ARC Review: Cast in Wisdom by Michelle Sagara

Cast in Wisdom
Author: Michelle Sagara
Series: The Chronicles of Elantra
Publication: MIRA; Original edition (January 28, 2020)

Description: SOMETHING IS WAKING

The fiefs that exist at the heart of the city of Elantra are home to sentient Towers that guard the world against the incursion of Shadow. But between the fiefs exists the gray world of the border zone. In it, geography changes between one passage across a border and the next. The rules of magic are different there—and yet somehow familiar to Kaylin Neya.

When a Shadow escapes, Kaylin must find out how…and why. If Shadows can breach the barrier erected by the Towers, the whole of Elantra will be devoured. It’s happened on other worlds. Bellusdeo, Kaylin’s Dragon companion, absolutely believes it can happen on theirs.

The border zone holds secrets and ancient histories, and people are gathering there in search of its power. Without even understanding what that power is, or why it exists, Kaylin is in a desperate race against time to find those secrets first. She doesn’t know who her enemies are. She doesn’t know how many she’ll face. But she won’t face them alone.

My Thoughts: When one of the fief lords lets a Barrani carrying Shadow cross into Elantra from his fief, the Hawklord assigns Kaylin and Severn to do a survey of the fiefs to make sure their borders aren't letting other Shadows through.

Bellusdeo, the only female dragon and a survivor of a world Shadow overwhelmed, is Kaylin's friend and decides to go along. As they are exploring the borderlands they discover an ancient sentient building which was once the Academie which was a major center of learning before the towers were built and the war against Shadow began. But the same fief lord who let Shadow through is trying to take over the Academie and add to his store of power.

Kaylin and her companions including Bellusdeo, the Cohort, and the Arkon who was once a student at that Academie need to find a way to oust the evil fief lord and restore the Academie to health and utility.

This is an excellent entry into the Chronicles of Elantra series filled with complex situations, danger and adventure. Kaylin is a character to root for. The world building is extensive and intriguing.

Favorite Quote:

"Sedarias says the Emperor is a dragon. He's powerful enough that he gets to make the laws. We're weak enough - for the moment - that we have to follow them when he's looking in our direction. Hawks exist to be the eyes that are looking in all directions when the Emperor can't. They're meant to enforce the more powerful person's will."

"That's not the purpose of the law," Kaylin snapped.

"Then what is it?"

"We're there to enforce the laws so that people without the Emperor's power are safe from people with attitudes like yours."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Boundary Haunted by Melissa F. Olson

Boundary Haunted
Author: Melissa F. Olson
Series: Boundary Magic (Book 5)
Publication: 47North (December 3, 2019)

Description: Months after her battles in Wyoming, Allison “Lex” Luther is still struggling with the aftereffects of the psychic attack she suffered—and with the new developments in her own magic.

Then Lex’s boss, the cardinal vampire of Colorado, passes along a strange request from her counterpart in Atlanta. Hundreds of Civil War spirits have abruptly vanished in Beau Calhoun’s territory, and he wants Lex to figure out why. In exchange, Beau can help her understand boundary magic, which runs in his family line as well.

Despite her trepidation, Lex journeys to the Deep South, where she discovers that ghosts are everywhere…and that her host’s intentions are more complicated than he promised. It seems his teenage descendant is being hunted, and both Beau and Lex fear the young woman’s boundary blood may have made her a target.

With Atlanta’s history looming over her every move, Lex will have to face Beau’s ghosts—and her own—to prevent a boundary magic attack she never dreamed possible.

My Thoughts: Lex is still feeling the aftereffects of her previous adventure in the form of nightmares when Maven asks her to go to Atlanta to help cardinal vampire Beau Calhoun who has a ghost problem. Someone is stealing his ghosts. An incentive is the Beau comes from a boundary magic family and might be able to help Lex learn more about her own boundary magic.

Lex has to go alone because Quinn has a daughter in the area that he would be too tempted to visit if he went along. Lex decides to meet his daughter herself so that she can reassure Quinn when she returns and is pleased to meet a stable, confident young woman.

