Angel Mage by Garth Nix

Publisher: Gollancz

Format: Hardback

Published: 17^th October 2019

Number of Pages: 560

Book: For Review

Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Epic Fantasy, Action-Adventure, YA, YA-Adult Crossover

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing, Alcohol References

Author’s Site: Garth Nix

Blurb From Goodreads:

More than a century has passed since Liliath crept into the empty sarcophagus of Saint Marguerite, fleeing the Fall of Ystara. But she emerges from her magical sleep still beautiful, looking no more than nineteen, and once again renews her single-minded quest to be united with her lover, Palleniel, the archangel of Ystara.

A seemingly impossible quest, but Liliath is one of the greatest practitioners of angelic magic to have ever lived, summoning angels and forcing them to do her bidding.

Liliath knew that most of the inhabitants of Ystara died from the Ash Blood plague or were transformed into beastlings, and she herself led the survivors who fled into neighboring Sarance. Now she learns that angels shun the Ystaran’s descendants. If they are touched by angelic magic, their blood will turn to ash. They are known as Refusers, and can only live the most lowly lives.

But Liliath cares nothing for the descendants of her people, save how they can serve her. It is four young Sarancians who hold her interest: Simeon, a studious doctor-in-training; Henri, a dedicated fortune hunter; Agnez, an adventurous musketeer cadet; and Dorotea, an icon-maker and scholar of angelic magic. They are the key to her quest.

The four feel a strange kinship from the moment they meet, but do not know why, or suspect their importance. All become pawns in Liliath’s grand scheme to fulfill her destiny and be united with the love of her life. No matter the cost to everyone else. . .

Review:

136 years ago, all of Ystra was infected with the Ash Blood plague.  Most died, their very blood turning to ash within their veins.

The ones who survived became beastlings – monsters.

The survivors still carry the curse within their blood.  If anyone calls upon angelic magic in their presence, the curse is activated and they either die an ash-y death or turn into mindless beastlings.

Now Liliath, a powerful angel mage with the ability to bend even archangels to her will, is back from her death-like state and has only one goal: to find the four she has been waiting for.  Four people who, upon meeting, feel as if they’ve known one another their whole lives.

Four people who are linked in ways they cannot begin to understand.

Four people who will be used as pawns for Liliath to accomplish her goal...

I’ve been a Garth Nix fan for years now.  I still remember borrowing the Abhorsen series from the library and falling instantly in love with his writing, his world building.  He always manages to find a totally unique way of spinning magic in his novels, and Angel Mage was no exception.  Because holy fuck, the idea of angelic magic was so freaking cool.  This whole world was honestly so brilliantly constructed and I’m absolutely heartbroken this book is a standalone!  I’m praying that Nix will do a spin off because I’m really just not done with this world - there’s so much more he can do and I need to see what happens next for everything that’s left unresolved.

I won’t lie - it took me a little while to get into this book, possibly because I was drowning under uni work and reading when I started it.  But once we were introduced to our band of misfits, I just fell in love.  The magic in this book is just so cool - and I love that while there was insta-bond, there was no insta-love.  Insta-love is one of my biggest pet peeves and I bow down to Nix for skating around the trope while avoiding it completely.

The Fab Four - my three musketeers (plus one) were amazing.  They were all so diverse and different, but they worked together so well.  I think my favourite had to be Dortea, the wacky scholar who I just fell instantly in love with.  She’s so unlike anyone else I’ve read about - having that scholarly sort of ‘not quite there because I’m too focused on my work’ vibe that I just adored.  Plus lesbian queen.  Say no more.  Agnez was probably my second favourite - and the most badass girl.  A Musketeer cadet, she was wicked with a sword and her words and I love that girl.  Simeon, the giant but gentle doctor who really didn’t want to get caught up in all of this - he had people to save!  And Henri, who just really, really wanted to make some money out of this insanity – I loved him, especially his instant big brother vibes towards Agnez.

Liliath... I don't want to say too much about her.  Only that she's awesome?  Like, yes, she's basically the villain... but she's also really cool.  And honestly one of the most compelling characters in the book.  A sequel focusing on her... would be awesome... just saying...

