Tabitha Tomala

Five-Hop One-Stop is one of the destinations galactic travelers choose as their way station to pause in their journeys and take a break. Run by Ouloo and her child Tupo, the pair do their best to make it a comfortable and welcoming stop. But when an accident crashes the communication systems, their current guests, Pei, Speaker, and Roveg will have to stay over much longer than they originally planned.

The Galaxy, and the Ground Within is a wonderful tale of different cultures coming together during a crisis, learning from each other, and attaining a newfound sense of understanding. Taking a deep dive into each character’s culture is an eye-opening experience and continues to expand on the beautiful world Becky Chambers has created. There are great moments of representation woven within each culture. It grants readers various perspectives on how to process and understand others who do not share your beliefs or culture.

While there are many heartwarming moments, this novel is not without its share of conflict around beliefs and cultural past transgressions. Both sides of the story are told and the characters process their emotions in a way for readers to easily connect and understand. Sometimes there is no right or wrong answer, it is a matter of trying to see through another’s eyes to understand why and how they feel what they feel.

The Galaxy, and the Ground Within is the final installment of The Wayfarers series. Filled with themes of family, cultural learning, and collaboration it was a wonderful way to conclude the series. This book is for readers looking for a sci-fi focused on the characters and how their beliefs contribute to their actions and understanding of the world.

Becky Chambers is one of those authors who writes in a way where the core themes of her novels hit on a deep emotional level. The characters and stories are so much more than just words on the page. There are meanings behind every action, every dialogue, and every scene.

In Record of a Space Born Few, there are several characters looking for more in their life, searching for something missing yet not all can pinpoint what that something could be. Tessa is happy with her life at the Fleet, yet things are changing and it makes her feel as though she is losing her place. Kip bounces from one job trial to another, never satisfied with the work. He yearns to do more and to explore the world. Sawyer has lost everything and searches for a community to reconnect with. Isabelle is a Fleet archivist and host to Ghuh’loloan, a researcher who opens her eyes to new possibilities for the Fleet. And lastly, there is Eyas, a caretaker for the dead who knows her purpose, enjoys her work, and yet still wants to do more, but doesn’t quite know what.

Following each of these characters will take readers on thought provoking and touching journeys. Some will find their way, some will be lost, and others will be caught up in things greater than themselves. Not everyone’s story ends happily, but each serves as a catalyst for the next, unknowingly helping one another in their search for something more. The writing is so well done. Each piece fits smoothly together, giving readers a complex yet simple to understand network of characters and stories.

Readers who enjoy stories focused on the characters and wonderful themes need to try out Becky Chambers' books. While they don’t have to be read in order, each one has a small tie back to the original novel. And each one brings to light another hard hitting theme in a way that harmonizes with the reader and characters. Yes, they are in sci-fi settings, but even those who don’t normally read sci-fi will enjoy Record of a Space Born Few and the other novels.

Having Kit team up with Darius for an entire novel was brilliant. Readers meet the guild leader in the first Guild Codex novel. Rumors of Darius' past have been floating around for quite a while, and now readers will witness it unfold along with all the repercussions he has had to deal with.

The synergy between Kit and Darius is both hilarious and delightful. And while Darius brings in the nostalgia for earlier fans of the series, Kit shines for this newer segment in Mage Assassins & Other Misfits. Being a psycho-warper can help Kit out of quite a few situations, but when the enemy comes prepared to combat his abilities, Kit has to find ways around it. Armed with his movie quotes and wits, Kit is in for a high stakes ride. Discovering more about his limitations along the way.

Readers are also left on edge at the end of the last novel, waiting to see what happens between Kit and Lienna. Kit is just as twisted up and anxious as the readers. It is adorable to see his inner thoughts and concerns surrounding Lienna. Despite all the serious and life threatening situations, the story makes sure to give readers resolution on their potential relationship.

Mage Assassins & Other Misfits is a fast-paced and exciting read. The balance between action, comedy, and romance is spot on. The Warped series has come a long way since book one. Fans of urban fantasy, while I don’t suggest starting with the Warped series, the Guild Codex world is a must.

Science fiction and fantasy combine as Ilona Andrews sets the stage for an Innkeeper who provides lodgings for otherworldly and supernatural visitors. Armed with a magical broom that can transform at her whim and a sentient house, Dina’s goal is to protect her visitors and ensure they enjoy their stay. When a creature stalks the town and threatens the comfort of her inn, it’s up to Dina, the local werewolf, and a cosmic vampire to put an end to it.

Clean Sweep was such a unique experience. Reading about Dina’s magical abilities and use of the Inn combined with the presence of other worlds and space vampires took a little adjustment. There was plenty of backstory and world-building to lay down a foundation for how it all works, but it needs a bit more refinement. Being that this is the first book in the series, there is plenty of room to grow.