Beau's great niece is another story. Odessa has been raised by Beau since her parents died in a car accident. He has given her the best possible education and encouraged her love of horses. Unfortunately, her desire to go the Olympics with her horse would bring too much publicity to Beau and he forbids it. This leaves Odessa at sort of loose ends.

Lex investigates and finds herself in immediate danger. A sniper who just missed killing her but left her with a broken left wrist means that Maven sends in backup. Tobias who is her werewolf friend comes to help.

But the next near miss is an exploding spirit bottle that kills one of Beau's vampire colleagues, injures Beau, and ruins a mahogany obsidian crystal that was a gift from Quinn and kept ghosts from getting into Lex's head. Now, she's without protection in a city that is absolutely rife with ghosts and facing an enemy who combines human tactics and witch magic.

This was an engaging, fast-paced story with lots of action and excitement. I liked that Lex is learning more about her boundary magic.

Favorite Quote:

Guilt isn't necessarily logical, and it doesn't have a statute of limitations.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Arrow's Flight by Mercedes Lackey

Arrow's Flight
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Series: Heralds of Valdemar (Book 2)
Publication: DAW (September 1, 1987)

Description: Follows the adventures of Talia as she travels the land as a Herald of Valdemar in the second book in the classic epic fantasy Arrows trilogy

Talia could scarcely believe that she had finally earned the rank of full Herald. Yet though this seemed like the fulfillment of all her dreams, it also meant she would face trials far greater than those she had previously survived. For now Talia must ride forth to patrol the kingdom of Valdemar, dispensing Herald's justice throughout the land.

But in this realm beset by dangerous unrest, enforcing her rulings would require all the courage and skill Talia could command—for if she misused her own special powers, both she and Valdemar would pay the price!

My Thoughts: Talia has become a full Herald but has one more hurdle to overcome. She needs to spend eighteen months riding circuit in Valdemar to learn more about her role as a Herald. Kris is her mentor and guide and has had his image of her poisoned by his uncle Lord Othallen. Talia has a unique mind Gift; she has a very strong gift for empathy and the ability to manipulate other people's emotions.

She is also dealing with falling shields. Her gift came upon her early and was strange. No one was quite sure how to help her get a handle on it. The Heralds passed her on to the Healers who have similar gifts. Unfortunately, each group thought the other had taught Talia the basics of controlling a mind Gift. Now the stress of dealing with Kris's distrust and the rumors that indicate she's misusing her Gift have set her into a downward spiral to depression and maybe even suicide.

Besides dealing with a plague and an epic snowstorm, she and Kris have to find a way to build the foundations she never had and help her get control of her Gift.

This was an excellent middle book in a trilogy because it focused on Talia's Gift and her gaining control of it and understanding about it. It is a coming of age tale with real growth for Talia during the course of the book.

Favorite Quote:

"Isn't it enough? They say you're young, you're inexperienced - some say too young to be in the position of power that you are, and to be wielding such a strange mind Gift."

"As  if," she replied bitterly, "I have any choice in the matter."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Jan. 20, 2020)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I will be combining my YA and adult reading and purchases on this one weekly roundup.

Other Than Reading...

This has been a pretty quiet week. It snowed last Monday, Wednesday, Friday and today. It didn't really amount to much except for the six-eight inches we had overnight. The problem is that the St. Louis County snowplow drivers went on strike on Monday. They are in charge of plowing the county highways and so many of the most used roads in Duluth are county highways. The plowing is still being done with a smaller crew of supervisors and other county employees but, with fewer people, it is taking longer.

We didn't get the blizzard conditions that most of the rest of the State was expecting and receiving. Altogether it really didn't have much impact on the City of Duluth or my lifestyle. My brother had most of the week off and likes going out in this kind of stuff. So we got up to the gym for exercise on Wednesday and Friday which was enough for me.

I finished four books this week and DNFd one. All of them were from my review stack. I have a couple more review books to read for February but am also fitting in some of my own books. All of the new ones I bought this week were by favorite authors. And the new review books were also by authors I have read and enjoyed in the past. I am not feeling very adventurous in my reading choices lately.

Read Last Week

If you can't wait until the review shows up on my blog, reviews are posted to LibraryThing and Goodreads as soon as I write them (usually right after I finish reading a book.)

