Review: Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman

Of course I had to read the newest space book by Amie. Been loving her books for years now. And this new one looked pretty epic, as always. It was such a quick read. Which was both good and bad. I loved how easy it was to enjoy this book. I did not like how fast it was over. Rude. I would have loved for it to be longer.

I'm ending up giving this one four stars. I liked it so very much. But I did not fully love it. There were parts that I loved, but there were some parts that I did not like all that much. But it was still such a great story. The writing was so wonderful. It was easy to get lost in this world. And I liked both main characters right away.

My small issues with this book came from the beginning, with the writing. I did love it most of the time. But it was a bit weird for me at first, with how Cleo was talking to the reader, in some way. Did not care for it much. There was some humor that just was not for me. But it got much better. And I just adored these characters. I very much liked that this book took place on Mars, in the future. But yes. I wish the book had been so much longer. It is less than three hundred pages, and short ones. And it truly took place in just eight hours. There was so much more I wanted to know. So I was a little disappointed that this book was not longer. Hmph. But it was such a fun read, even so. But the backstories could have been a bit more as the small memories we got felt rushed. 

Space books are very much for me. Movies as well. And so this story was definitely something for me. And I loved all the space parts. I loved that it takes place at a station on Mars. I loved that small walk they did outside of it, though I wish there were more moments like it. I did feel like there was a too little space in this book, though. Possibly because it was so short. Still. I loved it very much. We learn a whole lot of this world too, despite the book being short. Not going to share, but it felt very real and was so well done.

This book tells the story of Cleo and Hunter. We get both point of views, which I liked. They were very much the same, in a way. Yet they came from completely different lives. Cleo grew up poor and did not have the best childhood because of this, when her dad got sick. Hunter grew up rich, living his very best life. Except that his mother was the worst and his twin sister ended up leaving him when they were small. And so his life was not perfect either. I loved getting to know them both, but again, it did feel a bit rushed.

Cleo has spent the past three months on this small space station on Mars, hoping to get a better life away from Earth and her mother's debts. But it is not easy, being a hitcher. She is unable to leave this place to go to somewhere better. Then Hunter arrives, wanting to surprise his mother and sister on Mars, trying to earn back his birthright in the company. As his family were the ones who settled Mars, years past. But the moment he arrives at this station, an alarm goes off, and everyone has to evacuate. Hunter is left behind.

Since he was not officially supposed to be there, so no one waited for him. And Cleo was left behind too, as she was very much not supposed to be there either. Which is what this book is about. They are both left behind on a station that is about to get rid of all the air. Hunter is full of panic. Cleo is prepared. Hunter tries to call for help, and shares who he is. Cleo decides her chances at a better life goes up if she saves him. She does her best. That is, until the criminals arrives and sets the station to explode in eight hours.

Okay, now I have shared way too much about this book. And that was just the beginning of it. It was also so short, which I am still sad about, ha. I wanted more time. This story was such a rush. But we get to see a lot of Cleo and Hunter together. They were both all kinds of stubborn. Yet they both very much liked the other right away, despite how different they were. Of course, there were secrets between them, which I did not like all that much. I felt like Hunter got the worst of it, and I wanted Cleo to apologize too. Hmph.

There is romance in this story. Despite it taking place over just eight hours. Yet I could not help but ship them so very much. As they were adorable together. I guess it is called shared trauma, maybe. They got to know each other pretty well in those hours, spending a lot of time together. And I thought they were so cute. Of course, they also did a whole lot of wrong during those hours, trying to stop the criminals. It was fun to read about the different traps they set for many of them. It was a bit dangerous but mostly just fun.

I was supposed to write a smaller review, since the book was short. I failed. Oh, well. Red Star Rebels was very much an excellent space story. Short but good. Full of excitement and danger. With a lovely romance as well, despite being a little rushed. It was cute. I just wish it had been longer. I did not fully love it, but I loved it well enough. I will always read books by Amie. I adore both covers for this book. So pretty. You should definitely give this book a try too. It was so easy to read and I enjoyed it so very much.

