Elysium Fire by Alastair Reynolds

Series: Prefect Dreyfus Emergency, Book Two

Publisher: Gollancz

Format: Hardcover

Published: 25^th January 2018

Number of Pages: 416

Book: For Review* 

Genre:  Science-Fiction, Space Opera, Crime Fiction, Thriller-Suspense, Mystery, Adult

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing

Author's Site: Alastair Reynolds

Blurb From Goodreads:

Featuring Inspector Dreyfus - one of Alastair Reynolds most popular characters - this is a fast paced SF crime story, combining a futuristic setting with a gripping tale of technology, revolution and revenge.

One citizen died a fortnight ago. Two a week ago. Four died yesterday . . . and unless the cause can be found - and stopped - within the next four months, everyone will be dead. For the Prefects, the hunt for a silent, hidden killer is on . . .

Alastair Reynolds has returned to the world of The Prefect for this stand-alone SF mystery in which no one is safe. The technological implants which connect every citizen to each other have become murder weapons, and no one knows who or what the killer is - or who the next targets will be. But their reach is spreading, and time is not on the Prefects' side.

                                                                   Review:

“He saw it now, what had always been there, always explicit, but which he only now forced himself t acknowledge in all its truth and simplicity.  To destroy Devon Garlin – to destroy the enemy of everything he held precious - it was first necessary to destroy Wildfire.

And so he would.”

The Glitter Band is a man-made system of planets and microworlds.  Run by the people, they are a utopia of sorts, where crime is almost non-existent.

But when it occurs, they need someone who can deal with it.  That’s why the Prefects were formed – a planet of police, ready to deal with anything that threatens to harm the Glitter Band.

Until they were forced to protect it by doing something unthinkable...

Now, dissent is rising among the worlds of the Glitter Band – led by a man named Devon Garlin, worlds are declaring independence from the Prefects.

Meanwhile, Prefect Tom Dreyfus and his fellow operatives are trying to stop a series of deaths – scores of people are dying, their implants overheating for no discernible reason, with no connection between the victims.  And the rate of Wildfire deaths is ever-increasing – soon it will be in the thousands and before long all of the Glitter Band could perish...

But when links begin to appear between the two cases, the risk of the destruction of the world as Dreyfus and the others know it is rising ever higher...

I have never read anything by Alastair Reynolds, but Elysium Fire intrigued me from the moment I received it.  Even though I hadn’t read any of the books in the series, let alone the previous Prefect Dreyfus Emergency, I was soon sucked right into the story.  I need to get my hands on the other books now – I am just in love with Dreyfus and the Glitter Band!  

Also, I’m pretty awful at reading sci-fi – let alone adult hard-core sci-fi space operas.  And there were a few terms I may have had to look up, but I found it really, really easy to just immerse myself in this world, in this story.  I’m a sucker for crime thrillers, although I think crime thrillers in space may have ruined me for the more mundane earthly kind!  

It helped that I just loved all of the characters in the book!  They were all brilliantly complex and three-dimensional.  I just need to read the first Prefect Dreyfus book so I can fully understand them all!  Because I need some more backstories, guys!

I love Tom Dreyfus – he is such a badass.  Plus he’s so driven and dedicated to protecting everyone.  I also love that while he’s very level-headed, he does lose his cool occasionally (to be fair, Garlin was a dick). I really have to read book one because I want to know more about him!

Jane Aumonier was awesome – such a brilliant leader and so very, very badass too.  She was tough, but fair – and when you messed with her, watch out!  I also loved Thalia and Sparver - they were amazing prefects and I just loved how they interacted together.  And I really enjoyed the characters of Julius and Caleb – and trying to figure out what their story was.  Those two intrigued me from the very beginning... 

This story was just genius.  I just loved the multiple story lines – we had the Prefects trying to solve the implant-caused deaths, then them trying to deal with the anarchy Garlin caused, and then there was another storyline following two boys with many a secret in their family past...  I just loved seeing how it all tangled together, all the little clues that we were given to unravel the plots and discover what was happening.  It was just so exciting and utterly addictive.