There was also a healthy dose of filtration and alpha male posturing for those looking into the budding romance side of stories. And Dina is not the type of woman to back down from a challenge. Being matched up against a domineering personality would certainly have sparks flying.

Dina is an enjoyable character to read about. Her past is tragic and carries a hint of mystery. She is new to owning her inn but is still steadfast in her beliefs to uphold the rules of innkeepers, yet she isn’t afraid to find a few loopholes to protect more than just her guests. She also has a delightful dog named Beast who is small but carries big dog energy and humor into the story.

Clean Sweep is for those looking to explore fantasy with a sci-fi twist and light hints of romance. This is an easy to read enjoyable journey.

The Twice Scorned Lady of Shadow brings back a few familiar faces as Saber is introduced to the Crow and Hammer. Having hidden behind her nice persona for so long, when Saber decides to let her true face show to the guild, her surprise at their acceptance is wonderful. For those who have read the original Guild Codex series, it will come as no surprise that Saber will have a new found family if she chooses to accept them. But acceptance can be a hard thing to come by when you have a darker past. Yet Saber is making quite a few strides towards learning trust and forming closer bonds.

But make no mistake, Saber is still just as hard edged as she began. And when she finds herself journeying to the Court of Shadows to help Zak, the cruelty and bitter betrayal she encounters would tear any lesser character down. The past will come back in full force to emotionally devastated Saber and Zak, uncovering truths long buried and forcing them to relive horrific moments of their childhood.

Readers will have the chance to listen to Zak’s point of view this time. As one of the main morally grey characters of the series, and after spending countless books with him viewed from another character’s point of view, seeing his reasoning behind what he does will not let readers down. While there has been time to understand Saber’s past and her feelings towards the present day, Zak’s outlook will be just as emotionally painful.

The Twice-Scorned Lady of Shadow will show readers a darker side of the fae world and how the power some seek will take precedence over everything else. The past traumas Zak and saber have endured will blend into their future state eliciting dark and gritty emotional stances. Not to mention with the action packed writing style Annette Marie is known for will leave readers needing more by the end.

Lovelace was meant to be a ship’s AI, processing and monitoring her crew. But when circumstances push her towards uploading into a kit, her grasp of purpose and understanding begin to unravel. Pepper stays by Lovelace’s side, as she tries to process the new world around her from the eyes of a human looking kit. Along the way, readers will discover Pepper’s tragic past and heartwarming experience with artificial intelligence.

Through Lovelace, or as readers come to know her as Sidra, there are many moments where the new perception of the world is too much for her to handle. She has what amounts to panic attacks and struggles with feeling the kit is not actually her own body. The way Becky Chambers can capture these internal struggles is heart-wrenching. But no matter how difficult it may be, Sidra has the love and support of her friends.

And one of those friends is Pepper, a woman who has gone through a traumatic past. As Sidra’s story grows and develops, readers are also taken back to when Pepper was known as Jane. While there are hints at her past in the first book, A Closed and Common Orbit will dive fully into Pepper’s abusive upbringing and escape. It is a sad read, but knowing that Pepper is around to help Sidra in the future lets readers know there is hope for her in the end.

The two storylines interconnect and show how acclimating to a new society and worldview isn’t easy regardless of who is experiencing it. They also are in line with the understanding AI’s are much more than just pieces of software, yet the world at large still doesn’t want to accept it.

A Closed and Common Orbit may be the sequel to A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, but it can also be standalone. However, if you do read this book first there will be major spoilers for book one. While book two may not follow the same cast of characters from the prior novel, it is no less phenomenal. I could hardly put this book down and highly recommend it to fans of sci-fi.

It all starts with the tale of Chicky Starr. Having fallen in love with an American, she embarks on a new life with him in the United States. While her family back home in Ireland refuses to believe it will work out, Chicky has high hopes. When things start to crumble she spins tales of wonder and adventure. Despite her life taking an abrupt turn, she maintains her illusionary life to her family and works hard to make a living for herself.

And all Chicky’s hard work pays off as she moves back home and starts on her new journey making Stone House into a hotel. But Stone House is more than just a hotel. Through Chicky’s hard work and determination, she creates a comforting place where people from around the world are drawn to. And within Stone House, they find much more than just a place to vacation.

A Week in Winter is a generational tale, spanning years of couples and family members finding their way to Stone House. Whether they stay to work or seek to find a place to start their life over, each of them takes away a vital life lesson from the time they spend in Stone House. Each character is given a background and history, leading up to the events where they choose to stay at the hotel. Granting the reader a format similar to linked short stories that all center around finding their way.

