The #FridayReads Review (7/24/20)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

The Way of the Househusband vol. 3 by Kousuke Oono (PBK)

I've burned out on novels for a bit, so this week I picked up a pile of new manga from the library! New volumes in this hilarious yakuza-turned-househusband series are always a treat, and as usual it's proving one explosive snort after another. A yakuza parody sounds like an oxymoron, but that's what makes it so very funny as absolutely nothing is taken seriously and the common Japanese gangsta attributes are exaggerated to comic effect. Highly recommend the series for a mixing bowl of laughs.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Network Effect by Martha Wells (HBK)

2.5 Stars. Disappointing. The action and movement were unusually described and a serious struggle to follow, Murderbot acted like a petulant teenager who went about whinging and generally being an arsehole (especially in the first half of the book, ugh), and with so many extra pages the story took its time to walk us through every single bulletpointed and checklisted step of their "adventure." What I understood of the action was engaging though, and when Murderbot was too busy being violent to think about his emotions he was generally enjoyable. And I really liked Three. I'll definitely be giving the next novella a try, but this book is currently vying with Book 2 for least favorite of the series.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

A Witch's Printing Office vol. 1 by Mochinchi & Yasuhiro Miyama (PBK)

Next on my manga pile is the start of a new series that I have no idea what it's about but printing + witch (magic) = a must-try!

So what are you reading this week?

Re-Review: Honor's Knight (Rachel Bach)

Title: Honor's Knight
Series: Paradox trilogy, Book 2
Author: Rachel Bach
Publisher: Orbit
US Release Date: February 25, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Science Fiction
Content Rating: Adult (strong violence, language, sensuality, child mistreatment)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: 
Indiebound | B&N | BookDepo | Azon
Summary:

The rollicking sequel to Fortune's Pawn -- an action packed science fiction novel.

Devi Morris has a lot of problems. And not the fun, easy-to-shoot kind either.

After a mysterious attack left her short several memories and one partner, she's determined to keep her head down, do her job, and get on with her life. But even though Devi's not actually looking for it -- trouble keeps finding her. She sees things no one else can, the black stain on her hands is growing, and she is entangled with the cook she's supposed to hate.

But when a deadly crisis exposes far more of the truth than she bargained for, Devi discovers there's worse fates than being shot, and sometimes the only people you can trust are the ones who want you dead.

*          *          *

Series: This is the second book in the Paradox trilogy, all of which are released and available. You can read my review of the first book, Fortune's Pawn, here.

I originally read Honor's Knight, the second book in the Paradox trilogy, back in 2014. According to my very brief review it seemed to be my favorite of the series, but after this 2020 re-read it is not the favored book it once was.

At its core, Honor's Knight is the story of an uncomplicated merc who gets dragged into a highly complicated paranormal situation and has to fight her way out. Put this way it sounds pretty interesting, and with all its action and sudden twists and kick-arse main character it essentially is. But the paranormal situation was a bit too weird for me to fully accept, the vastly different alien races and plasmex powers somewhat random and ill-fitting with each other. The contrast between Devi and the paranormal elements was also a little too uneven, the main character and plot not quite meshing for a cohesive story that I could fully invest in.

However, the no-nonsense, hard-hitting protagonist Devi was luckily there to save the book in spite of the plot. Naive though her choices were, no matter what was thrown at her she did things her own way - and as her way typically involved throwing things (punches, bullets, aliens, what have her) the more unbelievable moments didn't distract very long with her at the story's helm. Despite her merc mentality she still had her principles and stuck to her guns (figuratively and literally), and I especially liked how she handled her former lover's crap with strength and laughter and didn't let him and his sappy feelings push her around.

Honor's Knight starts with an unfortunately creepy prologue but ends with an inquisitive bang, so although I have vague recollections of the paranormal mess to come in the final and previously least-favorite book of the series, Heaven's Queen, I'll definitely be finishing my re-read of the entire trilogy immediately. If you enjoyed the first Paradox book and don't mind a heavy dose of paranormal with your sci-fi, then I definitely recommend giving this sequel a read. 

For Fans Of: paranormal sci-fi

Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
Zero Repeat Forever by G.S. Prendergast
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Nyxia by Scott Reintgen

The #FridayReads Review (7/17/20)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Network Effect by Martha Wells (HBK)

A copy FINALLY came in at the library! Unfortunately, I really haven't been enjoying it all that much. The unusually described action and movement have been a serious struggle to follow, Murderbot acts like an annoying petulant teenager (especially in the first half of the book, ugh), and with so many extra pages the story is taking its time to walk us through Every. Single. Step. of their "adventure." What I understand of the action is interesting though, and I'm still a big Murderbot fan so I'll be sticking it out to the end. But this is definitely gunning for least favorite of the series.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Heaven's Queen by Rachel Bach (PBK)

4 Stars. Re-read. Despite a little more discussion and sappiness than I prefer, overall I enjoyed this re-read a lot more than my original 2014 one due to the on-the-run first half and thrill-packed second. The end wrapped up way too neat for the violent mess the story was, but I enjoyed that most of the characters got what they wanted. A must-read if you read the first two.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Horimiya vol. 14 by HERO X Daisuke Hagiwara (PBK)

The next Horimiya volume releases this Tuesday! As one of my favorite contemp romantic comedy manga series, I will be reading it as soon as possible.