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

Waiting on Wednesday #754

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

THORN SEASON BY KIERA AZAR 

Goodreads Description:

Shadow and Bone meets The Selection in this first book in Kiera Azar's sharp, sexy, and twisty debut YA romantasy trilogy!

In the Kingdom of Daradon, a persecuted few are Wielders, in possession of a magical Spectre–a shimmering thread that can extend beyond their visible body to give a loving caress, pick a lock . . . even kill. Feared for this ability, Wielders have always been Hunted.

Alissa Paine, heiress and daughter of a Hunter family . . . is also a Wielder. At eighteen, Alissa knows she’s escaped execution thus far only due to painful self-control and the efforts of her beloved father.

Summoned to the harsh and glittering royal court for the debutante season, Alissa finds herself caught in a web of intrigue and betrayal—and caught between two equally dangerous one a brutal ruler with the handsome face of a fairy-tale prince, who would destroy her if he knew the truth—and the other a beguiling foreign ambassador with secret agendas of his own.

With the threat of discovery lurking around every corner—and romance becoming an increasingly dangerous temptation—Alissa will find that she has more to lose than her secrets. It’s Rose Season at the palace, but to survive she’ll need to become the most vicious of thorns. . . .

Format: 464 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: September 2, 2025 by Storytide
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Okay, so. This is another Fairyloot edition that I own. And it is definitely all kinds of gorgeous. I love the artwork. But I only just fully read the summary now, and I am pretty sure I will try selling this one. Oops. Very much sounds like a love triangle. And not really my kind of story. But I do own it right now, haha :)
What are you waiting for on this thorny Wednesday?

In My Mailbox #751

Ack. Another very exhausting week for me. I am simply aching everywhere. Which truly sucks. But I'm doing my best. Still walking my treadmill daily. And outside walking with my pokemon go daily too. And I am still playing way too much Pokopia daily. Oops. So many hours. I just cannot resist this game. It is so wonderful. And I still have to play my daily one hour of animal crossing too. Ahhh. So yeah. I am so fully exhausted from all that playing too. But I managed to finish reading a book yesterday, finally :) Took ages. Maybe because it was a two star for me. Sobs. But still. I finished it. And wrote a 1700 words long review today. Siiigh. So yeah. I am especially dead today. Ack. Now need some stress free days :) Maybe finally watching Bridgerton season 4. Then I'm starting another book in just days. Ahh. Oh, well. I shall survive, haha :) I got some lovely mail. <3 Waiting on some great popmart things next week, but unsure if it will make it before Easter. Hmm. So maybe not until the week after. How rude. I'm too excited. Anyway. I'm hurting a bunch. But doing the best I can :) I also got the very best email this week, and gods, I am so so excited. <3 This week I'm waiting on Katabasis :) And I shared my review of Daughter of the Wind. <3 Are you doing anything for Easter? We are staying home and grilling outside. <3 Hope you are doing well :D

Fairyloot YA March. Her Hidden Fire. This one looks gorgeous. Love the artwork. And sounds good too.
Fairyloot Adult March. The Last Starborn Seer. So stunning looking. But maybe a love triangle? Hmhp.
The Fox and the Devil. New book by Kiersten :D A little unsure about it, but loved her last one so much.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder. New Switch 2 edition of this game :) Could not resist; barely played the first.
Pop Mart. Finally got some new mystery boxes, haha :D After 3 recent orders went missing. Siiigh. So had a break of ordering because of that. But then these Mickey beauties re-stocked. I love those I got :)

More Instagram photos here. <3

Review: Daughter of the Wind by Nora Carmody

This was a book I knew I needed to read because I have loved the author for years now. And that cover sold me. It is simply so beautiful. It also sounded like such an exciting story, even though it was a little different from what I usually read. But giant eagles. Definitely a story that could be for me. But then it was sadly not.

I am going to have so much to say about this book. And I am not sure where to start. So I will begin by sharing that it was sadly a two star read for me. I wish I had loved it. I so wish I had liked it more. I tried my very best to, but it was simply not to me. But the plus side is that I did not hate anything about this. Which is good.

