Fifteen-year-old Daisy is sent from Manhattan to England to visit her aunt and cousins she's never met: three boys near her age, and their little sister. Her aunt goes away on business soon after Daisy arrives. The next day bombs go off as London is attacked and occupied by an unnamed enemy.
As power fails, and systems fail, the farm becomes more isolated. Despite the war, it's a kind of Eden, with no adults in charge and no rules, a place where Daisy's uncanny bond with her cousins grows into something rare and extraordinary. But the war is everywhere, and Daisy and her cousins must lead each other into a world that is unknown in the scariest, most elemental way.
A riveting and astonishing story.]]>
I'll be upfront in saying this is not the first time I read How I Live Now. In fact, the book was a required reading for my uni Young Adult Literature course, a.k.a. a professor out there believes it is a superb novel for high school classrooms. But in both of my readings I just had a lot of ???? moments and a lot of ... moments. I'm not saying all YA (for pleasure or school purposes) has to be mind-blowing, out of this world, thought-provoking masterpieces. But it should make sense, maybe?
New Yorker Daisy is sent to live in the English countryside with her cousins because her new stepmom doesn't like her. The US and England are on the brink of war, and Daisy's father gives in to his new wife's demands to send his daughter away. WHY would you send off your child in such dangerous times and especially because your wife "doesn't like her"? Daisy never elaborates on this dynamic beyond complaining to her cousins/strangers to get sympathy.
England is attacked by an unnamed enemy, referred to as The Enemy. Apparently the US is *also* attacked, but by a different enemy? At the same time. And both enemies are terrorists and no one knows who they are or what they want. Um. These people literally held a country hostage for nine months, I expect more than "IDK what they wanted but they're gone now!" The description of The Enemy within the book never made sense to me, either. Daisy's narration often included lines like, "Part of their tactic is to spread rumours so no one knows what is the truth," but honestly I would like to know SOME of what is going on. There was stuff about bombs, and poisoned water, and border checkpoints, and like if The Enemy is LITERALLY SITTING AROUND doing border checkpoints how come no one knows who they are??
When England is attacked, the cousins find themselves on their own. I mean, the book wouldn't be nearly as fun if adults were involved. I get it, I do. But the whole story kicks off with the cousin's mom, aka Aunt Penn, saying she has to leave for a little bit to do a conference in Oslo. So no big deal, she just flies off for a week. Your oldest child is 16! You can't leave them alone for a week! Does NO ONE in this book remember there is a threat of war going around? It's no surprise when OH! the war starts the day after she leaves.
Daisy has anorexia. The term is never used in the book, and the most upfront Daisy gets about it all is a line like, "I think by now you can tell I have a thing about food." As the war gets more serious, Daisy continues to starve herself, until [spoilers removed]. This whole arc was sooo fast. It basically goes from subtle mentions that Daisy skips dinner or only nibbles on her bread to a flat out statement that, "Huh, people are really starving during this war. I appreciate food now." I appreciate that there is rep, but I really think it could have been done better.
Daisy's and Edmond's relationship is weird. Okay, we get it, you hooked up with your cousin. Lines like "sometimes we had to stop, just because we were raw and exhausted and humming humming humming" and "so there we are carrying on our happy little life of underage sex" are just weird. Like um. I don't know how else to put it. Daisy is 15 and Edmond is 14. How much sex drive does a fifteen-year-old HAVE I MEAN. I was just uncomfortable.
The Ending. [spoilers removed]
In conclusion, I did not like this book because I have no clue what I was even reading.]]>
author: Meg Rosoff
name: Sha
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2004
rating: 2
read at: 2018/12/29
date added: 2022/11/27
shelves: dystopia, young-adult, do-not-recommend
review:
This book confuses me.
I'll be upfront in saying this is not the first time I read How I Live Now. In fact, the book was a required reading for my uni Young Adult Literature course, a.k.a. a professor out there believes it is a superb novel for high school classrooms. But in both of my readings I just had a lot of ???? moments and a lot of ... moments. I'm not saying all YA (for pleasure or school purposes) has to be mind-blowing, out of this world, thought-provoking masterpieces. But it should make sense, maybe?
New Yorker Daisy is sent to live in the English countryside with her cousins because her new stepmom doesn't like her. The US and England are on the brink of war, and Daisy's father gives in to his new wife's demands to send his daughter away. WHY would you send off your child in such dangerous times and especially because your wife "doesn't like her"? Daisy never elaborates on this dynamic beyond complaining to her cousins/strangers to get sympathy.
England is attacked by an unnamed enemy, referred to as The Enemy. Apparently the US is *also* attacked, but by a different enemy? At the same time. And both enemies are terrorists and no one knows who they are or what they want. Um. These people literally held a country hostage for nine months, I expect more than "IDK what they wanted but they're gone now!" The description of The Enemy within the book never made sense to me, either. Daisy's narration often included lines like, "Part of their tactic is to spread rumours so no one knows what is the truth," but honestly I would like to know SOME of what is going on. There was stuff about bombs, and poisoned water, and border checkpoints, and like if The Enemy is LITERALLY SITTING AROUND doing border checkpoints how come no one knows who they are??
When England is attacked, the cousins find themselves on their own. I mean, the book wouldn't be nearly as fun if adults were involved. I get it, I do. But the whole story kicks off with the cousin's mom, aka Aunt Penn, saying she has to leave for a little bit to do a conference in Oslo. So no big deal, she just flies off for a week. Your oldest child is 16! You can't leave them alone for a week! Does NO ONE in this book remember there is a threat of war going around? It's no surprise when OH! the war starts the day after she leaves.
Daisy has anorexia. The term is never used in the book, and the most upfront Daisy gets about it all is a line like, "I think by now you can tell I have a thing about food." As the war gets more serious, Daisy continues to starve herself, until [spoilers removed]. This whole arc was sooo fast. It basically goes from subtle mentions that Daisy skips dinner or only nibbles on her bread to a flat out statement that, "Huh, people are really starving during this war. I appreciate food now." I appreciate that there is rep, but I really think it could have been done better.
Daisy's and Edmond's relationship is weird. Okay, we get it, you hooked up with your cousin. Lines like "sometimes we had to stop, just because we were raw and exhausted and humming humming humming" and "so there we are carrying on our happy little life of underage sex" are just weird. Like um. I don't know how else to put it. Daisy is 15 and Edmond is 14. How much sex drive does a fifteen-year-old HAVE I MEAN. I was just uncomfortable.
The Ending. [spoilers removed]
In conclusion, I did not like this book because I have no clue what I was even reading.
]]>
On the reality show It's Behind You!, five contestants competing for prize money must survive the night in the dark and dangerous Umber Gorge caves, rumored to be haunted by the Puckered Maiden, a ghost who eats the hearts of her victims. But is it the malevolent spirit they should fear, or each other?
As the production crew ramps up the frights, tensions rise and the secrets of the cast member start coming to light. Each of these teenagers has hidden motives for taking part in the show. But could one of them be murder?]]>
Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are‘s immediate appeal is for its promised mystery/thriller approach to a reality TV series. Unfortunately, Foxfield’s writing was not strong enough to convince me of the terrors lurking in Umber Gorge caves, and once that premise fell apart, the rest of the novel tumbled like a cave-in.
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author: Kathryn Foxfield
name: Sha
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2022/11/25
date added: 2022/11/27
shelves: 2022, mysteries, thriller-and-horror, young-adult
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Fire through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are‘s immediate appeal is for its promised mystery/thriller approach to a reality TV series. Unfortunately, Foxfield’s writing was not strong enough to convince me of the terrors lurking in Umber Gorge caves, and once that premise fell apart, the rest of the novel tumbled like a cave-in.
]]>
� Madrid, 1957 �
Under the oppressive dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into Spain under the welcoming promise of sunshine and wine. Among them is eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, the son of an oil tycoon, who arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping to connect with the country of his mother's birth through the lens of his camera. Photography—and fate—introduce him to Ana, whose family's interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War, as well as chilling definitions of fortune and fear. Daniel's photographs leave him with uncomfortable questions amidst shadows of danger. He is backed into a corner of difficult decisions to protect those he loves. Lives and hearts collide, revealing an incredibly dark side to the sunny Spanish city.
Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys once again shines light into one of history's darkest corners in this epic, heart-wrenching novel about identity, unforgettable love, repercussions of war, and the hidden violence of silence—inspired by the true postwar struggles of Spain.
Includes vintage media reports, oral history commentary, photos, and more.]]>
On the other hand, some downsides include a dragging beginning and a fast-paced end; vague cliffhangers that don't get revealed until several pages later (to the point you almost forgot about them); and an over-reliance on certain lines (such as variations on "I need to keep secrets" / "I know how to keep secrets").
Our of the now four books by Ruta Sepetys that I have read, this will be the one I rank last. The mystery never quite gripped me and when it began to unravel, it all happened so fast I never had a chance to become involved. I have no true feelings about this book, other than a great desire to learn more.]]>
author: Ruta Sepetys
name: Sha
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2022/11/22
date added: 2022/11/22
shelves: 2022, abuse-and-trauma, eye-opening, historical-fiction
review:
Highlights of this novel include the chance to learn about the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, particularly from the perspective of an outsider (which I think most of us would be?); short chapters to keep you engaged; and an intertwined mystery that ties the five PoVs together.
On the other hand, some downsides include a dragging beginning and a fast-paced end; vague cliffhangers that don't get revealed until several pages later (to the point you almost forgot about them); and an over-reliance on certain lines (such as variations on "I need to keep secrets" / "I know how to keep secrets").
Our of the now four books by Ruta Sepetys that I have read, this will be the one I rank last. The mystery never quite gripped me and when it began to unravel, it all happened so fast I never had a chance to become involved. I have no true feelings about this book, other than a great desire to learn more.
]]>
It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother’s eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.
But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren’t just eccentric: they’re monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn’t just a cute boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.
As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .
. . . she is not the hero.]]>
author: Vanessa Len
name: Sha
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/10
shelves: to-read
review:
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Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.
Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom?
A gut-wrenching, startling window into communist Romania and the citizen spy network that devastated a nation, from the number one New York Times best-selling, award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray.]]>
author: Ruta Sepetys
name: Sha
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/10
shelves: to-read
review:
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Violet is a prophet and a liar, influencing the royal court with her cleverly phrased—and not always true—divinations. Honesty is for suckers, like the oh-so-not charming Prince Cyrus, who plans to strip Violet of her official role once he’s crowned at the end of the summer—unless Violet does something about it.
But when the king asks her to falsely prophesy Cyrus’s love story for an upcoming ball, Violet awakens a dreaded curse, one that will end in either damnation or salvation for the kingdom—all depending on the prince’s choice of future bride. Violet faces her own choice: Seize an opportunity to gain control of her own destiny, no matter the cost, or give in to the ill-fated attraction that’s growing between her and Cyrus.
Violet’s wits may protect her in the cutthroat court, but they can’t change her fate. And as the boundary between hatred and love grows ever thinner with the prince, Violet must untangle a wicked web of deceit in order to save herself and the kingdom—or doom them all.]]>
author: Gina Chen
name: Sha
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/10
shelves: to-read
review:
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To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.
The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom—and the world.
Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Tomi Adeyemi, and Sabaa Tahir, this is the explosive first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award-nominated author Tahereh Mafi.]]>
author: Tahereh Mafi
name: Sha
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/10
shelves: to-read
review:
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She's always had a special connection to the place, even before she was old enough to attend. The camp is the lifeline of Roxwood, the small town she lives in. Alpine Lake provides jobs, money and prestige to the region. Few Roxwood locals, though, get to reap the rewards of living so close to the glam summer that camp, with its five-figure tuition and rich kids who have been dumped there for eight weeks by their powerful parents. Goldie's one of them.
Even with her "townie" background, Goldie has never felt more at home at camp and now she's back as a counselor, desperate for summer to start and her best friends, Ava and Imogen, to arrive. Because Goldie has a terrible dark secret she's been keeping and she is more in need of the comfort than ever.
But Goldie's not the only person at camp who has been lying. When a teen turns up dead in the lake late one night, she knows that the death couldn't have been an accident. She also knows that Ava was at the lake that same night.
What did Ava see and what does she know? Why hasn't she said anything to Goldie about the death? Worse--what did Ava do?
But asking questions offers no answers, only broken bonds of lifelong friendship, with hidden danger and betrayals deeper than Goldie ever imagined.]]>
author: Jessica Goodman
name: Sha
average rating: 3.52
book published: 2022
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/10
shelves: to-read
review:
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As she loses everything she's long taken for granted, Chloe must reckon not only with the truth of what happened, but also with the examination of her own guilt. Why did her parents think the only way for her to succeed was to cheat for her? What did she know, and when did she know it? And perhaps most importantly, what does it mean to be complicit?]]>
author: Julie Buxbaum
name: Sha
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/12/11
shelves: to-read
review:
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Between her cruel family and the contempt she faces at court, Princess Alyrra has always longed to escape the confines of her royal life. But when she’s betrothed to the powerful prince Kestrin, Alyrra embarks on a journey to his land with little hope for a better future.
When a mysterious and terrifying sorceress robs Alyrra of both her identity and her role as princess, Alyrra seizes the opportunity to start a new life for herself as a goose girl.
But Alyrra soon finds that Kestrin is not what she expected. The more Alyrra learns of this new kingdom, the pain and suffering its people endure, as well as the danger facing Kestrin from the sorceress herself, the more she knows she can’t remain the goose girl forever.
With the fate of the kingdom at stake, Alyrra is caught between two worlds and ultimately must decide who she is, and what she stands for.
Includes The Bone Knife, a bonus short story set in the ld of Thorn.]]>
author: Intisar Khanani
name: Sha
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2012
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/08/15
shelves: to-read
review:
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Salma Bakkioui has always loved living in her suburban cul-de-sac, with her best friend Mariam next door, and her boyfriend Amir nearby. Then things start to change. Friends start to distance themselves. Mariam's family moves when her father's patients no longer want a Muslim chiropractor. Even trusted teachers look the other way when hostile students threaten Salma at school.
After a terrorist bombing nearby, Islamaphobia tightens its grip around Salma and her family. Shockingly, she and Amir find themselves with few allies as they come under suspicion for the bombing. As Salma starts to investigate who is framing them, she uncovers a deadly secret conspiracy with suspicious ties to her new neighbors--but no one believes her. Salma must use her coding talent, wits, and faith to expose the truth and protect the only home she's ever known--before it's too late.]]>
author: Rabiah York Lumbard
name: Sha
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/08/15
shelves: to-read
review:
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As they secretly meet over the coming days, Mehreen develops a strong bond with Cara and Olivia, the only people who seem to understand what she's going through. But ironically, the thing that brought them together to commit suicide has also created a mutually supportive friendship that makes them realise that, with the right help, life is worth living. It's not long before all three want out of the pact. But in a terrifying twist of fate, the website won't let them stop, and an increasingly sinister game begins, with MementoMori playing the girls off against each other.
A pact is a pact, after all.
In this powerful debut written in three points of view, Yasmin Rahman has created a moving, poignant novel celebrating life. ALL THE THINGS WE NEVER SAID is about friendship, strength and survival.]]>
author: Yasmin Rahman
name: Sha
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/08/15
shelves: to-read
review:
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However, the city bears scars of its recent past, when the chaotic tribe of Shayateen djinn slaughtered its entire population—except for Fatima and two other humans. Now ruled by a new maharajah, Noor is protected from the Shayateen by the Ifrit, djinn of order and reason, and by their commander, Zulfikar.
But when one of the most potent of the Ifrit dies, Fatima is changed in ways she cannot fathom, ways that scare even those who love her. Oud in hand, Fatima is drawn into the intrigues of the maharajah and his sister, the affairs of Zulfikar and the djinn, and the dangers of a magical battlefield.
Nafiza Azad weaves an immersive tale of magic and the importance of names; fiercely independent women; and, perhaps most importantly, the work for harmony within a city of a thousand cultures and cadences.]]>
author: Nafiza Azad
name: Sha
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/08/15
shelves: to-read
review:
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Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the sultan. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways. Both Zafira and Nasir are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya--but neither wants to be.
War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the sultan on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds--and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.]]>
author: Hafsah Faizal
name: Sha
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/08/15
shelves: to-read
review:
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For popular high school senior Samantha Kingston, February 12�"Cupid Day"—should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at the top of the social pyramid. And it is…until she dies in a terrible accident that night.
However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.
Named to numerous state reading lists, this novel was also recognized as a Best Book of the Year by Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, The Daily Beast, NPR, and Publishers Weekly. It has been optioned for film by Fox 2000 Pictures.
Supports the Common Core State Standards.]]>
but for you, i will try.
official rating: 4.5
� samantha from page one is not the same samantha from page 370. as she repeats the day of her death, she realizes the consequences both large and small of her callous and self-centered attitude. i did NOT like page one samantha, even though she did resonate with me from time to time. she loves her little sister, Izzy. she's unfailingly loyal to her best friends, Elody, Allie, and Lindsay. she has occasional insights into her selfish actions, but still gives in to peer pressure and crowd mentality.
� many common teen misconceptions / actions are covered in BEFORE I FALL. Oliver shows how these can negatively play out (especially when samantha gives in to her ego one day and REALLY goes wild). these include: cheating on a partner (and others knowing but keeping it secret); romanticizing student-teacher relationships; sex and virginity (when to have it/its importance); the importance of popularity vs being authentic.
� i believe, since it wasn't stated in the book but the language makes it very much sound this way, that [spoilers removed] with that said i wish we got a scene where this was said straightforwards and samantha could have set in motion something to help her. especially since this character needed the most growth in the book and esp professionally therapy could give her that.
� the most important thread in this book: juliet. i appreciated how slowly samantha came to realize that no, you can't just say sorry for bullying someone every single day. that doesn't fix things. [spoilers removed] ]]>
author: Lauren Oliver
name: Sha
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2020/06/14
date added: 2020/06/18
shelves: abuse-and-trauma, eye-opening, magical-realism, realistic-fiction, young-adult
review:
i don't know quite what to say about this book. BEFORE I FALL was something that i experienced (not personally, but like, the book itself became an experience) and speaking about it somehow removes me from everything i felt as i went through its pages.
but for you, i will try.
official rating: 4.5
� samantha from page one is not the same samantha from page 370. as she repeats the day of her death, she realizes the consequences both large and small of her callous and self-centered attitude. i did NOT like page one samantha, even though she did resonate with me from time to time. she loves her little sister, Izzy. she's unfailingly loyal to her best friends, Elody, Allie, and Lindsay. she has occasional insights into her selfish actions, but still gives in to peer pressure and crowd mentality.
� many common teen misconceptions / actions are covered in BEFORE I FALL. Oliver shows how these can negatively play out (especially when samantha gives in to her ego one day and REALLY goes wild). these include: cheating on a partner (and others knowing but keeping it secret); romanticizing student-teacher relationships; sex and virginity (when to have it/its importance); the importance of popularity vs being authentic.
� i believe, since it wasn't stated in the book but the language makes it very much sound this way, that [spoilers removed] with that said i wish we got a scene where this was said straightforwards and samantha could have set in motion something to help her. especially since this character needed the most growth in the book and esp professionally therapy could give her that.
� the most important thread in this book: juliet. i appreciated how slowly samantha came to realize that no, you can't just say sorry for bullying someone every single day. that doesn't fix things. [spoilers removed]
]]>
Putting the dead in deadline
To Bee or not to Bee? When the widely disliked Honeywell Stingers football coach is found murdered, 17-year-old Millie is determined to investigate. She is chasing a lead for the school newspaper - and looking to clear her father, the assistant coach, and prime suspect.
Millie's partner is gorgeous, smart-and keeping secrets
Millie joins forces with her mysterious classmate Chase who seems to want to help her even while covering up secrets of his own.
She's starting to get a reputation…without any of the benefits.
Drama-and bodies-pile up around Millie and she chases clues, snuggles Baxter the so-ugly-he's-adorable bassett hound, and storms out of the world's most awkward school dance/memorial mash-up. At least she gets to eat a lot of pie.
Best-selling author Beth Fantaskey's funny, fast-paced blend of Clueless and Nancy Drew is a suspenseful page-turner that is the best time a reader can have with buried weapons, chicken clocks, and a boy who only watches gloomy movies…but somehow makes Millie smile. Bee-lieve it.
Pair with Fantaskey's best-selling Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side.]]>
i was a third into the book when i consciously came to the decision to skim to the end. ofc i wanted to know who killed coach Killdare, i've yet to read a mystery book that couldn't at the very least hook me on to the whodunit plot line. nothing else kept me hooked tho and if you're interested to know why i'll go into some greater details below.
]]>
author: Beth Fantaskey
name: Sha
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2014
rating: 2
read at: 2020/06/12
date added: 2020/06/12
shelves: mysteries, young-adult
review:
official rating: 2.5
i was a third into the book when i consciously came to the decision to skim to the end. ofc i wanted to know who killed coach Killdare, i've yet to read a mystery book that couldn't at the very least hook me on to the whodunit plot line. nothing else kept me hooked tho and if you're interested to know why i'll go into some greater details below.
]]>
KAT is sick and tired of being bullied by her former best friend.
LILLIA has always looked out for her little sister, so when she discovers that one of her guy friends has been secretly hooking up with her, she’s going to put a stop to it.
MARY is perpetually haunted by a traumatic event from years past, and the boy who’s responsible has yet to get what’s coming to him.
None of the girls can act on their revenge fantasies alone without being suspected. But together…anything is possible.
With an alliance in place, there will be no more “I wish I’d said…� or “If I could go back and do things differently...� These girls will show Jar Island that revenge is a dish best enjoyed together.]]>
series score 3/5
book score 4/5
mary: her chapters are often short and vague. she doesn't do much, or think much. she's the least interesting of the trio. this changes by the third book, and by that point, you kind of just hate her. all things considered, it's unfair, which is why i wish in this book she was given a stronger voice to connect with the readers.
lillia: my favourite of the three girls but i don't know if this is saying a lot. she is still M E S S Y. she doesn't mind using other people, even though she has limits. she easily bends to rennie's demands. i like how she cares about her sister, but sometimes the relationship seems more about lillia telling nadia what to do ("THIS will keep you safe") than actual bonding moments. it's clear something bad has happened to her at the college boys' party, and her attitude is affected by it.
kat: actually maybe kat is my fave? i mean she's harsh but she's the most honest. i get thrown off a lot by her "dudes" and "yos" because the characterization doesn't feel authentic. otherwise her character is the most consistent so, i like that.
rennie: i like her for brief seconds when she admits how shitty life can be at home, but then she's an absolute terror to everyone around her even her self-proclaimed best friend, lillia, so nevermind i really can't stand her and she has no redeeming qualities. kat has a bad life and i don't see her calling people fat in front of a group of their peers.
reeve: straight up jerk, no noticeable redeeming qualities except once he let rennie wipe spit off his shirt with his sleeve.
alex: this guy seriously flip flops all over the book. sometimes he's the absolute sweetest guy in the world, sometimes he's a complete raging jerk, and sometimes he's flat out shady. i get the writers did the shady bit on purpose but they do realize he is also the jerk part sometimes, right?
anyway like i said, these people are MESSY except for P.J. literally only good person around. love u p.j.
as to the storyline itself i was hooked which is why this book gets 4 stars despite these messy messy people. in fact, it's because of the messy people this book gets such a high rating. think PLL. everyone has their little secrets and yet they're constantly pulling rank and sneaking around to get dirt on someone. BURN FOR BURN is about three girls who have decided that three people have done irredeemable wrong -- without getting all the facts -- and deserve revenge.
unsurprisingly, things don't go to plan.]]>
author: Jenny Han
name: Sha
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2020/06/03
date added: 2020/06/11
shelves: abuse-and-trauma, magical-realism, realistic-fiction, sexual-violence, young-adult
review:
everyone in this book is messy.
series score 3/5
book score 4/5
mary: her chapters are often short and vague. she doesn't do much, or think much. she's the least interesting of the trio. this changes by the third book, and by that point, you kind of just hate her. all things considered, it's unfair, which is why i wish in this book she was given a stronger voice to connect with the readers.
lillia: my favourite of the three girls but i don't know if this is saying a lot. she is still M E S S Y. she doesn't mind using other people, even though she has limits. she easily bends to rennie's demands. i like how she cares about her sister, but sometimes the relationship seems more about lillia telling nadia what to do ("THIS will keep you safe") than actual bonding moments. it's clear something bad has happened to her at the college boys' party, and her attitude is affected by it.
kat: actually maybe kat is my fave? i mean she's harsh but she's the most honest. i get thrown off a lot by her "dudes" and "yos" because the characterization doesn't feel authentic. otherwise her character is the most consistent so, i like that.
rennie: i like her for brief seconds when she admits how shitty life can be at home, but then she's an absolute terror to everyone around her even her self-proclaimed best friend, lillia, so nevermind i really can't stand her and she has no redeeming qualities. kat has a bad life and i don't see her calling people fat in front of a group of their peers.
reeve: straight up jerk, no noticeable redeeming qualities except once he let rennie wipe spit off his shirt with his sleeve.
alex: this guy seriously flip flops all over the book. sometimes he's the absolute sweetest guy in the world, sometimes he's a complete raging jerk, and sometimes he's flat out shady. i get the writers did the shady bit on purpose but they do realize he is also the jerk part sometimes, right?
anyway like i said, these people are MESSY except for P.J. literally only good person around. love u p.j.
as to the storyline itself i was hooked which is why this book gets 4 stars despite these messy messy people. in fact, it's because of the messy people this book gets such a high rating. think PLL. everyone has their little secrets and yet they're constantly pulling rank and sneaking around to get dirt on someone. BURN FOR BURN is about three girls who have decided that three people have done irredeemable wrong -- without getting all the facts -- and deserve revenge.
unsurprisingly, things don't go to plan.
]]>
Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance.
Not even close.
For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before.
And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him.
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.
It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...]]>
series rating: 3/5
book rating: 3/5
mary: her POV could have cut out of this book and my knowledge of significant events wouldn't have changed a fraction of an ounce. it's not great when you know a character has literally been bullied to the point that they attempt suicide, and yet you have more vested interest in their bully. mary is too bland! none of her personality reaches past the page. i know nothing of her.
kat: she gets a job. she is now steadily my favourite character (excluding PJ) though she really doesn't do anything important in this book. excluding stuff that comes up at the end, where [spoilers removed]
lillia: just a messy girl in this one. said some of my thoughts in the spoiler above. i'm not mad at her for any choices she makes in this book because at the end of the day, she's a teen girl w/ hormones and nothing was done maliciously imho. she was put in a bad position. one thing i will say is [spoilers removed]
rennie: i still hate her. nothing she does ever feels authentic, it all seems to be done to manipulate people. [spoilers removed]
reeve: he is amazing now. jk not really but that is what the book says. i actually can't understand what i feel about him, because he's so back and forth. i get whiplash from this boy. i can't tell if he's lying, if the authors didn't write him well enough, or if he's just hella confused.
alex: another case of whiplash. i cannot deal with the men in this book.
the plot: the plot was just lillia pretending to love reeve and then break up with him to break his heart like he broke mary's. hence why our two other protags had absolutely nothing to do for the rest of the book. we all know what happens in a fake romance plot, so that happened. i didn't like a lot of the surrounding cast in this book. let me screech it for you: JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE SAYS I LIKE THIS GUY DOESN'T ME THEY OWN HIM.]]>
author: Jenny Han
name: Sha
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2013
rating: 3
read at: 2020/06/04
date added: 2020/06/11
shelves: abuse-and-trauma, magical-realism, realistic-fiction, sexual-violence, young-adult
review:
M E S S Y people gotta stay M E S S Y.
series rating: 3/5
book rating: 3/5
mary: her POV could have cut out of this book and my knowledge of significant events wouldn't have changed a fraction of an ounce. it's not great when you know a character has literally been bullied to the point that they attempt suicide, and yet you have more vested interest in their bully. mary is too bland! none of her personality reaches past the page. i know nothing of her.
kat: she gets a job. she is now steadily my favourite character (excluding PJ) though she really doesn't do anything important in this book. excluding stuff that comes up at the end, where [spoilers removed]
lillia: just a messy girl in this one. said some of my thoughts in the spoiler above. i'm not mad at her for any choices she makes in this book because at the end of the day, she's a teen girl w/ hormones and nothing was done maliciously imho. she was put in a bad position. one thing i will say is [spoilers removed]
rennie: i still hate her. nothing she does ever feels authentic, it all seems to be done to manipulate people. [spoilers removed]
reeve: he is amazing now. jk not really but that is what the book says. i actually can't understand what i feel about him, because he's so back and forth. i get whiplash from this boy. i can't tell if he's lying, if the authors didn't write him well enough, or if he's just hella confused.
alex: another case of whiplash. i cannot deal with the men in this book.
the plot: the plot was just lillia pretending to love reeve and then break up with him to break his heart like he broke mary's. hence why our two other protags had absolutely nothing to do for the rest of the book. we all know what happens in a fake romance plot, so that happened. i didn't like a lot of the surrounding cast in this book. let me screech it for you: JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE SAYS I LIKE THIS GUY DOESN'T ME THEY OWN HIM.
]]>
After Rennie's death, Kat and Lillia try to put the pieces together of what happened to her. They both blame themselves. If Lillia hadn't left with Reeve... If Kat had only stayed with Rennie... Things could have been different. Now they will never be the same.
Only Mary knows the truth about that night. About what she is. She also knows the truth about Lillia and Reeve falling in love, about Reeve being happy when all he deserves is misery, just like the misery he caused her. Now their childish attempts at revenge are a thing of the past and Mary is out for blood. Will she leave anything in her wake or will all that remain be ashes?]]>
series rating: 3/5
book rating: 2/5
lillia: i mean, i didn't know where i stood with you for a lot of this one. but i think you made the right decision in the end, sorta. i don't get the alex part.
kat: the thing about oberlin? yeah i'm confused. thanks for being the only one who stuck to her beliefs the whole way through. even though get it through your head, rennie was a crap person. yes, mourn her, but also don't praise this girl just because she did. she literally died CHASING DOWN A GUY WHO WASN'T HER BOYFRIEND to expose her ex-best friend. this girl was wild.
mary: i'm sorry you were done so dirty and i came out hating you and pitying your bully. you deserved a better character arc.
reeve: yeah.
alex: no words either.
the story line: mary has finally realized she's a ghost, which makes her an angry and vengeful demon. lillia's friends realized she is dating reeve, who is rennie's boyfriend (never was actually) which make them all angry and vengeful. kat is kat so she is angry and vengeful. mostly just wrath is happening, i guess, until prom and there is an explosion.
not the most satisfying series ending. i felt good in the moment, and then all the questions came up. do not recommend if you want a happy ending, but also, did you expend one from the summary? ]]>
author: Jenny Han
name: Sha
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2014
rating: 2
read at: 2020/06/04
date added: 2020/06/11
shelves: abuse-and-trauma, magical-realism, realistic-fiction, sexual-violence, young-adult
review:
it's over.
series rating: 3/5
book rating: 2/5
lillia: i mean, i didn't know where i stood with you for a lot of this one. but i think you made the right decision in the end, sorta. i don't get the alex part.
kat: the thing about oberlin? yeah i'm confused. thanks for being the only one who stuck to her beliefs the whole way through. even though get it through your head, rennie was a crap person. yes, mourn her, but also don't praise this girl just because she did. she literally died CHASING DOWN A GUY WHO WASN'T HER BOYFRIEND to expose her ex-best friend. this girl was wild.
mary: i'm sorry you were done so dirty and i came out hating you and pitying your bully. you deserved a better character arc.
reeve: yeah.
alex: no words either.
the story line: mary has finally realized she's a ghost, which makes her an angry and vengeful demon. lillia's friends realized she is dating reeve, who is rennie's boyfriend (never was actually) which make them all angry and vengeful. kat is kat so she is angry and vengeful. mostly just wrath is happening, i guess, until prom and there is an explosion.
not the most satisfying series ending. i felt good in the moment, and then all the questions came up. do not recommend if you want a happy ending, but also, did you expend one from the summary?
]]>
Fear grips the residents of Hidden Falls the night Sonia Feldman and her best friend, Gretchen Meyer, are attacked in the woods. Sonia was lucky to escape with her life, but Gretchen’s body is discovered at the bottom of a waterfall. Beautiful, popular, and seemingly untouchable, Gretchen can’t be gone. Even as Sonia struggles with guilt and confusion over having survived, the whole town is looking to her for information…could she have seen something that will lead the police to the killer?
At the top of the list of suspects is Gretchen’s ex-boyfriend—and Sonia’s longtime enemy—Marcus Perez. So when Marcus comes to Sonia for help clearing his name, she agrees, hoping to find evidence the police need to prove he’s the killer. But as Gretchen’s many secrets emerge and the suspects add up, Sonia feels less sure of Marcus’s involvement, and more afraid for herself. Could Marcus, the artist, the screwup, the boy she might be falling for have attacked her? Killed her best friend? And if it wasn’t him in the woods that night…who could it have been?]]>
no but i was thoroughly hooked for the entirety of TAKE THE FALL. and when i got to the end i wanted to read it all over again and just scour for clues i must have missed. Hainsworth really got me with this one and if you're looking for a strong YA mystery this is it.
]]>
author: Emily Hainsworth
name: Sha
average rating: 3.49
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2020/06/02
date added: 2020/06/11
shelves: mysteries, realistic-fiction, young-adult
review:
the ending! the beginning! the middle!
no but i was thoroughly hooked for the entirety of TAKE THE FALL. and when i got to the end i wanted to read it all over again and just scour for clues i must have missed. Hainsworth really got me with this one and if you're looking for a strong YA mystery this is it.
]]>
Willa is freaking out. It seems like she's seeing things. Like a dead body in her swimming pool. Frantic messages on her walls. A reflection that is not her own. It's almost as if someone—or something—is trying to send her a message.
Meanwhile, a killer is stalking Los Angeles—a killer who reenacts famous movie murder scenes. Could Willa's strange visions have to do with these unsolved murders? Or is she going crazy? And who can she confide in? There's Marnie, her new friend who may not be totally trustworthy. And there's Reed, who's ridiculously handsome and seems to get Willa. There's also Wyatt, who's super smart but unhealthily obsessed with the Hollywood Killer.
All Willa knows is, she has to confront the possible-ghost in her house, or she just might lose her mind . . . or her life.
Acclaimed author Katie Alender puts an unforgettable twist on this spine-chilling tale of murder, mystery, mayhem—and the movies.]]>
i'mma be honest, i knew the whodunit legit from reading the synopsis but that didn't take away an ounce of my reading pleasure. Alender's writing is peak in this book. everything is clean and easy to read (like, you know the feel?) and there is paranormal activity and never have i felt so SHOOK reading ghostly comings and goings before. the creepy factor was unreal.
Willa herself is smart and cunning, precisely who i need in my mystery heroines. she doesn't whip out a magnifying glass to hunt for clues (i always have trouble believing books where the protag is like yes, i will solve this mystery completely unrelated to me) but when odd things collide with her life she doesn't ignore her role.
would read another Alender mystery 10/10 also the romance had me like yes please, i support]]>
author: Katie Alender
name: Sha
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2020/06/01
date added: 2020/06/11
shelves: badass-female-mc, young-adult, mysteries, romance, magical-realism
review:
this is how to write a YA murder mystery.
i'mma be honest, i knew the whodunit legit from reading the synopsis but that didn't take away an ounce of my reading pleasure. Alender's writing is peak in this book. everything is clean and easy to read (like, you know the feel?) and there is paranormal activity and never have i felt so SHOOK reading ghostly comings and goings before. the creepy factor was unreal.
Willa herself is smart and cunning, precisely who i need in my mystery heroines. she doesn't whip out a magnifying glass to hunt for clues (i always have trouble believing books where the protag is like yes, i will solve this mystery completely unrelated to me) but when odd things collide with her life she doesn't ignore her role.
would read another Alender mystery 10/10 also the romance had me like yes please, i support
]]>
There are ghosts around every corner in Fayette, Pennsylvania. Tessa left when she was nine and has been trying ever since not to think about it after what happened there that last summer. Memories of things so dark will burn themselves into your mind if you let them.
Callie never left. She moved to another house, so she doesn’t have to walk those same halls, but then Callie always was the stronger one. She can handle staring into the faces of her demons—and if she parties hard enough, maybe one day they’ll disappear for good.
Tessa and Callie have never talked about what they saw that night. After the trial, Callie drifted and Tessa moved, and childhood friends just have a way of losing touch.
But ever since she left, Tessa has had questions. Things have never quite added up. And now she has to go back to Fayette—to Wyatt Stokes, sitting on death row; to Lori Cawley, Callie’s dead cousin; and to the one other person who may be hiding the truth.
Only the closer Tessa gets to the truth, the closer she gets to a killer—and this time, it won’t be so easy to run away.]]>
(i) there are two mysteries tangled up into each other in THE DARKEST CORNERS and Thomas isn't as clear on that from the beginning. the plots bump against each other but never quite connect until the very, very end.
we're treated to tessa wanting to see her dying father in prison except, oh no, he's already dead. but she'll stay in Fayette a little longer because it turns out her long lost sister popped up at his jail and now she wants to find her sister. but actually also her sister is a connection to find her MOM. and actually she wants to find her sister because there was a serial killer in town nine years ago and tessa testified against him but maybe he's not the actual killer?
(ii) there are just so many characters. some of them are red herrings. some are leads tessa follows up that eat up page time just to be massive dead ends. the most important characters, jos and tessa's mom, are mostly explored in flashbacks. since they're tessa's motivation, it would have been great to get more real time with them.
(iii) almost every single character is unlikeable. i don't know if this is partly because tessa, as the narrator, *dislikes* so many people due to her past traumas. but all the male characters in particular are either alcoholics, or abusive (emotionally or physically) or simply described as incompetent or ugly. the woman are mostly just distant or weak.
(iv) the book meandered a lot. i was bored for the majority and could see myself DNFing. i really just continued because it's such a short book. the ending was shocking, more from the mystery around tessa's family than the serial killer.
the serial killer plot line: kind of absurd. how it was wrapped up was absurd and kind of unsatisfying.
tessa's family plot line: an intriguing story. i think it would have been stronger if it was a focus of the book, not a side plot. especially because of how rushed it was at the end.
also NONE of the "investigating" done in the book until practically the last third actually helped with any of the two plots so... yeah. oof.]]>
author: Kara Thomas
name: Sha
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2020/06/01
date added: 2020/06/11
shelves: abuse-and-trauma, mysteries, new-adult, realistic-fiction, young-adult, no-romance
review:
i had several issues with this book.
(i) there are two mysteries tangled up into each other in THE DARKEST CORNERS and Thomas isn't as clear on that from the beginning. the plots bump against each other but never quite connect until the very, very end.
we're treated to tessa wanting to see her dying father in prison except, oh no, he's already dead. but she'll stay in Fayette a little longer because it turns out her long lost sister popped up at his jail and now she wants to find her sister. but actually also her sister is a connection to find her MOM. and actually she wants to find her sister because there was a serial killer in town nine years ago and tessa testified against him but maybe he's not the actual killer?
(ii) there are just so many characters. some of them are red herrings. some are leads tessa follows up that eat up page time just to be massive dead ends. the most important characters, jos and tessa's mom, are mostly explored in flashbacks. since they're tessa's motivation, it would have been great to get more real time with them.
(iii) almost every single character is unlikeable. i don't know if this is partly because tessa, as the narrator, *dislikes* so many people due to her past traumas. but all the male characters in particular are either alcoholics, or abusive (emotionally or physically) or simply described as incompetent or ugly. the woman are mostly just distant or weak.
(iv) the book meandered a lot. i was bored for the majority and could see myself DNFing. i really just continued because it's such a short book. the ending was shocking, more from the mystery around tessa's family than the serial killer.
the serial killer plot line: kind of absurd. how it was wrapped up was absurd and kind of unsatisfying.
tessa's family plot line: an intriguing story. i think it would have been stronger if it was a focus of the book, not a side plot. especially because of how rushed it was at the end.
also NONE of the "investigating" done in the book until practically the last third actually helped with any of the two plots so... yeah. oof.
]]>
When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights... and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface.
At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful.]]>
i read this back in january or maybe even december and i can barely remember a thing about it. which is not great. i was confused during my reading, and not as impressed with Celine as i usually am with Ahdieh's heroines.
i won't write anything more since i truly have no deep recollection of this book other than i didn't even want to finish it. i wasn't invested in the story, skimmed a good portion, and only made it to the end because it's RENEE AHDIEH.
i will re-read this one day and hopefully bring my rating up. ]]>
author: Renée Ahdieh
name: Sha
average rating: 3.65
book published: 2019
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 2020/06/02
shelves: 2019, fantasy, romance, young-adult
review:
i don't quite know what to say about this. i was anxiously awaiting the beautiful since it's very existence was announced and when i finally got my hands on a copy i was not as in love as i hoped.
i read this back in january or maybe even december and i can barely remember a thing about it. which is not great. i was confused during my reading, and not as impressed with Celine as i usually am with Ahdieh's heroines.
i won't write anything more since i truly have no deep recollection of this book other than i didn't even want to finish it. i wasn't invested in the story, skimmed a good portion, and only made it to the end because it's RENEE AHDIEH.
i will re-read this one day and hopefully bring my rating up.
]]>
rep: questioning |until now I didn't realize "questioning" could also apply to those unsure about the label they wanted to choose, so i'm glad i learned that through this story. i wasn't a fan of the second person POV. there wasso muchskateboard terminology that i was a bit overwhelmed. the ending left me with a "that's it?" feeling.
What Happens in the Closet
Caleb Roehrig
rep: gay male, closeted mlm |i was hooked from the start, how have i not read a Roehrig book before now? thank you for fulfilling my need for ~gay~ vampires (cannot wait for his full vampire novelThe Fell of Dark!) and sassy teens. i really hope Lucas sticks to his word because i like this couple.
Player One Fight!
Eliot Schrefer
rep: gay male, questioning/closeted mlm |i felt for Ricky in this one. i don't think this is an uncommon experience for LGBTQ+ youth, and Ricky's hopefulness mixed with his stated distrust for relationships can be relatable. the formatting of the short story was very cool, based on his love of video games.
Lumber Me Mine
CB Lee
rep: wlw, ace |i was so here for Jasmine's journey into independence following an emotionally manipulative relationship. i love you, Jasmine!! (still don't get the title, tho.) her tentative start into a new relationship was beautifully written.
Follower
Will Kostakis
rep: bi, gay |that was so cuuute!! i adored everything, from the writing, to the dialogue between the characters, to the plot (i never would have imagined a story line like that). i had a huge corny smile on my face at the end.
Refresh
Mark Oshiro
rep: plus-size mlm, latinx mlm |i spent half my read in a state of intense nerves for Rodrigo. and then he met his online crush!! and then the thing happened! and then i was feeling all the other emotions! Oshiro, you hooked all my feelings in with this one.
Victory Lap
Julian Winters
rep: mlm | this one was cute and had a welcoming coming out moment. i loved the immediate support Luke got from his father. a lot did happen in a short time in this story, to the point that i felt kind of winded when i finished.
