Monday, August 29, 2022

Book Review | The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson

Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.

Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice.

One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will.

After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.

No spoilers below for the the Mistborn series - just love.

The Alloy of Law is the fourth book in Sanderson's Mistborn series, but it's the first book of Mistborn era 2. In other words - the original Mistborn trilogy is era 1 and era 2 takes place 300 years after the original trilogy.

The final book in Mistborn era 2 comes out in November. I took long breaks between the first three Mistborn books (read them 2018-2020) so I wasn't sure I would be able to (or want to) catch up to book #7 by November. It turns out The Alloy of Law is so shallow compared to the original trilogy! I don't mean this in a bad way. The original trilogy was so deeply layered with worldbuilding and character development and magic - and The Allow of Law is just a fun read set in the same universe.

I had no idea how a western was going to work in the Mistborn world. Now I feel like an idiot. It's obvious now how fun gunslinging would be with Sanderson's magic system. The Alloy of Law reads like a steampunk superhero book without a lot of surprises, but I enjoyed it. I definitely want to read Shadows of Self in September and The Bands of Mourning in October to get ready for the era 2 finale. Nothing beats a Sanderson ending!

If you've never read Sanderson and you've made it this far - hey - the Mistborn series is a great place to start. Book 1 is The Final Empire - usually just referred to as "Mistborn". It's a very accessible trilogy and will absolutely build your trust in Sanderson's ability to tell - and finish! - a story. I've heard Warbreaker is another great place to start with Sanderson as it's an accessible standalone.

So what is Mistborn all about? The original idea was "What if the Dark Lord won? What would that world look like?" The first era is one of my favorite series of all time. A lot of people say they like era 2 even more. I'm still sceptical, but I'm excited to finally be reading it now! It's great to be back in this world.

4/5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐★


Jennifer

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Sunday, August 28, 2022

Recent Updates and Currently Reading | August 28

We are heading into spooky season! Horror Spotlight is having a readathon September 1 - 15 if you'd like to join us. Any diverse horror counts - just use the hashtag #SpotlightReadathon on socials so we can share.

Do you change what you read based on the time of year? "Beach reads" in the summer, darker books in the fall? I don't think I do, but I love how dark other people's feeds get in the fall!


Finished Reading


The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐★ - This was fun and such an easy read!

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe ⭐⭐⭐★★ - This was a reread in preparation of reading What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher.


Currently Reading


Babel by R.F. Kuang The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson One Piece, Volume 5: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Eiichiro Oda

Babel by R.F. Kuang - I have built up my expectations for this one SO HIGH. I hope I wind up loving it as much as I think I'm going to.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson - My reread is going great. I'm 600 pages in with no regrets.

One Piece, Volume 5: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Eiichiro Oda - I need more time in the day! My 9 year old is now obsessed with One Piece and he has passed me up in the anime which means I am now being spoiled. He can't help it - he's bursting to talk about it.


Added to the TBR


Babel by R.F. Kuang

Babel by R.F. Kuang - This was released last week, and I've thrown out the TBR to read it.



This post is being shared as part of The Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, Book Date It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post.

Jennifer

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Sunday, August 21, 2022

Recent Updates and Currently Reading | August 21

Happy weekend book lovers. It was a stressful week for me so the reading was super light. I didn't finish anything, but I did make some progress. 

I'm curious - what do you do instead of reading when your mind can't focus? Lately for me it's just watching YouTube: booktube, baseball, podcast clips, music related content... We are getting very close to the time of year where my answer is Hallmark Christmas movies.

Posted Last Week

Books I Love That Were Written Over Ten Years Ago


Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

On My Wishlist | Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

Currently Reading


The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson One Piece, Volume 5: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Eiichiro Oda

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson - I'm really enjoying this. I love being back in the Mistborn world, and I definitely plan to get caught up on era 2 before The Lost Metal comes out in November.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson - Stormfather I'm remembering how long this book is. I'm glad I'm rereading it because I'm able to focus more on the story this time since I've been through all of the worldbuilding before, but I'm 400 pages in and still have over 600 pages to go. It's great, but it's every bit as long as it is.

