If racing was done in a hover car, this would be like F1 on steroids! Such a fun idea that it drew me in, even with my previous failures at enjoying a Matthew Reilly book, and I’m so glad I gave this one a chance.
In the world of the near future, man travels everywhere in vehicles that hover four feet above the ground. But this brilliant new technology has inspired a super-fast, ultra-competitive sport the likes of which the world has never seen: hover car racing. It’s both dangerous and glamorous, where racers are part fighter pilot, part race-car driver, all superstar. It is the hottest ticket in town.
This is the story of Jason Chaser, a talented young racer who is selected to attend the famed International Race School, the brutal gateway to the Professional Circuit. There he will contest against the best young racers on the planet–on some of the wildest circuits you can imagine–all of them wanting one thing: to graduate from the Race School and get a contract to compete in the big time, the International Pro Circuit.
This was fast, fun and full of action and adventure! I loved the look not just at racing, but racing hover cars at a pro level, with an underdog team. The racing school and all other races were great, I loved the dynamics between characters and racers. Special place in my heart for The Bug who was a quirky addition to the team, and it was a really fun time all around. I wasn’t sure if the racing would lose my attention, but because of the hover car element it actually kept it quite well. The way the races were set out and described was fascinating.
Would I Recommend This Book?
Yes. I thought this book was a great adventure, had high stakes and a world that was like watching Cars or F1 if it existed inside Speed Racer.
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Sometimes just one series can make you a fan of many other books, that was Legend with Marie Lu for me. I’ve read a few of her books now, so let’s see how they all hold up.
Fun ride. Basically like that movie “I Spy” but instead of a boxer, it’s a singer, and instead of a buddy cop drama it’s a romance… sort of. I actually really liked the story and how they folded in the characters together. Some of it had to suspend my disbelief, but what else is new 😂 There were parts that felt like even in the world of these characters wasn’t realistic or believable. For me, I also felt the flashback memories of the characters pulled me out of the story and slammed me back in just by saying “the memory faded” over and over. I would have liked maybe a smoother way to bring these across. It was quite witty and I did like the dynamic of the two main characters. I actually appreciated the ending (don’t come for me!) but there was also a bitter sweet feeling across the entire book. Lots of grief and traumatic background to propel the characters forward.
I LOVED Legend. (The only reason it even took so long to get through was because I was moving, and super busy – otherwise I would have finished it in a day!)
First – the premise. Loved it. Can’t wait to continue unraveling the mysteries and secrets in the next book. Second – the world. It was introduced to the reader in a seamless way. It felt natural, part of the story, no info dumps and was just beautifully done. Third – the characters. I found not only the main characters, but the secondary ones as well, so intriguing. I loved all of the interactions, the development, the exploration of each characters stories – just all of it.
The writing style flowed so well, and the story was filled with fascinating turns, dialogue and world building.
Overall, an amazing YA book, and I can’t wait to read more!
It’s interesting timing for me to pick this book up in 2020/2021… but I’m going to leave that thought right where it is and ignore it for the purposes of this review.
I loved the characters of June and Day in the first book Legend, and they didn’t disappoint in book 2! There was a beautiful depth to these guys this time around, and like in the first book, we got to see some of them together, and some of them apart.
Being able to see how these characters wrestled with the world shattering news of the first book was fantastic. The more they got to know about the world they thought they knew, the more we got introduced to new elements, characters, and an incredible world that spanned bigger than you ever thought.
I loved the way that Marie Lu went about sharing the world she has built for these characters. It all flowed so seamlessly, and was jam packed with action and adventure as the fight for these characters lives continued.
My mind, and what I thought I knew about this story, was blown over and over. Even though some things you may have suspected along the way, it didn’t matter. Some chapters, I couldn’t even turn the page fast enough.
I am so glad I have the next book ready to go, because I couldn’t imagine having to wait too long for the conclusion.
I am still a little shell shocked writing this review, but I’m going to try and find the right words.
The whole Legend trilogy has been fantastic. So well written, with characters so easy to connect with. The plot was fascinating, the world incredible and easy to be enveloped by. This final part of the story was the most exciting, dramatic, tense, and jam packed part!
It left me clutching my book until my fingers were white, crying into my pillows, and throwing things around my house!
This was a nice way to see some endings for the Legend story line and get an insight into the Antarctica world we saw a glimpse of in the trilogy. I liked it, but it did feel like an excuse to rewrite the ending of the original story to a more satisfying end. Overall, it was good, but not as satisfying as the books that came before.
I LOVED this book. It was nice to have a fantasy/dystopian that wasn’t all magic and superpowers, but technology based (that had subtle links to the Legend trilogy – supposedly set way in the future from Warcross). The characters were great, plot very interesting and unpredictable (for me) and I love Marie’s writing style.
Not as good as the first book, but still interesting. Not enough to read right after the first book, but months later. A bit more techno babble that was skin worthy. I didn’t mind the twists and where the story went. Characters were just as interesting. Pretty middle of the road.
