Take a photo of a barcode or cover
I love everything that Charlie N. Holmberg has written and this book was no different. A lovely, soft fantasy with just enough magic and a beautiful folktale style story that had me hooked from the very beginning. The plot explores love and family in such a way that wrenched my heart more than once and I was simply in love with the characters.
Charlie mentioned on her Instagram once that if you need a book character to love, you just create one...well, she's gone and done it. I have a definite book crush on Ristriel. To be perfectly fair, I kind of fell in love with The Sun as well.
This book gave me all the feels. It filled my heart and then smashed it to pieces. And I was totally cool with it. Just so much love for this story. Charlie Holmberg can write her grocery list on a piece of paper and I'm sure I would be enthralled by it. She just has a beautiful way of words and I love every world and character she creates. What a magical power she has to create.
I'm very much looking forward to Star Father, the next book in the series...though I am extremely curious how the story will continue. Regardless, I'll just be happy to immerse myself in this world once again.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
Charlie mentioned on her Instagram once that if you need a book character to love, you just create one...well, she's gone and done it. I have a definite book crush on Ristriel. To be perfectly fair, I kind of fell in love with The Sun as well.
This book gave me all the feels. It filled my heart and then smashed it to pieces. And I was totally cool with it. Just so much love for this story. Charlie Holmberg can write her grocery list on a piece of paper and I'm sure I would be enthralled by it. She just has a beautiful way of words and I love every world and character she creates. What a magical power she has to create.
I'm very much looking forward to Star Father, the next book in the series...though I am extremely curious how the story will continue. Regardless, I'll just be happy to immerse myself in this world once again.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
Such a great read! I loved the writing style and the characters, especially Molly. She is a complex character with some social issues and quirks that indicate she may be neurodivergent, though this is not specified. Some readers take issue with this, but for me it makes sense given Molly's living condition and the way she was raised by her grandmother that she would not have been given any kind of label. I love that she is accepting of herself and that she finds ways to make her situation work.
The plot is very creatively written and the tension developed along the way was fantastic. This was a lighthearted mystery to some degree and I had a lot of fun with it. It was a book that I didn't want to put down.
There were some moments that felt a little overly stereotypical, where the writing could have used a bit more subtlety or finesse, but for a debut book this was magical. The Maid is a great, cozy read with a very lovable protagonist and fabulous discussions about inclusion, independence, and social invisibility. Loved it!
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
The plot is very creatively written and the tension developed along the way was fantastic. This was a lighthearted mystery to some degree and I had a lot of fun with it. It was a book that I didn't want to put down.
There were some moments that felt a little overly stereotypical, where the writing could have used a bit more subtlety or finesse, but for a debut book this was magical. The Maid is a great, cozy read with a very lovable protagonist and fabulous discussions about inclusion, independence, and social invisibility. Loved it!
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
I will now be commencing to read everything that Rachel Lynn Solomon has ever written. This was such an adorable and heartwarming story and I loved every little bit of it. Also, I have mentioned this before, but I'm totally a sucker for a time travel plot...ESPECIALLY a time loop. The characters are super cute and well-written.
Holy crap. This book was amazing. It yanked me right out of a reading slump and had me devouring it nearly entirely in one day. I could NOT walk away.
A bit of Frankenstein, a bit Dickens, a bit Sherlock Holmes, Anatomy is just a mesmerizing narrative that had me captivated from the beginning. Gothic, Victorian, and mysterious with a strong female protagonist. It has things that just get me excited to read.
The writing is excellent and the pacing just flies. The narrative is gritty and awesome, reflecting on the female situation in the early 19th century and the misogyny that strongly existed in this era with regard to employment, social standing, and the worth of opinion. Hazel is a badass female character and I freaking adored her.
The medical aspect of the book was awesome and I loved it so much. Not for the squeamish, but so freaking good otherwise. Just enough dark and weird to whet my appetite and I am chomping at the bit for more. There is some indication from the author that there may be a follow-up novel coming in the future and I could go ahead and take that right now thank you.
The ending is a bit rushed and there is something of an ambivalent ending, but if there is to be a continuation of this as a series...all good. I'm down for more. Let's do this thing.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
A bit of Frankenstein, a bit Dickens, a bit Sherlock Holmes, Anatomy is just a mesmerizing narrative that had me captivated from the beginning. Gothic, Victorian, and mysterious with a strong female protagonist. It has things that just get me excited to read.
The writing is excellent and the pacing just flies. The narrative is gritty and awesome, reflecting on the female situation in the early 19th century and the misogyny that strongly existed in this era with regard to employment, social standing, and the worth of opinion. Hazel is a badass female character and I freaking adored her.
The medical aspect of the book was awesome and I loved it so much. Not for the squeamish, but so freaking good otherwise. Just enough dark and weird to whet my appetite and I am chomping at the bit for more. There is some indication from the author that there may be a follow-up novel coming in the future and I could go ahead and take that right now thank you.
The ending is a bit rushed and there is something of an ambivalent ending, but if there is to be a continuation of this as a series...all good. I'm down for more. Let's do this thing.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
Adorable sci-fi middle grade read with real world implications. The pace in this was medium, but felt fast. I blew right through this book I was enjoying it so much. The concept is fantastic and integrates a good dystopian type narrative with messages about equality (or lack thereof) with regard to wealth, privilege, and opportunity.
The construction of the narrative is great. There is a mix of story with interjections by the "narrator". This was so cute and clever and I loved how it played into the plot.
