I read some really good books since my last reviews. I’m a bit behind still on my reading goal, but I’d much rather have quality books over meeting a certain quantity.

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi: This book impressed me. Set in a world where your blood decides your status, there are 3 women who are trying to break the system in different ways. Sylah has red blood, but was raised by blue blooded revolutionaries trained to take it down from the inside. Anoor is a blue blood that is raised and hidden in a ruling family but is looked down upon by her “mother.” Hassa has translucent blood and is unseen by both groups while she tries to claim what was theirs. This book tackles magic, caste systems, tyranny and complicated relationships. There were several times where I thought it might go down a troupe slide, but it was pulled back from that precipice. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
c/o Netgalley

Locklands by Robert Jackson Bennett: This is a book that I really wish I could of re-read the rest of the series. It took a bit to get back into the story, even if it is a good one. Sancia, Clef and Bernice are fighting to keep the world from being completely controlled by an immoral being. They’ve created a society unlike anything seen before. But they are still losing. They find one more chance that could turn the tide. This is a dark and kind of sad book, but written so well. Plus the end wraps it up nicely. His is a fantastic series and would recommend it to anyone.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
c/o Netgalley

This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede: This was an enjoyable book. A little fluffy compared to what I’ve been reading lately. Granted, we meet Alessa after she has buried 3 partners after killing them with her magical touch that she needs to protect her island from a swarm of demons that are coming and she needs a partner to win the battle. As rumbles of revolt begin, Alessa hires Dante as her bodyguard. And he might be the key (or downfall) of Alessa finally figuring out her power. The magic in this book was interesting, but it really was the characters that shined along with the relationships between them. I will say that I found the plot a little choppy at times, but not enough that it took away from the story.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
c/o Netgalley

Daughter of Redwinter by Ed McDonald: This book was good. Raine is one of those protagonists that is more human than most. Pulled into bigger schemes than expected, she does what most of us would do, break down. But with help, she sees what her part in stopping a nefarious plot, even if her allies might not have all her best interests in mind. Read this if you want a slow build of a plot with grey characters with a dash of magic.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
c/o Netgalley

Upgrade by Blake Crouch: Set in the near future where genetic codes have been “cracked” and now genetic modifications are easy to do, weaponized, and highly illegal, this book follows Logan as he tries to “pay his dues” from his involvement (and mother’s) for causing a catastrophe called the Great Starvation. He works as an agent for a government agency that polices genetic engineering and ends up infected with a virus that begins to change him, makes him better in so many ways. But as he comes to grips with what has happened to him and why, he has to decide if it is really better for humans as a whole. This is a fast paced book that covers science, power, morality, and the greater good. The characters are interesting and the relationships are fascinating. It isn’t much of a stretch to think this could happen and that makes it all the more scary. I highly recommend this one.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
c/o Netgalley