The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige

I did like The Wicked Will Rise more than Dorothy Must Die. However, it was still pretty middling.

I liked Polychrome and Bright, they were interesting. Wish we’d gotten more with them. Polychrome has a mad-scientist bent that I liked a lot. Heathcliff and his whole schtick made me smile.

Lulu and the monkeys were just kind of “meh.” Lulu kind of reminded me of King Louie from The Jungle Book. She had the same kind of manic energy… well, it’s a manic energy apparently shared by most everyone in Oz.

I think the Pete/Ozma dilemma was the most compelling part. Of course Amy’s the only one in the camp of “Pete’s a person,” which sucks for Pete.

The fight scenes honestly had my eye glazing over. They weren’t hard to follow or boring, exactly, just… things were happening quite quickly, even too quickly for Amy to have a good handle on, I think. Not to mention the whole “the Darkness is taking you over Amy” thing. Bleh.

The ending of The Wicked Will Rise was satisfying enough for me to feel comfy calling it quits here. I was rolling my eyes at the Wizard’s revelations but otherwise, I felt it was just whatever. A hook for the next book, like the ending of Dorothy Must Die. It honestly feels like this story would have been served better by being one long book as opposed to stretched out over the three. That said… I won’t be reading the last one. Not for me.

The Book of Night with Moon by Diane Duane

Spoiler-Free Reread Review

The Book of Night with Moon was not what my brain wanted, this time around. That does not mean it wasn't a good book (it is), it just wasn't what my brain is vibing with at the moment. The Book of Night with Moon is, for a book featuring cats as the main characters, less escapist than one would think. It is very much rooted in the real world and a good chunk of the darkness that surrounds us all. Also not saying The Book of Night with Moon is a dark book... just contemplative about life. I didn't remember that from my first read... and what I did remember was super small potatoes, as far as the story is concerned. I think the technical stuff just didn't want to stick in my brain either.

Anyway, I really did and do enjoy the world-building here. As a fan of the Young Wizards series, getting a more expanded world-view is a lot of fun. The Book of Night with Moon follows a entirely different species of wizards that are at the same time super familiar and alien. After all, do we really know what's going on with our cats at any given moment? It was also interesting getting a view of a new wizard from an older wizard's standpoint. Arhu is a cute character... though I think he comes into his own more in the next book, if memory serves.

I wasn't super fond of the ultimate quest thing at the end... Rhiow and the gang getting down to where they needed to get honestly felt quite tedious. I'm not at all attached with Ith, which I think mostly mirrors Rhiow's feelings on the matter... which makes sense, given her emotional state at the time.

I was honestly much more hyped on my scant memories of The Book of Night with Moon than I was reading it. It felt heavier, this time.

Favorite Line

"Kitling, we got a saying in this business. 'Stupidity can be accidental. Ignorance is on purpose.' Ignorance gets your ears shredded. The only thing that saved you is, you asked the question. Always ask. You may get your ears shredded anyway, but afterward you'll still be alive to wear them. Maybe." - Ehef

In Other News

I finished another OviPets project! Another in my "Mystique Color Series." This one's called a Testa. Took me about 8 months to complete.

 

Installment Immortality by Seanan McGuire

Well... I'm shook. I apparently missed an InCryptid book. It doesn't quite matter, I don't think. I read Installment Immortality thinking it was #13 and there's enough retreading of backstory that it felt like I'd read it... aaaaahhhhhhhhhh. I'm facepalming so hard right now. Just ordered Aftermarket Afterlife. Anyway... here's my review of Installment Immortality. Enjoy.

 

So, although I am definitely more into the Cryptid side of the Incryptid series, I do enjoy the occasional dip into the ghostly side. Mary’s been an interesting character, even moreso now, I think, that the Crossroads are gone. I really like that there are so many different kinds of ghosts, which I’m sure we knew, but I honestly kind of forgot. It’s been a while since the last Incryptid book, so my memory’s a bit… holy. Lol.