There is bound to be controversy with regard to the analogy presented through the narrative, but I think it's important to view this through a middle grade lens. There are definitely imperfections in the construction (which I think is the case with most novels), but as a whole it provides a hopeful approach that things in society could someday get better. This is important for middle grade readers, though viewing it through an adult lens can make the social implications seem a bit too simplified.
In general, I feel like The School for Whatnots presents a great jumping off point for conversations regarding privilege. Middle grade readers are adept enough to begin understanding the way the world works and how life isn't always fair. Many of them likely have personal experience. Giving them a book to start understanding situations beyond their own lens or as a conversation piece for how to make the world better is important.
Margaret Peterson Haddix's inclusion of Josie as a character was crucial and I think she was handled well. Josie had insights that reveal some of the more important underlying emotional issues and the complexities of the decisions that the parents in the story are being forced to make.
A good, thought-provoking read that will be important to follow up with discussion for younger readers.
The construction of the narrative is great. There is a mix of story with interjections by the "narrator". This was so cute and clever and I loved how it played into the plot.
There is bound to be controversy with regard to the analogy presented through the narrative, but I think it's important to view this through a middle grade lens. There are definitely imperfections in the construction (which I think is the case with most novels), but as a whole it provides a hopeful approach that things in society could someday get better. This is important for middle grade readers, though viewing it through an adult lens can make the social implications seem a bit too simplified.
In general, I feel like The School for Whatnots presents a great jumping off point for conversations regarding privilege. Middle grade readers are adept enough to begin understanding the way the world works and how life isn't always fair. Many of them likely have personal experience. Giving them a book to start understanding situations beyond their own lens or as a conversation piece for how to make the world better is important.
Margaret Peterson Haddix's inclusion of Josie as a character was crucial and I think she was handled well. Josie had insights that reveal some of the more important underlying emotional issues and the complexities of the decisions that the parents in the story are being forced to make.
A good, thought-provoking read that will be important to follow up with discussion for younger readers.
Let's start this by me saying that I am not a fan of sports based fiction. It's not my thing. And so I was a LITTLE apprehensive going in to this even though I really love Taylor Jenkins Reid's work as a whole. It started off with me feeling validated in my worry as it focused on the ins and outs of Carrie Soto's tennis history.
But...then something happened. I didn't like Carrie to start with. I wasn't a fan of her in Malibu Rising and her personality is quite abrasive. But dang it if TJR didn't make me like her. The way she writes her characters is just freaking magic. Seriously. It comes out of nowhere and just grabs me. And the journey Carrie takes is really masterfully handled. She still remains her old "Battleaxe" self, but there is growth and it is so well done that it absolutely feels organic. I loved her and hated her at the same time. She is so perfectly flawed.
There is a lot about tennis in this novel, so lovers of the sport will undoubtedly feel even more attached to the plot, but a for a novice like me it was still written in a way that got me excited about the action and the sport itself. Who even am I? I can't tell you if it is 100% accurate, but it sure as heck felt like it. I have to believe that the research that went into understanding the sport was immersive because the detail and consistency was on point. I was absolutely riveted.
(Also...side note...I love the way TJR weaves a little bit of her previous works into her novels, so it was fun to read little Easter eggs from her other books in this one.)
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours and freaking felt it in my gut. A great story, a fantastic protagonist, and a level of charisma to the writing that has me on the edge of a full swoon.
But...then something happened. I didn't like Carrie to start with. I wasn't a fan of her in Malibu Rising and her personality is quite abrasive. But dang it if TJR didn't make me like her. The way she writes her characters is just freaking magic. Seriously. It comes out of nowhere and just grabs me. And the journey Carrie takes is really masterfully handled. She still remains her old "Battleaxe" self, but there is growth and it is so well done that it absolutely feels organic. I loved her and hated her at the same time. She is so perfectly flawed.
There is a lot about tennis in this novel, so lovers of the sport will undoubtedly feel even more attached to the plot, but a for a novice like me it was still written in a way that got me excited about the action and the sport itself. Who even am I? I can't tell you if it is 100% accurate, but it sure as heck felt like it. I have to believe that the research that went into understanding the sport was immersive because the detail and consistency was on point. I was absolutely riveted.
(Also...side note...I love the way TJR weaves a little bit of her previous works into her novels, so it was fun to read little Easter eggs from her other books in this one.)
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours and freaking felt it in my gut. A great story, a fantastic protagonist, and a level of charisma to the writing that has me on the edge of a full swoon.
I just love Marissa Meyer's style. I'll pretty much read whatever she writes at this point. I arrived a little bit late to the hype train, but I'm a solid passenger now.
This is a great retelling duology. I loved the characters and the atmosphere. The storyline is so clever and fun without being too cutesy. Do not expected a fluffy, happy-go-lucky telling with just a bit of villianry. The level of dark in this story is ample and fantastic.
I will admit that this wasn't quite as gripping as the first in the series, but I loved it all just the same. It is a little bit long and did slow down a couple of times, but the world building is on point and I love the historical background that gets built up for this multi-god world. It felt like a blend of Greek mythology and Rumpelstiltskin in the best ways possible.
Whatever she wants to write from here out, consider me down for it.
This is a great retelling duology. I loved the characters and the atmosphere. The storyline is so clever and fun without being too cutesy. Do not expected a fluffy, happy-go-lucky telling with just a bit of villianry. The level of dark in this story is ample and fantastic.
I will admit that this wasn't quite as gripping as the first in the series, but I loved it all just the same. It is a little bit long and did slow down a couple of times, but the world building is on point and I love the historical background that gets built up for this multi-god world. It felt like a blend of Greek mythology and Rumpelstiltskin in the best ways possible.
Whatever she wants to write from here out, consider me down for it.
