Monday, February 22, 2016

The Book of Phoenix - Review


Title:  The Book of Phoenix
Author:  Nnedi Okorafor
Series:  Who Fears Death Prequel

Synopsis:  “Phoenix was grown and raised among other genetic experiments in New York’s Tower 7.  She is an “accelerated woman” – only two years old but with the body and mind of an adult, Phoenix’s abilities far exceed those of a normal human.  Still innocent and inexperienced in the ways of the world, she is content living in her room speed reading e-books, running on her treadmill, and basking in the love of Saeed, another biologically altered human of Tower 7.
     “Then one evening, Saeed witnesses something so terrible that he takes his own life.  Devastated by his death and Tower 7’s refusal to answer her questions, Phoenix finally begins to realize that her home is really her prison, and she becomes desperate to escape.
     “But Phoenix’s escape, and her destruction of Tower 7, is just the beginning of her story.  Before her story ends, Phoenix will travel from the United States to Africa and back, changing the entire course of humanity’s future.”

Review:  I read this novel in one sitting.  I know that’s not unusual for me, but it really was that good!  The Book of Phoenix is a perfect combination of a science fiction and a superhero novel.  Nnedi Okorafor’s way with words is excellent.  I hung on every word, and every phrase.  The story moves along at a fast pace, and kept me captivated until the very end.  The struggle of Phoenix to adapt to her new circumstances and bring down the mega-corporation that rules this dystopian world is heart wrenching, and fascinating.  I highly recommend this wonderful novel.

Publisher: DAW

If you like this book you may want to read:



Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor



The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi




Last Song Before Night by Ilana C. Myer

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Sorcerer to the Crown - Review


Title:  Sorcerer to the Crown
Author:  Zen Cho
Series:  Sorcerer Royal #1

Synopsis:  “At his wit’s end, Zacharias Wythe, freed slave, eminently proficient magician, and Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers – one of the most respected organizations throughout all of Britain – ventures to the border of Fairyland to discover why England’s magical stocks are drying up.
     “But when his adventure brings him in contact with a most unusual comrade, a woman with immense power and an unfathomable gift, he sets on a path which will alter the nature of sorcery in all of Britain – and the world at large.”

Review:  I loved this novel!  It did not go the way I expected based on the cover blurb.  I felt that the novel was much more about Prunella and less about Zacharias than the blurb lead me to believe.  I was fascinated by the story of Zacharias and Prunella.  Together they deal with the heavy issues of racism & sexism.  At first I was annoyed by Prunella’s insistence on just wanting to marry a rich husband, but came to like her more as she came into her own.  Sorcerer to the Crown features a beautifully crafted world with intricate, well thought-out politics, and fully fleshed out characters.  I can’t wait to read the next novel in the series!
**I received a free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review, via NetGalley**

Publisher:  Ace

If you like this book you may want to read:



Uprooted by Naomi Novik (read BookGirlR’s review here)



The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson




Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone