Book Review The Rest Falls Away

The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason was the choice for March's Read with Ben Goodreads Group

I went into this story with high hopes; 19th Century London, vampire hunter, female protagonist...sounds great, right?

Well, unfortunately for me, I had too little interest in this one.  The concept is intriguing enough, but I never got even partially invested in the story or any of the characters.  None of the many possible love interests seemed appealing, and Victoria is annoying and contradictory (does she hate being paraded around or not?).  She accepted her fate with an unbelievable amount of grace.  She is either the most easy-going woman ever or I'm missing a part of the story.  

Does this world believe in vampires the way we do; as myth? Or do only some in the world think that way.  I mean, I want to believe vampires are real as much as the next nerd, but if I was told I was destined to be a vampire hunter and all the legends are true, I'd hit the bricks. But, then again, we don't even get to see her reaction if I remember correctly. We just jump right into the training. Did she know about this possibility beforehand? She seemed to know she had to go to her aunt because of the dreams, so how much was explained prior?

Then we have the whole no marrying, no lovers thing.  I thought that Kritanu-dude was the aunt's lover and she is a Venator (vampire hunter).  How does that work?  Plus, the bloodline is supposed to breed better vampire hunters and the skills are passed down.  How can that happen if they can't have a family?

There were too many plot holes. 

By the time I reached 100 pages, I started reading just the dialogue, but even that had me rolling my eyes until the end.

I did enjoy the aspect of different kinds of vampires, and thought this a nice addition to the otherwise Buffy-like vampires in this novel.


Sorry, but this one just wasn't for me.  I gave it 3 stars, simply because I finished it (which I did only because it was the Read with Ben pick).  Normally, I won't bother with any 1 or 2 star books.  If it gets this low, I wouldn't have finished it in the first place. 

Book Review Crown of Stones: Magic-Scars

Another recent finish is The Crown of Stones: Magic-Scars by C.L. Schneider.

Book 2 in The Crown of Stones trilogy, continues just about where book 1 left off. (I know...unheard of, right?)

Now, because this is a sequel, I don't want to go into any details of the current story, since anything I would say could be construed as a spoiler.  However, I'll link the Goodreads page here for those of you who want to learn more.

Just as the first, Magic-Scars is such a well-developed story.  Schneider has such a beautifully-descriptive writing style.  With only a few words, you're thrown right into Ian's--our main character--perspective and you're eager to suck in all the surrounding details.  I was fully invested in so many of the characters; whether I hated them and wanted so badly for them to kick it, or I was biting my fingers down to nubs because I was so terrified of the outcome.

I will admit, this--and the first, Magic-Price--is a very long story.  It could never be thought of as anything except High Fantasy, so you might anticipate a lot of dragging moments, but I only felt that once in the entire book and it was likely my own fault since I stretched it out over the entire month.  This book only just came out and I am in no way eager to wait for the final installment.

I've given this a 4 stars.  For fans of epic fantasy, particularly those who enjoy new magic outlooks, this is the book for you.

Book Review The Last Apprentice: Curse of the Bane

Recently finished The Last Apprentice: Curse of the Bane by Joseph Delaney

It takes place nearly six months into Thomas Ward's apprenticeship.  Learning a great deal, but still with so much information in a world of darkness, Tom is rapidly becoming what was promised to the Spook--the last apprentice he'll ever need.

After receiving some distressing news, Tom and the Spook must travel to the village Priestown.  The Spook uses this opportunity to finally get rid of a creature the Spook has been unable to dispose of in the past.  A creature called, The Bane.  But by going back to Priestown, they also put themselves too close to the High Quisitor, an evil man using those accused of witchcraft as a means to make him richer.  And, to the Quisitor, the Spook and any who follow him are the worst kind of warlock.

I enjoyed this one just as much as the first, perhaps even a little more so because the lack of the usual setup needed in a first book. The lore present in this world is so simple, but at the same time intricately done.  The many different kinds of existing witches and boggarts can go on indefinitely, and it's fun to go along with Tom as a sort of third-party apprentice.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is its ability to make me a little nervous.  I love when a book can make me afraid to turn out the lights, or send me running up the basement stairs for fear of being chased.

The relationship between the Spook and Tom is slowly growing.  While the Spook is still a stern grumpus, you can see him getting attached to Tom and the feeling appears mutual.  Tom looks up to the Spook, though you can see moments of defiance which add a bit of a father-son relationship.

I gave this book 4 stars, and would highly recommend this to a younger audience (13-17) who enjoy creepier moments while reading or those of us with a less mature reading palate.