So what are you reading this week?

Manga Review: Tsubasa WoRLD CHRoNiCLE: Niraikanai Series (CLAMP)

Series Title: Tsubasa WoRLD CHRoNiCLE: Niraikanai
Author: CLAMP
Volumes Reviewed: 3 (complete series)
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
US Release Date: December 2015 - November 2016
Genre: Isekai Fantasy
Content Rating: Teen (violence, death)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Indiebound | B&N | Azon | BookDepo | RightStuf
Summary (of Volume 1):

BRAVELY FACING THE DARKNESS TOGETHER

Syaoran and his friends were successful in collecting Sakura’s memories and defeating Fei Wang. However, in order to release Fei Wang’s last spell, Syaoran had to pay the price of “continuing his journey.” He parted with Sakura and once more, accompanied by Kurogane, Fai, and Mokona, traveled to a parallel universe!

The group has arrived at a seemingly peaceful paradise, but a cloud of darkness approaches…

*          *          *

Series: This is the 3-volume sequel series to the 28-volume Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE series (you can read my review here). All volumes are released and available.

Series Crossover Note: This series crosses with another by CLAMP called xxxHOLiC Rei. Tsubasa WoRLD CHRoNiCLE: Niraikanai picks up right after xxxHOLiC Rei Volume 3 and takes place during the events of Rei Volume 4.

Taking possession of the unusual items Watanuki collected in the first three volumes of xxxHOLiC Rei, Syaoran chooses to do what he can to fix the mysterious anomaly at the group's current location, the land of Nirai Kanai. Traveling to the "inward" world where the dead reside, he shockingly discovers what he has long been searching for, but to change the anomaly and save Nirai Kanai he must make a devastating personal choice.

Unlike the original 28-volume Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE series, this 3-volume story is a brief, single-world adventure that can be binged in a single afternoon. While packed with the usual action, mystery and danger that Tsubasa is known for, the series is so short and focused that the heavy emotional end didn't pack the punch the longer original delivered. It also leans heavily on the original series and does not stand alone, so as I didn't quite recall all of the original Tsubasa: RC references - especially where the multiple Syaorans were concerned - the climactic impact was diminished even more for me. Still, I enjoyed revisiting the close and comical foursome to save yet another world from ultimate peril, and will always be interested in more adventures with them if CLAMP ever feels so compelled.

CLAMP Universe: As typical of CLAMP manga set in their Universe, there are a few familiar faces among the secondary and background characters. Fans of the Gate 7 and RG Veda series will be especially interested.

Conclusion: While the characters were pleasantly familiar and the action engaging, this single-world trilogy was unfortunately too short to land the heavy emotional end it was aiming for. Still, if you enjoyed the original Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE series then you will probably enjoy revisiting the world-hopping group in this sequel story. Definitely recommend reading it after the first three volumes of xxxHOLiC Rei to see where the magical items used in this story originated.

For Fans Of: the CLAMP Universe

Scribble Rating: 

3 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE by CLAMP
Kobato by CLAMP
Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki
Nightschool: The Weirn Books by Svetlana Chmakova

The #FridayReads Review (7/10/20)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Heaven's Queen by Rachel Bach (PBK)

In my original series read this was my least favorite of the trilogy, but after not enjoying Book 2 as much as I previously did I haven't been surprised to discover I'm enjoying this final book a lot more than before. After Book 2 was so heavy on the paranormal this on-the-run diversion has been a return to the action-adventure aspect I loved from Book 1, and although I know it will eventually devolve once more into the paranormal, the break has been a pleasant one (even if it has been a bit sappy).

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Honor's Knight by Rachel Bach (PBK)

4 Stars. Re-read. I'm surprised this was previously my favorite of the series as it takes a wide detour from the sci-fi action-adventure foundation into heavy paranormal, and I'm now not a fan. But perhaps that's what I preferred back in 2014? Thankfully there was plenty of action to still keep me relatively engrossed, and I was definitely invested enough to finish my trilogy re-read.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

The Weirn Books, Vol. 1 by Svetlana Chmakova (HBK)

This first volume in the new Weirn Books series finally came in at the library! I really enjoyed the original teen series (review here), so I've been looking forward to more stories in the magical world.

So what are you reading this week?

The #FridayReads Review (7/3/20)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Honor's Knight by Rachel Bach (PBK)

Continuing my Paradox trilogy re-read with the second book. I'm surprised it was previously my favorite of the series as it takes a wide detour from the sci-fi action-adventure foundation into heavy paranormal, and I'm not a fan. But perhaps that's what I preferred back in 2014? Thankfully there's enough action to still keep me relatively engrossed, and I am curious to remember how it all ends so I plan to finish the series once more.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Cutting-Edge Space Tourism by Kevin Kurtz (HBK)

3 Stars. My obsession with sci-fi has branched into reality (and writing research) and I checked out a bunch of non-fic books about space to peruse. Although short and simple, this was an interesting one for me because I had no idea we are getting so very close to sending tourists into space! Maybe it'll actually happen in my lifetime after all.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (PBK)

My sci-fi obsession continues, so as the Paradox trilogy has diverted into paranormal I grabbed this new series for a hopefully more grounded sci-fi read.

So what are you reading this week?