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

Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts) by L.C. Rosen

Publisher: Penguin

Format: ARC**

Published: 7^th February 2019

Number of Pages: 368

Book: For Review*

Genre:  Contemporary, Romance, Coming-Of-Age, Mystery, YA

Recommended Age: 14+

Contains: Alcohol, Drug, Smoking, Sexual References – Like a Lot

Author's Site: Lev A.C. Rosen

Blurb From Goodreads:

Couldn't get enough of Love, Simon or The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue?

This is the (slightly NSFW) book for you!

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'My first time getting it in the butt was kind of weird. I think it's going to be weird for everyone's first time, though.' 

Meet Jack Rothman. He's seventeen and loves partying, makeup and boys - sometimes all at the same time.

His sex life makes him the hot topic for the high school gossip machine. But who cares? Like Jack always says, 'it could be worse'.

He doesn't actually expect that to come true.

But after Jack starts writing an online sex advice column, the mysterious love letters he's been getting take a turn for the creepy.

Jack's secret admirer knows everything: where he's hanging out, who he's sleeping with, who his mum is dating.

They claim they love Jack, but not his unashamedly queer lifestyle. They need him to curb his sexuality, or they'll force him.

As the pressure mounts, Jack must unmask his stalker before their obsession becomes genuinely dangerous...

                                                                   Review:

Jack Rothman is kind of notorious in his school.  He likes sex, you see.  A lot.  And partying.  The number of guys he’s slept with always a source of gossip – which is a bit awkward, but Jack can deal.  

Until he starts writing a sex advice column for his friend’s website.  And the love notes he’d been receiving turn into threatening emails...

Someone is stalking him and judging him.  They don’t approve of Jack’s promiscuity and want him for themselves.

Jack and his friends have to discover his stalker – before he carries out his threats...

I knew about this book like a year before I got my greedy hands on an ARC copy.  I’ve been desperate to read it since I heard about it.  And yet when I finally got it, I was too busy!  So when I got a break over the Christmas holidays, I happily dove straight into Jack of Hearts.  I devoured two thirds of the book in an evening, reading until 2am when my eyes began to get heavy.  This book... is awesome.  Seriously just brilliant.  It’s bold and brave and glittery – it tackles serious issues like stalking, bullying, homophobia and stereotypes without ever feeling heavy or preachy.  It was hilarious and sassy and scary and I just loved this rollercoaster of a read.  I really didn’t want it to end!

Jack I just adored.  He is utterly unashamed of his love of sex, bold in his fashion choices and his eye make-up slays everything.  He’s so strong and it honestly hurt to see him become so broken by the stalker’s actions!  I really wanted to hug him and protect him from all the bigots in the world – but Jack needed no protection!  He’s totally fierce and someone all kids – gay, bi, straight, asexual, all the letters of the rainbow – need to read about. 

I also loved Jenna – best girl friend and ally ever.  She was so strong and fierce and I adored her.  Ben was the cutest bean ever – my little romantic fashion geek, I just wanted to wrap him up in fabulous blankets and hug him!  Basically, the two of them were the best best friends ever, period.

I also adored Jack’s mum – who was just t he coolest ever.  She was totally open-minded and supportive of Jack and I just loved that.

So, Rosen really didn’t shy away from sex details!  This book is kind of an LGBTQ+ sex-ed lesson – in the best possible way.  It tells you everything you could want to know as a gay teen thinking about sex – and everything they really ought to teach you in school.  It’s fun and informative and not at all preachy – it’s totally like an advice column.  It concentrates on the fun of sex – and the less fun bits that you should be aware of.  And it was brilliant – I haven’t read a sex-ed book this brilliant since Dawson’s This Book Is Gay and I’m pretty sure Jack of Hearts pips This Book Is Gay to the sex-ed trophy of the year prize.  This comparison has become awfully unwieldy so I think it’s time to move on.