A Road of One's Own
Kate Hart
rep: pansexual indigenous, questioning | i struggled a bit with this one. right at the start, we're introduced to Eliza and her three friends as they drive to pick up a fourth person for a camping trip. i got lost with the names, the personalities, the locations that were thrown in. i liked the open discussions on indigenous identity and history, but the romance wasn't a big win for me since i never connected strongly with the characters.
Seditious Teapots
Katherine Locke
rep: questioning |i was in love with Rory from the first page. this story had very painful moments as Rory questioned the labels they felt comfortable using. tw for depression.
Starcrossed
Jessica Verdi
rep: bisexual |this was so good! i was hooked from the first line. no more words, just I Need MORE!
Floating
Tanya Boteju
rep: wlw autistic (?) |boteju's writing is so poetic. i could read it for hours and just ~drift~. this is a character-centric piece where not a lot physically happens but i truly fell in love with Shanti.
The Soft Place
Hillary Monahan
rep: wlw |this story had a dull ache to it that i felt throughout my reading. there was an element of magical realism. i enjoyed Rey's frank discussions with Kimber, for the "pull up your bootstraps" kind of talk that it was.
A Pound of Flesh
Kosoko Jackson
rep: Black mlm | past lives, Greek gods? yes please! sadly i was confused throughout this story. there was too little background on why Carson was being reincarnated or why he kept dying early. i couldn't quite make the ties between the Greek gods' presence and the riots going on.
One Spell Too Many
Tara Sim
rep: taiwanese bi, trans male | okay how have i never read a book about witches that run a bakery. tara sim i am PLEADING make this concept a whole book. and if you keep anna and noah as the characters you better bet i will be screeching about this for years. i adored this to the moon and back.
Far From Home
Saundra Mitchell
rep: mlm | aliens! this was a fun read although i wish the story had been told in real time and not as a flash back that is my only critique. wade and river are so great and also if *this* was a book... i mean.
The Coronation
Meredith Russo
rep: trans |i had some trouble following this story. i plan to come back to it another time. there were just some statements that made me go "?" and i need a focused brain to really go through it all. also as a cis person i'm not exactly the person to speak on it.
Once Upon a Seastorm
Fox Benwell
rep: trans male |there was a lot of abstract writing, almost magical realism, used at the beginning of this story. part of me liked it and another part of me got confused because i didn't know if Theo was actually trans or a selkie. OBVIOUSLY HE IS TRANS, but i spent the beginning thinking oh, maybe he is a selkie, so by the end of the story i needed to readjust my thinking which might be the authors' point (since Theo is confused about his identity) but i think this might need a re-read to digest.]]>
author: Saundra Mitchell
name: Sha
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2020/06/01
date added: 2020/06/02
shelves: 2020, fantasy, eye-opening, lgbtq, magical-realism, male-mc, new-adult, realistic-fiction, romance, young-adult
review:
Kick. Push. Coast.
Candice Montgomery
rep: questioning |until now I didn't realize "questioning" could also apply to those unsure about the label they wanted to choose, so i'm glad i learned that through this story. i wasn't a fan of the second person POV. there wasso muchskateboard terminology that i was a bit overwhelmed. the ending left me with a "that's it?" feeling.
What Happens in the Closet
Caleb Roehrig
rep: gay male, closeted mlm |i was hooked from the start, how have i not read a Roehrig book before now? thank you for fulfilling my need for ~gay~ vampires (cannot wait for his full vampire novelThe Fell of Dark!) and sassy teens. i really hope Lucas sticks to his word because i like this couple.
Player One Fight!
Eliot Schrefer
rep: gay male, questioning/closeted mlm |i felt for Ricky in this one. i don't think this is an uncommon experience for LGBTQ+ youth, and Ricky's hopefulness mixed with his stated distrust for relationships can be relatable. the formatting of the short story was very cool, based on his love of video games.
Lumber Me Mine
CB Lee
rep: wlw, ace |i was so here for Jasmine's journey into independence following an emotionally manipulative relationship. i love you, Jasmine!! (still don't get the title, tho.) her tentative start into a new relationship was beautifully written.
Follower
Will Kostakis
rep: bi, gay |that was so cuuute!! i adored everything, from the writing, to the dialogue between the characters, to the plot (i never would have imagined a story line like that). i had a huge corny smile on my face at the end.
Refresh
Mark Oshiro
rep: plus-size mlm, latinx mlm |i spent half my read in a state of intense nerves for Rodrigo. and then he met his online crush!! and then the thing happened! and then i was feeling all the other emotions! Oshiro, you hooked all my feelings in with this one.
Victory Lap
Julian Winters
rep: mlm | this one was cute and had a welcoming coming out moment. i loved the immediate support Luke got from his father. a lot did happen in a short time in this story, to the point that i felt kind of winded when i finished.
A Road of One's Own
Kate Hart
rep: pansexual indigenous, questioning | i struggled a bit with this one. right at the start, we're introduced to Eliza and her three friends as they drive to pick up a fourth person for a camping trip. i got lost with the names, the personalities, the locations that were thrown in. i liked the open discussions on indigenous identity and history, but the romance wasn't a big win for me since i never connected strongly with the characters.
Seditious Teapots
Katherine Locke
rep: questioning |i was in love with Rory from the first page. this story had very painful moments as Rory questioned the labels they felt comfortable using. tw for depression.
Starcrossed
Jessica Verdi
rep: bisexual |this was so good! i was hooked from the first line. no more words, just I Need MORE!
Floating
Tanya Boteju
rep: wlw autistic (?) |boteju's writing is so poetic. i could read it for hours and just ~drift~. this is a character-centric piece where not a lot physically happens but i truly fell in love with Shanti.
The Soft Place
Hillary Monahan
rep: wlw |this story had a dull ache to it that i felt throughout my reading. there was an element of magical realism. i enjoyed Rey's frank discussions with Kimber, for the "pull up your bootstraps" kind of talk that it was.
A Pound of Flesh
Kosoko Jackson
rep: Black mlm | past lives, Greek gods? yes please! sadly i was confused throughout this story. there was too little background on why Carson was being reincarnated or why he kept dying early. i couldn't quite make the ties between the Greek gods' presence and the riots going on.
One Spell Too Many
Tara Sim
rep: taiwanese bi, trans male | okay how have i never read a book about witches that run a bakery. tara sim i am PLEADING make this concept a whole book. and if you keep anna and noah as the characters you better bet i will be screeching about this for years. i adored this to the moon and back.
Far From Home
Saundra Mitchell
rep: mlm | aliens! this was a fun read although i wish the story had been told in real time and not as a flash back that is my only critique. wade and river are so great and also if *this* was a book... i mean.
The Coronation
Meredith Russo
rep: trans |i had some trouble following this story. i plan to come back to it another time. there were just some statements that made me go "?" and i need a focused brain to really go through it all. also as a cis person i'm not exactly the person to speak on it.
Once Upon a Seastorm
Fox Benwell
rep: trans male |there was a lot of abstract writing, almost magical realism, used at the beginning of this story. part of me liked it and another part of me got confused because i didn't know if Theo was actually trans or a selkie. OBVIOUSLY HE IS TRANS, but i spent the beginning thinking oh, maybe he is a selkie, so by the end of the story i needed to readjust my thinking which might be the authors' point (since Theo is confused about his identity) but i think this might need a re-read to digest.
]]>
Bunny Starch, the most feared biology teacher ever, is missing. She disappeared after a school field trip to Black Vine Swamp. And, to be honest, the kids in her class are relieved.
But when the principal tries to tell the students that Mrs. Starch has been called away on a "family emergency," Nick and Marta just don't buy it. No, they figure the class delinquent, Smoke, has something to do with her disappearance.
And he does! But not in the way they think. There's a lot more going on in Black Vine Swamp than any one player in this twisted tale can see. And Nick and Marta will have to reckon with an eccentric eco-avenger, a stuffed rat named Chelsea, a wannabe Texas oilman, a singing substitute teacher, and a ticked-off Florida panther before they really begin to see the big picture.
That's life in the swamp, kids.]]>
this might be my least favourite of the Carl Hiaasen books i have read. not to say it's bad (i did give it four stars) but it's not quite up there with Flush, Hoot, and Chomp.
the characters in this book are all extreme versions of themselves, to the point that it's hard to picture them as real people. bunny starch is a militant biology teacher who keeps her personal life secret even from fellow faculty. Marta is an inquisitive Cuban-American who *cannot* stop asking questions. Jimmy Lee Bayliss, on-site manager for Red Diamond oil, has an upset stomach and eats a lot of Tums.
the simplified characters helped, in a way, because there were quite a lot of characters in this book. at times i forgot who people were. Hiaasen used a third person omniscient narrative style in this book, which i'm not entirely certain was necessary. i would have preferred to zero in on Nick (who i feel was the protagonist) and learn more about his father, a recently-returned veteran from Iraq and war amputee.
a good portion of this book was spent on people "seeking". by this i mean we had various characters (some that were not intrinsic to the plot, at least not from a POV standpoint) trying to find the missing Bunny Starch. the writing quality was great as always, i always enjoy Hiaasen's writing as it's sharp and humourous delivery. but this means we don't reach a climactic point until well past 3/4 of the book, when we learn where Bunny is, why she went missing, and how Nick and Marta can help.
at this point, the action unfolds swiftly in comparison to the rest of the book. as a resolution it was a bit unsatisfying after everything we'd already been through with these characters. still the overall themes and writing quality of the book are of great value and i enjoyed my read. ]]>
author: Carl Hiaasen
name: Sha
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/27
date added: 2020/05/28
shelves: middle-grade, male-mc, realistic-fiction
review:
ms. starch is feared by her entire biology class—she's strict and her entire personal life is shrouded in mystery. on a field trip to the black vine swamp, there is a wildfire and she goes missing while searching for a student's asthma inhaler. while searching for clues to her whereabouts, students Nick and Marta become wrapped up in a oil scam and an attempt to save an endangered species.
this might be my least favourite of the Carl Hiaasen books i have read. not to say it's bad (i did give it four stars) but it's not quite up there with Flush, Hoot, and Chomp.
the characters in this book are all extreme versions of themselves, to the point that it's hard to picture them as real people. bunny starch is a militant biology teacher who keeps her personal life secret even from fellow faculty. Marta is an inquisitive Cuban-American who *cannot* stop asking questions. Jimmy Lee Bayliss, on-site manager for Red Diamond oil, has an upset stomach and eats a lot of Tums.
the simplified characters helped, in a way, because there were quite a lot of characters in this book. at times i forgot who people were. Hiaasen used a third person omniscient narrative style in this book, which i'm not entirely certain was necessary. i would have preferred to zero in on Nick (who i feel was the protagonist) and learn more about his father, a recently-returned veteran from Iraq and war amputee.
a good portion of this book was spent on people "seeking". by this i mean we had various characters (some that were not intrinsic to the plot, at least not from a POV standpoint) trying to find the missing Bunny Starch. the writing quality was great as always, i always enjoy Hiaasen's writing as it's sharp and humourous delivery. but this means we don't reach a climactic point until well past 3/4 of the book, when we learn where Bunny is, why she went missing, and how Nick and Marta can help.
at this point, the action unfolds swiftly in comparison to the rest of the book. as a resolution it was a bit unsatisfying after everything we'd already been through with these characters. still the overall themes and writing quality of the book are of great value and i enjoyed my read.
]]>
Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.
What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents, she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.]]>
WHAT I LOVED
� Kinsella never fails to get me laughing with her quirky, often scattered protagonists. Poppy was no exception. She gets herself in the stickiest of situations and her "oh no what to do next, well I guess I could..." trains of thought always have me chuckling.
� Poppy is super independent and seeing her grow even more comfortable in her own skin was great. I related to a lot of her struggles, including how to convey herself as "friendly" over text (i always overused exclamation marks haha) so it was cool seeing that part of myself portrayed in text.
� While this is a romance/romantic comedy first and foremost, I thoroughly loved the added mystery element Kinsella threw in with "who is trying to overthrow Sam's company" and the other thing I won't mention because spoiler. Sometimes a purely romance only plot can become dry, and this kept the plot rolling.
� The story chugs along at a comfortable pace and I could never take my eyes away.
WHAT I DIDN'T ENJOY AS MUCH
� It's part of the premise so I'm not *surprised* but Poppy using a phone that was not her own did sometimes bother me. At the beginning it wasn't a big issue, she did make an arrangement with the phone's owner, but as the story goes on she starts to meddle in his personal emails and remains very confident that what she does is right. This is not a nice side of Poppy and I would have appreciated her showing more remorse for her actions, and seeing greater consequences for what she did.
� There were moments when the ~mystery~ going on at Sam's company had logic gaps which IMHO were kept in so that Poppy could play a greater role in solving the whole thing. It's a big company, I don't really think she would have been as necessary if this wasn't a book and also she was the heroine haha. The simple fact that often the company "techies" couldn't do very simple tasks for weeks was a big sign to me. ]]>
author: Sophie Kinsella
name: Sha
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/23
date added: 2020/05/28
shelves: adult, humour, realistic-fiction, romance
review:
another day, another re-read, another review.
WHAT I LOVED
� Kinsella never fails to get me laughing with her quirky, often scattered protagonists. Poppy was no exception. She gets herself in the stickiest of situations and her "oh no what to do next, well I guess I could..." trains of thought always have me chuckling.
� Poppy is super independent and seeing her grow even more comfortable in her own skin was great. I related to a lot of her struggles, including how to convey herself as "friendly" over text (i always overused exclamation marks haha) so it was cool seeing that part of myself portrayed in text.
� While this is a romance/romantic comedy first and foremost, I thoroughly loved the added mystery element Kinsella threw in with "who is trying to overthrow Sam's company" and the other thing I won't mention because spoiler. Sometimes a purely romance only plot can become dry, and this kept the plot rolling.
� The story chugs along at a comfortable pace and I could never take my eyes away.
WHAT I DIDN'T ENJOY AS MUCH
� It's part of the premise so I'm not *surprised* but Poppy using a phone that was not her own did sometimes bother me. At the beginning it wasn't a big issue, she did make an arrangement with the phone's owner, but as the story goes on she starts to meddle in his personal emails and remains very confident that what she does is right. This is not a nice side of Poppy and I would have appreciated her showing more remorse for her actions, and seeing greater consequences for what she did.
� There were moments when the ~mystery~ going on at Sam's company had logic gaps which IMHO were kept in so that Poppy could play a greater role in solving the whole thing. It's a big company, I don't really think she would have been as necessary if this wasn't a book and also she was the heroine haha. The simple fact that often the company "techies" couldn't do very simple tasks for weeks was a big sign to me.
]]>
Noah's dad is sure that the owner of the Coral Queen casino boat is flushing raw sewage into the harbor--which has made taking a dip at the local beach like swimming in a toilet. He can't prove it though, and so he decides that sinking the boat will make an effective statement. Right. The boat is pumped out and back in business within days and Noah's dad is in the local lock-up.
Now Noah is determined to succeed where his dad failed. He will prove that the Coral Queen is dumping illegally . . . somehow.]]>
author: Carl Hiaasen
name: Sha
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 2020/05/23
date added: 2020/05/28
shelves: eye-opening, humour, male-mc, middle-grade, no-romance, realistic-fiction
review:
]]>
i need to give a major thank you to the #MentalHealthaThon for finally getting this book off my TBR. i can't believeWords on Bathroom Wallscame all the way to Australia with me and i still haven't read it until now. some things truly escape me.
honesty time, i have no experiences with schizophrenia. i haven't even met someone who met someone with schizophrenia (at least that they've mentioned). the most i know is what i learned in my psychology classes. but that's what i LOVE about literature. you can learn about people, and experiences, through the words of others.
just make sure to treat these experience with a grain of salt.
� I am not a doctor, and ToZaPrex is not a real drug. Adam's experience is loosely based on documented symptoms of schizophrenia, but a great deal of creative license was taken to describe his auditory and visual hallucinations. � � Julia Walton
though this book is not #ownvoices, Walton did a B-E-A-utiful job describing Adam's fear of his own mind as he undergoes the clinical trial for ToZaPrex. i don't have enough fingers to count the times i internally sobbed for his pain. and then at the endphysicallysobbed and clutched the book to my chest and wished for only positive vibes for all my beautiful fellow people with mental illness.
I'm not supposed to think about my disease as something to deal with. I'm told it's better to think of it as a piece of me that does not communicate well with the rest of me. But that's bullshit.
while Adam has his "regulars," like Rebecca, he still keeps himself on alert at all times to avoid interacting with something that isn't really there. his hallucinations are these confusing combinations of comforting (because they know him in a way no one else does) and cruel (because they taunt him endlessly).
reading this gave me the oddest mixture of stress and sadness. even at his happiest moments in the book, Adam will catch something in the corner of his eye and wonder if there's a hallucination incoming. he always F E A R S that he's about to show a side of himself that no one can forgive. i wanted him to be able to truly connect with the joyful and frustrating moments in his life!! but i also feared with him, because i know how cruel people can become when they see what they don't understand.
It's actually kind of annoying to be quizzed by your therapist. You asking what I know about schizophrenia is like me asking you what you know about dressing like an arrogant snob. I know it because I live it.
first of all, yes, Adam can be snippy. he's absolutely forgiven because if you've ever been to therapy and had the therapist quiz you on your own diagnosis, you've reacted the same way.
(i've legit had to *teach* a therapist about some of my symptoms.)
Adam is pretty knowledgeable about his diagnosis. as someone with social anxiety, i can say this is completely accurate—the moment i was diagnosed, i readallthe internet info.
in fact, Adam shares a LOT of spot-on info about schizophrenia. some i knew before, and some i was like, wow. that's key intel and this is why i read to inform myself. his sharp intellect is also his vice, as you come to find out.
No, I'm not self-conscious about liking to bake. Yes, I've definitely been teased about it before, but screw them. They can't feed themselves and I can. That's powerful.
some things you need to know about Adam
� he makes a tiramisu that some would call a religious experience
� he's really tall, like, v v tall, but no he cannot play basketball
� he knows Captain Louis Renault was the French police officer who helped Rick foil the Nazis' attempt to capture Laszlo and Isla at the end ofCasablanca
i need to talk about how Adam is so wholly Adam. he knows very much who he is. he has an entire identity ... and as much as this book is premised on Adam wanting to keep his schizophrenia secret from his peers, his is not an inherently shameful person.
truly, i get no "i'm ashamed of having a mental illness" vibes fromWords on Bathroom Walls. it's much more "life is hella tough and i wish it weren't this way," which, fair. Adam is very much a character who tackles difficulty face on (especially seen with privileged and rude classmate, Ian). he confronts what makes him uncomfortable even when those things are the thoughts in his head.
(does he always choose the right confrontation method tho, now there is a question to ask)
look, what i'm saying here is,he knows who he is.and i think that is hella powerful. the real issue in this book is can people handle his whole and complete self, because he's not going to change.
Other parents wouldn't want their kids going to school with someone like me. Someone with the potential to lose control.
i want to say Adam is a little baby deer, venturing out into the forest of high school—but that's just my head over-reaching because I'm so scared for him to get hurt.i love, and adore, and appreciate how strong Adam is in this book. don't get me wrong, he flops more than once. but his ability to pick himself up is a reminder that a diagnosis isnota definition.
i'm very, very worried that if i touch on Adam's relationships with his peers and his family toomuch i'll venture into spoiler territory. (i'm notoriously bad for this.) what i want to say here is that he gets his fair share of hate because he has schizophrenia. i can't put into words howangrysome comments made me. especially since the disrespect is so real to life, so dismissive in a "how can you expect me to react any other way" form.
some quick things i want to say but won't write a paragraph on:
� Maya is mood
� Adam's mom is an icon
� i laughed aloud way more times than i expected
Words on Bathroom Wallsspeaks to moving past stigma (though not without a little pettiness and a lot of self-worth) because at the end of the day, your sanity is worth more. which is a message i both support and think we all needed to hear.
rating: This book is in my Holy Grail. It's one I will be re-reading forever and recommending to everyone. Mark this day in your calendar because today my life was changed.
representation: Filipino love interest, main character with mental illness (schizophrenia)
content warnings:suicidal thoughts, mass shooting, depictions of self-harm, strong language, sex]]>
author: Julia Walton
name: Sha
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2020/05/07
date added: 2020/05/28
shelves: eye-opening, male-mc, mental-health-illness, realistic-fiction, romance, young-adult
review:
i am intears, i was broken and then i was glued back togetherbut handle me carefully because i am now fragile. what have youdone to meAdam???
i need to give a major thank you to the #MentalHealthaThon for finally getting this book off my TBR. i can't believeWords on Bathroom Wallscame all the way to Australia with me and i still haven't read it until now. some things truly escape me.
honesty time, i have no experiences with schizophrenia. i haven't even met someone who met someone with schizophrenia (at least that they've mentioned). the most i know is what i learned in my psychology classes. but that's what i LOVE about literature. you can learn about people, and experiences, through the words of others.
just make sure to treat these experience with a grain of salt.
� I am not a doctor, and ToZaPrex is not a real drug. Adam's experience is loosely based on documented symptoms of schizophrenia, but a great deal of creative license was taken to describe his auditory and visual hallucinations. � � Julia Walton
though this book is not #ownvoices, Walton did a B-E-A-utiful job describing Adam's fear of his own mind as he undergoes the clinical trial for ToZaPrex. i don't have enough fingers to count the times i internally sobbed for his pain. and then at the endphysicallysobbed and clutched the book to my chest and wished for only positive vibes for all my beautiful fellow people with mental illness.
I'm not supposed to think about my disease as something to deal with. I'm told it's better to think of it as a piece of me that does not communicate well with the rest of me. But that's bullshit.
while Adam has his "regulars," like Rebecca, he still keeps himself on alert at all times to avoid interacting with something that isn't really there. his hallucinations are these confusing combinations of comforting (because they know him in a way no one else does) and cruel (because they taunt him endlessly).
reading this gave me the oddest mixture of stress and sadness. even at his happiest moments in the book, Adam will catch something in the corner of his eye and wonder if there's a hallucination incoming. he always F E A R S that he's about to show a side of himself that no one can forgive. i wanted him to be able to truly connect with the joyful and frustrating moments in his life!! but i also feared with him, because i know how cruel people can become when they see what they don't understand.
It's actually kind of annoying to be quizzed by your therapist. You asking what I know about schizophrenia is like me asking you what you know about dressing like an arrogant snob. I know it because I live it.
first of all, yes, Adam can be snippy. he's absolutely forgiven because if you've ever been to therapy and had the therapist quiz you on your own diagnosis, you've reacted the same way.
(i've legit had to *teach* a therapist about some of my symptoms.)
Adam is pretty knowledgeable about his diagnosis. as someone with social anxiety, i can say this is completely accurate—the moment i was diagnosed, i readallthe internet info.
in fact, Adam shares a LOT of spot-on info about schizophrenia. some i knew before, and some i was like, wow. that's key intel and this is why i read to inform myself. his sharp intellect is also his vice, as you come to find out.
No, I'm not self-conscious about liking to bake. Yes, I've definitely been teased about it before, but screw them. They can't feed themselves and I can. That's powerful.
some things you need to know about Adam
� he makes a tiramisu that some would call a religious experience
� he's really tall, like, v v tall, but no he cannot play basketball
� he knows Captain Louis Renault was the French police officer who helped Rick foil the Nazis' attempt to capture Laszlo and Isla at the end ofCasablanca
i need to talk about how Adam is so wholly Adam. he knows very much who he is. he has an entire identity ... and as much as this book is premised on Adam wanting to keep his schizophrenia secret from his peers, his is not an inherently shameful person.
truly, i get no "i'm ashamed of having a mental illness" vibes fromWords on Bathroom Walls. it's much more "life is hella tough and i wish it weren't this way," which, fair. Adam is very much a character who tackles difficulty face on (especially seen with privileged and rude classmate, Ian). he confronts what makes him uncomfortable even when those things are the thoughts in his head.
(does he always choose the right confrontation method tho, now there is a question to ask)
look, what i'm saying here is,he knows who he is.and i think that is hella powerful. the real issue in this book is can people handle his whole and complete self, because he's not going to change.
Other parents wouldn't want their kids going to school with someone like me. Someone with the potential to lose control.
i want to say Adam is a little baby deer, venturing out into the forest of high school—but that's just my head over-reaching because I'm so scared for him to get hurt.i love, and adore, and appreciate how strong Adam is in this book. don't get me wrong, he flops more than once. but his ability to pick himself up is a reminder that a diagnosis isnota definition.
i'm very, very worried that if i touch on Adam's relationships with his peers and his family toomuch i'll venture into spoiler territory. (i'm notoriously bad for this.) what i want to say here is that he gets his fair share of hate because he has schizophrenia. i can't put into words howangrysome comments made me. especially since the disrespect is so real to life, so dismissive in a "how can you expect me to react any other way" form.
some quick things i want to say but won't write a paragraph on:
� Maya is mood
� Adam's mom is an icon
� i laughed aloud way more times than i expected
Words on Bathroom Wallsspeaks to moving past stigma (though not without a little pettiness and a lot of self-worth) because at the end of the day, your sanity is worth more. which is a message i both support and think we all needed to hear.
rating: This book is in my Holy Grail. It's one I will be re-reading forever and recommending to everyone. Mark this day in your calendar because today my life was changed.
representation: Filipino love interest, main character with mental illness (schizophrenia)
content warnings:suicidal thoughts, mass shooting, depictions of self-harm, strong language, sex
]]>
Charlie Hernández has always been proud of his Latin American heritage. He loves the culture, the art, and especially the myths. Thanks to his abuela’s stories, Charlie possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the monsters and ghouls who have spent the last five hundred years haunting the imaginations of children all across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as Central and South America. And even though his grandmother sometimes hinted that the tales might be more than mere myth, Charlie’s always been a pragmatist. Even barely out of diapers, he knew the stories were just make-believe—nothing more than intricately woven fables meant to keep little kids from misbehaving.
But when Charlie begins to experience freaky bodily manifestations—ones all too similar to those described by his grandma in his favorite legend—he is suddenly swept up in a world where the mythical beings he’s spent his entire life hearing about seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Hispanic folklore and into his life. And even stranger, they seem to know more about him than he knows about himself.
Soon, Charlie finds himself in the middle of an ancient battle between La Liga, a secret society of legendary mythological beings sworn to protect the Land of the Living, and La Mano Negra (a.k.a. the Black Hand), a cabal of evil spirits determined to rule mankind. With only the help of his lifelong crush, Violet Rey, and his grandmother’s stories to guide him, Charlie must navigate a world where monsters and brujas rule and things he couldn’t possibly imagine go bump in the night. That is, if he has any hope of discovering what’s happening to him and saving his missing parents (oh, and maybe even the world).
No pressure, muchacho.]]>
i read this book as a buddy read with my co-blogger, mandy. see the full review on my blog
official rating: 3.5 stars]]>
author: Ryan Calejo
name: Sha
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2020/04/24
date added: 2020/05/28
shelves: 2018, fantasy, humour, male-mc, middle-grade, no-romance
review:
SHA: Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows is Ryan Calejo’s debut, own-voices novel. This fast-paced story follows preteen Charlie as he investigates the feathers and horns growing on his body in the wake of his parents� disappearance. Infused with Hispanic folklore and legends, Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows is a great first adventure into Latin American culture, though it is not without a few bumps in the road.
i read this book as a buddy read with my co-blogger, mandy. see the full review on my blog
official rating: 3.5 stars
]]>
Claire Montgomery also has a unique relationship with death, mostly because she’s already dead. Technically, anyway. Claire is a vampire, and she’s been assigned by the Veil to help Elise master her rare Death Oracle powers.
At first, Elise is reluctant to work with a vampire, but when she predicts a teacher’s imminent murder, she’s determined to stop the violent death, even if it means sacrificing her own future to secure Claire’s help.
The trouble is, Claire and Elise aren’t the only paranormals in town—a killer is stalking the streets, and Claire can’t seem to shake the pull she feels toward Elise, a romance that could upend the Veil’s mission. But as Elise and Claire grow closer, Elise begins to wonder—can she really trust someone tasked with securing her loyalty? Someone who could so easily kill her? Someone who might hold the key to unraveling her brother’s mysterious death?]]>
author: Isabel Sterling
name: Sha
average rating: 3.65
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/05/27
shelves: to-read
review:
]]>
Black Blood
Red Dice
As to blood -
ah, blood, the whole subject fascinates me. I do like that as well, warm and dripping, when I am thirsty....
Alisa has been in control of her urges for the five thousand years she has been a vampire. She feeds but does not kill, and she lives her life on the fringe to maintain her secret. But when her creator returns to hunt her, she must break her own rules in order to survive.
Her quest leads her to Ray. He is the only person who can help her; he also has every reason to fear her. Alisa must get closer to him to ensure her immortality. But as she begins to fall in love with Ray, suddenly there is more at stake than her own life....]]>
i know what drew me so strongly to the series. even re-reading now, i can recall those points and reconnect with them on some level. we have to keep in mind, this was around the same time TWILIGHT was all the rage. and i had read the books and enjoyed them but found something lacking. then i read THIRST.
and here it was!! that missing piece! a FEMALE vampire. a female vampire who kicked the butts of anyone who got in her way. Sita was unstoppable (as she reminds the reader every few chapters, in case of temporary amnesia or something). i craved that female protag who let nothing get in her way.
there were also a few other factors at play.
1) the THIRST books were massive. i mean, one book (technically, omnibus) was around 600 pages. and i could get them for $13. with my puny allowance and super speedreading skills, this was MAGIC.
2) i was BIG into philosophy at the time. and Christopher Pike loves to toss some philosophy and religion into his books. i would stop and ponder a lot of his passages back then, and it helped put some things happening in my life at the time into perspective.
anywAY. to my reread.
i could see many flaws. many. Sita is a Mary Sue. there are constant info dumps in the book, especially the first several chapters. i can't count the number of deus ex machinas and logical fallacies. i know she's a horrible vampire that's lived 5000 years but STILL she's screws over a lot of people but you know "i do it with love" so it's okay.
BUT I STILL CANNOT RATE THIS BOOK. i skimmed sections because i grew bored. i almost didn't want to finish. but it holds so much sentiment to me because it was such a big part of my childhood.
if you're thinking about reading this book, i 1) suggest you look at my critiques and then 2) know that this book gets wilder as it goes along. i'm talking there will be aliens. it's wild. but i cannot deny the nostalgia. ]]>
author: Christopher Pike
name: Sha
average rating: 3.85
book published: 1998
rating: 0
read at: 2020/05/22
date added: 2020/05/23
shelves: young-adult, fantasy
review:
i don't quite know what to make of this book. i read it (in fact, the whole series) back when i was around 14. and i was in LOVE. i mean, L-O-V-E LOVE. when i got to the last book i was devastated, and i immediately re-read the whole series.
i know what drew me so strongly to the series. even re-reading now, i can recall those points and reconnect with them on some level. we have to keep in mind, this was around the same time TWILIGHT was all the rage. and i had read the books and enjoyed them but found something lacking. then i read THIRST.
and here it was!! that missing piece! a FEMALE vampire. a female vampire who kicked the butts of anyone who got in her way. Sita was unstoppable (as she reminds the reader every few chapters, in case of temporary amnesia or something). i craved that female protag who let nothing get in her way.
there were also a few other factors at play.
1) the THIRST books were massive. i mean, one book (technically, omnibus) was around 600 pages. and i could get them for $13. with my puny allowance and super speedreading skills, this was MAGIC.
2) i was BIG into philosophy at the time. and Christopher Pike loves to toss some philosophy and religion into his books. i would stop and ponder a lot of his passages back then, and it helped put some things happening in my life at the time into perspective.
anywAY. to my reread.
i could see many flaws. many. Sita is a Mary Sue. there are constant info dumps in the book, especially the first several chapters. i can't count the number of deus ex machinas and logical fallacies. i know she's a horrible vampire that's lived 5000 years but STILL she's screws over a lot of people but you know "i do it with love" so it's okay.
BUT I STILL CANNOT RATE THIS BOOK. i skimmed sections because i grew bored. i almost didn't want to finish. but it holds so much sentiment to me because it was such a big part of my childhood.
if you're thinking about reading this book, i 1) suggest you look at my critiques and then 2) know that this book gets wilder as it goes along. i'm talking there will be aliens. it's wild. but i cannot deny the nostalgia.
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Anna knows her family is crazy. But when she goes to visit her aunt and uncle for the summer and learns that her uncle’s charred body has been found, her life reaches a new level of insanity. Her erratic aunt’s “psychic� abilities are exaggerated by her grief, and have become borderline violent. Alone in an unfamiliar town, Anna struggles to pick up the pieces and establish any sense of normalcy. She desperately wants to trust Zack, the cute boy next door, but even he might know more about the incident than he is letting on.
But when Anna starts feeling an inexplicable pull to the site of her uncle’s murder, she begins to believe that her family’s supernatural gifts are real after all. Torn between loyalty and suspicion, Anna is certain of only one thing: she must discover who killed her uncle or she could be next....]]>
after receiving a letter from her uncle Will, inviting her to spend the summer with him and her Aunt Iris (his sister), Anna arrives to learn her uncle has died a few days earlier. her aunt, a woman she recalls from childhood as "a bit strange," is mentally unstable, talking to people Anna cannot see and going off in fits of rage.
it's a classic mystery novel premise: pitch a mentally unstable character as a likely candidate for a crime. i understand the appeal—it's frightening to see someone hold a conversation with themselves. how easy is it for an author to take that next step and ease the reader into thinking, "Ah! Well this person clearly could have snapped and killed a person!" but it's that ease that enables the stigma around mental illness, which made me completely uncomfortable with Aunt Iris' portrayal. Even while the majority of the characters in the book who knew Iris insisted she was "odd but not violent," it did little to change that our protagonist feared her and that at the end of the book, Aunt Iris was not shown receiving any help for her condition (which was not named beyond "she's psychic not psychotic.")
to the story itself, as i said, i was hooked on the mystery element. Anna's psychic abilities were well described and lent an interesting angle to her interactions with other characters in the novel. many suspicious characters come into the picture, and we realize that her uncle's death may be more involved than the accident the police initially believe. the ending included a bit of a cat-and-mouse chase scene, and i was actually stressed during my read—Chandler's writing of Anna's panic and attempts to escape had me nervously flipping the pages. she knows how to create atmosphere, I'll say that.
a good book that sadly lost its way when dipping into the overdone "mentally ill killer" trope. ]]>
author: Elizabeth Chandler
name: Sha
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2010
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/12
date added: 2020/05/14
shelves: fantasy, mental-health-illness, mysteries, realistic-fiction, romance, thriller-and-horror, young-adult
review:
once i became entangled in Anna's story, THE BACK DOOR OF MIDNIGHT was un-put-downable. that didn't mean it wasn't without its flaws, and perhaps since it was the last of three Chandler mysteries that I had read in the past few days, i held on to those flaws more tightly.
after receiving a letter from her uncle Will, inviting her to spend the summer with him and her Aunt Iris (his sister), Anna arrives to learn her uncle has died a few days earlier. her aunt, a woman she recalls from childhood as "a bit strange," is mentally unstable, talking to people Anna cannot see and going off in fits of rage.
it's a classic mystery novel premise: pitch a mentally unstable character as a likely candidate for a crime. i understand the appeal—it's frightening to see someone hold a conversation with themselves. how easy is it for an author to take that next step and ease the reader into thinking, "Ah! Well this person clearly could have snapped and killed a person!" but it's that ease that enables the stigma around mental illness, which made me completely uncomfortable with Aunt Iris' portrayal. Even while the majority of the characters in the book who knew Iris insisted she was "odd but not violent," it did little to change that our protagonist feared her and that at the end of the book, Aunt Iris was not shown receiving any help for her condition (which was not named beyond "she's psychic not psychotic.")
to the story itself, as i said, i was hooked on the mystery element. Anna's psychic abilities were well described and lent an interesting angle to her interactions with other characters in the novel. many suspicious characters come into the picture, and we realize that her uncle's death may be more involved than the accident the police initially believe. the ending included a bit of a cat-and-mouse chase scene, and i was actually stressed during my read—Chandler's writing of Anna's panic and attempts to escape had me nervously flipping the pages. she knows how to create atmosphere, I'll say that.
a good book that sadly lost its way when dipping into the overdone "mentally ill killer" trope.
]]>
In No Time to Die , Jenny is devastated by the recent death of her sister, Liza. Looking for a sense of closure, she secretly signs up for the drama camp where Liza died. Jenny knows that someone here holds the key to what really happened to Liza that night, but if she doesn’t find out the truth soon, she may become the next victim.
In The Deep End of Fear , Kate has tried to bury the horrible memories associated with the Westbrook estate. After her best friend Ashley drowned on the estate, Kate vowed never to return. But now, twelve years later, she is drawn back towards the house and that fatal icy pond. There, Kate still feels Ashley’s presence and the past seems to be pulling her back towards Ashley’s life-threatening dares.]]>
Jenny is devastated by the recent death of her sister, Liza. Looking for a sense of closure, she secretly signs up for the drama camp where Liza died.
the non-stop action in Chandler's mystery/thrillers have kept them my absolute faves amongst the genre to this day. every character lends into the mystery and the eerie prose keeps me hooked on each word. a special fave: Chandler's protags are always level-headed (often holding jobs, making friends, connecting with parental figures) while still snooping for clues.
this particular mystery held more than a few twists right up to its end. i thought i knew who the Bad Guy was and then i doubted myself all over again. a book i couldn't put down until its explosive end.
IN THE DEEP END OF FEAR
After her best friend, Ashley, drowned at Westbrook Estate, Kate vowed never to return. But now, twelve years later, she is drawn back to the house and that fatal icy pond.
i absolutely adored the little boy, Philip, that was centered in the mystery in this story. having worked as a nanny (a role our protagonist, Kate, fills in IN THE DEEP END OF FEAR) i connected quickly with a lot of the work Kate did. that emotional connection made it even harder to fathom the cold attitudes of Philip's family, and the circumstances surrounding Ashley's death.
i didn't like the love interest in this book as much, though I never pay much mind to the love interests in Chandler's mysteries. (they don't play a huge role.) the ending was satisfying and unpredictable, if a little in-line with Chandler's typical format. ]]>
author: Elizabeth Chandler
name: Sha
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2010
rating: 4
read at: 2020/05/12
date added: 2020/05/14
shelves: young-adult, thriller-and-horror, mysteries, romance, realistic-fiction, fantasy
review:
NO TIME TO DIE
Jenny is devastated by the recent death of her sister, Liza. Looking for a sense of closure, she secretly signs up for the drama camp where Liza died.
the non-stop action in Chandler's mystery/thrillers have kept them my absolute faves amongst the genre to this day. every character lends into the mystery and the eerie prose keeps me hooked on each word. a special fave: Chandler's protags are always level-headed (often holding jobs, making friends, connecting with parental figures) while still snooping for clues.
this particular mystery held more than a few twists right up to its end. i thought i knew who the Bad Guy was and then i doubted myself all over again. a book i couldn't put down until its explosive end.
IN THE DEEP END OF FEAR
After her best friend, Ashley, drowned at Westbrook Estate, Kate vowed never to return. But now, twelve years later, she is drawn back to the house and that fatal icy pond.
i absolutely adored the little boy, Philip, that was centered in the mystery in this story. having worked as a nanny (a role our protagonist, Kate, fills in IN THE DEEP END OF FEAR) i connected quickly with a lot of the work Kate did. that emotional connection made it even harder to fathom the cold attitudes of Philip's family, and the circumstances surrounding Ashley's death.
i didn't like the love interest in this book as much, though I never pay much mind to the love interests in Chandler's mysteries. (they don't play a huge role.) the ending was satisfying and unpredictable, if a little in-line with Chandler's typical format.
]]>
But then a car crash ends Ivy’s life.
As she floats to the beyond, looking down on the life she’s left behind, Tristan breathes life back into her with a passionate kiss. She wakes up in the hospital, surrounded by Will and her family, but all she can think about is the love that she lost.
But memories aren’t all that’s come back from the past. And this time, Ivy’s not sure love will be enough to save her.]]>
the KISSED BY AN ANGEL trilogy ended just fine, there was no reason to tack on the EVER trilogy. it's the classic mistake: a love interest is killed off, and then the author decides for whatever reason to bring them back. just NO.
in EVERCROSSED, which takes place one year after the events of KISSED BY AN ANGEL, Ivy is working at an inn with her best friend Beth, boyfriend Will, and new friends Dhanya and Kelsey. (who are replicas of Suzanne from KISSED BY AN ANGEL, but i won't delve into that). Ivy ends up in a car crash that *should* have ended her life, and suspects Tristan brought her back. as she recovers in the hospital, she encounters a young man with amnesia named Guy, and feels an uncanny connection with him. the rest of the book focuses on her sneaking around to see Guy, while Beth & Will insist he's dangerous and Dhanya and Kelsey cheer her on because he's hot.
first of all. none of the original characters were true to their characterizations. Ivy, who in KISSED BY AN ANGEL showed herself to be cautious, sensitive, and headstrong, is constantly reckless, oblivious to the feelings of others, and gullible. I couldn't get over how utterly illogical she is in this book. Beth, Ivy's best friend, rarely gets any page time and usually makes little sense when she does. And then Will. OMG.
In KISSED BY AN ANGEL, Will was established as a bit of a quiet, thoughtful person. He's slow to react because he prefers to plan out what he wants to do before showing his hand. But in this book, he's always quick (often snide) remarks and blow-ups. Then when it seems there's nothing for his character to do, the author shoves him away to paint. Like, he's constantly painting. I get it, he's an artist. But he's also at the beach with his friends and girlfriend?
So no, the characters didn't make sense with who they were from the previous trilogy. Match that with the book having little plot other than Ivy running around with a guy E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E is telling her to stay away from, I grew bored quickly. The ending of this book was far-fetched, and I don't like it, and I will not be continuing with this trilogy. ]]>
author: Elizabeth Chandler
name: Sha
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2011
rating: 2
read at: 2020/05/10
date added: 2020/05/10
shelves: do-not-recommend, fantasy, young-adult, thriller-and-horror, romance, realistic-fiction
review:
nope, nope, nope.
the KISSED BY AN ANGEL trilogy ended just fine, there was no reason to tack on the EVER trilogy. it's the classic mistake: a love interest is killed off, and then the author decides for whatever reason to bring them back. just NO.
in EVERCROSSED, which takes place one year after the events of KISSED BY AN ANGEL, Ivy is working at an inn with her best friend Beth, boyfriend Will, and new friends Dhanya and Kelsey. (who are replicas of Suzanne from KISSED BY AN ANGEL, but i won't delve into that). Ivy ends up in a car crash that *should* have ended her life, and suspects Tristan brought her back. as she recovers in the hospital, she encounters a young man with amnesia named Guy, and feels an uncanny connection with him. the rest of the book focuses on her sneaking around to see Guy, while Beth & Will insist he's dangerous and Dhanya and Kelsey cheer her on because he's hot.
first of all. none of the original characters were true to their characterizations. Ivy, who in KISSED BY AN ANGEL showed herself to be cautious, sensitive, and headstrong, is constantly reckless, oblivious to the feelings of others, and gullible. I couldn't get over how utterly illogical she is in this book. Beth, Ivy's best friend, rarely gets any page time and usually makes little sense when she does. And then Will. OMG.
