Endure

I cannot recall the last time I was able to read a trilogy one after another so it was a wonderful treat. Endure is the third and final book in the Defy trilogy.

Alexa has come a long way, no longer having to hide that she is a girl and in love with the King Alexa works at accepting more in her life beyond the sword. Struck by the orders from Rafe to protect him at all costs and her best friend taken prisoner by Rafe Alexa knows only that she must rescue her friend.

I was seriously disappointed in Endure. I read it in one sitting for the most part and it was super repetitive. It felt like I had read the same parts in the previous books and just kept looping. After a hundred pages or so of the same stuff the last battle finally started which was a huge disappointment. It felt like Sara B. Larson took the easy way out with the ending. I doubt I will pursue further works if Larson continue to write.

Ignite

Ignite is the second book in the Defy trilogy.

Having helped Damion take the throne from his father Alexa is happy for things to go back to normal. Terrified of Damion's feelings towards her and embarrassed by the burn scars on half her face Alexa runs from her feelings about Damion. Refusing to acknowledge how she feels for him she just hides behind being his guard. Soon a delegation from a neighboring kingdom arrives to meet with the young king only to bring with them a host of problems.

Since a third country was introduced I wish that it had been set up a little bit in Defy. Barely mentioned I was sort of confused as to why a third country was suddenly needed. I did enjoy Ignite though, the writing was fast paced and wonderfully smooth. I checked out Endure last night and I cannot wait to start it.

Defy

The only reason I chose Defy was it happened to be on the front page of the library homepage and available for check out. It took me several chapters to finally get into the story but after about five chapters I was hooked.

Alexa is hiding among her enemies, determined not to enter the breeding house to produce soldiers for the king's army Alexa lets her twin cut her hair and masquerades a boy. Not just any boy though, the best fighter among the soldiers Alexa becomes Alex and is chosen to be the crown prince's personal guard. Disgruntled with the attitude of the spoiled, air head prince Alex just focuses on keeping the prince alive and her secret safe.

When I saw the Defy was getting negative reviews on Goodreads and that it was so slow to start I almost stopped trying. I am thankful I did not. Normally I hate love triangles with a passion but a love triangle did not really exist in Defy, Alex was always clear with her feelings. I really enjoyed the magic and fighting system in Defy, they both felt like separate entities that were well thought out. Despite being left with a couple questions the end did tie everything up nicely. Maybe the questions I had will be answered in Ignite.

Big Lunch Wednesday

Big Lunch Wednesday is not my usual type of memoir but my friend is mentioned in the end of the book since she dated the author.

Memoirs are always tricky for me to review since they are a personal experience and not something just thought up. Real life can have plot holes and odd occurrences. That said if not for the fact my friend asked me to read Big Lunch Wednesday I would not have chosen it. The story felt too personal and it seemed like I missed a lot of inside jokes since I do not know the author.

Mechanica

Mechanica was a wonderful find at the bookstore before it closed. While a retelling of Cinderella some new stuff is introduced and it is a bit of fantasy with steampunk. I adored the combination of the two and I really hope that Betsy Cornwell writes a companion book or a second book with the same characters.

 Nicolette, better known as Nick, is a young girl who loses both her parents. After the death of her inventor mother Nick's father gets rid of any trace of her inventions leaving Nick with almost no reminders of her mother. Upon the death of her father Nick is turned into a servant in her own house. Lucky for her she does have some help, a mysterious note appears under her door on the sixteenth birthday leading her to her mother's wondrous workshop. With a chance for freedom Nick will summon all her courage and learning to make the most of her situation. 

I really liked Nick she was strong willed despite years of abuse from her step mother and sisters. Instead of letting it break her she adsorbed it and grew stronger because of it. Nor does Nick depend on someone else to come rescue her, she wants to rescue herself. I did have a couple problems with the story, key elements were left out. This makes me wonder if a squeal or companion story is being written explaining some of the things in the story.  However since Mechanica is an older book I do not feel this is the case. :(

Christmas Carol Murder

Christmas Carol Murder is another Lucy Stone story and it is a lot farther in the series then I realized.

Working at the Pennysaver newspaper Lucy is in on all the news and at the scene of every big scoop. When the local scrooge is blown up with a mail bomb disguised as a festive Christmas package Lucy is determined to find out who is sending deadly mail. The recession is hitting hard and with many suspects all more disgruntled then the last Lucy has to call on every instinct and trick she has learned to stop the bomber before they strike again.

Leslie Meier's writing has improved drastically since the first book in the series. I still do have some issues with too much fluff and filler that I do not care about. Maybe it is because I have not read the series in order that I wince every time a luncheon or gathering with lots of Lucy friends occur. It was a fun fast read to help get my mind on Christmas.

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas

The super adorable puppies on the cover drew me to The Twelve Dogs of Christmas in the early hours this morning. Sadly the mention of dogs and Christmas was barely existent. If not for the main character complaining about decorating the tree I would never have known it was Christmas time.

Andy Carpenter is a defense attorney and when the local lady, Pups, who takes in puppies to raise until they are old enough to find homes is being harassed by the city for too many dogs in her residence Andy takes up the case. Quickly the tides turn and Pups finds herself the key suspect in a murder case Andy has to figure out what is going on and save an innocent woman from going to prison.

I wanted the story to fit the cute cover which it sadly did not. Andy mentioned walking his dogs several times but still I wanted more puppies and more Christmas. The puppies holding the key to the mystery would have been nice. Lots of ends were left undone and I am not sure if that is because this is a series or the author just did not feel the need to explain. The writing as well done and it never felt like I was reading fluff. Andy had extremely interesting thought processes that were well laid out and fun to read. Despite lacking the Christmas flare I would consider reading another Andy Carpenter mystery I just know now to expect much of the cute details.