A Week in Winter is a story for those who enjoy tales of families and characters working through the challenges of life and relationships.

Having grown up in a rough and abusive living situation, Saber snapped at an early age. She carries a switchblade with her at all times and has learned to display the proper emotions for people to accept her. While she holds no memory of her crime, she is a convicted murderer and is currently in a parole guild. By day Saber is a vet tech and volunteers at a rescue ranch. However, she will quickly turn into a hunter if she knows who has been harming the animals she is rehabilitating. Saber’s going to be a tough and prickly character to attach to, but that also means she has plenty of areas of growth.

While Zak does make an appearance in these books, he will be a very different character than encountered before. Throughout the previous novels featuring him, he has discovered hard truths about himself. Do not approach The One and Only Crystal Druid as a first read in this universe. You’ll need all of Zak’s back story to fully appreciate how he behaves and his new outlook on life.

Be warned there are toxic relationships in this novel. Saber is a dark and broken character. Readers will uncover her forgotten past as the story progresses. And while this book is trying to lean into the romance angle it does not start well. There are abrupt turns with little build up and the emotions are not apparent. Granted, Saber is a difficult character to imagine being involved with anyone at this point, but a little more development of her character before trying to wedge in romance would have helped.

The One and Only Crystal Druid is still a fast-paced and action heavy read. With a witch as a main character and Zak hovering in the background, readers will be granted more worldbuilding around their magics. Even sixteen books in there are new discoveries and mysteries for readers to indulge in. Though this one had a rough start, knowing Annette Marie it’s about to really pick up in the next novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

Leovander Lovage is a sarcastic and witty character. Quick to turn to humor when things grow uncomfortable, and has a penchant for mischief. Leo has a complicated relationship with magic, and discovering his limitations is enlightening and heartbreaking. While he is a scriver, he is limited to writing small magics. Anything else grows out of control when cast. There is much Leo has buried from his past which influences how he writes magic.

Sebastian Grimm has his own difficult past with magic as a caster. And having to deal with Leo’s constant pestering wears down on his nerves. When he is paired up with Leo as his scriver, things quickly go from downright annoying to terribly wrong when a curse is accidentally included in Leo’s spells. And while at first, they think they’ll have enough time to deal with it on their own, the curse has other ideas.

Forced together to find a cure, Leo and Sebastian must embark on a quest to traverse a dangerous forest and find the one sorcerer who can help them. Leo’s going to have to learn to curb his mischievous side if they're going to make it out alive. And all the while the curse, a love spell no less, will hammer away at his emotions driving him closer to Grimm. The rivals will have quite the journey, and mishaps along the way as they search for the sorcerer.

The evolution of Leo and Grimm’s characters is entertaining and remarkable. Forced into a situation neither of them wants, they have to work together and put aside their rivalry. The curse adds an extra layer of complication, and Leo begins to second guess everything he feels. The tension between not only the characters, but the sense of running out of time heightens the reader’s experience. Coupled with sarcastic humor and witty banter, Sorcery and Small Magics is for those who enjoy magic and fantasy have to read.

A Guildmaster has been found dead and Agent Söze is covering up the evidence. Kit and Lienna are determined to find out what he is hiding. But with Söze out to clear the board of any agent working against him, they must tread carefully. Söze won’t hesitate to put them down, and without concrete proof of what he is doing, Kit and Lienna don’t have a chance.

Stolen Sorcery & Other Misadventures ups the danger Kit and Lienna have to survive. While they are still trying to do their jobs as MPD agents and solve the murder of the Guildmaster, Söze is running interference and actively trying to remove them from the picture. The corrupt agent will use all kinds of dirty tricks and criminals to achieve his goals. And while Kit and Lienna make a dynamic team, they will not have enough support alone to take down Söze.

The leaps and bounds Kit and Lienna have made as a team are incredible. Starting as partners who miscommunicated and generally didn’t think in line with one another, they have grown from each other's influence. The slow simmering romance adds an underlying temptation for readers as well. And for those who fear romance will overshadow the rest of the plot, it most certainly does not. There is still plenty of magic-slinging action and close calls. If anything, Kit’s embarrassment and confusion over Lienna are endearing. He really wants to make sure he isn’t pushing boundaries without consent.

Kit took a while to solidify himself as a character worthy to follow, but his journey to where he is now in the series is worth the wait. There is an underlying mystery around his powers, and what exactly he will be fully capable of. Each book is a more intense exploration of the world and the various people and magics that create it.

The Guild Codex world is a great adventure for those who enjoy urban fantasy, fast-paced plots, character development, and a touch of slow-burning romance. Stolen Sorcery & Other Misadventures shows that Kit and Lienna have much more to learn and accomplish. And I can’t wait to see what they tackle next.