But yes. I have a whole lot of thoughts to share about this story. The things that I did not like. But there was no hate. There was not anything that made me dislike this book, it was just not for me. And so I shall begin by sharing the things that I did like, as there were parts that were good as well. I liked how very close the horse people were. With each other and with their horses. I loved that they didn't eat meat. I really liked the scenes of flying on eagles in the air. I have always dreamed of flying. I liked the horse riding scenes as well. And I especially love that gorgeous cover. It is simply stunning. That may be all the positive things that I have to share right now, ack. I just had too many small issues. But again, no hate at all for this book. It was simply not for me. For several reasons, though, which I will be describing.

My first problem with this book was the writing. I did not like it. I was not able to connect with the main girl, Zara, at all. I simply didn't care for her one bit. Which was so depressing. The writing also kept changing, which was a little annoying. It ended up telling more instead of showing. There was nothing that kept me interested in the girl or the story. I just did not feel any emotions at all. It switches between Zara, and the boy, Talon. And I did not like him much either, to be honest. I am not sure if the writing is to blame for it.

It also did not help that they both felt like teenagers, around sixteen years old. And I have no idea how old they were actually supposed to me. It is not mentioned, which also bothered me. Talon looks at Zara once and thinks she is in her early twenties. I'm guessing he is older, since he was the eagle army commander. But it is never said. But yes. They felt so very young. It is supposed to be an adult book, but I did not get that feeling from it at all. The word sexy is mentioned twice, which also didn't fit in at all. It was a bit weird.

Anyway. This book tells the story of Zara. She lives with her people on the plains, doing their best to hide from the eagle riders. As their people have been at war for over a hundred and fifty years. I do wish there were some more details about that, as it was a bit too easy to get a treaty done. Zara is a First Daughter. And her mother was Queen of All Queens. And they were Children of Earth. It was a bit too much for me. I liked their customs. I did not like their names at all. I also did not like Zara's mother very much, honestly.

Zara has a horse bonded to her, called Shazeera. It bothered me at first, these bonded horses. For so long they are always mentioned by name by Zara in her thoughts. And they are everywhere with them. Inside all their homes, sleeping with them many times as well. It seemed like it would be so messy, haha. But that is not mentioned. Zara has a mind connection with Shazeera. They have been together since they were small. She calls them heart sisters. And I did like their close bond. But at the same time, not.

Because the horse did not feel like a horse. And that was disturbing. With all the thoughts being shared, it felt like it was a human inside of a horse body. I wish it had been a little more horse like, somehow. Then the eagle riders have that same connection with their eagles. The other point of view is Talon, with his eagle Neo. Also felt like a human inside of an eagle. It was a little weird. I liked the eagle more than the horse, though, oops. But yes. It all felt a little weird to me. Yet I did like their connection to their animals.

Okay. I have written way too much without mentioning the plot. Zara is supposed to have magic powers like her mother, to keep their people safe. But she does not. She feels nothing. Until suddenly she gets the power of the wind instead of the earth. Which she discovers when an eagle rider is trying to kill her, and she blasts him out of the sky. Which was pretty exciting to read about. I wanted more about the wind power. It was too little of it. Because of this, she is now being forced to marry the emperor to get peace.

Which was a little weird. Especially when she knew nothing about their way of life in the city up in the mountain. And so the first part of the book is her on the plains, then it's her in the mountains. Which was a depressing place. And honestly just boring to read about. Not going to share too much more, just that it is about Zara somehow falling in love with Talon, who is guarding her. It was too sudden and no actual romantic moments. It is about a monster being in this place, and them trying to kill it to save everyone.

The villain of this story is a being that they call Ozul. It was a little creepy, but it was also just so weird and I did not get this story much. The Emperor, Altair, had sort of allied with this creature. Whom is somehow eating the souls of people. And then they are all calling these soulless people for a walking corpse. That honestly bothered me as well, since they all called them that. It was a little weird. But it was an interesting villain, in a way. But their plan to get rid of him was honestly all kinds of terrible, ha. And ended so badly.