I also loved that this book was not lacking at all when it came to strong as hell women.  Most of the people in power?  Women.  Even if you didn’t necessarily like them, they were all women with a hell of a lot of power and not many fantasy books put the power in women’s hands.  So that was ridiculously cool to read about.

As I’ve mentioned, it does take a while for the plot to really get going – there is a lot of world building being done in this book, which is just another reason I never suspected it would be a standalone when I started it.  It reads so much like the start of some epic series and I honestly need the epic sequels!  So much of the true action happens right towards the end of the book and I’m still absolutely heartbroken that this is an only book!  Because so much time and detail went into this world.  This world which is sort of like middle ages Europe – or whenever the Three Musketeers is set – but with angel mages who can use icons to call upon the angels to do their bidding.  Please, tell me you wouldn’t wanna read more than just one book about that?!  I sure as hell want to!  I’m honestly just desperate for a book two, guys.  I still have questions about this world – I still have too many attachments both to my Fab Four and to the concept of angel magic.  Can you tell I’m a little bit too obsessed with the angel magic?

The writing was wonderful – though at times I felt all the different POVs was a little jarring.  I did forget who everyone was to begin with, but I have a bad habit of doing that with even real people.  I probably should work on that…  But yes, as expected of Nix – the writing was brilliant and he painted this world like Dortea paints her icons of the angels: with flair, talent and a dash of magic!

Honestly, I could keep going but I really don’t want to ruin anything about this book.  Just remember: angel magic, unlikely friends, a generations-old mystery illness, lesbian queen artist-student type.  Now go, buy this book, read and join me in my desperation for more angel magic! 

Star Rating:

4 Stars

Read this book if you liked:

The Old Kingdom/Abhorsen by Garth Nix 

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Happy Reading

Megan

*This book was received from Gollancz in exchange for an honest review

Ancestral Night by Elizabeth Bear: Blog Tour Review

Series: White Space, Book One

Publisher: Gollancz

Format: Paperback

Published: 7^thMarch 2019

Number of Pages: 512

Book: For Review*

Genre: Sci-Fi, Space Opera, Action-Adventure, Mystery, Adult

Recommended Age: 15+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing, Alcohol and Drug References

Author’s Site: Elizabeth Bear 

Blurb From Goodreads:

Haimey Dz thinks she knows what she wants.

She thinks she knows who she is.

She is wrong.

A routine salvage mission uncovers evidence of a terrible crime and relics of powerful ancient technology. Haimey and her small crew run afoul of pirates at the outer limits of the Milky Way, and find themselves on the run and in possession of universe-changing information.

When authorities prove corrupt, Haimey realizes that she is the only one who can protect her galaxy-spanning civilization from the implications of this ancient technology—and the revolutionaries who want to use it for terror and war. Her quest will take her careening from the event horizon of the supermassive black hole at the galaxy’s core to the infinite, empty spaces at its edge.

To save everything that matters, she will need to uncover the secrets of ancient intelligences lost to time—and her own lost secrets, which she will wish had remained hidden from her forever. 

Review:

Haimey Dz is a salvager and engineer – together with her partner Connla and their shipmind Singer, she travels through space to locate old ships that have been abandoned and lost.

It’s during one such mission that she encounters the mutilated body of one the largest sentient beings to exist between worlds and an ancient ship with long forgotten technology...

Despite the obvious evidence of a crime, Haimey investigates the ship.  And there she discovers technology beyond belief – technology with the power to change the universe.

And the power to ruin her life.

Because now she’s on the run – from both the government and pirates – anything to keep this technology from falling into the wrong hands.

Such as the beautiful pirate Zanya Farweather, who holds secrets from Haimey’s past and threatens to crash through all her defences…

I’ve been reading more sci-fi lately – space operas are really beginning to grow on me after reading a few of Alastair Reynolds’s books.  So when I was offered the chance to read Ancestral Night, I of course agreed – especially when I was told my review would be part of the blog tour!  And so when my bookish package came through my letter box, I instantly got stuck in.  To begin with, I felt totally in over my head – as I always do with sci-fis, especially if I dip into a space opera after reading a bunch of fantasy.  But I soon realised not only is Bear brilliant at making heavy scientific facts seem fairly easy to understand, she’s also brilliant at weaving humour into the story.  I soon got to grip with all the terms and fell totally in love with the world building.  I was totally hooked and literally speed read the book to find out what happened!  

