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3.5 Stars rounded up - Ninth House is a dark fantasy that at its core is about abuse, trauma, survival and ultimately finding a way to live.
There was a lot to love about this book - the main character, Galaxy "Alex" Stern was great, the eerie gothic secret society Yale setting, ghosts, magic, murder & mystery with some fun twists. I was fully expecting to be wowed. Unfortunately, I wasn't. It was soooooooo long. Too long. I get that it was building up the back story but I felt like it dragged on in the middle and then suddenly we were at the resolution. Only not everything gets resolved. Yup, we got set up for book 2. Sigh! Of course after reading over 450 pages I feel invested so.... I'll be reading Book 2.
There was a lot to love about this book - the main character, Galaxy "Alex" Stern was great, the eerie gothic secret society Yale setting, ghosts, magic, murder & mystery with some fun twists. I was fully expecting to be wowed. Unfortunately, I wasn't. It was soooooooo long. Too long. I get that it was building up the back story but I felt like it dragged on in the middle and then suddenly we were at the resolution. Only not everything gets resolved. Yup, we got set up for book 2. Sigh! Of course after reading over 450 pages I feel invested so.... I'll be reading Book 2.
4.5 Why, oh why did I wait so long to read this book stars!
I was hesitant and worried the hype wouldn’t be real. I had nothing to fear. I LOVED this book. And, in all honestly I was actually a bit surprised by how much. It’s a slow building romance and not very steamy. Yet, I was caught up in the lives of Calla and Jonah like I knew them. The Alaskan setting, the amazing side characters, the super sexy sky cowboy and all the snarky banter - I found all of it engrossing and completely irresistible. Trust me, you will not be able to resist Jonah any more than Calla did.
I was hesitant and worried the hype wouldn’t be real. I had nothing to fear. I LOVED this book. And, in all honestly I was actually a bit surprised by how much. It’s a slow building romance and not very steamy. Yet, I was caught up in the lives of Calla and Jonah like I knew them. The Alaskan setting, the amazing side characters, the super sexy sky cowboy and all the snarky banter - I found all of it engrossing and completely irresistible. Trust me, you will not be able to resist Jonah any more than Calla did.
Imagine yourself standing on a platform after a day at work, just waiting to go home. Suddenly, a harried looking woman stands before you, urging you to take her baby to love and protect before plummeting to her death on the tracks. Crazy right!
The plot of
The plot of
3.5 (rounded up) Futuristic, Thought Provoking & Timely Stars
This one drew me in and had me rapt, furiously turning the pages. Followers details the perils of the use of social media to promote celebrity focusing on the obsession, backstabbing, lies and corruption in that often dangerous climb to fame. What would you do to gain followers and become a famous influencer? The higher your numbers get, the greater the perks... but at what cost?
The concept was so relevant and timely when you think of some of our so-called celebrities of today? How did they become famous? These days you are more apt to gain notoriety from a meltdown, wardrobe malfunction, who you're dating or who you are seen hanging out with than for any real talent. I enjoyed that aspect of the book immensely. I wanted more focus on The Spill - the event that changed the technological world as we know it. I was a bit underwhelmed by how little time was spent on it, especially considering that this wasn't a short book. I wanted, no needed, more! The ending also didn't leave me as satisfied as I would have hoped after my initial investment.
Yet, I did take away quite a bit from this book. During this crazy time in our lives when we are reevaluating how we do things and what we find important, I found this book quite thought provoking. Megan Angelo penned quite the fictional commentary on society, politics and our dependency on both technology and social media. Followers depicts a dystopian future that doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility. Thankfully, it also highlights that no matter how much emphasis we place on our electronic world, the most important connection we have is between people.
This one drew me in and had me rapt, furiously turning the pages. Followers details the perils of the use of social media to promote celebrity focusing on the obsession, backstabbing, lies and corruption in that often dangerous climb to fame. What would you do to gain followers and become a famous influencer? The higher your numbers get, the greater the perks... but at what cost?
