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Book Review: Coldmaker by Daniel A. Cohen


Title: Coldmaker

Author: Daniel A. Cohen

Published: November 2nd, 2017

Publisher: Harper Voyager 

Rating: 🐱🐱🐱🐱

Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I was sent this book for review. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.


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Eight hundred years ago, the Jadans angered the Crier. In punishment, the Crier took their Cold away, condemning them to a life of enslavement in a world bathed in heat.

Or so the tale goes. 

During the day, as the Sun blazes over his head, Micah leads the life of any Jadan slave, running errands through the city of Paphos at the mercy of the petty Nobles and ruthless taskmasters.

But after the evening bells have tolled and all other Jadans sleep, Micah escapes into the night in search of scraps and broken objects, which once back inside his barracks he tinkers into treasures.

However, when a mysterious masked Jadan publicly threatens Noble authority, a wave of rebellion ripples through the city.

With Paphos plunged into turmoil, Micah’s secret is at risk of being exposed. And another, which has been waiting hundreds of years to be found, is also on the verge of discovery…

The secret of Cold.

First Thoughts… If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll have seen my Q&A with Daniel in late December. I had so much fun having him on Pretty Little Memoirs and introducing an awesome author to you all before I review the book. Coldmaker sounded like a fresh, music-to-my-ears idea when I was first offered the opportunity to read it so that was ultimately what first drew me in. But that cover, more so in person! How gorgeous.

My Review… Micah’s life is the same as any other Jadan, the slaves of his world. The Jadan’s have been the slaves of the world for over eight hundred years. Since that day, so the tale tells, they stole away the Cold. It’s almost as a weapon, from a metaphoric point of view, stolen away and replaced with only scorching heat that hangs over the Jadan’s heads every day. Micah works through Paphos, a city he does jobs for the Nobles in. They’re harsh and taxing, the poor Jadan’s at their feet. But unknown to them, after everyone has done for the day, Micah unleashes his secret. He scavenges for broken and unused items from the day and tinkers them into something wonderful. Something he’s hoping will save them all. 

But like all good things, Micah’s secret tinkering faces an end as a strange Jadan appears on the scene, threatening everything Micah holds dear in Paphos as a rebellion begins between the Nobles and Jadan’s, turning the city into chaos and disaster. With his secret on the line, he’s thrown into a mess that’s been waiting hundreds of years to be discovered that might just shatter every rule and tale that the Jadan’s know of. 

Just wow. The pure skill and delivery of the world-building in Coldmaker is sheer brilliant. I could almost imagine the air thick with immense heat, rivers boiling and desperate for cold to break the never-ending heat. Micah was a stand-out character; young but wise, and as we follow other characters later on in the book, they glide into the pages with ease, making for an epic storyworld. I don’t read a lot of High Fantasy books, but even when I do or have known of them, Coldmaker is one of the most unique, stand-out books of it’s genre. I got some Hunger Games vibes and the same kind of system as books such as Divergent, and you know how much I loved those series! Overall, Coldmaker is a one-of-a-kind four star read with bold characters, incredible interesting plot and perfect pacing. I’m really hoping there’s more to this world and that I can read more of the series! I’d definitely recommend it to YA fans of Fantasy or Dystopia. You have to read this, book lovers! If you’re missing your favourite dystopia series’, this one is sure to be the next hit for you.


Have you read Coldmaker?

Let me know what you thought on Twitter, Facebook, or by commenting below!

happy reading!

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Book Review: Nyxia (The Nyxia Triad #1) by Scott Reintgen (Spoiler-Free)

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE.


Title: Nyxia

Author: Scott Reintgen

Published: September 21st, 2017

Publisher: Michael Joseph

Find the Author: Goodreads 


Disclosure: I was sent this book for review. As always, my reviews are fair and unbiased.

Every life has a price in Scott Reintgen pulse-pounding new sci-fi adventure, Nyxia, as a group of teens are taken to the far reaches of the universe and forced to decide what they’re willing to risk for a lifetime of fortune.


Emmett Atwater isn’t just leaving Detroit; he’s leaving Earth. Why the Babel Corporation recruited him is a mystery, but the number of zeroes on their contract has him boarding their lightship and hoping to return to Earth with enough money to take care of his family.


Forever.


Before long, Emmett discovers that he is one of ten recruits, all of whom have troubled pasts and are a long way from home. Now each recruit must earn the right to travel down to the planet of Eden-a planet that Babel has kept hidden-where they will mine a substance called Nyxia that has quietly become the most valuable material in the universe.


But Babel’s ship is full of secrets. And Emmett will face the ultimate choice: win the fortune at any cost, or find a way to fight that won’t forever compromise what it means to be human.

First Thoughts

Nyxia has been on my radar for a long time. It’s genre has increasingly become more frequent on my bookshelves and with my huge love for the 100, this looked like it could fill that void in my bookish heart after finishing the series so far. When I was given the oppertunity to read NYXIA (thank you, Beth!), I jumped at it, obviously. And I even have a code for you guys to use for money off Little Wren UK – an Etsy store with the cutest designs! Check out the bottom of this post for all the info you’ll need for that!


My Review

Emmett Atwater is given the chance he could only dream of in this near-future dystopian masterpiece. Along with nine others, he’s given the opportunity by the Babel Corporation to compete against each other to get to Eden – a new Planet; a place that only eight of them can make it through to. But Emmett knows that something about it doesn’t feel right and doesn’t sit well with him. The other recruits aren’t wealthy, either, and they want this just as much. Still, he knows that if he doesn’t win, his life won’t improve. He wants to save his Mother’s life and get back on the right track. But as he becomes close to the other recruits and feelings get tethered, along with suspicions about Babel, Emmett isn’t so certain anymore. 

One thing is for certain with NYXIA, and that is that it’s life changing. It’s got this certain thing that just makes it so likeable and I couldn’t put it down. There’s the huge diversity which is a huge plus for me because it’s about time that there was. Another, is that all the characters had functional and meaningful places in the novel and they didn’t just feel like secondary characters. I could bond with them, and Emmett, in the same way that you like to when reading a book. 

Overall, NYXIA is a must-read for fans of the 100, The Hunger Games, and Science-Fiction lovers. I cannot wait for the next novel, Scott. It was unpredictable (in the best way), brilliantly paced, had characters that were flawed (and showed their true strengths and weaknesses) and made me turn pages fast and root for them. It had me totally fixated on the inner workings of the bigger picture, also. I dare you to not be a fan of Nyxia by the time you’re finished. Huge five stars!

Rating & Recs

For fans of Dystopia, Science-Fiction and Fantasy!




DISCOUNT TIME

Pretty Little Memoirs readers and NYXIA fans! The discount code for Little Wren is: LWNYXIA10. and it’s  valid for 10% off everything in the shop with orders over £10 and it’s valid till the end of October. Perfect to pick up a few new things for yourself or for someone you love for Christmas!


Have you read Nyxia?


Let me know what you thought in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!


happy reading!

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