emmreadsbooks's Reviews (1.28k)

I can't really put my finger on why I didn't like this book. Normally I'm all for YA books about queer youth and prisons. But something just missed the mark here, and I think it might have been too soon after COVID for me to read a book about plagues. That being said, Nijkamp certainly succeeded in forcing a visceral reaction out of me and created a gothic apocalyptic setting. I also really enjoyed the representation in Logan and Emerson. Might just be a case of the right book at the wrong time.

*Thank you to Sourcebooks FIRE and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*

If you're reading this, clear your evening. You won't want (or be able) to put it down. Told through a mix of text messages and prose, we follow Bailey as she processes the grief of her best friend's death by creating an AI version to chat with. The idea of talking to someone after their death is nothing new, but the machine learning twist on it makes it feel wholly unique and simultaneously realistic. And as Bailey looks into Vanessa's passing, the truth about her best friend comes out... for better or for worse. I think this book does an excellent job of depicting different methods of grief, and how it comes in shades. This book is absolutely devastating and should be read while wrapped in a cozy blanket. And while you're at it, grab some Pop Rocks. You'll need them.

*Thank you to Quill Tree Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

The high energy of the The Extraordinaries remains in Flash Fire, but amped up to the extreme. But Nick gets a little too busy for his fic, instead focusing his energies on marketing Pyrostorm. The twitter, the merch, oh god I was laughing. But we also get to follow up on unresolved threads from the first book which made my completionist heart so happy. Plus we get the best hero ever in Miss Conduct, so get ready!

BTW, you need to read past the acknowledgements because HOOOOOOOO BOYYYYY. That was a drop that I wasn't suspecting and I'm biting my nails in anticipation for Heat Wave.

This book is perfect for fans of the Caraval series, especially if you were a fan of Jacks. While we don't find ourselves in the middle of a dangerous game, we get the beautiful Nocte Neverending - a courting ceremony that lasts until the prince has found a bride. I feel like the writing has really evolved since the Caraval series, providing many more twists and turns. Plus there's the gorgeously imaginative fashion and the ever devious Jacks!

My only complaint is that once things started heating up, the book just ended! Hopefully the sequel picks up right where we left off, because I have SO many questions.

This book is SO SO good! It's a mix of urban fantasy and a mystery, with just enough horror thrown in to give you the chills. Elatsoe is such a strong character who's forced to push through all of this grief over her cousin's murder, though I wish that we'd gotten to explore her asexuality more than just a throwaway comment. But what's more important is how we get to explore her Lipan Apache culture and see the world through her eyes. Texas got a whole lot more terrifying in this book and I'd love to see more set in this world.

Plus there's a ghost dog who is the bestest boy and I want to hug.

This book was just what I needed - a breath of fresh air and an escape into nature. To be honest, I hadn't read Float Plan and didn't even know this was a companion book going into it. So for a book like this to really shine on its own says a lot. Rachel had spunk and gorgeous interior design ideas, and I loved how she and Mason interacted. A craft beer maker? Love it! Her relationship with Maisie also really grew within the story and every Yokai moment made me squeal. I honestly just want to live in this book. Save me a cabin for the summer!

*Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I really just need to stop reading about the Trojan War because it just makes me depressed. That being said, I really enjoyed the different perspectives in this book. I'd never heard from Calliope or Eris before! I also liked how it was a non-linear timeline, so we could flash back to the causes of the war. This is a really fresh take on the typical Trojan War retelling.

I never thought that I'd be reading an agricultural thriller, but here we are! And these corn fields hold a loooot of secrets. We get a lot of different storylines in this book - varying from processing the trauma of a sexual assault to investigating the pharmaceutical drug trade to political espionage. At times I had some issues keeping all of the storylines straight, but I did feel like everything worked in the book. Some of the dialogue was a little clunky at times and the first 20% of the book was pretty slow for thriller standards. If you're a fan of Criminal Minds, you'll love the procedural elements of this book.

*Thank you to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

QUEER MASTERCHEF - NEED I SAY MORE??

Oh really? I do? Okay.

I honestly went into this book expecting a culinary romance, but was oh so pleased when it was also an LGBT romance. London and Dahlia have undeniable chemistry both in and out of the kitchen which leads to some very steamy scenes. But more than that, they delve into personal trauma over transitioning, divorce, and children that really humanizes the characters. Personally I wish there were some recipes at the back of the book because lord knows it left me hungry...

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I don't know what I was expecting when I started this book - maybe something akin to a viral disease leading to an apocalypse and a teen navigating the world as it rebuilt. That's.... kind of what I got.

Except add aliens.

Honestly I would've been WAY more pumped to read this if I'd known that extraterrestrials were in the picture! We still get to examine the deep relationships that form between Paige and Trey, as well as meet some amazing characters in Tanq (yes with a Q), Wyatt, and Manny. At times it seemed a little far-fetched, but this is a book about first contact so I'm willing to let it slide.

This book was even better on audio, as it made Paige's isolation come through so strongly. Plus I'm a sucker for a narrator who does the fun sound effects, especially when they're explosions and sci fi blasts. Also this book features the BESTEST girl Emmeline, so I was a happy camper.

*Thank you to Harper Audio for the ALC and HarperCollins for the gifted copy!*