The concept was so relevant and timely when you think of some of our so-called celebrities of today? How did they become famous? These days you are more apt to gain notoriety from a meltdown, wardrobe malfunction, who you're dating or who you are seen hanging out with than for any real talent. I enjoyed that aspect of the book immensely. I wanted more focus on The Spill - the event that changed the technological world as we know it. I was a bit underwhelmed by how little time was spent on it, especially considering that this wasn't a short book. I wanted, no needed, more! The ending also didn't leave me as satisfied as I would have hoped after my initial investment.
Yet, I did take away quite a bit from this book. During this crazy time in our lives when we are reevaluating how we do things and what we find important, I found this book quite thought provoking. Megan Angelo penned quite the fictional commentary on society, politics and our dependency on both technology and social media. Followers depicts a dystopian future that doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility. Thankfully, it also highlights that no matter how much emphasis we place on our electronic world, the most important connection we have is between people.
Holy "Is it hot in here or is it just me?" Steaminess!
I loved this sexy romantic comedy about a young married couple whose rocky relationship needs an intervention. Maybe it's because as a married woman I could relate to so many aspects of their issues. It's so easy to fall into a daily rut and lose sight of not only who you were and are but your spouse as well.
Dominic and Rosie are are on the brink of divorce after being married for 10 years. They are unhappy, lack communication and living in a marriage of silence. The only thing still working between them is their sex life and boy was it steamy, hot & heavy!!! But are the sparks in the bedroom enough of a reason to stay together?
As the couple drifted apart, they lost sight of their dreams and themselves. Dominic knows he can not live without Rosies and is willing to do anything to bring her home - even seeing an unconventional therapist. I loved their journey to finding each other again and discovering that they both played a part in the unhappy state of their marriage. Bailey did an amazing job of having them wrestle with their feelings of inadequacy and love.
This was my favorite book in this series so far. I binged this and was up way past my bedtime - with flushed cheeks!
I loved this sexy romantic comedy about a young married couple whose rocky relationship needs an intervention. Maybe it's because as a married woman I could relate to so many aspects of their issues. It's so easy to fall into a daily rut and lose sight of not only who you were and are but your spouse as well.
Dominic and Rosie are are on the brink of divorce after being married for 10 years. They are unhappy, lack communication and living in a marriage of silence. The only thing still working between them is their sex life and boy was it steamy, hot & heavy!!! But are the sparks in the bedroom enough of a reason to stay together?
As the couple drifted apart, they lost sight of their dreams and themselves. Dominic knows he can not live without Rosies and is willing to do anything to bring her home - even seeing an unconventional therapist. I loved their journey to finding each other again and discovering that they both played a part in the unhappy state of their marriage. Bailey did an amazing job of having them wrestle with their feelings of inadequacy and love.
This was my favorite book in this series so far. I binged this and was up way past my bedtime - with flushed cheeks!
Parker Fadley is perfect. She has perfect grades, she's captain of the cheerleading squad, dating the most popular boy school and has a bright future ahead of her. Until it all goes wrong and Parker finds herself starring in a new role - that of the perfect mess.
I read this book in 1 sitting. It wasn't as compelling a read for me as Sadie but I was hooked and emotionally invested in finding out what had led to Parker's unraveling. I really enjoyed the way Courtney Summers wove in the back story, revealing a small bit at a time. Many might find Parker unlikable but I saw a girl trying desperately to push others away in an attempt to deal with something that was obviously traumatic and overwhelming. I felt bad for her and loved how Jake saw through the armor and caught glimpses of the girl underneath it all.
This one has strong themes - suicide, rape, underage drinking, depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I thought it was emotional and dark but the ending left me filled with hope. This was a strong debut and I'm glad it was rereleased. Courtney Summers is a must read author!
I read this book in 1 sitting. It wasn't as compelling a read for me as Sadie but I was hooked and emotionally invested in finding out what had led to Parker's unraveling. I really enjoyed the way Courtney Summers wove in the back story, revealing a small bit at a time. Many might find Parker unlikable but I saw a girl trying desperately to push others away in an attempt to deal with something that was obviously traumatic and overwhelming. I felt bad for her and loved how Jake saw through the armor and caught glimpses of the girl underneath it all.
This one has strong themes - suicide, rape, underage drinking, depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I thought it was emotional and dark but the ending left me filled with hope. This was a strong debut and I'm glad it was rereleased. Courtney Summers is a must read author!
