Ironwood by Michael Connelly - Book Review

 

From the publisher: Sworn to protect a scenic island meant to be far from the evils of the mainland, Detective Sergeant Stilwell can feel danger closing in.

Detective Sergeant Stilwell knows that his posting on Catalina Island is no paradise, but to most residents, it seems blissfully separated—by twenty-two miles of ocean—from the troubles of Los Angeles County. But now a threat is coming to his safe haven.
 
Acting on a tip from a confidential informant, Stilwell and his deputies watch a plane land in the middle of the night at the Airport in the Sky, a remote airstrip in the mountains. A duffel bag of drugs is dropped and the deputies move in, but things quickly go sideways. While Stilwell chases the fleeing pickup man into the mountainside brush, shots are fired on the runway and the plane flies off.
 
An internal inquiry follows, putting Stilwell on the bench until he is cleared of responsibility for the disastrous operation. But he is determined to find out who brought deadly violence to his island, and begins his own secret investigation into the drug deal gone wrong.
 
While under orders to remain in the sheriff’s substation, he finds in the lost and found a valuable backpack that was never claimed. He traces it to a woman who disappeared while hiking on the island four years ago. But then why was the pack only turned in two months back? Now thoroughly intrigued, he follows the mystery all the way to the LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit and Detective Renée Ballard.
 
Stilwell and Ballard work the case from both sides of the channel, and soon realize they are on the trail of a criminal who revels in taunting the authorities. Meanwhile, frustrated at being shut out of an investigation on his own island, Stilwell risks his already shaky standing in the department to pursue a case whose reach is wider than he ever imagined.

Ironwood is the second book in Michael Connelly's Catalina series starring Detective Sergeant "Stil" Stilwell. It is a step forward from the first book, Nightshade. Stilwell gets more character development and the plot is even better.

A quick summary: Stilwell has been exiled to police Catalina as a sort of punishment. When one of his officers gets a tip about a drug drop, Stil and his crew look to make some arrests. However, things quickly go sideways and Stil is once again at odds with his chief on the mainland. Meanwhile, Stil's discovery of a mysterious key ring in a lost backpack puts him in contact with Renee Ballard, the head of the LA Open/Unsolved unit. As both cases progress, things become incredibly dangerous for Stil, with both his job and his life on the line.

Connelly is the author of the amazing Harry Bosch series, the Lincoln Lawyer series, and most recently, the Renee Ballard series. I have read all of the above and love how Connelly is able to have his characters interact in completely natural occurrences, rather than manufacture a forced meet. Connelly also tends to write main characters who have a strong moral code but might stretch the rules a bit if necessary. Detective Stilwell fits this mold. While not as well-rounded as Bosch or Mickey Haller (the Lincoln Lawyer), Stilwell is well on his way to becoming a believable and interesting protagonist to read about.

As far as the mystery(ies), I think Ironwood was definitely better than Nightshade. Both of Stilwell's cases were engaging and he moved quickly through each, with little downtime for the reader. And, one of my favorite things about Connelly is that there are no cheats to solving the mystery - each clue and discovery is well-earned. That's definitely the case in Ironwood.

Overall, I highly recommend Ironwood by Michael Connelly. It's a no-brainer for fans of the author but I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good detective procedural.

I received a preview copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Our Lady of Blades by Sebastien de Castell - Book Review

 

From the publisher: Two sisters: divided by tragedy, united by steel. The incredible new novel in the Court of Shadows series by the bestselling author of TRAITOR'S BLADE and THE MALEVOLENT SEVEN!

Blood Week may have been banned in Rijou, but the streets still run red - and now murder is being sanctioned by the courts. Only a reckless fool would believe they can beat the system. But then, the Greatcoats have always been more than a little reckless . . .

Rijou's notorious Court of Blades is as corrupt as it is cutthroat, destroying lives with impunity. Now the city's all-powerful Ascendant Houses have started buying and selling verdicts to enslave and even execute those who oppose them.

Into this depraved world of licensed death comes a mysterious duellist who dares to foil the intrigues of the city's elite. They call her Lady Consequence, but years ago she had a different name, until her family was slaughtered and she was consigned to the hellish prison known as the House of Tears.

Lady Consequence means to rescue her idealistic younger brother, restore their House and wreak vengeance upon those who betrayed them. But a far more dangerous game is unfolding in the shadows, one which threatens the freedom of the entire nation.

I really enjoyed Sebastien de Castell's books, particularly the Greatcoats series, so I jumped at the chance to review Our Lady of Blades, his newest book. And I was not disappointed at all.

Our Lady of Blades is from the Court of Shadows series, which takes place in the Greatcoats universe. It is a story of revenge, family, love, and perseverance. 