Plus oh my gosh, I’ve never read a truly feminist, girl-power space opera before.  This is literally everything I’ve been searching for in my life.  I am in love.  I did not know how badly I needed this book until I had this book in my hands. Because not only is Haimey a brilliant heroine – she’s also a believable one, capable and witty, brilliantly female and unapologetically gay.  Yes, if you haven’t gathered, I really loved Haimey.  I just loved that she wasn’t perfect or flawless or amazing at everything.  She made mistakes, she failed, she picked herself back up again and tried again.  Plus I just loved her wit and snark and stubbornness.  And I also loved how we slowly got to know more and more about her.

The rest of the cast was great – especially her crew!  I loved the dynamics between Haimey, Connla and Singer.  They were totally like family – bickering and bantering: it was perfect!  I also want to shout out Cheeirilaq for being totally unique and weirdly adorable.  And the cats for being just everything: they were everything, you guys.  Everything.

But yes, there was a lot of world building – mainly cause there were loads of worlds and ships and futuristic stuffs to explore.  I’m awful at science (I haven’t done it for years, in my defence) but I found everything really easy to understand – or, well, simple enough that I didn’t feel totally confused.  I think it really helped that the heavy science-y things were interspersed with jokes and drama and excitement and twists and turns a-plenty.  Basically, Bear nailed it.

Also I continue to be intrigued by the concept of ‘rightminding’ – basically manipulating your brain chemistry to affect your mood.  I don’t know if this is something that happens a lot in sci-fis (I’m still fairly new to this genre) but it was just something I found really interesting! 

I believe this is the first in a series – and I really hope it is.  I enjoyed this so much and I need more female-powered space operas in my life.  Please.  And guys, if you’re looking for a non-stop adventure through space, pick up Ancestral Night.  It’s really one of the most fun sci-fis I’ve read for ages and I can’t recommend it enough!

Star Rating:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Read this book if you liked:

The Illuminae Files by Jay Kristoff and Aimee Kaufman

Prefect Dreyfus Emergency by Alastair Reynolds

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Happy Reading

Megan

*This book was received from Gollancz in exchange for an honest review

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Previous Stop On The Blog Tour: Cover 2 Cover

Next Stop On The Blog Tour: Sci-Fi Bulletin, Rambling Mads

The Caged Queen by Kristen Ciccarelli: Blog Tour Review!

I am so ridiculously excited to be taking part in The Caged Queen blog tour - I was honoured to be a part of The Last Namsara's too and you can check out my interview with Kristen here!  I loved this book so much and I'm so excited for everyone to read it! 

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Series: Iskari, Book Two

Publisher: Gollancz

Format: Paperback

Published: 27^th September 2018

Number of Pages: 400

Book: For Review* 

Genre:  Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Action-Adventure, Paranormal, Mythical, YA

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing, Alcohol References

Author's Site: Kristen Ciccarelli

What would you sacrifice for love

Roa and her sister, Essie, were born with a bond so strong that it forged them together forever.  It was a magic they cherished – until the terrible day Essie died and her soul was trapped in this world.

Dax, the heir to the throne of Firgaard, was responsible.  Roa swore she would never forgive him – yet when he came begging for her help to dethrone his cruel father, Roa made him a deal.  She’d give him the army he needed if he made her queen.

Now she is royalty, but an outlander; far form home and married to her enemy.  And even after everything she has sacrificed, Dax’s promises have gone unfulfilled.  Roa’s people still suffer.

Then a chance to right every wrong arises – an opportunity for Roa to rid herself of this enemy king and rescue her beloved sister.  During the Relinquishing, when the spirits of the dead are said to return, Roa can reclaim her sister for good.

All she has to do is kill the king...

                                                                   Review:

 “You can save her, Roa.  You can save all of us.”

She looked up at him miserable.  “By killing the king.”

“By removing the next tyrant from the throne.”

Once upon a time, there were two sisters who were so close, not even death could separate them...

