miahpaws@gmail.com – Page 10

The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal

The Fated Sky is the second book in The Lady Astronaut series by Mary Robinette Kowal. It is as great an adventure as the first book. It cemented my respect for the author as a great writer and I am most definitely a fan.

The International Aerospace Coalition (IAC) is now making regular trips to an established colony on the moon. The Lady Astronaut, Elma York, now regularly pilots these shuttles between the colony and earth. It has become almost routine. For Elma, she has realized her dream of getting to space and now she dreams bigger. She wants to go to Mars!

The IAC is now planning that all important first mission to Mars. Unfortunately for Elma, the mission is deemed too dangerous for women. Yet, if you want a colony on Mars there will have to be women. After all, the whole point of going is to insure the survival of the human race. Then the IAC also has the problem of needing a human computer during the trip to Mars. The question is, Will Elma get her wish?

I loved how the author handled real questions and problems that would arise if this was the reality we lived in. The continuing prejudice against people of color and women, especially women of color, that was a central theme in the first book, and I might add is spot on, is still present in book two. In addition, how the author imagined the zealous religious factions would react to the need to move humanity to the stars was also realistic and grounded in facts. In short, she convinces the reader, for the time they are reading, that it is a real history and not just an alternate they are reading. Many kudos for that!

Then her characters were just so human, flawed but done flawlessly. By that, I mean flawed but never in a way that it felt forced. For example, Elma grappled with her desire for getting to Mars with her desire to have a family. Also, I noted that her reactions to the various situations presented were not always elegant and that is exactly how humans react at times. What I am sure took the author many hours to develop seemed to be effortless and authentic. So, so well done.

This is one of those books that is, and will continue to be, loved by fans of various genres. The science parts are not heavy handed in a way that would turn off readers of say historical fiction, women’s fiction, etc. Therefore, I am comfortable in recommending this book to everyone.

The Last Human by Zack Jordan

The Last Human by Zack Jordan is a coming-of-age, space opera tale. It is the prefer book for fans of A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Galaxy.

It is a quirky tale about Sarya the daughter, the last of her kind. Her kind being humans. She is raised by an adopted mother of another species. A mother who loves her and will give her life to protect her. Yet, she has a burning desire to know where she comes from and if there is possibly more of her kind still alive.

How can Sarya find out any information about humans when humans are the most feared species in the galaxy? Since she was very young her mother has carefully kept her hidden. No one should know that she exists; especially, since the human race was eradicated over a thousand years ago. Sarya will find out this and much more when a bounty hunter tries to capture her and she is forced to change her view on all she has ever known.

Unfortunately, I never connected with Sarya. I think it was because I found the story was just weird and not in a good way. I struggled to finish it. I put it down multiple times to go on to something more enjoyable. Each time I picked it back up I hoped it would improve. Finally, it got to the point I just wanted to be done.

The writing was good and I liked that it was reflective towards the end. It made me think about humanity and what makes us different and what makes us the same. Also, I thought about race and inequality because these two things came up repeatedly throughout the story. Ultimately, this is what kept me reading even though I never connected to the MC.

I think in hind sight I can say this one was just not my cup of tea. However, I think there are lots of fans out there of this type of story. I also think this would be a great book for a Sci-Fi book club. The story lends itself to a good discuss about cultural and political issues.

I received a free copy, from the publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Fairs 2020

I am planning for this year’s BookExpo and BookCon that run congruent at the Javits Center in New York City. It all starts at the end of May, with BookExpo running May 27 – 29, followed by BookCon on May 30th and 31st.

I am always asked what is BookExpo and BookCon, so what follows is my short answer. BookExpo is the industry trade show for professionals. This is the place for authors, agents, librarians, bloggers, to meet up with publishers, other authors, agents, etc. to discover what the hottest trends are and get up to speed on the latest tools and technology in the industry so they can advance their business. Whereas BookCon is all about the bibliophiles. This is the place where avid readers connect with like-minded people, meet authors, get books signed, and see what hot books are coming out. In a nut shell, these two trade shows are the opposite side of the same coin.

If you are not in the U.S. don’t worry there are still plenty of International book fairs to warm a book worm’s heart. The Kotobee blog has put together a list of the international book fairs and trade shows. Take a few minutes to visit the Kotobee blog and see which is closest to you.

For those of you in North America, I hope to see you in NYC this spring. For you other folks, I hope you are able to attend one of these fantastic book fairs. Happy reading!