4 Siblings: Can't Live With Them So Why Not Kill Them Stars!
I kid, I kid but really if you have siblings you know that no matter how much you love them, you've fantasized about hurting them at some point or other. Let's be honest, we're all friends here.
I kid, I kid but really if you have siblings you know that no matter how much you love them, you've fantasized about hurting them at some point or other. Let's be honest, we're all friends here.
3.75 (rounded up) Psychologically Thrilling Stars
Poor Shay Miller! Lonely, unfulfilled and lacking self confidence. She doesn't stand a chance against the glamorous, successful, scheming and oh so vengeful Moore sisters. Or does she????
Here's what I love about Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen - they know how to weave a tangled web so deliciously. I did have this one pretty much figured out but I still very much wanted to see how it would all play out. As always, these books require a certain suspension of belief and that was definitely true here. They rely heavily on coincidence, implausible timing, etc. But, it's all jut so darn fun - I can readily let myself accept it.
This one wasn't as much of a winner as Anonymous Girl was for me, but I definitely still enjoyed it and will continue to happily read what this duo writes in the future!
Poor Shay Miller! Lonely, unfulfilled and lacking self confidence. She doesn't stand a chance against the glamorous, successful, scheming and oh so vengeful Moore sisters. Or does she????
Here's what I love about Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen - they know how to weave a tangled web so deliciously. I did have this one pretty much figured out but I still very much wanted to see how it would all play out. As always, these books require a certain suspension of belief and that was definitely true here. They rely heavily on coincidence, implausible timing, etc. But, it's all jut so darn fun - I can readily let myself accept it.
This one wasn't as much of a winner as Anonymous Girl was for me, but I definitely still enjoyed it and will continue to happily read what this duo writes in the future!
5 Black Mirror-esque Vibe Stars for The God Game ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The G.O.D. Game has rules:
Win and ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE. Lose, YOU DIE!
Simple right? It all begins in good fun when the Vindicators, a group of teenage gamers/hackers, enter the game. The game is enticing as it blurs the VR world with their real surroundings. Accomplish a mission and receive spoils in the game and in real life. Sounds great, right? It is, until the game's missions turn cruel, sinister and can result in death - both theirs and others.
Is there a way out of the G.O.D. Game? Or does dying in the virtual world really mean death in real life?
So, I'm not a huge sci-fi reader. I read it every now and then BUT this book absolutely had me hooked! It felt more like a thriller as the Vindicators fought for their lives, trying to get out of the game - alive! This was a wild ride with the missions, threats, secrets and repercussions getting crazier and deadlier with every turn of the page.
The characters were well done and their story was solidly fleshed out so that you really come to care for this band of misfit friends and find yourself rooting for them. There were some great underlying themes of friendship, family and loyalty here amidst all the game action and the short chapters really keep you turning the pages. You'll find yourself thinking - just one more chapter - only to realize later that hours have passed and you're almost done with the book.
A huge thank you to Edelweiss, St. Martin's Press and Danny Tobey for providing me with an advance digital copy of this book to read & review.
The G.O.D. Game has rules:
Win and ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE. Lose, YOU DIE!
Simple right? It all begins in good fun when the Vindicators, a group of teenage gamers/hackers, enter the game. The game is enticing as it blurs the VR world with their real surroundings. Accomplish a mission and receive spoils in the game and in real life. Sounds great, right? It is, until the game's missions turn cruel, sinister and can result in death - both theirs and others.
Is there a way out of the G.O.D. Game? Or does dying in the virtual world really mean death in real life?
So, I'm not a huge sci-fi reader. I read it every now and then BUT this book absolutely had me hooked! It felt more like a thriller as the Vindicators fought for their lives, trying to get out of the game - alive! This was a wild ride with the missions, threats, secrets and repercussions getting crazier and deadlier with every turn of the page.
The characters were well done and their story was solidly fleshed out so that you really come to care for this band of misfit friends and find yourself rooting for them. There were some great underlying themes of friendship, family and loyalty here amidst all the game action and the short chapters really keep you turning the pages. You'll find yourself thinking - just one more chapter - only to realize later that hours have passed and you're almost done with the book.
A huge thank you to Edelweiss, St. Martin's Press and Danny Tobey for providing me with an advance digital copy of this book to read & review.