In KISSED BY AN ANGEL, Will was established as a bit of a quiet, thoughtful person. He's slow to react because he prefers to plan out what he wants to do before showing his hand. But in this book, he's always quick (often snide) remarks and blow-ups. Then when it seems there's nothing for his character to do, the author shoves him away to paint. Like, he's constantly painting. I get it, he's an artist. But he's also at the beach with his friends and girlfriend?
So no, the characters didn't make sense with who they were from the previous trilogy. Match that with the book having little plot other than Ivy running around with a guy E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E is telling her to stay away from, I grew bored quickly. The ending of this book was far-fetched, and I don't like it, and I will not be continuing with this trilogy.
]]>
Kissed by an Angel: Ivy and Tristan have the love of a lifetime--until Tristan dies in a car accident. Now Tristan returns as an angel, but Ivy is unable to feel his presence.
The Power of Love: Tristan has learned that the person responsible for the car crash is after Ivy. Can he cross the boundaries of life and death to warn Ivy that she is in trouble?
Soulmates: Tristan must rescue Ivy, but if he does so his mission will be finished and he will have to leave his true love forever.]]>
KISSED BY AN ANGEL
Ivy and Tristan have the love of a lifetime—until Tristan dies in a car accident. Now Tristan returns as an angel, but Ivy is unable to feel his presence.
finally a re-read that matches up to my expectation. maybe this one even exceeded my expectations? my main thoughts on this first book are that Ivy and Tristan have the best meet cute. i adore how much of a presence Ivy's little brother Philip plays in both the book, and in solidifying our protag's relationship. (if your partner doesn't respect your family, i'm giving side eye). seriously, Tristan spending time with Philip makes some of the best scenes. Ivy's life itself is very rounded out. she has two best friends who have a huge part in her life. she has a solid job and a good friendship with her bosses. she has hobbies, like playing the piano. even while she's falling in love with Tristan, none of these other aspects of her life take a backseat, which really helps this trilogy earn its five stars.
THE POWER OF LOVE
Tristan has learned that the person responsible for the car crash is after Ivy. Can he cross the boundaries of life and death to warn Ivy that she is in trouble?
okay, the biggest flaw about these books are the titles, because they're corny, I'll admit it. in this book, the thriller aspects really start to kick in. we see uncomfortable sides from people close in Ivy's life—things you wouldn't expect from what you previously knew about them. people start to act a little differently, and you start to realize there's a person pulling emotions like strings, which is straight up creepy. we also get more on Tristan and his life as an angel—what it means, where he goes, etc. I love, love Lacey, the other angel he meets, and her sassy attitude.
SOULMATES
Tristan must rescue Ivy, but if he does so his mission will be finished and he will have to leave his true love forever.
The conclusion to this series was t-e-n-s-e. Until now, Chandler dropped a lot of clues to what is going on. As a reader, it's very obvious who the Bad Person is (and Tristan is aware, and Ivy is In Denial) so it's truly down to Why and How Do We Stop Them. I wasn't 100% satisfied with the ending, because I would have liked a little more closure, but I also see what Chandler was going for.
really happy with this re-read, would recommend, but there are some important content warnings
CW: death, animal torture, animal death, forced kissing, discussions of suicide, murder, assault, psychological and emotional manipulation]]>
author: Elizabeth Chandler
name: Sha
average rating: 4.11
book published: 1995
rating: 5
read at: 2020/05/10
date added: 2020/05/10
shelves: abuse-and-trauma, fantasy, thriller-and-horror, young-adult, romance, realistic-fiction
review:
THE HOLLOW meets YOU in this thrilling trilogy where love communicates from beyond the grave.
KISSED BY AN ANGEL
Ivy and Tristan have the love of a lifetime—until Tristan dies in a car accident. Now Tristan returns as an angel, but Ivy is unable to feel his presence.
finally a re-read that matches up to my expectation. maybe this one even exceeded my expectations? my main thoughts on this first book are that Ivy and Tristan have the best meet cute. i adore how much of a presence Ivy's little brother Philip plays in both the book, and in solidifying our protag's relationship. (if your partner doesn't respect your family, i'm giving side eye). seriously, Tristan spending time with Philip makes some of the best scenes. Ivy's life itself is very rounded out. she has two best friends who have a huge part in her life. she has a solid job and a good friendship with her bosses. she has hobbies, like playing the piano. even while she's falling in love with Tristan, none of these other aspects of her life take a backseat, which really helps this trilogy earn its five stars.
THE POWER OF LOVE
Tristan has learned that the person responsible for the car crash is after Ivy. Can he cross the boundaries of life and death to warn Ivy that she is in trouble?
okay, the biggest flaw about these books are the titles, because they're corny, I'll admit it. in this book, the thriller aspects really start to kick in. we see uncomfortable sides from people close in Ivy's life—things you wouldn't expect from what you previously knew about them. people start to act a little differently, and you start to realize there's a person pulling emotions like strings, which is straight up creepy. we also get more on Tristan and his life as an angel—what it means, where he goes, etc. I love, love Lacey, the other angel he meets, and her sassy attitude.
SOULMATES
Tristan must rescue Ivy, but if he does so his mission will be finished and he will have to leave his true love forever.
The conclusion to this series was t-e-n-s-e. Until now, Chandler dropped a lot of clues to what is going on. As a reader, it's very obvious who the Bad Person is (and Tristan is aware, and Ivy is In Denial) so it's truly down to Why and How Do We Stop Them. I wasn't 100% satisfied with the ending, because I would have liked a little more closure, but I also see what Chandler was going for.
really happy with this re-read, would recommend, but there are some important content warnings
CW: death, animal torture, animal death, forced kissing, discussions of suicide, murder, assault, psychological and emotional manipulation
]]>
Snow
After the tragic death of her mother, Jessica’s father finds love again. But as Jessica grows into a beautiful young woman, it becomes clear that her stepmother is wildly—and murderously—jealous of her.
With no choice, Jessica escapes to London and finds herself surrounded by an odd band of outcasts who accept her into their makeshift family. And when her stepmother—repentant and supposedly seeking forgiveness—appears in the city, Jessica must decide whom to trust.
Beauty Sleep
Cursed at birth, Princess Aurore is fated to prick her finger at age sixteen and sleep for one hundred years. As the days go by, the adventurous princess makes a habit of exploring the lands beyond the castle, where her warmth and generosity earn her the devotion of the townspeople.
But when she finds out the impending curse will not only harm her—but the entire kingdom—Aurore embarks on a dangerous quest to end the evil magic. Will she be able to put a stop to the curse before it’s too late?]]>
SNOW by Liz Braswell
** After the tragic death of her mother, Jessica's father finds love again. But as Jessica soon grows into a beautiful young woman, it becomes clear that her stepmother is wildly—and murderously—jealous of her **
the longer of the two stories at 268 pages, i was hooked for the overwhelming majority of Jessica's story. her life begins rather unassumingly as a young duchess, then shifts with the arrival of her father's new wife, Anne of Mandagor. Jessica and Anne's early relationship is cordial, as Jessica is allowed to retain most of her childhood freedom and Anne begins to instruct the young girl on the ways of being a proper lady.
i appreciated the time we get to see how the "wicked stepmother" and Jessica grew to a relative familiarity. readers are also treated to Anne's particular passion: the sciences. i quite liked how Jessica was a staunch support for her (though distant) stepmother's passions, an activity frowned upon for women. while Jessica's support could later be seen as her downfall, i saw it much more as part of her kindness.
Jessica's eventual escape from her home leads us to this adaptation's version of the Seven Dwarves � the Lonely Ones, a group of half-animal, half-human misfits who inhabit the streets of London. a good chunk of the book is spent on Jessica's time with the Lonely Ones, and I'll admit, sometimes my interest waned here. not all the scenes seemed particularly important to the overall plot. THEN we get the expected cause of Snow's sleep, which was a bit confusing to follow, and the section of the story until her awakening felt a bit far-fetched and over-long.
overall, this story has some strongly likeable and well-fleshed out characters and morals, though some elements of the plot were over-stretched. an *interesting* take on snow white, if not a particular favourite.
BEAUTY SLEEP by Cameron Dokey
** After learning her impending curse will harm not only her but the entire kingdom as well, Aurore embarks on a dangerous quest to end the evil magic—and put a stop to the curse before it's too late **
I've read enough of Dokey's retellings to get a general sense of where this story was going before I even started. The beginning was much the same, with the princess narrating how her story was poorly retold and how she would set the story straight. Dokey's main flaw is there is too, too much rambling from the narrator. stuff like "you might have thought, but really...and who can blame you because...then again...the truth of the matter is..." and this will go on for several paragraphs before you get to something actually pertinent to the plot.
Ultimately, the actionable moments in this story could fit on fifty pages, but with the meaningless insertions from the narrator, it's made longer and less interesting to follow.
To the story itself, my greatest thoughts are on the ending, which was shocking mostly because it was so odd (but I won't discuss because I wouldn't spoil if for some reason you wanted to read this). I don't see myself reading this again. ]]>
author: Liz Braswell
name: Sha
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/08
date added: 2020/05/10
shelves: fantasy, retelling, young-adult
review:
both of these tales are super trippy, so it makes sense they were bundled together
SNOW by Liz Braswell
** After the tragic death of her mother, Jessica's father finds love again. But as Jessica soon grows into a beautiful young woman, it becomes clear that her stepmother is wildly—and murderously—jealous of her **
the longer of the two stories at 268 pages, i was hooked for the overwhelming majority of Jessica's story. her life begins rather unassumingly as a young duchess, then shifts with the arrival of her father's new wife, Anne of Mandagor. Jessica and Anne's early relationship is cordial, as Jessica is allowed to retain most of her childhood freedom and Anne begins to instruct the young girl on the ways of being a proper lady.
i appreciated the time we get to see how the "wicked stepmother" and Jessica grew to a relative familiarity. readers are also treated to Anne's particular passion: the sciences. i quite liked how Jessica was a staunch support for her (though distant) stepmother's passions, an activity frowned upon for women. while Jessica's support could later be seen as her downfall, i saw it much more as part of her kindness.
Jessica's eventual escape from her home leads us to this adaptation's version of the Seven Dwarves � the Lonely Ones, a group of half-animal, half-human misfits who inhabit the streets of London. a good chunk of the book is spent on Jessica's time with the Lonely Ones, and I'll admit, sometimes my interest waned here. not all the scenes seemed particularly important to the overall plot. THEN we get the expected cause of Snow's sleep, which was a bit confusing to follow, and the section of the story until her awakening felt a bit far-fetched and over-long.
overall, this story has some strongly likeable and well-fleshed out characters and morals, though some elements of the plot were over-stretched. an *interesting* take on snow white, if not a particular favourite.
BEAUTY SLEEP by Cameron Dokey
** After learning her impending curse will harm not only her but the entire kingdom as well, Aurore embarks on a dangerous quest to end the evil magic—and put a stop to the curse before it's too late **
I've read enough of Dokey's retellings to get a general sense of where this story was going before I even started. The beginning was much the same, with the princess narrating how her story was poorly retold and how she would set the story straight. Dokey's main flaw is there is too, too much rambling from the narrator. stuff like "you might have thought, but really...and who can blame you because...then again...the truth of the matter is..." and this will go on for several paragraphs before you get to something actually pertinent to the plot.
Ultimately, the actionable moments in this story could fit on fifty pages, but with the meaningless insertions from the narrator, it's made longer and less interesting to follow.
To the story itself, my greatest thoughts are on the ending, which was shocking mostly because it was so odd (but I won't discuss because I wouldn't spoil if for some reason you wanted to read this). I don't see myself reading this again.
]]>
In this value-priced bind-up of three beloved retellings, readers will journey to faraway fairy tale lands. Before Midnight revisits Cinderella's story in France, Golden puts a new spin on Rapunzel's romance, and Wild Orchid reimagines the Chinese tale of Mulan. With so much real-life drama in today's busy world, Once allows readers to escape into whimsical realms where every story has a happily ever after.]]>
but on to my individual reviews.
xxx
BEFORE MIDNIGHT | Cendrillon has been forbidden by her father to ever leave their estate grounds, much less visit the king's court. With a royal ball approaching, Cendrillon will not challenge her understanding of love and test her courage.
The theme in this story is that grief stops a person from rediscovering and accepting love. Each of Dokey's re-tellings comes with its own theme, which I liked. Dokey does a great job building up Cendrillon's world in her stone house. I liked how she earned her name, the child from the embers, and her close connection with Old Matilde. Beyond this, the story is riddled with tiny plot holes. Characters will often avoid asking questions that would resolve issues in the narrative because "sometimes you don't think to ask the obvious." People change their opinions/attitudes rapidly to fit to the plot's momentum. The ending was very, very rushed.
GOLDEN | Rapunzel, bald and without hope of growing hair, must break an enchantment to free her heart--and the heart of another. But a sorceress' betrayal threatens to overwhelm Rapunzel, which could leave the two cursed forever if she can't trust in true love.
In this story, the theme is true love is not about looks, but the person underneath. Dokey was inspired to write the story because several members of her family suffer from an autoimmune disease that can result in the loss of hair. I find that very beautiful that she wanted to write a tale that goes beyond physical beauty, especially motivated by her family. A lot of instances in this story were incredibly touching (in fact, a lot of scenes Dokey writes throughout these three re-tellings are). She writes family and love very well. But the story is riddled with confusing plot moments again. In particular, two unrelated events happen simultaneously yet somehow set off the climax of the novel. I felt like I was reading a different novel halfway through GOLDEN.
WILD ORCHID Disguised as a boy, Mulan joins the military. But she never expects to find a friend, let alone a soul mate, in Prince Jian, commander of her division. For all her courage with a bow and arrow, is she brave enough to share her true identity and feelings with the prince?
This was my favourite of the three stories, primarily because the heart of the story was the same from beginning to end. BEFORE MIDNIGHT and WILD ORCHID jumped around a lot, with different goals at different points in the story. If you read any of Dokey's re-tellings, I recommend this one. ]]>
author: Cameron Dokey
name: Sha
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2012
rating: 3
read at: 2020/04/17
date added: 2020/04/18
shelves: fantasy, retelling, young-adult
review:
ONCE is a collection of three fairy tale re-tellings that I didn't like but also didn't dislike. My best guess at what went wrong? The prose is overstuffed with parables (that are said like they are the wisest of lines, but are actually things like "if a tree falls in the forest, did it really fall?"), E-V-E-R-Y character is a some type of "wise man", each short story uses almost the exact same plot line, and the insta love/true love is over-explained. We know insta-love is rampant in fairytales. Sometimes, it's better to let it be than to provide a rationalized explanation for its existence, which Dokey attempted (and IMHO, failed.)
but on to my individual reviews.
xxx
BEFORE MIDNIGHT | Cendrillon has been forbidden by her father to ever leave their estate grounds, much less visit the king's court. With a royal ball approaching, Cendrillon will not challenge her understanding of love and test her courage.
The theme in this story is that grief stops a person from rediscovering and accepting love. Each of Dokey's re-tellings comes with its own theme, which I liked. Dokey does a great job building up Cendrillon's world in her stone house. I liked how she earned her name, the child from the embers, and her close connection with Old Matilde. Beyond this, the story is riddled with tiny plot holes. Characters will often avoid asking questions that would resolve issues in the narrative because "sometimes you don't think to ask the obvious." People change their opinions/attitudes rapidly to fit to the plot's momentum. The ending was very, very rushed.
GOLDEN | Rapunzel, bald and without hope of growing hair, must break an enchantment to free her heart--and the heart of another. But a sorceress' betrayal threatens to overwhelm Rapunzel, which could leave the two cursed forever if she can't trust in true love.
In this story, the theme is true love is not about looks, but the person underneath. Dokey was inspired to write the story because several members of her family suffer from an autoimmune disease that can result in the loss of hair. I find that very beautiful that she wanted to write a tale that goes beyond physical beauty, especially motivated by her family. A lot of instances in this story were incredibly touching (in fact, a lot of scenes Dokey writes throughout these three re-tellings are). She writes family and love very well. But the story is riddled with confusing plot moments again. In particular, two unrelated events happen simultaneously yet somehow set off the climax of the novel. I felt like I was reading a different novel halfway through GOLDEN.
WILD ORCHID Disguised as a boy, Mulan joins the military. But she never expects to find a friend, let alone a soul mate, in Prince Jian, commander of her division. For all her courage with a bow and arrow, is she brave enough to share her true identity and feelings with the prince?
This was my favourite of the three stories, primarily because the heart of the story was the same from beginning to end. BEFORE MIDNIGHT and WILD ORCHID jumped around a lot, with different goals at different points in the story. If you read any of Dokey's re-tellings, I recommend this one.
]]>
AMBER SMOKE | KRISTIN CAST | DISLIKE
A vampire with roots in Greek mythology is sent to save the girl he's meant to love. An overwhelming amount of name dropping, insta-love, confusing mythology, and poor execution.
DEAD MAN STALKING | RACHEL CAINE | LIKE
A return to the Morganville Vampires series, when Shane's father hatches a new plot to take-down the vampires ruling the small town. Easy to follow for newcomers to the series with some sharp dialogue and commentary on life and death in a paranormal world.
TABLE MANNERS | TANITH LEE | DISLIKE
A bright young woman with some supernatural savvy encounters a misguided young vampire. Lee attempts to introduce the concept of vampirism as a form of mental illness, done with a bit too much info dumping that doesn't truly explain much.
BLUE MOON | RICHELLE MEAD | LIKE
A young vampire is on the run from the rest of her kind and a human boy provides the getaway car. This fast-paced story held my attention from start to finish with its naive vampire lead and the prophecy that guides her. I would 100% read this as a novel.
CHANGED | NANCY HOLDER | DISLIKE
In a post-apocalyptic New York, two best friends are forced to make a choice that could kill them both. This was P.A.I.N.F.U.L., mainly because the narration focused on a female protagonist who is in love with her gay best friend and hates her gay best friend's boyfriend and cannot stop distinguishing GAY from STRAIGHT.
BINGE | RACHEL VINCENT | LIKE
A leanan sidhe capable of inspiring the musician she loves to new creative heights—or draining him dry—gets into trouble. Really loved the best friend/sisterhood angle in this story and can we have this in more novels, please?
FREE | CLAUDIA GRAY | LIKE
A pre-Civil War courtesan-to-be is courted by a man whose attentions are too dangerous to spurn, in more ways than one. Finally, a Black vampire, and the ending in this had me punching the air.]]>
author: P.C. Cast
name: Sha
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2020/04/10
date added: 2020/04/10
shelves: fantasy, lgbtq, thriller-and-horror, young-adult
review:
HAUNTED LOVE | CYNTHIA LEITICH SMITH | LIKE
A love triangle between a ghost, a vampire, and a human girl where no one is what they seem. An inventive tale with an embedded mystery that kept my interest from start to finish.
AMBER SMOKE | KRISTIN CAST | DISLIKE
A vampire with roots in Greek mythology is sent to save the girl he's meant to love. An overwhelming amount of name dropping, insta-love, confusing mythology, and poor execution.
DEAD MAN STALKING | RACHEL CAINE | LIKE
A return to the Morganville Vampires series, when Shane's father hatches a new plot to take-down the vampires ruling the small town. Easy to follow for newcomers to the series with some sharp dialogue and commentary on life and death in a paranormal world.
TABLE MANNERS | TANITH LEE | DISLIKE
A bright young woman with some supernatural savvy encounters a misguided young vampire. Lee attempts to introduce the concept of vampirism as a form of mental illness, done with a bit too much info dumping that doesn't truly explain much.
BLUE MOON | RICHELLE MEAD | LIKE
A young vampire is on the run from the rest of her kind and a human boy provides the getaway car. This fast-paced story held my attention from start to finish with its naive vampire lead and the prophecy that guides her. I would 100% read this as a novel.
CHANGED | NANCY HOLDER | DISLIKE
In a post-apocalyptic New York, two best friends are forced to make a choice that could kill them both. This was P.A.I.N.F.U.L., mainly because the narration focused on a female protagonist who is in love with her gay best friend and hates her gay best friend's boyfriend and cannot stop distinguishing GAY from STRAIGHT.
BINGE | RACHEL VINCENT | LIKE
A leanan sidhe capable of inspiring the musician she loves to new creative heights—or draining him dry—gets into trouble. Really loved the best friend/sisterhood angle in this story and can we have this in more novels, please?
FREE | CLAUDIA GRAY | LIKE
A pre-Civil War courtesan-to-be is courted by a man whose attentions are too dangerous to spurn, in more ways than one. Finally, a Black vampire, and the ending in this had me punching the air.
]]>
THE ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE | MICHELLE ZINK | LIKE
After her family is murdered by a demon, Descendant Rose vows to slay their killer and finds the help of an Apprentice Assassin. Yeah, there was insta-love in this one, but I expected it, and it didn't dampen the high stakes.
ERRANT | DIANA PETERFREUND | LIKE
Unicorn hunter Gitta and Lady Elise de Commarque learn they have more in common than expected when the de Commarque house plans a unicorn hunt to honour Elise's upcoming nuptials. A different take on the ethereal unicorns of legend with a feminist kick.
THE SPIRIT JAR | KAREN MAHONEY | LIKE
Young vampire Moth arrives in London to steal a sacred Arabic text only to realize someone else has their eyes on it for much more personal reasons. I'm close to declaring one too many stretches-of-the-imagination required to allow this story into existence (yes, I know, it's a vampire book) but it was fun romp about regardless.
LOST | JUSTINE MUSK | DISLIKE
A mysterious man named Haiden appears in Sasha's life in this new take on the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades. Haiden was too creepy and Sasha made one dumb decision after another around a man she knows nothing about for me to enjoy a single aspect of this book. Way to not enforce "Stranger Danger."
THE SPY WHO NEVER GREW UP | SARAH REES BRENNAN | DISLIKE
Peter Pan is grown up (even though he won't admit it) and a spy for the Queen in this short story. OMG, I have no clue what I just read. Peter is terrifying and creepy in one, even while Rees Breenan makes attempts at painting him as oddly charming. I want to forget this ever existed.
DUNGEONS OF LANGEAIS | BECCA FITZPATRICK | N/A
I have no interest in the Hush, Hush series. I skimmed some of this and it made no sense to me.
BEHIND THE RED DOOR | CAITLYN KITTREDGE | LIKE
When Jo Ryan becomes fascinated with the abandoned house at the end of her street, things turn deadly. This story starts r-e-a-a-l-l-y slow, to the point that I didn't like it for awhile. Once it picks up, Kittredge sets an eerie scene and I was wholly captivated.
HARE MOON | CARRIE RYAN | LIKE
In a world nearly overtaken by the Unconsecrated, Tabitha's cravings for adventure threatens the very foundations of her small village. The world in this story is fully-rounded and captivating, with a determined heroine who takes hold of the page from the first word.
FAMILIAR | MICHELLE ROWAN | LIKE
When Brenda finally chooses her witch familiar, a runty kitten, she doesn't expect it to a shape-shifter hiding a big secret. This story was entertaining, but the writing left a bit to be desired, with quite a bit of telling and corny dialogue.
FEARLESS | RACHEL VINCENT | N/A
Even though I've read the Soul Screamers series, which this short story is related to, I don't quite feel like diving back into the world right now. I do recall enjoy my first read of FEARLESS though.
VERMILLION | DANIEL MARKS | DISLIKE
Ghosts (and couple) Velvet and Nick are called in to deal with a rogue Undertaker. I didn't understand a lot of this short story. I'm not sure if Velvet and Nick even *were* ghosts, or if they were something a little bit other. There was a lot of slut-shaming, too, and women-hating that made this incredibly painful to read.
THE HOUNDS OF ULSTER | MAGGIE STIEFVATER | LIKE
Bryant recounts the story of friend Patrick Sullivan, and an encounter with Them. Ahh, I really like this story, especially that ending.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS | DANIEL WATERS | LIKE
After five teens are in a fatal car crash, their parents wait to see if any of them will Return, uncertain if this is even the better option. For a zombie book, this story had a surprising amount of heart. ]]>
author: Trisha Telep
name: Sha
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2010
rating: 2
read at: 2020/04/08
date added: 2020/04/08
shelves: do-not-recommend, male-mc, young-adult
review:
oof this was painful
THE ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE | MICHELLE ZINK | LIKE
After her family is murdered by a demon, Descendant Rose vows to slay their killer and finds the help of an Apprentice Assassin. Yeah, there was insta-love in this one, but I expected it, and it didn't dampen the high stakes.
ERRANT | DIANA PETERFREUND | LIKE
Unicorn hunter Gitta and Lady Elise de Commarque learn they have more in common than expected when the de Commarque house plans a unicorn hunt to honour Elise's upcoming nuptials. A different take on the ethereal unicorns of legend with a feminist kick.
THE SPIRIT JAR | KAREN MAHONEY | LIKE
Young vampire Moth arrives in London to steal a sacred Arabic text only to realize someone else has their eyes on it for much more personal reasons. I'm close to declaring one too many stretches-of-the-imagination required to allow this story into existence (yes, I know, it's a vampire book) but it was fun romp about regardless.
LOST | JUSTINE MUSK | DISLIKE
A mysterious man named Haiden appears in Sasha's life in this new take on the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades. Haiden was too creepy and Sasha made one dumb decision after another around a man she knows nothing about for me to enjoy a single aspect of this book. Way to not enforce "Stranger Danger."
THE SPY WHO NEVER GREW UP | SARAH REES BRENNAN | DISLIKE
Peter Pan is grown up (even though he won't admit it) and a spy for the Queen in this short story. OMG, I have no clue what I just read. Peter is terrifying and creepy in one, even while Rees Breenan makes attempts at painting him as oddly charming. I want to forget this ever existed.
DUNGEONS OF LANGEAIS | BECCA FITZPATRICK | N/A
I have no interest in the Hush, Hush series. I skimmed some of this and it made no sense to me.
BEHIND THE RED DOOR | CAITLYN KITTREDGE | LIKE
When Jo Ryan becomes fascinated with the abandoned house at the end of her street, things turn deadly. This story starts r-e-a-a-l-l-y slow, to the point that I didn't like it for awhile. Once it picks up, Kittredge sets an eerie scene and I was wholly captivated.
HARE MOON | CARRIE RYAN | LIKE
In a world nearly overtaken by the Unconsecrated, Tabitha's cravings for adventure threatens the very foundations of her small village. The world in this story is fully-rounded and captivating, with a determined heroine who takes hold of the page from the first word.
FAMILIAR | MICHELLE ROWAN | LIKE
When Brenda finally chooses her witch familiar, a runty kitten, she doesn't expect it to a shape-shifter hiding a big secret. This story was entertaining, but the writing left a bit to be desired, with quite a bit of telling and corny dialogue.
FEARLESS | RACHEL VINCENT | N/A
Even though I've read the Soul Screamers series, which this short story is related to, I don't quite feel like diving back into the world right now. I do recall enjoy my first read of FEARLESS though.
VERMILLION | DANIEL MARKS | DISLIKE
Ghosts (and couple) Velvet and Nick are called in to deal with a rogue Undertaker. I didn't understand a lot of this short story. I'm not sure if Velvet and Nick even *were* ghosts, or if they were something a little bit other. There was a lot of slut-shaming, too, and women-hating that made this incredibly painful to read.
THE HOUNDS OF ULSTER | MAGGIE STIEFVATER | LIKE
Bryant recounts the story of friend Patrick Sullivan, and an encounter with Them. Ahh, I really like this story, especially that ending.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS | DANIEL WATERS | LIKE
After five teens are in a fatal car crash, their parents wait to see if any of them will Return, uncertain if this is even the better option. For a zombie book, this story had a surprising amount of heart.
]]>
When Ettie attracts the eye of the Tiger--the ruthless lord of the Guild of Flesh--Nina is caught in a desperate race to keep the younger girl safe. Her vow takes her from the city's dark underbelly to the glittering court of Louis XVII. And it also forces Nina to make a terrible choice--protect Ettie and set off a brutal war between the guilds, or forever lose her sister to the Tiger.
Les Misérables meets Six of Crows in this page-turning adventure as a young thief finds herself going head to head with leaders of Paris's criminal underground in the wake of the French Revolution.]]>
author: Kester Grant
name: Sha
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/04/06
shelves: to-read
review:
]]>
� Holly Black (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Tithe)
� Libba Bray (A Great and Terrible Beauty)
� Melissa De La Cruz (Blue Blood)
� Cassandra Clare (City of Bones)
� Rachel Caine (Morganville Vampires)
� Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie (Wicked)
� Cecil Castellucci (Boy Proof, Queen of Cool)
� Kelley Armstrong (Women of Otherworld)
� Maria V. Snyder
� Sarah Rees Brennan
� Lili St. Crow
� Karen Mahoney
� Dina James
They will make everyone a sucker for eternal kisses.
]]>FALLING TO ASH | KAREN MAHONEY | LIKE
Still new to the vampire world, Moth is tasked to retrieve an item from a famed vampire hunter but comes up against more than she can handle. Good banter and likeable protag.
SHELTER ISLAND | MELISSA DE LA CRUZ | DISLIKE
Resident of Shelter Island Hannah finds a boy in her room who is not what he seems. De La Cruz combined vampire abilities with those of ghosts in this short story without much success (IMHO). Hannah's willingness to help our vampire friend was very hard to understand and the antagonist was unclear.
SWORD POINT | MARIA V. SNYDER | DISLIKE
Fencers become vampire hunters in this short story. Snyder has a creative take on professional athletes who double as vampire hunters, but protag Ava and her love interest border on unlikeable, ruining this story for me.
THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN | HOLLY BLACK | LIKE
In a world where vampires threaten to overtake the human population, "Coldtown" is a vampire-run city and Matilda must chase after two former friends determined to enter. Black fantastically creates an entire new universe within 40 pages, leaving me begging for M.O.R.E.
UNDEAD IS VERY HOT RIGHT NOW | SARAH REES BRENNAN | LIKE
Vampire Christian is the guitarist for an otherwise all-human boy band, and he has to learn how to deal with fame. If you accept how ridiculous the notion of a vampire in a band is, you'll adore this story.
KAT | KELLEY ARMSTRONG | LIKE
A supernatural being unsure of her exact identity, Kat is on the run from people who wish to harm her. This short story is mainly an extended chase scene, but there are no technical flaws and it held my interest from start to finish.
THE THIRTEENTH STEP | LIBBA BRAY | LIKE
Lauren begins working for a halfway house that is accused of inciting gang wars to hide their vampire identities. I'm torn between liking and disliking THE THIRTEENTH STEP. The story is inventive and kept me guessing, even while Lauren had strongly dislikeable moments.
ALL HOLLOWS | RACHEL CAINE | N/A
I chose not to re-read this because I'm too emotionally attached to the series. Laugh at me if you must.
WET TEETH | CECIL CASTELLUCCI | LIKE
Loner vampire Miles befriends a human despite his better judgement. Quick and easy read.
OTHER BOYS | CASSANDRA CLARE | LIKE
(It was only now that I realized CASSANDRA CLARE wrote this lol). Jennifer is intrigued by new boy at school, Colin, who claims to be a vampire. I actually want this to be a book, though it does give me reverse Twilight vibes.
PASSING | NANCY HOLDER & DEBBIE VIGUIE | DISLIKE
Several vampire hunter initiates prepare for their final hunt to see who will graduate to become the next vampire hunter. The writing in PASSING is scattered and hard to follow. There are logical fallacies even in such a short story (with two authors, too). I couldn't get into this one.
AMBITION | LILI ST. CROW | DISLIKE
A girl meets a mysterious young man who finally understand her and promises her the world ... for a cost. I was bored after two pages of this story. I never resonated with the "I don't fit in, I'm not part of the in-crowd" narrative-type stories, which AMBITION strongly pushes. The ending was also unclear.
ALL WOUNDS | DIANA JAMES | DISLIKE
When a vampire comes knocking on Becky's door in the middle of the night, she realizes her Nana isn't the confused old woman she always thought she was. Eek, this story was a just a lot of info-dumping and unlikely scenarios (yes, even in a paranormal world). ]]>
author: Trisha Telep
name: Sha
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2020/04/04
date added: 2020/04/04
shelves: fantasy, romance, young-adult
review:
Perfect if you want vampire tales without the commitment.
FALLING TO ASH | KAREN MAHONEY | LIKE
Still new to the vampire world, Moth is tasked to retrieve an item from a famed vampire hunter but comes up against more than she can handle. Good banter and likeable protag.
SHELTER ISLAND | MELISSA DE LA CRUZ | DISLIKE
Resident of Shelter Island Hannah finds a boy in her room who is not what he seems. De La Cruz combined vampire abilities with those of ghosts in this short story without much success (IMHO). Hannah's willingness to help our vampire friend was very hard to understand and the antagonist was unclear.
SWORD POINT | MARIA V. SNYDER | DISLIKE
Fencers become vampire hunters in this short story. Snyder has a creative take on professional athletes who double as vampire hunters, but protag Ava and her love interest border on unlikeable, ruining this story for me.
THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN | HOLLY BLACK | LIKE
In a world where vampires threaten to overtake the human population, "Coldtown" is a vampire-run city and Matilda must chase after two former friends determined to enter. Black fantastically creates an entire new universe within 40 pages, leaving me begging for M.O.R.E.
UNDEAD IS VERY HOT RIGHT NOW | SARAH REES BRENNAN | LIKE
Vampire Christian is the guitarist for an otherwise all-human boy band, and he has to learn how to deal with fame. If you accept how ridiculous the notion of a vampire in a band is, you'll adore this story.
KAT | KELLEY ARMSTRONG | LIKE
A supernatural being unsure of her exact identity, Kat is on the run from people who wish to harm her. This short story is mainly an extended chase scene, but there are no technical flaws and it held my interest from start to finish.
THE THIRTEENTH STEP | LIBBA BRAY | LIKE
Lauren begins working for a halfway house that is accused of inciting gang wars to hide their vampire identities. I'm torn between liking and disliking THE THIRTEENTH STEP. The story is inventive and kept me guessing, even while Lauren had strongly dislikeable moments.
ALL HOLLOWS | RACHEL CAINE | N/A
I chose not to re-read this because I'm too emotionally attached to the series. Laugh at me if you must.
WET TEETH | CECIL CASTELLUCCI | LIKE
Loner vampire Miles befriends a human despite his better judgement. Quick and easy read.
OTHER BOYS | CASSANDRA CLARE | LIKE
(It was only now that I realized CASSANDRA CLARE wrote this lol). Jennifer is intrigued by new boy at school, Colin, who claims to be a vampire. I actually want this to be a book, though it does give me reverse Twilight vibes.
PASSING | NANCY HOLDER & DEBBIE VIGUIE | DISLIKE
Several vampire hunter initiates prepare for their final hunt to see who will graduate to become the next vampire hunter. The writing in PASSING is scattered and hard to follow. There are logical fallacies even in such a short story (with two authors, too). I couldn't get into this one.
AMBITION | LILI ST. CROW | DISLIKE
A girl meets a mysterious young man who finally understand her and promises her the world ... for a cost. I was bored after two pages of this story. I never resonated with the "I don't fit in, I'm not part of the in-crowd" narrative-type stories, which AMBITION strongly pushes. The ending was also unclear.
ALL WOUNDS | DIANA JAMES | DISLIKE
When a vampire comes knocking on Becky's door in the middle of the night, she realizes her Nana isn't the confused old woman she always thought she was. Eek, this story was a just a lot of info-dumping and unlikely scenarios (yes, even in a paranormal world).
]]>
Not only that, but she's in a hot, dirty cave, it's the year 3102, and everyone keeps calling her Goddess. When Andra went into a cryonic sleep for a trip across the galaxy, she expected to wake up in a hundred years, not a thousand. Worst of all, the rest of the colonists—including her family and friends—are dead. They died centuries ago, and for some reason, their descendants think Andra's a deity. She knows she's nothing special, but she'll play along if it means she can figure out why she was left in stasis and how to get back to Earth.
Zhade, the exiled bastard prince of Eerensed, has other plans. Four years ago, the sleeping Goddess's glass coffin disappeared from the palace, and Zhade devoted himself to finding it. Now he's hoping the Goddess will be the key to taking his rightful place on the throne—if he can get her to play her part, that is. Because if his people realize she doesn't actually have the power to save their dying planet, they'll kill her.
With a vicious monarch on the throne and a city tearing apart at the seams, Zhade and Andra might never be able to unlock the mystery of her fate, let alone find a way to unseat the king, especially since Zhade hasn't exactly been forthcoming with Andra. And a thousand years from home, is there any way of knowing that Earth is better than the planet she's woken to?]]>
author: Lora Beth Johnson
name: Sha
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/04/02
shelves: to-read
review:
]]>
It's human nature to wonder about life's twists and turns. But is the future already written - or do you have the power to alter it?
From fantastical prophecies to predictions of how the future will transpire, Foretold is a collection of stories about our universal fascination with life's unknowns and of what is yet to come as interpreted by fourteen of young adult fiction's brightest stars.]]>
BURNED BRIGHT | DIANA PETERFREUND | DISLIKE
This story lacked conviction. A cult leader convincing his followers to a mass suicide (?) but the focus is on a boy getting with the leader's daughter.
THE ANGRIEST MAN | LISA MCMANN | DISLIKE
I didn't understand this story. I tried.
OUT OF THE BLUE | MEG CABOT | LIKE
It's not a strong like, but it's a like. It was just so frustrating to read what seems to be a really interesting story in transcripts! Cabot has done great stories through transcript form and I can see the appeal in sticking to what she knows. But that style creates a distance between reader and character.
ONE TRUE LOVE | MALINDA LO | LIKE
One of my favourites. A lesbian love story where the heroine hardens her body to fight for her love's freedom.
THIS IS A MORTAL WOUND | MICHAEL GRANT | LIKE
I should be putting a question mark after "like." What an odd story. It's so ridiculous that half the time I wasn't sure I was reading an actual, published text.
MISERY | HEATHER BREWER | DISLIKE
I didn't really understand this one. It does seem simple enough (there's a town, there are gifts, blah blah) but also I felt there was a greater meaning I didn't get and that bothers me.
THE MIND IS A POWERFUL THING | MATT DE LA PENA | LIKE
So depressing though.
THE CHOSEN ONE | SAUNDRA MITCHELL | LIKE
My other favourite from the book. You all know I'm a sucker for sisterly love!
IMPROBABLE FUTURES | KAMI GARCIA | LIKE
This is a true short story to me. (I'm not looking at definitions, just at what I enjoy when I read a short story.) Legitimately brief, clear cut characters, defined plot, and an ending. I loved the twist we get halfway through the book and the end was really satisfactory.
DEATH FOR THE DEATHLESS | MARGARET STOHL | DISLIKE
I have no clue what was going on in this except that two people hooked up and some buildings were on fire.
FATE | SIMONE ELKELES | DISLIKE
This was really boring. Also Willow? Really annoying. I highly doubt in real life, a person would agree to a date and then actually become deeply interested in someone because "you just didn't stop talking."
THE KILLING GARDEN | CARRIE RYAN | LIKE
Why do I have to like a story that is so, so dark? I feel guilty, like these events all happened and I'm cheering them on. But Ryan's Killing Garden is inventive and wholly fascinating. I latched on to every word.
HOMECOMING | RICHELLE MEAD | N/A
I skipped this because I know nothing about the series. This would make no sense to me. ]]>
author: Carrie Ryan
name: Sha
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2012
rating: 3
read at: 2020/03/28
date added: 2020/03/31
shelves: fantasy, male-mc, young-adult
review:
GENTLEMEN SEND PHANTOMS | LAINI TAYLOR | LIKE
I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style for this short story. It's good writing though, suited to the style of text and time period Taylor is going for, I'm just not a fan. (Personal preference here.) The story is charming and well-paced.
BURNED BRIGHT | DIANA PETERFREUND | DISLIKE
This story lacked conviction. A cult leader convincing his followers to a mass suicide (?) but the focus is on a boy getting with the leader's daughter.
THE ANGRIEST MAN | LISA MCMANN | DISLIKE
I didn't understand this story. I tried.
OUT OF THE BLUE | MEG CABOT | LIKE
It's not a strong like, but it's a like. It was just so frustrating to read what seems to be a really interesting story in transcripts! Cabot has done great stories through transcript form and I can see the appeal in sticking to what she knows. But that style creates a distance between reader and character.
ONE TRUE LOVE | MALINDA LO | LIKE
One of my favourites. A lesbian love story where the heroine hardens her body to fight for her love's freedom.
THIS IS A MORTAL WOUND | MICHAEL GRANT | LIKE
I should be putting a question mark after "like." What an odd story. It's so ridiculous that half the time I wasn't sure I was reading an actual, published text.
MISERY | HEATHER BREWER | DISLIKE
I didn't really understand this one. It does seem simple enough (there's a town, there are gifts, blah blah) but also I felt there was a greater meaning I didn't get and that bothers me.
THE MIND IS A POWERFUL THING | MATT DE LA PENA | LIKE
So depressing though.
THE CHOSEN ONE | SAUNDRA MITCHELL | LIKE
My other favourite from the book. You all know I'm a sucker for sisterly love!
IMPROBABLE FUTURES | KAMI GARCIA | LIKE
This is a true short story to me. (I'm not looking at definitions, just at what I enjoy when I read a short story.) Legitimately brief, clear cut characters, defined plot, and an ending. I loved the twist we get halfway through the book and the end was really satisfactory.
DEATH FOR THE DEATHLESS | MARGARET STOHL | DISLIKE
I have no clue what was going on in this except that two people hooked up and some buildings were on fire.
FATE | SIMONE ELKELES | DISLIKE
This was really boring. Also Willow? Really annoying. I highly doubt in real life, a person would agree to a date and then actually become deeply interested in someone because "you just didn't stop talking."
THE KILLING GARDEN | CARRIE RYAN | LIKE
Why do I have to like a story that is so, so dark? I feel guilty, like these events all happened and I'm cheering them on. But Ryan's Killing Garden is inventive and wholly fascinating. I latched on to every word.
HOMECOMING | RICHELLE MEAD | N/A
I skipped this because I know nothing about the series. This would make no sense to me.
]]>
Kaitlyn Fairchild has always felt like an outsider. Her haunting eyes and prophetic drawings have earned her a reputation as a witch. But Kait's not a witch: she's psychic. Tired of being shunned, Kait accepts an invitation to attend the Zetes Institute, where she can study with other psychic teens and have a fresh start.
