Nerd Girl Loves Books

3 stars (releases Nov. 7,2017)

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fairly good sci fi book and an easy read. The story takes place at a space station above Earth that is touted to develop the latest technology, while at the same time providing refuge to people trying to escape their problems on Earth. Everyone has a job on the station, sometimes more than one, and they take their free time very seriously. Black market booze, underground sex parlors, prostitution and fight clubs dominant the inhabitants’ time off. The peace is kept by a government security force, for which our lead character Nikki “Fix” Freeman works. She also has a lucrative side business providing security and problem-fixing for the more seedy businesses of the station. Continue reading “Places in the Darkness by Christopher Brookmyre” →

3.5 stars (release date Nov. 1, 2017)

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was a pretty good post-apocalyptic YA Fantasy book. It’s the first in a series. The worldbuilding and character building was a bit light and parts of the story is predictable, but it was still entertaining. Continue reading “The New Dark by Lorraine Thomson” →

4 stars (release date Oct. 17, 2017)

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve ready by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this book and already look forward to the next book in the series. It starts a bit slow and seems to start in the middle of story which is confusing, but if you stick with it, you will be greatly rewarded. This is the first book in the series, so a great deal of it must be devoted to world building. This is high fantasy, which means we are introduced to a lot of characters, multiple countries and the various cities in them. But, there is plenty of fighting and action, so don’t despair. Continue reading “A Plague of Giants (Seven Kennings #1) by Kevin Hearne” →

4.5 stars

I really, really enjoyed this book. It is fun and witty and full of action. It is one of the rare fantasy books that is actually funny. Like really funny, not corny funny. The characters interact with each other just like best friends do in real life. They give each other a hard time, never let anyone take themselves too seriously, and have their back when the going gets tough. Continue reading “Fool’s Gold (The Dragon Lords #1) by Jon Hollins” →

4 stars (release date March 6, 2018)

I received a sneak peek of the first six chapters of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. This book starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up. I was only able to read the first 6 chapters. I can’t wait until the book is released so I can read the rest. Zélie Adebola’s mother was a maji and was killed by the King when the magic of the land disappeared. She is a social outcast and lives in fear of being sold into slavery. She inadvertently helps a rogue princess escape the palace guards and discovers that magic may be coming back to the land. Zelie vows to bring back magic and take revenge against the monarchy. I can’t wait to see how this all turns out! Continue reading “Children of Blood and Bone (Children of Orisha #1) Sampler by Tomi Adeyemi” →

1.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sigh…I wanted to like this book. I think the concept of the book is good. The execution, however, is not. The writing style was painful and not fun to read. I read a lot of books. I read a lot of young adult books. I even read a few books for younger readers just to see what’s out there these days. That said, I couldn’t figure out who the audience was for this book. The writing style is definitely not something adults would enjoy, and it’s not sophisticated enough to compete with the myriad of outstanding young adult books out these days. It was hard to make myself read this book. Ultimately, I had to give up about half-way through. There are so many books to be read – I just couldn’t waste any more time on one I wasn’t enjoying.

5 stars

This book is even better than I thought it would be. Al Franken’s writing is effortless and he makes even the most boring subjects understandable and enjoyable to read. The book is an entertaining look into his first Senate election and his years as the junior Senator from Minnesota. He provides insights into the inner workings of the federal government and speaks of the need to work with Republicans, despite huge philosophical differences. I highly recommend you read this book.

4 stars

This was our September book club book. I really enjoyed the book. The writing is different, but it didn’t bother me. The writer starts the book off in the middle of the story and tells it in a series of flashbacks. The writer also builds up to revealing some clues as to why the society is set up the way it is. I can understand some people’s frustration that it takes too long to explain what is going on. But, I can see why the writer did it. Continue reading “The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood” →

4 stars

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book and had a hard time putting it down. The story opens with a jogger finding the body of a young high school drama teacher, Rosalind Ryan, floating face down in a lake in a small town in Australia. The lead homicide detective assigned to investigate the case, Sgt. Gemma Woodstock, went to school with the victim. They had a complicated history, which Gemma has to face while trying to find the killer. The victim was beautiful and popular, but a mystery with secrets that start to unravel the more Gemma investigates. What was Rosalind up to, and did anyone really know or understand her? Continue reading “The Dark Lake (Gemma Woodstock #1) by Sarah Bailey” →