Blog Archives - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

(insert Scot-related pun here)

17/7/2021

It's Getting Scot in Here (Wild Wicked Highlanders #1)
by Suzanne Enoch

The MacTaggert brothers are faced with a daunting task: all three of them must wed an English lass before their sister is married or they will lose their money. Amelia-Rose Baxter isn't thrilled that she must marry one of these boisterous Highlanders - but why couldn't it be Niall, the youngest and the one who enjoys sparring with her? Too bad he doesn't have the title her parents want...

I came late to this series, so I was interested in seeing how it all began. The MacTaggert boys are a lot of fun and the premise delightfully dresses up an old trope. But for the first half of the book... things just sort of happened. It was sweet, yet there was no tension (possibly because Niall's brother was MIA a lot). Things definitely picked up later - and if I was only judging the back half, then my review would be more favourable. I guess this book suffered from being the one to set things up.

Farm Boy

15/7/2021

Poe Dameron: Free Fall (Star Wars Disney Canon)
by Alex Segura

Poe Dameron is destined to fly among the stars, but he's stuck on his father's farm on Yavin IV with no nope of ever getting out of there. But a chance encounter with some shady characters who need a pilot may just give him the chance he needs - or put him onto the wrong path. His parents were Rebels. But now he could end up being a spice runner for life.

This was a fun YA adventure and I liked that the main conflict was Poe working with criminals, that he fell in with the wrong crowd. For me, it satisfied some of the curiosity I had from The Rise of Skywalker, but not all of it. I do think this might have worked best as a series (though the ending suggests it might be!). Quite a few of the Disney canon novels seem to have been rushed out to appease certain timelines, when they could have worked better as series/trilogies. This all said, I really enjoyed Free Fall.

PS: Is it just me or is it really weird that people decided to start farms on Yavin IV??

Murderbot, PI

13/7/2021

Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries #6)
by Martha Wells

Before the events of Network Effect, Murderbot is still with Preservation and gets the opportunity to solve a murder - much like humans do in many episodes of entertainment feeds. If only Murderbot can retrain the urge to antagonise the security team on Preservation Station...

I'm glad I knew this was set before the book or I would have been very, very confused (though there are enough references to indicate the placement of this novella). So there was nothing in the way of Fugitive Telemetry becoming my favourite Murderbot story ever! I like story arcs and character development, don't get me wrong, but I was really craving a solid standalone story. And this definitely delivered. My Murderbot binge is over, so now begins the impatient wait for the next entry in the series...

ERROR: Feels Incoming

11/7/2021

Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries #5)
by Martha Wells

Murderbot and a human (who is the child of the human that Murderbot is actually fond of) are kidnapped by a familiar ship currently held by a very unfamiliar crew. The situation is just weird enough that alien remnants might be playing a part. Either way, the stakes have never been higher for Murderbot.

So this was the first full-length novel... and I'm not sure if I had trouble with the pacing because I expected a novella, or because the whole thing should have been condensed to a novella. Also...I know it's an essential part of Murderbot's development, but this "teenage" phase was a little grating sometimes (i.e. the emotional outbursts/reactions). I still enjoyed this adventure with Murderbot, however. And it's always nice to see ART! It would take many more flaws than were present here to make me give a Murderbot title a bad review.

Exeunt GrayCris & Story Arc

7/7/2021

Exit Strategy (The Murderbot Diaries #4)
by Martha Wells

Murderbot's recent activities have made GrayCris very, very nervous. Worried that they're about to go down (and they will, if Murderbot has its way), they kidnap Dr Mensah and are definitely gunning for a certain SecUnit. There's a low probability this will all work out.

I know there are more stories after this, so I'm not sad about the completion of this arc. I'm really pleased with how it finished up, actually. And Murderbot's subtle development as a character (and definitely not a human! of course not!) has so far been a joy to experience. These stories are just so much fun. The snark! The action! Murderbot once again switching into that troublesome self-sacrificing mode! I could read these forever.

Stupid Humans Doing Stupid Things

6/7/2021

Rogue Protocol (The Murderbot Diaries #3)
by Martha Wells

GrayCris seems to be on the cusp of escaping consequences, so Murderbot decides to find some extra evidence for Dr Mensah. If only this didn't involve dealing with humans, accidentally befriending an overly friendly bot, and the high possibility of catastrophic damage.

I think I've found a new favourite series. I can't get enough of the Diaries - or Murderbot! Each novella has been different so far, with no reliance on a standard format, and I really appreciate that. You're always getting something new. This time there was a lot of action and I was totally down for this. And I didn't expect it to yank so hard on my heartstrings! Oh, Miki...

Have Intelligence, Will Travel

6/7/2021

Artificial Condition (The Murderbot Diaries #2)
by Martha Wells

Murderbot wants answers about its dark past. But unfortunately this mission requires Murderbot to take on clients - humans are always getting themselves into trouble and this time is no exception. At least Murderbot has ART as a companion, a research ship that is just as snippy when the occasion calls for it.

I was worried about this sequel, since the first one was sooo good. Well, this is sooo good too! Martha Wells knows exactly how use the novella length and the writing sucks you in with the first few words. Murderbot exploring its past (but with some questions still unanswered) was exactly what I wanted from Artificial Condition. I just adore Murderbot. And I love how Wells explores humanity through its eyes.

A Swell Royal Romance

5/7/2021

His Princess by Christmas by Therese Beharrie

Amari built her shop and staffs it herself, while trying to be a good single mother to her daughter, May. When a man claiming to be a prince offers to work for her, Amari accepts because she needs the help - but she doesn't believe his story. Until a reporter gets involved...

This was a sweet, adorable read and I liked experiencing different settings to what I usually encounter in royalty romances. The story fits the length and obviously as a Harlequin you don't expect it to go into as much depth on some things - but I really do think there should have been more of May. We didn't really get to "see" her.

Love & Magic

4/7/2021

Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley

Tamsin is a banished witch, cursed never to feel love - for love was what led her down a dangerous path five years ago. A dark sorcery has arisen in the queendom since then, stealing the memories of many, including Wren's father. Wren will sacrifice anything for him. So she bargains with Tamsin: help her save the queendom - and in return Wren will forfeit her love for her father.

There wasn't much world-building here (pretty basic stuff), but that didn't really matter because the story was more about the relationships between different young women and how complicated matters of the heart can be. Magic of course makes a story like this more fun! ;) This is a solid YA fantasy book, though I think veteran readers of the genre will find it wanting in a few areas (world-building among them). But Tamsin was such a fascinating anti-hero and Wren was a great counterbalance to that. I quite enjoyed Sweet & Bitter Magic.

A Match Made in Maine

3/7/2021

The Matchmaker Bride (Blue Hill Brides #2)
by Ginny Baird

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Meredith Galanes is a television matchmaker whose inability to find a match in her own love life might just cost her those syndication dreams. A little white lie about a boyfriend in Blue Hill, Maine sends the media to Derrick Albright's door. Derrick agrees to play along, only because Meredith has promised to reconnect him with his with ex-wife, Olivia. But his perfect match might not be Olivia...

Baird has a delightful way of taking a ridiculous premise and turning it into a very enjoyable romance. Meredith and Derrick really did feel like a perfect match. I'd say that the length of this book was also a perfect match for me, after some rather exhausting novels. I was quite amused by Meredith's aunt and the baby shower games - what a lot of fun. And how can one not love the Albrights? The Duplicate Bride is still my favourite book of the series, but I did enjoy this.