I have to mention the romance as well. It's meant to be enemies to lovers. I did not see that at all. Yes, their people were enemies. And for one second they tried to kill each other. The next second they were pretty much in love with each other. They were not enemies at all, not in that way. And I did not get the romance at all, sadly. I wish I had loved it. But it was too soon. There was no reason for either of them to like the other. It was so sudden, without any scenes spent together. To me, the romance was not good.

It was also barely there. A few kisses. And sadly not written very well, as I did not feel anything for them. It might just be a problem that I have, of course. I do think others will love this book. I'm just way too picky when it comes to writing. Talon kept thinking he would hurt his cousin to keep Zara safe. This made zero sense to me. Ugh. And to me, everything felt so distant. I did not care for any of the characters or for this world. Though I was curious about the world and the small part of magic it had. I wanted to know more.

A few parts of the writing that bothered me, that I simply have to share about. From the beginning, Zara always thinks about her blood freezing to ice. In several different ways. And way too often. This bothered me. And then later, after they are suddenly in love, she keeps seeing heat in the eyes of Talon. It just felt so awkward, in a way. When the eagles take off the ground it is mentioned as their wings pumping. Which may be the way to describe it, of course, but felt like it was so weird every time. Oops. I failed to ignore it.

Will end my review by mentioning the ending. Some people died, and I did not care one bit. And I did not get why Zara cared about them at all. She had not spent time with them, except having them as guards. Yet she mentions that she trusts them. It was just odd. The deaths were weird, but made sense. Then it ends pretty badly. But it sets up the next book very well. And there was one thing that I liked very much. There was a new eagle being mentioned. And that was my favorite part of the whole book. It was great.

The biggest thank you to the author, Nora, for gifting me this most beautiful ARC copy of this book to read. It means the world to me. I am sorry I did not like it more. But I am so glad that I read it, and I will still be getting my pre-ordered finished copy, as I truly love that cover. And I am curious about the next two books. I will be reading them too. Daughter of the Wind was not as amazing as I had hoped it would be, but it was still a stunning story to read. And I am glad I gave this a chance. I think you all should too.

Goodreads - Blackwells - Amazon US - Amazon UK

Waiting on Wednesday #753

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

KATABASIS BY R. F. KUANG

Goodreads Description:

Dante’s Inferno meets Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi in this all-new dark academia fantasy from R. F. Kuang, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Babel and Yellowface, in which two graduate students must put aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul—perhaps at the cost of their own.

Katabasis, noun, Ancient Greek:

The story of a hero’s descent to the underworld

Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick. She has sacrificed everything to make that a reality: her pride, her health, her love life, and most definitely her sanity. All to work with Professor Jacob Grimes at Cambridge, the greatest magician in the world.

That is, until he dies in a magical accident that could possibly be her fault.

Grimes is now in Hell, and she’s going in after him. Because his recommendation could hold her very future in his now incorporeal hands and even death is not going to stop the pursuit of her dreams….

Nor will the fact that her rival, Peter Murdoch, has come to the very same conclusion.

With nothing but the tales of Orpheus and Dante to guide them, enough chalk to draw the Pentagrams necessary for their spells, and the burning desire to make all the academic trauma mean anything, they set off across Hell to save a man they don’t even like.

But Hell is not like the storybooks say, Magick isn’t always the answer, and there’s something in Alice and Peter’s past that could forge them into the perfect allies…or lead to their doom.

Format: 541 pages, Hardcover
Expected Publication: August 26, 2025 by HarperVoyager
Pre-Order: Blackwells and Amazon US and Amazon UK

Another recent Fairyloot edition for me :) And this one had such stunning artwork, as usual. <3 It has made me curious about the book. Seen it talked about often too. Did not actually read the summary until now. Oops. But now I'm more curious :) School books are not for me. But a journey to hell? I am curious.
What are you waiting for on this dark Wednesday?