But really, Jack of Hearts manages to make you question so much about heteronormativity and homophobia without you even realising.  You’re reading about this boy who is gay and enjoying life, having sex and then is being bullied.  More than anything, it’s the reaction of the principal that made my blood just boil over.  So many people claim to be ‘supportive’ of LGBTQ+ people and just aren’t when it comes down to it and that’s just not ok.  It’s not ok to judge someone because of their sexuality or their skin colour or their sexual habits – Jack is terrified of going to the police because he’s sure they’ll just see him as a “slut” and won’t do anything.  And that’s just not ok.  There is so much wrong with the world and it’s only with books like this that things can change for the better.

I’m making this sound so heavy, but honestly it isn’t.  Yes, the bullying storyline is a big part of the story.  But it somehow doesn’t overshadow Jack’s brilliant personality, his friends’ antics, the humour in the story.  Everything is just done so cleverly that this book manages to tackle some big issues without crushing you under their weight.

I really need to stop with the metaphors.

Seriously, though.  Read Jack of Hearts.  It’s honestly one of the best LGBTQ+ things I’ve read and I seriously think it may just be a favourite of mine in 2019.  It’s so unapologetic in its queerness and the sexual details it includes are so honest and real.  It’s like a breath of fresh air, honestly.  It’s an ‘eff you’ to everyone who thinks stereotyping is ok, that doing nothing is better than encouraging shaming of any kind, that it’s ok in this day and age to be a homophobic dickhead.  As someone who is bi and has a bunch of LGBTQ+ friends, I honestly just can’t recommend this book enough.  We need more books like this!  Please give me more books like this.  It’s the kind of book you finish reading grinning, just thinking ‘Can I get an amen?’ to yourself, because preach.  

Also.  If you get my reference there, I love you.

And please read Jack of Hearts.

Ok, bye.  I need to go shove this book at some people because the word must be spread!

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5 

Read this book if you liked:

Simon Vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Happy Reading

Megan

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

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

Blog Avalance: Paper Avalance by Lisa Williamson Review

Publisher: David Fickling Books

Format: ARC**

Published: 3^rd January 2019

Number of Pages: 368

Book: For Review*

Genre:  Contemporary, Romance, Coming-Of-Age, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Swearing

Author's Site: Lisa Williamson

Blurb From Goodreads:

‘Bonnie. Never Mum or Mummy or Mother. Just Bonnie.'

When it comes to flying under the radar, Ro Snow is an expert.

No friends. 

No boys.

No parties.

And strictly NO VISITORS.

It may be lonely, but at least this way the truth remains where it should – hidden.

Then Tanvi Shah, the girl who almost died, comes tumbling back into her life, and Ro finds herself losing control of her carefully constructed lies.

But if Ro’s walls come crumbling down, who’s going to take care of Bonnie…

                                                                   Review:

 ‘It takes me for ever to drop off and when I do I dream the dream I’ve dreamed at least one hundred times before.

Being buried alive under piles and piles of paper.’

Ro Snow has a secret.  One she doesn’t want anyone to ever find out.

Her mother, Bonnie, is a hoarder.  Their house is overrun with stuff, but Bonnie can’t seem to help buying more.  Ro feels like she’s drowning, but no one can ever find out.  Because if they do, they might take her away from her mother.  And she’s worried what would happen to Bonnie if that happened.

Which is why she keeps to herself.  Why she never invites anyone round.  Why she never lets anyone get close.

Until Tanvi Shaw shows up in class.  Tanvi is bubbly and smiley and so friendly – all the things Ro avoids like the plague.  But Tanvi has already decided she and Ro will be friends, and now Ro can’t seem to shake the girl.

And maybe that’s a good thing.  Because maybe Ro needs a friend, someone to hold on to, when her whole world is one paper away from collapsing.

