Wit & Travesty

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Book Review: Winter of the Wolf

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winter of the wolfHey, Leute!

It’s not a good month without an indie novel or two. Today I’ll be reviewing Winter of the Wolf by Christina Ochs—part of her Desolate Empire series. Check out the review below and make sure to give your two cents in the comments section if you’ve already read the book, too!

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

Just when you think Teodora is defeated, she manages to put her cunning and survival skills to use.  Of course, Lennart will give it everything he has to see the war to the bitter end.

Winter of the Wolf gives you insight on how each side plans to finally close the war, but as each chapter unfolds, another character thwarts the opposite side—twist after twist.

Kenndryk will do whatever he can to protect his family, which proves to come at a grave cost. Meanwhile, Gwynneth must survive Teodora’s wrath as she must balance her duties as queen and mother to her children born during war and struggle. She will watch her children mature quickly to face what the war brings them.

We also learn more about Elektra, who takes part in both sides to ultimately determine who she is, what she truly believes, and how she’ll kill her mother, the empress.

What I enjoyed:

If multiple plot twists give you life, then this book—like the rest of the series—brings its A-game. Rumors spread about who’s dead and who’s actually not dead, which leads to interesting war strategy that aids or hinders the characters. You’re the only one with all the information, so it sucks knowing that something bad has happened, and someone on the other side of the war zone has no idea what just happened. It makes the pacing very intense!

For example, there was a relatively huge twist about a quarter into the novel which made me wonder how the rest of the novel would go. Another one exploded across the 80% marker and I was anxious to see how it would be rectified with just a few chapters left. For a war novel, there’s always a new surprise for your favorite character.

As always, I’m impressed by Och’s extensive research to create a war-torn continent seem realistic. From the war itself, to the political intrigue behind the scenes, I was able to visualize the world she further establishes and feel like I had a firm grasp of the current situation and the implications of each strategy.

Also, so many things happen. Each of her novels are pretty extensive, but she’s able to pack a lot of events into one novel that creates an interesting flow. Since she juggles so many characters POV, there’s a lot for the reader to soak up about where everyone is and what might happen to them.

My Final Thoughts

Oh man, I read this novel under the impression that it was her final novel to the series. It definitely made me anxious for my few favorite characters—including Teodora, whom I just love to hate. Once I realized that it wasn’t described as the concluding novel, I calmed the heck down.

Until then, I’ll keep myself company with Och’s recent prequel, The Forsaken Crown, which focuses on Sonya, a new character to the series who befriends a younger version of Kenndryk. The novel just came out mid December of last year, so give it some love!

Winter of the Wolf, like the rest of the series, is such a treat. There is so much to read so it’s hard to binge, but it definitely keeps you engaged the whole time. As much as I wanted to rush, I had to slowly enjoy each chapter. Like eating fudge, maybe?

A friendly reminder: there are a lot of events and characters, so it does pay to read the whole series to fully enjoy this fourth addition to the series. You won’t regret it, especially if you love everything about Game of Thrones except the nudity.

If you’d like to learn more about Christina Ochs and her work, you can catch up with her via social media:

Have you read this novel? Do you have your own thoughts about it? Share with me in the comments!

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Book Review: Dead Magic

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dead magic kara jorgensenHey, Leute!

It’s not a good month without an indie novel or two. Today I’ll be reviewing Dead Magic by Kara Jorgensen. Last week, I shared my review for The Earl and the Artificer, and this novel takes place just after those events, and serve as the fourth novel in the Ingenious Mechanical Devices series. Check out the review below and make sure to give your two cents in the comments section if you’ve already read the book, too!

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

Dead Magic switches back and forth between Immanuel’s attempts to recover from harrowing events surrounding Lord Rose, and Emmeline’s desire to further her station in life by rising in the ranks of the spiritualist society. Immanuel has a nice job, an excellent flat mate (Adam Fence), and a budding affinity for magic—which becomes an interesting topic that he and Adam have to come to terms with.

Meanwhile, Emmeline feels sure that she’s going to get the proper Victorian woman’s future by securing a relationship with a dashing suitor who is also a respectable member of the spiritualist society, but promises to help her get into a more elite institution that will finally respect the abilities she craves to exercise.

Despite their awkward soul attachment, Immanuel and Emmeline have to work together to ensure darker magic doesn’t come back to bite them—and destroy London along with it. Both of them receive help along the way, including friends in the background who understand and respect their magical abilities.

What I enjoyed:

As you’ve noticed in my reviews by now, I’m a sucker for novels that tell a good story, but also broaden my understanding of the world. I like learning new things about people and life, even if it’s a fiction novel. Jorgensen’s series is really my first look into novels featuring gay characters as prominent main characters. And I feel like my first impression was a very balanced and enriching one.

Readers get a real in-depth view of how these relationships work, and how the partners have to talk through insecurities and doubts just like any other partnership. Immanuel suffers from PTSD from the events found in The Winter Garden and his insecurities about his abilities to be a lover and attractive mate suffer. Jorgensen’s characters model realistic dialog between all types of couples that have issues to sort through, many of which the readers will recognize and appreciate.