The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal

The Calculating Stars, by Mary Robinette Kowal, is an alternative history story that feels as real as the words on the page. The story of Elma York and her desire to become a Lady Astronaut will have you gritting your teeth at the injustices she faces and clapping your hands when she overcomes them. I was captivated from the start.

Elma York and her husband are away on vacation when a meteorite strikes the east coast with devastating effects. The east coast is basically wiped off the map and the ensuing tsunami destroys coastal regions across the globe. It is not long before Elma, a gifted mathematician, realizes the full extent of the crisis. This meteor was large enough to trigger a mass extinction event.

In 1952 rocket technology is in its infancy and Washington DC and government as we know it has been destroyed. When the International Aerospace Collation is formed, Elma has dreams of going to space and then the moon as a computer. The only thing holding her back is being female. She has all the qualifications include the jet flight hours she gained as a WASP pilot in WWII. It will be an uphill battle and the stress of actually being in the public eye just maybe her undoing.

I loved, loved, loved this book. The writing was just outstanding and the author knows how to capture your attention and keep it. The writing style reminded me of Octavia Butler and George R. R. Martin. Yes, in my opinion, the author deserves to be counted in the company of these great authors. I see why this book has won so many awards, and believe me when I say it is well deserved.

Besides the writing, the charisma of the MC, Elma York, was brilliantly done. She is not your typical strong female lead. She has her failings. What endeared me to her was her strength in spite of the odds being stacked against her. She was able to recognize her short comings without letting them stand in the way of the thing she desire most, to be an astronaut. Through all the uphill battles she fought, she did it with a dignity we rarely see today and she remained true to herself.

The plot reminded me a little of A Gentleman in Moscow. There is not a lot going on, the story is all about the character and no so much about the events. The post-apocalyptic issue of an extinction event was very much on the side lines and I could have cared less. The author used the event to discuss social issues, that are still relevant today, in a thought provoking way. I highly recommend this book to all readers who love Sci-Fi. Yet, even if you are not a big fan of Sci-Fi this story will still have a lot of appeal. The quality of the writing alone will captivate you. Please don’t be put off by the Sci-Fi label because it is so much more and so good.

For Those Who Dare by John Anthony Miller

For Those Who Dare, by John Anthony Miller, is a riveting, fictional account of a young woman’s desperate plea for help to escape being trapped in East Berlin after the government erects a wall to keep its citizens in. Eloquently told by an author adept at developing characters who draws you into the story.

Kirstin Beck has been thinking for months about escaping to West Berlin were her grandmother, and a daughter she was forced to give up years ago, lives. On the night she plans on escaping, the East German government unspool razor wire and erect the first barrier to separate East from West. She barely manages to escape the clutches of the police.

From her apartment she can see into West Berlin. So close and so unobtainable. She just has to find a new way to get out. Then one evening she see a young man in a window across the wall in West Germany. She holds up a sign with two words, “Help Me”. Can she depend on this stranger to assist her? There is Stasi in West Berlin. What if he is one of them?

On the West side of the wall Tony Marino is a young American writer working on a series of books called a History of Nations. He is currently conducting research for his book on Germany when he reads the plea of Kristin. Something about her and the plea moves him. With funding and the blessings of his editor he devises a plan to dig a tunnel into the East. It will be dangerous and there will be plenty of opportunities to get caught. Yet he feels compelled to help.

This is one of those books that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. The plan is daring and so very dangerous. There is only one way for it to go right and a thousand ways for it to go wrong. This made for a story with lots of tension, which resulted in me reading well beyond my bedtime. Then the ending, fabulous is the only word I can think of describe it. It totally took me by surprise. So well done!

In addition, I loved the characters especially Kirstin. She went through so much in her young life but was still so brave. I also appreciated how the author used the minor characters to help round out the story.

At this point, I need to mention that the story is loosely based on a real tunnel escape from East Berlin. I remembered watching a documentary some years ago about it and I did a little research. It was interesting to learn a little bit about the inspiration for this book. The author used the basic facts to weave an imaginative and fictional story that will be sure to delight readers.

I highly recommend this book, especially to people that love historical stories that are grounded in fact. I received a free copy in exchange for me honest review.