And I will admit, it probably would’ve helped if I’d at least read the previous Prefect Dreyfus book, because there were quite a few references to what occurred in it – but I managed to guess most things and catch up, so it really didn’t confuse me or take away from my enjoyment of Elysium Fire.

Oh, and have I mentioned the multiple perspectives?  No?  It was brilliant.  It let us follow so much action and mystery and plot lines in a single chapter and it really could’ve been confusing but it just wasn’t.  I loved it so very much! 

I honestly don’t know why I don’t read more sci-fi books – I enjoyed this so much.  Elysium Fire was exciting and intriguing and wonderful and I seriously have to get the rest of this series!  I definitely recommend the Prefect Dreyfus series to sci-fi lovers – and even those who don’t generally read sci-fi!  The crime thriller aspect is just amazing and I honestly can’t wait for my next adventure with Tom Dreyfus!

Star Rating:
4 Out of 5 

Read this book if you liked:

Prefect Dreyfus Emergency by Alastair Reynolds

Agent Cormac by Neal Asher

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

The Androma Saga by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings

Happy Reading

Megan

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

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Series: Truly Devious, Book One

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Format: ARC**

Published: 16^th January 2018

Number of Pages: 432

Book: For Review*

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller-Suspense, Crime Fiction, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing, Alcohol, Smoking References

Author's Site: Maureen Johnson

Blurb From Goodreads:

New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson weaves a delicate tale of murder and mystery in the first book of a striking new series, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and E. Lockhart.

Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. “A place,” he said, “where learning is a game.”

Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.

True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester. But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder. 

The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Bell will continue her relentless quest for the murderers in books two and three.

                                                                   Review:

“Riddle, riddle, on the wall

Murder comes to pay a call

The detective’s here. It’s time to play!

Truly Devious lives another day.”

In 1936, Albert Ellingham, one of the richest men in America, opened up a school for geniuses of all kinds.  It was meant to be an idyllic place where anyone could come to learn - where learning could be a game.

But the game took a dangerous turn when one day Albert Ellingham’s wife and daughter vanished while on a drive, along with a young student.  A kidnapper who called themselves Truly Devious demanded a ransom, but Iris and Alice Ellingham were never seen alive again.

Now, eighty years later, crime obsessed Stevie Bell arrives at Ellingham Academy as a new student.  Her goal?  To solve this impossible mystery and discovered what really happened all those decades ago.

But her cold case is not so cold anymore as Truly Devious makes a shocking return and one of Stevie’s classmates ends up dead.

Once again, someone is playing a game with life and death and once again they seem to be getting away with it.

But the detective is on the scene now and Stevie will solve this case – before it’s too late...

Oh.  My.  God.  OhmiGod!  This book.  I’m such a massive geek when it comes to mysteries.  I watch way too many police procedural shows and I’ve been reading crime thrillers from much too young an age (I’m still scared of James Patterson’s books after being scarred for life by Kiss The Girls at the age of twelve or so).  So when I got sent Truly Devious, I was beyond excited – I have a real weakness for YA mysteries and I adore Maureen Johnson.  And Truly Devious totally did not disappoint – it was a twisty, exciting, utterly absorbing murder mystery and I loved every single second.  Because Truly Devious doesn’t just have one murder for us to solve – it has three!  I raced through the book, guessing all the time and getting pretty much every theory I had instantly thrown out of the window.  And that ending!  Bloody hell, Maureen – that was just cruel!  And I have to wait until 2019 for the second book!  2018 has only just started!  So please excuse me while I go have a minor breakdown and throw a pillow at the wall in a fit of detective-deprived fury.

Alrighty, I’m back!  Let’s talk suspects – I mean characters!  Maureen has created a lovely diverse cast, rich with possible suspects and bizarre personalities.  It’ll be hard to say too much without giving anything away – no spoilers, which means no giving away anything that might ruin the suspense!