Also, Emmeline is perhaps the most realistic, and therefore annoying, teenage character I’ve ever met. Ohhhh my days. After everything that happens to her, she still takes on an upper class, privileged take which baffles me, but also fits with her character. She hangs out with a very odd cast of people, considering the Victorian lifestyle they rebel against, so it’s funny to watch her try to jive with these characters and mentally reject their viewpoints, even though traditional Victorian customs have failed her over and over again.

There’s something appealing about a unlikable character that is well thought out and portrayed. As in, you can totally see her train of thought and why she would feel abandoned and unloved, even though the reader’s perspective still shows that she’s rather spoiled and privileged. It hearkens back to my teenage years, so I can’t talk! I dunno—maybe some of you like Emmeline! But there were moments when I thought Eliza was going to finally lose it.

My Final Thoughts

If you’re into inclusive writing that taps into characters with a wide spectrum of true-to-reality problems, get your eyeballs all over this series, and especially this book. I’m a firm believer that books should reflect the real world, even if the events are otherwise fiction. Jorgensen mentions a lot about Emmeline tapping into the spirit world to connect with those on the other side, and I feel this is a metaphor for what Dead Magic—and the series itself—achieves for the reader.

I will say that there is extensive description of foreplay, so be aware of that if you’re not into that. I appreciate that Jorgensen uses it as a way for the characters to overcome their inhibitions and self-doubt, rather than purely for entertainment.

I’ll also throw this out there: Adam and Immanuel get a new house pet—and it was a joy to discover and just fitting for the series. I’ll let you read the novel to discover what it is.

If you’d like to learn more about Kara Jorgensen and her work, you can catch up with her via social media:

Have you read this novel? Do you have your own thoughts about it? Share with me in the comments!

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Book Review: The Earl and the Artificer

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the earl and artificer kara jorgensenHey, Leute!

It’s not a good month without an indie novel or two. Today I’ll be reviewing The Earl and the Artificer by Kara Jorgensen. If you’re intrigued by a few characters that break the Victorian English mold, than you’re in for a treat. Check out the review below and make sure to give your two cents in the comments section if you’ve already read the book, too!

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

After focusing on Immanuel Winter’s adventures, it’s a joy to return the focus on Hadley and Eilian Sorrell. Both misfits in their own right, they continue to face their fears as they move into Brasshurst Hall, property that Eilian now owns as an earl. Their hopes are to keep up the facade that they are normal people of high society, but the citizens of Folkesbury—including Eilian’s nosy and pretentious second cousin, Randall Nash—see right through them. As the newlyweds try to develop a strong marriage and shield themselves against societal demands, they also have to deal with brewing drama surrounding an ancient plant found on their property.

What I enjoyed:

Jorgensen’s bread and butter is top-notch and complex characters. They’re the main reason why I love the series to begin with. Specifically within this novel, we get to meet new characters that fall in the gray area between nice and naughty. For example, we meet the writer, Nadir Talbot, who uses his charm to woo his romance novel fans, but knows half the charm lies in his exotic Egyptian heritage. We first meet him as a rather misogynistic man that doesn’t take Hadley seriously, since he makes money from writing about silly and lovesick women. Hadley sure sets him straight, and they become allies and dear friends through the drama to come.

The novel revisits themes surrounding gender roles in society, but also touches on relatively taboo subjects such as male insecurities surrounding intimacy. Since Eilian has this rather masculine role of earl and husband jointly thrust on him, we watch him struggle through these issues, but also struggle to be open about them with his own wife. It’s by far one of the most realistic and healthy examples of marital openness and unity. Both characters struggle through difficult and realistic challenges, but teach each other that communication (a general taboo in their society) will help them be better spouses for each other. As the couple grew closer and closer together I was mentally screaming, “Yes! Break the mold! Amen to talking and not assuming the other person can’t deal with your emotions!”

What I didn’t enjoy:

To avoid giving too many spoilers, I’ll have to tread carefully through this section. The main characters have to spring into action to clear their friend of murder charges by finding the real killer. The only part I found confusing was how they found out who the true murderer was, when the character doesn’t actually confess; their falsely accused friend just says they know who really did the killing, and they go from there to prosecute the individual. It seemed like an unnatural jump in logic, and I wonder if that will carry consequences in future novels. Well, that might be confusing to navigate, so I suppose that could give you further incentive to read the novel so we can further discuss and debate the matter.

My Final Thoughts

After so much action and danger, The Earl and the Artificer is a bit more sedate and laid back, which can be a good thing depending on the type of Victorian steampunk thrills you’re into. The novel surrounds more societal pressures, rather than action elements, but Hadley and Eilian don’t take the subtle quips and jabs without a fight. It’s a subtle deviation from standard “us versus society” plots that I really appreciate and admire.

I’m really lucky that the next book, Dead Magic, is already out, so I could jump from one novel to the next. Thanksgiving weekend is all about catching up on good novels, right? Most of my praise will always go towards the social themes that are discussed and displayed in this novel. Rather than acting as moral lessons, they are picked up naturally by the reader in delightful ways.

If you’d like to learn more about Kara Jorgensen and her work, you can catch up with her via social media:

Have you read this novel? Do you have your own thoughts about it? Share with me in the comments!

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