed the writing, and until the end, the pacing was well balanced, it was a story that carried you along, and the worldbuilding was fantastic, creating a very atmospheric read. I enjoyed the Russian-inspired aspects of the story, and the description, especially when it came to the environment was spot on, as you could feel the chill.
One of my favourite parts of the book, and what stood out for me the most was the Rangers – their religion, and how their relationship with their Goddess worked. The idea of boons and divine intervention coming at a cost, that brought the Ranger closer to her, and the wild was fascinating, and the effect those changes had on the Rangers. It was something a little different, and I hope that this will be explored further in the next two books, especially as we have seen glimpses of what it is doing to Sonya’s character. In contrast, the magic that is used by her brother was less distinctive – although some of its applications were interesting – and I would have liked to have learned more about the rules and restrictions, although that might come later on.
In terms of the characters, I adored Sonya from the start – that is not to say that she was perfectly written, or that there weren’t aspects of her character that felt a little too emotional and extreme. But I certainly connected more with her than any of the other characters. She was flawed and conflicted, impulsive, but learning to how to strategize and lead, and be what the people needed her to be. Her brother, on the other hand, was not a character I could connect with. There was a point when he first questioned what he was doing that I thought that maybe he would be redeemable, but by the end of the book, any sympathy I might have had for him had long since disappeared. I felt that the characters that were against the Empire were more developed and interesting than those that served the Empire, although that may be more due to the context and may change in the next book.
I think the biggest issue that I had with the book was the ending. Throughout the story, we had been building to this conflict, but when it came, it felt incredibly rushed. We got to see some of the build-up on both sides – and again, I thought that the strongest part of the narrative was on the side of the opposing force rather than the Empire, but the battle itself, felt as though it was over in the blink of an eye. That is not to say that there weren’t some stand out moments. Such as the adverse effects that Sebastian’s Elemental Magic could have on his side, and the way Sonya’s ‘beast’ qualities rose to the surface- but for the most part, it was a disappointing conclusion to the tension that had been building.
However, despite the flaws, I did enjoy this book which has bumped up my rating. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, especially after the epilogue which to a certain extent redeemed the ending. And I am hoping that the questions I have will be answered and that the characters such as Sebastian that need more development will have that opportunity to grow.
One of my favourite parts of the book, and what stood out for me the most was the Rangers – their religion, and how their relationship with their Goddess worked. The idea of boons and divine intervention coming at a cost, that brought the Ranger closer to her, and the wild was fascinating, and the effect those changes had on the Rangers. It was something a little different, and I hope that this will be explored further in the next two books, especially as we have seen glimpses of what it is doing to Sonya’s character. In contrast, the magic that is used by her brother was less distinctive – although some of its applications were interesting – and I would have liked to have learned more about the rules and restrictions, although that might come later on.
In terms of the characters, I adored Sonya from the start – that is not to say that she was perfectly written, or that there weren’t aspects of her character that felt a little too emotional and extreme. But I certainly connected more with her than any of the other characters. She was flawed and conflicted, impulsive, but learning to how to strategize and lead, and be what the people needed her to be. Her brother, on the other hand, was not a character I could connect with. There was a point when he first questioned what he was doing that I thought that maybe he would be redeemable, but by the end of the book, any sympathy I might have had for him had long since disappeared. I felt that the characters that were against the Empire were more developed and interesting than those that served the Empire, although that may be more due to the context and may change in the next book.
I think the biggest issue that I had with the book was the ending. Throughout the story, we had been building to this conflict, but when it came, it felt incredibly rushed. We got to see some of the build-up on both sides – and again, I thought that the strongest part of the narrative was on the side of the opposing force rather than the Empire, but the battle itself, felt as though it was over in the blink of an eye. That is not to say that there weren’t some stand out moments. Such as the adverse effects that Sebastian’s Elemental Magic could have on his side, and the way Sonya’s ‘beast’ qualities rose to the surface- but for the most part, it was a disappointing conclusion to the tension that had been building.
However, despite the flaws, I did enjoy this book which has bumped up my rating. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, especially after the epilogue which to a certain extent redeemed the ending. And I am hoping that the questions I have will be answered and that the characters such as Sebastian that need more development will have that opportunity to grow.
Emberhawk by Jamie Foley
3.0
I found this an enjoyable, if confusing at times read. Some of the language choices did not fit in with the setting, or the culture that was being presented and I found that disconnected me from the story. The world was interesting, and I would loved to have seen it developed more and more fluidly, and the same with the characters. They all had potential for the most part - and I would definitely like to see more of Vylia. I am however, completely in love with the cover and the premise, and I will be checking out the rest of the series.
*Thank you netgalley for the arc*
*Thank you netgalley for the arc*
Feathertide by Beth Cartwright
5.0
I fell in love with this book from first sight. The cover is lovely and caught my eye immediately, and I am delighted that I was able to get the e-arc. The writing blew me away from the start, it is beautifully evocative and carried me along from start to finish. I found the world quirky and magical, and the entire book is discovery both for the main character Marea but also for the reader, and I felt very much as though I was coming of age with the character.
Soul Riders (Book 1): Jorvik Calling by Helena Dahlgren
3.0
I absolutely adored the prologue, the language was beautiful, and the map at the start is something that I am always happy to see. I enjoyed the story, although I found it a little dialogue heavy, and in places that felt a little unnatural. However, I am not the target audience, and I think middle grade kids would thoroughly enjoy this book..
A Surprising Friendship by Andrew Wald, Tara J. Hannon
5.0
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.
Beautifully illustrated, and the story was lovely and heartwarming too. While the main focus was on friendship, and diversity, it is also educational about wildlife habits.
Beautifully illustrated, and the story was lovely and heartwarming too. While the main focus was on friendship, and diversity, it is also educational about wildlife habits.
Fish-Boy by Vanita Oelschlager
4.0
I received an a digital copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.
What a beautiful book. I absolutely adored the illustrations, particularly the use of colour. I also enjoyed the story, which was a wonderful introduction to Inuit Folklore as well as a fascinating story, with a helpful glossary at the back.
What a beautiful book. I absolutely adored the illustrations, particularly the use of colour. I also enjoyed the story, which was a wonderful introduction to Inuit Folklore as well as a fascinating story, with a helpful glossary at the back.