Being the heiress of Greenway Discoveries, Daphne Green has always lived a life of privilege. But when there is a break-in at her father’s office, he enlists the service of Milosh Petrov to guard her as a precaution. Just a precaution . . .
Assertive and straight-talking Milosh takes his job seriously: keep them safe and walk away. But when he’s tasked with posing as a close protection officer for Daphne, walking away starts to feel impossible. And when the threat against her life becomes very real, Milosh vows to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
I liked it okay, but it was pretty mid level for me. The concept was average, romance was good but mostly average save few great moments, the writing was good but not incredible. It was nice but sometimes a little boring. Only because it didn’t really have a grab your attention premise amongst a sea of other options. It sounded great, but it was just good/okay. It frustrated me that almost grown woman exclusively referred to her actual Father as Daddy continuously like she was 8. It gave Booktok type hints but never properly followed through. Simultaneously characters were somewhat dull and unusually brutal at once. Everyone was good at everything. It felt like it hovered around the edge of great but just never quite made it. Good, but not incredible. Still a worthwhile read though.
Would I Recommend This Book?
Yeah, it was a perfectly acceptable bodyguard romance.
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When the bad have the power, the rest are powerless (wink if you know), and a select few are planning to prove the current power structure and system is wrong. This series was brutal, bloody, powerful and political.
Mare Barrow’s world is divided by blood–those with common, Red blood serve the Silver-blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.
To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard–a growing Red rebellion–even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction.
Graphic: Violence, Death, Blood Moderate: War, Torture, Murder Minor: Suicide, Death of a Parent, Child Death
My Review
I actually really liked this book. I liked the “super power” element rather than magic, and the separation of Red and Silver is something we can relate to (with various divisions we have in our own world). I did gloss over the world and surroundings descriptions, but the plot was good. Granted, it was similar to other YA dystopians but if you know what you’re getting into, I don’t see that as a problem. I liked the characters, but admittedly looked up the spoilers before reading so I didn’t have any shock moments at the various twists and turns. No graphic sexual content but pretty violent fights and scene depictions. Not really any cuss words either.
Graphic: Death, Violence, War Moderate: Child Death, Murder, Fire Minor: Pregnancy, Panic Attacks, Grief
My Review
A lot darker than the first. Little to no hope throughout was a theme. Dark emotions, dark choices, refusal to let go and revenge and darkness the guiding force in pretty much all characters. Powers are interesting, and it makes the fighting great. Just wish the characters were a little more likeable and a little less of a combined whine and bloodthirsty mess.
Graphic: War Violence, Death Moderate: Torture, Grief, Pregnancy Minor: Sexual Content, Alcohol, Cursing
My Review
The first half of this book could have been 25 pages instead of 250. It was entirely too long, and I was so close to calling it quits when read 200+ pages of a non plot same old same old. THEN, it started getting good. Honestly, I wish it had reached the halfway point way sooner, because that book would have been amazing. The second half was great but by the time I got there I was almost over the whole thing. It was quite long and the last book is even more so… The powers are always fun to see play out. Characters were the same, and while some were good, others were tiresome.
Graphic: War, Violence, Death Moderate: Grief, Torture, Blood Minor: Death of a Parent, Kidnapping
My Review
Book 1 was Court Politics Book 2 was Rebel Politics Book 3 was Prisoner Politics Book 4 was War politics
We finally made it to the end (if you don’t count the mish mash follow up of Broken Throne.. which I don’t – at least for now). This was the longest book by far, and the one that was the least interesting for me. Politics of three nations/groups all battling in secret and in the open, with personal stakes and grudges… it was quite dull. Outside of the scenes where people were actually using their abilities, I found myself feeling scenes drag on way too long, and things were quite convoluted.
Real world politics does have run in a similar way from my understanding, but I think this kind of a story is not where my interest lies. Give me the action scenes with way less back and forth and I would have been happier. Having said that, I think it was a true to story and character ending. Drawn out, but oddly satisfying.
Would I Recommend This Book?
Yes, I would. Keep in mind some of the darker themes and content warnings – the first two are DEFINATELY a good read, the second two were debatable for me, but on the whole I really enjoyed the world and the series and Victoria’s writing.
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Xtreme sports meets Suite Life On Deck with Zach and Cody… oh, and don’t forget open door intimacy and a saboteur… okay, that sounds like a lot going on but really, there is!
After two lost years, I’m forcing the wake-up call on my life with a nine-month work-study cruise. See the world, experience all of it to the fullest, and maybe (if I’m lucky) find the life I’ve lost.
I just wish I’d known what I was signing up for.
My scholarship depends on tutoring a student. But not just any student, oh no. That would be too easy. Instead I get Paxton Wilder, daredevil influencer and X Games champion. And wherever he goes, documentary cameras, groupies, and high-octane stunts will follow.