I like that we got more of the Harrington-Price branch of the family. Elsie’s quite fun and I liked getting a peek at how Arthur’s doing… not well, apparently, but I feel like that’s more a function of him being stuck around people who knew him as Artie than anything else. Arthur needs to figure out how to get out more and figure out who he is despite his inserted Artie memories, in my opinion. It was also interesting to see how they’re handing the Aeslin mice situation. I’m not sure we’d have gotten much of the mice this book anyway, but I did sort of miss them.

Installment Immortality was fun. I like Mary. I like seeing her interact with different members of the family and the ghost community as well as other Cryptids who have heard of her.

Last thing: The Covenant really just needs to give up the ghost, so to speak. If what Heitor told Mary was true, they shouldn’t be a problem for the Price’s much longer… and good riddance, honestly.

Favorite Lines 

"Sexism can help you narrow the field, when you know how to apply it." - Mary Dunlavy

"She'll figure out where she wants to point it sooner or later, and then a lot of shit is going to be on fire. Metaphorically. Actual fir is Antimony's job." - Aeslin Mouse

"Annie's more than moderately terrifying," I said. "She's probably the culmination of all the traits the Covenant was breeding for when they introduced your grandmother's grandparents." - Mary Dunlavy 

"Hatred of bedbugs is the unifying factor of all sapient life," - Phee

"Original sin isn't real. There's only so much time you have to spend apologizing for the crimes of people you never knew. At the end of the day, you're only really responsible for yourself." - Enid Healy

“Mourner’s Waltz”

This was really cute. I’m glad Verity has friends to help care for her and her children. Malena was a nice surprise. She’s a fun character.

Favorite Lines

"Always take care of the living before you take care of the dead, and if you aren't sure which category someone falls into, always take care of the most people you possibly can." - Verity Price

"We've allowed you to wallow in grieving for this long because you're a gestating mammal, and gestating mammals are irrational. William said so." - Candice

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

I feel like this book started off quite strong. It fairly quickly evolved (or devolved, depending on your mileage) into a run-of-the-mill “train the Chosen One to be an assassin/warrior/magic-user” story-line. I would have really liked if Amy and Nox were kept strictly platonic, but us Ace-people can’t have nice things… even if the romantic relationship is barely there.

I was not a fan of the ending. I really dislike last-minute major plot points that are designed to hook you into the next book and the rest of the series. I think there were enough dangling plot-threads to just coast into the next book without throwing an entire quest-line into the ending. I personally think it would have been enough to have the monkeys take or be taking Amy to the Wizard and just end it there. Find out the Wizard’s whys afterward.

I do largely feel like the original Oz characters were used well. It makes sense for them to have become twisted the ways they did. If you read or know anything about the original Oz books past the first one, the Pete reveal was fairly obvious with just enough misdirect to keep the mystery intact.

Amy herself feels realistic to me… mostly. I feel like she would have actually flailed more upon being shoved into her undercover role after what was only a matter of weeks. Especially given she was barely given any direction as to how to get to the position she was supposed to be in. She didn’t even know who her Handler was supposed to be, which I feel was a deal misstep on the part of the Order. It’s no wonder Amy jumped at the chance to actually do something as opposed to just continue to hold her pattern.

I would also like to know more about how magic actually works. Like, I get that it’s apparently tied to emotions, but there are also spells and incantations… it’s all very nebulous and I’m not sure I like it.

So yeah… I think I’m going to give the Dorothy Must Die series one more book… this one was entertaining enough, if frustrating at times.

The Skies of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

I really loved The Skies of Pern. It was the prefect blend of action and politics and, ya know, general Pern-ness. I did the rest of my review in parts, like the book, so enjoy. Oh, and slight spoilers toward the end.

Part 1

Okay so… this is really hitting close to home, as I have found several of the Pern books to do. Of course there would be a faction of people on Pern who don’t like how quickly tech is advancing. Of course they would form coalitions to try and stop it. Of course this parallels what had happened and continues to happen here on Earth. There’s even spread of disinformation happening! All very real and very close to home these days. I’m honestly crossing my fingers Pern never gets the internet.