Stevie – oh how I loved her!  She was such a great protagonist – brave, loyal, smart, a detective through and through.  She really was very Sherlock-esque at times, which is always fun!  Plus she was very dog-with-a-bone and I loved how intuitive she is.  And while I know I’m certainly no expert whatsoever on social anxiety, depression and panic attacks, I feel they were all accurately portrayed – or definitely in a way that felt utterly believable to me.

Janelle was an awesome best friend – totally weird and adorable and always wearing the most gorgeous clothes (I want her fashion sense).  Plus her and her paramour are just the cutest ever.  And then there’s Nate – a boy after my own heart, with his fantasy book and writing obsession!  Plus he totally gets the frustration of writing! 

The rest of the cast is... interesting.  Special props to Larry the security guard, Pix with the teeth and Ellie with her hidden alcohol stashes.  And as for David... well.  Let’s just say I have many reasons for wanting book two...  

Ah, the way Truly Devious was written!  I’ve read a few books that have a then/now kind of narration and I’ve always enjoyed it.  But Truly Devious just had more –because while we did get snippets into the past via the perspective of the past characters, we also got police interviews and articles and more!  I just loved it! 

But I’m docking a star for that ending – it was cruel!  Oh my God, Maureen Johnson!  That was so unfair!  I’m on the verge of another rant here – so I’m going to cut myself off before I can start.  Anyways, I’m often pretty good at guessing twists and t urns, but I was never able to untangle the mystery of Truly Devious.  I loved all the threads, all the clues, all the riddles and mysteries and murders.  It was all just so fun – in a bad, murder-y way.  And yes, I would honestly sell my soul or my kidney for book two right now.  Please, Maureen.  Please!

So clearly I adored Truly Devious.  It was just so brilliant and engaging and I honestly just couldn’t get enough.  Sort of like my beloved Murder Most Unladylike series, just for teenagers, Truly Devious was amazing – even if that cliffhanger almost killed me!  I was scared she would rush the ending – instead, she leaves me hanging, clinging to the edge of the cliff, hoping I don’t fall into the insanity that is waiting for a new book.

I feel this metaphor got away with me.  The point is Truly Devious is awesome and you all need to go read it.  Like, right now.

Star Rating:
4 Out of 5 

Read this book if you liked:

The Shades of London by Maureen Johnson

One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus

Wells & Wong by Robin Stevens

Happy Reading

Megan

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

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

Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl

Series: Black Widow, Book One

Publisher: Parragon Books

Format: Paperback

Published: 2^nd May 2016

Number of Pages: 416

Book: For Review*

Genre:  Superhero, Action-Adventure, Science-Fiction, Thriller-Suspense, YA

Recommended Age: 11+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing and Smoking References

Author's Site: Margaret Stohl

Blurb From Goodreads:

Enter the world of the Avengers’ iconic master spy…

Natasha Romanoff is one of the world’s most lethal assassins. Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the title of Black Widow by Ivan Somodorov, her brutal teacher at the Red Room, Moscow’s infamous academy for operatives.

Ava Orlova is just trying to fit in as an average Brooklyn teenager, but her life has been anything but average.  The daughter of a missing Russian quantum physicist, Ava was once subjected to a series of ruthless military experiments—until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed under S.H.I.E.L.D. protection. Ava has always longed to reconnect with her mysterious saviour, but Black Widow isn’t really the big sister type.

Until now.

When children all over Eastern Europe begin to go missing, and rumors of smuggled Red Room tech light up the dark net, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned—and that Ava Orlova might be the only one who can stop him. To defeat the madman who threatens their future, Natasha and Ava must unravel their pasts. Only then will they discover the truth about the dark-eyed boy with an hourglass tattoo who haunts Ava’s dreams…

Black Widow: Forever Red features all the heart-pounding adventure readers expect from Marvel, written by #1 New York Times best-selling author Margaret Stohl. Uncover a new side of the Marvel Universe that will thrill loyal fans and newcomers alike, as Stohl reveals the untold story of Black Widow for the very first time.