As Kaitlyn learns to hone her abilities with four other gifted students, she starts to discover the intensity of her power - and the joy of having true friends. But those friendships quickly become complicated when Kait finds herself torn between two irresistible guys. Rob is a healer - kind and gentle, he's surrounded by good energy, while Gabriel is aggressive and mysterious - a telepath concealing his true nature. Together, Rob and Gabriel's opposing forces start to threaten the group's stability, and when an experiment traps the five teens in a psychic link - a link that threatens their sanity and their lives - Kaitlyn must decide who to trust and who to love...]]>
THE STRANGE POWER || BOOK ONE
In this book, our resident protagonist, Kaitlyn Fairchild, learns she is not the abnormality she always thought but a gifted psychic. She moves into the research facility run by Dr. Zetes with four other gifted teens. When the housekeeper starts whispering odd things to her at night, Kaitlyn begins to suspect things aren't what they seem at the Institute.
magical powers. it's fun stuff. (to read about. to have.) In this book, it's just seems like trouble. Kaitlyn apparently has "haunting" blue eyes that creep everyone out, because she has "rings" in them. I never, never understood this, not once. She goes on about how this sets her apart, makes her feel soooooo different.
I'm sorry girl, I can't picture it.
At the Institute, she immediately gets ~vibes~ for another student, Rob, who "glows like the sun." (please be warned he will now and forever be compared to the sun, the sun's rays, the warmth of the sun, the sunlight, the SUN GOSH DARNIT). Only awww, he doesn't "see" women!
... wut
Yeah no, he's so pure and good he doesn't "see" women! Everyone is equal and pure and good to him!
... okay
Oh and yeah, there's also Gabriel, who is dark and shadows and hates everyone and get this, he apparently murdered someone. Anyway I'm sure he won't play a factor into anything.
Kaitlyn is at the Institute for a total of two days. (I might be lying, it could have been three.) She's enrolled at school. She does some testing. Then she suspects the whole place a fraud and investigates and Mr. Zetes is like HOW DARE and people turn out to be evil and Gabriel is like NOW I NEED TO SAVE YOU BUT DON'T THINK IT'S CAUSE I CARE and
THE POSSESSED || BOOK TWO
The gang goes on the run to Canada. Also there are slugs because when there are psychics, there are slugs.
actually, the slug thing did creep me out a little.
THE PASSION || BOOK ONE
We are back at the Institute. There is some bad subterfuge, a bathing suit, and a hilariously resolved love triangle. Somehow, I forgot every single insane moment from this book. Bless this review for reminding future me that no, a re-read will NOT be necessary. ]]>
author: L.J. Smith
name: Sha
average rating: 4.19
book published: 1991
rating: 3
read at: 2020/03/24
date added: 2020/03/31
shelves: abuse-and-trauma, fantasy, male-mc, young-adult
review:
The level of stupid in this book, I CANNOT EVEN.
THE STRANGE POWER || BOOK ONE
In this book, our resident protagonist, Kaitlyn Fairchild, learns she is not the abnormality she always thought but a gifted psychic. She moves into the research facility run by Dr. Zetes with four other gifted teens. When the housekeeper starts whispering odd things to her at night, Kaitlyn begins to suspect things aren't what they seem at the Institute.
magical powers. it's fun stuff. (to read about. to have.) In this book, it's just seems like trouble. Kaitlyn apparently has "haunting" blue eyes that creep everyone out, because she has "rings" in them. I never, never understood this, not once. She goes on about how this sets her apart, makes her feel soooooo different.
I'm sorry girl, I can't picture it.
At the Institute, she immediately gets ~vibes~ for another student, Rob, who "glows like the sun." (please be warned he will now and forever be compared to the sun, the sun's rays, the warmth of the sun, the sunlight, the SUN GOSH DARNIT). Only awww, he doesn't "see" women!
... wut
Yeah no, he's so pure and good he doesn't "see" women! Everyone is equal and pure and good to him!
... okay
Oh and yeah, there's also Gabriel, who is dark and shadows and hates everyone and get this, he apparently murdered someone. Anyway I'm sure he won't play a factor into anything.
Kaitlyn is at the Institute for a total of two days. (I might be lying, it could have been three.) She's enrolled at school. She does some testing. Then she suspects the whole place a fraud and investigates and Mr. Zetes is like HOW DARE and people turn out to be evil and Gabriel is like NOW I NEED TO SAVE YOU BUT DON'T THINK IT'S CAUSE I CARE and
THE POSSESSED || BOOK TWO
The gang goes on the run to Canada. Also there are slugs because when there are psychics, there are slugs.
actually, the slug thing did creep me out a little.
THE PASSION || BOOK ONE
We are back at the Institute. There is some bad subterfuge, a bathing suit, and a hilariously resolved love triangle. Somehow, I forgot every single insane moment from this book. Bless this review for reminding future me that no, a re-read will NOT be necessary.
]]>
Book 7 - Huntress
Book 8 - Black Dawn
Book 9 - Witchlight
Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters - they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.
The apocalypse is drawing near. But four Wild Powers can save the world from the impending doom. Circle Daybreak, an underground organization with both Night World and human members, is searching for the four who can stop the darkness.
A vampire hunter - who is half vampire - stalks her own kind to protect humans in Huntress.
In Black Dawn, Maggie stumbles upon an old Night World kingdom where the ruling vampire prince is both an enemy and an ally.
And Circle Daybreak hires Keller, a shapeshifting panther, to guard a new Wild power in Witchlight. But when Keller falls in love with the Wild Power's soulmate, her love could destroy everything...]]>
BLACK DAWN
Things got dark so fast in Black Dawn. I was not ready. Also. I feel like the author wasn't ready. It was like, "Here's some things that are super sketchy and you would definitely see on an episode of Law and Order: SVU. AAAaannd cue some soulmates kissing!"
WITCHLIGHT
Yeah this one was alright. A lot, a lot of plot holes. But they had witches in this one, so often we got the line, "We used witch magic to influence their thoughts/change their memory," and so don't worry it makes sense.
The end! Because it's been over a decade and no info has come out on the final book and do I want it? (OF COURSE I do, plot holes and all.) ]]>
author: L.J. Smith
name: Sha
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2009
rating: 3
read at: 2020/03/22
date added: 2020/03/31
shelves: fantasy, romance, young-adult
review:
HUNTRESS
My other favourite heroine is Jez from Huntress (like, other favourite from this series, I'm sorry Jez, you would not rank high if I matched you against alllllll the heroines I've read and loved). Another vampire hunter, clearly a girl needs to kill to have any guts. Otherwise, cue the cowering before fangs. But um, yeah, she was okay. This book was okay.
BLACK DAWN
Things got dark so fast in Black Dawn. I was not ready. Also. I feel like the author wasn't ready. It was like, "Here's some things that are super sketchy and you would definitely see on an episode of Law and Order: SVU. AAAaannd cue some soulmates kissing!"
WITCHLIGHT
Yeah this one was alright. A lot, a lot of plot holes. But they had witches in this one, so often we got the line, "We used witch magic to influence their thoughts/change their memory," and so don't worry it makes sense.
The end! Because it's been over a decade and no info has come out on the final book and do I want it? (OF COURSE I do, plot holes and all.)
]]>
Book 1 - Secret Vampire
Book 2 - Daughters of Darkness
Book 3 - Spellbinder
Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters -- they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.
In Secret Vampire, Poppy thought the summer would last forever. Then she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Now Poppy's only hope for survival is James, her friend and secret love. A vampire in the Night World, James can make Poppy immortal. But first they both must risk everything to go against the laws of Night World.
Fugitives from Night World, three vampire sisters leave their isolated home to live among humans in Daughters of Darkness. Their brother, Ash, is sent to bring the girls back, but he falls in love with their beautiful friend.
Two witch cousins fight over their high school crush. It's a battle between black magic and white magic in Spellbinder.
]]>SECRET VAMPIRE
Protag Poppy is cute in that elfin way, and no I'm not snatching that descriptive term from the author, who used it every single time Poppy required an adjective. The concept of a teenager dying before her time because of a cancer diagnosis ... and then the promise of eternal life from a lifelong best friend is classic vampire fodder. Too bad every single character in this one fell flat.
DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS
Did the author poke fun at her own soulmate concept with young Mark *convinced* new girl Jade is his true love even while his older SISTER is actually soulmates with the oh-so terrible vampire Ash? I'm not quite sure, especially since the "real" soulmate couple couldn't stop glaring at each other. It could have been an enemies-to-lovers except there was no chemistry from either side of the spectrum and older sister Mary-Lynette would NOT. STOP. Kicking Ash. I prefer verbal taunts to physical assault in my enemy-to-lover spats! There was a small mystery going on in this story, but not surprisingly, the whodunit was um, not surprising.
SPELLBINDER
Probably my preferred out of this set. Witch Thea is kind-hearted and loves animals, a vibe I enjoyed even while the story followed its predecessors with characters and a plot line that needed more fleshing out.
This series isn't painful or ignorant, but it is boring. Each story follows the same plot: find soulmate, reject soulmate, get in trouble, reunite with soulmate. This could work, if the romance was swoon-worthy or the trouble was heart-pounding.]]>
author: L.J. Smith
name: Sha
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2008
rating: 2
read at: 2020/03/19
date added: 2020/03/31
shelves: fantasy, romance, young-adult
review:
don't read your childhood faves. especially when as a child (okay, let's be specific here, as a blood-lusting pre-teen) u were easily swayed by men with fangs.
SECRET VAMPIRE
Protag Poppy is cute in that elfin way, and no I'm not snatching that descriptive term from the author, who used it every single time Poppy required an adjective. The concept of a teenager dying before her time because of a cancer diagnosis ... and then the promise of eternal life from a lifelong best friend is classic vampire fodder. Too bad every single character in this one fell flat.
DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS
Did the author poke fun at her own soulmate concept with young Mark *convinced* new girl Jade is his true love even while his older SISTER is actually soulmates with the oh-so terrible vampire Ash? I'm not quite sure, especially since the "real" soulmate couple couldn't stop glaring at each other. It could have been an enemies-to-lovers except there was no chemistry from either side of the spectrum and older sister Mary-Lynette would NOT. STOP. Kicking Ash. I prefer verbal taunts to physical assault in my enemy-to-lover spats! There was a small mystery going on in this story, but not surprisingly, the whodunit was um, not surprising.
SPELLBINDER
Probably my preferred out of this set. Witch Thea is kind-hearted and loves animals, a vibe I enjoyed even while the story followed its predecessors with characters and a plot line that needed more fleshing out.
This series isn't painful or ignorant, but it is boring. Each story follows the same plot: find soulmate, reject soulmate, get in trouble, reunite with soulmate. This could work, if the romance was swoon-worthy or the trouble was heart-pounding.
]]>
Book 4 - Dark Angel
Book 5 - The Chosen
Book 6 - Soulmate
Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters -- they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.
In Dark Angel, Gillian is saved from drowning by her guardian angel. Only visible to Gillian, Angel will fulfill her heart's every desire. But when Angel starts making strange and sinister requests, Gillian must question who he truly is and where he came from.
Armed with a wooden stake, martial arts, and the will to resist a vampire's mind control, Rashel struggles to avenge her mother's death in The Chosen. Then she meets Quinn, her soulmate, who is part of the world she has vowed to destroy.
Hannah receives notes warning her of incredible danger in Soulmate. But if death is her destiny, is the Lord of the Night World's love strong enough to save her?]]>
THE CHOSEN
Rashel is a breath of fresh air after our girl from the last book. In fact, she's one of my favourite heroines from this series. She's a vampire hunter and even when she meets her soulmate (get this, he's a vampire) she says "too bad" and goes off to stake more vampires. I quite enjoyed this book since for a change, there was a taste of female empowerment and not just kissing and fainting and vampires being like "look at my fangs."
SOULMATE
I have no clue how factually accurate Soulmate is, since we get to go back in time to Hannah's first life as a ... cavewoman? IDK. When she meets and falls in love with one of the first vampires. Then he kills her. Anyway. This story is pretty interesting since again, not just love but more Hannah doing her thing. A lot of *convenient* plot moments though, let me tell you. ]]>
author: L.J. Smith
name: Sha
average rating: 4.21
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 2020/03/20
date added: 2020/03/31
shelves: fantasy, romance, young-adult
review:
DARK ANGEL
I don't have much to say about Dark Angel. It doesn't follow the usual plot sequence for the Night World books, which can be a pro. That also threw me off when I read it for the first time (and every subsequent re-read, because I somehow always forget what's going to happen). The MC takes very little initiative until the last few chapters of the book, and until that point, she lets herself be guided (read: bossed around) by a guy she calls Angel. So meh.
THE CHOSEN
Rashel is a breath of fresh air after our girl from the last book. In fact, she's one of my favourite heroines from this series. She's a vampire hunter and even when she meets her soulmate (get this, he's a vampire) she says "too bad" and goes off to stake more vampires. I quite enjoyed this book since for a change, there was a taste of female empowerment and not just kissing and fainting and vampires being like "look at my fangs."
SOULMATE
I have no clue how factually accurate Soulmate is, since we get to go back in time to Hannah's first life as a ... cavewoman? IDK. When she meets and falls in love with one of the first vampires. Then he kills her. Anyway. This story is pretty interesting since again, not just love but more Hannah doing her thing. A lot of *convenient* plot moments though, let me tell you.
]]>
But when the gigs dry up, their insurance lapses, leaving Dad’s heart condition unchecked and forcing Ellie to battle her bipolar II disorder without medication.
Then Ellie receives a call from a famous magic duo, who offer fifteen thousand dollars and a shot at redemption: they want The Uncanny Dante to perform the illusion that wrecked his career—on their live TV special, which shoots in Los Angeles in ten days.
Ellie knows her dad will refuse-but she takes the deal anyway, then lies to persuade him to head west. With the help of her online-only best friend and an unusual guy she pairs up with along the way, Ellie makes a plan to stage his comeback. But when her lie is exposed, she’ll have to confront her illness and her choices head-on to save her father—and herself.]]>
author: Jeff Garvin
name: Sha
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/03/19
shelves: to-read
review:
]]>
There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story.
As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison.
Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming...human or demon. Princess or monster.]]>
author: Melissa Bashardoust
name: Sha
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/02/11
shelves: to-read
review:
]]>
Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena’s motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight.
When Atoc demands the real Condesa’s hand in marriage, it’s Ximena’s duty to go in her stead. She relishes the chance, as Illustrian spies have reported that Atoc’s no longer carrying his deadly relic. If Ximena can find it, she can return the true aristócrata to their rightful place.
She hunts for the relic, using her weaving ability to hide messages in tapestries for the resistance. But when a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princess, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge—and her Condesa.]]>
Let me paint the scene for you. I had just hopped off a disappointing read not three weeks into 2020. My hope for a five-star read was already shaken and I was ready to slide into my first reading slump of the year. Then my mouse clicked over to my NetGalley shelf where I got a panicked surprise that my approved copy of Woven in Moonlightcame out at the beginning of January.
A disappointing readAND I was late to review a book? Great start to the year, Sha! I swore to finish the book quickly to get the review out. At that point, y'all, Ididn't even remember the synopsis.I was hot mess.
But. But.BUT.Can I tell you honestly that finishing this book quickly was nOT ONE PROBLEM because I needed more. (Can't believe this sat unread in my Kindle for so long! I deprived myself for so many days!) Ximena is aforce all of her own.Raised to be the condesa's decoy, she has lost none of her own fierce personality.
I was captivated every second of this book. Ximena never let anyone dictate what she did, throwing even me off guard several times. (And I'll admit it, I like to believe I can guess the plot to half the YA books out there.) The descriptions of the Llacsan culture was gorgeous and vivid, and the politics between them and the Illustrians fascinating. Nothing about either the Illustrian nor the Llacsan's governing was simple. My hopes are that book two looks more into the fallout of book one. If youknow what I mean.
The romance in this book. I called it, I'm just going to say that. I can'tnotsay that. I still adored the pairing. I want to comment a bit more but I'm worried I'll dive into spoilers so *my lips are now zipped*.
Oof, but the death toll in this book. Part of me wants to knock off half a star and part of me is like, Sha, it's war. People will die. I'm just slightly frustrated that there wasn't as much mourning as I would have expected. Thereissadness, but we don't get extended periods. I'm back and forth on how I feel about it all because there are a lot of factors.]]>
author: Isabel Ibañez
name: Sha
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2020/01/31
date added: 2020/01/31
shelves: 2020, abuse-and-trauma, badass-female-mc, eye-opening, fantasy, magical-realism, romance, young-adult
review:
My soul is crying, I loved this book so much.
Let me paint the scene for you. I had just hopped off a disappointing read not three weeks into 2020. My hope for a five-star read was already shaken and I was ready to slide into my first reading slump of the year. Then my mouse clicked over to my NetGalley shelf where I got a panicked surprise that my approved copy of Woven in Moonlightcame out at the beginning of January.
A disappointing readAND I was late to review a book? Great start to the year, Sha! I swore to finish the book quickly to get the review out. At that point, y'all, Ididn't even remember the synopsis.I was hot mess.
But. But.BUT.Can I tell you honestly that finishing this book quickly was nOT ONE PROBLEM because I needed more. (Can't believe this sat unread in my Kindle for so long! I deprived myself for so many days!) Ximena is aforce all of her own.Raised to be the condesa's decoy, she has lost none of her own fierce personality.
I was captivated every second of this book. Ximena never let anyone dictate what she did, throwing even me off guard several times. (And I'll admit it, I like to believe I can guess the plot to half the YA books out there.) The descriptions of the Llacsan culture was gorgeous and vivid, and the politics between them and the Illustrians fascinating. Nothing about either the Illustrian nor the Llacsan's governing was simple. My hopes are that book two looks more into the fallout of book one. If youknow what I mean.
The romance in this book. I called it, I'm just going to say that. I can'tnotsay that. I still adored the pairing. I want to comment a bit more but I'm worried I'll dive into spoilers so *my lips are now zipped*.
Oof, but the death toll in this book. Part of me wants to knock off half a star and part of me is like, Sha, it's war. People will die. I'm just slightly frustrated that there wasn't as much mourning as I would have expected. Thereissadness, but we don't get extended periods. I'm back and forth on how I feel about it all because there are a lot of factors.
]]>
From New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Sheinmel comes an unflinching exploration of the labels society puts on girls and women—and the strength it takes to rise above it all to claim your worth and declare your truth.
The girls at North Bay Academy are taking sides.
It all started when Mike Parker's girlfriend showed up with a bruise on her face. Or, more specifically, when she walked into the principal's office and said Mike hit her. But her classmates have questions. Why did she go to the principal and not the police? Why did she stay with Mike if he was hurting her? Obviously, if it's true, Mike should face the consequences. But is it true?
Some girls want to rally for Mike’s expulsion—and some want to rally around Mike. As rumors about what really happened spread, the students at North Bay Academy will question what it means to be guilty or innocent, right or wrong.
Praise for What Kind of Girl:
"A poignant, thought-provoking novel that will resonate deeply."�Kirkus
"A rallying cry."�Booklist
"I immediately saw myself in this book, which so thoroughly explains the thought process when coming to terms with victimhood and survivorship. I felt understood."—Chessy Prout, author of I Have the Right To
"Important, raw, timely, and ultimately hopeful…demands readers discuss the trauma of teen dating violence and how girls are so often taught—even expected—to internalize their victimization."—Shannon M. Parker, author of The Girl Who Fell and The Rattled Bones
]]>WHY? Um, simple. Unless you’re experiencing one of these situations first- or second-hand, no one is talking about them. Schools are not teaching students how to handle relationship abuse. Parents will drop the “treat my daughter well, haha!� line, but who believes their child is being battered/manipulated?
The fact that Sheinmel wonderfully illustrates in her novel is that we don’t expect teens to deal with relationship abuse. So we don’t prepare them for it.
I haven’t started talking about What Kind of Girl yet, but in a way, I am? This book has made relationship abuse—the survivor’s emotions, the relations� feelings, the courses of action—accessible to teens. (Who enjoys reading What to Do if You’re in a Bad Relationship pamphlets?)
Mike Parker’s girlfriend, Maya, is a mess of emotions throughout the book. She struggles with self-identification after coming forwards to her school principal. Is she still “Mike Parker’s girlfriend�? Is she only “the girl who was abused� or “the girl who lied about abuse�? I have not experienced relationship abuse, but Maya’s thoughts gave me insight into some of the feelings a person may have during or after an abusive relationship. I hope some of that insight may help me help someone else one day.
Aside from Maya’s relationship, What Kind of Girl deals with bulimia, self-harm, self-medication, and self-image. Each topic was given its time to expand and be explored. The endings to each plot point could be called HEAs, as they are resolved quite timely, but I had no issue with this.
OVERALL
4.5 stars and an Aurora rating for a book that truly showed up with clean writing, sharp plot, and a strong message. While I loved the characters in this book (I mean, obviously not Mike), the message of this book resonated with me more than Maya and Junie.
representation: main character with OCD and anxiety (mental illness)
content warnings: bulimia, self-harm, relationship violence, emotional manipulation, panic attack **some scenes may be triggering**
read this if you: want to learn more about relationship violence or get better insight into the thoughts of someone with bulimia/who self-harms **bearing in mind this is not own-voices**]]>
author: Alyssa B. Sheinmel
name: Sha
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2020/01/26
date added: 2020/01/30
shelves: 2020, abuse-and-trauma, eye-opening, mental-health-illness, realistic-fiction, young-adult
review:
From a young age, I knew that “domestic abuse� was when a man hit his wife, and that it was wrong, and that no woman should ever tolerate that kind of behaviour. Dr. Phil was my main professor on the topic, bringing women on stage to tell them in no uncertain terms that it was not okay. It took much longer before I realized, “Oh, wait, women can abuse a man?� and even longer before I caught on to violence in LGBTQ+ couples and emotional abuse.
WHY? Um, simple. Unless you’re experiencing one of these situations first- or second-hand, no one is talking about them. Schools are not teaching students how to handle relationship abuse. Parents will drop the “treat my daughter well, haha!� line, but who believes their child is being battered/manipulated?
The fact that Sheinmel wonderfully illustrates in her novel is that we don’t expect teens to deal with relationship abuse. So we don’t prepare them for it.
I haven’t started talking about What Kind of Girl yet, but in a way, I am? This book has made relationship abuse—the survivor’s emotions, the relations� feelings, the courses of action—accessible to teens. (Who enjoys reading What to Do if You’re in a Bad Relationship pamphlets?)
Mike Parker’s girlfriend, Maya, is a mess of emotions throughout the book. She struggles with self-identification after coming forwards to her school principal. Is she still “Mike Parker’s girlfriend�? Is she only “the girl who was abused� or “the girl who lied about abuse�? I have not experienced relationship abuse, but Maya’s thoughts gave me insight into some of the feelings a person may have during or after an abusive relationship. I hope some of that insight may help me help someone else one day.
Aside from Maya’s relationship, What Kind of Girl deals with bulimia, self-harm, self-medication, and self-image. Each topic was given its time to expand and be explored. The endings to each plot point could be called HEAs, as they are resolved quite timely, but I had no issue with this.
OVERALL
4.5 stars and an Aurora rating for a book that truly showed up with clean writing, sharp plot, and a strong message. While I loved the characters in this book (I mean, obviously not Mike), the message of this book resonated with me more than Maya and Junie.
representation: main character with OCD and anxiety (mental illness)
content warnings: bulimia, self-harm, relationship violence, emotional manipulation, panic attack **some scenes may be triggering**
read this if you: want to learn more about relationship violence or get better insight into the thoughts of someone with bulimia/who self-harms **bearing in mind this is not own-voices**
]]>
Paloma High School is ordinary by anyone’s standards. It’s got the same cliques, the same prejudices, the same suspect cafeteria food. And like every high school, every student has something to hide—from Kat, the thespian who conceals her trust issues onstage, to Valentine, the neurotic genius who’s planted the seed of a school scandal.
When that scandal bubbles over, and rumors of a teacher-student affair surface, everyone starts hunting for someone to blame. For the seven unlikely allies at the heart of it all, the collision of their seven ordinary-seeming lives results in extraordinary change.]]>
author: Riley Redgate
name: Sha
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2019/12/27
date added: 2019/12/28
shelves: lgbtq, male-mc, mental-health-illness, realistic-fiction, romance, young-adult
review:
rating may change. review to come. oh this book.
]]>
Welcome to the Forest of Good and Evil, where villains may be heroes and heroes may be villains…it all depends on who you ask.
In the realm of Enchantia, creatures of legend still exist, magic is the norm, and fairy tales are real.
Raised in the human world, Everly Morrow has no idea she’s a fairy-tale princess—until she begins to commune with mirrors. Soon, a horrifying truth is revealed. She is fated to be Snow White’s greatest enemy, the Evil Queen.
With powers beyond her imagination or control, Everly returns to the land of her birth. There, she meets Roth Charmaine, the supposed Prince Charming. Their attraction is undeniable, but their relationship is doomed. As Everly faces disasters and betrayals, giving in to herwicked side proves more tempting. Can she resist, or will she become the villain she was born to be?
Critics love The Evil Queen:
“Showalter (the Everlife books) delivers an entertaining series opener that condemns prejudice while championing self-determination. Romance-sweet and steamy, gay and straight-features prominently, action and humor abound, and the mystery of how each character figures into the legend imparts intrigue.”�Publishers Weekly
“The novel's conceit has a lot of potential with its deconstruction of a cherished fairy tale, an interesting take on good and evil as actions rather than fate, and a long cast of characters in ever evolving roles that will leave readers wondering who they are supposed to be.”�Kirkus Reviews
The Forest of Good and Evil
The Evil Queen
The Glass Queen]]>
*returns here after finishing review: calling this semi-coherent is being gracious*
THE INTRODUCTION, aka first few chapters, OF THIS BOOK
narrative exposition: 80%
romance scenes: 20%
plot progression: 5%
wow, um, so first of all, hi info-dump. what I'll refer to as the first "section" of the book focuses on Everly and her sister Hartly in the human/Earth realm. the vast majority of the narration is used to explain the history of Enchantia, the sisters' relationship, how they ended up on Earth, why Everly has powers, etc, etc, etc. i couldn't keep up and after a bit, I didn't care? there was more information thrown my way than actual plot/action. nothing was happening! It literally felt like people were sitting around spilling secrets 24/7.
I'm thrown into the insanity that is Everly's life without any emotional connection to her. just so much description over actual showing of emotions. i ended up skimming to the ends of my so-called "first section" because I couldn't deal with any more secret reveals, and the lack of actual action made it a bit of a boring read.
THE SECOND PART according to me
narrative exposition: 60%
romance scenes: 70%
plot progression: 20%
this part officially begins when Everly lands in Enchantia. (the name is not the best, kind of middle grade, but not the biggest of big deals.) it's perhaps 100 pages in? I don't have the book anymore, I apologize, I can't check. but at this point, I have no clue what the goal of the story is other than Everly looking for her sister (because it has been revealed that she has a blood sister living in Enchantia).
in the first part, Everly was somewhat characterized as "hated bad girl who doesn't care, uses bad girl persona to own advantage." when she lands in Enchantia. omg. when she lands in Enchantia. she spots a hot guy, her love interest, and immediately acts like a seductress? which was so out of character. she goes on to fluctuate between unaffected bad girl and seductress throughout the rest of the book without any consistency.
we meet some other characters including Everly's blood sister. they were all pretty forgettable though. they served to hinder or (opposite of hinder) Everly's relationship with Roth Charmaine.
THE THIRD PART
narrative exposition: 40%
romance scenes: 100%
plot progression: lol
this part commences when Everly realizes she likes Roth Charmaine. why do I designate this as the third part? because it's when I fully realized what I was reading.
THE EVIL QUEEN is not a fantasy book. It's not an evil queen retelling. oh ho ho no. it's a ROMANCE NOVEL. The whole point of this book is to set up a girl as a terrible bad girl unloved by others, toss her in the path of a glowing good guy (but sexy) prince, and create HOT ROMANCE.
seriously, if I knew this from the beginning, so many things could have been avoided.
THE END
from the moment I came to my glorious realization, I read the book as it should be read. for the romance. and allow me to now comment on that before wrapping up this review.
1) Everly and Roth Charmaine are weirdos. I make no secret that truly, madly, deeply romance books aren't my thing, and after reading this one, my position has no changed. I gagged a little every time Roth called Everly his "sweetling." Yeah, not for me. But if you're into gushy romance where love conquers all and also gets hot and heavy, THE EVIL QUEEN has that in spades! So.
2) This book is NOT YOUNG ADULT. No way. It's new adult for the heavier contact that comes in especially towards the end, including but not limited to loss of virginity, sex, dry humping, and torture incl'd whipping, forced imprisonment.
3) Putting aside my personal distaste for romance novels, I honestly did not like the Everly/Roth romance for the fact that he imprisoned her for weeks, yet during that time he would visit her and they would engage in sexual activity. Not cool.
4) this book should be read as a romance. The growing relationship between Everly and Roth is the only running plot thread throughout the book. When Everly's sister is kidnapped, THAT plot is even forgotten for several chapters in favour of the romance. Meanwhile, that doesn't mean the book is strong for its romantic focus. the other plot threads come in and out sporadically. the magic system/fairy tales-as-prophecy concept were poorly executed. the moral of the story shared by Everly at the end was ... really confusing.
5) not a fan of the lgbtq couple in this book. so ... odd how it was all done. i don't think it was at all intentional, I think it was more because the author wanted to make Everly look good and lend credence to the "moral," but that little plot idea made the one lgbtq couple look really poor.
i'm ready to wipe this from my memory and move on.]]>
author: Gena Showalter
name: Sha
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2019
rating: 1
read at: 2019/11/14
date added: 2019/12/03
shelves: 2019, abuse-and-trauma, do-not-recommend, fantasy, lgbtq, new-adult, retelling, romance
review:
I had to wait a hot minute after reading this book to even start thinking about writing a review because my mind was in such a jumble. The characters! The plot! I had no clue what to say. Now I think I've sorted myself to a point where I can be semi-coherent?
*returns here after finishing review: calling this semi-coherent is being gracious*
THE INTRODUCTION, aka first few chapters, OF THIS BOOK
narrative exposition: 80%
romance scenes: 20%
plot progression: 5%
wow, um, so first of all, hi info-dump. what I'll refer to as the first "section" of the book focuses on Everly and her sister Hartly in the human/Earth realm. the vast majority of the narration is used to explain the history of Enchantia, the sisters' relationship, how they ended up on Earth, why Everly has powers, etc, etc, etc. i couldn't keep up and after a bit, I didn't care? there was more information thrown my way than actual plot/action. nothing was happening! It literally felt like people were sitting around spilling secrets 24/7.
I'm thrown into the insanity that is Everly's life without any emotional connection to her. just so much description over actual showing of emotions. i ended up skimming to the ends of my so-called "first section" because I couldn't deal with any more secret reveals, and the lack of actual action made it a bit of a boring read.
THE SECOND PART according to me
narrative exposition: 60%
romance scenes: 70%
plot progression: 20%
this part officially begins when Everly lands in Enchantia. (the name is not the best, kind of middle grade, but not the biggest of big deals.) it's perhaps 100 pages in? I don't have the book anymore, I apologize, I can't check. but at this point, I have no clue what the goal of the story is other than Everly looking for her sister (because it has been revealed that she has a blood sister living in Enchantia).
in the first part, Everly was somewhat characterized as "hated bad girl who doesn't care, uses bad girl persona to own advantage." when she lands in Enchantia. omg. when she lands in Enchantia. she spots a hot guy, her love interest, and immediately acts like a seductress? which was so out of character. she goes on to fluctuate between unaffected bad girl and seductress throughout the rest of the book without any consistency.
we meet some other characters including Everly's blood sister. they were all pretty forgettable though. they served to hinder or (opposite of hinder) Everly's relationship with Roth Charmaine.
THE THIRD PART
narrative exposition: 40%
romance scenes: 100%
plot progression: lol
this part commences when Everly realizes she likes Roth Charmaine. why do I designate this as the third part? because it's when I fully realized what I was reading.
THE EVIL QUEEN is not a fantasy book. It's not an evil queen retelling. oh ho ho no. it's a ROMANCE NOVEL. The whole point of this book is to set up a girl as a terrible bad girl unloved by others, toss her in the path of a glowing good guy (but sexy) prince, and create HOT ROMANCE.
seriously, if I knew this from the beginning, so many things could have been avoided.
THE END
from the moment I came to my glorious realization, I read the book as it should be read. for the romance. and allow me to now comment on that before wrapping up this review.
1) Everly and Roth Charmaine are weirdos. I make no secret that truly, madly, deeply romance books aren't my thing, and after reading this one, my position has no changed. I gagged a little every time Roth called Everly his "sweetling." Yeah, not for me. But if you're into gushy romance where love conquers all and also gets hot and heavy, THE EVIL QUEEN has that in spades! So.
2) This book is NOT YOUNG ADULT. No way. It's new adult for the heavier contact that comes in especially towards the end, including but not limited to loss of virginity, sex, dry humping, and torture incl'd whipping, forced imprisonment.
3) Putting aside my personal distaste for romance novels, I honestly did not like the Everly/Roth romance for the fact that he imprisoned her for weeks, yet during that time he would visit her and they would engage in sexual activity. Not cool.
4) this book should be read as a romance. The growing relationship between Everly and Roth is the only running plot thread throughout the book. When Everly's sister is kidnapped, THAT plot is even forgotten for several chapters in favour of the romance. Meanwhile, that doesn't mean the book is strong for its romantic focus. the other plot threads come in and out sporadically. the magic system/fairy tales-as-prophecy concept were poorly executed. the moral of the story shared by Everly at the end was ... really confusing.
5) not a fan of the lgbtq couple in this book. so ... odd how it was all done. i don't think it was at all intentional, I think it was more because the author wanted to make Everly look good and lend credence to the "moral," but that little plot idea made the one lgbtq couple look really poor.
i'm ready to wipe this from my memory and move on.
]]>
Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.
Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.
The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.
And love makes fools of us all.
This is a previously published edition of ISBN 9780062878021. An alternate cover edition can be found here.]]>
rating may change. ]]>
author: Shelby Mahurin
name: Sha
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2019/11/28
date added: 2019/11/29
shelves: 2019
review:
RTC
rating may change.
]]>
Oscar winning writer-director Guillermo del Toro and New York Times bestselling author Cornelia Funke have come together to transform del Toro’s hit movie Pan’s Labyrinth into an epic and dark fantasy novel for readers of all ages, complete with haunting illustrations and enchanting short stories that flesh out the folklore of this fascinating world.
This spellbinding tale takes readers to a sinister, magical, and war-torn world filled with richly drawn characters like trickster fauns, murderous soldiers, child-eating monsters, courageous rebels, and a long-lost princess hoping to be reunited with her family.
A brilliant collaboration between masterful storytellers that’s not to be missed.]]>
*clutches pearls*
i'm n o t r e a d y
UPDATE
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of HCC Frenzy through direct request. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
I won’t spend several paragraphs gushing about my love for the original Pan’s Labyrinth, although yes that passion exists and yes that is what drew me to the book edition in the first place. My first assumption of the book, on seeing the cover, was that it was a graphic novel adaptation. I was wrong, this is in truth a movie novelization, but there are original stories and illustrations included. So, yes, a mistake, but let me just tell you why I ended up happier with the novelization.
(i) it’s a retelling. why shouldn’t i just watch the movie?
Pan’s Labyrinth was greatly written and immediately drew me into the world of Ofelia, the Faun, and the vicious Captain. Because I’ve already seen the movie, reading the book now enriched my knowledge of the characters. I gained insight into motivations, into dreams that were never spoken. More than once I found myself “omg!�-ing aloud when secret looks in the movie suddenly gained context. Not going to lie, I felt like someone was whispering classified PL secrets to me the whole time.
Had I done the two in reverse order, the film’s stunning costumes, scenery, and acting would have brought magic to life in front of my eyes. In my opinion, there is no wrong way to take in the book and movie duo—although I can vouch that reading the book second (in this case!) worked amazing for me.
(ii) you said something about illustrations?
I cannot get over how absolutely beautiful this book is. Every single page has an illustration of a tree along the side, with creatures peering out of the darkness in a knot in the bark. Such a tiny detail added to the atmosphere throughout my reading.
(can more books be this effortlessly gorgeous, please?)
Also, as if this wasn’t enough, every few chapters there was a full page illustration depicting a scene from the movie. I don’t know if I’m happy or creeped out (okay, I’m happy) that there was a detailed drawing of the Pale Man. Also known as the eyeless creature that eats children.
man GIF
*ahem*
(iii) i’m still wondering why i need a book version of the movie though?
My favourite, absolutely favourite part of Pan’s Labyrinth (the book) were all the original short stories included in the book. I learned the backstories to a few of the characters of the film, as well as more on some mythical characters mentioned in passing. In these short stories, the writing really shone. I felt swept off into a place where people could be both mothers and witches, where a labyrinth could grow to inspire and haunt and welcome back its princess.
(iv) i still don’t know. maybe i should read another book altogether.
Okay. There’s one last thing I can try. Telling you about the Actual Story. Who is this Ofelia? What is a Faun and what does it have to do with a princess and oh, um, a war?
The book begins quite simply with young Ofelia and her pregnant mother heading to a mill in Spain, where Ofelia’s mother will join her new husband. This man is the Captain, leading the hunt against republican rebels. The beauty of this story is its ability to work on two levels: to show the brutality of the Captain’s war against the rebel fighters while also showing Ofelia’s purity of spirit as she escapes into her fairy tales. These two worlds are not entirely separate! The way they weave together is altogether fascinating.
(v) okay. i think you sold me on this.
This is not a book you’ll regret picking up. The more I think about it, I’m realizing you’re getting a two-for-one with it. Both the book and the movie offer a glimpse into each other � and both are simply amazing to enjoy. Read the book, get into the movie. Or watch the movie, get into the book. Do them at the same time!
rating: This book gets a Tiana rating because it is so atmospheric. Magic and mystery ooze from the page thanks to the authors� prose and the well-crafted illustrations.
representation: this book takes place in Spain, with characters of presumably Spanish descent
content warnings: murder, death of a principal character, descriptions of torture, mass death]]>
author: Guillermo del Toro
name: Sha
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2019/06/30
date added: 2019/11/13
shelves: 2019, badass-female-mc, fantasy, historical-fiction, young-adult
review:
i can't wait to read this book. Pan's Labyrinth is a hugeee movie fave of mine (fantasy/soft-horror on the screen and my heart is screaming) nd having del Toro himself co-author the novelization with magical realism QUEEN Cornelia Funke?
*clutches pearls*
i'm n o t r e a d y
UPDATE
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of HCC Frenzy through direct request. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
I won’t spend several paragraphs gushing about my love for the original Pan’s Labyrinth, although yes that passion exists and yes that is what drew me to the book edition in the first place. My first assumption of the book, on seeing the cover, was that it was a graphic novel adaptation. I was wrong, this is in truth a movie novelization, but there are original stories and illustrations included. So, yes, a mistake, but let me just tell you why I ended up happier with the novelization.
(i) it’s a retelling. why shouldn’t i just watch the movie?
Pan’s Labyrinth was greatly written and immediately drew me into the world of Ofelia, the Faun, and the vicious Captain. Because I’ve already seen the movie, reading the book now enriched my knowledge of the characters. I gained insight into motivations, into dreams that were never spoken. More than once I found myself “omg!�-ing aloud when secret looks in the movie suddenly gained context. Not going to lie, I felt like someone was whispering classified PL secrets to me the whole time.
Had I done the two in reverse order, the film’s stunning costumes, scenery, and acting would have brought magic to life in front of my eyes. In my opinion, there is no wrong way to take in the book and movie duo—although I can vouch that reading the book second (in this case!) worked amazing for me.
(ii) you said something about illustrations?
I cannot get over how absolutely beautiful this book is. Every single page has an illustration of a tree along the side, with creatures peering out of the darkness in a knot in the bark. Such a tiny detail added to the atmosphere throughout my reading.
(can more books be this effortlessly gorgeous, please?)
Also, as if this wasn’t enough, every few chapters there was a full page illustration depicting a scene from the movie. I don’t know if I’m happy or creeped out (okay, I’m happy) that there was a detailed drawing of the Pale Man. Also known as the eyeless creature that eats children.
man GIF
*ahem*
(iii) i’m still wondering why i need a book version of the movie though?
My favourite, absolutely favourite part of Pan’s Labyrinth (the book) were all the original short stories included in the book. I learned the backstories to a few of the characters of the film, as well as more on some mythical characters mentioned in passing. In these short stories, the writing really shone. I felt swept off into a place where people could be both mothers and witches, where a labyrinth could grow to inspire and haunt and welcome back its princess.
(iv) i still don’t know. maybe i should read another book altogether.
Okay. There’s one last thing I can try. Telling you about the Actual Story. Who is this Ofelia? What is a Faun and what does it have to do with a princess and oh, um, a war?
The book begins quite simply with young Ofelia and her pregnant mother heading to a mill in Spain, where Ofelia’s mother will join her new husband. This man is the Captain, leading the hunt against republican rebels. The beauty of this story is its ability to work on two levels: to show the brutality of the Captain’s war against the rebel fighters while also showing Ofelia’s purity of spirit as she escapes into her fairy tales. These two worlds are not entirely separate! The way they weave together is altogether fascinating.
(v) okay. i think you sold me on this.
This is not a book you’ll regret picking up. The more I think about it, I’m realizing you’re getting a two-for-one with it. Both the book and the movie offer a glimpse into each other � and both are simply amazing to enjoy. Read the book, get into the movie. Or watch the movie, get into the book. Do them at the same time!
rating: This book gets a Tiana rating because it is so atmospheric. Magic and mystery ooze from the page thanks to the authors� prose and the well-crafted illustrations.
representation: this book takes place in Spain, with characters of presumably Spanish descent
content warnings: murder, death of a principal character, descriptions of torture, mass death
]]>
Sybella has always been the darkest of Death’s daughters, trained at the convent of Saint Mortain to serve as his justice. But she has a new mission now. In a desperate bid to keep her two youngest sisters safe from the family that nearly destroyed them all, she agrees to accompany the duchess to France, where they quickly find themselves surrounded by enemies. Their one ray of hope is Sybella’s fellow novitiates, disguised and hidden deep in the French court years ago by the convent—provided Sybella can find them.
Genevieve has been undercover for so many years, she struggles to remember who she is or what she’s supposed to be fighting for. Her only solace is a hidden prisoner who appears all but forgotten by his guards. When tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to take matters into her own hands—even if it means ignoring the long awaited orders from the convent.
As Sybella and Gen’s paths draw ever closer, the fate of everything they hold sacred rests on a knife’s edge. Will they find each other in time, or will their worlds collide, destroying everything they care about?]]>
Courting Darkness is the first in a duology “sequel� to the His Fair Assassin trilogy by Robin LaFevers. Mandy and I raved constantly about book one in the trilogy, Grave Mercy. The heroine? Fire emoji personified. She thwarts her destiny as wife of an abusive drunkard and trains as an assassin. She navigates court intrigues to protect the life of the young duchess and trusts her mind before the urging of her betters.
Look, you get the point, I liked the book.
Book Two in the trilogy keeps pace with the same “thwart destiny / empower women� theme and yeah, I liked it too (just not as much). I skipped book three, not the point here though. (I mean sort of kind of not?)
I started Courting Darkness with mild trepidation but the conviction that I would land on four stars or even a four and a half. The book was written in the same style, so I wasn’t shocked into a whole new book universe. LaFevers seamlessly blends her world of fantasy (saints/Gods who interfere in the lives of humans, assassins who commune with their Godly patrons) into a true historic setting. But this time it didn’t work okay it didn’t.
