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nikiflorica
- Aug 22, 2020
- 2 min
Between Burning Worlds, by Jessica Brody & Joanne Rendell: Review
Laterre is a planet on the brink of explosion. Unrest is mounting in the impoverished Third Estate, the Patriarche's attempts to smother it growing increasingly brutal. From this toxic atmosphere, a new threat is rising that may prove more deadly than any rebel force yet. Caught up in the brewing storm are three unlikely moving pieces. Chatine—a prisoner entangled in the rebellion by an unlikely rescue mission. Marcellus—a traitor who knows better than anyone how ruthless the
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nikiflorica
- Aug 1, 2020
- 2 min
Sky Without Stars, by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell: Review
On the planet of Laterre, the oppressed Third Estate lives to provide for the privileged higher classes beneath a sky that never clears. Unrest is kept in check by the ruling Second Estate and their propaganda: "honest work for an honest chance." All Chatine wants is a ticket off this planet to a better life somewhere in the galaxy. Her opportunity arrives in the form of Marcellus Bonnefaçon—a young officer who is beginning to question everything the Second Estate stands for.
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nikiflorica
- Jul 23, 2020
- 2 min
Looking for Clean Fantasy? You and Me Both.
As someone who is constantly on the hunt for clean fantasy, there's nothing quite like those "Eureka!" moments when I stumble on a gem. 2020 has been a fantastic year for reading, not only because I've had more time, but because I've been more deliberate in narrowing my search. In the past, my strategy has been to pick up popular fantasy titles, start reading, then abort when they failed to meet any kind of clean standard. A flawed system—not only because I was expecting a tr
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nikiflorica
- Jun 5, 2020
- 2 min
Romanov, by Nadine Brandes: Review
Ex-princess Anastasia "Nastya" Romanov is the last hope for her family. As the Russian Revolution drives the royals into Siberian exile, Nastya hides magical spells from the Bolsheviks that guard them, hoping they will be enough to deliver her family. But one Bolshevik knows her secret. And he is closing in. As the noose tightens around around the Romanovs, Nastya's only allies are her family, faith, and new, dangerous feelings for the Bolshevik guard who seems less Bolshevik
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nikiflorica
- May 22, 2020
- 2 min
Infernal Devices, by Philip Reeve: Review
Fifteen-year-old Wren Natsworthy has grown up in Anchorage, the Traction City-turned-static on the dead North American continent. Her parents, Tom Natsworthy and Hester Shaw, may be content with a quiet life after their years of adventure, but Wren is starving for an adventure of her own . . . and she doesn't think twice when one is offered. It seems so simple. A charming pirate. A task to steal a relic that no one is likely to miss. A simple transaction that could be Wren's
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nikiflorica
- May 8, 2020
- 1 min
A Time to Die, by Nadine Brandes: Review
Parvin Blackwater's Clock gives her little more than eighteen years to live, and at the last year mark, she knows she's wasted them. Desperate to do something meaningful before her Clock zeroes out, she dedicates herself to exposing the government's terrible treatment of Clockless citizens known as Radicals. But when Parvin herself is denounced as a Radical and given a death sentence—exile —her last six months are suddenly inflamed with purpose. Survive. Save lives. Make her
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nikiflorica
- Apr 24, 2020
- 1 min
Predator's Gold, by Philip Reeve: Review
Since the Traction City of London fell, Tom Natsworthy and Hester Shaw have lived happily for two years, flying the Bird Roads in their airship, the Jenny Haniver. After an attack by a mysterious society known as the Green Storm, they seek refuge in the north aboard the city of Anchorage, on route to the dead continent of North America. But plague-ravaged Anchorage is easy prey for the Predators of the north, especially when caught in the deadly throes of jealousy, deception,
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nikiflorica
- Apr 11, 2020
- 2 min
The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien: Review
Bilbo Baggins is a very respectable hobbit: he lives in a fine, cozy hobbit-hole and never does anything unexpected. So when the wizard Gandalf and a party of 13 dwarves select him for an adventure, Mr. Baggins steps quite suddenly and jarringly into a quest to reclaim a hoard of gold from the clutches of the wicked dragon Smaug. A journey of perils lies ahead, but there is more to Bilbo Baggins than anyone expects, and one should never underestimate the cleverness—or courage
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