Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.76k reviews by:
diamondxgirl
1 in 4 teens experiences dating violence. Heather captures the essence beautifully and leaves readers full of hope at the end. An incredibly well done story of "that's not love" - highly recommend!
I was on the fence in reading Bad Romance, not because I don't love Heather Demtrios (is there anything she can't do?) but because I knew this book was going to potentially break my heart. What I got was a story with so much depth and resonance that I was hardly able to put it down. I don't think you'll be able to, either.
Having recently read Dreamland, I wasn't sure I was mentally prepared to take on another book about an abusive relationship. See, I’m 4 years out of an abusive marriage (and 16 years out of an abusive household - I identified a lot with Grace). I’ve spent 4 years trying to put my past behind me and being part of the #ChooseYou campaign (plus seeing Heather’s tweet about talking about getting out could save another) brought me back to the dealing with restraining orders and fearing for my life. Yeah.
Girls don’t fall in love with manipulative assholes who treat them like shit and make them seriously question their life choices. They fall in love with manipulative assholes (who treat them like shit and make them seriously question their life choices) who they think are knights in shining armor.
Ah, knight in shining armor syndrome. Much like Gavin, my knight in shining armor came at a time in my life when I was lost and needy, wanting to be rescued from my life. In Bad Romance, Gavin steps in when Grace is in need of a rescue. She has a crappy home life with some terrible examples (That’s not love, yo). Being with Gavin becomes an escape, which he quickly takes advantage of.
“He … said I wasn’t deep.” “What. The. Fuck?” Lys says. “Are you serious?” “He didn’t mean it in, like, a bad way.”
It starts small, right? An off handed comment that you can’t get out of your head. Over and over until you’re beat down and feel worthless. Grace didn’t start too far from there, considering her step father and mother physically and emotionally abuse her.
When you’re a stupid girl in love, it’s almost impossible to see the red flags. It’s so easy to pretend they’re not there, to pretend that everything is perfect.
“He didn’t mean it in, like, a bad way.” And there it is. The excuses. The fighting and the making up, so intense that how could you feel anything but deeply in love? When he’s making life altering decisions for your benefit.
Grace’s friends were legit the best in Bad Romance. They kept it real with her and protected her when they could. They didn’t abandon her, even though she became less available as a friend.
I can’t rave about this book enough. It’s paced so well, going through the motions of establishing the relationship in the pattern we see in most abusers. From the most special girl in the world to slowly degrading her self worth - Grace made it out but not without a few scars. In my head canon, she’s off to college with her besties. Maybe she’s found someone worth the love she has to give or maybe she’s hanging solo. Either way, I just want to see her happy.
I was on the fence in reading Bad Romance, not because I don't love Heather Demtrios (is there anything she can't do?) but because I knew this book was going to potentially break my heart. What I got was a story with so much depth and resonance that I was hardly able to put it down. I don't think you'll be able to, either.
Having recently read Dreamland, I wasn't sure I was mentally prepared to take on another book about an abusive relationship. See, I’m 4 years out of an abusive marriage (and 16 years out of an abusive household - I identified a lot with Grace). I’ve spent 4 years trying to put my past behind me and being part of the #ChooseYou campaign (plus seeing Heather’s tweet about talking about getting out could save another) brought me back to the dealing with restraining orders and fearing for my life. Yeah.
Girls don’t fall in love with manipulative assholes who treat them like shit and make them seriously question their life choices. They fall in love with manipulative assholes (who treat them like shit and make them seriously question their life choices) who they think are knights in shining armor.
Ah, knight in shining armor syndrome. Much like Gavin, my knight in shining armor came at a time in my life when I was lost and needy, wanting to be rescued from my life. In Bad Romance, Gavin steps in when Grace is in need of a rescue. She has a crappy home life with some terrible examples (That’s not love, yo). Being with Gavin becomes an escape, which he quickly takes advantage of.
“He … said I wasn’t deep.” “What. The. Fuck?” Lys says. “Are you serious?” “He didn’t mean it in, like, a bad way.”
It starts small, right? An off handed comment that you can’t get out of your head. Over and over until you’re beat down and feel worthless. Grace didn’t start too far from there, considering her step father and mother physically and emotionally abuse her.