                                                                   Review:

"This mission, to attack us?  He said it had a name."  Her eyes met Coulson's.  "Forever Red."

Once upon a little girl was given the name Black Widow by her teacher.  She was taught in all manner of things – but mostly in how to kill, deceive and spy.  She was experimented on in the Red Room and she became the most dangerous assassin in the world.

After escaping the clutches of her teacher Ivan Somodorov, Natasha Romanoff became a member of S.H.I.E.L.D.  Her mission?  To take down Ivan.

She found him with a little girl, who she saved after bringing the building down upon her former mentor.  She took the child to America and told her she would be OK.  And then she left her in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s care..

Now seventeen, Ava Orlova has run away from S.H.I.E.L.D.  She has learned not to trust anyone.  That she cannot rely on the red-haired woman who called her sestrenka, little sister.  All she knows is she has to be her own hero – and that she dreams of a boy called Alexei with a Black Widow tattoo, even though she has never met him.

Natasha has never been much of a big sister.  But when children begin vanishing in Eastern Europe and rumours of the Red Room start up, Natasha fears her former teacher is not as dead as she hoped and his reaches, influences and plans go far deeper than she ever could've imagined...

I'm a huge Marvel fan.  I've had many a discussion with family and friends regarding the best team, character and film in the Marvelverse (team being either the new Guardians of the Galaxy or the X-Men, character being Remy LeBeau, AKA Gambit and film being Guardians of the Galaxy – my brother loudly disagrees with that final point).  So when I was offered the chance to review a book about the awesome Black Widow, how was I meant to refuse?!  Natasha Romanoff is a badass – a gorgeous and deadly agent with a fascinating backstory I really don't know enough about.  Awful, I know, but I love what Margaret Stohl has done with the character.  I just really enjoyed this book – it was like watching a Marvel movie and reading one of the comics all at once and I just loved it.  Also after reading this there needs to be a Black Widow standalone film – I am now in love with her.

Natasha Romanoff is one of MCU's most recognisable and awesome characters.  The Natasha from Forever Red is a mishmash of MCU Black Widow and the comic version – her backstory is more like that of the film Natasha and not the comic Natasha, although she's colder and sharper than movie Natasha.  Which is awesome!  Because – hello – Natasha's backstory is fascinating in the film's and I loved seeing more of it – and of those signature Black Widow death stares.  Who doesn't watch the films (and the brief flashes we get into her past) and think let me know you!  Just me?  Really?  Huh.  Anyways, Natasha was cold and businesslike (as expected) and yet she had these moments – these flashes of confusion and affection and anger that made her so very human and brilliant and ergo loving her.  This was Natasha says I'd never seen her before – as badass and tough as ever, but also broken and hurting and afraid and so very very human indeed.  And I loved it – I want more of this Natasha, this Tasha.

Despite the book series being titled as Black Widow, it's more about Ava – who I discovered after a quick Google upon getting the book is a superhero in her own right and has recently been introduced into the Marvel comics.  She was understandably confused and lost and a little angry at the world, but she was also funny and brave and badass as hell!

Alex was so sweet - he was brave and badass and kind and smart.  He was also pretty darn cute at times, I must admit!  

I must say the romance between Ava and Alex was rather insta-love-y.  After one twist I was like yes, this makes more sense now!  And then I was like hang on...no this does not make more sense it in fact is a little weird now and then my head started hurting as I considered all the facts and then I had to go lie down and watch the Avengers.  But I digress.  They were adorable!  Like so cute – and so incredibly protective of one another, as would be expected in two teenagers tossed in the middle of a plot by a crazy man.

