Jason

3.5 stars

All in all, I think this novelization is a 3 stars read. It does add a bit more information not found in the film, so for that, it gets an additional half star, but not nearly enough to separate it from the film and make this an essential read like the novelization for Revenge of the Sith.

3.25 stars

4.25 stars

3.75 stars

Inspired by H.G. Wells' The Island of Doctor Moreau, Moreno-Garcia instead sets her reimagining of the well-known story in 19th Century Mexico, using the very real historical conflict of The Yucatan Caste War, between the Maya people and the Mexican government, as a backdrop to explore the political ramifications of the hybrids' “otherness”. That said, you do not need to be familiar with Wells' original book, or even the historical inspiration, to enjoy this novel.

While I did ultimately enjoy this novel, the biggest challenge while reading it is that it starts a little slowly. That might lose some readers early on, but that setup is important—making you think at every turn by asking heavy questions about science, religion, colonialism, resistance, colorism, and the agency of women—leading to an action-packed second half.

I've read a number of Moreno-Garcia's novels and while this one is not my favorite, it is inarguably well-written with an engaging plot and solid characters. I just didn't connect with it as much as some of her other works.

If you're a fan of reimagined classics, I'd say this is definitely one of the better ones.

Thanks to Random House Publishing, Del Rey Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

While the overall story is perhaps worthy of 4 stars, especially as an epilogue to his Robot series, the syereotypes and depictions of gender make this only a 3.5 read.

A high 3.75 stars

I'm really feeling bad for rating the Foundation novels so low, but while I absolutely loved Asimov's Robot series, I'm realizing I just don't care for books heavy on politics; of which his Empire and Foundation books definitely are.

3.25 stars

3.5 stars

2.75 stars

3.5 stars

4.75 stars

4.5 stars

3.5 stars

3.75 stars

I think for now I'm giving this one a 4.5 because I can't tell if it's a 4 star book that I enjoyed more because of the films or a 5 star book that I was hesitant to say I loved because of the films.

2.5 stars

3.75 stars

2.5 stars

A throwback to classic sci-fi... for all its good & bad.

I will start by saying I am unfamiliar with Ben Bova's adventures of Sam Gunn, so my review of this book may be hindered by or benefit from that lack of familiarity.

This was an interesting book to read. Had I read it without any prior knowledge of when it was published, I would easily have thought it was released during the Golden Age of Sci-Fi. The story, the pacing, the characters, and the short, serial nature of the chapters themselves truly felt like a good ol' fashioned sci-fi romp around the galaxy. If that's what you're looking for, I truly believe it's one of its pros.

Unfortunately, it's also one of its biggest cons.

Gender roles in this book are, while perhaps ‘acceptable' had it been written in the 30s, definitely stereotypical. This novel is broken down into smaller books, with a new woman introduced in every book. Even if our hero, Sam Gunn Jr.—who has to make sure to tell us he is not a womanizer like his father and to whom all things come easily—doesn't actually bed them, they are still written through the male gaze. I was always more surprised when Junior didn't sleep with the latest female character.

That aside, the novel itself was still enjoyable enough. It wasn't complex and it had its issues, but if you're looking for something light with that classic a pulp hero feel, you'll probably enjoy this book, too.

Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

3.75 stars

3.5 stars

I feel like I need to start out by saying that the first book in the series, A Deadly Education, left me disappointed. I will admit a lot of that is my own fault for having certain expectations about what a book about the Scholomance should be about, i.e. the famous school of black magic run by the Devil where Dracula himself studied.

That said, this book had the benefit of not having those expectations and being able to stand on its own. While I still didn't love it as much as I'd hoped, the school and world within it exist is very interesting and the ending was strong enough to make sure I come back for book three upon its release.

Thanks to Del Rey Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

You ever start a book and have no idea where it's going, but you are here for the ride anyway?
⁣⁣
That's what happened with No Gods, No Monsters. It started off as a contemporary social commentary before diving into its paranormal fantasy elements, then took a hard turn into horror, but also it's a mystery? Regardless of classification, I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book.

Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. It's been a few months since a book took me on such a journey. Beautifully written and though a bit slow in the beginning, by the time it sunk its hooks into me, it was full speed ahead.⁣ That said, I definitely had some questions about the science and overly-complex “ending”, but they didn't detract from my overall enjoyment.