emmreadsbooks's Reviews (1.28k)

This book was good, but didn't live up to the previous 3 to me. Perhaps it's just because we keep adding characters to the ensemble cast, or because I predicted the majority of the plot twists throughout. But we do get to see Aru really grow as a person in this one, as she navigates the introduction of Kara to her friend group and a new and dangerous quest. The humor in this book is top notch with a few callbacks to our traditional Aru wit (DEE TWO!!). With all of that being said, I can't WAIT to see the finale of this series in 2022 (and hopefully Roshani will finally end a book without a cliffhanger).

Not the twistiest book of Mike Omer's that I've read, but there were still plenty of turns along the way. We follow Abby Mullen, a trained negotiator and former cultist, as she deals with questioning her own memory, rescuing her daughter from a hostage scenario, and infiltrating the Watchers conspiracy group. This book reads realistically, as I could imagine all of this happening in real life. The added detail of having the members of the Watchers be nicknamed after Lewis Carroll characters was amazing. The most interesting thread of this series remains - that of the Wilcox cult - and I can't wait to see more of it in the next book.

*Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This was honestly really enjoyable - just enough mystery to keep me guessing while also somehow feeling cozy amongst all the crime. From married couples missing that spark to a series of arsons in a small town, we really run the gamut of the crime genre. My personal favorite was "Slow Burner" where a suspicious wife spies on the texts from her husband's burner phone, but there were all sorts of gems in this collection. They're delectably diabolical and perfect for just a small taste of thriller before bed.

*Thank you to BiblioLifestyle and William Morrow for the gifted copy*

Calling this book tantalizing is spot on! Ryan La Sala writes the different facets of queerness so well, be it his wonderful descriptions of Mars' genderfluidity or the comparison of Mars and Tyler's approaches to Aspen. Not to mention his approach to horror - at first I'd honestly forgotten that this was a horror novel, but I was quickly reminded! I'd compare it to House of Hollow, as they're both gorgeously *aesthetic* but also feature some dark body horror. I loved the foreshadowing of the twists throughout, making them surprising while also lightly hinted at. And the CHARACTERS!! I loved Mars, Wyatt, Mimi, Bria, the list goes on... They all felt fleshed out and not superfluous to the plot. I could go on and on about this book, but it's a darkly beautiful horror novel that will keep you riveted.

*Thank you to Turn the Page Tours, Scholastic, and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

The best thing about an anthology is that you get a little bit of everything. Reinventing the one bed trope? Check! Hilarious antics that ensue when 2 teens are locked in a party store overnight? Done! And my personal favorite - a flash mob gone horribly wrong. Each story in the anthology is wildly different, from the tropes that they address to the types of love they discuss. My personal favorite was Liberty by Anna-Marie McLemore, because y'all know I love a good cheerleading story. I feel like this book is even better on audio because each story feels more episodic. When we switch authors, we switch narrators, and it really helps the anthology feel connected. This is seriously just a feel-good romcom anthology (for the most part), fit for any fans of YA or romance.

*Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*

Fantasy crime procedural? Don't mind if I do! As a fan of both genres, I found that this book was a nice mix. We get aspects of law and investigation paralleled by a fun magic system. I also really enjoyed that the vast majority of the book takes place in a prison. The pacing of this book is brutal and every little detail matters, but it suffers by being compared to Six of Crows and How To Get Away With Murder. I found the ending a bit abrupt and wish that we got to spend more time in each character's head. That being said, it's a world that I want to continue reading so sign me up for the sequel.

*Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for Young Readers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

It's a queer masterpiece. You get it all - a John Green inspired scavenger hunt, so many coming of age stories, and a rom-com subplot to end all rom-coms. I loved Chloe's quest for valedictorian and how it's so quickly derailed by her hunt for answers. The cast of characters is vibrant and diverse, each contributing their own personalities and perspectives to the story. There are just so many things going on in this book that it could be easy to lose a character like Georgia (for example), but Casey McQuiston does an excellent job of weaving each character into the story at critical junctions. And Shara Wheeler, OH SHARA WHEELER... She's no manic pixie dream girl. I don't want to spoil anything, but this book is a can't miss, quintessential book for the LGBTQIA+ community.

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This book adds the twins to the dynamic, which is a larger shift than I predicted. But dang if I didn't love seeing how the characters reacted to Nikita and Sheela. I found this book to be quite dynamic, especially when compared to The City of Gold. Aru really has her work cut out for her in this one as they search for the Tree of Wishes. And everything just goes full circle, I LOVE IT. Do we end up with a cliffhanger? Uh obviously, it's Roshani Chokshi. But it's a DANG GOOD ONE so I'm content.

Plus I die of happiness every time Roshani Chokshi references Home Depot, so there's that.

I loved this book. For context, I'm a research scientist with a mathematical background and still didn't find the focus on rethinking obsolete. Everyone can learn something from this book, whether it be how to negotiate with others, find common ground, or the value of reassessing your views. I found the audiobook highly enjoyable, especially since it was narrated by the author. You could really feel the passion he feels about this topic and it lended to his expertise. We get to hear stories from all over the world, be it the surprising effect Imposter Syndrome had on the presidential race in Iceland or a Black musician who changed the mind of a KKK leader. And the key to all of this is that none of this is preaching about constantly changing your mind, but rather the value of being open to new perspectives, finding the joy in being wrong, and taking a scientific approach to life. And THAT is something I can get behind.

*Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*