novel

Butcher of Anderson Station

Book Notes Instead of being asleep at 12:58 on 9 April 2016, kitt created this:

Okay, those readers who have read even the first book of the Expanse series we know who Fred Johnson is. He plays a pivotal role in the Outer Planets Alliance's political pull, he thinks outside the realm of normals when dealing with possibilities in warfare, in politics, in words. He was one of the top military men of Earth.

And then he wasn't.

While a man can look at his actions, see what he has done, and learn what he was led to do by circumstance or by deceit, he can't always choose the direction he needs to go for redemption.

The missing piece to Johnson's story that starts in the Expanse is shown in this book, for which I am thankful. The television series' explanation was, well, shallow and unsatisfying. This book's revelation was right.

If you're a fan of The Expanse, yep, read this book. If you aren't yet, start with Leviathan Wakes.

Morning Star

Book Notes Yeah, kitt finished writing this at 21:58 on 3 April 2016

Okay.

Okay.

Okay, wow.

Yes, this book is as great as the first two Red Rising books. The bummer part of the book is that IT IS THE END OF THE SERIES. GDI!

Morning Star continues Darrow's story, but this time, instead of being alone, he has friends. And oh boy does he tell about how much he has friends, about how his friends changed him, how they kept him sane, about how, no, he's not using his friends, they are making him a better person. The thing about that is that you have to choose your friends well if your friends are going to change you, give you support, make you a better person. Darrow (Brown) ignores this particular detail, as he chose honorable do-the-right-thing people to be his friends (even in the end), but it's still a bit of a "Huh" kind of message after I let the story sit a bit.

That all said, loved the book. I recommend these books, the entire series is great. I'm still amused with myself for not immediately devouring the books. I would have to say that I wasn't in the place to hear the message, maybe?

Action packed, lots of fun, and wow, didn't see that twist coming.

Golden Son

Book Notes Posted by kitt at 21:32 on 29 March 2016

Okay, this is book two of the Red Rising trilogy, and I have to ask myself again, "WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO FINISH THIS BOOK?"

I swear, Luke is probably like, "WTF, Kitt, finish the book already. There's book three to go, too!"

Hell, I'm thinking that now.

I am full of Wow at this point about this series. The blurb is all about Darrow's continued saga as a Red in, well, his rising. How much do I give away in this review? I mean, the title is "Golden Son," so how much am I really giving away with the fact that the kid is a man and a Gold at that?

What I really like about Brown's writing is the way wise words come out of a 20 year old's mouth. Doesn't really happen in real life, but does in fiction.

Anyway, I'm diving into the last book next. Highly recommend the series.

Trouble

Book Notes Posted by kitt at 20:54 on 28 March 2016

Okay, I will say, this is another one of the books-chosen-by-Mom, which means I pretty much had no idea what the book would be about, if I would like it, or why it was in my collection. I sometimes wonder why I read these books, they are often so much not what I normally read. Exposure to the things you don't normally read is a good thing, expands the mind.

That all said, I completely and totally rolled my eyes when a dog showed up in the story. I seriously thought this was going to be another "Old Yeller" (which I have never read) "Where the Red Fern Grows" (which I have read a dozen times, it remains one of my favorite books) boy-has-dog-dog-dies-in-the-end book.

I was wrong.

This is a book about prejudices and anger, about hope and love, about anger and acceptance. Which is to say, it was completely not what I expected it to be.

The book opens with all-star American golden boy Franklin's accident that lands him in the hospital. A Cambodian student from Franklin's prep school is charged with manslaughter. He admits to hitting Franklin. He tried to help Franklin after the accident. He accepts the law and it's punishment.

The rest of the book is about prejudices of a people agains outsiders, about younger sons proving themselves against the memory of an older brother, about secrets revealed, and a world coming full circle.

It's a quick read. While not my style, and it isn't destined to become a literary classic, it's a cute book. Was fun to read.

Gods of Risk

Book Notes Written with a loving hand by kitt some time around 20:39 on 23 March 2016

While not normally a fan of same-universe stories that aren't about the main plot of a saga, say, with this book being a supplementary book to the The Expanse series, I have to say that Jim Butcher rather broke me of that dislike with the extra Harry Dresden books. When you enjoy a series a lot, you want whatever sized book and whatever plot line the author (or authors) want to write.

Such is the case with this book.

In this book, we have a glimpse into Bobbie's world after her ordeal, "treason," and homecoming from Abaddon's Gate. It's only a glimpse, as the story is actually about her nephew, but that's okay, because we learn more about the universe, more about the school systems, and more about Bobbie. All good things.

I enjoyed this book a bit, it being in the Expanse universe and all. If you're reading and enjoying the series, include this one in your reading.

Now, where's my rocketship?

To Be Sung Underwater

Book Notes kitt decided around 19:44 on 21 March 2016 to publish this:

This was not the book I was expecting. This is a sad, wonderful book.

Yes, another one of the books from Mom's pile. Having just finished The Expanse, I have to say I wasn't really interested in another science-fiction or fantasy book. I picked up this one since it didn't appear to be a mystery either. And yet.

And yet.

It's a mystery of sorts, as we learn about Judith's life as it currently is, and Judith's past as it previously was. My first thoughts were along the line of, "Ugh, this is going to be a book about nothing, isn't it?" But the story draws you in, and, without noticing when, you care about Judith and her high school friends and her crazy mother and her lovable father who isn't the perfect father figure we want him to be. There's adventure. There's mystery. There's romance, but not too much. There's strife and conflict and, well, human emotion. There's danger. Oh boy, is there danger.

Really, the last thing I expected to do when I finished this book was bawl my eyes out and call my mom to see if she had read the book so that we could talk about it. Fortunately, she had, and she understood what I was feeling.

Gah, without giving the book away, how do I explain just how heart-wrenching lovely and beautifully painful this book is? I don't think I can, so I'll keep it as recommended.

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