In brief, Lady Consequence arrives in court and volunteers as the duellist for a merchant who is on trial. This causes a stir, because her identity is unknown. This initiates a plan to save her brother and get revenge for the death of her sister and the fall of her family's reputation. Everything kicks off from there.Her story plays out over two different timelines, revealing more and more with each successive chapter.

Because there are so many twists and turns, I'm going to refrain from any further explanation of the plot, but suffice to say there are wheels within wheels within wheels. And when the resolution arrives, it feels very satisfying.

One of the things I loved about the Greatcoats series was that it starts as a Three Musketeers homage and then becomes something more. It is a story of heroes that doesn't shy away from pain and sorrow, but ultimately feels redemptive. Our Lady of Blades hits many of those same notes. The characters, both main and supporting, have depth and weight to them. The plot flows with its many twists and turns, but de Castell doesn't cheat on any of his reveals. There is an emotional heft to the journey of Lady Consequence and others that I didn't really see coming. And it all works magnificently!

I would highly recommend Our Lady of Blades by Sebastien de Castell. It is listed as the second (or possibly third) book in the Court of Shadows, but other than the world it takes place in, I don't see the connection to the previous stories. Also, if you haven't read the Greatcoats series, do it now!

I received a preview copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

God's Junk Drawer by Peter Clines - Book Review

From the publisher: From New York Times bestselling author Peter Clines, God’s Junk Drawer is a mind-bending tale of mystery and adventure set at the dawn of time.  

Welcome to the valley… 

Forty years ago, the Gather family—James, his daughter Beau, and his son Billy—vanished during a whitewater rafting trip and were presumed dead. 

Five years later, Billy reappeared on the far side of the world, telling an impossible tale of a primordial valley populated by dinosaurs, aliens, Neanderthals, and androids. Little Billy became the punchline of so very many jokes, until he finally faded from the public eye. 

Now, a group of graduate astronomy students follow their professor, Noah Barnes, up a mountain for what they believe is a simple stargazing trip. But they’re about to travel a lot farther than they planned… 

Noah—the now grown Billy Gather—has finally figured out how to get back to the valley. Accidentally bringing his students along with him, he’s confident he can get everyone back home, safe and sound. 

But the valley is a puzzle—one it turns out Noah hasn’t figured out—and they’ll need to solve it together if there’s any chance of making it out alive.  

Pulling from Earth’s past, future, and beyond, Peter Clines has created a complex, dangerous world, navigated by a dynamic ensemble cast, and a story that is thrilling as it is funny and heartfelt. 

Over the years, I've read nearly all of Peter Clines's books and have enjoyed them. They are usually fast-paced, sort of pop culture connected, and engaging. When I heard that God's Junk Drawer was available, I made sure I picked it up. Once again, I wasn't disappointed.

Quick aside: As a kid, I watched a lot of TV. Saturday mornings were a wonderland of kids shows. However, one in particular used to put me on edge - Land of the Lost. Short summary: Holly, Will, and their dad were rafting when they went over a waterfall and ended up in a weird prehistoric yet slightly futuristic land. There were dinosaurs, neanderthals, weird crystals, and the Sleestaks (scary human lizard hybrids of some sort). In every episode, the family was trying to find a way home and they would always have a run-in with the Sleestaks, who terrified me.

If this sounds familiar to the description of God's Junk Drawer, it's because Clines used this as a jumping off point for his book. What would happen if one of the kids, in this case Billy, escaped but later found a way to return as an adult? And what if the "Valley" wasn't like he remembered? And what if there was more to it than just being a prehistoric place?

I can't go into too much detail because there are quite a few twists or reveals that I don't want to spoil. Suffice it to say that Clines wrote another fun and engaging story that plays with your expectations. The characters (chapters change viewpoints so you get to know multiple characters) are rounded enough but not too deep. The plot moves along steadily with no cheats in the twists. Everything makes sense and their are clues provided to the reader.

I really enjoyed God's Junk Drawer by Peter Clines. It was a fun, quick read that satisfied questions I didn't even know that I had about Land of the Lost. I would highly recommend it to those who enjoyed Clines's previous books, fans of the old TV show, and anyone looking for a good sci-fi read.

I received a preview copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Billy the Kid by Ryan C. Coleman - Book Review

From the publisher:Age 14: Orphaned.

Age 15: Prison inmate.

Age 16: Escaped outlaw.

Age 17: Wanted killer.

In 1870s New Mexico, the territory is at a crossroads. The indigenous population is being driven out—and driven down—by the white settlers migrating west after the Civil War. The center of power isn’t the governor but rather the Santa Fe Ring, a group of wealthy politicians, businessman, and landowners who exercise power through organized crime, theft, graft, and murder. Their main source of income is a mercantile store in Lincoln known as the House.