I do quite like F’lessan and Tai. F’lessan’s been around in other Pern books, but there hasn’t really been time to get to know him as an adult until now. I like Tai, though she does suffer from orphan-itis. Dead parents and an independent streak a mile long.

Part 2

Probably the most nerve-wracking bit of writing I’ve come across in a while. Riveting, as well. Nothing like a natural disaster to get the blood pumping. I felt every moment of those emergency evacuations. Kind of wish we had dragons here for that sort of thing.

I honestly got choked up a couple times during this section. If that doesn’t tell you how well it’s written, I dunno what will.

Part 3

Rebuilding, thwarting Abominator plans, and creating a dragon rider-centric Crafthall.

Tai’s experience with F’lessan was interesting, if only to highlight how traumatizing, actually, it would be to be a dragon rider during mating flights. I really like the F’lessan/Tai relationship. F’lessan does his very, very best to get consent from Tai during that mating flight and it’s pretty damn cool, considering how consent during mating flights has been previously portrayed.

The thwarting of the Abominators at the Printer Crafthall was kind of fun. Gotta love a bit of helpful skullduggery.

Part 4

I do think it’s kind of funny that “we’ve” discovered dragon telekinesis after Aivas wanted to use it on the engines (or whatever his plan was) in All the Weyrs of Pern.

There we go again, friggin’ dragons making me cry. I love Pernese dragons so, so much. The Monaco riders showing up to help Golly fly again was also a tear-jerking moment.

The demise of the “villain” of the piece was anti-climactic. Not that I was expecting something drawn out, but… yeah. Oh well. I should probably be disappointed that (unless Todd McCaffrey decides to continues into the “present” Pern) it doesn’t seem like we’ll get an ending to the Abominators completely, buy… I’m really not. This sort of thing probably wouldn’t go away completely anyway, if the current Neo-Nazi movement is any indication. I do sort of wish Toric got his ultimate comeuppance, but I’m happy to see the back of his character.

Favorite Lines

"And those are happy to believe easy lies rather than complicated truths," - Lord Jaxom

"Since when has the middle of the night been free of trouble!" - Master Idarolan

"The written word has a power all its own, that rumor can never replace. So you publish truth. The Abominators circulate rumor. A person can reread words and reestablish truth. Rumor can't be caught, can't be traced. It may be more fun to pass along but a book, a sheet of printed paper, that's tangible and the sense of it doesn't change when it's passed from hand to hand." - Pinch

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

A review, like the book itself, in parts.

Part I

Intro to the characters. Fairly well done. So far, I like Parisa and Reina the best.

Part II

Nico’s roommates are interesting. I hope Gideon figures something out for himself.

I think Ezra can see through Libby’s constant “Nico’s just an asshole” thing. I mean, that thin line between love and hate is clearly something she and Nico have been sitting firmly on the “hate” side of… I’ll put money on Libby and Nico ending up together.

Part III

Seeing the magical mechanics was interesting. I do like getting taste of the magic system.

Part IV

Actually quite tired of all the analysis of the characters at this point. Other than the creation of the blackhole and Nico’s roommate thing, it’s really become uninteresting. In my mind, there’s next to no reason to be as competitive about this fellowship as everyone is. There are 6 of you, and yes, only 5 are going to be moving into a second year, but that feels to me like competition is stupid. You don’t know who’s going to make it, or not, so why the fuck not make friends? The odds are in favor of everyone even a month into this so… *much eye rolling* everyone needs to get over themselves.

I am not at all surprised by the revelation at the end of this part. I guess though, that I did misunderstand how things are “supposed” to work.

Part V

I found Parisa’s trip into Dalton’s head interesting, especially given what he told her he’d set up. The information about one of the six HAVING to be killed actually kind of brings to mind Old Gods and ritual magics.