*sobs eternally*
Sybella
One half of our duo-narrated book. Sybella returns from Book Two as if she’s been clunked on the head and wholly forgot every drop of character development she made in the past.
]]>
author: Robin LaFevers
name: Sha
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2019
rating: 2
read at: 2019/10/22
date added: 2019/11/11
shelves: 2019, abuse-and-trauma, fantasy, historical-fiction, young-adult
review:
This is not going to be a typical review. In fact, I’m here to shake the contents of my broken heart onto the page so that perhaps I can step forward bravely into a world where my fave is actually a huge disappointment.
Courting Darkness is the first in a duology “sequel� to the His Fair Assassin trilogy by Robin LaFevers. Mandy and I raved constantly about book one in the trilogy, Grave Mercy. The heroine? Fire emoji personified. She thwarts her destiny as wife of an abusive drunkard and trains as an assassin. She navigates court intrigues to protect the life of the young duchess and trusts her mind before the urging of her betters.
Look, you get the point, I liked the book.
Book Two in the trilogy keeps pace with the same “thwart destiny / empower women� theme and yeah, I liked it too (just not as much). I skipped book three, not the point here though. (I mean sort of kind of not?)
I started Courting Darkness with mild trepidation but the conviction that I would land on four stars or even a four and a half. The book was written in the same style, so I wasn’t shocked into a whole new book universe. LaFevers seamlessly blends her world of fantasy (saints/Gods who interfere in the lives of humans, assassins who commune with their Godly patrons) into a true historic setting. But this time it didn’t work okay it didn’t.
*sobs eternally*
Sybella
One half of our duo-narrated book. Sybella returns from Book Two as if she’s been clunked on the head and wholly forgot every drop of character development she made in the past.
]]>
Three legendary dresses.
The competition of a lifetime.
On the fringes of the Great Spice Road, Maia Tamarin works as a seamstress in the shop of her father, once a tailor of renown. She dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well.
When a royal messenger summons her ailing father to court, Maia poses as his son and travels to the Summer Palace in his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to save her family from ruin and achieve her dream of becoming the imperial tailor. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.
The competition is cutthroat, and Maia's job is further complicated by the unwelcome attention of the court enchanter, Edan, who seems to see straight through her disguise. But nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three gowns so dangerously beautiful, it will take a quest to the ends of the earth to complete them . . .
Book 1 in the Blood of Stars duology]]>
hi, it's me, sha, writing another review only for goodreads and not the blog. aka i'm not using caps or even proper sentences but my thoughts might be organized if you're lucky (or even reading this)
anyway so thanks for dashing my hopes, Spin the Dawn, because ya did that. I'm not salty, just really sad, because there were huge chunks of this book that seared my soul and brought my book fantasies to life and then other sections that i honestly wanted to take a permanent marker and scribble all over so i could pretend they didn't happen.
PART ONE (of the book) (because it was divided into three parts)
++ loved the contest between the tailors, though I was confused why it all happened so fast. I was like, Where's the tension? Where's the slow burn of "will Maia finish the dress"??? Innocent me thought this was legit the entire plot point of the book, so I didn't get why there was so little focus on it all. I learned soon enough.
++ [spoilers removed] was obviously the villain. OMG. The moment they came on the scene, and every single word they spoke, was the most villainy-est villain kind of vibe. And HIS STORYLINE DIDN'T RESOLVE. That bothers me a lot. Not just his but several storylines in part one, just, goodbye. We are on to part two now. And then the book was over. Yeah, I know there's going to be a sequel, but things like [spoilers removed] don't feel important enough to drag on into a sequel.
++ I liked the strength and independence Maia showed in part one. And her relationship with her brothers :'( Her creativity to accomplish the challenges set before her by the shansen's daughter made me fiercely proud of our heroine and I love love loved that she refused to let the scissors do the work.
++ The scenes with Edan were so. ANNOYING. He was either patronizing or mysterious to the point that he made no sense. He didn't answer questions, he said sentences out of the blue that related to nothing, and then sometimes for no reason he acted like an awkward fifteen-year-old boy. i'm sorry, in my books, you can't be a mysterious enchanter but also awk teen. his intense interest in Maia came out of nowhere, too.
PART TWO
oh boy, this threw me for a whole loop and then a square a literal square. the transition of narrative focus lacked fluidity and suddenly it was less master tailor and more "lets get romantic" and also "sew some dresses on the back of a camel"
++ I started noticing so many plot inconsistencies. like, how does Edan's magic work, i mean REALLY work. "i saved some up in reserve" okay but what does all this MEAN. why can't you use magic in the desert, why did you have to use the tablecloth less, why can you magically do EVERYTHING (hi Gary Sue) and also have colour changing eyes -_-
also how are they carrying ALLLL this stuff but only using two horses/camels? they literally have a trunk with three huge dresses.
++ I dislike Edan even more. goodbye independant strong Maia. in part two Edan seems to do everything. he tells her where she has to go, what she has to do, gives her the materials. all she does in part two is sew when he tells her to. and make googly eyes. and realize [spoilers removed] which is you didn't know at least halfway through part one, eek.
++ all in all, this part just dragggeeedd. but I even admit, Lim wrote some cute scenes between Edan and Maia. i just wish I actually liked Edan, and felt the two had chemistry?
PART THREE
i forgot if this book had three or four parts. but. the last part of this book just made me *insert blank stare into abyss*
what i'm trying to say is, TOO MUCH HAPPENED IN THIS BOOK. individually, a lot of this stuff is really cool and yes, i would totally read any of them. but stuff just got lost under entirely new plots that seemed to crop up every other chapter. new villains, new quests, new challenges. i stopped halfway through at one point because i had stuff to do. when i came back the next day, I'd already forgotten half the book.
nothing is memorable when you need to hurry up events to make space for so much to happen. I would have loved more focus on the tailoring competition, a slower intro to the Maia/edan relationship, and much much more detail on enchanter magic.
anyway those are my thoughts thnx bye.
no sorry i lied i'm back. i forgot one more qualm i had. where was this book even? i know the land is invented but based on what, China? (cuz Mulan) there's literally a Jinn in here and magic carpets and nothing that specifically speaks "this is china" except maybe the word emperor? the worldbuilding is so hazy and mix'n'match. ]]>
author: Elizabeth Lim
name: Sha
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2019/11/10
date added: 2019/11/11
shelves: 2019, fantasy, retelling, romance, young-adult
review:
did this book even know what it wanted to be?
hi, it's me, sha, writing another review only for goodreads and not the blog. aka i'm not using caps or even proper sentences but my thoughts might be organized if you're lucky (or even reading this)
anyway so thanks for dashing my hopes, Spin the Dawn, because ya did that. I'm not salty, just really sad, because there were huge chunks of this book that seared my soul and brought my book fantasies to life and then other sections that i honestly wanted to take a permanent marker and scribble all over so i could pretend they didn't happen.
PART ONE (of the book) (because it was divided into three parts)
++ loved the contest between the tailors, though I was confused why it all happened so fast. I was like, Where's the tension? Where's the slow burn of "will Maia finish the dress"??? Innocent me thought this was legit the entire plot point of the book, so I didn't get why there was so little focus on it all. I learned soon enough.
++ [spoilers removed] was obviously the villain. OMG. The moment they came on the scene, and every single word they spoke, was the most villainy-est villain kind of vibe. And HIS STORYLINE DIDN'T RESOLVE. That bothers me a lot. Not just his but several storylines in part one, just, goodbye. We are on to part two now. And then the book was over. Yeah, I know there's going to be a sequel, but things like [spoilers removed] don't feel important enough to drag on into a sequel.
++ I liked the strength and independence Maia showed in part one. And her relationship with her brothers :'( Her creativity to accomplish the challenges set before her by the shansen's daughter made me fiercely proud of our heroine and I love love loved that she refused to let the scissors do the work.
++ The scenes with Edan were so. ANNOYING. He was either patronizing or mysterious to the point that he made no sense. He didn't answer questions, he said sentences out of the blue that related to nothing, and then sometimes for no reason he acted like an awkward fifteen-year-old boy. i'm sorry, in my books, you can't be a mysterious enchanter but also awk teen. his intense interest in Maia came out of nowhere, too.
PART TWO
oh boy, this threw me for a whole loop and then a square a literal square. the transition of narrative focus lacked fluidity and suddenly it was less master tailor and more "lets get romantic" and also "sew some dresses on the back of a camel"
++ I started noticing so many plot inconsistencies. like, how does Edan's magic work, i mean REALLY work. "i saved some up in reserve" okay but what does all this MEAN. why can't you use magic in the desert, why did you have to use the tablecloth less, why can you magically do EVERYTHING (hi Gary Sue) and also have colour changing eyes -_-
also how are they carrying ALLLL this stuff but only using two horses/camels? they literally have a trunk with three huge dresses.
++ I dislike Edan even more. goodbye independant strong Maia. in part two Edan seems to do everything. he tells her where she has to go, what she has to do, gives her the materials. all she does in part two is sew when he tells her to. and make googly eyes. and realize [spoilers removed] which is you didn't know at least halfway through part one, eek.
++ all in all, this part just dragggeeedd. but I even admit, Lim wrote some cute scenes between Edan and Maia. i just wish I actually liked Edan, and felt the two had chemistry?
PART THREE
i forgot if this book had three or four parts. but. the last part of this book just made me *insert blank stare into abyss*
what i'm trying to say is, TOO MUCH HAPPENED IN THIS BOOK. individually, a lot of this stuff is really cool and yes, i would totally read any of them. but stuff just got lost under entirely new plots that seemed to crop up every other chapter. new villains, new quests, new challenges. i stopped halfway through at one point because i had stuff to do. when i came back the next day, I'd already forgotten half the book.
nothing is memorable when you need to hurry up events to make space for so much to happen. I would have loved more focus on the tailoring competition, a slower intro to the Maia/edan relationship, and much much more detail on enchanter magic.
anyway those are my thoughts thnx bye.
no sorry i lied i'm back. i forgot one more qualm i had. where was this book even? i know the land is invented but based on what, China? (cuz Mulan) there's literally a Jinn in here and magic carpets and nothing that specifically speaks "this is china" except maybe the word emperor? the worldbuilding is so hazy and mix'n'match.
]]>
In the mythical desert kingdom of Achra, an ancient law forces sixteen-year-old Princess Kateri to fight in the arena to prove her right to rule. For Kateri, winning also means fulfilling a promise to her late mother that she would protect her people, who are struggling through windstorms and drought. The situation is worsened by the gang of Desert Boys that frequently raids the city wells, forcing the king to ration what little water is left. The punishment for stealing water is a choice between two doors: behind one lies freedom, and behind the other is a tiger.
But when Kateri’s final opponent is announced, she knows she cannot win. In desperation, she turns to the desert and the one person she never thought she’d side with. What Kateri discovers twists her world—and her heart—upside down. Her future is now behind two doors—only she’s not sure which holds the key to keeping her kingdom and which releases the tiger.]]>
With that being said, here's my review in brief ofTiger Queen.
Characters are very defined. I mean, I spotted the bad guy right off the bat. This goes hand-in-hand with my comment on how this book is suited to the lower range of YA (maybe even middle grade). From protag Princess Kateri to rebel gang leader Cian, characters hinge on one or two personality traits.Kateri must question her allegiances in this book, but the real page time is put on action sequences than her moral ponderings.
There are, in fact, many action sequences in this book. I enjoyed them when I was a pre-teen, but now they don't catch my attention as much. Yet another it's me, not you, moment.
]]>
author: Annie Sullivan
name: Sha
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2019/11/10
date added: 2019/11/11
shelves: 2019, fantasy, retelling, young-adult
review:
I didn't enjoy this book.I'm going to say it off the bat, because that was what ran through my head all 322 pages ofTiger Queen. I'm also very aware that I'mnotthe target audience here. The writing is suited for readers aged 12-14, with fast pacing, black-and-white morals, and dramatic sequences of events. Books with these elements never hold my interest. I need to be challenged when I read, otherwise my attention wanes.
With that being said, here's my review in brief ofTiger Queen.
Characters are very defined. I mean, I spotted the bad guy right off the bat. This goes hand-in-hand with my comment on how this book is suited to the lower range of YA (maybe even middle grade). From protag Princess Kateri to rebel gang leader Cian, characters hinge on one or two personality traits.Kateri must question her allegiances in this book, but the real page time is put on action sequences than her moral ponderings.
There are, in fact, many action sequences in this book. I enjoyed them when I was a pre-teen, but now they don't catch my attention as much. Yet another it's me, not you, moment.
]]>
Glimmering like a jewel behind its gateway, The Kingdom is an immersive fantasy theme park where guests soar on virtual dragons, castles loom like giants, and bioengineered species--formerly extinct--roam free.
Ana is one of seven Fantasists, beautiful "princesses" engineered to make dreams come true. When she meets park employee Owen, Ana begins to experience emotions beyond her programming including, for the first time... love.
But the fairytale becomes a nightmare when Ana is accused of murdering Owen, igniting the trial of the century. Through courtroom testimony, interviews, and Ana's memories of Owen, emerges a tale of love, lies, and cruelty--and what it truly means to be human.]]>
i was way hyped for this book, one of my most hyped for 2019 actually. and it didn't disappoint! love the princess aspect mixed with futuristic mixed with disneyworld, that is what i expected and it's exactly what i got.
the ending was a bit too rushed, which is why I'm knocking off a star. the whole book had a slow vibe to it (that i didn't terribly mind, it was getting to know characters and move around the park) but then all of a sudden OKAY ACTION and everyone is running and making plans and i felt like i had woken up and realized i needed to catch the bus in ten minutes.
that's not a pleasant feeling, if you weren't aware.
so yeah, that ending knocked off a star, combined with the fact that some of court transcripts were utterly pointless. they didn't do anything. it was straight up filler. I love reading mixed media books, but yeah, a bunch of those transcripts were meaningless.
there's going to be a sequel though, right? otherwise I'm knocking off an extra half-star. ]]>
author: Jess Rothenberg
name: Sha
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2019/10/27
date added: 2019/11/04
shelves: 2019, fantasy, young-adult, romance
review:
writing reviews is no fun when i can't post it on my blog, i've just realized that. anyway this review is just for goodreads so i'mma be brief since no one reads these (mine, that is).
i was way hyped for this book, one of my most hyped for 2019 actually. and it didn't disappoint! love the princess aspect mixed with futuristic mixed with disneyworld, that is what i expected and it's exactly what i got.
the ending was a bit too rushed, which is why I'm knocking off a star. the whole book had a slow vibe to it (that i didn't terribly mind, it was getting to know characters and move around the park) but then all of a sudden OKAY ACTION and everyone is running and making plans and i felt like i had woken up and realized i needed to catch the bus in ten minutes.
that's not a pleasant feeling, if you weren't aware.
so yeah, that ending knocked off a star, combined with the fact that some of court transcripts were utterly pointless. they didn't do anything. it was straight up filler. I love reading mixed media books, but yeah, a bunch of those transcripts were meaningless.
there's going to be a sequel though, right? otherwise I'm knocking off an extra half-star.
]]>
Coral has always been different, standing out from her mermaid sisters in a society where blending in is key. Worse yet, she fears she has been afflicted with the dreaded Disease, said to be carried by humans—emotions. Can she face the darkness long enough to surface in the light?
Above the sea, Brooke has nothing left to give. Depression and anxiety have left her feeling isolated. Forgotten. The only thing she can rely on is the numbness she finds within the cool and comforting ocean waves. If only she weren’t stuck at Fathoms—a new group therapy home that promises a second chance at life. But what’s the point of living if her soul is destined to bleed?
Merrick may be San Francisco’s golden boy, but he wants nothing more than to escape his controlling father. When his younger sister’s suicide attempt sends Merrick to his breaking point, escape becomes the only option. If he can find their mom, everything will be made right again—right?
When their worlds collide, all three will do whatever it takes to survive, and Coral might even catch a prince in the process. But what—and who—must they leave behind for life to finally begin?
Taking a new twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved—yet tragic—fairy tale, Coral explores mental health from multiple perspectives, questioning what it means to be human in a world where humanity often seems lost.]]>
Coral, Coral, Coral.I was confused after the first five pages of this book, which is never a good sign. As I'm well-known to do, I pushed throughespeciallybecause I wanted to see how mental health was discussed in a book about mermaids. I'm a die-hard fan of mental health books, we all know this. And thank you YA and your vocal fandoms for demandingmoremental health discussions in books andmorecharacters with mental illness. A beautiful culmination of this demand for diversity is not just the typical contemporary novel exploring a protagonist's battle with depression, but fantasy and scifi and horror books that star empowered heroes who just so happen to have depression.*
*this being one general of many great specific examples
InCoral, titular character Coral is a mermaid who fears showing symptoms of the Disease, an illness that starts with showing emotions (something mermaids cannot do) and ends with Red Tide.
Though a little heavy-handed, Sara Ella makes observant commentary on mental health stigma through her extended metaphor of "the Disease." Mermaids are shamed for showing emotions, and told to use the words "I'm fine" until, Coral is reassured, they will believe they really are. Those who suffer from the Disease are ignored and erased from society as undesirables. I was a bit saddened at the fact that in this world, mermen cannot have the Disease, which gave the impression men cannot suffer from anxiety/depression like women do.
Coral's underwater world was rich with its own culture. I think this became an asset as well as a drawback to the book. I was invested in figuring out what Red Tide was, in how mer-people manage emotions, etc. But this was only one third of a three-narrative story. The world-building suffered to the point that I didn't understand certain passages. Later on, I was plain confused. The fantastic elements of Coral's world did not merge comfortably with Merrick and Brooke's realistic universes.
Brooke and Merrick carried the other two POVs in this book. One thing that threw me off from the start was that only Brooke's chapters were in first person. I very rarely see this in books (I can't name one off the top of my head, to be honest) and I don't personally find it enjoyable.
Brooke was antagonistic and frustrating at the beginning. I understood why, since she's in a treatment program and she's distrustful of others. But I also didn'tknow her. And this made her tough to care for. Why was she in the center? Where was her family? The author withheld this basic information for a long time because it would give away the plot twist ... which I still guessed easily. Once I got more info about Brooke, I warmed up to her and became invested in her journey.
I seesaw on mental health treatment plans in books. I'm either "this doctor is too mean!" or "this doctor is way too nice!" In reality, there's no perfect plan so whatever, my thoughts are all subjective anyway. I did think Brooke landed in an idealistic treatment facility, where she was given space when she wanted space and the exact food she wanted, and she even got strings pulled to get into university.But. Sometimes you need a mental health book where things go right for a change. I'm not mad at this. Sara Ella did a great job at showing that therearepeople out there who want to help, and hear what you need. There does need to be a trigger warning on this book (which there is) for suicide and suicidal idealization because both are very present.
I almost don't know what to say about Merrick. He gets his moment of limelight near the end of the book, but until then, he does more work moving other characters' stories along. Sometimes I skimmed his chapters, just looking for scenes with his younger sister Amaya. Her story is a sad reality today.
My biggest wish for this book would have been to make Coral's story its own book, and then Brooke and Merrick and Amaya's another. The mermaid world was unique and creative, but fell flat when Coral journeyed into the human world and suddenly started using cell phones and going to high school and attending group therapy. It felt rushed, and almost like a school assignment, not a mythical being come to life. (Which, okay, Iknow, but still.) And Brooke/Merrick/Amaya's world would have been all the richer with the focus on loss, and suicide/mental health instead of the confusion about where mermaids fit in.
rating: Merida, two stars. I had trouble finishing this book. For the above reasons, I think a separation of the fantasy and contemporary would have made this book more enjoyable for me. The attempts to hide details to keep the "big reveal" a secret was also very frustrating.
representation: main character with synesthesia (I think), main character with depression/anxiety
content warnings: death of a principle character, death of a side character, suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal idealization, child suicide, kidnapping, anxious thoughts, parent abandonment
read this if you: like books with mental health topics, like books with different approaches to mental health]]>
author: Sara Ella
name: Sha
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2019
rating: 2
read at: 2019/11/03
date added: 2019/11/04
shelves: 2019, fantasy, magical-realism, male-mc, mental-health-illness, realistic-fiction, retelling, young-adult
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
Coral, Coral, Coral.I was confused after the first five pages of this book, which is never a good sign. As I'm well-known to do, I pushed throughespeciallybecause I wanted to see how mental health was discussed in a book about mermaids. I'm a die-hard fan of mental health books, we all know this. And thank you YA and your vocal fandoms for demandingmoremental health discussions in books andmorecharacters with mental illness. A beautiful culmination of this demand for diversity is not just the typical contemporary novel exploring a protagonist's battle with depression, but fantasy and scifi and horror books that star empowered heroes who just so happen to have depression.*
*this being one general of many great specific examples
InCoral, titular character Coral is a mermaid who fears showing symptoms of the Disease, an illness that starts with showing emotions (something mermaids cannot do) and ends with Red Tide.
Though a little heavy-handed, Sara Ella makes observant commentary on mental health stigma through her extended metaphor of "the Disease." Mermaids are shamed for showing emotions, and told to use the words "I'm fine" until, Coral is reassured, they will believe they really are. Those who suffer from the Disease are ignored and erased from society as undesirables. I was a bit saddened at the fact that in this world, mermen cannot have the Disease, which gave the impression men cannot suffer from anxiety/depression like women do.
Coral's underwater world was rich with its own culture. I think this became an asset as well as a drawback to the book. I was invested in figuring out what Red Tide was, in how mer-people manage emotions, etc. But this was only one third of a three-narrative story. The world-building suffered to the point that I didn't understand certain passages. Later on, I was plain confused. The fantastic elements of Coral's world did not merge comfortably with Merrick and Brooke's realistic universes.
Brooke and Merrick carried the other two POVs in this book. One thing that threw me off from the start was that only Brooke's chapters were in first person. I very rarely see this in books (I can't name one off the top of my head, to be honest) and I don't personally find it enjoyable.
Brooke was antagonistic and frustrating at the beginning. I understood why, since she's in a treatment program and she's distrustful of others. But I also didn'tknow her. And this made her tough to care for. Why was she in the center? Where was her family? The author withheld this basic information for a long time because it would give away the plot twist ... which I still guessed easily. Once I got more info about Brooke, I warmed up to her and became invested in her journey.
I seesaw on mental health treatment plans in books. I'm either "this doctor is too mean!" or "this doctor is way too nice!" In reality, there's no perfect plan so whatever, my thoughts are all subjective anyway. I did think Brooke landed in an idealistic treatment facility, where she was given space when she wanted space and the exact food she wanted, and she even got strings pulled to get into university.But. Sometimes you need a mental health book where things go right for a change. I'm not mad at this. Sara Ella did a great job at showing that therearepeople out there who want to help, and hear what you need. There does need to be a trigger warning on this book (which there is) for suicide and suicidal idealization because both are very present.
I almost don't know what to say about Merrick. He gets his moment of limelight near the end of the book, but until then, he does more work moving other characters' stories along. Sometimes I skimmed his chapters, just looking for scenes with his younger sister Amaya. Her story is a sad reality today.
My biggest wish for this book would have been to make Coral's story its own book, and then Brooke and Merrick and Amaya's another. The mermaid world was unique and creative, but fell flat when Coral journeyed into the human world and suddenly started using cell phones and going to high school and attending group therapy. It felt rushed, and almost like a school assignment, not a mythical being come to life. (Which, okay, Iknow, but still.) And Brooke/Merrick/Amaya's world would have been all the richer with the focus on loss, and suicide/mental health instead of the confusion about where mermaids fit in.
rating: Merida, two stars. I had trouble finishing this book. For the above reasons, I think a separation of the fantasy and contemporary would have made this book more enjoyable for me. The attempts to hide details to keep the "big reveal" a secret was also very frustrating.
representation: main character with synesthesia (I think), main character with depression/anxiety
content warnings: death of a principle character, death of a side character, suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal idealization, child suicide, kidnapping, anxious thoughts, parent abandonment
read this if you: like books with mental health topics, like books with different approaches to mental health
]]>
Ōkami has been captured, and his execution is a certainty. Mariko will do what she must to ensure his survival—even marry the sovereign's brother, saying goodbye to a life with Ōkami forever.
As Mariko settles into her days at court—making both friends and enemies—and attempting Ōkami's rescue at night, the secrets of the royal court begin to unravel as competing agendas collide. One arrow sets into motion a series of deadly events even the most powerful magic cannot contain. Mariko and Ōkami risk everything to right past wrongs and restore the honor of a kingdom thrown into chaos by a sudden war, hoping against hope that when the dust settles, they will find a way to be together.
Set against the backdrop of feudal Japan, Smoke in the Sun is the breathless, romantic, not-to-be-missed fiery conclusion to a spell-binding adventure.]]>
author: Renée Ahdieh
name: Sha
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2019/10/24
date added: 2019/10/26
shelves: 2018, badass-female-mc, fantasy, romance, retelling, young-adult
review:
RTC
]]>
Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls' lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.
Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn't sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?
When Annaleigh's involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it's a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.]]>
author: Erin A. Craig
name: Sha
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2019/10/17
date added: 2019/10/17
shelves: 2019, fantasy, mysteries, retelling, romance, thriller-and-horror, young-adult
review:
]]>
When the prince discovers Isabelle’s deception, she is turned away in shame. It’s no more than she deserves: she is a plain girl in a world that values beauty; a feisty girl in a world that wants her to be pliant.
Isabelle has tried to fit in. To live up to her mother’s expectations. To be like her stepsister. To be sweet. To be pretty. One by one, she has cut away pieces of herself in order to survive a world that doesn’t appreciate a girl like her. And that has made her mean, jealous, and hollow.
Until she gets a chance to alter her destiny and prove what ugly stepsisters have always known: it takes more than heartache to break a girl.]]>
"But we let them do it!" Hugo said angrily. "Why?"
Tavi gave him a rueful smile. "Because we're afraid of what we could be, too."
� Stepsister, p.265-266
Stepsister follows the life of Isabelle, Cinderella's ugly stepsister. The story picks up when the prince arrives to try the glass slipper on Ella and the stepsisters.
This is a psychological, moral-driven storythat fleshes out the well-known characters. It's a book thatslowly introduces feminismto a girl who was raised to chip away her individuality and sell herself to society as a perfect wife.
Why is no one talking about this book?
Reading Isabelle's thoughts, I sometimes forgot this book was fantasy. Her problems were soreal.
Isabelle is flawed. We know this from the moment we pick up the book (hello, she torments her stepsister and tries to trick a prince.) She is cognizant of her flaws but fears change because of how society will react.
stepsister Octavia goes through her own struggles to embrace her more studious personality. even the evil stepmother earned sympathy and understanding from me.
new characters the crone, the marquis, and the fairy queen all bring magic and Donnelly's unique spin to this tale. my favourite: the fairy queen.
If you haven't read this book, if it's not on your TBR, DO IT NOW. Please.There is a special kind of magic in this book that awakens the soul and reminds women that their fate is their own, their power is their own, and beauty comes from embracing their strength. love love love love love love.
representation: n/a
content warnings:animal slaughter house, war, animal death, human death]]>
author: Jennifer Donnelly
name: Sha
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2019/10/14
date added: 2019/10/15
shelves: 2019, abuse-and-trauma, badass-female-mc, eye-opening, fantasy, retelling, romance, young-adult
review:
"This world, the people in it [...] they sort us. Put us in crates.You are an egg.Youare a potato.You are a cabbage. They tell us who we are. What we will do. What we will be."
"Because they're afraid. Afraid of what wecouldbe," Tavi said.
"But we let them do it!" Hugo said angrily. "Why?"
Tavi gave him a rueful smile. "Because we're afraid of what we could be, too."
� Stepsister, p.265-266
Stepsister follows the life of Isabelle, Cinderella's ugly stepsister. The story picks up when the prince arrives to try the glass slipper on Ella and the stepsisters.
This is a psychological, moral-driven storythat fleshes out the well-known characters. It's a book thatslowly introduces feminismto a girl who was raised to chip away her individuality and sell herself to society as a perfect wife.
Why is no one talking about this book?
Reading Isabelle's thoughts, I sometimes forgot this book was fantasy. Her problems were soreal.
Isabelle is flawed. We know this from the moment we pick up the book (hello, she torments her stepsister and tries to trick a prince.) She is cognizant of her flaws but fears change because of how society will react.
stepsister Octavia goes through her own struggles to embrace her more studious personality. even the evil stepmother earned sympathy and understanding from me.
new characters the crone, the marquis, and the fairy queen all bring magic and Donnelly's unique spin to this tale. my favourite: the fairy queen.
If you haven't read this book, if it's not on your TBR, DO IT NOW. Please.There is a special kind of magic in this book that awakens the soul and reminds women that their fate is their own, their power is their own, and beauty comes from embracing their strength. love love love love love love.
representation: n/a
content warnings:animal slaughter house, war, animal death, human death
]]>
When the spirit of Lara’s great-aunt Sadie—a feisty, demanding girl with firm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance—mysteriously appears, she has one request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie’s possession for more than seventy-five years, because Sadie cannot rest without it.
Lara and Sadie make a hilarious sparring duo, and at first it seems as though they have nothing in common. But as the mission to find Sadie’s necklace leads to intrigue and a new romance for Lara, these very different “twenties� girls learn some surprising truths from and about each other. Written with all the irrepressible charm and humor that have made Sophie Kinsella’s books beloved by millions, Twenties Girl is also a deeply moving testament to the transcendent bonds of friendship and family.]]>
major points include:
> much laughs
> sometimes the hijinks felt drawn out to the point where i was like, "please just wrap it uP already" even though this writing style is entirely based on hijinks
at the same time, I've read this book two times before so I KNEW everything that was going to happen. aka i may have been tired of the exposition and wanted to get to the action scenes.
> cute girl + girl friendship
> twenties references
> semi-sweet romance
okay, i probably won't write a full review. this was a good book to pass some time nd my enjoyment was tainted by the fact that I've read it a couple times previously. still recommend for laughs and a fun romcom romp around. ]]>
author: Sophie Kinsella
name: Sha
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2019/10/08
date added: 2019/10/09
shelves: adult, magical-realism, humour, romance
review:
I haven't decided yet if I'm going to write a full review for this book. (kind of leaning towards a no)
major points include:
> much laughs
> sometimes the hijinks felt drawn out to the point where i was like, "please just wrap it uP already" even though this writing style is entirely based on hijinks
at the same time, I've read this book two times before so I KNEW everything that was going to happen. aka i may have been tired of the exposition and wanted to get to the action scenes.
> cute girl + girl friendship
> twenties references
> semi-sweet romance
okay, i probably won't write a full review. this was a good book to pass some time nd my enjoyment was tainted by the fact that I've read it a couple times previously. still recommend for laughs and a fun romcom romp around.
]]>
Up until her fifteenth birthday, the most important thing in the world to Beatriz Mendez had been her dream of becoming a professional dancer and getting herself and her family far from the gang life that defined their days--that and meeting her dance idol Debbie Allen on the set of her favorite TV show, Fame. But after the latest battle in a constant turf war leaves her gang leader brother, Junito, dead and her mother grieving, Beatriz has a new set of priorities. How is she supposed to feel the rhythm when her gang needs running, when her mami can't brush her own teeth, and when the last thing she can remember of her old self is dancing with her brother, followed by running and gunshots? When the class brainiac reminds Beatriz of her love of the dance floor, her banished dreams sneak back in. Now the only question is: will the gang let her go?
Set in New Jersey in 1984, Beatriz's story is a timeless one of a teenager's navigation of romance, gang culture, and her own family's hard past. A companion novel to the much-lauded Like Vanessa.]]>
Becoming Beatriztakes a much more serious tone than any of the light-hearted, dancing in the streetsStep Up movies, though. Fifteen-year-old Beatriz has forsworn dancing after her older brother is killed in a turf war. She takes it on herself, along with older Diablo gang member DQ, to rebuild her gang to its previous strength to honour her brother.
Throughout the book, I got insight into the negative impact gang life had on Beatriz's life. Her schooling suffered, she had to construct elaborate lies to protect her family from her night activities, and she stressed over who she could trust with simple matters.Beatriz questioned her place in the Diablos even as she remained resolute that she was a Diabla for life.Beatriz's narrative voice was so real, I found myself rationalizingwith her when she complained about teachers cutting into her dealing time (a.k.a. dealing weed).
It made no sense. School is not for dealing. But I was literally thinking, "Come on guys, she'sbusy."
We didn't just get insight on Beatriz's current situation, but backstory on how she and her brother ended up in a gang. I really appreciated this context, not only because it added character development, but because the entire story provided (which I won't spoil for once!) only went to show that people don't choose to join gangs "for fun." (Which comes up in the media sometimes and I'm like, seriously?) Gangs are for survival, for families when blood relatives don't provide protection we need.
The turf war in this book happens between Beatriz's gang, the Latin Diablos, and a Haitian gang, the Macoutes. Beatriz's romantic interest in the book is Haitian and because of the gang tensions, she fears he'll be a danger to her or even that her gang will act out against him. This subplot isn't too deeply explored in the book, and since this book is middle grade I don't think it needed to go much deeper than the theme of cultural acceptance that is heavily promoted towards the book's end. In a YA book, I wouldn't have said no to more exploration on this topic though, since I really enjoyed this aspect of the book!
One portion ofBecoming Beatrizthat didn't sit well with me was Beatriz's betrayal of Junito (her older brother). (Some may call the following a spoiler but I disagree.) Upon seeing that Junito was engaging in a same-sex relationship—after the family had immigrated to the United States to escape their father who abused them partly because he saw homosexuality as wrong—Beatriz lied to Junito and said his partner was going to maliciously out him to the rest of the gang. As a result, Junito led several gang members to beat up his partner and chase him out of town.
At the end of the book, TJ (Junito's ex-partner now) says he forgives Beatriz and Beatriz realizes what she did was wrong and she was acting out of fear and that day has been a huge shame on her conscience ever since. It's not like this scene happened and was forgotten about. But it did leave me feeling pretty ... *questionable face* ... because of course we have two LGBTQ characters in this book and one is killed and the other is beaten and chased out of town. (To go on to succeed in college, to be fair.)
The rest of the book was really solid though, just iffy on that scene.]]>
author: Tami Charles
name: Sha
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2019/09/08
date added: 2019/09/14
shelves: 2019, abuse-and-trauma, eye-opening, historical-fiction, middle-grade, realistic-fiction, romance
review:
How could I not think about Step Up when reading that synopsis?
Becoming Beatriztakes a much more serious tone than any of the light-hearted, dancing in the streetsStep Up movies, though. Fifteen-year-old Beatriz has forsworn dancing after her older brother is killed in a turf war. She takes it on herself, along with older Diablo gang member DQ, to rebuild her gang to its previous strength to honour her brother.
Throughout the book, I got insight into the negative impact gang life had on Beatriz's life. Her schooling suffered, she had to construct elaborate lies to protect her family from her night activities, and she stressed over who she could trust with simple matters.Beatriz questioned her place in the Diablos even as she remained resolute that she was a Diabla for life.Beatriz's narrative voice was so real, I found myself rationalizingwith her when she complained about teachers cutting into her dealing time (a.k.a. dealing weed).
It made no sense. School is not for dealing. But I was literally thinking, "Come on guys, she'sbusy."
We didn't just get insight on Beatriz's current situation, but backstory on how she and her brother ended up in a gang. I really appreciated this context, not only because it added character development, but because the entire story provided (which I won't spoil for once!) only went to show that people don't choose to join gangs "for fun." (Which comes up in the media sometimes and I'm like, seriously?) Gangs are for survival, for families when blood relatives don't provide protection we need.
The turf war in this book happens between Beatriz's gang, the Latin Diablos, and a Haitian gang, the Macoutes. Beatriz's romantic interest in the book is Haitian and because of the gang tensions, she fears he'll be a danger to her or even that her gang will act out against him. This subplot isn't too deeply explored in the book, and since this book is middle grade I don't think it needed to go much deeper than the theme of cultural acceptance that is heavily promoted towards the book's end. In a YA book, I wouldn't have said no to more exploration on this topic though, since I really enjoyed this aspect of the book!
One portion ofBecoming Beatrizthat didn't sit well with me was Beatriz's betrayal of Junito (her older brother). (Some may call the following a spoiler but I disagree.) Upon seeing that Junito was engaging in a same-sex relationship—after the family had immigrated to the United States to escape their father who abused them partly because he saw homosexuality as wrong—Beatriz lied to Junito and said his partner was going to maliciously out him to the rest of the gang. As a result, Junito led several gang members to beat up his partner and chase him out of town.
At the end of the book, TJ (Junito's ex-partner now) says he forgives Beatriz and Beatriz realizes what she did was wrong and she was acting out of fear and that day has been a huge shame on her conscience ever since. It's not like this scene happened and was forgotten about. But it did leave me feeling pretty ... *questionable face* ... because of course we have two LGBTQ characters in this book and one is killed and the other is beaten and chased out of town. (To go on to succeed in college, to be fair.)
The rest of the book was really solid though, just iffy on that scene.
]]>
Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, but when her beloved father is murdered, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of an unstable kingdom. Determined to find her father’s killer, Hesina does something desperate: she engages the aid of a soothsayer—a treasonous act, punishable by death... because in Yan, magic was outlawed centuries ago.
Using the information illicitly provided by the sooth, and uncertain if she can trust even her family, Hesina turns to Akira—a brilliant investigator who’s also a convicted criminal with secrets of his own. With the future of her kingdom at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high?
In this shimmering Chinese-inspired fantasy, debut author Joan He introduces a determined and vulnerable young heroine struggling to do right in a world brimming with deception.]]>
*flips through pages to recollect thoughts*
]]>
author: Joan He
name: Sha
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2019/08/30
date added: 2019/09/14
shelves: 2019, badass-female-mc, fantasy, young-adult
review:
Please forgive me, because I finished this book two weeks ago (took no notes) and already forgot the majority of1)the plot and2)my thoughts. You can argue that this means the book didn't have a lasting effect on me. howEVER, I have been very busy the past few days, which I think played a major role.
*flips through pages to recollect thoughts*
]]>
Dax—the heir to Firgaard’s throne—was responsible for the accident. Roa swore to hate him forever. But eight years later he returned, begging for her help. He was determined to dethrone his cruel father, under whose oppressive reign Roa’s people had suffered.
Roa made him a deal: she’d give him the army he needed if he made her queen. Only as queen could she save her people from Firgaard’s rule.
Then a chance arises to right every wrong—an opportunity for Roa to rid herself of this enemy king and rescue her beloved sister. During the Relinquishing, when the spirits of the dead are said to return, Roa discovers she can reclaim her sister for good.
All she has to do is kill the king.]]>
Buddy read with Reading with Rendz. ]]>
author: Kristen Ciccarelli
name: Sha
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2019/08/11
date added: 2019/08/29
shelves: 2018, fantasy, romance, young-adult
review:
RTC.
Buddy read with Reading with Rendz.
]]>
The son of undocumented immigrants, Noam has spent his life fighting for the rights of refugees fleeing magical outbreaks—refugees Carolinia routinely deports with vicious efficiency. Sensing a way to make change, Noam accepts the minister’s offer to teach him the science behind his magic, secretly planning to use it against the government. But then he meets the minister’s son—cruel, dangerous, and achingly beautiful—and the way forward becomes less clear.
Caught between his purpose and his heart, Noam must decide who he can trust and how far he’s willing to go in pursuit of the greater good.]]>
I consider myself fairly intelligent. *humble brag* moment, I got straight-As in school. But there's something about science fiction that goes straight over my head. 95% of the time, the world-building turns to mush in my headno matter how well the author constructs the universe.Add in the facts thatThe Fever Kingwas a scifi-dystopian mix with massive commentary on the refugee crisis in America overlaid with political machinations and MATH and my brain was working overtime to keep up ... and sadly failing.
]]>
author: Victoria Lee
name: Sha
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2019/08/29
date added: 2019/08/29
shelves: 2019, abuse-and-trauma, dystopia, lgbtq, male-mc, science-fiction, young-adult, sexual-violence
review:
There's a reason I don't usually read science fiction.
I consider myself fairly intelligent. *humble brag* moment, I got straight-As in school. But there's something about science fiction that goes straight over my head. 95% of the time, the world-building turns to mush in my headno matter how well the author constructs the universe.Add in the facts thatThe Fever Kingwas a scifi-dystopian mix with massive commentary on the refugee crisis in America overlaid with political machinations and MATH and my brain was working overtime to keep up ... and sadly failing.
]]>
Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable--and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable.
But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.]]>
]]>
author: Kiersten White
name: Sha
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2019/08/05
date added: 2019/08/11
shelves: 2018, abuse-and-trauma, badass-female-mc, fantasy, young-adult, thriller-and-horror, retelling, historical-fiction
review:
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein sits right on the edge of thriller/horror. Its characters, particularly Elizabeth and Victor, are charming and perfect, camouflaging the vile crimes that take place throughout the book. How to even say "you can't trust anyone" when everyone in the book is so remarkably, well, upstanding? (and the horrors going on so very not?)
]]>
Vivian Carter is fed up. Fed up with her small-town Texas high school that thinks the football team can do no wrong. Fed up with sexist dress codes and hallway harassment. But most of all, Viv Carter is fed up with always following the rules.
Viv’s mom was a punk rock Riot Grrrl in the �90s, so now Viv takes a page from her mother’s past and creates a feminist zine that she distributes anonymously to her classmates. She’s just blowing off steam, but other girls respond. Pretty soon Viv is forging friendships with other young women across the divides of cliques and popularity rankings, and she realizes that what she has started is nothing short of a girl revolution.]]>
]]>
author: Jennifer Mathieu
name: Sha
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2019/07/11
date added: 2019/07/29
shelves: eye-opening, realistic-fiction, young-adult
review:
I was in the mood to take down the patriarchy, or at least read about it, and I finally—FINALLY—got my Australian library card, so hello Moxie. This book shall forever be my Australian Library First, mark it in your diaries, I will probably never forget.
]]>
I’m like, really late with this review. Since it’s my first time ever, can we pretend it never happened and focus instead on how amazing The Center of the Universe is?
I probably rave about family-themed books every other day, so it should come as no surprise that I wanted to read The Center of the Universe. (It truly only took me so long to read because I was moving across the world. Seriously, matters need to be that drastic to stop me from reading a book with a plot summary THIS good.) And this book did not let me down. From the characters to the side plots to the use of astronomy, TCOTU is flawlessly constructed to show how no person is made up of one part and how those different parts make us who we are.
If I’d been naive about the world before, I was awake now. You couldn’t count on everyone to be who you thought they were. � The Center of the Universe
The core theme in TCOTU is about family. Grace’s relationship with her mother is beyond strained when GG goes missing. Throughout the police investigation, Grace is left with jumbled pieces of her mother to contemplate and endless time to try to match them together. The book explores how we draw an image of a person in our minds, but how that image rarely matches what others see.