Dreamland by Nancy Bilyeau

Dreamland, by Nancy Bilyeau, is a historical fiction murder mystery. Set on Coney Island in 1911 before WWI when prejudice against immigrants runs high. A lovely tale of privilege during the time of robber barons. It is a glimpse into our past when women were considered fragile and more of a decoration than an asset.

Peggy Battenberg is a young heiress to a family that has made their fortune in mining. Her pears include names like Rockefeller and Vanderbilt. You would think that with great privilege would come great freedom. But not in the world where women have as yet to earn the right to vote. The men still rule the women of the upper class as surely as past kings have ruled England.

Peggy is somewhat head strong and has managed to wrangle her family into allowing her to work at a bookstore. Her attempt at some semblance of freedom is swiftly brought to an end when her Uncle enters the bookshop one afternoon in a whirlwind. He demands her presence for the summer at the Oriental Hotel, just a short distance from Coney Island. Peggy has no choice but to pack her things and move to the grand hotel along with her sister, mother and other family members and leave behind the job she is fond of.

Once at The Oriental she discovers the allures of Dreamland, an amusement park, on Coney Island. At Dreamland she meets Stefan a young Russian artist that captivates her and she falls in love. Something that her family would not approve of if they knew. But things are not all fun at Dreamland and when young women are found murderer in the vicinity Peggy starts to see a connection between them and her. Then to her horror the police arrest Stefan for the murders. Peggy knows he is innocent, and she is starting to suspect she knows the murderer. Since the police are not interested in finding the real murderer, she sets out to solve the crime.

I loved the descriptive prose. The author vividly described, as if she lived it, the hotel and all its luxuries as well as the atmosphere of family and social pressures that young women felt during that time. She also shows you the differences between class and what anonymity money was able to buy the ultra-wealthy.

I also loved the characters. The main character of Peggy was strong and determined. Her younger sister Lydia that I felt so sorry for, even though she had so much in terms of physical comforts, her life was lacking in many ways. Even the characters with minor roles, like Ben and Stefan were thoughtful portrayed and their actions were true to the period.

The plot is a little slow, but then the book is really about the characters and the action took a back seat to them. Yet, there was enough going on to keep me interested and though I suspected who the killer might be the ending was unexpected.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you liked history fiction stories such as We Were the Lucky Ones and A Fine Imitation. The prose and characters make this book and you need to read this book sooner rather than later. I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmer

A Heart So Fierce and Broken is the second installment in the Cursebreakers series by Brigid Kemmerer. The author once again uses her amazing talent to continue the saga of Emberfall. A world where loyalty and friendships will come into question. This is a world you will want to visit again and again.

Grey is missing, and Rhen and Harper fear that upon killing Lilith he is stuck in our world. No one knows that he is in hiding and working as a stable boy. His job has always been to protect the king at all costs. Now he hides to protect the king because he fears what will happen if anyone finds out he can do magic. He is afraid to admit to himself that there is truth in the rumors about a true heir to Emberfall.

Grey believes that Rhen should be the heir to Emberfall. Now that Rhen has Harper by his side the kingdom should start to thrive again. Yet, there is still the threat of Karis Luran. Therefore, when the king’s men finally find Grey and through a strange turn of events he ends up of the wrong side of the fence. He will have to choose sides. Will he be loyal to Rhen or to Emberfall?

There is much to love in this story. First, I was so glad we finally learned more about the stoic Grey. His character was underdeveloped in the first book and now I have a true sense of who he is. In addition, there were several new characters introduced in this book that helped round out the story. The author is particularly adept at adding those minor characters that enhance the story. Kudos to her for a job well done.

The plot was just as good at the first book and there were several surprises that I was not expecting. The pace of the book was relatively fast. There was only one spot I felt the story could have moved a little faster. However, I get that it had to happen in order for the character development to occur and it is so minor thing. In the end, I appreciated the characters more because of it and can easily call it was a willing sacrifice.

A Heart So Fierce and Broken is such an imaginative, entertaining story I know you will fall in love with the characters and the world, just as I did. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of fantasy. If you have not done so already, I suggest you read the first book in the series, A Curse So Dark and Lonely, beforehand because you don’t want to miss out on anything in this delightful tale.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Karma of Cats: Spiritual Wisdom from Our Feline Friends by Various Authors

The Karma of Cats is a collection of short stories/essays by various people on and about their cat(s) and how they have helped them be better people or overcome a difficult time. It is a journey into the connect and bond we have with these furry feline friends.