• Alone in the Wild by Kelley Armstrong (Review; Feb. 4) - This is the fifth in the Rockton series of thrillers and was an entertaining addition to the series. I like the characters quite a bit. My review will be posted on Feb. 5.
• Felicity Carrol and the Murderous Menace by Patricia Marcantonio (Review; Feb. 11) - Second in this historical mystery series. It has great historical detail. The only flaw might be a main character who is just too competent. My review will be posted on Feb. 4.

• A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (Review; Feb. 4) - It was an interesting mystery filled with social media, a crime that impacts the detective, and lots of adventure and danger. My review will be posted on Jan. 29.
• Golden in Death by J. D. Robb (Review; Feb. 4) - The 50th In Death mystery was a good addition to a long-running series. My review will be posted on Feb. 1.

DNF

• Belle Revolte by Linsey Miller (Review; Feb. 4) - I wasn't feeling this YA Epic Fantasy with shades of The Prince and the Pauper and the apparently mandatory revolution. It was told from two viewpoints and I didn't care about either character. The worldbuilding was interesting with woman's magic and men's magic but ultimately not enough to keep me reading. 

Currently

• Breaking Silence by Mercedes Lackey and Cody Martin (Review; Feb. 4)

Next Week

• Still Life by Louise Penny (Mine) - First in a mystery series that is currently up to book 15.
• The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James (Review; Feb. 18)

• Belladonna by Anne Bishop (Mine) - second in the Ephemera trilogy
• Bridge of Dreams by Anne Bishop (Mine) - third in the Ephemera trilogy

Reviews Posted

• The Princess Who Flew With Dragons by Stephanie Burgis
• Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey

• Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers
• Boundary Broken by Melissa F. Olson

Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Bought

• Crisis by Felix Francis
• Pulse by Felix Francis 

• Sweep With Me by Ilona Andrews
• The Red Casket by Darby Karchut

Review

• False Value by Ben Aaronovitch (Feb. 25)
• The Love Scam by MaryJanice Davidson (August 4)

What was your week like?

Book Review: Boundary Broken by Melissa F. Olson

Boundary Broken
Author: Melissa F. Olson
Series: Boundary Magic (Book 4)
Publication: 47North (March 19, 2019)

Description: Years ago, boundary witch Allison “Lex” Luther made a promise to an alpha werewolf. Now, just when the supernatural community in Colorado is enjoying a period of hard-won peace, the alpha turns up at Lex’s door to call in his marker. Two of his pack members have disappeared in the Colorado sand dunes, and he needs safe passage to hunt for them.

With her friend Simon Pellar along for backup, Lex ventures into the dunes to search for the missing couple…but what they find is only the opening move in an ambitious assault against those who hold power in the Colorado Old World. An old enemy has returned to tear their peace apart, and Lex is soon embroiled in politics she doesn’t understand, from a time before she had magic.

To save her friends and her way of life, Lex will have to cross every line she’s drawn since learning what she is—and it may still be too late.

My Thoughts: This story begins with a werewolf calling in a favor. Lex had promised to help him and now he needs safe passage into Colorado to hunt for a couple of missing pack members. Lex goes along with witch Simon Pellar to help locate them. They find their bodies but that only deepens the mystery. When the werewolf who called Lex in is caught and murdered before he can get out of the State with his packmates bodies, Lex feels that there was something else she could have done to change things.

What Lex doesn't know is that the deaths of the werewolves is only the first move in a well-thought out plan to disrupt things in Colorado. The villain wants to change rulership of the covens of witches and grab power from Lex's boss Maven. To do this, the villain threatens Lex's four-year-old niece Charlie who is a null and under the protection of Maven.

Between conflicts among the witches, conflicts among the werewolves, conflicts with the vampires including her boyfriend Quinn, and Lex's own magic which she still doesn't know very much about, Lex has her hands full in this episode.

Even though it has been years since I read the first three books in this series, I felt right at home here. I really like Lex and the magical world that Melissa F. Olson has built.

Favorite Quote:

"Would it make you feel better," he said quietly, "if you yelled at me some more?"