I also vaguely wish we could get more on the outside of The Society grounds. More recruitment tactics from other “societies” or whatever. There’s always more than one way to come at things and I’d like more than just “hide it away” and “let it be free.”

Part VI

A lot of discussion about whether or not anyone in the group could straight up kill any of the others. Parisa and Callum messing around… that internal battle was kind of interesting but also frustrating. Callum admits (specifically to the reader, and so, probably himself) that he would have liked to be friends with Parisa, but he never makes any moves toward that goal, which bugs me.

Part VII

I don’t know what to say about this part. Everyone’s just wondering about who’s going to end up killing whom. It’s all very bleh. And apparently Callum has discovered everyone’s files, so we finally get backstory on everyone.

Part VIII

This part is the ending and it was… an ending. An ending and a hook for the next book. The reader finally finds out what’s actually “the point” and, of course, there’s a twist.

Honestly… although this was engaging, I don’t think this series is for me. I’m not annoyed with it or anything, I just don’t care enough to continue.

Favorite Lines

"Really, there was nothing more dangerous than a woman who knew her own worth." - Parisa Kamali

“Because the problem with knowledge, Miss Rhodes, is its inexhaustible craving. The more of it you have, the less you feel you know,” said Atlas. “Thus, men often go mad in search of it.”

"Because humans were idiots who turned the elements of life into a weapon." - Callum Nova

“Gideon, for fuck’s sake, I’m rich and extremely handsome,” Nico growled. “Do you think I have my own problems? No, I do not, so let me have yours."

"Nothing anyone sees is real—only how they perceive it." - Parisa Kamali

"Power is not meant for those who misuse it." - Reina Mori

"...existence in society costs money." - Parisa Kamali

"Men in particular are draining, they bleed us dry. They demand we carry their burdens, fix their ills. A man is constantly in search of a good woman, but what do they offer us in return?" - Parisa Kamali

"Theoretically, men are a disaster. As a concept, I unequivocally reject them." - Libby Rhodes

The Dolphins of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

A Spoiler Free Reread Review

So, first, I definitely remember reading The Dolphins of Pern during my last attempted Pern read-through. I remembered bits of it as I started this reread and those were mostly the ending bits with Readis. I'm pretty sure I only remembered him setting himself up in the caves to be around the dolphins and the part about him going to school in Landing and that's it. Boy, was I surprised at the rest of this book.

The Dolphins of Pern was absolutely delightful. I don't think I've had this much fun reading a Pern book since Dragonflight. The dolphins are absolutely spot on and just wonderfully realized. I loved everyone's reactions to them and their delight at both talking to and helping the dolphins was infectious.

I was honestly extremely annoyed with Aramina from the beginning. I know parents can be over-bearing in the ways she was, but, as I've never experienced it myself, it comes across in not-great ways. She's realistic, I'll give McCaffrey that, but I really don't like the person Aramina's become. I know a good portion of that is worry, but she's worrying far too much and being closed-minded to boot.

I don't really have much to say about the other characters. Readis' journey is honestly fairly standard, as far as journeys of growth go. He's more or less your bog-standard male protagonist coming of age doing something his parents don't understand. T'lion was also pretty standard. Loved Gadareth, of course. The dragons are often the best parts. Aaand Toric... got what was coming to him. He was honestly the least interesting part of this book and it's no wonder I completely forgot that bit.

I didn't mention this in my All the Weyrs of Pern review because it happened toward the end of the book, but Robinton's passing had me in tears. I don't feel it's super spoiler-y to mention here as it happened mid-book. His funeral was touching and I was in tears again. Robinton was one of my favorite characters and he lived a nice, long life through the series.

So, yeah, The Dolphins of Pern is probably my favorite after Dragonflight. Love the further expansion of Pern... in both the re-addition of dolphins and the technological leaps forward. Love the dolphins. Love the dragons. Just all around love for this book... except Toric and Aramina. Heh.