Uncommon Criminals

Uncommon Criminals was a well written heist story in the Heist Society by Ally Carter. I've come to enjoy them and the "what's going to happen next" alongside the "I'm not going to tell you the plan" atmosphere that makes it fun.

Kat, Katarina, Bishop is walking a fine line. Previously she tried to step away from her life as a thief but after being pulled back into it and that job finally being done, she doesn't know where to go. She's still running, or everyone is telling her. She does jobs but they are return jobs--stealing a KGB painting and giving it back to their rightful owners and the like.

But what has been driving her friends up the walls is that Kat does all of these heists alone. She takes risks and is always by herself.

When mention of the famed Cleopatra Emerald needs to go back to its rightful owner, she jumps at the idea and actually manages to steal it. It would be a short book if that was it. But there is more to this "rightful owner" than Kat origionally thought.

I did put this down for a while (because I accidently left it at my parents house) so the progression seemed slow. She is constantly running around the same thoughts in her head. That she didn't want anyone hurt, that she has to do it alone, that.... blah, blah, blah. That kind of angst stayed throughout most of the book. I that got a little too much for my liking. But by the end Kat learns things by seeing herself in the con-artist they are trying to find.

I really like Maggie. A very deep character that could have a lot of promise. I also like the fact that Nick was there too. I'm team-Hale, but Nick is pretty cool too.

While the main focus of the book was Kat and her internal progression, I wish there had been more of the other characters and their story arcs. They have a lot of potential, but they seem fairly stagnant.

Overall, it was good. I wish there had been more development for the others, but setting was good as was the plot--of course. I am excited for the next one.

Alloy of Law

Another Brandon Sanderson because his writing calls to me. Seriously!!

Alloy of Law is the first book in the Mistborn Era 2 (AKA Wax and Wayne novels). After the happenings of Hero of Ages, three hundred years of progress and change has happened. The metropolis Elendel is thriving, the original religion that Kelsier started has has fragmented into multiple religions with a plethora of believers, lords and ladies still reign (though who really "rules" is still unclear to me, I may have missed it though), and the Steel Inquisitors don't exist so there are official lawmen who patrol the city to keep the peace.

Enter Waxillium (Wax). Not liking the city scene, he stays in the Roughs for 20 years leaving his House to be run by his uncle. His uncle dies in an accident, but he just can't bring himself back to the city. When his girlfriend dies in front of him *cough cough*, the grief is too much and he returns. But the city isn't as easy going as it he remembered. Parties and appearances need to happen, the family name and reputation needs to be mended and he's finding the lawman in him isn't appreciated in the company of the elite of society around him.

Bad guys are still out there it seems  when he gets word of phantom railcars, hostages, and allomancy metals disappearing. He can't help but let the lawman in him out, but then he finds he's gotten himself into more trouble than he though--nearly getting killed 3+ times in one day is a lot for any man.

His deputy (equivalent) out in the Roughs, Wayne--a wiz with accents and can get anything from anyone--joins him in this hunt to save the hostages and figure out what is going on. Only by the end do they realize how much over their heads they are in.

It's been a great read. With a hint of seasonal depression on my hands, reading this was much needed. I smiled every time they mentioned Vin, Elend, Spook, Marsh, and especially Sazed. Oh, Sazed. The references made me happy because I knew those people! But the atmosphere was bright and , even though they almost died a bunch of times.

Wax was a good main character. We saw most of the novel through his eyes, but his little quirks were fun. Wayne is a riot. I almost expected him to be bouncier, though he was composed. The banter between Wax and Wayne game them a brotherly feel that was a lot of fun. Marasi (very similar to Mare--Kelsier's wife--to me; so I'm making believed she's named after Mare, though it's probably not) is the cousin of Wax's "fiance"--who gets herself kidnapped--and assists Wax and Wayne in their search for the badden's. The makeup of this little troupe brings me joy because they work so well with each other.

Allomancy is still a big thing in this book (series of books) and plays a vital role in the fights that happen. I love the way the Allomancy has progressed through time. Coinshots (which Wax is) and non-Steelburners can use rifles and guns. Now that more people have Allomancy and can marry most anyone they want, Feruchamy (like what Sazed had) abounds too. And the chance of having a child that does both is much more common too. There are so many different types of people that make this world rich.

It was a great read, short--comparatively--but the next two novels are out; we are simply waiting until next year (probably) for the last one. I'm very much excited to read Shadows of Self.

Edit for a Second Read through!!:

I love Ironeyes. I miss Breeze, I miss Kelsier and Dox and Vin and Elend!! I'll be reading Mistborn again soon. This world is amazing.