I want to hate him. I want to kick his arrogant ego right off this boat. But from the second we touch, my stomach does a full-on bungee jump and I know that Wilder is as much stay-away danger as he is addictive adrenaline.
Graphic: Sexual Content Moderate: Death, Car accident, Injury/Injury Detail
My Review
Took me by surprise, Reminded me of The Suite life on Deck if they were doing extreme sports. Outside of the Instant attraction these 2 people seemed to have 21 another, It didn’t really see why they would want to spend time together outside of when they had to. I don’t know how Realistic it felt for people to build a foundation based only on attraction. I did like the trying to find the person sabotaging angle, I enjoyed the extreme sports and the way it tied into the cruise ship around the world and the university experience, And I thought the characters Made sense and their motivations and decisions also seem to lineup with who they were written as In general.
Would I Recommend This Book?
Yes. If you don’t mind open door scenes, the extreme sports angle was very interesting and the doing college on a cruise ship around the world was really fun.
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Despite the play on words for this story, a mystery in a small town that involves desert has all the best elements I can think of. But was it worth the read?
A poetry slam at a bakery? Why not! Even though Pie Town proprietor Val Harris would rather be spending time with her newfound half-brother, she knows her employee Abril is beyond excited to be hosting the event. Especially since it stars the apple pie of Abril’s eye, poet and professor Michael Starke. But the evening ends on a sour note when Professor Starke is found murdered mere moments after being accused of plagiarism.
Just like that, Pie Town is at the center of another criminal inquiry. At Abril’s request—and much to Detective Carmichael’s consternation—Val and Charlene decide to investigate Starke’s death. But the case is as tough as an overworked crust and the Baker Street Bakers are only coming up with scraps. If they don’t pinch the cultured killer soon, Pie Town’s reputation could crumble.
Loved this book! Found it when my library was giving a broken copy away but now I’m going to grab them all as soon as I can! It was witty, fun, mysterious and full of adventure. Loved the characters, and even though it was my first one of the series I didn’t feel like I missed a beat (though I will enjoy going back and reading about some of the before happenings).
Content: murder and violence (minor impact)
Would I Recommend This Book?
As you may have noticed from the rating and rave, I quite liked this book, so Yes, I would recommend it to read. Just keep in mind mature themes if you’re considering younger readers.
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A heist crew that has incredibly high stakes and a lot of enemies closing in around them… this surprised me with how much I was expecting NOT to like it… but I didn’t expect this.
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price–and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .
A convict with a thirst for revenge.A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction–if they don’t kill each other first.
Graphic: Violence, Death, Blood Moderate: Slavery, Trafficking, Addiction Minor: Sexual Assault, Death of a Parent, Sexual Violence
My Review
Having this many POV can sometimes be a bit messy, but I think this was really well done. It added such incredible drama to the story, I love to jump in and out of people’s perspectives, plus when everybody in a heist is in a different spot as part of the team layout like this is necessary. I liked everyone. All the characters in their own ways were fantastic, they interacted with each other really well, and the plot moved forward with these character dynamics in mind. The actual heist/prison break itself was really well done. I enjoyed the setup, the planning, the execution, and everything in between. The magic system was quite good, it was a bit of a spin on the normal type of abilities you can see in people. I like the way that this particular system spun things, and I would love to see more.
I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first, but it was still a good story and conclusion after book one. I found it swayed a little and had less direction than the first book. The characters were still great, and I enjoyed seeing where everything landed at the end.
Would I Recommend This Book?
Yes, I would recommend both books in the series. I don’t have much interest in the world that surrounds it as Leigh continues on, but this one.. if you like an Oceans 11 feel with some fantasy thrown in, this one’s for you!
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Normally, villain origin stories feel like a pointless exercise – why can’t we just let bad guys be bad guys without trying to explain it away? This one, however, I actually found myself surprised and maybe considering that some stories might be interesting to tell…
Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen.
Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.
Graphic: Death, Murder, Grief Moderate: Body Shaming, Violence, Blood Minor: War, Suicide, Kidnapping
My Review
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but honestly with the exception of the inclusion of the three “sisters” (I genuinely have no clue why people like writing about those hags…. Yes offence to the hags intended) there wasn’t a whole ton of creepy magic so that was nice. (Some of my dislike of that is personal taste for reading, but I was happy to see minimal)
The love story was fun and the banter was great. I know we are reading the origin story of a villain (another phenomenon that I don’t understand why people like so much, but here I am reading one so… yup) but it still felt like it wasn’t until the end.
I was rooting for characters, liking the story, then BAM they hit me with creepy and I was annoyed. Ultimately, these fairytale retellings always feel the need to lean more into the creepy/evil but I was impressed that majority of this story didn’t so that.
Would I Recommend This Book?
Yes, I would still recommend this book (even keeping in mind the three witches that unnecessarily made an appearance).
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