Along the way, Grace meets Mylo. I enjoyed their relationship. The pair didn’t exhibit the typical showings of insta-love (although there were some scenes towards that end that had me rolling my eyes). Mylo and Grace make their initial connections by a shared backstory—I like how the author added in a less commonly seen (in books) event with Mylo’s family. I won’t mention because of spoilers. Just to say, this *thing* shed light on something that happens often and is overlooked a lot. I wish there had been a kind of resolution for Mylo though.
As for Mylo as a person, he’s really sweet and I liked him.I was PRETTY GOOD WITH HIM, okay? My only issue would be that his sole descriptor was: eyebrows. Like, he had good eyebrows. I won’t like, I definitely enjoy a good pair of eyebrows, but any time a book character is described by only eyebrows I will then visualize only eyebrows in my head. A.K.A. Mylo is now a pair of floating eyebrows.
In general, every character was able to stand on their own on this book. The majority has their own backstories or at least hobbies and interests, making them dynamic and 3-dimensional to the reader. I especially loved best friend Iris. This girl literally spent three-quarters of the book emotionally supporting Grace and running a fundraiser for Sudanese refugees. I MEAN.
“Remember when you were a little kid and you thought your parents knew everything?�
Ԩ.�
“It turns out they’re just as messed up as we are.� � The Center of the Universe
GG’s abduction/missing person story was entirely captivating. It started out slowly and then built. It never fully reached the tension that I get when reading an actual mystery/thriller book, so don’t expect that if you choose to read The Center of the Universe. The focus in this book is much more on the emotions of the characters than on “ooh, I should search for clues� or “I wonder if there’s a killer in my closet� kind of craziness.
I found this writing style made it easier to connect with Grace’s hurt and worry. She felt more like a seventeen-year-old girl wondering where her mother had gone, and wishing their last words weren’t harsh.
OFFICIAL RATING: 4.5]]>
author: Ria Voros
name: Sha
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2019/07/21
date added: 2019/07/29
shelves: 2019, abuse-and-trauma, realistic-fiction, romance, young-adult
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Kids Can Press through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
I’m like, really late with this review. Since it’s my first time ever, can we pretend it never happened and focus instead on how amazing The Center of the Universe is?
I probably rave about family-themed books every other day, so it should come as no surprise that I wanted to read The Center of the Universe. (It truly only took me so long to read because I was moving across the world. Seriously, matters need to be that drastic to stop me from reading a book with a plot summary THIS good.) And this book did not let me down. From the characters to the side plots to the use of astronomy, TCOTU is flawlessly constructed to show how no person is made up of one part and how those different parts make us who we are.
If I’d been naive about the world before, I was awake now. You couldn’t count on everyone to be who you thought they were. � The Center of the Universe
The core theme in TCOTU is about family. Grace’s relationship with her mother is beyond strained when GG goes missing. Throughout the police investigation, Grace is left with jumbled pieces of her mother to contemplate and endless time to try to match them together. The book explores how we draw an image of a person in our minds, but how that image rarely matches what others see.
Along the way, Grace meets Mylo. I enjoyed their relationship. The pair didn’t exhibit the typical showings of insta-love (although there were some scenes towards that end that had me rolling my eyes). Mylo and Grace make their initial connections by a shared backstory—I like how the author added in a less commonly seen (in books) event with Mylo’s family. I won’t mention because of spoilers. Just to say, this *thing* shed light on something that happens often and is overlooked a lot. I wish there had been a kind of resolution for Mylo though.
As for Mylo as a person, he’s really sweet and I liked him.I was PRETTY GOOD WITH HIM, okay? My only issue would be that his sole descriptor was: eyebrows. Like, he had good eyebrows. I won’t like, I definitely enjoy a good pair of eyebrows, but any time a book character is described by only eyebrows I will then visualize only eyebrows in my head. A.K.A. Mylo is now a pair of floating eyebrows.
In general, every character was able to stand on their own on this book. The majority has their own backstories or at least hobbies and interests, making them dynamic and 3-dimensional to the reader. I especially loved best friend Iris. This girl literally spent three-quarters of the book emotionally supporting Grace and running a fundraiser for Sudanese refugees. I MEAN.
“Remember when you were a little kid and you thought your parents knew everything?�
Ԩ.�
“It turns out they’re just as messed up as we are.� � The Center of the Universe
GG’s abduction/missing person story was entirely captivating. It started out slowly and then built. It never fully reached the tension that I get when reading an actual mystery/thriller book, so don’t expect that if you choose to read The Center of the Universe. The focus in this book is much more on the emotions of the characters than on “ooh, I should search for clues� or “I wonder if there’s a killer in my closet� kind of craziness.
I found this writing style made it easier to connect with Grace’s hurt and worry. She felt more like a seventeen-year-old girl wondering where her mother had gone, and wishing their last words weren’t harsh.
OFFICIAL RATING: 4.5
]]>
Knowing the viceroy won’t protect her village without the jewel, she takes matters into her own hands. But once she catches the thief, she discovers he needs the pearl just as much as she does. The two embark on an epic quest across the land and into the Courts of Hell, taking Anlei on a journey that reveals more is at stake than she could have ever imagined.
With incredibly vivid world building and fast-paced storytelling, Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon is great for readers who are looking for something fresh in epic fantasy.]]>
Stronger than a Bronze Dragon hooked me on two keywords. “Dragon� and “thief.� I’m a sucker for books with either of those. The fact that the book is based on Chinese culture was an added bonus. I know nothing and I mean nothing about the Courts of Hell, but trust that I was ready to learn.
I will say I definitely got my two keywords in this book. The bronze dragons make many appearances and our thief is a key player early on. But I could predict everything. StaBD followed every trope line you would expect in a warrior girl/thief boy fantasy novel.
My frustration is really that the book has potential. Anlei is a passionate girl who hungers for a chance at adventure. Early in the book she realizes that the domestic life is not for her—especially unusual in a time when women are expected to wed young and be obedient.
When it comes down to it, though, the writing felt less like exploring scenes and more like pushing BIG MOMENTS at the reader. Anlei is kidnapped, Anlei escapes, Anlei saves an orphaned child, Anlei falls in a river, Anlei�* I love action scenes, really I do, but after a bit I was hungering for descriptive and introspective scenes.
*I made these up to avoid spoilers
Another thing that didn’t quite click with me was the narrative voice. StaBD is written in first person—a.k.a. Anlei’s voice—and while Anlei is seventeen years old, the though process shown to the reader is more similar to that of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old. Anlei acts without thinking, speaks without considering the feelings of others, and often scolds herself in her head in simplistic language. (Like a young child repeating what a parent has said.) It reads so oddly and often stilted. Honestly, I would recommend this book to younger readers for its tone and narration. It doesn’t read like upper YA, and I can see older teens having trouble connecting to Anlei.
One other thing: everything was so simple! Any struggle that arises, a solution is always found within seconds. (Even when it wouldn’t be logical.)
I think this book requires slight suspension of disbelief, which is an odd thing to say when reading fantasy. The world-building could have used a bit more development, as not all the details are understandable/believable even within Fan’s own universe.]]>
author: Mary Fan
name: Sha
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2019/05/31
date added: 2019/06/10
shelves: 2019, fantasy, romance, young-adult
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Page Street Kids through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
Stronger than a Bronze Dragon hooked me on two keywords. “Dragon� and “thief.� I’m a sucker for books with either of those. The fact that the book is based on Chinese culture was an added bonus. I know nothing and I mean nothing about the Courts of Hell, but trust that I was ready to learn.
I will say I definitely got my two keywords in this book. The bronze dragons make many appearances and our thief is a key player early on. But I could predict everything. StaBD followed every trope line you would expect in a warrior girl/thief boy fantasy novel.
My frustration is really that the book has potential. Anlei is a passionate girl who hungers for a chance at adventure. Early in the book she realizes that the domestic life is not for her—especially unusual in a time when women are expected to wed young and be obedient.
When it comes down to it, though, the writing felt less like exploring scenes and more like pushing BIG MOMENTS at the reader. Anlei is kidnapped, Anlei escapes, Anlei saves an orphaned child, Anlei falls in a river, Anlei�* I love action scenes, really I do, but after a bit I was hungering for descriptive and introspective scenes.
*I made these up to avoid spoilers
Another thing that didn’t quite click with me was the narrative voice. StaBD is written in first person—a.k.a. Anlei’s voice—and while Anlei is seventeen years old, the though process shown to the reader is more similar to that of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old. Anlei acts without thinking, speaks without considering the feelings of others, and often scolds herself in her head in simplistic language. (Like a young child repeating what a parent has said.) It reads so oddly and often stilted. Honestly, I would recommend this book to younger readers for its tone and narration. It doesn’t read like upper YA, and I can see older teens having trouble connecting to Anlei.
One other thing: everything was so simple! Any struggle that arises, a solution is always found within seconds. (Even when it wouldn’t be logical.)
I think this book requires slight suspension of disbelief, which is an odd thing to say when reading fantasy. The world-building could have used a bit more development, as not all the details are understandable/believable even within Fan’s own universe.
]]>
Now, Nate is being called to deliver a sworn statement that will get Cam convicted. The problem is, the real story isn’t that easy or convenient—just like Nate and Cam’s friendship. Cam challenged Nate on every level from the day the boys met. He pushed him to break the rules, to dream, and to accept himself. But Nate—armed with a fierce moral code and conflicted by his own beliefs—started to push back. With each push, Nate and Cam moved closer to each other—but also spiraled closer to their breaking points.]]>
I don't know how to wrap my head around this book.
I wrote and re-wrote this review, but nothing sounded authentic. I felt like I was trying to make sense of a book that to me, was a wholly emotional experience. From the moment I started reading, I became a captive listener to Nate's journey, a young man who—from the moment Cam comes into his life—no longer knows what to think, but everything he feels is so strong andraw.
What CAN I tell you aboutDeposing Nathan?
I was emotional from start to finish. Smedley brought me from laughing aloud to crying to full-blown frustration and anger then back around. I feel like it's an understatement to say that by the end of this book, I was thoroughly exhausted, but my mind was still going a mile a minute.
Truly, the 400-pages ofDeposing Nathanleft me emotionally wrecked, but oh wow was that ending satisfying in the worst way.
This book focused on themes of sexuality, religion, parent-child relationships, and friendships. Each one of these themes is explored so fully and realistically from a teenager's point of view. Nateis unapologetic about what he thinks, which can make him frustrating (and yes, unlikeable) at times. There were several instances in the book I objected strongly to his view points, but I could see at the same time how he was trying to learn.
📌SEXUALITY:(disclaimer. i am not lgbtq+ and while i have an opinion on the representation in this book, i encourage you to seek the thoughts of lgbtq+ reviewers.)Deposing Nathan provided a nuanced depiction of bisexuality. One character in the book rejects the "idea" of bisexual ("you think I'm half gay, half straight?") but is educated throughout the book. It's never a Sit Down and Learn About Bisexuals situation, but more a self-exploration which was more authentic to the character (and to how people learn in general). One of my favourite lines is when a character Googles a test to see if he is bisexual, and the only question is "I consider myself to be bisexual."
If you dislike books that contain anti-bi rhetoric, I would not recommend. I will only say that Smedley provides a great deal of depth to the topic, does not handle it lightly, and always reinforces the fact that bisexuality is real, is valid, is accepted.
📌RELIGION:I didnotknow religion was going to be part of this book. (it wasn't on the original summary.) I'm so glad it was though. Smedley added a whole conversation about the Christian God and sexuality that really made me think. (In my opinion, this aspect of the book is interesting for religious and non-religious readers alike.)
📌PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS:Okay but this was really well done? I ached inside reading the paragraphs between Nate and his Aunt Lori. There's a lot of emotional abuse and psychological abuse at first, which is theworst because people tend to brush it off like, "Everyone acts like this," and "it's normal." It's not! It's really not!
Later in the book, the effects of poor/abusing parenting on the child is seen when Nate himself lashes it. It's painful to read. But so gddmn real.
I wish I could pour my emotions out on screen and call it a review. Smedley so well handles the morally grey dynamics of a toxic relationship. An author to watch out for.
IMPORTANT. This book is not a "fun read". There is no cute romance. Please look very closely at my content warnings. Nate has been abused, he is repressed, and he lashes out within the book. Many of the characters in this book are morally grey.
rating:4.5 crowns
representation:bisexual rep, Christian rep
content warnings: swearing,homophobic slurs, physical abuse, psychological abuse, toxic relationship, anti-bi rhetoric, religious anti-gay rhetoric, masturbation, child abuse, infidelity]]>
author: Zack Smedley
name: Sha
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2019/01/31
date added: 2019/05/07
shelves: 2019, abuse-and-trauma, eye-opening, lgbtq, male-mc, realistic-fiction, romance, young-adult
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Page Street Kids through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
I don't know how to wrap my head around this book.
I wrote and re-wrote this review, but nothing sounded authentic. I felt like I was trying to make sense of a book that to me, was a wholly emotional experience. From the moment I started reading, I became a captive listener to Nate's journey, a young man who—from the moment Cam comes into his life—no longer knows what to think, but everything he feels is so strong andraw.
What CAN I tell you aboutDeposing Nathan?
I was emotional from start to finish. Smedley brought me from laughing aloud to crying to full-blown frustration and anger then back around. I feel like it's an understatement to say that by the end of this book, I was thoroughly exhausted, but my mind was still going a mile a minute.
Truly, the 400-pages ofDeposing Nathanleft me emotionally wrecked, but oh wow was that ending satisfying in the worst way.
This book focused on themes of sexuality, religion, parent-child relationships, and friendships. Each one of these themes is explored so fully and realistically from a teenager's point of view. Nateis unapologetic about what he thinks, which can make him frustrating (and yes, unlikeable) at times. There were several instances in the book I objected strongly to his view points, but I could see at the same time how he was trying to learn.
📌SEXUALITY:(disclaimer. i am not lgbtq+ and while i have an opinion on the representation in this book, i encourage you to seek the thoughts of lgbtq+ reviewers.)Deposing Nathan provided a nuanced depiction of bisexuality. One character in the book rejects the "idea" of bisexual ("you think I'm half gay, half straight?") but is educated throughout the book. It's never a Sit Down and Learn About Bisexuals situation, but more a self-exploration which was more authentic to the character (and to how people learn in general). One of my favourite lines is when a character Googles a test to see if he is bisexual, and the only question is "I consider myself to be bisexual."
If you dislike books that contain anti-bi rhetoric, I would not recommend. I will only say that Smedley provides a great deal of depth to the topic, does not handle it lightly, and always reinforces the fact that bisexuality is real, is valid, is accepted.
📌RELIGION:I didnotknow religion was going to be part of this book. (it wasn't on the original summary.) I'm so glad it was though. Smedley added a whole conversation about the Christian God and sexuality that really made me think. (In my opinion, this aspect of the book is interesting for religious and non-religious readers alike.)
📌PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS:Okay but this was really well done? I ached inside reading the paragraphs between Nate and his Aunt Lori. There's a lot of emotional abuse and psychological abuse at first, which is theworst because people tend to brush it off like, "Everyone acts like this," and "it's normal." It's not! It's really not!
Later in the book, the effects of poor/abusing parenting on the child is seen when Nate himself lashes it. It's painful to read. But so gddmn real.
I wish I could pour my emotions out on screen and call it a review. Smedley so well handles the morally grey dynamics of a toxic relationship. An author to watch out for.
IMPORTANT. This book is not a "fun read". There is no cute romance. Please look very closely at my content warnings. Nate has been abused, he is repressed, and he lashes out within the book. Many of the characters in this book are morally grey.
rating:4.5 crowns
representation:bisexual rep, Christian rep
content warnings: swearing,homophobic slurs, physical abuse, psychological abuse, toxic relationship, anti-bi rhetoric, religious anti-gay rhetoric, masturbation, child abuse, infidelity
]]>
"WHY??" you demand.
"idk" I shrug. Yes, I shrug an idk because there was no true cut-out reason other than classics don't fuel my passions and usually the font is really tiny (I don't like tiny font).
*I know there are large-print classics. Let's just shuffle along.
CAN A CLASSICS-HATER ENJOY P&P IN THIS FORMAT?
(1) ART
The illustrations in this edition were so nice. I really appreciated the fact that it was full colour. Some panels took up an entire page, to emphasize character emotions or climaxing scenes. That was well done, imho. If you're someone who gets lost in fancy prose, this graphic novel lets you see who is who and what they're thinking with a lot of visual clarity.
There's even a sort of family tree at the beginning, listing all the main characters and their relations to each other.
At the same time, there were a few instances were character expressions didn't match their speech. Maybe they were confused, but their face was neutral. Other times, an extra panel or two would have helped scene transitions. I was never completely lost, but there were moments I had to go back and re-read to figure out what happened.
(2) LANGUAGE
I didn't think too much before picking this up if the writing would be modern, 2000s-esque English or the English of Austen's time. The fact that it was the latter added to my reading experience, I'm glad that it was the case, and the short snippets of writing versus full text (like in a book) made it easy to digest.
I'll admit though, Mr. Darcy's speech was ... a lot. I had to sit and analyze sometimes like, uh, what did he say again.
(3) CHARACTERS
This had to be my greatest love. I did not realize Austen wrote with such awareness and wit! (and this is just an adaptation.) I love Jane's compassion for others. I love Elizabeth's stubbornness. If you read this graphic novel for anything, do it to get to know these women and the lessons Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy learn about pride and... well, prejudice.
in sum a v good adaptation for non-classics fans. i've fallen in love and just want to consume all Jane Austen content. I feel like I did miss some of the picture (there were chunks that were summarized super fast, and I kind of had to go along) but I felt the heart of many main characters (Jane, Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham, the Bennett parents). A quick read, but not *easy*. Good intro to Austen. ]]>
author: Ian Edginton
name: Sha
average rating: 4.01
book published: 1984
rating: 4
read at: 2019/03/15
date added: 2019/03/20
shelves: adult, badass-female-mc, realistic-fiction, romance
review:
Before you truly dive into my review, expecting all the true FACTS about this graphic novel adaptation of Jane Austen's truest love, please be aware that I have not read the original or in fact any of Austen works in their original form.
"WHY??" you demand.
"idk" I shrug. Yes, I shrug an idk because there was no true cut-out reason other than classics don't fuel my passions and usually the font is really tiny (I don't like tiny font).
*I know there are large-print classics. Let's just shuffle along.
CAN A CLASSICS-HATER ENJOY P&P IN THIS FORMAT?
(1) ART
The illustrations in this edition were so nice. I really appreciated the fact that it was full colour. Some panels took up an entire page, to emphasize character emotions or climaxing scenes. That was well done, imho. If you're someone who gets lost in fancy prose, this graphic novel lets you see who is who and what they're thinking with a lot of visual clarity.
There's even a sort of family tree at the beginning, listing all the main characters and their relations to each other.
At the same time, there were a few instances were character expressions didn't match their speech. Maybe they were confused, but their face was neutral. Other times, an extra panel or two would have helped scene transitions. I was never completely lost, but there were moments I had to go back and re-read to figure out what happened.
(2) LANGUAGE
I didn't think too much before picking this up if the writing would be modern, 2000s-esque English or the English of Austen's time. The fact that it was the latter added to my reading experience, I'm glad that it was the case, and the short snippets of writing versus full text (like in a book) made it easy to digest.
I'll admit though, Mr. Darcy's speech was ... a lot. I had to sit and analyze sometimes like, uh, what did he say again.
(3) CHARACTERS
This had to be my greatest love. I did not realize Austen wrote with such awareness and wit! (and this is just an adaptation.) I love Jane's compassion for others. I love Elizabeth's stubbornness. If you read this graphic novel for anything, do it to get to know these women and the lessons Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy learn about pride and... well, prejudice.
in sum a v good adaptation for non-classics fans. i've fallen in love and just want to consume all Jane Austen content. I feel like I did miss some of the picture (there were chunks that were summarized super fast, and I kind of had to go along) but I felt the heart of many main characters (Jane, Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham, the Bennett parents). A quick read, but not *easy*. Good intro to Austen.
]]>
But everything changes when the mysterious and eccentric River Shara, the greatest explorer ever known, arrives in her village and demands to hire Kamzin—not her older sister, Lusha, as everyone had expected—for his next expedition. This is Kamzin’s chance to prove herself—even though River’s mission to retrieve a rare talisman for the emperor means cimbing Raksha, the tallest and deadliest mountain in the Aryas. Then, Lusha sets off on her own mission to Raksha with a rival explorer, and Kamzin must decide what’s most important to her: protecting her sister from the countless perils of the climb or beating her to the summit.
The challenges of climbing Raksha are unlike anything Kamzin expected—or prepared for—with avalanches, ice chasms, ghosts, and other dangers at every turn. And as dark secrets are revealed, Kamzin must unravel the truth about their mission and her companions—while surviving the deadliest climb she has ever faced.]]>
buddy read with the wonderful Rendz! full review to come. ]]>
author: Heather Fawcett
name: Sha
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2017
rating: 2
read at: 2019/03/19
date added: 2019/03/19
shelves: do-not-recommend, fantasy, young-adult
review:
final rating: 2.5
buddy read with the wonderful Rendz! full review to come.
]]>
---
One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide.
On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.
Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.
Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose?
Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.]]>
In a way, I was relieved, because there wereso many characters. Realistic, for high school, but after a while it was hard to keep track of who's who. Everyone had sisters and brothers and parents and exes and friends. Yet no one was super well-defined � I mean, there are only 360 pages, and McManus threw in a good handful of heavy topics. I found myself nodding like, "Oh, okay" when very dire issues came up on the page. I couldn't connect to what was happening, it was too rushed and occurring to people I didn't really feel for. Sometimes, the end results didn't feel realistic or wrapped up too quickly.
Without spoiling too much (though this book is over a year old, and I feel most spoilers have reached your ears by now) the way those big issues were handled was none-too agreeable for me.There is slut-shaming that is not truly addressed. There are aggressive thoughts towards peers that are portrayed as "I guess I did bring that on myself." And the LGBTQ plot thread just ... doesn't sit easy with me. For sake of spoilers, I won't say anything more.
One of Us is Lyingwas easy to read, despite my lack of emotional investment. I finished it in a day. I liked Addy's self-acceptance process, and the way her arc ended was really well-done. The many characters were tough to follow, but at the same time, it was nice reading characters with extended social groups.]]>
author: Karen M. McManus
name: Sha
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2017
rating: 2
read at: 2018/11/17
date added: 2019/03/14
shelves: lgbtq, male-mc, mysteries, young-adult
review:
The hype did not live up for this YA mystery. I'm sorry!InOne of Us is Lying, five teens end up in detention under suspicious circumstances. When one of them dies, the surviving four become prime suspects as well as targets as their greatest secrets are revealed. McManus used alternating, first person PoV to tell Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper's stories and I kept flipping back to the chapter heading to remind myself who was talking. Their voices were justso similar. In the summary, each character is defined as either "the brain" or "the athlete" etc. and as much as McManus works to show they are more than the stereotype, a lot of their characterization boiled down to their label.
In a way, I was relieved, because there wereso many characters. Realistic, for high school, but after a while it was hard to keep track of who's who. Everyone had sisters and brothers and parents and exes and friends. Yet no one was super well-defined � I mean, there are only 360 pages, and McManus threw in a good handful of heavy topics. I found myself nodding like, "Oh, okay" when very dire issues came up on the page. I couldn't connect to what was happening, it was too rushed and occurring to people I didn't really feel for. Sometimes, the end results didn't feel realistic or wrapped up too quickly.
Without spoiling too much (though this book is over a year old, and I feel most spoilers have reached your ears by now) the way those big issues were handled was none-too agreeable for me.There is slut-shaming that is not truly addressed. There are aggressive thoughts towards peers that are portrayed as "I guess I did bring that on myself." And the LGBTQ plot thread just ... doesn't sit easy with me. For sake of spoilers, I won't say anything more.
One of Us is Lyingwas easy to read, despite my lack of emotional investment. I finished it in a day. I liked Addy's self-acceptance process, and the way her arc ended was really well-done. The many characters were tough to follow, but at the same time, it was nice reading characters with extended social groups.
]]>
After a shout-out from one of the Internet’s superstar vloggers, Natasha “Tash� Zelenka suddenly finds herself and her obscure, amateur web series, Unhappy Families, thrust in the limelight: She’s gone viral.
Her show is a modern adaption of Anna Karenina—written by Tash’s literary love Count Lev Nikolayevich “Leo� Tolstoy. Tash is a fan of the 40,000 new subscribers, their gushing tweets, and flashy Tumblr gifs. Not so much the pressure to deliver the best web series ever.
And when Unhappy Families is nominated for a Golden Tuba award, Tash’s cyber-flirtation with a fellow award nominee suddenly has the potential to become something IRL—if she can figure out how to tell said crush that she’s romantic asexual.
Tash wants to enjoy her newfound fame, but will she lose her friends in her rise to the top? What would Tolstoy do?]]>
Tash is a shining star in this book. I don't have an infinite love for Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, but I related endlessly to her desires for order in chaos, calm in disaster, and please for things tojust make some sense.
Peppered throughoutTHT,Tash learns about sisterhood, familial relations, dealing with illness, online relationships... I mean, this book packs in alotof (relevant) (teen) topics without taking away any significance.
The ace rep was beautiful and I re-read each section where Tash explains how she identifies / came to identify as romantic asexual several times.
The disagreement with Paul made me go "hmmm" for a little but then I was like, "Okay but also this is realistic and characters are HUMANS and humans are flawed and yes this makes sense." (< see me not spoil anything)
that scene with Thom though.
The brilliant moments in this book are truly : everything. I'm kidding, I'm writing a review so I will pretend I can focus on only a few.
(visibly struggles)
1: Tash dealing with fame. It has become insanely easy to become famous viral. My heart was stuttering when Tash did the thing to go to the thing. LIKE.Tash Hearts Tolstoybrings into perspective what "fame" really means and what you should prioritize.
2: Asexuality. (lightly covered above)
3: Friendship n Family.]]>
author: Kathryn Ormsbee
name: Sha
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2019/03/10
date added: 2019/03/11
shelves: eye-opening, lgbtq, realistic-fiction, young-adult
review:
Thank you to the amazing Margaret @ Weird Zeal for recommending Tash Hearts Tolstoy when I asked for books with ace rep! (She actually gave me a stunningly long list of LGBTQ+ books, and narrowed down to f/f romance and ace rep when I asked which thank you thank you again). Also @Rhiana who told me to read this and I was like "perhaps one day" well that is TODAY.
Tash is a shining star in this book. I don't have an infinite love for Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, but I related endlessly to her desires for order in chaos, calm in disaster, and please for things tojust make some sense.
Peppered throughoutTHT,Tash learns about sisterhood, familial relations, dealing with illness, online relationships... I mean, this book packs in alotof (relevant) (teen) topics without taking away any significance.
The ace rep was beautiful and I re-read each section where Tash explains how she identifies / came to identify as romantic asexual several times.
The disagreement with Paul made me go "hmmm" for a little but then I was like, "Okay but also this is realistic and characters are HUMANS and humans are flawed and yes this makes sense." (< see me not spoil anything)
that scene with Thom though.
The brilliant moments in this book are truly : everything. I'm kidding, I'm writing a review so I will pretend I can focus on only a few.
(visibly struggles)
1: Tash dealing with fame. It has become insanely easy to become famous viral. My heart was stuttering when Tash did the thing to go to the thing. LIKE.Tash Hearts Tolstoybrings into perspective what "fame" really means and what you should prioritize.
2: Asexuality. (lightly covered above)
3: Friendship n Family.
]]>
Figuring a few all-nighters will preserve his class rank, Ariel throws himself into studying. His friends will understand if he skips a few plans, and he can sleep when he graduates. Except Ariel’s grade continues to slide. Reluctantly, he getsa tutor. Amir and Ariel have never gotten along, but Amir excels in Calculus, and Ariel is out of options.
Ariel may not like Calc, but he might like Amir. Except adding a new relationship to his long list of commitments may just push him past his limit.]]>
Let’s start with what I liked about this book. Ariel’s struggle to maintain academic excellency in a high achieving school environment was all-too realistic. He taught himself to play the system to earn extra credit on poor assignments, insert as many AP classes into his schedule as possible, and choose hobbies a college would look favourably upon. Ariel found little joy in what he did. He carved more and more time from his family (the one thing he still kept for himself) and became sleep deprived, irritable, and reckless.
It was a scary journey into the effects of academic pressure. I saw myself in Ariel’s pains, as I know so many readers will. Sometimes, I even caught myself thinking, “Okay, Ariel, quit chatting with your friends and finish that essay and maybe you won’t be so stressed.� He was stressed because of all the work, and the little time he had with friends was the reprieve. It’s so, so sad how we are conditioned into believing more work is the answer. Not smarter work. Not better priorities.
As much as I ached for Ariel’s journey with schooling, I halted when it came to him as a person. He started his senior year, and it was like all of a sudden he didn’t understand math and really, really found Amir (his close family friend) super sexy. As a reader, I’m told that Ariel is the top student in the school and that everyone thought he hated Amir. The introduction of these plot points just felt like poor writing to get the story rolling.
Ariel and Amir’s romance was very cringe-worthy. Leading up to the first tutoring session (and then during), every time Ariel looks at Amir he notes a different sexy/extremely attractive part of his body that he somehow never saw in all the years they knew each other. The fact that this attraction comes out of nowhere and is put in almost every thought Ariel has about Amir was overwhelming. What is worse is that before they make the relationship official, the pair do not talk of anything of substance. It’s largely based on attraction. Afterwards, they have a running joke about Harry Potter but for as much as Amir seems to love HP, I never got the same interest from Ariel (he has nothing in his personal life that suggested it.)
I enjoyed the relationship between Ariel and his sister, Rachel. The way academic pressure pops up in her life was a surprise, but not unknown. Despite only being in fifth-grade, the realities she faces are happening more and more. I’m glad her story was brought in, too. And of course, Rachel is absolutely so sweet.
I saved the possibly worst for last. I got so, so annoyed with Sook, Ariel’s best friend. I really wish this character was not in the book. Sook’s family is rich and has ties to Dartmouth. They want their daughter to go to Dartmouth (and have pulled ties for her to go there), but she wants to be a musician instead. The narrative is interesting in the beginning. Everyone in this book is focused on the traditional college track, but Sook wants to carve her own path. But Sook ends up representing the worst of “spoiled rich girl� stereotypes. The way this happened infuriated me because it diminished the entire beginning of her narrative AND reflected horribly on her friendship with Ariel. I had a gross taste in my mouth at how she treated him. If someone treated me like Sook, do not expect them to be my friend. This is not friendship.
NONETHELESS. If you want to read this book for YA that handles academic pressure, I recommend so much. But the friendship themes in this book, and the romance, just were not it for me.
]]>
author: Laura Silverman
name: Sha
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2018/10/31
date added: 2019/03/07
shelves: realistic-fiction, eye-opening, lgbtq, male-mc, romance, young-adult, 2019
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
Let’s start with what I liked about this book. Ariel’s struggle to maintain academic excellency in a high achieving school environment was all-too realistic. He taught himself to play the system to earn extra credit on poor assignments, insert as many AP classes into his schedule as possible, and choose hobbies a college would look favourably upon. Ariel found little joy in what he did. He carved more and more time from his family (the one thing he still kept for himself) and became sleep deprived, irritable, and reckless.
It was a scary journey into the effects of academic pressure. I saw myself in Ariel’s pains, as I know so many readers will. Sometimes, I even caught myself thinking, “Okay, Ariel, quit chatting with your friends and finish that essay and maybe you won’t be so stressed.� He was stressed because of all the work, and the little time he had with friends was the reprieve. It’s so, so sad how we are conditioned into believing more work is the answer. Not smarter work. Not better priorities.
As much as I ached for Ariel’s journey with schooling, I halted when it came to him as a person. He started his senior year, and it was like all of a sudden he didn’t understand math and really, really found Amir (his close family friend) super sexy. As a reader, I’m told that Ariel is the top student in the school and that everyone thought he hated Amir. The introduction of these plot points just felt like poor writing to get the story rolling.
Ariel and Amir’s romance was very cringe-worthy. Leading up to the first tutoring session (and then during), every time Ariel looks at Amir he notes a different sexy/extremely attractive part of his body that he somehow never saw in all the years they knew each other. The fact that this attraction comes out of nowhere and is put in almost every thought Ariel has about Amir was overwhelming. What is worse is that before they make the relationship official, the pair do not talk of anything of substance. It’s largely based on attraction. Afterwards, they have a running joke about Harry Potter but for as much as Amir seems to love HP, I never got the same interest from Ariel (he has nothing in his personal life that suggested it.)
I enjoyed the relationship between Ariel and his sister, Rachel. The way academic pressure pops up in her life was a surprise, but not unknown. Despite only being in fifth-grade, the realities she faces are happening more and more. I’m glad her story was brought in, too. And of course, Rachel is absolutely so sweet.
I saved the possibly worst for last. I got so, so annoyed with Sook, Ariel’s best friend. I really wish this character was not in the book. Sook’s family is rich and has ties to Dartmouth. They want their daughter to go to Dartmouth (and have pulled ties for her to go there), but she wants to be a musician instead. The narrative is interesting in the beginning. Everyone in this book is focused on the traditional college track, but Sook wants to carve her own path. But Sook ends up representing the worst of “spoiled rich girl� stereotypes. The way this happened infuriated me because it diminished the entire beginning of her narrative AND reflected horribly on her friendship with Ariel. I had a gross taste in my mouth at how she treated him. If someone treated me like Sook, do not expect them to be my friend. This is not friendship.
NONETHELESS. If you want to read this book for YA that handles academic pressure, I recommend so much. But the friendship themes in this book, and the romance, just were not it for me.
]]>
17-year-old Kim never expected to plot a murder. But that was before her boyfriend dumped her for another girl. Now, Kim’s stuck on a class trip to London with him and his new soulmate and she can’t help wishing he was a little bit dead, even if she’d never really do that.
But when Kim meets Nicki, a stranger on the plane who’s more than willing to listen to Kim’s woes, things start to look up. Nicki's got a great sense of humor, and when she jokes about swapping murders, Kim plays along—that is, until Kim’s ex-boyfriend mysteriously dies.
Blackmailed by Nicki to fulfill her end of the deal, Kim will have to commit a murder or take the fall for one.
]]>
This book was meh for me. That’s the best and first word that comes to mind when I go to describe my experience. It’s such a horrible, horrible way to finish up a read, but also something that I know can be super subjective—so if you’re on the fence, here are my major thoughts to help you make a final decision.
Kim and her boyfriend Connor just broke up, but her parents didn’t let her get out of the Student Scholars for Change trip to London that she absolutely begged to go on, so now she’s stuck in a foreign country with a boy who wants nothing to do with her. I’ve never been to London, much like Kim, and would have liked more description of the sites the visiting students looked at. Sometimes London references were A) lost on me or B) awkwardly tossed in. Kim spends more time in a Thai restaurant than she does exploring any local sites. I guess I’ll just keep saving up for my own trip to the UK!
Cook’s writing style leans heavily on tell over show. A huuuge part of my “meh�-ing in this book came from how little emotion I got off protagonist Kim. As we know, her ex ends up dead. But the writing following Kim’s discovery left me hugely disconnected:
I felt like a puppet that had its strings cut. I collapsed to the floor. Alex dropped down next to me. There was a strange smell in the air, like hot metal. Coppery, like burning pennies. I struggled to get up. You Owe Me a Murder, p. 78 (Quote from an advance uncorrected proof.)
The combination of short sentences (better, in my opinion, for academic writing than fiction) and lack of emotionalism (Kim is collapsing, she is smelling, but what is she thinking?) just did me in. This style holds up throughout the book, which made it hard for me to care about pretty much everything happening. As a character, Kim is said to be very analytical and smart, so this could be a reflection of her personality. It just didn’t work for me.
At the airport on her way to London, Kim meets and rapidly befriends Nickie. I liked Nickie’s character the most, if only because she was the most fleshed-out and interesting character. During the Students for Change trip, Kim also grows close to fellow student Alex and � that was literally the weirdest relationship I’ve ever read. I’m sorry. She lied to him various times, he called her out, (she apologized in a non-apology way), she lied to him in various ways again and went full shade, he got upset, and then with no actual make-up moment they are together. I DON’T care if you think this is a spoiler because how is this EVEN a developed relationship of any kind. (Okay, if you think this is a spoiler I’m a little sorry but that whole dynamic confused the hell out of me.)
I do have two issues that I will drop into a magical spoiler box so read at your own discretion because they do ruin some plot points.
[spoilers removed]
[spoilers removed]
If you did read the spoiler section, yes, it’s a lot. And you might be thinking, SHA, HOW ARe you just meh with this happening? But with the writing style and the lack of character development/emotionalism it was just kind of hard to care? I kind of just worked towards the end to see what happened and then I was like,
oh. k.
]]>
author: Eileen Cook
name: Sha
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2019/01/14
date added: 2019/03/07
shelves: young-adult, realistic-fiction, mysteries, 2019, do-not-recommend
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of HMH Teen through advanced distribution at YALLFest. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
This book was meh for me. That’s the best and first word that comes to mind when I go to describe my experience. It’s such a horrible, horrible way to finish up a read, but also something that I know can be super subjective—so if you’re on the fence, here are my major thoughts to help you make a final decision.
Kim and her boyfriend Connor just broke up, but her parents didn’t let her get out of the Student Scholars for Change trip to London that she absolutely begged to go on, so now she’s stuck in a foreign country with a boy who wants nothing to do with her. I’ve never been to London, much like Kim, and would have liked more description of the sites the visiting students looked at. Sometimes London references were A) lost on me or B) awkwardly tossed in. Kim spends more time in a Thai restaurant than she does exploring any local sites. I guess I’ll just keep saving up for my own trip to the UK!
Cook’s writing style leans heavily on tell over show. A huuuge part of my “meh�-ing in this book came from how little emotion I got off protagonist Kim. As we know, her ex ends up dead. But the writing following Kim’s discovery left me hugely disconnected:
I felt like a puppet that had its strings cut. I collapsed to the floor. Alex dropped down next to me. There was a strange smell in the air, like hot metal. Coppery, like burning pennies. I struggled to get up. You Owe Me a Murder, p. 78 (Quote from an advance uncorrected proof.)
The combination of short sentences (better, in my opinion, for academic writing than fiction) and lack of emotionalism (Kim is collapsing, she is smelling, but what is she thinking?) just did me in. This style holds up throughout the book, which made it hard for me to care about pretty much everything happening. As a character, Kim is said to be very analytical and smart, so this could be a reflection of her personality. It just didn’t work for me.
At the airport on her way to London, Kim meets and rapidly befriends Nickie. I liked Nickie’s character the most, if only because she was the most fleshed-out and interesting character. During the Students for Change trip, Kim also grows close to fellow student Alex and � that was literally the weirdest relationship I’ve ever read. I’m sorry. She lied to him various times, he called her out, (she apologized in a non-apology way), she lied to him in various ways again and went full shade, he got upset, and then with no actual make-up moment they are together. I DON’T care if you think this is a spoiler because how is this EVEN a developed relationship of any kind. (Okay, if you think this is a spoiler I’m a little sorry but that whole dynamic confused the hell out of me.)
I do have two issues that I will drop into a magical spoiler box so read at your own discretion because they do ruin some plot points.
[spoilers removed]
[spoilers removed]
If you did read the spoiler section, yes, it’s a lot. And you might be thinking, SHA, HOW ARe you just meh with this happening? But with the writing style and the lack of character development/emotionalism it was just kind of hard to care? I kind of just worked towards the end to see what happened and then I was like,
oh. k.
]]>
In a thrilling new fantasy from the bestselling author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, one girl makes a stand against society and enters a world made exclusively for boys.
Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port have received a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. The poorer residents look to see if their names are on the list. The wealthier look to see how likely their sons are to survive. And Rhen Tellur opens it to see if she can derive which substances the ink and parchment are created from, using her father’s microscope.
In the province of Caldon, where women train in wifely duties and men pursue collegiate education, sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur wants nothing more than to become a scientist. As the poor of her seaside town fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to take the future into her own hands—through the annual all-male scholarship competition.
With her cousin, Seleni, by her side, the girls don disguises and enter Mr. Holm’s labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone is ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the deadly maze.
Welcome to the Labyrinth.]]>
Lately I’ve had an unquenchable thirst for female heroines who defy societal expectations. As if sensing my desperate need, Weber graced the markets with Rhen Tellur, a sixteen-year-old scientist who’s had enough of following the rules in her male-dominated society. In To Best the Boys, Rhen joins a competition reserved for men so she just might gain entry to university � which, again, is a men-only club � and stop a deadly disease that is ravaging her port town.
Rhen is a strongly crafted character. Her motivations to cure the disease stem from her afflicted mother while her father instructs her in the sciences. I loved seeing Rhen’s passion for science echo off her father’s: the pair working in tandem to find a cure made for great father-daughter moments in the book. The trio live among Lower society, but Rhen is introduced to Upper society by her cousin Seleni. The two cultures inform Rhen’s worldview on what is acceptable and what just simply isn’t.
Despite its predominance in the summary, the labyrinth competition only takes up about 40% of the novel. Prior to entering, readers are given insight to why Rhen would make such a drastic decision. We also learn about the disease spreading in the port town. Most importantly: we are teased about the dangers of the Labyrinth, how impossible the tasks must be, how few make it through.
Once the Labyrinth competition begins, I was fully hooked on every action/puzzle sequence. As promised, this competition is as much about wits as it is about strength, often indirectly posing the question on what “intelligences� are most important and whether the way we are tested in school is actually efficient. For such a large competition, the amount of actual tasks was small (only three), only tested lower level skills, and still managed to narrow down to one winner, but I enjoyed every minute.
The world-building in this novel did leave something to ask for, though the characters spoke loudly enough to more than make up. The fantasy aspect did not entirely feel needed (apart from scenes in the Labyrinth where creatures of myth played a role, they were under-described and little used). The time period was not fully clear: men were required to court women they wished to marry but a lot of common era language is used.
An interesting dynamic in the book was the friendship between Rhen and Seleni. While Rhen fights for greater independence, Seleni makes an opposite stand: she is happy being a housewife. I liked this plot line for the simple fact that female rights means being able to choose, and Seleni shows that this goes both ways.
Quick shout out for representation moments:
Down syndrome in a side character
Dyslexia in a main character]]>
author: Mary Weber
name: Sha
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2018/11/02
date added: 2019/03/07
shelves: fantasy, romance, young-adult, 2019
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
Lately I’ve had an unquenchable thirst for female heroines who defy societal expectations. As if sensing my desperate need, Weber graced the markets with Rhen Tellur, a sixteen-year-old scientist who’s had enough of following the rules in her male-dominated society. In To Best the Boys, Rhen joins a competition reserved for men so she just might gain entry to university � which, again, is a men-only club � and stop a deadly disease that is ravaging her port town.
Rhen is a strongly crafted character. Her motivations to cure the disease stem from her afflicted mother while her father instructs her in the sciences. I loved seeing Rhen’s passion for science echo off her father’s: the pair working in tandem to find a cure made for great father-daughter moments in the book. The trio live among Lower society, but Rhen is introduced to Upper society by her cousin Seleni. The two cultures inform Rhen’s worldview on what is acceptable and what just simply isn’t.