I considered this for a minute. "It might," I said, "if I really understood what I'm upset about. I'm still...sorting through it."

He nodded.

"How about we turn our full attention to this werewolf thing, but I reserve the right to reopen this fight at a later date, when I know exactly what horrible thing you've done to piss me off."

Quinn smiled, as I'd hoped. "Sounds fair."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: Boundary Broken by Melissa F. Olson

Happy Friday everybody!

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Beginning:

"For the last time, Lily," I said, not bothering to hide my impatience, "we are not using code names. There's no need."

"Copy that, Griffin. We are all set up on this end. Flower Child over and out."

Friday 56:

After the werewolves left, Simon went to dismantle his humans-go-away spell. I brushed off my clothes as much as I could and got inside the Jeep, getting the heater going.

This week I am spotlighting Boundary Broken by Melissa F. Olson. This is the fourth in the Boundary Magic Urban Fantasy series. It has been a while since I read the first three books, but I remember enjoying them very much.

Here is the description from Amazon:

Years ago, boundary witch Allison “Lex” Luther made a promise to an alpha werewolf. Now, just when the supernatural community in Colorado is enjoying a period of hard-won peace, the alpha turns up at Lex’s door to call in his marker. Two of his pack members have disappeared in the Colorado sand dunes, and he needs safe passage to hunt for them.

With her friend Simon Pellar along for backup, Lex ventures into the dunes to search for the missing couple…but what they find is only the opening move in an ambitious assault against those who hold power in the Colorado Old World. An old enemy has returned to tear their peace apart, and Lex is soon embroiled in politics she doesn’t understand, from a time before she had magic.

To save her friends and her way of life, Lex will have to cross every line she’s drawn since learning what she is—and it may still be too late.

Book Review: Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers

Unnatural Death
Author: Dorothy L. Sayers
Series: Lord Peter Wimsey (Book 3)
Publication: Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller (July 31, 2012)

Description: When a terminally ill woman dies much earlier than expected, Lord Peter Wimsey suspects murder: “First-rate detection” (The Cincinnati Enquirer).

Though never quick-witted, Agatha Dawson had an iron constitution and a will to fight that never abated in her old age. Even after three operations failed to rid her of her cancer, she refused to give in. But as her body began to weaken, she accused lawyers, nurses, and doctors of trying to kill her and snatch her fortune. The town physician, an expert in cancer, gives her six months to live. Only three days later, she is dead.

Though the autopsy reveals nothing surprising, the doctor suspects that Agatha’s niece had some hand in the old woman’s death. When Lord Peter Wimsey, the dashing gentleman detective, looks into the matter, he finds that death stalks all those who might testify. How can he continue his investigation when every question marks another innocent for murder?

My Thoughts: This third in a series begins when Lord Peter and his friend Parker are dining out and discussing the perfect crime. A man at the next table tells about a suspicious occurrence which intrigues Peter. The man is a doctor and tells of the unexpected deaths of one of his cancer patients and his suspicion that she was murdered by the great-niece who inherits all of her worldly goods.

Peter first needs to convince Parker that there was actually a crime committed since the medical examiners put the death down to heart failure. Peter sends in one of his irregulars. Miss Climpson to do what she naturally does. As a spinster of limited means she is the perfect one to ask impertinent questions since that is what spinsters apparently do.

Peter begins to believe that the case has something to do with the victim's lack of a will. A new law has been passed that would not allow the great-niece to inherit if the victim had just lived into the new year. But even with that clue and the fact the possible witnesses to the niece's behavior are dying, Peter still can't figure out how the crime was committed.

This was an entertaining mystery with Peter's usual dithering and literary asides. I especially enjoyed Miss Climpson's reports with underlining and multiple exclamation points. I did miss Bunter and wished that he had had a larger role in the story. I did notice a lot of racial and gender in-sensitivities that would have made the book hard to publish today.

Fans of historical mysteries will enjoy this one.

Favorite Quote:

"I make imbecile suggestions and he does the work of elaborately disproving them. Then, by process of elimination, we find the right explanation, and the world says, 'My god, what intuition that young man has.'"

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.