And OMG I loved all the little cameos!  Like Coulson – he's always a favourite of mine in the MCU and I loved seeing his quippy, funny self in Forever Red.  And Tony Stark's scenes?  Literally some of my favourite ones in the whole book!  I adore Tony and he was so perfectly Tony.  Margaret Stohl captured him so absolutely perfectly!  I must admit, I did miss the presence of one hawk-eyed archer (who is often portrayed as Natasha's BFF and also BF at times, though not the latter in the film's) – it was so sad not to have him doing a little cameo or at least being mentioned.  She trusted Tony enough to involve him – so why not Clint? 

The writing was awesome!  It started off from Natasha's POV (which I loved – being inside her head was amazing) and then switched.  We got a split POV between Natasha, Ava, Alex and then transcripts from an official S.H.I.E.L.D. interview of Natasha.  It was all third person – and did occasionally jump perspectives within a set characters' chapter – and I just loved it.  I loved getting into everyone's heads – although I must say Natasha's chapters was my favourite.  I loved her, if you haven’t gathered, and may possibly be a tiny bit obsessed now.  I regret nothing.

The plot – oh my god!  It was like reading a Marvel movie.  The plot was fast-paced and exciting, there were mysteries a plenty, there were thrills and twists – oh that last twist!  It left me in tears – the finale was explosive and then there was just this moment after, a moment of pain and sadness and why Margaret why that left me speechless and in shock.

If you can't tell by now, I loved Forever Red to pieces.  It was so much fun – a real roller coaster of excitement and awesomeness and superheroes and mysteries.  I cannot wait for Red Vengeance – I need in my life like you cannot imagine.  Stay Red, people – because after this series I ain’t ever going back! 

Star Rating:
4 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Iron Man: The Gauntlet by Eoin Colfer

Lois Lane by Gwenda Bond

The Avengers

Happy Reading

Megan

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

The Special Ones by Em Bailey

Publisher: Electric Monkey

Format: Paperback

Published: 28^th July 2016

Number of Pages: 336

Book: For Review*

Genre:  Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller-Suspense, Psychological Suspense, YA

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Spine-Tingling Suspense

Esther is one of the four Special Ones, chosen to live under his protection in a remote farmhouse.  They are not allowed to leave, and they must always be ready to broadcast their lives to eager followers on the outside.

But on renewal day when he decides that a new Esther, Harry, Lucille or Felicity must take their place, the old ones disappear – forever.  The new ones don’t always want to come, but soon they... realise.  Until one day Esther has a realisation of her own, and it changes everything.

A heart-racing thriller set in a cult.

                                                                   Review:

I received The Special Ones on a normal Wednesday morning.  I'd been planning on spending the day making my shoes for YALC.  Instead I opened up a parcel, saw these two books by Em Bailey and decided to see what The Special Ones was about.  By lunch, I was already over 100 pages in and I just did not want to stop.  Ever.  I was utterly hooked – this book is amazing in a horrible, creepy-as-hell way!  I simply couldn't put it down, was just sucked into this terrifying world, into the life of 'Esther' as she played the role of her life...  It was just...  I'm struggling to find the words!

You see, Esther is one of a group of people called the Special Ones.  One of four enlightened, immortal people chosen by him and living to inspire their followers, who watch them as they live their perfect lives, as he watches over them.

The rules are numerous and Esther always follows hers.  She remains in the farm house, she cooks and cleans, she remains calm and dignified and she never touches the others – that simply isn't allowed.  Because he watches at all times, watches for mistakes.  The moment they make one, they're gone, never to be seen again – until they 'return' in a new body, unwilling and angry until they just... give in.  

Harry, Esther, Lucille and Felicity live in his world, play their roles, play for their lives.  They live in fear of him and yet they're told he protects them...  

God, I just loved how Em Bailey wrote everything in this book!  How she wrote that slow-burning beginning, Esther's fear and strength and guilt, the terrifying indications of his presence though we didn't see him – not yet...  It was just... wow.  Atmospheric, suspenseful, terrifying, creepy as goddamn anything!  I really don't want to give too much away, but the way we saw that brainwashing... utterly and completely scary as hell.  It was all just so so clever and in such an effortless way – it flowed and it grabbed and it sucked you in.  And then, half way through, bam!  Action hit off and the terror just grew even stronger.  