Despite its predominance in the summary, the labyrinth competition only takes up about 40% of the novel. Prior to entering, readers are given insight to why Rhen would make such a drastic decision. We also learn about the disease spreading in the port town. Most importantly: we are teased about the dangers of the Labyrinth, how impossible the tasks must be, how few make it through.
Once the Labyrinth competition begins, I was fully hooked on every action/puzzle sequence. As promised, this competition is as much about wits as it is about strength, often indirectly posing the question on what “intelligences� are most important and whether the way we are tested in school is actually efficient. For such a large competition, the amount of actual tasks was small (only three), only tested lower level skills, and still managed to narrow down to one winner, but I enjoyed every minute.
The world-building in this novel did leave something to ask for, though the characters spoke loudly enough to more than make up. The fantasy aspect did not entirely feel needed (apart from scenes in the Labyrinth where creatures of myth played a role, they were under-described and little used). The time period was not fully clear: men were required to court women they wished to marry but a lot of common era language is used.
An interesting dynamic in the book was the friendship between Rhen and Seleni. While Rhen fights for greater independence, Seleni makes an opposite stand: she is happy being a housewife. I liked this plot line for the simple fact that female rights means being able to choose, and Seleni shows that this goes both ways.
Quick shout out for representation moments:
Down syndrome in a side character
Dyslexia in a main character
]]>
These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.
Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.]]>
The first three paragraphs of this book sent shivers down my spine. Within seconds I had everything I didn’t know I absolutely needed: dragons. Forbidden storytelling. I had to keep going.
Which is why I can only hope Rendz forgives me for speeding ahead.
Rendz: Um yeah. I had a major bone to pick with Sha. I started this book two days before her and then she has the audacity to read the entire thing in one sitting!!!! LIKE I APPLAUD SHA’S EPICNESS OF BEING ABLE TO READ SO FAST–AND LITERALLY DEVOUR A BOOK–BUT SHE LEFT ME IN THE DUST!
THE WRITING STYLE
Ciccarelli’s writing is perfectly suited to her world of dragon-hunting and poisonous stories. It reminded me strongly of Renée Ahdieh’s own lyrical prose, with a sharper cut to each line.
Rendz: Her plot twists were really well done! (Some were obvious, others less so) Some of them had me making faces. And yes, I was reading on a public bus. O-O
She did a really good job of leaving tracks and clues and then connecting the dots at the end. I’m still not over one of her revelations. She got me good.
THE CHARACTERS
Was there any character I didn’t love? (even the ones I hated, i loved hating)
Asha was amazing. But I actually want to rush forward and praise the supporting characters because � Ciccarelli fleshed them out so well and gave them all such important moments.
Go to to read the full review, complete with our screaming about the romance and DRAGOONNSS. ]]>
author: Kristen Ciccarelli
name: Sha
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2019/02/24
date added: 2019/03/07
shelves: abuse-and-trauma, badass-female-mc, fantasy, romance, young-adult
review:
� Buddy Read with my amazing fellow Canadian �
The first three paragraphs of this book sent shivers down my spine. Within seconds I had everything I didn’t know I absolutely needed: dragons. Forbidden storytelling. I had to keep going.
Which is why I can only hope Rendz forgives me for speeding ahead.
Rendz: Um yeah. I had a major bone to pick with Sha. I started this book two days before her and then she has the audacity to read the entire thing in one sitting!!!! LIKE I APPLAUD SHA’S EPICNESS OF BEING ABLE TO READ SO FAST–AND LITERALLY DEVOUR A BOOK–BUT SHE LEFT ME IN THE DUST!
THE WRITING STYLE
Ciccarelli’s writing is perfectly suited to her world of dragon-hunting and poisonous stories. It reminded me strongly of Renée Ahdieh’s own lyrical prose, with a sharper cut to each line.
Rendz: Her plot twists were really well done! (Some were obvious, others less so) Some of them had me making faces. And yes, I was reading on a public bus. O-O
She did a really good job of leaving tracks and clues and then connecting the dots at the end. I’m still not over one of her revelations. She got me good.
THE CHARACTERS
Was there any character I didn’t love? (even the ones I hated, i loved hating)
Asha was amazing. But I actually want to rush forward and praise the supporting characters because � Ciccarelli fleshed them out so well and gave them all such important moments.
Go to to read the full review, complete with our screaming about the romance and DRAGOONNSS.
]]>
Ebo is alone.His brother, Kwame, has disappeared, and Ebo knows it can only be to attempt the hazardous journey to Europe, and a better life--the same journey their sister set out on months ago.
But Ebo refuses to be left behind in Ghana. He sets out after Kwame and joins him on the quest to reach Europe. Ebo's epic journey takes him across the Sahara Desert to the dangerous streets of Tripoli, and finally out to the merciless sea. But with every step he holds on to his hope for a new life, and a reunion with his family.
]]>
Illegalsstood out to me.A quick look at the back cover dispelled any hopes of thisactuallybeing nonfic—Illegalsis a fictitious work based on true events—but I had it in hand and decided to see what I thought.
📌It's fast-paced. Ebo's story takes place over nineteen months (told in alternating "then—at the start of the journey" and"now—near the journey's end" chapters). As a reader, I wouldn't have realized so much time had passed if not for mentions of "we worked for twelve weeks" etc. This had pros and cons. The story never lagged and I was fully immersed in Ebo's journey. But I lost out on some of the hardship of such a trip.
Details, such as the kinds of work Ebo had to do and how Ebo managed to sneak past police without papers are often left out.
📌Key events in the immigration journey from Northern Africa to Italy are included. The long periods of work to pay for smugglers to get hopefuls across the sea. The grueling trip across the Sahara Desert.
When I saw "Illegals" I immediately thought of Mexicans coming to the United States (a popular discourse right now). I did not consider and did not know about immigration in Northern Africa. Though Colfer does not get into the minor details in this book, I still learned a lot.
📌I appreciated the short comic at the end, also illustrated by Rigano, telling the story of Helen. Helen emigrated from Sudan, making the trip across the Sahara like Ebo inIllegal.]]>
author: Eoin Colfer
name: Sha
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2019/03/02
date added: 2019/03/02
shelves: abuse-and-trauma, eye-opening, graphic-novels, male-mc, middle-grade, no-romance, realistic-fiction
review:
A little ramble before we begin? I went to the library a week ago and really, truly wanted to stick to my promise toread more nonfictionthis year. It's been suggested to me to try graphic novels as a way to get my dose of nonfic, so I headed to the graphic novel section.
Illegalsstood out to me.A quick look at the back cover dispelled any hopes of thisactuallybeing nonfic—Illegalsis a fictitious work based on true events—but I had it in hand and decided to see what I thought.
📌It's fast-paced. Ebo's story takes place over nineteen months (told in alternating "then—at the start of the journey" and"now—near the journey's end" chapters). As a reader, I wouldn't have realized so much time had passed if not for mentions of "we worked for twelve weeks" etc. This had pros and cons. The story never lagged and I was fully immersed in Ebo's journey. But I lost out on some of the hardship of such a trip.
Details, such as the kinds of work Ebo had to do and how Ebo managed to sneak past police without papers are often left out.
📌Key events in the immigration journey from Northern Africa to Italy are included. The long periods of work to pay for smugglers to get hopefuls across the sea. The grueling trip across the Sahara Desert.
When I saw "Illegals" I immediately thought of Mexicans coming to the United States (a popular discourse right now). I did not consider and did not know about immigration in Northern Africa. Though Colfer does not get into the minor details in this book, I still learned a lot.
📌I appreciated the short comic at the end, also illustrated by Rigano, telling the story of Helen. Helen emigrated from Sudan, making the trip across the Sahara like Ebo inIllegal.
]]>
Soon Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett helps Jerome process what has happened, on a journey towards recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life. Jerome also meets Sarah, the daughter of the police officer, who grapples with her father’s actions.
Once again Jewell Parker Rhodes deftly weaves historical and socio-political layers into a gripping and poignant story about how children and families face the complexities of today’s world, and how one boy grows to understand American blackness in the aftermath of his own death.]]>
The middle of the book was a bit muddled for me. Sometimes I thought I knew what Jerome was trying to say, but it was likehe was saying half-sentences. I felt like I was reading an un-edited portion of the book.
Also, I did get frustrated at times with how often Jerome thought about Sarah. As much I enjoyed the narrative that we need to all care about each other, it was hard to read about a young (innocent) Black boy who just got shot always thinking, "I need to help Sarah." Something to keep in mind if you might want to read this, because depending on your situation, this can be more/less enjoyable.
I was particularly excited to see how Rhodes weaved Emmett Till intoGhost Boys.I loved hearing Emmett recount his side of what happened in 1955. I didn't understand or particularly enjoy the scene when Sarah's librarian chooses to teach her about Emmett Till by just showing a photo Emmett's body.
Sarah asked to learn more. The librarian at first says "no, you don't need to know" then pulls a 180 and shows the picture. We hear Sarah sobbing in shock. I think educating White children about such horrific events in Black history needs to be handled different (but 100% done), so this may be more personal opinion.
The trial scenes (and its conclusion) was particularly impactful. Despite being such a short book, it captured the lack of justice showed to the Black community.]]>
author: Jewell Parker Rhodes
name: Sha
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2019/02/28
date added: 2019/03/02
shelves: male-mc, middle-grade, no-romance, realistic-fiction
review:
Ghost Boysends with a strong message that we cannot be divided by the colour of our skin. The fight to end racial prejudice needs to be fought by everyone, not just Black people and people of colour. The finale scenes of the book reinforced this message with Jerome's last visits as a ghost, especially his closing lines to Sarah, the White daughter of the police officer (also White) who shot and killed him.
The middle of the book was a bit muddled for me. Sometimes I thought I knew what Jerome was trying to say, but it was likehe was saying half-sentences. I felt like I was reading an un-edited portion of the book.
Also, I did get frustrated at times with how often Jerome thought about Sarah. As much I enjoyed the narrative that we need to all care about each other, it was hard to read about a young (innocent) Black boy who just got shot always thinking, "I need to help Sarah." Something to keep in mind if you might want to read this, because depending on your situation, this can be more/less enjoyable.
I was particularly excited to see how Rhodes weaved Emmett Till intoGhost Boys.I loved hearing Emmett recount his side of what happened in 1955. I didn't understand or particularly enjoy the scene when Sarah's librarian chooses to teach her about Emmett Till by just showing a photo Emmett's body.
Sarah asked to learn more. The librarian at first says "no, you don't need to know" then pulls a 180 and shows the picture. We hear Sarah sobbing in shock. I think educating White children about such horrific events in Black history needs to be handled different (but 100% done), so this may be more personal opinion.
The trial scenes (and its conclusion) was particularly impactful. Despite being such a short book, it captured the lack of justice showed to the Black community.
]]>
After unwittingly helping her mother poison King Louis XIV, seventeen-year-old alchemist Mirabelle Monvoisin is forced to see her mother’s Shadow Society in a horrifying new light: they’re not heroes of the people, as they’ve always claimed to be, but murderers. Herself included. Mira tries to ease her guilt by brewing helpful curatives, but her hunger tonics and headache remedies cannot right past wrongs or save the dissenters her mother vows to purge.
Royal bastard Josse de Bourbon is more kitchen boy than fils de France. But when the Shadow Society assassinates the Sun King and half of the royal court, he must become the prince he was never meant to be in order to save his injured sisters and the petulant dauphin. Forced to hide in the sewers beneath the city, Josse’s hope of reclaiming Paris seems impossible―until his path collides with Mirabelle’s.
She’s a deadly poisoner. He’s a bastard prince. They are sworn enemies, yet they form a tenuous pact to unite the commoners and former nobility against the Shadow Society. But can a rebellion built on mistrust ever hope to succeed?]]>
author: Addie Thorley
name: Sha
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2019/02/27
date added: 2019/02/27
shelves: 2019, fantasy, historical-fiction, male-mc, romance, young-adult
review:
Full review coming March 10 as part of FFBC blog tour.
]]>
Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.
Adam Silvera reminds us that there’s no life without death and no love without loss in this devastating yet uplifting story about two people whose lives change over the course of one unforgettable day.]]>
> This book was good.
(just good. which isn't bad and that's, you know, good)
I slipped easily into a version of New York* where between midnight and 3 AM, the Death-Cast company alerts people of their impending death. Death-Cast made sense, like any day the company could introduce its product and yeah, we would be getting these calls.
*Yes, I mean New York, because the book didn't describe or explain worldwide effects of Death-Cast. Which was fine, because 1) this isn't a fantasy book about Death-Cast this is 2) the story of how THEY both die at the end. AKA a character motivated novel.
>They Both Die at the Endis very clear. Our two main characters will die and the book is all about living life. Mateo and Rufus use their last day to discover who they wanted to be and what is important. They ask questions about the afterlife and experience thrills they were too scared of to try before. For its theme on embracing life, TBDATE is an important read.
meanwhile.
meanwhile.
(meanwhile.)
>Silvera's clipped writing style and habit of listing facts over reactions reduced the emotional impact of most scenes for me. As one example, Mateo goes to see his best friend for the last time. He decides not to tell her he's going to die, but wants to be in her presence.
"How's your dad doing?" Lydia asks.
"Stable. I keep hoping for one of those TV miracles where he hears my voice and snaps awake, but that obviously didn't happen. (...)." It's crunching my insides talking about this. I sit beside the playpen (...) and bounce [stuffed animals] toward Penny before tickling her. I'll never have any moments like this with my own kids.
"I'm sorry to hear that. He'll pull through. (...)"
"Probably. Penny's done with her bottle. I can burp her."
Mateo just visited his father, who's in a coma. Mateo is now talking to his best friend, while holding a child he won't see grow up. These are a bunch of really emotional moments. But I read through like Mateo was chatting about the weather. It would have helped sosomuch if there was more showing, and if sentences weren't always so clipped.
"Your dad will pull through from this coma." "Probably. I'll burp the baby now." Like/????
Ipersonallydid not experience any great revelation or feel anything powerful with this book. I read it and then I finished it (and it smelled good the whole time, thanks). But I'm able to step back and be like, "Okay, but you're maybe just an emotionless black hole so assess those priorities."]]>
author: Adam Silvera
name: Sha
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2019/02/19
date added: 2019/02/25
shelves: lgbtq, male-mc, realistic-fiction, romance, young-adult
review:
This isn't important to the review, but you need to know (okay, I want you to know) that my copy ofThey Both Die at the Endhas the Book Scent�. I don't know how many times I stopped reading to hold the pages up and full on inhale. (I just did it again, I'm shameless.)
> This book was good.
(just good. which isn't bad and that's, you know, good)
I slipped easily into a version of New York* where between midnight and 3 AM, the Death-Cast company alerts people of their impending death. Death-Cast made sense, like any day the company could introduce its product and yeah, we would be getting these calls.
*Yes, I mean New York, because the book didn't describe or explain worldwide effects of Death-Cast. Which was fine, because 1) this isn't a fantasy book about Death-Cast this is 2) the story of how THEY both die at the end. AKA a character motivated novel.
>They Both Die at the Endis very clear. Our two main characters will die and the book is all about living life. Mateo and Rufus use their last day to discover who they wanted to be and what is important. They ask questions about the afterlife and experience thrills they were too scared of to try before. For its theme on embracing life, TBDATE is an important read.
meanwhile.
meanwhile.
(meanwhile.)
>Silvera's clipped writing style and habit of listing facts over reactions reduced the emotional impact of most scenes for me. As one example, Mateo goes to see his best friend for the last time. He decides not to tell her he's going to die, but wants to be in her presence.
"How's your dad doing?" Lydia asks.
"Stable. I keep hoping for one of those TV miracles where he hears my voice and snaps awake, but that obviously didn't happen. (...)." It's crunching my insides talking about this. I sit beside the playpen (...) and bounce [stuffed animals] toward Penny before tickling her. I'll never have any moments like this with my own kids.
"I'm sorry to hear that. He'll pull through. (...)"
"Probably. Penny's done with her bottle. I can burp her."
Mateo just visited his father, who's in a coma. Mateo is now talking to his best friend, while holding a child he won't see grow up. These are a bunch of really emotional moments. But I read through like Mateo was chatting about the weather. It would have helped sosomuch if there was more showing, and if sentences weren't always so clipped.
"Your dad will pull through from this coma." "Probably. I'll burp the baby now." Like/????
Ipersonallydid not experience any great revelation or feel anything powerful with this book. I read it and then I finished it (and it smelled good the whole time, thanks). But I'm able to step back and be like, "Okay, but you're maybe just an emotionless black hole so assess those priorities."
]]>
And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.
Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.
As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.]]>
Official rating: 3.5 ]]>
author: Holly Black
name: Sha
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2019/02/15
date added: 2019/02/15
shelves: abuse-and-trauma, fantasy, lgbtq, romance, young-adult
review:
Review coming March 8.
Official rating: 3.5
]]>
📌 The minute Ellie lays eyes on Will, she can't stop thinking about him.Every page includes a mention of Will:his physical looks, his amazing kindness. But there's more! Ellie sees a Volvo and wonders what kind of car Will drives. She sees a dog and thinks, oh, Will has a border collie!Everything. Comes back. To Will.Yet I can count the number of actual conversations they have onone hand.
This is the protagonist??
and the love interest?
📌 Avalon Highjust isn't *deep*. Generally, that doesn't have to be a problem. Not all contemp needs to pull heartstrings and twist minds. But Cabot added themes of attempted murder, parental alienation, and infidelity. Each conversation surrounding these themes in the book was a throw-a-way.
they tried to shoot mebut theydidn't so it's all good now
[this parent] kicked me out the house, drats
📌Most of the book I wanted to shake Ellie. She finds out someone is getting cheated on and actively hides it from them.I understand people have conflicting opinions on HONESTY vs PROTECTING FEELINGS.But Ellie goes so far as to verbally attack someone who tries to tell the "cheated on" person the truth. ELLIE. UGH.
This isn't abad book. There's nothing problematic, which is what usually gets me to give out my 1 and 2 crowns. I just could notfeel anything for Ellie (other than complete annoyance).]]>
author: Meg Cabot
name: Sha
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at: 2019/02/12
date added: 2019/02/13
shelves: realistic-fiction, retelling, romance, young-adult
review:
I was ready to DNF this book after 50 pages.Avalon Highwas this terrible balance of eye-rolling protag foolishness, and cringe amounts of insta-love, and "oh okay" plot points. But I'm dealing with a book slump to end all slumps, and my current strategy is to push through until I see the glory of a good book binge again, so I finishedAvalon High. Yay?
📌 The minute Ellie lays eyes on Will, she can't stop thinking about him.Every page includes a mention of Will:his physical looks, his amazing kindness. But there's more! Ellie sees a Volvo and wonders what kind of car Will drives. She sees a dog and thinks, oh, Will has a border collie!Everything. Comes back. To Will.Yet I can count the number of actual conversations they have onone hand.
This is the protagonist??
and the love interest?
📌 Avalon Highjust isn't *deep*. Generally, that doesn't have to be a problem. Not all contemp needs to pull heartstrings and twist minds. But Cabot added themes of attempted murder, parental alienation, and infidelity. Each conversation surrounding these themes in the book was a throw-a-way.
they tried to shoot mebut theydidn't so it's all good now
[this parent] kicked me out the house, drats
📌Most of the book I wanted to shake Ellie. She finds out someone is getting cheated on and actively hides it from them.I understand people have conflicting opinions on HONESTY vs PROTECTING FEELINGS.But Ellie goes so far as to verbally attack someone who tries to tell the "cheated on" person the truth. ELLIE. UGH.
This isn't abad book. There's nothing problematic, which is what usually gets me to give out my 1 and 2 crowns. I just could notfeel anything for Ellie (other than complete annoyance).
]]>
It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to livewith her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son.
In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?]]>
📌How the heck did S/N get Jessie's email address?This is never addressed in the book and when Jessie gets the email, her first response is "what if this is a prank??" not "omg some weirdo knows I'm [email protected]!!"
wait, that's me
It's not theend-end of the world. Just a plot vortex I fell into for a while.
📌Why is Jessie the snarky teenage version of me?Her dad just hauled her across the country to adopt a whole new life so girl, I GET IT, snark is required. I enjoyed her eye-roll moments and general kinda-done-with-it mood, which is pretty much how 99.9% of the teen population acts nowadays.
📌 I was swept into the whole "who is S/N" mystery even though, yeah, the answer was kinda obvious. Buxbaum threw in enough question marks to keep the mystery aspect enjoyable. I was laughing during the reveal moment.
📌Why was Ethan literally an Edward Cullen double.I vibed with every character in this book like, yup, you're a realistic teen. Then Ethan comes on the scene with his brooding and not talking and I'm like, did Edward stumble into a contemp YA by accident? (Also why did Buxbaum describeeveryonewith acne and awkwardness except Ethan? Mmmkay.)]]>
author: Julie Buxbaum
name: Sha
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2019/02/08
date added: 2019/02/11
shelves: lgbtq, realistic-fiction, young-adult
review:
I had Tell Me Three Thingson my TBR for over two years, which is long enough that I don't even know what prompted me to add it in the first place. I finally bought in possibly my biggest book haul ever during the Book Outlet Black Friday sale, and now here I am, reading it. Now what did I think?
📌How the heck did S/N get Jessie's email address?This is never addressed in the book and when Jessie gets the email, her first response is "what if this is a prank??" not "omg some weirdo knows I'm [email protected]!!"
wait, that's me
It's not theend-end of the world. Just a plot vortex I fell into for a while.
📌Why is Jessie the snarky teenage version of me?Her dad just hauled her across the country to adopt a whole new life so girl, I GET IT, snark is required. I enjoyed her eye-roll moments and general kinda-done-with-it mood, which is pretty much how 99.9% of the teen population acts nowadays.
📌 I was swept into the whole "who is S/N" mystery even though, yeah, the answer was kinda obvious. Buxbaum threw in enough question marks to keep the mystery aspect enjoyable. I was laughing during the reveal moment.
📌Why was Ethan literally an Edward Cullen double.I vibed with every character in this book like, yup, you're a realistic teen. Then Ethan comes on the scene with his brooding and not talking and I'm like, did Edward stumble into a contemp YA by accident? (Also why did Buxbaum describeeveryonewith acne and awkwardness except Ethan? Mmmkay.)
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Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows surprised me in many different ways. The first is completely on me—I read “sorrows� and subconsciously convinced myself this middle-grade novel would have a somber tone. Yeah, not exactly. Thomas is almost thirteen. He loves in sunny California, has doodle wars with his best friend Enrique, is crushing on a girl at school, helps his overworked professor mom around the house, and is coming into his magical powers.
Oh. Should I backtrack on that last one? Yes, Thomas stumbles across a old bookstore one day where the owner insists he take home and read something called The Book of Sorrows. Thomas feels an irresistible pull to book, something almost magic, and leaves along with a few instructions from the owner:
Only read the book when you’re alone
Don’t tell anyone about the book
In exchange for the book, come to the bookstore to work for five hours a week
Only read one chapter each week
The first 200 pages of Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows cover Thomas reading the book, as well as describe his home/school life. Bergen’s writing comes to life with Thomas� chats with Enrique, his interactions with the school bully, and attempts to befriend a new kid at school. Thomas is a perfect protagonist for middle grade readers, emphasizing the values of friendship, family, and responsibility. For a book geared towards fantasy, I will say *this* part of the book lacks a lot of action. It was much more the day-to-day life of a pre-teen.
The excerpts from the The Book of Sorrows included in Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows were dry (and a bit hard to follow, since they were written in a form of Middle English). I wish they were just summarized. There aren’t many, but the ones included did pull me out of my reading. I also do want to point out, as a reader in her twenties, I still don’t understand the entire history of The Book of Sorrows and its various creators (as was explained to Thomas at one point) so I do think this will be especially confusing to younger readers.
After the 200 page point, the fantasy side of the book truly kicks into gear. Thomas� magic training was funny and well setup, and the lead in to the final battle at the end was nicely done. Thomas has people to train him in his magic skills, and he learns more about his own past. His mentors are likeable, and establish a trust bond with his mom so it’s not actually a “young child goes missing to train with strange adults� situation. In fact, Thomas� mom is super looped in to his life, which I adored in this book.
There is a lot of room for this to grow into a series. I look forwards to seeing more from Thomas and his trustworthy bestie, Enrique, not to mention learn more about his past � and what his future holds.
4 crowns. I would recommend for readers aged 12 to 15, particularly those with stronger skills in reading/vocabulary.]]>
author: J.M. Bergen
name: Sha
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/20
date added: 2019/02/06
shelves: fantasy, male-mc, middle-grade, no-romance, 2019
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of J.M. Bergen through Book Publicity Services. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows surprised me in many different ways. The first is completely on me—I read “sorrows� and subconsciously convinced myself this middle-grade novel would have a somber tone. Yeah, not exactly. Thomas is almost thirteen. He loves in sunny California, has doodle wars with his best friend Enrique, is crushing on a girl at school, helps his overworked professor mom around the house, and is coming into his magical powers.
Oh. Should I backtrack on that last one? Yes, Thomas stumbles across a old bookstore one day where the owner insists he take home and read something called The Book of Sorrows. Thomas feels an irresistible pull to book, something almost magic, and leaves along with a few instructions from the owner:
Only read the book when you’re alone
Don’t tell anyone about the book
In exchange for the book, come to the bookstore to work for five hours a week
Only read one chapter each week
The first 200 pages of Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows cover Thomas reading the book, as well as describe his home/school life. Bergen’s writing comes to life with Thomas� chats with Enrique, his interactions with the school bully, and attempts to befriend a new kid at school. Thomas is a perfect protagonist for middle grade readers, emphasizing the values of friendship, family, and responsibility. For a book geared towards fantasy, I will say *this* part of the book lacks a lot of action. It was much more the day-to-day life of a pre-teen.
The excerpts from the The Book of Sorrows included in Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows were dry (and a bit hard to follow, since they were written in a form of Middle English). I wish they were just summarized. There aren’t many, but the ones included did pull me out of my reading. I also do want to point out, as a reader in her twenties, I still don’t understand the entire history of The Book of Sorrows and its various creators (as was explained to Thomas at one point) so I do think this will be especially confusing to younger readers.
After the 200 page point, the fantasy side of the book truly kicks into gear. Thomas� magic training was funny and well setup, and the lead in to the final battle at the end was nicely done. Thomas has people to train him in his magic skills, and he learns more about his own past. His mentors are likeable, and establish a trust bond with his mom so it’s not actually a “young child goes missing to train with strange adults� situation. In fact, Thomas� mom is super looped in to his life, which I adored in this book.
There is a lot of room for this to grow into a series. I look forwards to seeing more from Thomas and his trustworthy bestie, Enrique, not to mention learn more about his past � and what his future holds.
4 crowns. I would recommend for readers aged 12 to 15, particularly those with stronger skills in reading/vocabulary.
]]>
Her stepdad promises to put a roof over their heads, but times are tough for everyone and Abby is doing everything she can to keep her shameful secret from her new friends. The divide between rich and poor in high school is painfully obvious, and the stress of never knowing where they're sleeping or where they’ll find their next meal is taking its toll on the whole family.
As secrets are exposed and the hope for a home fades, Abby knows she must trust those around her to help. But will her friends let her down the same way they did back home, or will they rise to the challenge to help them find a normal life?]]>
Armstrong didn’t give me a second to re-think my decision to pick up this book from my TBR. Abby’s journey starts right away, with her family pulling into a Wal-Mart parking lot in Rochester, Minnesota with only a beat-up van to call home. Abby and her mother are on the outs ever since her mom did “something� that apparently led them to all of this, her step-father Nick is working to keep tensions at bay, and six-year-old Amber just wants to know why there’s no TV and cozy bed anymore. The pacing in Roam kept my interest piqued from page one to the end, introducing Abby’s school life and new romance while exploring how she became homeless.
Abby is your average teen girl. She loves English class, thinks science is cool but has absolutely no skills with the subject whatsoever, has an amazing talent for singing, and also might possibly have a huge crush on the school football quarterback. She just also happens to be homeless. Abby is far from happy about her situation (and she puts a lot of the blame on her mother). A lot of the book focuses on Abby’s responsibilities as a homeless teen (watching over her sister, sacrificing social/academic time to support her family, etc.) and how she comes to terms with how she became homeless.
I found Abby’s emotional maturity in the book was better suited to a character aged 15 to 16 than her actual seventeen years but that’s an opinion that could be left to debate (and did not negatively impact my reading). I would recommend this book to youths in that age range though. The rapidity of the relationships in this book, paired with the overall positive outlook on homelessness, is more suited to a younger audience than older teens who can benefit from a deep look into the harsher conditions of homeless youth. (Ex: She loses her job, but it does not negatively impact her life.) Just my thoughts on recommendation age.
In fact, the positive spin to the story was enjoyable, particularly towards the end of the book. The plot lines wrapped up neatly, and created an idealistic end situation for anyone living a life similar to Abby’s. Abby found a super supportive group of friends that helped her embrace who she is, which is the biggest takeaway in this novel. She is not defined by the struggles that befell her family, and takes it as a learning experience which she beautifully articulates in the novel’s last pages.
A four crown rating for this book! I enjoyed this story immensely. Abby’s family works hard to stay (emotionally) close despite the “situation� that brought them to homelessness. This story is heartwarming and good for classroom introductions on homeless youth.]]>
author: C.H. Armstrong
name: Sha
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/19
date added: 2019/02/06
shelves: realistic-fiction, eye-opening, lgbtq, abuse-and-trauma, romance, young-adult, 2019
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Central Avenue Publishing through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
Armstrong didn’t give me a second to re-think my decision to pick up this book from my TBR. Abby’s journey starts right away, with her family pulling into a Wal-Mart parking lot in Rochester, Minnesota with only a beat-up van to call home. Abby and her mother are on the outs ever since her mom did “something� that apparently led them to all of this, her step-father Nick is working to keep tensions at bay, and six-year-old Amber just wants to know why there’s no TV and cozy bed anymore. The pacing in Roam kept my interest piqued from page one to the end, introducing Abby’s school life and new romance while exploring how she became homeless.
Abby is your average teen girl. She loves English class, thinks science is cool but has absolutely no skills with the subject whatsoever, has an amazing talent for singing, and also might possibly have a huge crush on the school football quarterback. She just also happens to be homeless. Abby is far from happy about her situation (and she puts a lot of the blame on her mother). A lot of the book focuses on Abby’s responsibilities as a homeless teen (watching over her sister, sacrificing social/academic time to support her family, etc.) and how she comes to terms with how she became homeless.
I found Abby’s emotional maturity in the book was better suited to a character aged 15 to 16 than her actual seventeen years but that’s an opinion that could be left to debate (and did not negatively impact my reading). I would recommend this book to youths in that age range though. The rapidity of the relationships in this book, paired with the overall positive outlook on homelessness, is more suited to a younger audience than older teens who can benefit from a deep look into the harsher conditions of homeless youth. (Ex: She loses her job, but it does not negatively impact her life.) Just my thoughts on recommendation age.
In fact, the positive spin to the story was enjoyable, particularly towards the end of the book. The plot lines wrapped up neatly, and created an idealistic end situation for anyone living a life similar to Abby’s. Abby found a super supportive group of friends that helped her embrace who she is, which is the biggest takeaway in this novel. She is not defined by the struggles that befell her family, and takes it as a learning experience which she beautifully articulates in the novel’s last pages.
A four crown rating for this book! I enjoyed this story immensely. Abby’s family works hard to stay (emotionally) close despite the “situation� that brought them to homelessness. This story is heartwarming and good for classroom introductions on homeless youth.
]]>
When Brynn Hilder is recruited to Vale, it seems like the elite academy is her chance to start over, away from her mom's loser boyfriend and her rundown neighborhood. But she soon learns that Vale chooses students not so much for their scholastic talent as for their extracurricular activities, such as her time spent conning rich North Shore kids out of their extravagant allowances.
At first, Brynn jumps at the chance to help the school in its mission to rid the city of corrupt officials--because what could be better than giving entitled jerks what they deserve? But that's before she meets her mark--a senator's son--and before she discovers the school's headmaster has secrets he'll stop at nothing to protect. As the lines between right and wrong blur, Brynn begins to realize she's in way over head.]]>
A book about a school for teen con artists. I might have squealed internally when I saw the summary, I definitely squealed externally when I saw I was approved for a review copy, and it’s up for debate how many times I paused in my reading to praise favourite moments to my co-blogger. The Deceivers sucked me in from the start, with Brynn conning some ballet students into purchasing fake tickets to a theatre show and then heading home to confront her mom’s drug dealing boyfriend.
Brynn is street-wise heroine who has long-since learned that fortune doesn’t favour those who grew up in the wrong part of town and definitely not those who don’t try to make more from their situation. Throughout the book, her wits get her out of tricky situations, and prove again and again that book smarts aren’t the only useful intelligence. I adoooored her personality, and her character arc on “who am I when I’m not conning people� was extremely well-written.
Brynn is able to see the grey area in society’s laws, but that is tested when she joins Vale Hall, an extremely exclusive school that teaches its students how to extract secrets. Its director, Dr. Odin, assigns her to befriend a politician’s son and find out his secrets. This is one of the major plot threads in the story: what is the secret? Can Brynn actually con someone? Is she made out for this new lifestyle? At the school, Brynn makes good friends and also starts a romance, but what I loved the most was the entire air of “can I actually trust this person?� that circulated with every chapter. Everyone at the school is nice and welcoming to Brynn (minus one), but everyone also has their own motives, which gave the book depths I didn’t expect.
The other major plot in the story is based loosely around her mother’s boyfriend, Pete, and Brynn’s efforts to free herself from his control. As I said before, Pete is a drug dealer (a pretty major one in Brynn’s hometown). His emotional abuse of Brynn and her mother is very well depicted in the book. In one scene, Brynn sits beside Pete and relates how his commands to “sit� make her feel like a dog, but that she fears acting out against him. Both plot lines are resolved by the end of the novel, and are given an equal amount of page time to develop. I had no clue how they would wrap up, because so much was happening, but Brynn was absolutely brilliant once again and solved everything and wow she’s my personal hero.
The writing in this book was a shining glory. (It was definitely better than that metaphor.) Simmons provides an accurate representation of emotional abuse that alone marks this book as a must read. But I cannot forget to give praise to the subtle commentaries on power dynamics we see once Brynn starts at Vale Hall. I hope to see so much more of that in the sequel!!
This book gets a 4.5 crown rating for me. I highly recommend you pick this book up because seriously there are teenagers learning how to be con artists and Brynn is an amazing heroine that you will want on your team. SO so glad this book came my way, and I hope it passes yours too!]]>
author: Kristen Simmons
name: Sha
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2018/12/20
date added: 2019/02/06
shelves: abuse-and-trauma, badass-female-mc, realistic-fiction, eye-opening, mysteries, romance, young-adult, 2019
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Tor Teen through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
A book about a school for teen con artists. I might have squealed internally when I saw the summary, I definitely squealed externally when I saw I was approved for a review copy, and it’s up for debate how many times I paused in my reading to praise favourite moments to my co-blogger. The Deceivers sucked me in from the start, with Brynn conning some ballet students into purchasing fake tickets to a theatre show and then heading home to confront her mom’s drug dealing boyfriend.
Brynn is street-wise heroine who has long-since learned that fortune doesn’t favour those who grew up in the wrong part of town and definitely not those who don’t try to make more from their situation. Throughout the book, her wits get her out of tricky situations, and prove again and again that book smarts aren’t the only useful intelligence. I adoooored her personality, and her character arc on “who am I when I’m not conning people� was extremely well-written.
Brynn is able to see the grey area in society’s laws, but that is tested when she joins Vale Hall, an extremely exclusive school that teaches its students how to extract secrets. Its director, Dr. Odin, assigns her to befriend a politician’s son and find out his secrets. This is one of the major plot threads in the story: what is the secret? Can Brynn actually con someone? Is she made out for this new lifestyle? At the school, Brynn makes good friends and also starts a romance, but what I loved the most was the entire air of “can I actually trust this person?� that circulated with every chapter. Everyone at the school is nice and welcoming to Brynn (minus one), but everyone also has their own motives, which gave the book depths I didn’t expect.
The other major plot in the story is based loosely around her mother’s boyfriend, Pete, and Brynn’s efforts to free herself from his control. As I said before, Pete is a drug dealer (a pretty major one in Brynn’s hometown). His emotional abuse of Brynn and her mother is very well depicted in the book. In one scene, Brynn sits beside Pete and relates how his commands to “sit� make her feel like a dog, but that she fears acting out against him. Both plot lines are resolved by the end of the novel, and are given an equal amount of page time to develop. I had no clue how they would wrap up, because so much was happening, but Brynn was absolutely brilliant once again and solved everything and wow she’s my personal hero.
The writing in this book was a shining glory. (It was definitely better than that metaphor.) Simmons provides an accurate representation of emotional abuse that alone marks this book as a must read. But I cannot forget to give praise to the subtle commentaries on power dynamics we see once Brynn starts at Vale Hall. I hope to see so much more of that in the sequel!!
This book gets a 4.5 crown rating for me. I highly recommend you pick this book up because seriously there are teenagers learning how to be con artists and Brynn is an amazing heroine that you will want on your team. SO so glad this book came my way, and I hope it passes yours too!
]]>
Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan.... But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she's really good at it. She and her twin, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving.
Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fanfiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere. Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let go. She doesn't want to.
Now that they're going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn't want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend; a fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end of the civilized world; a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... and she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.
For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?]]>
Cath's social anxiety is beautifully described on the page. NO, not described,experienced. The way she closes herself in her dorm room for the first month of university to avoid going into the lawless cafeteria scene is both realistic and just (wow) so real. YES I said real in two different ways, I just couldn't with that whole scene because I felt it so much.
In new situations, all the trickiest rules are the ones nobody bothers to explain to you. (And the ones you can't google.) Like, where does the line start? What food can you take? Where are you supposed to stand, then where are you supposed to sit? � Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell
I probably went into my CEGEP cafeteria (pre-uni, post-high school) about three times, and it was pure terror. I could never look up from my food, and my skin felt on fire the whole time. Actually seeing this experience depicted in a book ... it was really validating, let me tell you.
(I lived on power drinks, not bars; faster to consume.)
Rowell kind of really nailed how teens (or young adults, since we get a mix in this book) speak without filter. I have met so so many Reagans in my life who love you unconditionally but also make comments that can unintentionally hurt. By the end ofFangirl I was a huge Reagan lover,BUTat the beginning, the way she spoke to Cath? And not to mention Levi too? Not really okay.
For example. I loved that Reagan took Cath under her wing in the whole upperclassman/freshman dynamic. The way Reagan phrased it as "you're pathetic so I can't leave you alone" over and over though, um. If someone said that to *ME* in the worst of my anxiety phases it would have absolutelywreckedany self-confidence I had left.
(Had to get that off my chest.)
SORRY if this review is sounding mixed! Because I actually (surprise!) really lovedFangirl. Let me count some ways:
The allusions to Harry Potter in Gemma T. Leslie'sSimon Snowseries. Sosneaky.
The praise for fanfiction and its writers! (which is where many authors have their roots!)
[spoilers removed]
All, just all the representation of mental illness and how it affects children and parents and families as a whole.
Am I glad I did this re-read? UH, yes. Very much so. I need to stop distrusting my past self's opinions on books, because Past Sha actually had some good ideas on things.]]>
author: Rainbow Rowell
name: Sha
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2019/02/03
date added: 2019/02/04
shelves: new-adult, eye-opening, mental-health-illness, realistic-fiction, romance
review:
I wasnervousgoing into this re-read. I did a re-read ofAttachmentsearly last year and it wasn't a pleasant experience for me. The romance was lackluster, the pacing was s-o s-l-o-w, and I couldn't connect to any of the characters.BUT IF THIS WASN'T A WHOLE OTHER EXPERIENCE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.
Cath's social anxiety is beautifully described on the page. NO, not described,experienced. The way she closes herself in her dorm room for the first month of university to avoid going into the lawless cafeteria scene is both realistic and just (wow) so real. YES I said real in two different ways, I just couldn't with that whole scene because I felt it so much.
In new situations, all the trickiest rules are the ones nobody bothers to explain to you. (And the ones you can't google.) Like, where does the line start? What food can you take? Where are you supposed to stand, then where are you supposed to sit? � Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell
I probably went into my CEGEP cafeteria (pre-uni, post-high school) about three times, and it was pure terror. I could never look up from my food, and my skin felt on fire the whole time. Actually seeing this experience depicted in a book ... it was really validating, let me tell you.
(I lived on power drinks, not bars; faster to consume.)
Rowell kind of really nailed how teens (or young adults, since we get a mix in this book) speak without filter. I have met so so many Reagans in my life who love you unconditionally but also make comments that can unintentionally hurt. By the end ofFangirl I was a huge Reagan lover,BUTat the beginning, the way she spoke to Cath? And not to mention Levi too? Not really okay.
For example. I loved that Reagan took Cath under her wing in the whole upperclassman/freshman dynamic. The way Reagan phrased it as "you're pathetic so I can't leave you alone" over and over though, um. If someone said that to *ME* in the worst of my anxiety phases it would have absolutelywreckedany self-confidence I had left.
(Had to get that off my chest.)
SORRY if this review is sounding mixed! Because I actually (surprise!) really lovedFangirl. Let me count some ways:
The allusions to Harry Potter in Gemma T. Leslie'sSimon Snowseries. Sosneaky.
The praise for fanfiction and its writers! (which is where many authors have their roots!)
[spoilers removed]
All, just all the representation of mental illness and how it affects children and parents and families as a whole.
Am I glad I did this re-read? UH, yes. Very much so. I need to stop distrusting my past self's opinions on books, because Past Sha actually had some good ideas on things.
]]>
Three strangers. One shared destiny . . .
When the Last Days came, the planet of Laterre promised hope. But five hundred years later, it’s now a place where an extravagant elite class reigns supreme; where the clouds hide the stars and the poor starve in the streets; where a rebel group, long thought dead, is resurfacing.
Whispers of revolution have begun—a revolution that hinges on three unlikely heroes�
Chatine is a street-savvy thief who will do anything to escape the brutal Regime, including spying on Marcellus, the grandson of the most powerful man on the planet.
Marcellus is an officer—and the son of a traitor. Groomed to command by his legendary grandfather, Marcellus begins to doubt the government he’s vowed to serve when he discovers a cryptic message that only one person, a girl named Alouette, can read.
Alouette is living in an underground refuge, where she guards and protects the last surviving library on the planet. But a shocking murder will bring Alouette to the surface for the first time in twelve years…and plunge Laterre into chaos.
All three have roles to play in a dangerous game of revolution—and together they will shape the future of a planet.
Power, romance, and destiny collide in this sweeping reimagining of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Misérables.]]>
full review to come MARCH 14
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Simon Pulse through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.]]>
author: Jessica Brody
name: Sha
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2019/01/29
date added: 2019/01/29
shelves: 2019, badass-female-mc, male-mc, retelling, science-fiction, young-adult
review:
omg im in love. in love. best book of the year?? I THINK.
full review to come MARCH 14
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Simon Pulse through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
]]>
Who are the Nowhere Girls?