After escaping jail, William Bonney—a.k.a. Billy the Kid—is a seventeen-year-old orphan who’s been on the run for the better part of two years. All he wants is to belong—to find a place he can call home and people he can call family.

He’d have been better off alone.

Billy falls in with a gang of ruthless rustlers and murderers who work as muscle for the House. But when Billy crosses one of the members, the gang sets out to kill him

Billy narrowly escapes, finding refuge under the tutelage of John Tunstall, an English immigrant new to the territory who has his sights set on opening a business in Lincoln—and he’s intent on competing directly with the House. But when Tunstall is murdered, any positive effect the mentor had on Billy is eradicated, leaving the Kid with only one thing on his mind …

Revenge.

From orphan to outlaw to killer, this is the untold story behind the legend of Billy the Kid.

The first time I saw the movie Young Guns, I loved it. It's a fictionalized version of the Lincoln County War, better known as the story of Billy the Kid. Several years later I read Anything for Billy by Larry McMurtry and enjoyed that as well. So when I saw the Ryan C. Coleman had a book about the Kid called Billy the Kid, I jumped at the chance to read and review it.

Coleman does a nice job giving background on how Henry Antrim became the legend known as Billy the Kid. A combination of an uncaring step-father, a dying mother, and the semi-lawlessness of New Mexico give the Kid a tragic backstory. Fateful encounters with outlaws just add to the tale. Along his journey, Billy meets a man named John Tunstall, who took the Kid in and gave him purpose. When Tunstall was murdered by John Dolan, Tunstall's rival and a member of the Santa Fe Ring, Billy's life became focused on revenge. Corrupt politicians, outlaws, and even the US Army all played a role in the creation of the legend of Billy the Kid.

The story of Billy the Kid is fascinating, and Coleman does a fine job spinning that tale. He provides adequate backstories for many of the characters in the Lincoln Country War. The gunfights are exciting and Billy's relationships with his friends and lovers are given some depth. Even the mercurial nature of Billy's personality is explored. However, there is just something missing that keeps this from being a great book. The best that I can explain is that it seems like Coleman can't decide if he is writing a novel or an historical account of Billy's life. This causes part of the story to be rather dry.

The audiobook narration was performed by Roger Clark. Clark did an excellent job, giving voice and characterization to the varied characters in the story.

Overall, I enjoyed Billy the Kid by Ryan C. Coleman. This was Coleman's first book and I would be willing to look into whatever he writes next. I would recommend this book to fans of Billy the Kid or Young Guns. They would find much to enjoy in this story.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons - Book Review

From the publisher:Enter a world ruled by dragons…

The Sky on Fire is a daring new fantasy heist adventure that will thrill fans of Temeraire, Fourth Wing, and Dragonriders of Pern

Anahrod lives only for survival, forging her own way through the harsh jungles of the Deep with her titan drake by her side. Even when an adventuring party saves her from capture by a local warlord, she is eager to return to her solitary life.

But this is no ordinary rescue. It’s Anahrod’s past catching up with her. These cunning misfits—and their frustratingly appealing dragonrider ringleader—intend to spirit her away to the dragon-ruled sky cities, where they need her help to steal from a dragon’s hoard.

There’s only one problem: the hoard in question belongs to the current regent, Neveranimas—and she wants Anahrod dead.

From Jenn Lyons, the acclaimed author of the Chorus of Dragons series, this soaring standalone fantasy combines conniving dragons, lightning banter, high-stakes intrigue, and a little bit of heat.

I've had my eye on reading a book by Jenn Lyons for awhile now, and when the opportunity to get a preview of the new standalone The Sky on Fire came along, I jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me.

The story is summarized pretty capably in the publisher's blurb. Anahrod lives on the very dangerous surface of her world. She has an mysterious background that is hinted at in the book's opening, but at this point neither she nor anyone else knows who or what she really is. She is wanted by a kind of warlord (I think) and goes on the run with her pet (friend) titan drake. She also has some power where she can communicate or assume control over animals. When she is attacked by the warlord's men, she is rescued by some people from the sky "world", or those who live on the very tall mountains (I'm a little unclear about this). This starts a tentative partnership, with potential romance (same-sex for those who care), and an attempt to take Anahrod to the sky. 

I pushed through the first 50 or so pages but really had to force myself to read. I didn't find myself caring about what was happening at all and the characters weren't really very intriguing to me. I can't comment on how the story resolves because I just couldn't keep at it. There are too many other books I want to read to continue pushing through one I'm not enjoying. 

The writing style was okay and I'll  still probably try Lyons's Ruin of Kings series, hoping to be sucked into the story sooner. 