Roa was heartbroken when her twin, Essie, died and her soul became trapped in the body of a hawk.  She hated, hated, the boy responsible.

But now... now she’s married to him.  Because the only way to save her people from starving to death, was to sign a devil’s contract with the newly crowned King of Firgaard.

But Dax is not keeping the promises he made to her.  Roa’s people are still suffering, Roa herself is an outcast and Essie... Essie’s soul is slipping away more and more every day.

Roa has one opportunity to fix everything.  To save her people.  To bring her sister back.  To get herself out of this absolute mess.

And all she has to do?

Kill Dax...

I loved The Last Namsara so, so much.  I am mildly obsessed with dragons (ok, ok, utterly obsessed: I would give my soul for a dragon) and I just could not get enough of Ciccarelli’s world building when I read The Last Namsara because, guys, there be dragons!  And that was why I just could not wait to get my greedy little hands on a copy of The Caged Queen.  And so when it was so kindly sent to me (thank you Gollancz!) I just dived right on in.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from it, though.  Because it isn’t a direct sequel, more like a following book in the same universe following a newish set of characters on their adventures.  I loved the leads from The Last Namsara, Asha and Torwin, and knew The Caged Queen wouldn’t be focused on them – and would sadly have less dragons.  But from the very beginning of The Caged Queen, I honestly just fell in love all over again.  Because wow.  I adored the slightly different mythology and beliefs, loved the political drama and manoeuvrings, and just fell utterly head-over-heels for the very complex relationship between Dax and Roa.

Those two I honestly loved to pieces.  They were both so much more than they appeared to be, and seeing them from Roa’s perspective rather than Asha’s was intriguing.  Plus their relationship just had me enthralled from the very beginning – because while the two were legally married, it was very much a marriage of mutually beneficial terms and wasn’t built on any kind of emotions, especially not on Roa’s side.  But watching them argue and distrust and disagree and grow together was just amazing and so very brilliantly done.  Ciccarelli is really just the queen of complicated as hell relationships.

Roa was pretty prickly but steadfastly loyal to those she cared about – especially Essie and her people.  She was strong both mentally and physically and wasn’t afraid to fight for what she wants.  She was also totally badass and you all know I love that in my leading ladies.

Dax I just adored. He’s such a clever boy, that one – charming and charismatic and kind of adorable, he really knew how to play the political game.  Plus I just knew there was so much more to him than anything I saw in The Last Namsara.  And, now I am seeing him as someone not the sibling to the narrator, I think I love him. 

I also loved seeing Safire again from The Last Namsara – I really liked Dax’s coousin in the first book and just admire the hell out of this badass lady.  There were also cameos from my babies from Namsara and I loved it.

Also I just have to mention the bond between Roa and Essie.  Because it was just heartbreaking and beautiful.  Can you just imagine being born a twin, as close as could be to one another, so connected you can physically sense one another?  Now imagine your sister dies and you’re all alone, but you don’t want to be because what are you if not her sister?  Do you see why this bond made me cry?  I just felt how much Roa loved her sister, how desperately she wanted to save her, how terrified she was of Essie slipping away from her for good.  It’s one of the most unorthodox and touching sisterhood I’ve ever read about before and I just love the two of them so so much.

Ok I’ve rambled about the characters enough – why do I always do this?  Anyway, in The Last Namsara we got these snippets after chapters – little stories from the world’s mythologies, memories of the characters, that kind of thing.  And I just loved that we got the same in The Caged Queen.  We got to see more of Roa’s homeland and her relationship with Dax when they were children, before everything fell apart.  Plus Ciccarelli just has this way of storytelling that’s utterly enchanting and absorbing and I can’t get enough.

And seriously.  That plot.  Wow.  I honestly did not see a bunch of the twists coming – I blame a certain character for many of them, that wily fox – and I was hooked from start to finish.  Hell, I stayed up stupidly late after being exhausted from uni just to finish it because I just had to know how it ended.  Also I need another book, please.  I need more.