When you’re a stupid girl in love, it’s almost impossible to see the red flags. It’s so easy to pretend they’re not there, to pretend that everything is perfect.
“He didn’t mean it in, like, a bad way.” And there it is. The excuses. The fighting and the making up, so intense that how could you feel anything but deeply in love? When he’s making life altering decisions for your benefit.
Grace’s friends were legit the best in Bad Romance. They kept it real with her and protected her when they could. They didn’t abandon her, even though she became less available as a friend.
I can’t rave about this book enough. It’s paced so well, going through the motions of establishing the relationship in the pattern we see in most abusers. From the most special girl in the world to slowly degrading her self worth - Grace made it out but not without a few scars. In my head canon, she’s off to college with her besties. Maybe she’s found someone worth the love she has to give or maybe she’s hanging solo. Either way, I just want to see her happy.
DNF @ 30%. Issues with consent and other uncomfortable moments. Feels like this book was written by a different author than the first two.
I absolutely love reading graphic novels because there is so much more sensory input with the art. I recently picked up Shatter Warrior and was blown away! I loved so much about this book and I'm here to share a few reasons why you need to read it, whether you're a graphic novel reader or not!
Five Reasons You Need to Read Shattered Warrior
Multi-faceted story with scifi and romance elements. I am such a sucker for a good romance story and I think everyone knows how much I love reading scifi. They were in perfect balance within the story.
It's a standalone! As a person who reads about a million ongoing series, having a standalone is refreshing.
This book is gritty. This book does not shy away from violence, sex, and other human dynamics.
Characters you'll fall in love with. Colleen's story is tragic and yet you know she's going to fight this world with all she has for her lost niece.
Art that is TO DIE FOR. Ohhhhh my gosh, Molly's art is absolutely stunning. This is a graphic novel where the page layouts, colors, and facial expressions tell as much of the story as the words do.
Five Reasons You Need to Read Shattered Warrior
Multi-faceted story with scifi and romance elements. I am such a sucker for a good romance story and I think everyone knows how much I love reading scifi. They were in perfect balance within the story.
It's a standalone! As a person who reads about a million ongoing series, having a standalone is refreshing.
This book is gritty. This book does not shy away from violence, sex, and other human dynamics.
Characters you'll fall in love with. Colleen's story is tragic and yet you know she's going to fight this world with all she has for her lost niece.
Art that is TO DIE FOR. Ohhhhh my gosh, Molly's art is absolutely stunning. This is a graphic novel where the page layouts, colors, and facial expressions tell as much of the story as the words do.
Finding a good mystery in YA is tough. Many adult mysteries are focused around something criminal, and often murder. Harder to put a teen in those circumstances. It's not a shock to me that Sky Pony's The Bakersville Dozen hits the spot for mystery for me (because I adore everything they put out).
Our senior year would have been so much different without this stupid video.
We live in a digital age, where bullying takes place in cyberspace and no one really shuts off. So when twelve girls at Bakersville are secretly taped and given slanderous nicknames, you think it can't get much worse. Until they start going missing. And here begins our version of Clue - but instead of "Who killed Mary in the dining room with the candlestick?" it's "Who made this tape and how is it connected to girls who are going missing...and then some."
“She has to be breathing.” Tripp leaned down, his cheek inches from Becca’s puffy mouth. “I don’t think so.” We’d failed. On every level.
Mystery is one of my favorite genres but so often the mystery isn't a mystery at all, it's just sensationalism. What I loved the most about The Bakersville Dozen is at some point, I suspected every single person. I was just chuckling to myself while looking at my notes. "It's totally x" "Well, it can't be x, can it?" EVERYONE is a suspect and I honestly did not figure it out along the way.
I was pretty sure their thoughts were an exact echo of my own—It could have been me. It could have been me. Holy fucking shit, it could have been me . I felt it then, my responsibility to keep them safe weighing heavier than ever.
Tension is high when everyone is under the microscope. I'm talking edge of your seat, one sitting kind of tension. Surviving your senior year is tough enough without the extra possibility that you could be kidnapped and it could be your brother/boyfriend/best friend/the police.
Trust no one.
Our senior year would have been so much different without this stupid video.
