REVIEW: Runebinder by Alex R Kahler

*Thank you to Netgalley & Harlequin Teen for an ARC in exchange for a review*

When magic returned to the world, it could have saved humanity, but greed and thirst for power caused mankind's downfall instead. Now once-human monsters called Howls prowl abandoned streets, their hunger guided by corrupt necromancers and the all-powerful Kin. Only Hunters have the power to fight back in the unending war, using the same magic that ended civilization in the first place.

But they are losing...

Tenn is a Hunter, resigned to fight even though hope is nearly lost. When he is singled out by a seductive Kin named Tomás and the enigmatic Hunter Jarrett, Tenn realizes he's become a pawn in a bigger game. One that could turn the tides of war. But if his mutinous magic and wayward heart get in the way, his power might not be used in favor of mankind.

If Tenn fails to play his part, it could cost him his friends, his life…and the entire world.

Runebinder is an exciting trip into a post apocolyptic fantasy world steeped in magic, cruel villains and one young man's journey to learn more about himself and his role within this tumultuous new world. Teen readers will find this fast paced with intriguing characters and an identifiable LGBTQ male protagonist. 

Excellent world-building. If I had to find one fault, it would be in some of the transitions. On one hand, the disconnect could mirror the jarring world presented; however, I wanted a bit more fluidity during certain parts.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Calamity (Reckoners #3) by Brandon Sanderson

Thank you to Delacorte Press for a copy in exchange for a fair review on behalf of my ROYAL membership through the SWON Libraries.

Calamity is the conclusion to Sanderson's Reckoner series. Much of David's life has led to this since that fateful moment Calamity appeared in the sky, granting certain people incredible powers. However, this moment doomed David's life as Steelheart murdered his father and set him on a profound journey to eliminate Epics as part of the Reckoners.  It has been a bumpy ride full of loss and love and with this final chapter, the group still has more good to do.

David and the others continue with their plan to save Prof (or kill him if they have to) and ultimately destroy Calamity. First they need some new allies and some cool tricks before they head in search of Prof. Overall, the action sequence are great as are the engaging characters.  There's good banter and general plot pacing.

However, I finished the book feeling underwhelmed and disappointed.

Why?

Well, for one, 85% of the book was about fighting Prof, which I liked, but if the novel is titled Calamity, I want to ending of that plot resolution to to feel rushed, which I believe it was.  There wasn't adequate explanation of all the big reveals and surprises introduced for the narrative and its characters.  As much as I adored Steelheart, this was a huge let down. As I reader, I was left with far too many unanswered questions and without a sense of satisfaction.  How is Prof going to deal with what he did? So, Calamity is gone, now what? What's up with Firefight? Where's Oblivion? What's going to happen now?

I do hope that Sanderson revisits this world to provide readers with more of these answers.

Final rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @BrandSanderson



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