This world... I just love it.  I love Asha and Dax’s kingdom, but I really loved learning more about Roa’s.  I adored the beliefs there – especially about Relinquishing, which was just such a brilliant idea that I’m sure has taken root from some belief in the real world and is brilliantly brought to life in The Caged Queen.  Also just the thing about Essie... it’s honestly enough to make a girl cry.  Two sisters who love one another so deeply and totally that not even death could separate them, and one returned as a bird just so her sister would not be alone.  I really don’t know where Ciccarelli came up with that idea, but I adore it and she owes me a packet of tissues.

So seriously, if you haven’t read The Iskari Series, read it now.  There be dragons and spirits, kings and queens, love and heartbreak, loss and laughter, betrayal and forgiveness.  It honestly just has everything I could possibly want in a fantasy book and I’m really, really hoping there will be a book three!  There’s still so much of this world to explore, and hopefully more dragons to ride.

Please.  More dragons to ride.

I need more dragons in my world, Kristen.  Please.

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5 

Read this book if you liked:

The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli

Before I Ignite by Jodie Foster

And I Darken by Kiersten White

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Gollancz in exchange for an honest review

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Also check out Words From A Reader and The Untitled Book Blog because they have more The Caged Queen goodness up today too!

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Ah, I love this series so much!  If you haven't read it, check it out ASAP because it is amazing!

Everyone, definitely check out Kristen's website, follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and add The Caged Queen to your Goodreads TBR ASAP list! 

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Series: Shades of Magic, Book One

Publisher: Titan Books

Format: Paperback

Published: 27^th February 2015

Number of Pages: 400

Book: Bought 

Genre:  Fantasy, Historical, Action-Adventure, Mystery, YA, Adult, Crossover

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing, Alcohol, Sexual and Sexual Assault References

Author's Site: V.E. Schwab

Kell is one of the last travellers – magicians with a rare ability to travel between parallel universes connected by one magical city. 

There’s Grey London, without magic and ruled by the mad King George III.  Red London – where magic is revered, and where Kell is raised alongside the heir to the empire.  White London – where people fight to control the remaining magic and magic fights back. 

And once there was Black London... 

                                                                   Review:

I've read a lot of fantasy in my time.  But little compares to the pure brilliance of V.E. Schwab's A Darker Shade of Magic.  Gorgeous, clever, addictive and unique, I am just so very in love with this book.  So please be warned: fangirling ahead.

"I'm not afraid of dying.  But I am afraid of dying here."  She swept her hand over the room, the tavern, the city.  "I'd rather die on an adventure than live standing still."

Kell is an Antari – a rare magician with the ability to travel between worlds.  He lives in Red London – a vibrant place where magic and people both thrive, where Kell is raised by the King and Queen.  Grey London is the world that has forgotten all about magic.  White London is a world hungry for magic, starving for it, a place leeched of colour.  Once there was Black London, but there magic devoured the people, leaving the world dead...

Kell is running a typical message between worlds when he is asked to deliver a mysterious package.  He accepts, despite his reservations (and the fact that this is so very against the rules), and is then ambushed upon arriving in Red London.  Inadvertently, he has brought a forbidden relic to his world – a relic that could destroy them all.  He flees to Grey London and is found by Lila Bard, a thief, wanted (wo)man and pirate at heart.

Together, they must return the relic to where it belongs.  Together, they must save the remaining worlds from the curse of the lost one...

I honestly don't know where to start with this review.  Because I just love A Darker Shade of Magic and Victoria herself so freaking much.  Both are just amazing – brilliant, fantastic, wonderful, magical, vicious...  Just... wow.   

This review would go a hell of a lot better if I could just get over the blown-mind after effects...  But since I don't see that time coming any time soon, I'll just get on with it anyway.

Kell... Kell was a brilliant hero.  Brave, good, strong and also so very flawed, he managed to be both incredibly powerful and yet vulnerable all at once.  He didn't always make the smart decisions, he focused a little on the whole woe me at times and he was occasionally a little daft – and it all just made him even more loveable. 

And Lila was just amazing!  Vicious and blood thirsty and obsessed with knives!  I mean, this is really just my kind of girl.  She was just so cool and funny and sharp and I loved her to pieces.  I have my favourite crush in the series – and it's the swashbuckling, badass Delilah Bard.

