The Master Magician

Book 12 of 2016 is The Master Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg.

This is the third book in The Paper Magician series.

If I had stopped at the first book, I would have missed the quality of books two and three. This series improved exponentially in time.

There are much better feminist protagonists but placing this in a historical setting helps justify her behaviour. Thing is, Jane Austin would have slapped her silly.

The second book is the peak of this series and I'm not stoked with how this went but it was ok.

Three teenage girls in love with their teachers out of five.

Should I read this? Only if like me, you have Kindle Unlimited. I'd not have read this series if it wasn't free to me, thanks to a Prime subscription.
What did I learn? Women can undermine themselves far too easily by dating colleagues. In all eloquence, I stick with the idea that you shouldn't shit where you eat.

The Glass Magician

Book 11 of 2016 is The Glass Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg. This is the second book in The Paper Magician series which I read last September.

The first book annoyed at how teenager whiney the first book was that I didn't want to finish the series. It was the reviews from Good Reads users who made me want to read the second book.

The second book is much better than the first and I went straight in to the third. This is mainly due to the female lead becoming less teenage infatuated girl and more grown up. Instead of courting her teacher, she goes out on missions to slay great magicians. This makes me happy.

Three broke mirrors and 14 years bad luck out of five.

Should I read this? Probably not. The first book is not easy to get through.
What did I learn? Competent woman are amazing.

Seveneves

Book 10 of 2016 is Seveneves by Neil Stephenson.

This book has been a reading project for the last 4 months. At Christmas time, I bought four copes and distributed to my reading friends. One took it up and demolished it in no time while the others, I must chase to complete this 880 page tome.

What I can tell you is that this book is worth every second I got the pleasure to spend on it. There were no slow moments. Every part lead to the next. Every challenge felt uncomfortable but absolutely necessary. Each word and page and chapter and plot and play was well played and entirely satisfying.

I won't ruin anything for you except to say that if there were seven Eves then this is the way the nine should end.

In the words of the recently departed Prince of purple...
All seven and we'll watch them fall
They stand in the way of love
And we will smoke them all
With an intellect and a savior-faire
No one in the whole universe
Will ever compare

5 evolutions out of 5.

Should I read this? This is a sci-fi must. A must. Like, read it NOW.
What did I learn? Who runs the world? Girls.

I'm coming home, coming home. Tell the world I'm coming home.

Every day starts with a coffee. I stopped drinking non-fat milk so the 16oz full cream latte with no added anything else is my drug of choice.

Breakfast is becoming more of a habit now. Usually it consists of eggs or fruit but it isn't consistent and may never be. Someone once told me it is better to eat anything at all to start your day over eating nothing much. That sticks in my head each morning and is appreciated when my metabolism kicks in to high gear after a breakfast sandwich or bowl of porridge.

Timebound

Book 9 of 2016 is Timebound by Rysa Walker.

This was another Kindle Unlimited book that I chose because it was free. Again, this was a great recommendation that I didn't expect much from. When will I learn that the one thing you can trust on Amazon is a book rating?

Another strong female lead who I want to read more about. In fact, all the important characters are women or respectful supportive males. Obviously written by another female. I didn't know that for sure until I checked while writing this. Female sci-fi fantasy authors are owning the genre in these modern times and thank goodness for that.

These are not only written for women but for everyone and quite well. Well worth the read.

4 disappearing photo IDs out of 5.

Should I read this?  Yes and possibly the whole series. It is so promising.
What did I learn? Recessive genes can really count against you.

Departure

Book 8 of 2016 is Departure by A, G, Riddle.

Again, I wasn't expecting too much and this could be because my random choices of science fiction are based on the blurb on the back of the book and that is never written well.

Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised by the way this book was told in the male and female voice and that the twists really were not predictable.

There are many complex relationships in this book and a bunch of likable and drownable characters in this book, which leaves you feeling like you really cared what happened in the end.

The final couple of chapters kept me engaged right up until the last page.

This i an original tale and one I am already recommending to friends and colleagues.

4 flights to Heathrow of 5.

Should I read this? This is only for sci-fi fans.

What did I learn? The good of the many outweighs the good of the one. Haha, no, Spock taught me that.

Frostfire

Book 7 of 2016 is Frostfire by Amanda Hocking.

This is the first book in The Kanin Chronicles and that is the only thing that annoyed me about this book. It ends in a to be continued stance and this irks me because I think first books should always stand proudly on their own without the need of the rest of the series. If not, you better not carry on for more than 3 books.

The female protagonist is very teenage girl but she has an independent mind and that is nice to see in a fantasy book. A female author obviously makes for good female characters. The main character and the mysterious criminal she pursues make this series worth chasing alongside her.

4 gilled relatives of 5.

Should I read this? For fantasy readers who like mystery and good female characters.
What did I learn? Not all trolls are ugly.