I really do love Lisa Williamson.  She’s not only a wonderful writer, but she also writes about things other people don’t think to write about.  Paper Avalanche, the book about the daughter of a hoarder, was pure genius and utterly compelling.  I possibly stayed up until 3am to finish it.  I really just couldn’t put it down.  I’m awful when it comes to contemps, so finding one that just hooked me like this was a rare and amazing surprise. I’m not even sure what it was exactly that gripped me so much, but I truly was just entranced by Paper Avalanche.  To the point that I neglected Christmas present making, sleep and my family to read it.  I would say sorry, but I’m not sorry because it was worth it!

Ro I really just wanted to hug.  From the very first page, her personality and voice just leapt off of the page – especially how much she just suffered because of her mother’s hoarding.  She was forced to be the parent to her mother, to take on things no child should have to worry about, and you could just feel how badly it was breaking her.  I really did just want to hug her because God that girl needed so many hugs.

Tanvi was just so bloody adorable.  I want a Tanvi.  She was bubbly and friendly and so freaking cute.  I want to wrap her up in a unicorn onesie and adopt her because gosh she’s awesome.  She may be tiny, but she’s stubborn and strong and I love her.  And the relationship that formed between her and Ro was just so cute – it was very one sided to begin with, but no one could resist Tanvi for long!

Ok, I just want a little rant about Ro’s parents.  Because while Bonnie wasn’t a good mother, she had a legitimate mental health reason for it.  But Ro’s dad?  He was just a dick.  He abandoned his daughter to the stress and fear she lived in every day, just for his shiny new family.  And that’s just cruel.  It made me so so angry for Ro, because she deserved so much better.

Rant over.  I really just had to get that off my chest.

I loved the writing and plotline as well – Ro’s voice really did just leap off of the page and the story totally sucked me in.  There was a dash of romance, which is always welcome!  The friendship was what truly made the book though – I have so much love for Ro and Tanvi that it’s a little insane!

Seriously, though.  Paper Avalanche was one of the best coming of age type stories I’ve read.  It was about the daughter of a hoarder, yes.  But it was about so much more.  It was about friendship, first love, finding your voice and fighting for what you deserve.  And I just loved it.  It left me just smiling dopily with a tear in my eye.

So preorder Paper Avalanche because it really is not one to be missed next year.  Lisa Williamson has done it once again and I adore her for it.

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5 

Read this book if you liked:

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

Am I Normal Yet by Holly Bourne

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review

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

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! 

The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli

Series: Iskari, Book One

Publisher: Gollancz

Format: Hardcover

Published: 12^th October 2017

Number of Pages: 432

Book: For Review* 

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

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Death

Author's Site: Kristen Ciccarelli

Blurb From Goodreads:

In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death-bringer.

These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.

Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.

                                                                   Review:

“The old heroes were called Namsara after a beloved god, he said.  So she would be called Iskari, after a deadly one...”

Once there was a girl who was drawn to old stories.  The stories with power.  The stories the dragons craved.

She told stories to Kozu, the first dragon.  And he grew to crave her, too.  But when she refused to tell him another story, he grew angry with her.  He burned her with his fire and then he destroyed much of her kingdom, killing many of her people.

It was all Asha’s fault.  She should have known better – after all, the old stories killer her own mother.  

Now, her people loathe her and to restore the honour she lost the night Kozu’s fire scorched her people, Asha goes out and hunts dragons, bring their heads to her father, the dragon king.

But that is not enough to redeem her.  No, she must now marry Jarek – a cruel man she despises like no other.  There is no escaping the binding – until her father offers her a chance of escape: if she can kill Kozu and bring him the dragons’ head, she will be free.

But amid rising tensions and the defiance of Jarek’s slave, Torwin, can Asha find a way to save herself and her people?  Can the old stories reveal the truths that have been hidden for so very long? 

Anyone who knows me is all too aware of my dragon obsession.  They are my absolute favourite fantastical creature and I would literally sell my soul for a real one.  My mum actually calls me Hagrid from time to time due to my dragon mania.  So when I was offered a chance to read The Last Namsara, how was I meant to say no?  In fact, The Last Namsara has probably been my most anticipated debut of the whole year and the instant it landed on my doorstep, I just dived straight in.  And I fell instantly and irrevocably in love.  Because I’ve read a lot of books about dragons, but none like this.  The Last Namsara just pulled me under a spell – stories truly do have power, especially ones as magical and beautiful as this one.