Maid-Sama Part 1

Maid-Sama was a series of books I really enjoyed. However, I was upset to realize that my local library only had the first 12 volumes when there are actually 18 in print. I'm missing the last fourth of the story!! I would try and finish reading the series online, but my brain starts freaking out when I try to read online for too long. Paper is better than screens in my opinion, and it always will be.

Anyway, Maid-Sama is about Misaki Ayuzawa, the first female Student Body President of Seika High. The high school used to be an all boy's school, but has since changed to a co-ed campus. But with the populous still being 80% male, the girls are way outnumbered. Misaki has completely changed the campus with her "demonic personality" --so the boys think, though she does yell a lot-- and has straightened out the school to more of a conventional standard.

However, the demon president (not really a demon) of Seika high has a secret. Misaki works at a maid cafe to help her family out. She does not want anyone at the school to figure out that she works there. Her reputation would be ruined. But of course, Takumi Usui, an annoying  boy that won't go away during class hours, sees her taking out the trash and now won't leave her alone at work either. Constantly following her around to work, student council meetings, and around campus, Usui won't leave her alone and is constantly teasing her. But he has kept her secret that she has told no one.

This is a fantastic comedy with that ever present "I like you, but I can't bring myself to say it so I'm going to punch you instead" kind of feel. It's hysterical.

Oh, the drama of high school. I'm so glad I'm out of it, but it's fun to read about. Right? Don't tell me I'm the only one who feels this way! So  long as it's not my footsteps echoing down the halls, it's all fun and games.

I have really enjoyed the writing and artistic style portrayed here throughout the story. The teasing and competitive nature of the characters is funny and can bring a good laugh. There are a bunch of times when I laughed out loud and had my hubby look at me and asked me to explain. But there are so many moments that tie into one another that you would just have to read it, or watch the anime, to understand.

Such a good, lighthearted read that if you are down would be good to read.

The second half of the series can be seen here.

In Real Life

After reading the massive book The Way of Kings, I needed a lighter book and boy was this a great one.

In Real Life is a graphic novel about a teenage girl, Anda, who gets invited into a new online computer game where you can actually have a female avatar--it was published in 2014 and I wasn't into MMORPG's back then so I don't know if that was accurate or not. But she meets a friend in this female only club on this online game. This girl, Lucy/Sarge, has been around and they start going on missions where they kill cheaters, outside computer programs or humans who go around playing this game to collect coins so then companies can sell the online gold for real money (for people who don't want to have to spend hours and hours collecting monies the way you're supposed to). Anda and Lucy get paid real money for doing this. But then Anda meets one of these gold farmers, who in real life is a 16 year old kid in China just trying to make ends meet. They get talking and Anda tries to help him out, in game and in real life. But both cases greatly back fire and characters die.

It's a great story about how people online are people in real life too. They have their stories. They have their fits of rage. They have their sicknesses and flaws just like you do.

Anda's parents are great in here too. Anda's mom sets up parameters about the gaming and ends up taking away her internet access because of mistakes she makes online. (Such a good mom.) Online dangers and predators are discussed briefly on here as they are a real scary thing that can happen when you play games online.

The book was realistic, from how Anda appears compared to her avatar to predator danger to realizing that life isn't as simple as brief internet searches lead us to believe.

White Sand

Edit:

Reading White Sand a second time with the next Volume of the series in my hand, I enjoyed this book so much more. The flow and development of everything was so much better.

In a world of only dark or only light, the Sand Masters have control of the sand. To them, manipulating it is their way of life. To Kenton, it is a way to prove to his father that he isn't screw-up. After completing a very difficult task and at the advancement ceremony, the Sand Masters are attacked and most of them are betrayed and slaughtered. Kenton is the only one, as far as he's aware, that makes it out alive. Enter, Duchess Khrissalla who finds him and travels with him to the city where he can call on the city counsel for aide. But Khriss had secrets of her own as well as her own agendas. 

This second reading, and having read a lot more comics and graphic novels recently, put me in the frame of mind for a novel of this sort. This story is different from Brandon's other work because of the genre it is based in, so take that as you will. Some, like in my first read, may not appreciate it for what it is though it is well done. 

The world is actually very well developed and the cultural misunderstandings that might bog down a regular novel are easily bypassed through the simplicity of the genre it is displayed in. 

The character development, especially with the 2nd Volume in hand, flows much more easily than I originally have it credit for and they really are just well done. I love Khriss, she is fantastic. If you are going to read it,  which I suggest you do, have at least the second volume ready to read after. They work well and need to be read together. 

Way of Kings

Brandon Sanderson is probably my favorite author.  There are very few authors that I tell my friends and patrons, at the library I work at, that they need read. While fantasy isn't everyone's cup of tea, which I understand, Sanderson takes a lot of elements from other genres and makes masterpieces. The Way of Kings is probably the best example of this.