I loved watching Kell and Lila together – they were funny and brilliant together.  There was next to no romance in this book – maybe there will be in the next book, because ships were definitely hinted at, just not fully realised.  I'm intrigued to see where this goes next because I just love these two together!

I also really loved seeing Kell with Rhy, his brother.  Rhy was just the sweetest – silly and flirtatious and funny, he was so much more than the rich playboy he first appeared to be and I just loved him for that.  Plus his relationship with Kell was just so sweet – they really did love one another, despite the brotherly conflicts.

The Danes were bloody terrifying!  They literally sent tingles of fear up my spine whenever they were around – they were so damn scary!   

As much as I adored the characters, the world just blew them all out of the water.   Bloody hell, it's amazing.  Just the very idea of these four unique Londons, all so different and so wonderful...  Mind-blowing.  My mind is officially and irreparably blown.  I am just in awe of Victoria.  It's hard enough to contrast a single fantasy world – she made three!  Three utterly unique, beautiful and horrible Londons – four, if we're counting the lost Black London.  Each London was so unique and detailed and amazing.  Red London was definitely my favourite – it was the thriving, alive London.  Grey London was a magic less, more historically accurate, place ruled by a mad King.  And White London...well.  Let's just say I'd avoid White London at all costs.  I just can't believe how much work and detail Victoria put into these worlds and I just can't wait to explore them more.  Amazing – just incredibly, wonderfully, perfectly amazing.

Unsurprisingly, the Slytherin queen of magic was a true wizard when it came to her writing. Gorgeous, witty and beautiful, she sucked me in from the very first sentence and had me utterly hooked from that same line.  I adored how we switched between Kell and Lila and then a few...added extra POVs.  I loved exploring all the Londons, seeing them through Kell's well travelled eyes and Lila's almost-as-new-as-our eyes.

And god, I just adored the storyline.  The idea of a quest across worlds, an evil stone, crazy rulers and brilliant characters – I mean, what's not to love?  I loved the race, the battles, the quest.  I loved the excitement, the adventure, the adrenaline-pounding pace and suspense...  I just loved all of it and cannot wait to get my hands on A Gathering of Shadows to find out what happens next!

So, if you haven't gathered, I loved A Darker Shade Of Magic just a little bit.  Ok a lot bit.  A bloody ginormous bit.  Victoria is my Slytherin queen and she has crafted a truly magical and amazing book here, one I love to absolute pieces.  It has magic, pirates, adventures, backstabbing, blood, drama, excitement and just so much more.  I am seriously struggling to find the words to do A Darker Shade of Magic justice – I just can't find the words to explain how much I bloody adored it.

Here's another attempt:

A Darker Shade Of Magic had me falling in love from the very first page.  I fell for the worlds, for Kell and Rhy and Lila, for Victoria's writing, for just about every damn thing.  I have read a lot of fantasy and I can say with certainty that this series is in the top five of my favourites – I just love it so damn much.  I honestly can't recommend it enough.  Just read it.  Read it, get your own mind blown, and then shove it into another person's hands.  Let's spread A Darker Shade of Magic like the black fever (you'll get the reference after you read the book)!  

Now I'm off to read A Gathering Of Shaodws because I gots to know what happens next!   Happy reading, Grey Londoners! 

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5 

Read this book if you liked:

The Grisha Series by Leigh Bardugo

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

Happy Reading

Megan

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

Publisher: Orion's Children Books

Format: ARC**

Published: 21^st September 2017

Number of Pages: 464

Book: For Review*

Genre:  Science-Fiction, Action-Adventure, Historical, Mystery, Romance, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Violence, Death, Alcohol References

Author's Site: Ryan Graudin

Blurb From Goodreads:

Time flies when you're plundering history.

Farway Gaius McCarthy was born outside of time. The son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 AD, Far's birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he's ever wanted, and after failing his final time-traveling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past. 

But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with knowledge that will bring Far's very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.

                                                                   Review:

“There wasn't much solitude among four souls, one mannequin, and a red attack panda...”

Farway McCarthy is unique.  He is a boy born out of time aboard a time travel machine, the son of one of the greatest time travellers around.  He's always wanted to follow in his mom's footsteps, explore history like she did.  