Asha was such a stronger character – and my very favourite type of princess: a badass with swords and an axe.  To begin with, she was all kinds of broken – a hunter desperate for forgiveness, who could not forgive herself.  A girl who killed dragons to try and clear away the other deaths on her hands.  It would have been so easy to dislike her – but I never did.  Because Asha was brave and tough as nails and funny and so very alone it made my heart ache for her.  And then she goes on this journey over the book – I’ve never seen such character development in a single book and I just loved it.

Torwin – oh my sweet Torwin!  He was just the sweetest, loveliest thing and I spent a lot of the book just wanting to wrap him up in a hug.  He was loyal and devoted and kind to Asha, even when no one else would even look at her face.  

I just loved the two of them together.  I’ve never read a story where a princess fell in love with a slave – and I never thought I could love such a romance so much.  The two of them were just perfect together and I loved watching their relationship grow.  It felt utterly real to me and was just the sweetest, most wonderful thing.

I loved all of the minor characters too, especially Safire, who was just as much of a badass as Asha – maybe even more.  The child of Asha’s uncle and a slave, Safire was an outcast and seen as easy prey despite her royals blood – but she never let it break her.  And Dax was a really lovely big brother – a bit of a dreamer, he was kind and strong and quick witted.  Roa was awesome!  These two are the main characters in The Caged Queen and I’m so excited to see more of them!

Jarek was an epic arsehole – I loathed him, even when I felt pity for the boy who lost his parents to dragon’s fire and yet saved the girl responsible for their deaths.

I simply have to mention the dragons – even if I have to watch what I say for risk of spoilers!  The dragons in this book were characters in their own right (the main two especially) and they were written in such a way it took my breath away.  The dragons in this book can be terrible and destructive and ruthless.  But then so can humans.  And like humans the dragons can be so much more – and though they do not speak our language, they could tell stories of their own – such beautiful stories.

I absolutely loved the way Kristin wrote this book – I loved the main plot line and story of Asha and her journey.  And I loved the old stories interspersed throughout the book.  I can see why Asha was drawn to the stories – they were just so very beautiful.

This plot was just nonstop!  Just when I thought it was time to take a break and get some much needed sleep, a new twist threw me and simply made me read on.  Kristen will be responsible for many sleepless nights and her books are always going to be so worth it.

My god, this world!  The very idea that stories could hold such power – and that depending on who was telling the story and how it was told, each could be so utterly different.  As a book addict and a devourer of fantasy books, I know how powerful a story can be.  I know how a story can transport you to a whole other world, can let you be a dragon rider for a few hundred pages.  Alas, thus far stories have not called a dragon to me. I even read to my dog a lot of the afternoon (she’s recovering from surgery and is going a little stir crazy – reading to her seems to calm her down a bit) and no sign of a scaled friend for myself.  I’ll keep trying.

I don’t like slavery – I think it’s utterly abhorrent, as most do!  But I thought Kristin handled the subject in a truly delicate way, weaving the slavery of skrals into the story effortlessly and enabling yet more plot twists to cause my jaw to drop! 

If you haven’t guessed yet after reading so far through my long, rambly review, I absolutely adored The Last Namsara.  As a dragon lover, this book was heaven to me and I cannot wait to see what Kristin brings out next.  I’m especially excited about the second book in the series, which will focus on Roa and Dax – I loved both characters and can’t wait to get to know them better!  Kristin Ciccarelli is now added to my list of auto-buy authors – and The Last Namsara is one of my favourite books of 2017.  If you love dragons like I do or just want to read about a badass princess, please pick up The Last Namsara.  You won’t regret it!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go stand in nature and tell an old story to the world.  Because I just really really want a dragon.

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5 

Read this book if you liked:

Grisha by Leigh Bardugo

Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Happy Reading

Megan

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