Angels of Moirai (Book one) - Nicole Salmond [Review]

Book: Angels of Moirai (Book one)

Author: Nicole Salmond

Published: 18th April 2015

Publisher: Victory Editing
Source: eARC provided via NetGalley

Pages: 370

Rating: 2/5 stars

Let's start off by saying that I really wanted to love this book, like really. Angels? Great. Epic love story? Sold. 

And by far my favourite parts of the book were those that focused on the mythology - the contrast between angels and demons - however, unfortunately, there wasn't enough of that in this first novel.

Firstly, when I started reading this book, I was intrigued. I liked the opening and the main character seemed interesting in her rejection of her lavish lifestyle, and her pursuit of an actual reciprocal relationship with her parents.

However, after the first chapter or so, the storyline devolved into a melodramatic high-school setting full of typical "bitchy" girls and boy-drama. Now, I know this type of plot might appeal to some, however I was hoping for more of a fantasy-heavy book, as opposed to a teen melodrama. 

Things started to heat up again when the main love interest is introduced - I mean he's an angel for god's sake (pun intended) - however, unfortunately, the spark fizzled out after a couple dozen pages. I think the main problem was that I didn't believe their romance - I couldn't understand the attraction apart from the fact that he was smoking hot? He had barely said two words and suddenly every girl in the school was swooning? Even our main gal Lila struggled to look past his pleasing aesthetic. 

The book had an intriguing opening and a suitably engaging ending however the entire middle section left me feeling underwhelmed. I found myself willing things to pick up, and apart from a few dark moments, the plot was fairly light and breezy, not the tension I was expecting. 

If the second book has more of a focus on mythology and a faster-paced plot (which I'm sure it inevitable considering that ending) then I might consider reading the next installment. 

Ultimately, if you're going into this expecting something similar to the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, you'll be disappointed. However, if you're a big fan of dreamy angels and teen romances, then this might just be the book for you, even if it's not my cup of tea. 

How to Get Away with Murder? ABC Has the Answer [Review]

If you haven't come across it yet, then you really should turn your sights to ABC or Netflix for new drama, How to Get Away with Murder. The first season of How to Get Away with Murder (HTGAWM) follows the infamous Viola Davis in her portrayal as Professor Annalise Keating, a defence attorney who also teaches at Middleton University. Annalise takes on several interns who all become intertwined with murder, both inside the class room and out, especially considering Annalise’s husband, Sam (Tom Verica) is seemingly connected with the on campus murder of Lila Stangard. The interns are all an odd bunch, comprised of Wes (Alfred Enoch), Connor (Jack Falahee), Michaela (Aja Naomi King), Laurel (Karla Souza) and Asher (Matt McGorry), and are overseen by Annalise’s senior staff members, Bonnie (Liza Weil) and the mysterious Frank (Charlie Weber). Over the course of the series, Annalise’s marriage, her law firm and her associates become more strained and are thrust into a series of turmoil, with no one safe from the harsh world of law.

The narrative of the series is one of the most interesting aspects, with events played out in flashbacks that start from the end of the mid-season and sort of work their way backwards, while also following the current narrative (past). Allowing us this jump into the future poses questions as to how the story gets to that point, from the seemingly alright beginnings to these tragic middles and eventual ends. It’s a gamble, giving away what appears to be a lot of information, but ultimately, the show makes sure to hold back key points so that you never truly know what’s going on; a wise move.

Benefitting from Davis’ involvement with the series, HTGAWM makes sure to highlight her as a figurehead, and focuses on every movement and underplayed emotion, which really captures the essence of her character, as she is someone who wants to be private but little things just keep coming out, despite her attempts to cover them up. It goes without saying that her performance is mesmerizing and truly heart-breaking. A surprise feature of the programme is Alfred Enoch, who portrays Wes Gibbons, a somewhat enigmatic student who manages to be at just the right (or wrong) place at the correct time, allowing him access into Annalise’s personal life. As some may know, Enoch was previously involved with Harry Potter, playing Dean Thomas, but puts on a very convincing American accent, considering his strong British accent, which draws comparisons to Hugh Laurie’s Greg House. Enoch is captivating in his role and manages to be both mysterious and endearing as the seemingly kind-hearted Wes.

Read the rest of my review, here.

Downton Abbey - Season 6 Finale [Review]

Suffice to say that Downton Abbey has had its fair share of disastrous endings, climactic Christmas specials, and suspicious servants. However, it all drew to a rather more pleasant conclusion on Christmas Day, with everyone seemingly getting their deserved happy ending.

