Blog Posts - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

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.

A Different Shadow

2/7/2021

Queen's Shadow (Star Wars Disney Canon)
by E. K. Johnston

The persona of Queen Amidala must be cast aside at the end of her two terms - and Padmé must build a new one, perhaps the one she will wear for the rest of her life. When Naboo's queen asks her to consider becoming Naboo's senator, the answer is obvious. Not so obvious is the path that Padmé must walk on a completely different planet.

Oh my gosh, I freaking loved this. It filled in all the gaps that had bothered me for years - and gaps I hadn't even noticed. If this book had come out when I was younger, I would have read it to pieces. I've always loved fanon!Sabé, so it was a real joy to see her evolve here. And to have her become a canonically bi character? HELL YES. I am so incredibly happy with Queen's Shadow. It might be years late, but it is so very, very welcome.

Small Town, Big Heart

2/7/2021

Magpie's Bend by Maya Linnell

When Lara McIntyre begins a campaign to save the town's general store, she doesn't expect to juggling it with the fear of losing her daughter to her ex's parents, caring for a cranky magpie - or the burgeoning attraction she feels for Toby Paxton, the one-man team running the local paper. But Lara no longer trusts her judgement in men - how can she tell if he is any different from her ex?

What I love about Linnell's books is how easily she captures the atmosphere of a country town and the way of life to be found there. Magpie's Bend is no different and I quite enjoyed Lara's story - and I found myself smiling whenever Toby's odd socks were mentioned. It was also good to see the issue of consent raised, not just as part of Lara's past but the present too. This book is a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

Control C Control P

30/6/2021

Meet Me in Bendigo by Eva Scott

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

Annalisa Cappelli is the last one standing - she runs the small hardware store that her family opened during the 19th century. But the arrival of a Carpenter's Warehouse, a chain hardware store, spells disaster. Why does Ed Carpenter, whose family is responsible, have to be so good looking? If only he could be more like GardenerGuy94, her online friend. Perhaps they're more alike than she realises...

Well, this book was always going to have a tough customer in me - I absolutely love You've Got Mail. But you know what? I enjoyed most of it. I'm so relieved to find a romance book that doesn't ignore or dance around the pandemic, but incorporates it into the storyline. Annalisa and Ed were great - but overshadowed by the delightful old guys and Annalisa's nonna.

Now. The big problem. Some lines of dialogue seemed to be copied and pasted straight from You've Got Mail. Mostly tweaked, occasionally verbatim. This was really off-putting to me. If I wanted to experience those scenes again, I could just watch the movie.

Meet Me in Bendigo shines the most when it stands on its own.