Title: Calamity
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Original title: Calamity
First published: 2016
Genre: Sci-fi, YA, Dystopia
Series: The Reckoners #3
Publisher: Gollancz
Format: Paperback
Pages: 421
Finished: 17/10/2019
Summary: Spoiler alert! When Calamity lit up the sky, the Epics were born. David’s fate has been tied to their villainy ever since that historic night. Steelheart killed his father. Firefight stole his heart. And now Regalia has turned his closest ally into a dangerous enemy. David knew Prof’s secret, and kept it even when the Reckoners’ leader struggled to control the effects of his Epic powers. But facing Obliteration in Babilar was too much. Prof has now embraced his Epic destiny. He’s disappeared into those murky shadows of menace Epics are infamous for the world over, and everyone knows there’s no turning back. . . . But everyone is wrong. Redemption is possible for Epics—Megan proved it. They’re not lost. Not completely. And David is just about crazy enough to face down the most powerful High Epic of all to get his friend back. Or die trying.
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Original title: Calamity
First published: 2016
Genre: Sci-fi, YA, Dystopia
Series: The Reckoners #3
Publisher: Gollancz
Format: Paperback
Pages: 421
Finished: 17/10/2019
Summary: Spoiler alert! When Calamity lit up the sky, the Epics were born. David’s fate has been tied to their villainy ever since that historic night. Steelheart killed his father. Firefight stole his heart. And now Regalia has turned his closest ally into a dangerous enemy. David knew Prof’s secret, and kept it even when the Reckoners’ leader struggled to control the effects of his Epic powers. But facing Obliteration in Babilar was too much. Prof has now embraced his Epic destiny. He’s disappeared into those murky shadows of menace Epics are infamous for the world over, and everyone knows there’s no turning back. . . . But everyone is wrong. Redemption is possible for Epics—Megan proved it. They’re not lost. Not completely. And David is just about crazy enough to face down the most powerful High Epic of all to get his friend back. Or die trying.
My thoughts: I've finally finished this trilogy! This series has been a very solid 4/5 star series, which is not to the looked down upon, because not many series manage with such a consistency in quality until the very end. This conclusion was well thought out and executed in a great way, with a ton of explosions and epic fight scenes. It was all I wanted it to be. I don't have a more to say, but feel free to check out my reviews for previous books in the series, which you'll find on this blog (just search for "Steelheart" and "Firefight" in the search bar). I highly recommend this series if you're looking for exciting action and super hero elements, along with a quirky and fun narrative.
Rating: 4,25/5
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Title: Wayward SonAuthor: Rainbow Rowell
Original title: Wayward Son
First published: 2019
Genre: Fantasy, LGBTQ+, YA
Series: Simon Snow #2
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 368
Finished: 31/10/2019
Summary: Spoiler alert! The story is supposed to be over. Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after…
So why can’t Simon Snow get off the couch?
What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light...
That’s how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West. They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place…
My thoughts: Getting through this novel was a long process, despite the average page numbers. While I enjoyed this novel and had looked forward to continue following the characters from the previous book, I didn't get what I'd hoped from "Wayward Son". I believe this feeling is based on a few aspects that I'll be mentioning just quickly, because this is not a book that I disliked, it just wasn't what I'd expected or hoped for.
One thing I'd expected was for this to have more feel good elements to it. I assure you that I didn't expected it to be all lovey-dovey, happy sappy, golly good the entire time, but perhaps a tad more lighthearted. I knew that this novel was going to be about dealing with mental health, depression, and feelings of being lost in life. This novel delivered on those aspects in I way that I think was done well, but the angst wasn't really what I came here for.
The other main thing that actually disappointed me with this book was the setting. I just had a hard time enjoying the rapid road trip through America. I found it blurry and not descriptive enough. With such a fleeting environment, I'd have hoped for a more secure spot (such as the school in the last book of the series) that I could properly imagine in my mind. However, I found that this novel had few such places to offer.
On the more positive note, which I believe this novel actually deserves, I do think Rowell dealt well with the mental health issues in this book. I also feel that Baz's and Simon's relationship developed in a realistic way that can be hard to find in other YA fantasy novels. I also think that Agatha got a nice shot at character development. The plot had some pretty exciting points that I enjoyed, and overall it's a decent fantasy adventure story. It didn't have me loving it like "Carry On" did, but it's still a rather solid book.
Rating: 3,75/5
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Title: Sent i november (Late in November)Author: Tove Jansson
Original title: Sent i november
First published: 1970
Genre: Fantasy, Classic
Series: Mumintrollen #9
Publisher: Alfabeta
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 161
Finished: 13/11/2019
Summary: 'They can't have moved away without saying a word!'
Winter is coming, and the Fillyjonk, the Hemulen, Toft, Mymble, etc. are all waiting in Moominvalley to see the Moomins return home. Winter doesn't seem right without them...
My thoughts: My love for the Moomin design has grown over the past few years, resulting in a small collection of T-shirts and mugs. This book, however, has been with me for a long time. It was gifted to me on the day of my baptism (19 years ago) and has remained in my possession ever since. However, I have no memory of ever reading it before. Hence is why I decided to do so now, in November. Fitting, since it's obviously titled "Late in November" in Swedish.
I was immediately drawn to the character depth in this novel, and I was surprised to find that it appeals to an older audience than I thought it would. In my mind, the Moomin stories are for children and I had therefore prepared myself for a children's book. Nevertheless, what I got was something more and something unexpected. I found a story that delved into the lives and minds of side characters that I knew very little to nothing about. These characters had surprising depth to them, and also substantial development throughout the story. I felt that the tale offered wisdom on expectations we hold for others and ourselves, and how we can easily be very disappointed when those expectations aren't met, and learning to live with life, one's self, and people as they truly are and appreciating that. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised and will be looking for other Moomin novels to read in the future.
Rating: 4,25/5
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