They’re everygirl. But they start with just three:
Grace Salter is the new girl in town, whose family was run out of their former community after her southern Baptist preacher mom turned into a radical liberal after falling off a horse and bumping her head.
Rosina Suarez is the queer punk girl in a conservative Mexican immigrant family, who dreams of a life playing music instead of babysitting her gaggle of cousins and waitressing at her uncle’s restaurant.
Erin Delillo is obsessed with two things: marine biology and Star Trek: The Next Generation, but they aren’t enough to distract her from her suspicion that she may in fact be an android.
When Grace learns that Lucy Moynihan, the former occupant of her new home, was run out of town for having accused the popular guys at school of gang rape, she’s incensed that Lucy never had justice. For their own personal reasons, Rosina and Erin feel equally deeply about Lucy’s tragedy, so they form an anonymous group of girls at Prescott High to resist the sexist culture at their school, which includes boycotting sex of any kind with the male students.
Told in alternating perspectives, this groundbreaking novel is an indictment of rape culture and explores with bold honesty the deepest questions about teen girls and sexuality.]]>
author: Amy Reed
name: Sha
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2017
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2019/01/18
shelves: to-read
review:
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They don’t know the half of it.
Anastasia “Nastya� Romanov was given a single mission: to smuggle an ancient spell into her suitcase on her way to exile in Siberia. It might be her family’s only salvation. But the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them, and he’s hunted Romanov before.
Nastya’s only chances of saving herself and her family are to either release the spell and deal with the consequences, or enlist help from Zash, the handsome soldier who doesn’t act like the average Bolshevik. Nastya has only dabbled in magic, but it doesn’t frighten her half as much as her growing attraction to Zash. She likes him. She thinks he might even like her.
That is, until she’s on one side of a firing squad . . . and he’s on the other.]]>
“[…] As we speak, Dr. Botkin is incapacitating the Bolsheviks.�
“Bravo, Dr. Botkin!� I applauded and we both giggled at the image of our dear doctor wielding his stethoscope as a weapon.
Almost as quickly as the giggles came, Alexei sobered and his face fell. “But imagine that I never get strong enough to travel…� —Romanov, Nadine Brandes
I have to be honest in saying that 99% of the things I want to scream my adoration over would absolutely qualify as spoilers, so I had to severely edit my review to both 1) hype you up for this YA release while not 2) ruining the entire plot in one go. However, Brandes sticks closely to the Romanov’s history following their imprisonment by the Bolsheviks. If you’re familiar with the story, then you’ll spot the similarities while reading. I’ll admit it: I forgot/didn’t know a lot of details, but love how Brandes tied them in to Romanov while keeping the novel her own, original piece.
FULL REVIEW COMING MAY 2
]]>
author: Nadine Brandes
name: Sha
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2019/01/17
date added: 2019/01/17
shelves: badass-female-mc, fantasy, historical-fiction, magical-realism, retelling, young-adult, 2019
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
“[…] As we speak, Dr. Botkin is incapacitating the Bolsheviks.�
“Bravo, Dr. Botkin!� I applauded and we both giggled at the image of our dear doctor wielding his stethoscope as a weapon.
Almost as quickly as the giggles came, Alexei sobered and his face fell. “But imagine that I never get strong enough to travel…� —Romanov, Nadine Brandes
I have to be honest in saying that 99% of the things I want to scream my adoration over would absolutely qualify as spoilers, so I had to severely edit my review to both 1) hype you up for this YA release while not 2) ruining the entire plot in one go. However, Brandes sticks closely to the Romanov’s history following their imprisonment by the Bolsheviks. If you’re familiar with the story, then you’ll spot the similarities while reading. I’ll admit it: I forgot/didn’t know a lot of details, but love how Brandes tied them in to Romanov while keeping the novel her own, original piece.
FULL REVIEW COMING MAY 2
]]>
Four walls. One window. No way to escape. Hannah knows there's been a mistake. She didn't need to be institutionalized. What happened to her roommate at her summer program was an accident. As soon as the doctors and judge figure out that she isn't a danger to herself or others, she can go home to start her senior year. In the meantime, she is going to use her persuasive skills to get the staff on her side.
Then Lucy arrives. Lucy has her own baggage. And she may be the only person who can get Hannah to confront the dangerous games and secrets that landed her in confinement in the first place.]]>
This review will contain both a spoiler-free and a with-spoiler section. I do not recommend looking at the latter if you plan on reading A Danger to Herself and Others because a major plot point in the book would be ruined.
<><> SPOILER-FREE REVIEW <><>
The beginning of A Danger to Herself and Others didn’t draw me in right away. The narrator and our main character, Hannah, describes her arrival at the psychiatric hospital from processing to placement in her room. The action happening in front of her (which would help physically situate the reader, things like a man asking her name, or her walking down a hall) was drowned out by her very scattered, seemingly random thoughts. I quickly realized this is how Hannah likes to be, that she processes what is in front of her and thinks deeply about everything before reacting. Getting used to her character took a moment, but once I knew that she was a studious and serious girl, I began to dig deeper into the book.
Hannah accepts her term at the psychiatric hospital with grace: she’s not supposed to be there, so of course her time will be short since soon it will be discovered that she was placed by accident. Hannah knows why she was accidentally placed: it’s left to the reader to uncover this information and if the decision was truly an accident over the course of the novel. Even though Hannah is calm about being placed, she still shows her dislike of being confined, of being told when to shower, of having someone else choose when and where she eats. Her bursts of panic washed over me when she walked into her room � eight feet by seven as she had measured by pacing back and forth � to see the small space she inhabited and could not leave.
Hannah’s days follow a close routine: meals and talk-therapy with “Dr. Lightfoot.� (Hannah nicknamed the doctor based on ballet shoes the woman would wear.) Dr. Lightfoot’s portrayal in the book is what truly made this reading both thought-provoking and unforgettable. (Not that Hannah’s journey is anything to dismiss.) The doctor does not come to each session ready to crack open Hannah’s secrets. She is not a wealth of happiness and joy, promising Hannah everything is going to be sunshine and rainbows. Dr. Lightfoot works steadily to see why Hannah is at the psychiatric hospital, becoming neither a friend nor an enemy. Just a doctor. Which was exactly what Hannah needed.
I don’t know what I can say about Lucy other than her friendship with Hannah truly ruined me.
<><> SPOILER-(ish) REVIEW <><>
If you are reading this, I really hope you have either already read A Danger to Herself and Others because going into this book already spoiled will ruin a lot of the climax.
I want to touch on one great and grand thing that I find Sheinmel did very well with this book. A hands down reason that I believe this book needs to be shared with friends, with libraries, with teens suffering from mental illness.
Alyssa B. Sheinmel depicted a mental health institution positively. Out of context this does not make sense, so allow me to explain. I have never visited a MHI nor have I researched them. I have no knowledge on how they are run. The most information I do have comes from, surprisingly, YA fiction. And none of those depictions are positive whatsoever. I have read a book where an underage teenager is committed against her will without any medical reasons and immediately force-fed unnamed medication by the staff until she breaks out days later. I read a book where a character recalls a past trip “in the loony bin� where she lived strapped to a table. These representations tie together to create a fear of mental health institutions, places where you will be mistreated, misdiagnosed, and abused.
I do not want to deny these things can happen. But when YA books are written for teenagers who suffer so very often from mental health issues, and then mental health institutions are depicted so terribly when for many, it’s actually a life support, well, it’s maybe more than disconcerting?
In A Danger to Herself and Others, Sheinmel showed Dr. Lightfoot and the mental health institution as a place Hannah needed to be. At the beginning of the book, Hannah is confused but certain she should not be at the facility � in response, Dr. Lightfoot gives her space. Hannah begins to talk more, and Dr. Lightfoot listens. Hannah is given medication when the doctor knows what medication is required. Hannah is informed what the medication is for (though she does not have a choice in taking it, because she is underage).
I am not going to say Sheinmel’s representation of a MHI is positive as in “happy�, because that is not the case. Hannah suffers. She is uncomfortable with her lack of privacy and she loses rights she had “on the outside.� But Sheinmel shows how a MHI can help someone with a mental illness.
This book made me shocked. This book made me sad. This book made me think more on things that I already think about, and didn’t think I could think more on.
I do want to throw in Sheinmel’s disclaimer that she did not write this book to educate anyone on mental health/illness. As I said before, I myself do not know how accurate her depiction is to the current state of psychiatric hospitals today. All I do know is I think teenagers need more healthy representations of mental health and this book does that.
I could go on about this book for sooo much longer. I could talk about Hannah’s recovery process, and how the way she longs for Jonah and Lucy (particularly in the bathroom scene) really got to me. The way her parents dismissed Hannah’s way of viewing the world as “just imaginary friends.�
My only true gripe with this book is how rare Hannah’s form of mental illness is. Not only is she in the twenty percent for having it, she’s in the one percent of the form she has. (*Forgive me if my percentages are off, I forgot to bookmark the page.) But this, of course, just goes to Sheinmel’s disclaimer that she is not writing to educate and not once in reading this did I feel like she used mental illness as a plot device or hook. YES, Hannah’s discovery is a turning point in the book, but Sheinmel doesn’t use this for shock value. Sheinmel instead shows how it can be surprising to learn you have a mental illness, and to see how much it affects your daily life.
I rate this book at 4.5 with a hiiiiigh recommendation rating. On any websites that don’t allow .5 expect to see this as a 5. I knocked off a point because I do find that with some of the topics covered in this book, personal experience or intensive research is required. But this is a personal opinion! (And maybe there is/was, it just wasn’t mentioned.)
Join me on my book journey!
]]>
author: Alyssa B. Sheinmel
name: Sha
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2018/09/19
date added: 2019/01/17
shelves: eye-opening, mental-health-illness, young-adult, realistic-fiction, no-romance, 2019
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Fire through Netgalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
This review will contain both a spoiler-free and a with-spoiler section. I do not recommend looking at the latter if you plan on reading A Danger to Herself and Others because a major plot point in the book would be ruined.
<><> SPOILER-FREE REVIEW <><>
The beginning of A Danger to Herself and Others didn’t draw me in right away. The narrator and our main character, Hannah, describes her arrival at the psychiatric hospital from processing to placement in her room. The action happening in front of her (which would help physically situate the reader, things like a man asking her name, or her walking down a hall) was drowned out by her very scattered, seemingly random thoughts. I quickly realized this is how Hannah likes to be, that she processes what is in front of her and thinks deeply about everything before reacting. Getting used to her character took a moment, but once I knew that she was a studious and serious girl, I began to dig deeper into the book.
Hannah accepts her term at the psychiatric hospital with grace: she’s not supposed to be there, so of course her time will be short since soon it will be discovered that she was placed by accident. Hannah knows why she was accidentally placed: it’s left to the reader to uncover this information and if the decision was truly an accident over the course of the novel. Even though Hannah is calm about being placed, she still shows her dislike of being confined, of being told when to shower, of having someone else choose when and where she eats. Her bursts of panic washed over me when she walked into her room � eight feet by seven as she had measured by pacing back and forth � to see the small space she inhabited and could not leave.
Hannah’s days follow a close routine: meals and talk-therapy with “Dr. Lightfoot.� (Hannah nicknamed the doctor based on ballet shoes the woman would wear.) Dr. Lightfoot’s portrayal in the book is what truly made this reading both thought-provoking and unforgettable. (Not that Hannah’s journey is anything to dismiss.) The doctor does not come to each session ready to crack open Hannah’s secrets. She is not a wealth of happiness and joy, promising Hannah everything is going to be sunshine and rainbows. Dr. Lightfoot works steadily to see why Hannah is at the psychiatric hospital, becoming neither a friend nor an enemy. Just a doctor. Which was exactly what Hannah needed.
I don’t know what I can say about Lucy other than her friendship with Hannah truly ruined me.
<><> SPOILER-(ish) REVIEW <><>
If you are reading this, I really hope you have either already read A Danger to Herself and Others because going into this book already spoiled will ruin a lot of the climax.
I want to touch on one great and grand thing that I find Sheinmel did very well with this book. A hands down reason that I believe this book needs to be shared with friends, with libraries, with teens suffering from mental illness.
Alyssa B. Sheinmel depicted a mental health institution positively. Out of context this does not make sense, so allow me to explain. I have never visited a MHI nor have I researched them. I have no knowledge on how they are run. The most information I do have comes from, surprisingly, YA fiction. And none of those depictions are positive whatsoever. I have read a book where an underage teenager is committed against her will without any medical reasons and immediately force-fed unnamed medication by the staff until she breaks out days later. I read a book where a character recalls a past trip “in the loony bin� where she lived strapped to a table. These representations tie together to create a fear of mental health institutions, places where you will be mistreated, misdiagnosed, and abused.
I do not want to deny these things can happen. But when YA books are written for teenagers who suffer so very often from mental health issues, and then mental health institutions are depicted so terribly when for many, it’s actually a life support, well, it’s maybe more than disconcerting?
In A Danger to Herself and Others, Sheinmel showed Dr. Lightfoot and the mental health institution as a place Hannah needed to be. At the beginning of the book, Hannah is confused but certain she should not be at the facility � in response, Dr. Lightfoot gives her space. Hannah begins to talk more, and Dr. Lightfoot listens. Hannah is given medication when the doctor knows what medication is required. Hannah is informed what the medication is for (though she does not have a choice in taking it, because she is underage).
I am not going to say Sheinmel’s representation of a MHI is positive as in “happy�, because that is not the case. Hannah suffers. She is uncomfortable with her lack of privacy and she loses rights she had “on the outside.� But Sheinmel shows how a MHI can help someone with a mental illness.
This book made me shocked. This book made me sad. This book made me think more on things that I already think about, and didn’t think I could think more on.
I do want to throw in Sheinmel’s disclaimer that she did not write this book to educate anyone on mental health/illness. As I said before, I myself do not know how accurate her depiction is to the current state of psychiatric hospitals today. All I do know is I think teenagers need more healthy representations of mental health and this book does that.
I could go on about this book for sooo much longer. I could talk about Hannah’s recovery process, and how the way she longs for Jonah and Lucy (particularly in the bathroom scene) really got to me. The way her parents dismissed Hannah’s way of viewing the world as “just imaginary friends.�
My only true gripe with this book is how rare Hannah’s form of mental illness is. Not only is she in the twenty percent for having it, she’s in the one percent of the form she has. (*Forgive me if my percentages are off, I forgot to bookmark the page.) But this, of course, just goes to Sheinmel’s disclaimer that she is not writing to educate and not once in reading this did I feel like she used mental illness as a plot device or hook. YES, Hannah’s discovery is a turning point in the book, but Sheinmel doesn’t use this for shock value. Sheinmel instead shows how it can be surprising to learn you have a mental illness, and to see how much it affects your daily life.
I rate this book at 4.5 with a hiiiiigh recommendation rating. On any websites that don’t allow .5 expect to see this as a 5. I knocked off a point because I do find that with some of the topics covered in this book, personal experience or intensive research is required. But this is a personal opinion! (And maybe there is/was, it just wasn’t mentioned.)
Join me on my book journey!
]]>
When he pushes through the front door of the school and finds himself eighty kilometers away holding the door of a museum he was just thinking about, Cole faces facts: he's either more deluded than old Ms. Easton, or he just teleported.
Now every door is an accident waiting to happen―especially when Cole thinks about Malik, who, it turns out, has a glass door on his shower. When he starts seeing the same creepy people over his shoulder, no matter how far he's gone, crushes become the least of his worries. They want him to stop, and they'll go to any length to make it happen.
Cole is running out of luck, excuses, and places to hide.
Time for a new exit plan.]]>
As a sub-paragraph to that, Burgoine doesn't just "include" a bisexual teen (ex). Each character is first and foremosta person with their own likes and dislikes and then also btw bisexual. But he also allows the characters to question their LGBT+ knowledgewhich I loved.Not only did it allow me as a reader to learn more, it also showed that you can be LGBT+ and not know every in and out of the community. It's okay! The point is: keep learning. Be okay with continually learning.
As someone who is not part of the LGBT+ community, this aspect of the book resonated with me because of my high school experience. I had close friends who identified as LGBT+ and sometimes I would swerve around topics because I thought they kneweverything and me even asking would make me look so dumb and ignorant. This book just cemented the fact that no one can know everything AND ... avoiding even asking? Missed opportunity for everyone to learn.Also I totally know there are so many Nats out there ready to welcome me in.<< You would get the reference if you *read the book*
Anyyywayy, if I didn't go on about that long enough. Cole has nerdiness and quirks down pat. I was chuckling at his awkwardness throughout the book. I clicked with so many of his passions too: bullet-journaling, lists, love for board games. He also takes his sudden ability for teleporting in such stride. I mean, one day you find out you can teleport. For Cole, that means the next day you just casually start practicing on the DL. I *loved* it, because let's be real, most teens would secretly build up their skills before telling anyone. Then evil people are after him and the way he handles it all is just true badass mixed with, well, true Cole-dorkness. I loved it.
This review is getting long and I don't think I gushed enough. There is so much more love. Cole wants to be an interpreter (of ASL) like his father. The Deaf culture rep was sooo amazing, I didn't expect it to be there and lived for that moment. I wish there was more explanation on how his father interprets (I only knew of Hearing people being interpreters before).
Cole and Malik were such a great relationship. As far as I'm concerned, the next great contemporary ship. Mole. Calik. (The name might need work.) I found myself smiling like a true dork while reading about them on "not dates." #BULLET+SPORTSBALL4EVA
My biggest (non)complaint is that there is not already an official sequel in the works. The world-building/description could have used a bit more work though, which is why in official ratings I knock off half a point. Sometimes I couldn't place where I was (in the Rainbow Club room? outside by the tree?) until much later, so Cole was just kind of floating in space, talking. But anyway, y'all know how rarely I gush so ... this book. Is really good
]]>
author: 'Nathan Burgoine
name: Sha
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2018/12/01
date added: 2019/01/17
shelves: realistic-fiction, eye-opening, lgbtq, male-mc, romance, fantasy, young-adult, 2018
review:
First off, this book lives and breathes on its characters. So many freaking amazing characters. With ALLLLLLLLL the LGBT+ rep it's too stunning (or just stunning enough, you tell me). Our protagonist Cole is gay, and his best friends make up the school's Rainbow Club. Okay 1) can they be my friends because they're really cool (and realistic teens wow) and 2) let me just list the rep for ya since we have: bisexual, asexual, pansexual and lesbian teens living breathing and talking. All over the place, I know, it's crazy madness. (I even might have not listed some so you can be surprised by EVEN MORE REP.)
As a sub-paragraph to that, Burgoine doesn't just "include" a bisexual teen (ex). Each character is first and foremosta person with their own likes and dislikes and then also btw bisexual. But he also allows the characters to question their LGBT+ knowledgewhich I loved.Not only did it allow me as a reader to learn more, it also showed that you can be LGBT+ and not know every in and out of the community. It's okay! The point is: keep learning. Be okay with continually learning.
As someone who is not part of the LGBT+ community, this aspect of the book resonated with me because of my high school experience. I had close friends who identified as LGBT+ and sometimes I would swerve around topics because I thought they kneweverything and me even asking would make me look so dumb and ignorant. This book just cemented the fact that no one can know everything AND ... avoiding even asking? Missed opportunity for everyone to learn.Also I totally know there are so many Nats out there ready to welcome me in.<< You would get the reference if you *read the book*
Anyyywayy, if I didn't go on about that long enough. Cole has nerdiness and quirks down pat. I was chuckling at his awkwardness throughout the book. I clicked with so many of his passions too: bullet-journaling, lists, love for board games. He also takes his sudden ability for teleporting in such stride. I mean, one day you find out you can teleport. For Cole, that means the next day you just casually start practicing on the DL. I *loved* it, because let's be real, most teens would secretly build up their skills before telling anyone. Then evil people are after him and the way he handles it all is just true badass mixed with, well, true Cole-dorkness. I loved it.
This review is getting long and I don't think I gushed enough. There is so much more love. Cole wants to be an interpreter (of ASL) like his father. The Deaf culture rep was sooo amazing, I didn't expect it to be there and lived for that moment. I wish there was more explanation on how his father interprets (I only knew of Hearing people being interpreters before).
Cole and Malik were such a great relationship. As far as I'm concerned, the next great contemporary ship. Mole. Calik. (The name might need work.) I found myself smiling like a true dork while reading about them on "not dates." #BULLET+SPORTSBALL4EVA
My biggest (non)complaint is that there is not already an official sequel in the works. The world-building/description could have used a bit more work though, which is why in official ratings I knock off half a point. Sometimes I couldn't place where I was (in the Rainbow Club room? outside by the tree?) until much later, so Cole was just kind of floating in space, talking. But anyway, y'all know how rarely I gush so ... this book. Is really good
]]>
There are eight days, and eight witnesses for you to inhabit.
We will only let you escape once you tell us the name of the killer.
Understood? Then let's begin . . .
Evelyn Hardcastle will die. Every day until Aiden Bishop can identify her killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest. And some of his hosts are more helpful than others . . .
The most inventive debut of the year twists together a mystery of such unexpected creativity it will leave listeners guessing until the very last second.]]>
Two things threw me off about this book right off the bat. First of all, Seven Deaths is over five hundred pages long, and I stared at that page number, thinking, “Does Stuart Turton really think he can sustain an interesting and well-plotted mystery for 512 pages?� I’ve read mysteries with three hundred pages and hit boring patches. Second of all, I opened the book to the first chapter and was thrown RIGHT into the action, where the main character didn’t even know what was happening. I was so confused, I put the book down and didn’t return for several days.
Then I picked the book back up. And didn’t. Put it. Down.
The Seven-and-a-Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is the most intricately plotted mystery/thrilled I have ever laid eyes on. The parts of me that weren’t hooked on the plot were hooked on the fascinating and diverse characters. As a reader, I was practically sobbing in thanks to Turton for putting out such a fascinating read � it worked on SO. MANY. LEVELS. Now be warned: only read on if you’re ready for some serious Seven Deaths love (and have a desire to fall in love yourself!).
As I said, the beginning of the novel literally throws the reader into the action. A man (our main character) is running in the woods. He’s yelling a name, he’s terrified of something bad happening � but he doesn’t know why, he doesn’t know where he is, he doesn’t know his very name. You don’t have a second to contemplate what is going on before the next scene happens, and then the next, and the next. At first, this made me put the book down because I was not in the mood to be confused. When I picked the book up again, I let Turton take me on his journey, and realized bit by bit everything made sense.
Don’t let the page count fool you (as I did, at first). Unlike many mystery novels, Seven Deaths drops big reveals throughout the book. You don’t have to wait until the before last page to find out everything at once! I loved this, because my excitement only mounted as the book went on. Also, I don’t think it’s far-fetched to compare this book to a giant game of Clue: because Aidan is repeating the same day over and over, as a reader you’re gathering clues with him � seeing who is where and when, and what they are doing. (It’s the maid with the knife in the kitchen!) Turton gives the reader a chance to collect clues as the book progresses, so you can guess at the many mysteries � because you should not be followed by the summary, there is more than just Evelyn Hardcastle’s death to solve!
This book is packed with deceitful characters, plot twists, big reveals and secrets. So many secrets! Turton packs it all up in the most eloquent writing, too. He evokes this sense of intrigue and mystery with his words, so that I’m plunged into Hardcastle the moment I start reading.
The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was previously published in the UK in February 2018 under the title The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.
RATING
Five crowns for this book. If I didn’t have such a long TBR at the moment, I would be re-reading this book on the spot. This is the kind of book you can re-read over and over, because there are so many hidden clues and easter eggs. Turton’s a genius. A literal genius. I don’t know how he did it, but please do it over and over again. And do not miss this book!
Join me on my book journey!
]]>
author: Stuart Turton
name: Sha
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2018/08/14
date added: 2019/01/17
shelves: thriller-and-horror, male-mc, mysteries, fantasy, no-romance, adult, 2018
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Landmark. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
Two things threw me off about this book right off the bat. First of all, Seven Deaths is over five hundred pages long, and I stared at that page number, thinking, “Does Stuart Turton really think he can sustain an interesting and well-plotted mystery for 512 pages?� I’ve read mysteries with three hundred pages and hit boring patches. Second of all, I opened the book to the first chapter and was thrown RIGHT into the action, where the main character didn’t even know what was happening. I was so confused, I put the book down and didn’t return for several days.
Then I picked the book back up. And didn’t. Put it. Down.
The Seven-and-a-Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is the most intricately plotted mystery/thrilled I have ever laid eyes on. The parts of me that weren’t hooked on the plot were hooked on the fascinating and diverse characters. As a reader, I was practically sobbing in thanks to Turton for putting out such a fascinating read � it worked on SO. MANY. LEVELS. Now be warned: only read on if you’re ready for some serious Seven Deaths love (and have a desire to fall in love yourself!).
As I said, the beginning of the novel literally throws the reader into the action. A man (our main character) is running in the woods. He’s yelling a name, he’s terrified of something bad happening � but he doesn’t know why, he doesn’t know where he is, he doesn’t know his very name. You don’t have a second to contemplate what is going on before the next scene happens, and then the next, and the next. At first, this made me put the book down because I was not in the mood to be confused. When I picked the book up again, I let Turton take me on his journey, and realized bit by bit everything made sense.
Don’t let the page count fool you (as I did, at first). Unlike many mystery novels, Seven Deaths drops big reveals throughout the book. You don’t have to wait until the before last page to find out everything at once! I loved this, because my excitement only mounted as the book went on. Also, I don’t think it’s far-fetched to compare this book to a giant game of Clue: because Aidan is repeating the same day over and over, as a reader you’re gathering clues with him � seeing who is where and when, and what they are doing. (It’s the maid with the knife in the kitchen!) Turton gives the reader a chance to collect clues as the book progresses, so you can guess at the many mysteries � because you should not be followed by the summary, there is more than just Evelyn Hardcastle’s death to solve!
This book is packed with deceitful characters, plot twists, big reveals and secrets. So many secrets! Turton packs it all up in the most eloquent writing, too. He evokes this sense of intrigue and mystery with his words, so that I’m plunged into Hardcastle the moment I start reading.
The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was previously published in the UK in February 2018 under the title The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.
RATING
Five crowns for this book. If I didn’t have such a long TBR at the moment, I would be re-reading this book on the spot. This is the kind of book you can re-read over and over, because there are so many hidden clues and easter eggs. Turton’s a genius. A literal genius. I don’t know how he did it, but please do it over and over again. And do not miss this book!
Join me on my book journey!
]]>
On a hot summer night, Liv, Morgan, Clay and Nathan are on the way home from a party in Clay's convertible. Best friends dating brothers? It doesn't get better than that. But the joyride ends in sudden impact, a screech of brakes, and shattering glass. On that lonely country road, four lives change forever.
Liv wakes in the hospital. At first she's confused when they call her Morgan, but she assumes it's a case of mistaken identity. Yet when the bandages come off, it's not her face inthe mirror anymore. It's Morgan's.
Morgan always seemed to have the perfect life. But as Liv tries to fit herself into Morgan's world, she discovers endlessly disturbing secrets of the criminal and murderous variety and a dark task to finish...if she doesn't lose her mind first.
Forced to confront the disturbing truths that Morgan kept hidden in life, Liv must navigate a world of long-buried murder, a dangerous love affair—and a romance that feels like a betrayal.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.]]>
If you follow my reviews, you’ll know I’m not big on romance. Do I hate love? No. But I find that too many YA books (which I adore and read almost exclusively) rush couples to the point that readers end up with insta-love, cliché meet cutes, and the corniest break-up/makeup moments. My eyes are basically rolling all over the floor. Obviously this isn’t the end of the world; it’s YA, and sooooo many young adults (no shame to it!) adore the fluff. My lovely co-blogger Mandy loves the fluff!! But I’m just like, “Ew. No. What is this? Stop.� What I’m saying is: Give me a solid relationship or GIVE ME DEATH.
You can imagine my curiosity going into a book that pitched not one but two romances (ya know, a love triangle, sure to be rife with drama). Will I abhor? Or will I adore? To put you out of your misery now, I’ll tell you: I was on the edge my seat, wide-eyed, drooling, because the love interest (like, the one the main character chooses at the end) is SWOON WORTHY. THE MAN OF MY DREAMS PEOPLE. I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH AND LET ME TELL YOU WHY. (In as vague of a way as I can because dang I can’t spoil the love triangle for you!) He is respectful, kind, aware of the main character’s needs WITHOUT TELLING HER what she wants (think Twilight, where Edward is like, Yes, Bella, you are cold now, go put on a sweater), hard-working, and selfless. I’m sobbing just thinking about it. GET ME A MAN LIKE THIS.
As for the other love interest, was he terrible? Um, no. I totally got why he was a valid options for the main character, and then I understood why she didn’t choose him. It wasn’t a simple case of “Option A is better� but also “Option B doesn’t need me/isn’t good with me.� Other love interest is fully developed, a viable option, and um, they totes had chemistry too � but Ann Aguirre did not exploit that chemistry and throw in a bunch of “will they/won’t they� for shits and giggles. Aguirre made clear from pretty early in the book who our MC, Liv, would be choosing. (Ugh, I can’t stand when the MC just wobbles back and forth between guys. Like, if you seriously can’t choose, then maybe the answer is neither? And it’s all just lust? But that’s a problem for another day, because NONE of that hot mess was here!)
Clearly romance was a strong aspect of the book, but Like Never and Always included aspects of mystery and thriller (and some maybe paranormal). I did snoop some reviews on ŷ, which I actually generally refuse to do before my own reviews. This is so you get 100% my own thoughts untainted by what others think. BUT I saw on ŷ some reviewers disliked the book because they felt the genre was too unclear. IMHO: This is first a romance, second a mystery, and the softest hint of paranormal. Aguirre is VERY clear on what direction she wants to take with her book, so not once are you like, “Wait, what happened to the romance aspect? Why are we suddenly focusing on paranormal?� I only include paranormal because � duh, Liv wakes up and she’s in Morgan’s body. That’s some out of this world business. But Liv does her best to explain this (and other creepy events) away with science (as she is a massive science lover), so paranormal stuff? Not very strong in this book. It felt very grounded and realistic, despite a body swap kicking things off.
Okay. Mystery element. This gave the book its plot. I loved how some of the mystery turned out to be a complete red herring, and some parts Liv needs to accept will never truly be solved/she has to keep “her little secret.� Honestly, this book had me up until 3 AM on a WORK DAY because I needed to know everything as soon as possible. Now I need everything Ann Aguirre ASAP.
One little disclaimer/spoiler/warning for readers who are sensitive to sex scenes in books, there is a little something that happens between Liv and one of the love interests near the end of the book (no page numbers and I’m afraid I don’t pay attention to the Kindle percentage count!) It’s faaar from explicit but still there, so if you’re like, NOT FOR ME, then well, now you know. It actually surprised me, since I did not see the book going there, but like I said, if you are not aware of these things from experience/learning, then you might not even know what just happened, it’s that subtly described.
I could ramble about love for this book forever. The characters were so well-developed. Everyone was aware of their flaws, their strengths and weaknesses. People could develop throughout the book. I feel blessed to have read this, not even kidding. Please excuse me while I read it again now?
Five crowns because I want to read it again immediately and this never happens with me. Also Aguirre NAILED it with a respectful and caring boyfriend which we need more of in books (like, please, stop with giving MCs BFs/GFs who disrespect them and then readers are all SWOON. NO SWOON!) I also want to buy an actual copy to own and hold and lovingly embrace.
Join me on my book journey!
]]>
author: Ann Aguirre
name: Sha
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2018/07/19
date added: 2019/01/17
shelves: mysteries, romance, young-adult, 2018
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Tor/Forge and Netgalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book. The copy I am reviewing is an Uncorrected Digital Galley.
If you follow my reviews, you’ll know I’m not big on romance. Do I hate love? No. But I find that too many YA books (which I adore and read almost exclusively) rush couples to the point that readers end up with insta-love, cliché meet cutes, and the corniest break-up/makeup moments. My eyes are basically rolling all over the floor. Obviously this isn’t the end of the world; it’s YA, and sooooo many young adults (no shame to it!) adore the fluff. My lovely co-blogger Mandy loves the fluff!! But I’m just like, “Ew. No. What is this? Stop.� What I’m saying is: Give me a solid relationship or GIVE ME DEATH.
You can imagine my curiosity going into a book that pitched not one but two romances (ya know, a love triangle, sure to be rife with drama). Will I abhor? Or will I adore? To put you out of your misery now, I’ll tell you: I was on the edge my seat, wide-eyed, drooling, because the love interest (like, the one the main character chooses at the end) is SWOON WORTHY. THE MAN OF MY DREAMS PEOPLE. I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH AND LET ME TELL YOU WHY. (In as vague of a way as I can because dang I can’t spoil the love triangle for you!) He is respectful, kind, aware of the main character’s needs WITHOUT TELLING HER what she wants (think Twilight, where Edward is like, Yes, Bella, you are cold now, go put on a sweater), hard-working, and selfless. I’m sobbing just thinking about it. GET ME A MAN LIKE THIS.
As for the other love interest, was he terrible? Um, no. I totally got why he was a valid options for the main character, and then I understood why she didn’t choose him. It wasn’t a simple case of “Option A is better� but also “Option B doesn’t need me/isn’t good with me.� Other love interest is fully developed, a viable option, and um, they totes had chemistry too � but Ann Aguirre did not exploit that chemistry and throw in a bunch of “will they/won’t they� for shits and giggles. Aguirre made clear from pretty early in the book who our MC, Liv, would be choosing. (Ugh, I can’t stand when the MC just wobbles back and forth between guys. Like, if you seriously can’t choose, then maybe the answer is neither? And it’s all just lust? But that’s a problem for another day, because NONE of that hot mess was here!)
Clearly romance was a strong aspect of the book, but Like Never and Always included aspects of mystery and thriller (and some maybe paranormal). I did snoop some reviews on ŷ, which I actually generally refuse to do before my own reviews. This is so you get 100% my own thoughts untainted by what others think. BUT I saw on ŷ some reviewers disliked the book because they felt the genre was too unclear. IMHO: This is first a romance, second a mystery, and the softest hint of paranormal. Aguirre is VERY clear on what direction she wants to take with her book, so not once are you like, “Wait, what happened to the romance aspect? Why are we suddenly focusing on paranormal?� I only include paranormal because � duh, Liv wakes up and she’s in Morgan’s body. That’s some out of this world business. But Liv does her best to explain this (and other creepy events) away with science (as she is a massive science lover), so paranormal stuff? Not very strong in this book. It felt very grounded and realistic, despite a body swap kicking things off.
Okay. Mystery element. This gave the book its plot. I loved how some of the mystery turned out to be a complete red herring, and some parts Liv needs to accept will never truly be solved/she has to keep “her little secret.� Honestly, this book had me up until 3 AM on a WORK DAY because I needed to know everything as soon as possible. Now I need everything Ann Aguirre ASAP.
One little disclaimer/spoiler/warning for readers who are sensitive to sex scenes in books, there is a little something that happens between Liv and one of the love interests near the end of the book (no page numbers and I’m afraid I don’t pay attention to the Kindle percentage count!) It’s faaar from explicit but still there, so if you’re like, NOT FOR ME, then well, now you know. It actually surprised me, since I did not see the book going there, but like I said, if you are not aware of these things from experience/learning, then you might not even know what just happened, it’s that subtly described.
I could ramble about love for this book forever. The characters were so well-developed. Everyone was aware of their flaws, their strengths and weaknesses. People could develop throughout the book. I feel blessed to have read this, not even kidding. Please excuse me while I read it again now?
Five crowns because I want to read it again immediately and this never happens with me. Also Aguirre NAILED it with a respectful and caring boyfriend which we need more of in books (like, please, stop with giving MCs BFs/GFs who disrespect them and then readers are all SWOON. NO SWOON!) I also want to buy an actual copy to own and hold and lovingly embrace.
Join me on my book journey!
]]>
Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up at the Watcher’s Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers—girls gifted with supernatural strength to fight the forces of darkness. But while Nina’s mother is a prominent member of the Watcher’s Council, Nina has never embraced the violent Watcher lifestyle. Instead she follows her instincts to heal, carving out a place for herself as the school medic.
Until the day Nina’s life changes forever.
Thanks to Buffy, the famous (and infamous) Slayer that Nina’s father died protecting, Nina is not only the newest Chosen One—she’s the last Slayer, ever. Period.
As Nina hones her skills with her Watcher-in-training, Leo, there’s plenty to keep her occupied: a monster fighting ring, a demon who eats happiness, a shadowy figure that keeps popping up in Nina’s dreams�
But it’s not until bodies start turning up that Nina’s new powers will truly be tested—because someone she loves might be next.
One thing is clear: Being Chosen is easy. Making choices is hard.]]>
I imagine the drafting process for this novel included a meeting somewhat like this: “Kiersten. You must now make a choice. For Slayer, will you target A) readers who have only watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer or B) readers who have watched BtVS and read the comics or C) the readers who make up your dedicated fanbase but have not touched any Buffy-based media?� And Kiersten White said, “Why not all of them?�
Slayer accommodates new and old Buffy fans alike, but not without a few bumps in the road. I’m well-versed in all things Buffy seasons one to seven, and White condensed the main facts � why vampires are major icksters, how Buffy got to be the icon she is today, what the heck a slayer is � quite well. I never read the comics, but I got all the important facts as well: Seed of Wonder, no more magic, okay, yes, alright. The issue became less “wait, what does that mean� and more “okay, but can *this* version actually start?� White spends almost 30% of the book explaining who is who, what is what, and why everything is happening. The first third of the book is so heavy on info-dumps I started scrolling forwards, eager for the action to begin. Main character Athena (Nina)’s actual actions feel drowned out by the many times she “pauses� to give information to the reader. Considering I skimmed several of these pages, and still understand the entirety of the book, I believe a lot of this info was unnecessary and just weighed down on the plot.
Once I broke through what I loosely refer to as the “introductory section,� though, I was hooked. Nina’s character arc focuses on understanding her role as slayer: what it means within her family and what it means in relation to Buffy and the many other Chosen Ones. I love that in Slayer, Nine knows about the world of Slayers, that she has seen everything they can do, before she realizes she will be part of that world as well. Not to mention Nina has trained her entire life as a nurse � as a Slayer, she must fight her trained instincts to heal. White brought up several points about decisions and how we make them and � just the scene with Cillian and the decision Nina makes. That scene. If you know, you know. Putting Nina’s two worlds up against each other makes for such an interesting read and exploration of Slayer identity!
There are moments in this book for die-hard Buffy fans. No, do not expect Buffy to walk in and start strutting around. This is Nina’s story. But there are fun parallels to Buffy’s own Slayer journey. Not to mention how amazing the fight scenes were. I swear I was watching a Buffy episode in my mind. White wrote the absolute best fight scenes in this book. They felt so true to BtVS with the moves, the quick thinking, and the inventiveness.
The characters. There are definitely standouts in this book. I liked Nina for her journey and willingness to be herself, even if everyone else (literally, everyone) had already made up their minds on who she should be. A demon comes in later who is the absolute best and so much comedic relief and again: so much BtVS feels. For the most part, Nina and Artemis� relationship was the strong sibling bond we love to see in our books. Rhys and Cillian were good, I just wish they had more page time! As for other characters, well, let’s just say there is so much duplicity I don’t even know who is who or who to like or what was what. Which, I mean, outside of the Scooby Gang, kinda classic Buffy? I think by book two I will have nailed down my Spikes (evil but you want redeemed) and my Giles� (okay but also like half the characters are Watchers so it’s hard though!).
I’m awarding this book 3.5 crowns. The beginning was just so hard to get into. I put it down three times at the start because the writing was so dry. Then after that “introductory section� I was flowing forwards with crazy action scenes, witty humour, and so much character enjoyment. Yes, I recommend, but do be aware the beginning takes a moment.]]>
author: Kiersten White
name: Sha
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2019
rating: 4
read at: 2018/10/10
date added: 2019/01/17
shelves: fantasy, young-adult, 2019
review:
Disclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Simon Pulse through NetGalley. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book.
I imagine the drafting process for this novel included a meeting somewhat like this: “Kiersten. You must now make a choice. For Slayer, will you target A) readers who have only watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer or B) readers who have watched BtVS and read the comics or C) the readers who make up your dedicated fanbase but have not touched any Buffy-based media?� And Kiersten White said, “Why not all of them?�
Slayer accommodates new and old Buffy fans alike, but not without a few bumps in the road. I’m well-versed in all things Buffy seasons one to seven, and White condensed the main facts � why vampires are major icksters, how Buffy got to be the icon she is today, what the heck a slayer is � quite well. I never read the comics, but I got all the important facts as well: Seed of Wonder, no more magic, okay, yes, alright. The issue became less “wait, what does that mean� and more “okay, but can *this* version actually start?� White spends almost 30% of the book explaining who is who, what is what, and why everything is happening. The first third of the book is so heavy on info-dumps I started scrolling forwards, eager for the action to begin. Main character Athena (Nina)’s actual actions feel drowned out by the many times she “pauses� to give information to the reader. Considering I skimmed several of these pages, and still understand the entirety of the book, I believe a lot of this info was unnecessary and just weighed down on the plot.
Once I broke through what I loosely refer to as the “introductory section,� though, I was hooked. Nina’s character arc focuses on understanding her role as slayer: what it means within her family and what it means in relation to Buffy and the many other Chosen Ones. I love that in Slayer, Nine knows about the world of Slayers, that she has seen everything they can do, before she realizes she will be part of that world as well. Not to mention Nina has trained her entire life as a nurse � as a Slayer, she must fight her trained instincts to heal. White brought up several points about decisions and how we make them and � just the scene with Cillian and the decision Nina makes. That scene. If you know, you know. Putting Nina’s two worlds up against each other makes for such an interesting read and exploration of Slayer identity!
There are moments in this book for die-hard Buffy fans. No, do not expect Buffy to walk in and start strutting around. This is Nina’s story. But there are fun parallels to Buffy’s own Slayer journey. Not to mention how amazing the fight scenes were. I swear I was watching a Buffy episode in my mind. White wrote the absolute best fight scenes in this book. They felt so true to BtVS with the moves, the quick thinking, and the inventiveness.
The characters. There are definitely standouts in this book. I liked Nina for her journey and willingness to be herself, even if everyone else (literally, everyone) had already made up their minds on who she should be. A demon comes in later who is the absolute best and so much comedic relief and again: so much BtVS feels. For the most part, Nina and Artemis� relationship was the strong sibling bond we love to see in our books. Rhys and Cillian were good, I just wish they had more page time! As for other characters, well, let’s just say there is so much duplicity I don’t even know who is who or who to like or what was what. Which, I mean, outside of the Scooby Gang, kinda classic Buffy? I think by book two I will have nailed down my Spikes (evil but you want redeemed) and my Giles� (okay but also like half the characters are Watchers so it’s hard though!).
I’m awarding this book 3.5 crowns. The beginning was just so hard to get into. I put it down three times at the start because the writing was so dry. Then after that “introductory section� I was flowing forwards with crazy action scenes, witty humour, and so much character enjoyment. Yes, I recommend, but do be aware the beginning takes a moment.
]]>