The everlasting estate and breeding ground for scandal has managed to take centre stage in the hearts of many viewers, who adore its period charm, grand aristocracy, and penchant for shocking and dramatic plot lines. The characters who traverse the halls of the great country house are beloved for their beguiling nature, unexpected actions and sassy attitudes (we’re looking at you, Dowager). It is perhaps a culmination of these elements that make Downton Abbey one of the most successful period dramas of recent years.

The Christmas special (and ultimate finale) made sure to pay particular attention to those characters who have suffered the greatest misfortune over the six series, most notably Edith Crawley, the naive and somewhat depressing daughter of the Countess and Earl of Grantham. Edith was the subject of a few scandals and altercations across the series, particularly with her sister Mary, but this was all rectified in the finale as Edith finally got a title, a husband and someone who (albeit begrudgingly at first) accepted her illegitimate daughter, Marigold. She was also able to make peace with her sister after the death of Sybil, arguably the only person who could keep them in check. 

The decision to finally give Edith her happily-ever-after was long overdue, and it would have been utterly depressing to see another happy moment dash away from her life. Not exactly what you want to watch on Christmas Day. It wasn’t just Edith who got what she wanted: it was a happy occasion for all, with Anna delivering the child she had always wanted, Isobel rescuing Lord Merton from his bizarrely cruel relatives, and Thomas finally getting the coveted job as head butler, replacing Carson. For a series to give everyone such pleasant endings is rare, especially at Christmas time, as this is usually when car accidents occur, people die and characters become devastated. Ultimately, it’s a bit of a u-turn for the series, but a welcome one, as unsatisfactory endings to well-known programmes are remembered for many years to come. After all, no one wants to do a Dexter.

You can read the rest of this review and summary thoughts, here. 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) Review

"We'll figure it out. We'll use the Force."
"That's not how the Force works."

               
Grab your droids, abandon your TIE fighters and complete those cosplays as the new Star Wars film has landed. The Force Awakens comes to us 38 years after the original film engulfed the world like a nuclear powered death star. This time, the story is set 30 years after the events of the original trilogy, and the First Order has taken over in the Empire’s place. Luke (Mark Hamill) is gone, Leia (Carrie Fisher) heads up the Resistance backed by the Republic and attempts to find her brother by sending our renowned pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) to obtain a map to his location. Of course, things are never simple and quickly things escalate out of control.

Perhaps one of the most impressive element of The Force Awakens is its commitment to the new and the old. Fresh faces in the form of Daisy Ridley and John Boyega help revitalise the series while showing that it can still hold onto its charm with familial favourites Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford. It’s a lesson in unity on a galactic scale. After all, it would have been all too easy to make a continuation of the series that focused entirely on old faces, but this is where The Force Awakens makes a bold decision – to create new lead characters and give their roles to relative newcomers.

Ridley stars as Jakku scavenger Rey, a bright-eyed and capable woman who hopes for the day her family will come back for her. But she isn’t messing around. Quick to adapt to a whole spectrum of new situations, Ridley’s Rey jumps straight into action whenever necessary and her performance has an unbridled charm about it which makes it hard not to like her. Rey’s intriguing story gives Ridley all the cards to play with, and she handles the mix between light-hearted humour and serious drama impressively. Sufficed to say it is a welcome change in the series to see a woman secure the lead role and head up what can only be described as 135 minutes of pure passion and entertainment.

This delightful excerpt is from a longer review I wrote on the film, which you can check out here (if you want to see what rating I gave it, what I thought of John Boyega's performance - as well as the new droids and much more).

Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1) - Maria V. Snyder [Review]

Book: Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1)

Author: Maria V. Snyder 

Published: 12th March 2015

Publisher: MIRA Ink

Pages: 410

Rating: 4/5 stars

Following on from her widely successful Chronicles of Ixia series, this book takes readers back to the lands of Sitia and Ixia, and revisits the characters of Yelena and Valek (amongst others), following their progress since the events of the previous books.

Coming into reading this book, I was a bit daunted. I must confess - I had never read the Chronicles of Ixia series (Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study, respectively) - I know, I regret my choices. So, starting this book, I wondered if I would be able to pick up the story successfully, and whether the characters would resonate with me, considering I had not had previous experience with reading about them. Would everything make sense, or would I find myself swimming in a sea of new names, places, backstories, subplots and be totally lost?