Which is why he isn't going to let a fexing sim of Marie Antoinette foil him. 

And it’s also how he ends up with the Invictus, the captain of his own TM, chasing through history for treasures with his crew.  It's aboard the Titanic that everything begins to unravel. 

Eliot is a mystery and a nuisance, an enigma and a thief.  Far doesn't trust her, but he must – it's the only way to stay alive.  

But Eliot has more secrets than just her last name and where she hid that fexing enormous yellow dress she wore aboard the Titanic.  And her secrets could mean the end of everything Far holds dear – the end of history itself...

I adore Ryan Graudin.  She is an amazing amazing author – and Invictus has proven she can write bloody anything.  I fell in love with her Wolf By Wolf series so when I saw they were giving away proofs of Invictus at YALC, of course I had to join the queue.  I made friends, I waited, I chatted and then finally I had this beauty in my greedy little hands and wanted to cheer.  I also wanted to start reading it right that very second, but anyone who's been to YALC knows there's ironically not all that much time for reading while you're there!  So I waited, took Invictus on holiday, started reading on the plane, and was over 100 pages in without even realising it. 

Oh. My. God!  I love all of Ryan's books so much that I can't choose a favourite – but Invictus is just phenomenal!  It has everything – sci-fi, history, romance, adventure, mystery, a blue box, a red panda and more!  I fell in love with everything about Invictus – it's just hashing marvellous! 

The characters – oh how I loved them all!  I fell for each and every one of the Invictus crew – although a certain fuzzy beastie stole my heart good and proper!  I want a red panda like Saffron now – I never knew I could want a red panda so much.  I may need to buy a cuddly one and call it Saffron because I'm pretty sure having a real one is all kinds of illegal.  

Onto the human cast now!  It's hard to make third person POVs sound unique to each character – especially when you're writing from as many as Ryan did over the course of Invictus.  And yet she managed – each character had their own way of narrating, their own way of thinking, and I bloody loved it.  Plus the characters were all just so three-dimensional and likeable – and all had brilliantly unique senses of humour! 

Far was brilliant – brave, clever, determined, a hero I could really get behind and root for.  He also wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination and I loved him more for it.

Imogen was literally adorable – I love my cousins to pieces, but I must admit Far’s cousin was just amazing and I want her!  I loved how cheerful she was, I loved how she changed her hair colour every day, I just loved her so much!

Eliot was an intriguing character and I loved how we slowly learnt about her over the course of the book.  She was mysterious, funny, brave and badass – I loved her!

Priya was also really adorable!  The medic of the crew, she thought anything could be cured with some chai tea – and as a Brit I can relate the this notion of tea fixing everything whole heartedly!  I also loved her relationship with Far, although I do wish we’d seen more of how they got together.

Gram was really cute – a scientist at heart, he was very logical and practical and not brilliant at the human interactions at times!  I adore him and his relationship with Imogen was just everything!

Oh my god, this story!  I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, reading like a mad thing, totally unsure about what would happen next.  The twists were insane – and truly brilliant!  I loved the beginning of the story, where the crew of the Invictus go about time stealing priceless artefacts that would otherwise be lost to disaster.  That was awesome and a lot of fun to read!  But then the second half, where the stakes kick up by a million and the race is on – not to save an artefact or two but life itself?  Yeah, I loved that!  

Also I really really wanna live in Far's time – travel through history, recording and experiencing, observing and learning.  It just sounds amazing!  And while the futuristic aspect could be hard to grasp, I found it so easy to immerse myself in everything about Invictus – and loved every minute! 

Anyone who knows me is aware that I am normally a total fantasy girl.  I love dragons and magic and potions.  I don't really read sci-fi all that much – but god am I glad I read Invictus!  Invictus was hazing amazing and I loved every single second of it!  So whether you live for sci-fi, fantasy or fuzzy red pandas, read Invictus!  This book has just secured Ryan’s place on my auto-buy list for all of time and space and I really just cannot recommend it enough!

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5 

Read this book if you liked:

Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Doctor Who

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Orion in exchange for an honest review

** Quotes used are from a proof copy and may have been changed in the finished book