Up until then, we'd been in Esther's mind – and she was such a brilliantly complex, fascinating character.  And then, suddenly, we were in his head.  And that was... scary as frack.  His mind... God it was so terrifying!  I do wish there was a little more warning or explanation – one minute I was listening to Esther, the next I was watching her through his eyes and it just was like a huge jolt of surprise – which actually might have made the fear I felt reading his chapters even stronger.  Because he was... terrifying.  And the more I read about him, twisted as it was, I kind of understood a little more about why he made them live like that – the sick workings of a psychopath who wanted people to suffer like him, who wanted to be important, who wanted to belong...  Who found people as alone and vulnerable as could be and stole their lives from them, made them become people from a hundred years ago, with some words in a book being their only guidance, fear being their motivator...  It was scary, how horribly real he felt.

I also really liked Felicity – she was sweet and innocent and joyful amongst all the horrors of the farm, a burst of sunshine.  Harry was calm and reassuring – the relationship between him and Esther was utterly unique, unlike anything I'd ever read in YA before, and was totally perfect for the story.  

I've never read anything about a cult before, although I know there are a fair few out there in the YA market right now.  I've studied them in sociology and watched them on crime shows, but reading about a forced cult member's life was so much more hard hitting.  The way he was totally separate too was different, and although we got to look into his head, we never really knew why.  I have theories, but some concrete evidence would've been nice – was he just a psychopath?  Did he have some kind of mental health disorder, like schizophrenia?  The questions are endless and many are left open, and yet I rather liked the ending anyway.  It... it fit.  The finale felt a little rushed, perhaps, but maybe that was just because I was reading as fast as Dr Reid at the time (not really; I'm not that good – and bonus points to anyone who gets that reference).  

The Special Ones was unique and brilliant and horrible and creepy and so goddamn addictive it's untrue.  I dare anyone to read it and not finish it in a day or two.  I found myself reading well into the wee hours to finish – and then regretting that choice instantly when I found I couldn't go to sleep and was jumping at every little noise.  Never will I read another Em Bailey book in the dark – although I will be reading Shift soon.  Just... after I've calmed down from The Special Ones.  My heart is still pounding ad my head is still reeling and oh my God. If you haven't read it just go and read it right now!  It is just... mind-blowing and breath-taking and goosebumps-raising.  It is a phenomenal book that has left me shocked and scared and amazed because it felt so damn real.  I just... I have no other words.  Just read it and read it now. 

And when the sun is shining.  Because it's Thursday and I only slept last night after I'd finished the book and watched Friends for an hour.  

I regret nothing.  The Special Ones was worth every bit of sleeplessness.  Every single (yawn) bit.

Star Rating:

4½ Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

The Bunker Diaries by Kevin Brooks

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando

Seed by Lisa Heathfield

13 Minutes by Sarah Pinsborough

Happy Reading

Megan

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

Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin

Series: Wolf By Wolf, Book One

Publisher: Orion

Format: ARC**

Published: 5^th November 2015

Number of Pages: 400

Book: For Review*

Genre:  Historical, Science Fiction, Alternate History, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Thriller-Suspense, Action-Adventure, YA

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing, Smoking References

Author's Site: Ryan Graudin

Over ten years since the Nazis won the war, 18 yr old Yael has one mission: to kill Hitler - a captivating second novel from Walled City author, Ryan Graudin.

Once upon a different time, there was a girl who lived in a kingdom of death. Wolves howled up her arm. A whole pack of them-made of tattoo ink and pain, memory and loss. It was the only thing about her that ever stayed the same. Her story begins on a train. 

Germania, 1956. Over ten years since the Nazis won the war. 18-year-old Yael is part of the resistance, and she has just one mission: to kill Hitler.