Well, if, like me, you have the same reservations when it comes to starting this series, I would strongly urge you to dispel your doubts. The book is definitely able to be read by a complete newbie to the series (like me) and the author very kindly reminds readers of the key events of the previous books in a way that is not overbearing or condescending - but rather, the writing helpfully relays key points which allows the reader to refresh their grasp on the series. I found myself picking up the story very quickly, which is a testament to the ability of Snyder to make this book accessible to all readers. 

When it comes to the characters, despite not knowing much about Yelena to begin with (completely my own fault), I found myself really liking her and she came across as a very real, and complex character. She's not your typical perfect-at-everything character, she has flaws, but not so many that you begin to question her actual competence. As for Valek, I really enjoyed reading his relationship with Yelena, and although there is romance in this book - between Yelena and Valek - this is not overbearing, and most of the book focuses on the characters in their own right. 

Some of my favourite parts of the book focused on the backstories of the characters - namely Valek - and I really enjoyed reading about his past and how he came to be where he is now. For someone who didn't know much about Valek going into this book, these sections really helped aid my understanding and added a multitude of layers to his character, which ultimately cemented him as my favourite character in the book. 

I also enjoyed the change of perspective - the story is told by three characters, and alternates between them - Yelena, Valek, and Janco. The perspective change helped to alter the pace and keep the story fluid without becoming stagnant or boring, which I especially appreciated. I also enjoyed the introduction of a few new characters (Onora was a highlight) and I am interested to see where the story will go in the next addition to the series. 

There was nothing major that I did not enjoy in this series, however the reason I am not awarding it 5 stars is that I feel like the story didn't grab me until perhaps half way through, although this is understandable as the writer has to set up the plot first, and I'm sure this will be resolved for the second novel in the series.

Ultimately, this is a very enjoyable read with two very likable lead characters, and an engaging story (once it gets going). It is easily accessible to readers who have not picked up the Chronicles of Ixia series before, and therefore receives a solid 4 stars. 

Six of Crows (Crooked Kingdom #1) - Leigh Bardugo [Review]

Book: Six of Crows (Crooked Kingdom #1)

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Published: 29th September 2015

Publisher: Indigo

Pages: 495

Rating: 5/5 stars 

Six of Crows follows six dangerous outcasts as they attempt to pull of an impossible heist, but one that could reap immense rewards.

Set in the same universe as Bardugo's other trilogy Shadow and Bone (which I absolutely loved), this book follows Kaz Brekker - Ketterdam's notorious criminal prodigy - as he attempts to form a rag-tag crew, and the struggles they face along the way.

I know what you're thinking - sounds a lot like the plot to the Oceans films, yes? No. Well, you would be half right. Although yes, this book does involve a heist, and yes, the team are somewhat questionable characters, there are a whole host of differences (which I believe is a good thing). 

Now, straight off I have to say, this book is a thoroughly entertaining read, and one that offers promise for future additions to the series. So what makes it so good?

The setting of Ketterdam is lively and bustling but there is also an eery quality here - crime runs rampant and you might say that the most successful inhabitants are the criminals. Yes, even Bruce Wayne might have a hard time cleaning this place up. 

Kaz Brekker - the series' main anti-hero - is the one of the top emerging criminals in Ketterdam. He is absolutely flawless at sleight of hand tricks and makes a good living by being ruthless and looking menacing at all times. I found his character to be quite unlike anything I had ever read; his character is written to be truly multi-faceted (there are no one-dimensional characters here, folks) and I found myself shocked and intrigued about his background as the book progressed.

A special mention goes to my second-favourite character Inej, who Kaz nicknames 'The Wraith' - make of that what you will. She is a skilled climber, and all around bad-ass who has some truly memorable scenes and is one of the most enthralling characters in the book. 

The plot is fast-paced and enjoyable and there are plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments throughout. At certain points I found myself almost holding my breath and I waited to find out the fate of the characters. I think what Bardugo does so well is that she makes you care for the characters - even though these are not people who one might normally have an affinity with (thugs, murderers, crooks). The writing really plays on the suspense and the drama and this is one of the best features of the book as a whole, and makes for a truly engaging read.

Ultimately, if you've never read any of Bardugo's books before, I strongly urge you to give Six of Crows a go, as you won't be disappointed - and if you've read Shadow and Bone and are wondering whether to return to the land of the Grisha in Six of Crows - go for it - it's a no-brainer really.