I had the opportunity to preview the audiobook, as well. While the story is the same (obviously), I thought the performance was fine. Lauren Fortgang was the narrator and she did a nice job. It did not really stand out as poor or excellent, either way.

Overall, I can't really recommend The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons. It just didn't work for me.

I received preview copies of both the print and audiobook of The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

The Sword Unbound by Gareth Hanrahan - Book Review

From the publisher: Gareth Hanrahan's acclaimed epic fantasy series of dark myth, daring warriors and bloodthirsty vengeance continues with The Sword Unbound.

He thought he was saving the world. That was his first mistake.
 
Twenty years ago, Alf and his companions defeated the Dark Lord and claimed his city. Now, those few of the Nine that remain find themselves unwilling rebels, defying the authority of both the mortal Lords they once served and the immortal king of the elves - the secret architect of everything they've ever known.
 
Once lauded as a mighty hero, Alf is now labelled a traitor and hunted by the very gods he seeks to bring down. As desperate rebellion blazes across the land, Alf seeks the right path through a maze of conspiracy, wielding a weapon of evil. The black sword Spellbreaker has found its purpose in these dark days. But can Aelfric remain a hero, or is his legend tarnished forever?

The Sword Unbound is the second book in Gareth Hanrahan's Lands of the Firstborn series. The first book, The Sword Defiant, introduced us to the legend of the Nine and asked "What happens to the fellowship twenty years after they win?" It was an interesting idea, and Hanrahan hooked me with his tale. Now, with the second book, the tale of Aelfric Lammergeier and the dark sword Spellbreaker continues. We catch up with Alf, his sister Olav, his nephew Derwyn (who may or may not have the soul of Peir the Paladin in him), Berys the thief, the wizard Blaise, and the cursed city of Necrad. I don't want to summarize too much because this book is full of twists and turns, including a few things that were very unexpected.

The heart of The Sword Unbound is Alf, a good-hearted man who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. His relationships with his family and friends drive this story and ultimately play a major part in its resolution.

The only drawback to this book was the slow start. The first 100 or so pages are spent away from the main characters (Bor, a minor character from the first book, if the point of view here), and I found myself anxious to reconnect with Alf. However, eventually the two branches of the story connect, and the reason for the seeming side story becomes clear. 

I really enjoyed The Sword Unbound by Gareth Hanrahan. I highly recommend it to all fantasy readers, particularly fans of Joe Abercrombie or readers looking for a little darker take on Tolkein. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next in this series.

I received a preview copy of this book from Netgalley and Orbit in exchange for an honest review. 

The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan - Book Review

From the publisher: The third novel in Richard Swan's acclaimed epic fantasy trilogy triumphantly concludes the tale of Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice – a detective, judge and executioner all in one. 

THE TIME OF JUDGEMENT IS AT HAND
 
The Empire of the Wolf is on its knees, but there's life in the great beast yet.
 
To save it, Sir Konrad Vonvalt and Helena must look beyond its borders for allies - to the wolfmen of the southern plains, and the pagan clans in the north. But old grievances run deep, and both factions would benefit from the fall of Sova.
 
Even these allies might not be enough. Their enemy, the zealot Bartholomew Claver, wields infernal powers bestowed on him by a mysterious demonic patron. If Vonvalt and Helena are to stand against him, they will need friends on both sides of the mortal plane—but such allegiances carry a heavy price.
 
As the battlelines are drawn in both Sova and the afterlife, the final reckoning draws close. Here, at the beating heart of the Empire, the two-headed wolf will be reborn in a blaze of justice . . . or crushed beneath the shadow of tyranny. 

The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan is the conclusion to the Empire of the Wolf trilogy. It is a very good finale, and a fitting end to the series.

Sir Konrad Vonvolt and his friends are desperate to stop Bartholomew Claver from using the knowledge he has gained, and possibly the demon who is possessing him, from taking over the Empire, let alone the world. To this end, they spend a lot of time trying to convince various groups to put aside their differences, and sometimes extreme hatred, to stop Claver and to save the Empire, or at least what is left.

This was an entertaining book, with very well-drawn characters. It is narrated, as are the first two books in the series, by Konrad's young assistant Helena Sedanka. It is also told as a memoir of sorts, so while Helena's survival is never in doubt, there is a sense of finality and terror that comes through. Other supporting characters are fleshed out very well and add to the depth of the story. However, it is Konrad Vonvalt who is the star. He is generally a good man bent on serving justice, but he is willing to do whatever it takes for that justice to be served.

I enjoyed The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan, as I did the whole series. I would recommend it to fans of fantasy mixed with horror (a little too much horror for my tastes). 

I received a preview copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.