But first she's got to get close enough to him to do it. 

Experimented on during her time at Auschwitz, Yael has the unique ability to change her appearance at will. The only part of her which always remains are the five tattooed wolves on her arm; one for each of the people she's lost. Using her abilities, she must transform into Adele Wolfe, Germany's most famous female rider and winner of the legendary Axis Tour; an epic long distance motorcycle race from Berlin to Tokyo, where only the strongest (and wiliest) riders survive. If she can win this, she will be able to get close enough to kill the Fuhrer and change history forever.

But with other riders sabotaging her chances at every turn, Yael's mission won't be easy... 

                                                                   Review:

“Tomorrow the end began.  She was going to race from Germania to Tokyo.  She was going to win the Axis Tour and earn an invitation to the Victor's Ball.  She was going to kill the Führer and spark the death of the Third Reich. 

She was going to cross the world and change it.

Or die trying…”

What if Hitler and the Nazis hadn't lost WW2?  What would become of the world?  Where – or if – would Hitler stop?  What would become of his brutal, dreadful experiments?

Yael.

The Nazis won – with the help of Emperor Hirohito from Japan – and have spread their control over Europe, bringing death and pain and destruction in their wake...

Taken to a concentration camp as a little girl, Yael is experimented on by an Angel of Death – a Nazi doctor.  The experiments change her and turn her into the ultimate weapon for the Resistance.  Using her unique ability, Yael goes undercover as Adele Wolfe, the poster-girl for the Nazi regime, who won the Axis Tour – a motorcycle race that goes from Germany to Japan, in honour of the Axis' victory: the winner receives an audience with the reclusive Hitler.

Yael must win the race.  She must meet with Hitler.

She must kill him for all he has done.

But when she meets the real Adele's brother and former boyfriend, Yael realises that reaching the Fuhrer and finishing the race might be more difficult than she first thought...  

I absolutely adored The Walled City and so I was deliriously excited for Wolf By Wolf – especially when Nina from Orion described it as 'The Book Thief meets X-Men'.  I mean, come on!  How's a girl meant to resist that pitch?  She just can't!  And when I heard Ryan talk about it, when she read us a bit of the first chapter, I just knew I would love Wolf By Wolf.  And when I started it on the train home, I was just swept up – completely hooked by this alternate world.  It was just... whoa.  I didn't think Ryan could top The Walled City and yet she managed to totally outdo herself.  Wolf By Wolf... amazing.  Incredible.  Breath-taking.  I have no words for how much I loved this book.

One of my favourite parts of this book was Yael: she was such a badass!  Clever, brave, smart, damaged and just... brilliant.  She didn't know her own face, but she knew she was strong and she had such strong morals, such strong values.  She still saw beauty and hope, just as much as she saw corruption and loss.  I was instantly rooting for Yael, right from the word go, and I adored her – and can't wait to see her grow and kick butt in the next book!  Why must it be so far away...?

Luka...  He was the real Adele's love interest (although their shared past was pretty unknown).  I wasn't sure what to make of Luka to begin with, but then... I started to love him.  All he wanted was to be with Adele, he risked himself to help others, he was snarky and prickly and funny.  And then he’d do something and I'd hate him all over again... I'm so conflicted!

Felix was just such an amazing brother – the best.  If I had a twin or older brother, I would want one exactly like Felix.  He was protective and brave and clever and always looking out for his sister (well, who he thought was his sister), no matter what she did.  I loved him so much!

The relationships were so brilliant – as brilliant as the characters themselves.  I know that Yael wasn't Adele, that she wasn't who the boys thought she was, but their relationships... they felt real.  They started off shaky, weak, and they grew and grew into something real and believable.  Felix was so protective of Yael, and she grew to trust him – care about him.  And Luka... yum.  The two really had some chemistry, despite whatever went on between him and the real Adele.