If you're not up to reading a thick book, I'd suggest finding another one of Sanderson's books to read. The Way of Kings is a little over 1200 pages long, with its sequel being even longer. You will get captivated and mesmerized by the world and characters Sanderson has created here.

The story revolves around four or five main characters, depending on how you want to define "main." Kalladin, a former soldier turned slave has found himself in the useful death row; he's a bridgeman for Lord Sadaes on the Shattered Plains. No one lasts long as bridgeman, but somehow he does. This windspren won't leave him alone; is he going crazy? Maybe. But everyone around him is dying, just like they have before, and he's the only one that stays alive.

Brightlord Dalinar, who in his younger years was a warlord and combined the surrounding Principalities into a great nation with his brother--who was assassinated six years previously, has suddenly become a philosopher of the older ways. Before warfare and soldiering wasn't the highest Calling you could have, the philosophies he's listening to speak of peace and unity. But this is not the way of his people; his fellow Brightlords and his sons watch him lose his mind especially now that he is having visions of the past? Of the Future? What are they? Can he still save his family, his name while still pursuing these strange ideals?

Shallan, a naive, little red head comes to the big city looking to be a ward to the heretic Jasnah--sister to the new king and niece to Dalinar. But becoming a ward is not the only thing she is searching for. She's found herself in the position of amatuer thief that Jasnah has in order to save her family from ruin.

All of these characters, plus a few that world jump from other of Sanderson's stories (Hoid being one of the favorites), mingle, fight, banter, and survive through strange means that are beautifully woven and deeply understood as the story progresses. The reader crosses the world, slipping from character to character in interludes and main plot lines, and discovers interesting cultures that are so very different from each other. The cultures make you want to learn more, even by themselves.

The Stormlight Archive, with the first book being the Way of Kings, is a masterpiece. The reader can tell that Sanderson has spent years thinking, rethinking, writing, and rewriting these books and their connection to the Cosmere (Warbreaker, Emperor's Soul and Elantris, Mistborn, Well of Ascension, and Hero of Ages and the sequel series Alloy of Law, Shadow of Self, and Bands of Mourning, White Sand, and a bunch of short stories that you can find at the Coppermind Wiki for all of Brandon Sanderson's stuff). There is so much going on in these books that you have to go back and reread them again--this is my second time through Way of Kings and I caught things I definitely didn't the first time around.

I think my favorite part of Sanderson's writing is the detail he takes to help the reader understand the magics, cultures, and characters that he has created. There isn't so much detail that you get  bogged down too much (this book is 1200 pages so there is a lot of detail there), but there is enough for us to understand what is going on.

My only sad comment is that you have to make sure you have the time to sit down and read it. My first time through Way of Kings took me a week of nonstop reading and probably neglecting  my family. This time it was three weeks of fairly consistent reading. But I know that if you read slowly, you will have to dedicate a lot of time and effort into reading and finishing the novel. You may have to give it a few tries, but keep your bookmark in it. Come back to it. Don't give up entirely because it is a fantastic book.

The setting is amazing. The characters are wonderful. The writing is excellent. If you want to be consumed into a novel, read Way of Kings.

Eliza: The Life of Eliza R. Snow

I'm normally not one for biography or non-fiction in general because often times they come across as dry, stuffy, and full of simply lists and dates and are presented one right after another in paragraph after paragraph. But this biography of Eliza R. Snow was well done.

Eliza was born in 1804 in Massachusetts and became a prominent member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was a force to be reckoned with. Later known as "Zion's Poetess" because of her amazing ability to use words. Her poetry is beautiful. I try, but I have the hardest time with any type of meter. So I commend her wholeheartedly for her ability.

It is a small book and I know there are a few major points in her life, that were horrendous that the authors didn't include. I'm assuming because Eliza didn't write about it herself, as I'm sure it was hard to relive through words.

But there was a lot of things about her that I didn't know. I hadn't done much research on her previously and this was my first step into understanding the woman who became that 2nd General Relief Society President. She wrote thousands of poems on the circumstances and people around her. They were amazing too. She was also someone who wouldn't step down from what she believed. Being a plural wife to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young after Joseph died. She was an advocate for women's rights and plural marriage as God directed it.

The most well known poem that she wrote "O My Father," which is given and is in the LDS hymnal. But they also give the circumstances behind why she wrote it. (You should check it out.)

While I learned a lot about her and I'd love to talk to her, the most inspiring part to me was her dedication to the church and her writing. She promised God that if she could have the truth confirmed to her she would use her writing to further God's work. She got that confirmation and changed from using pen names for the work she got published to using her own name. She used her talents to further do what she could for her God. And that is what we should all be doing. And we did it so well, so very well!

I would definitely suggest reading this book. I want to get her whole collection of poems and written works. The bits of her poetry that were in this book were beautiful and I would love to read more.