It has long been known that animals are good for our mental health. They inspire and uplift us and are our most loyal friends, much more so than humans ever will be. These stories try to capture that fuzzy feeling in words. There is something magical that cats bring into our lives. They can be so many things from the jaunty ruler of the palace home to the cute snuggly reading partner. Whatever they are to you, you will can find something of that in these stories.

It is difficult to critique the writing because of the multiple authors and thus writing styles. I can say, I found some of the stories to be inspiring, some uplifting and some sad. In fact, I recommend you have a box of tissue nearby. I liked some stories better than others, but that is normal for a collection. Yet even the stories that were not among my favorites, I still found something to like. I think Not Braveheart was my favorite story because it reminded me so much of a cat I once owned.

If you love animals, especially cats, and are interested in the connection humans have with them this just might be the book for you. I recommend that you read it slowly and savor what each story has to depart because these are very personal stories shared by people who adore their feline companions.

I received a free copy at Book Expo in exchange for my honest review.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is a coming-of-age story that I can only be described as a cross between Ground Hogs Day and Beauty and the Beast. It is hands down one of the best fairy tales I have read in a while. Meant as a retelling, it goes above and beyond the original.

Prince Rhen of Emberfall has been cursed to relive the same autumn season of his eighteenth year over and over again by a powerful enchantress. To break the curse, all he has to do is make a girl fall in love with him. Of course, the enchantress throws a further twist into her game by having Rhen turn into a terrible monster at the close of each season. Despite this, Rhen has been arrogant enough to believe it would be easy. Born of privilege he is used to everything being easy. As season after season goes by with no true love, he is losing hope and now he is running out of time because the enchantress has said this will be the last season.

Grey, Rhen’s Caption of the Guard and protector, is given the ability to cross over to our world. At the beginning of each season he brings back a girl for Rhen in the hopes that it will be the one this time. With the stakes even higher this season, he must get the right girl. However, fate is against him when a girl with a limp prevents him from returning to Emberfall with the intended girl. Instead Grey is forced to abduct Harper.

Harper has not had an easy life. She was born with cerebral palsy and limps profoundly. Her father has deserted the family and left enormous debts with a loan shark. And to top it off, her mother is dying of cancer. Her brother is the only thing good thing right now in her life. He is actually working for the loan shark to pay off the debt. So, when Grey abducts her, her main concern is not in helping Rhen but returning home before her mother dies. Therefore, Rhen is going to have to pull off a miracle to break the curse.

I am totally in love with this book. I liked everything about the book, the prose, plot, characters and world building were so, so good. I can’t think of anything that I didn’t like about the book, which is unusual for me. Even with books I love, there is normally some little nitpicky thing I don’t care for, not the case here.

Of course, the characters were my favorite part. The author did a wonderful job of making me love them all. It is such a fabulous thing when I totally get the characters. The plot is also worthy of a comment since it worked so well with the characters and there was enough intrigue and twists to keep me reading and engaged. I just had to know how Harper was going to handle things once she found out about the true nature of the curse. Totally looking forward to reading book two.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of fantasy and fairy tales. This is a book that should be at the top of TBR list.

The Deserter by Nelson and Alex DeMille

I thought I was going to love, The Deserter by Nelson and Alex DeMille; however, after multiple tries, I called it quits at 165 pages in. The story never drew me in and the characters lacked the development I love. The writing is good, so no complaints there.

I have read other reviews and for the most part other readers enjoyed the story. I believe it boils down to the book not being my tastes. My advice is to read what others have to say and draw your own conclusions. Though I suspect if you are a DeMille fan you will enjoy this one.

I received a free copy, at BookExpo 2019, in exchange for my honest review. I will leave you with the blurb from the book (see below) since I did not read far enough to write my own synopsis.

When Captain Kyle Mercer of the Army’s elite Delta Force disappeared from his post in Afghanistan, a video released by his Taliban captors made international headlines. But circumstances were murky: Did Mercer desert before he was captured? Then a second video sent to Mercer’s Army commanders leaves no doubt: the trained assassin and keeper of classified Army intelligence has willfully disappeared.

When Mercer is spotted a year later in Caracas, Venezuela by an old army buddy, top military brass task Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor of the Criminal Investigation Division to fly to Venezuela and bring Mercer back to America—dead or alive. Brodie knows this is a difficult mission, made more difficult by his new partner’s inexperience and by his suspicion that Maggie Taylor is reporting to the CIA.