There were various supporting characters in the book, none as badass as Yael, confusing (and hot) as Luka or as wonderful as Felix.  But I did really like Ryoko, Henryka, Vlad and the Babushka.  I really did not like the doctor or other riders in the Axis Tour, though all of them were very well created.

Holy Scheisse, this world...  It scared the crap out of me.  Seriously, the research and world building was just phenomenal and so terrifying.  I mean, if just a few things were different during the Second World War, think what could have happened – all the Scheisse that could have gone down.  It's freaking scary as hell – and makes for such an amazing, brutal backdrop of a story.  

And the idea of what Yael could do was fascinating – the dreadful causes of the 'gift' even more so.  I mean, you're experimented on.  Changed.  Something – your identity, yourself – is taken away for ever.  And now Yael can't even remember her own face, what she really looked like.  It was heart-breaking!  And then there was her relationship with Luka and Felix: she truly cared about them, but she wasn't the girl they knew and loved.  

Though I'm not going to lie.  The Mystique quality of Yael's abilities was so cool.

Ryan wrote Wolf By Wolf in the third person, which can sometimes feel more impersonal.  In this case, however, I think the distance was a good thing: everything Yael had been through...  It would have been too much.  To hear what she went through as a child, growing up, how much pain her world put her through...  But, as always, Ryan's writing was phenomenal – exciting, action-packed, beautiful, sharp, gritty, bloody brilliant.  I loved this book so much! *jumps up and down hugging the book*

As for the storyline?  Just wow.  Thrills, spills, danger, spying, fighting, racing, trying to bring down a vicious fascist...  It was all just nonstop and so utterly addictive.  I read the book in one go (utterly shattering myself in the process, thanks to lack of sleep) and was left so hungry, so desperate, so needing for more more more!  The plot of Wolf By Wolf is utterly amazing and unpredictable and brilliant and exciting: there was just never a dull moment!

I adored and gushed about The Walled City.  It is a phenomenal book.  But Wolf By Wolf was, somehow, impossibly, even better.  It took uniqueness and magic and excitement and amazingness and brought it all up to a whole new level.  It was amazing, breath-taking and... I really just don't have the words to do it justice.  But I really believe that Ryan Graudin is the goddess of words, of creating unique and incredible books that I fall in love with so quickly, so desperately and so deeply.  Wolf By Wolf was just pure magic.  It was a book so good I was hooked from start to finish.  It was a book so good I slowed right down when I reached the last few chapters, because I just did not want the story to be over.  It was a book I began raving about when I was only a few chapters in and a book I will never stop recommending to everyone, everywhere.  It was a book I will never forget.  It was a book that left me absolutely desperate for the sequel (and a book that will drive me insane until I get my hands on said sequel).  It was a book so damn good that even with all of this rambling, I simply do not have to words to truly do it justice.  It was a book that was unique and magic and beautiful and horrible and exciting and terrifying and addictive and pure magic.

Please, just go and go now.  Buy it.  Read it.  Love it.  And then you will understand why I am so very desperately in love with Wolf By Wolf.

Because, yes, Wolf By Wolf's lead girl was a Mystique-like character, undercover and with special powers – it is a race, a battle, a supernatural-esque thrill ride.  But Wolf By Wolf is also about fear and pain and hope and survival.  About fighting against all the odds.  About making the world right after it went oh-so very wrong.  About fighting for what you believe in.  About how terrible the world could have been, if just a few things had gone differently during WW2.  And that is why everyone, everywhere simply has to read it.  Wolf By Wolf was beyond phenomenal and I honestly just cannot recommend it enough – to every single person who reads this review, who sees this book in Waterstones and who lives on this planet.  Read it.  Read it now.

I, meanwhile, will be going insane waiting for the sequel...  I just need it so badly.  Ryan Graudin is amazing and all powerful and I am well and truly hooked. 

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Walled City by Ryan Graudin

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Grisha by Leigh Bardugo

Happy Reading

Megan

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

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