Audio Book Review: The House of Saphir by Marissa Meyer

The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Con-artist and "fake" witches, Mallory and her sister Anaise, are about to be arrested. But Count Armand Saphir knows Mallory can speak to ghosts and needs her help with his ancestor who's grown violent over the last year in Armand's home. So, in order to get away from the detectives determined to arrest the sisters, and seeing the place that the Saphir lord passed away at and the famous fountain is a bonus for Mallory.

Feels like a light, fun feel to the story even though Mallory doesn't trust others.

There wasn't much in the way of action for me. Kind of slow, with getting to know characters and putting them together as needed. I'm not really drawn to Mallory. She just doesn't seem to grow for me through most of the book and there's not really any history on her, or at least referenced.

This was fun with magical beings in the world. The ending was good as the last third kept my interest and was moving well. A light story that seems to be a standalone.

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Audio Book Review: Archenemies

Archenemies

By:  Marissa Meyer

Publish Date:  November 6, 2018, Audiobook Release November 6, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 14 hrs 33 mins
Narrated By:  Dan Bittner & Rebecca Soler

Genre:  Fantasy,Superheroes, Young Adult

Series:  2nd in Renegades series; 1st Book ~ Renegades

Impression:  Letting us see and feel how archenemies are made.

Synopsis:
Time is running out.
Together, they can save the world.
But they each other's worst nightmare.

In Renegades, Nova and Adrian (aka Insomnia and Sketch) fought the battle of their lives against the Anarchist known as the Detonator. It was a short-lived victory.

The Anarchists still have a secret weapon, one that Nova believes will protect her. The Renegades also have a strategy for overpowering the Anarchists, but both Nova and Adrian understand that it could mean the end of Gatlon City - and the world - as they know it.

First Sentence:
Adrian crouched on the rooftop, peering at the delivery entrance behind Gatlon City Hospital.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Dan and Rebecca narrate the story from the POV's of Adrian and Nova. When the point of view changes, so does the voice. But they do read their chapter as both characters because you are still in one characters mind. By doing this, we get to hear how the other person is hearing what is said. It's nice to see things this way, showing us how people perceive actions, words, and sounds.

Nova and Adrian have much the same goals as they did in the first book. Nova wanting to stop Renegades and get Ace's helmet. Adrian wants to know who said the phrase Nightmare repeated as it was found on a card with his mother's body. He thinks who had said that is his mother's killer. But it feels more personal for our characters as there's an added element. Love and feelings.

Nova and Adrian have their secret lives that a limited few know of. But phew. They come close to being found out by each other a few times.

There seems to be something growing between Nova and Adrian, but Nova doesn't want to see it as he's with the "Heroes" that shouldn't have all the power. Adrian... he's just confused. Poor guy. He's not sure how to read Nova's signals and he does have growing feelings too.

I love how Max has grown more important in this book. He's...special. He has an ability that limits his contact with others. Adrian visits him regularly, though Max is in his quarantine room. Max was a character that was introduced in the first book with great potential. This book highlights the emotional side of a few characters with Max. Max is also important when it comes to a new tool as well. So Max's presence in the book is more as he gets to spend time with people and for other reasons.

The Renegades reveal their new tool against the Anarchists or anyone that won't follow the guidelines. Without the other or anyone else knowing, Nova and Adrian have strong feelings about this new procedure. It doesn't feel right to them.

In listening to the book, I start to think there might be a need for a new structure in the Prodigy world. Both the "good" and "bad" sides have great points, and points that aren't in very good interests or could go sour rather quick. At times Nova sees those that are her family and who she has sided with may not have the best interest of all Prodigies or even the mundane people at heart. And she sees, along with Adrian, that the Renegades hold too much power in their hands that could hurt many if used wrong. And there is always that chance. It makes me wonder if there could ever be a middle ground reached. Then, who would monitor that?

Marissa has written the book in a way to lead you to expect a few events to come to pass. The story is well crafted to draw me along a line of trouble for our favorite characters. The events happen differently than I thought, which is nice to see it wasn't a cardboard cutout. I love it!

This ending, oh it's how great enemies are made. The love or friendship that was there then when something happens to separate, seen by different eyes at wrong moments... Yes, that's when the archenemy is made. When that love is hurt yet still felt...

Oh I want to see what happens when Nova and Adrian learn each other's big secret. It's going to be huge! Secrets start to be revealed at the end of this book, but some are still missing when they are revealed. But, the ones that learn the secrets will share them. The next book is where all the pieces with fall out and be learned, and oh how things are going to go then. I can't wait!!



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon. Thank you!

Audio Book Review: Renegades

Renegades

By:  Melissa Meyer

Publish Date:  November 7, 2017, Audiobook Release November 7, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 16 hrs 58 mins
Narrated By:  Rebecca Soler & Dan Bittner

Genre:  Fantasy, Superheroes

Series:  1st in Renegades series

Impression:  Who are the superheroes?

Synopsis:
Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies — humans with extraordinary abilities — who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone... except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice — and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

First Sentence:
We were all villains in the beginning.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

We get the story from Nova's point of view and Adrian's. When we see through Nova's eyes, Rebecca voices the story and all characters. Dan narrates the story in the chapters through Adrian's eyes. I love how Rebecca voices the characters! We hear her as a young Nova in the Prologue. She's soft and then scared. But in Chapter 1, wow. Rebecca grows bold with Nova being ten years older and we hear the attitude and innuendos that are spoken when mocking something. Great! It feels real! Dan fit the male view of Adrian's story. He adds character to all characters he voices, just like Rebecca does in her chapters. I found there was no deterrence from the characters with two narrators. They brought the characters to life with similar feels. It's also blanketed with a feel of how Adrian sees others.

