Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Don’t mess with an angry gingerbread cookie!

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

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I really adored A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher. This charming young adult fantasy novel was so much fun to read. A shout out to the YA librarian who mentioned how much she had loved this book. Mona is a 14 year old baker who has some limited magic capabilities. She can do things like make gingerbread cookies dance. One day, she finds a dead girl in the bakery and it turns out all magickers in her town are being targeted and […]

I’ll make a man out of myself (Bingo!)

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

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CBR14 Bingo: Star (Zhu might be described as something of a rising star within the Chinese power structure of the day, and also the sun is literally a star. I’m so very clever). Back in the 14th Century, the Mongols had conquered and ruled Imperial China. In a small village, drought and famine have killed the majority of the population. A nameless girl (one of the few children left in the village) has managed to stay alive thanks to her ingenuity. When her older brother, […]

You’re a cold-hearted snake…

Be the Serpent by Seanan McGuire

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CBR14 Bingo: Series (this is book 17 in an ongoing series, do NOT start here). Could easily also have used this book for Snake and New.  Spoiler warning! This is book 17 in the series. It’s impossible to review the book without referring to events in earlier books, so if you want to remain completely unspoiled, skip this one. I’ll try to avoid any big spoilers for this book. October “Toby” Daye not only survived her wedding, but so did her husband, Tybalt, King of Cats, and all […]

A tea based magic system in an ancient Chinese inspired setting, yes please. (Bingo #2!!)

A Magic Steeped in Poison: The Book of Tea vol. 1 by Judy I. Lin

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CBR14 Bingo: “Gaslight” – In a setting influenced by ancient China, there is no electricity, all lights are flame based. A Magic Steeped in Poison was featured by Mysterious Galaxy earlier this year.  As a self-described tea snob, I was instantly interested.  I got the audiobook to listen during my health stomps.  While listening, I appreciated hearing the correct pronunciations of the Chinese (or Chinese inspired) names.  However, sitting down to try and write the review I’m hampered by not knowing how  names are spelled.  […]

“The important thing in running away is not how fast you run but simply that you run faster than the next man.”

Prince of Fools (Red Queen's War #1) by Mark Lawrence

The Liar's Key (Red Queen's War #2) by Mark Lawrence

Wheel of Osheim (Red Queen's War #3) by Mark Lawrence

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Well, this is less ambitious of me than the time I tried to review an entire five-book series all in one go.  This is just a three book series this time! (Also, because I have chosen to review the books this way, there will be minor spoilers) I’ve started reading two of Mark Lawrence’s trilogies so far. Of those two, I would highly recommend The Book of the Ancestor series, starting off with Red Sister. They were one hell of a package: I loved both […]

“You got a promotion with extra responsibilities but without pay or additional benefits.” Mom smiled. “I’m so proud of you. You’re officially a successful adult.”

Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

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CBR14 Bingo: New (possibly my most anticipated new book of the year. Could also have been used for Series – last in a series, and Mind – a lot of minds are manipulated by various powers throughout) Spoiler warning! This book finishes off a bunch of storylines that started six books and a novella earlier in Burn for Me. It’s technically the third book in a trilogy, but to fully get the emotional heft of the story, you should have read the whole series up […]



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