We live in a digital age, where bullying takes place in cyberspace and no one really shuts off. So when twelve girls at Bakersville are secretly taped and given slanderous nicknames, you think it can't get much worse. Until they start going missing. And here begins our version of Clue - but instead of "Who killed Mary in the dining room with the candlestick?" it's "Who made this tape and how is it connected to girls who are going missing...and then some."
“She has to be breathing.” Tripp leaned down, his cheek inches from Becca’s puffy mouth. “I don’t think so.” We’d failed. On every level.
Mystery is one of my favorite genres but so often the mystery isn't a mystery at all, it's just sensationalism. What I loved the most about The Bakersville Dozen is at some point, I suspected every single person. I was just chuckling to myself while looking at my notes. "It's totally x" "Well, it can't be x, can it?" EVERYONE is a suspect and I honestly did not figure it out along the way.
I was pretty sure their thoughts were an exact echo of my own—It could have been me. It could have been me. Holy fucking shit, it could have been me . I felt it then, my responsibility to keep them safe weighing heavier than ever.
Tension is high when everyone is under the microscope. I'm talking edge of your seat, one sitting kind of tension. Surviving your senior year is tough enough without the extra possibility that you could be kidnapped and it could be your brother/boyfriend/best friend/the police.
Trust no one.
Maybe you missed my obsession coverage of ReMade, a YA weekly serial that I gushed over for 15 weeks in the fall/winter. NOT A PROBLEM because we are back today with another amazing serial - Geek Actually!
I've been intrigued by the other serials but it wasn't until I saw Geek Actually that I pulled the trigger. An ongoing series focused around a group of geeky women? Yes. YES. Sign me up.
In WTF, we are introduced to Michelle, the editor trying to hold together the deadline, Aditi, her friend who is learning the ropes of being a fantasy writer (clue: it's more than just the writing!), Neesha, the gaming engineer who is living in a man's world, and Elli, who is basically me haha.
I loved getting a little window into their lives (especially Aditi, who gives us a little more insight at the end of the episode). I enjoyed seeing this set of women with diverse "geekdoms" come together and overall just live their lives. Make no mistake, this is an adult serial that checks all the boxes!
Come back weekly for mini reviews, including next week when I will review 1.2 and 1.3 together! As always, the first episode is free on audio and ebook - so you can try it out!
I've been intrigued by the other serials but it wasn't until I saw Geek Actually that I pulled the trigger. An ongoing series focused around a group of geeky women? Yes. YES. Sign me up.
In WTF, we are introduced to Michelle, the editor trying to hold together the deadline, Aditi, her friend who is learning the ropes of being a fantasy writer (clue: it's more than just the writing!), Neesha, the gaming engineer who is living in a man's world, and Elli, who is basically me haha.
I loved getting a little window into their lives (especially Aditi, who gives us a little more insight at the end of the episode). I enjoyed seeing this set of women with diverse "geekdoms" come together and overall just live their lives. Make no mistake, this is an adult serial that checks all the boxes!
Come back weekly for mini reviews, including next week when I will review 1.2 and 1.3 together! As always, the first episode is free on audio and ebook - so you can try it out!
Maybe you missed my obsession coverage of ReMade, a YA weekly serial that I gushed over for 15 weeks in the fall/winter. NOT A PROBLEM because we are back today with another amazing serial - Geek Actually!
Episode 2, The Invisible Woman, introduces us to Christina and Vivi, while giving us a deeper look into Taneesha's world of mansplaining. I thought Vivi was going to be an annoying character that caused tension and instead I got a complex character that I quickly fell in love with. I love the dynamic between her and Christina (read it and you'll know what I mean 😉). On the flip side, Taneesha speaks up during a meeting and gets shot down. I was so ready to reach through the audio and strangle the little snot who called her out. I hope he trips while getting his morning coffee.
Episode 2, The Invisible Woman, introduces us to Christina and Vivi, while giving us a deeper look into Taneesha's world of mansplaining. I thought Vivi was going to be an annoying character that caused tension and instead I got a complex character that I quickly fell in love with. I love the dynamic between her and Christina (read it and you'll know what I mean 😉). On the flip side, Taneesha speaks up during a meeting and gets shot down. I was so ready to reach through the audio and strangle the little snot who called her out. I hope he trips while getting his morning coffee.