One Piece, Volume 5: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Eiichiro Oda - Yay - my hold for volume 5 finally came up at the library! I'm almost done reading it. This one actually made me tear up, and I don't think I'm supposed to be affected this strongly yet! This makes me excited for the next... 95 volumes 😳


Added to the TBR


This Appearing House by Ally Malinenko

This Appearing House by Ally Malinenko - I'm so excited about this release. I loved Ghost Girl by Ally Malinenko. {Review of Ghost Girl}


Currently Watching


I went out to the movies last night to see Bodies Bodies Bodies. It was different from the trailer, but it was fun!



This post is being shared as part of The Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, Book Date It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post.

Jennifer

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Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Wishlist | Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

 Hell Bent is the sequel to Leigh Bardugo's Ninth House.

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

Alex Stern returns in another tale of murder and dark magic set among the Ivy League elite…

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is determined to break Darlington out of hell—even if it costs her a future at Lethe and at Yale. But Alex is playing with forces far beyond her control, and when faculty members begin to die off, she knows these aren’t just accidents. Something deadly is at work in New Haven, and if Alex is going to survive, she'll have to reckon with the monsters of her past and a darkness built into the university's very walls.

I loved Night House - the first book in this series.  My {review of Ninth House}. It was a great cross between fantasy and horror. I'm looking forward to reading Hell Bent at the beginning of 2023.

Bunnies are becoming the mascot for horror lately! I'm so sorry, bunnies. You are all becoming so scary.

Are you a Leigh Bardugo fan? Have you read Ninth House?



This post is being shared as part of Can't-Wait Wednesday over at Wishful Endings.

Jennifer

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Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Books I Love That Were Written Over Ten Years Ago


Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl



Boy's Life by Robert McCammon Swan Song by Robert McCammon The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons


Boy's Life
by Robert McCammon {review of Boy's Life}

Swan Song by Robert McCammon {review of Swan Song}

The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons {review of The House Next Door}

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier


Charlotte's Web
by E.B. White 

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie {review of And Then There Were None}

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier {review of Rebecca}

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien The Princess Bride by William Goldman The Willows by Algernon Blackwood


The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Princess Bride by William Goldman {review of The Princess Bride}

The Willows by Algernon Blackwood {review of The Willows}

Jennifer

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Sunday, August 14, 2022

Recent Updates and Currently Reading | August 14

We were back to school this week. It feels like it came out of nowhere this year. I'm not sure where the summers are going, but part of it is just the simple fact that they go back to school so early now. We had our first cross country meet of the year yesterday. My son had to be on the bus by 4:15am, and then we traveled to watch his first race.

I have a question for back to school moms. Do you have any favorite go to tips, tricks, snacks, meals for lunches? My kids ate at school a lot last year because the district still had covid money and didn't charge for meals. All of that has ended and lunches are way too expensive for mediocre food (as my son's computer science teacher delicately put it!) I'd like to give them some variety, and I worry about them eating enough being so active all day.


Finished Reading


Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr Paper Girls, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr ⭐⭐⭐★★ - I am hoping to have a full review up this week. I think this book is great for the right audience.

Paper Girls, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan ⭐⭐⭐⭐★ - I'm having a lot of fun with this series. I'm hoping to start the show soon.


Currently Reading


The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson - The Alloy of Law is Mistborn #4 (the first book in era 2 of Mistborn). I'm loving it. I'm hoping to read one a month until the final book of era 2 is released in November.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson - You might remember I just read this in 2021. It took me all year. I don't know why I had such a strong desire this week to read it again, but I'm giving into my moods this year.


Added to the TBR


These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall Gunmetal Gods by Zamil Akhtar Conqueror's Blood by Zamil Akhtar
The Ninth Rain by Jen Williams The Bitter Twins by Jen Williams The Poison Song by Jen Williams

These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall - Yay! I love Kate Alice Marshall so much. This was a preorder, and I can't wait to read it!

Gunmetal Gods and Conqueror's Blood by Zamil Akhtar - I've been hearing such great things about these books so I grabbed the audiobooks to check them out.

I couldn't resist the ebook sale for the The Winnowing Flame Trilogy (The Ninth Rain, The Bitter Twins, The Poison Song) by Jen Williams. I love these covers so much, I'd still love to own them in hard copy some day, but I may just have to read them first and buy them if I love them.


This post is being shared as part of The Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, Book Date It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post.

