Loki’s Ring by Stina Leicht
Genre: Science Fiction
Release Date: March 28th, 2023
Pages: 512
Publisher: Gallery Books
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Epic space opera! Delivered on all of my expectations. I loved the multiple points of view, the intergalactic political intrigue, unique personalities and relationships, unknown contagions, and new exciting beings and worlds! This had everything in it I could possibly want from this genre. I highly recommend this book to any sci-fi or even fantasy readers out there. I am definitely looking forward to more from this author in the future. She has another book like this one that she wrote previously and I will be adding that to my tbr list for sure.
The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende
Genre: Literary/Historical Fiction
Release Date: June 6th, 2023
Pages: 272
Publisher: Ballantine Books
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
As to be expected from this author, the writing style is impeccable. If you love her unique and gifted way with words, this book will not disappoint. The prose is beautiful and sweeps you away with the story. The story itself is deeply emotional and tragic. I could only read a few chapters a day because it had such an impact. The individual story threads are connected in a lovely way. These are such important stories to be told.
It is a very slow, meandering read. And I needed the connections to come sooner. There were some perspectives that I enjoyed more than others, which tended to drag the pacing and lose my interest. Some of the political views feel told to the reader, rather than letting us come to these opinions on our own by showing us through the story.
It’s a great read for a certain audience. If you are looking for something with beautiful prose and a deeper message, this is the one for you.
The Instructor (Derek Harrington #1) by T.R. Hendricks
Genre: Thriller
Release Date: April 11th, 2023
Pages: 320
Publisher: Tor/Forge
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fans of Jack Reacher will love Derek Harrington. This story is raw, gritty, and not for the faint of heart. I liked that the author didn’t hold any punches because it made the story more visceral and immersive. The author’s personal experience in the subject matter really shines through, making everything feel real. There are parts that will have you on the edge of your seat. And the underlying mystery will keep you turning the pages. I was dying to solve the conspiracy. If a military survival thriller sounds like an exciting read to you as much as it did for me, you’re going to love this one! It is a great start to a new series.
Some of the random POV changes were a bit jarring. Even though I appreciated the attempts to humanize Derek (otherwise some of his actions may have put readers off his side of things), I still wish a little more time had been spent on character development throughout the story. I think my biggest issue was with the flow of the book. The sequencing of events and the plot arc needed a little more working to feel like the narrative as a whole flowed more smoothly.
Disclaimers:
Huge thank you to Goodreads and the publishers for sending me advanced copies! I voluntarily read and reviewed these books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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