Melissa is talented at giving the details and drawing the moment to a tunnel, drawing me in as we narrow closer and closer to the big moment. It's just long enough to make me stop and focus on what will happen.

When you have several different super powers fighting, things aren't always easy or cut and dry to get away. Melissa uses this to keep the fights interesting, interjecting events and items that fit the characters present yet something to keep our attention. But she also knows the fights aren't quick and easy. This makes the battles more difficult and unyielding until you truly get away. Yes! Awesome.

In the beginning, I saw so many potential connections. And what our two main characters want. There is so much hinted at in the beginning, I couldn't help but want to know how it would all come together and what we would learn.

I love that there's a parallel between what Nova wants and what Adrian wants. They both see things in a similar way when it comes to people and superheroes. They just don't realize it. And they go about it in different manners, as that's how they were raised. But Nova, being in the position she takes to help the Anarchists, sees things aren't as she suspected with the Renegades. At least with what they are trying to do and Adrian's kindness. Unfortunately, the Anarchists aren't loyal to each other or an ultimate plan and she knows that as well.

I enjoy how Nova finds something in the Renegades that she didn't expect to find there. She starts to find friends and people who care. I love how Nova and Adrian find each other and there is a growth between them. It's gentle and easy, but they do find an attraction there. It's lovely and fun to watch. With being audio, there are moments where you can hear the question or awkwardness in their voices as they aren't sure if they are saying or doing things right. It's adorable.

This story brings out many possibilities in the world and lives of the Renegades and Anarchists. I enjoyed the story thoroughly, yet in the end I know this book is an opening for what's to come. So many possibilities and beliefs in the characters. Now, I'm expecting action to take place with the ground work put in place. I look forward to the next novel(s) to come for all this to come to fruit.

I could see some similarities to the Marvel superheroes and villains, but these characters have their own stories to tell and live. But, if you enjoy the Marvel characters, I think you'll enjoy this book.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon. Thank you!

Reverse Author Interview!

I signed up to participate in the Reverse Author Interviews hosted by Book Munchies.  I thought this was a great concept.  Instead of Authors getting interviewed, they submit questions and book reviewers get interviewed.

Each day has a different author who submitted questions, and each blogger that signed up for that day answers the questions of the day.  You can visit Book Munchies daily for each days author questions and links to bloggers who are answering the questions.

Today, I'm one of those bloggers.  The author interviewing... Marissa Meyer!
(now I feel small as I have her books on my Desired Want List.  I do so need them!)

Her Questions and My Answers:

It seems that when I tell most bloggers that there won't be a love triangle in The Lunar Chronicles, they seem weirdly grateful for that.  So what's the un-official blogger status on love triangles in YA these days?  If you're not burned out on them entirely, then what do you feel makes a good love triangle?

Love triangles...I believe the un-official standing around the blogs are -- Really? Another one? *sigh*

It's one angle in books that seems to be the same old, same old and hard to twist up.  The love triangle makes for a great addition to a story line, but when it's the story line it's just okay.  In YA, it seems to be found a great deal more which means girls and boys have choices.  They don't *have* to stick to one person at such a young age.  But, it's in many books.

One thing I do to avoid that feeling, read other books between.  I love a great love triangle, especially when I love all the characters.  But the key for me is to mix it in with other books so I don't get burned out on it.

What are your writing and/or author promoting pet peeves?

Oh, my biggest is the Tweeting/Facebooking over, and over, and over, and over about your own book.  Or even acknowledging others, just yourself.  I understand that they are your lively hood, but I don't want to see self pimping constantly all day every day.  I want to see you as a person, with little things in your life.

I don't follow you because I want to be reminded of your release.  I'm following you most likely because I already know, and look to learn more and chat with friends.  Now, I don't mean you can't share, as it's nice to see you are working on new works, having a release coming or hear, just not constantly.

Another, authors that friend on Goodreads and such just to 'friend' me and think they can get a review out of me.  Nope.  I don't like to be pushed.

Is there anything you feel is missing from the YA genre right now, or anything you'd like to see more of?

Hmm, I do enjoy YA, but haven't read a lot in the last year.  I think one thing I'd like to see more in YA is books for boys.  I've got a 13 year old son who struggled to find a good book he could enjoy, that wasn't completely girl focused.

This isn't saying it can't be a girl lead, but one that isn't as feminine in nature.  Yea, sounds wrong when put that way.  Most of the readers are girls and the biggest part of the purchases.  So, I'm not sure how to gear this idea.  lol.



*phew* These were great questions!  And took some thinking before I could answer.

What are your thoughts?

Throwback Thursday (22)

Let's talk about those books already on the shelves, yours or the stores.

I have a post for books I'm looking forward to coming out;

Looking Forward To...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on the shelves.

Whether it be on your shelf waiting to be read or on the shelves in the stores waiting for you to give it a good home.

So, I thought I would share a book a week that is just waiting for me to travel through it's world.

Now... where do I start? Lets go by Published Date on the books...

This Week:

A friend gave me a copy of this book as they had two and talked highly of it.  I do want to get to it one of these days, but currently I lent it out to a co-worker and waiting for her to return. (I know she will)  She seems to not be getting into the story as much, but she likes more romance stories than I do.  And another friend here has talked great things of the story as well.  And I think the author is coming out with a second book in this world and series.  *sigh* yes another one I need to get going on.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.

When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.