Jennifer

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Saturday, August 6, 2022

Recent Updates and Currently Reading | August 6

I just learned you can pin posts to the top row of your Instagram page. Did you know? I'm sure this is Instagram 101, but I'm terrible at Instagram 😂

Instagram Grid

You can follow me on Instagram if you want more proof!

Seriously, though, I'd love to use Instagram more, but it's such a struggle. My feed seems to only be reels and sponsored posts that aren't even about books. It's kind of miserable. But I enjoy scrolling back and looking at what I've read so I'm trying to get in the habit of using it more.

Posted Last Week


Book Review | Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky ⭐⭐⭐⭐★


Finished Reading


Paper Girls, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan The Sandman : Sleep of the Just by Neil Gaiman Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

I read Paper Girls, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan ⭐⭐⭐⭐★ and reread The Sandman : Sleep of the Just by Neil Gaiman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in hopes of starting each of the Netflix series soon!

Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky ⭐⭐⭐⭐★ - I also finished my reread of Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Glad to have read this one again.


Currently Reading


Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr - Cloud Cuckoo Land was my pick for this month's book club. I'm starting to love it. I was worried at first due to all of the POVs and the sprawling timeline, but I have high hopes for this one. I just need to figure out how to squeeze in 600+ pages this weekend 😆


Added to the TBR


Mister Slaughter by Robert McCammon The Providence Rider by Robert McCammon The River of Souls by Robert McCammon
Freedom of the Mask by Robert McCammon Cardinal Black by Robert McCammon Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

Mister Slaughter, The Providence Rider, The River of Souls, Freedom of the Mask, and Cardinal Black by Robert McCammon are all finally available in trade paperback editions so I had to order them! I'm hoping to finally catch up on the Matthew Corbett series. These are books #3-7.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney - I was keeping my fingers and toes crossed that Daisy Darker would be a selection for the August Book of the Month box, and it was! I enjoyed Feeney's Rock Paper Scissors, but more importantly the reviews for Daisy Darker have been so great. I'm looking forward to reading it!

Currently Watching


Daniel Vogelbach Mets blowing bubble Yordan Alvarez at bat

Baseball. Baseball, baseball, baseball and not much else.



This post is being shared as part of The Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz, Book Date It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Caffeinated Book Reviewer's The Sunday Post.

Jennifer

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Thursday, August 4, 2022

Book Review | Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Children of Time is the first book in Adrian Tchaikovsky's Children of Time series.

Children of Time (Children of Time #1) by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Adrian Tchaikovksy's award-winning novel Children of Time, is the epic story of humanity's battle for survival on a terraformed planet.

Who will inherit this new Earth?

The last remnants of the human race left a dying Earth, desperate to find a new home among the stars. Following in the footsteps of their ancestors, they discover the greatest treasure of the past age -- a world terraformed and prepared for human life.

But all is not right in this new Eden. In the long years since the planet was abandoned, the work of its architects has borne disastrous fruit. The planet is not waiting for them, pristine and unoccupied. New masters have turned it from a refuge into mankind's worst nightmare.

Now two civilizations are on a collision course, both testing the boundaries of what they will do to survive. As the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, who are the true heirs of this new Earth?

So I hate spiders. But what I do love is reading about alien life forms. That is a favorite thing. There are uplifted (intelligent) spiders in Children of Time, and they are honestly the best story line of the book.

Children of Time also follows a dual timeline of a ship crewed by the last humans.

I originally gave this book 3 stars when I read it back in 2019, but I can't remember why my rating wasn't higher. It has remained with me and I've been wanting to reread it ever since. As per usual when I reread something, I'm upping my rating. Children of Ruin (the sequel to Children of Time) came out a few years ago, but I haven't read it yet. It's been hard for me to read the chunky, epic books that I used to read, but I've made a few changes to my reading life this year that will free up more time for the chunky SFF books I've been missing.

I recently found out the third book (Childen of Memory) will be coming out later this year so this turned out to be perfect timing to jump back into this universe.

The only other book I've read by Adrian Tchaikovsky is Walking to Aldebaran which I really enjoyed as well. I'd love to read a lot more of his catalog. I've heard amazing thing about his fantasy novel Guns of the Dawn.

If you haven't read anything by Adrian Tchaikovsky, it sounds like you can really start anywhere with his books, but I do recommend this one if you love science fiction and discovering new species (even if that new species happens to be spiders!).

4/5 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐★


Jennifer

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