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lisashelves's Reviews (976)
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book via BookOfMatchesMedia in exchange for an honest review!
They Stay is a book about Shiloh, whose little brother Max goes missing. When her detective father doesn’t really do anything to find him, she decides to find Max herself with the help of some friends.
We follow two different POV’s from two characters, but I fail to see how these two will intertwine. The point is finding out where Max is, so the ghosts and everything feel a bit weird and added on. Later on in the story it becomes clearer what is happening and why the ghosts are needed, but it doesn’t take away from the weird and confused parts in the beginning.
The different POV’s also followed different sub plots which were a bit harder to navigate at the beginning, once everything came together it was easier to read. A lot happens in this book that is quite heavy to read, but the feeling you got while reading fitted with what you were reading about. Nothing was sugar coated, something I really appreciate.
It feels very juvenile. I’m not the biggest fan of the characters as they feel childish and immature. Shiloh especially felt a bit immature in the beginning. She just did everything she wanted to do and didn’t really think things through. On the other hand, I loved the vulnerability we got to see from her and the growth all the characters went through. I also liked how all the characters interacted with each other.
Overall, it was a good book that dealt with some pretty heavy topics. I am curious to see what a sequel will bring to this world.
Trigger Warnings: This book contains physical and mental abuse, death, kidnapping, gun violence, alcohol abuse, references to suicide, bullying, fade-to-black intimacy, implied sexual abuse (non-graphic), and mild adult language.
They Stay is a book about Shiloh, whose little brother Max goes missing. When her detective father doesn’t really do anything to find him, she decides to find Max herself with the help of some friends.
We follow two different POV’s from two characters, but I fail to see how these two will intertwine. The point is finding out where Max is, so the ghosts and everything feel a bit weird and added on. Later on in the story it becomes clearer what is happening and why the ghosts are needed, but it doesn’t take away from the weird and confused parts in the beginning.
The different POV’s also followed different sub plots which were a bit harder to navigate at the beginning, once everything came together it was easier to read. A lot happens in this book that is quite heavy to read, but the feeling you got while reading fitted with what you were reading about. Nothing was sugar coated, something I really appreciate.
It feels very juvenile. I’m not the biggest fan of the characters as they feel childish and immature. Shiloh especially felt a bit immature in the beginning. She just did everything she wanted to do and didn’t really think things through. On the other hand, I loved the vulnerability we got to see from her and the growth all the characters went through. I also liked how all the characters interacted with each other.
Overall, it was a good book that dealt with some pretty heavy topics. I am curious to see what a sequel will bring to this world.
Trigger Warnings: This book contains physical and mental abuse, death, kidnapping, gun violence, alcohol abuse, references to suicide, bullying, fade-to-black intimacy, implied sexual abuse (non-graphic), and mild adult language.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 4 stars
Thank you to Bookofmatchesmedia and Eris Marriott for gifting me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Remember the stars is about Clarisse, who wants to be free of her parents and The Church of Life, who believe she is cursed.
The book feels like it has two storylines. The first storyline, the beginning, is about Clarisse trying to escape her home, trying to get away from all the abuse that has been happening for years. The second storyline is more about her trying to find herself in the world and trying to find out if Death or Terrance has her best interest at heart.
The story takes place in the modern world, but with magic added. The magic was a bit vague from time to time and I would’ve liked a bit more explanation as to what it could do and the costs. Also, the other worlds that were briefly mentioned grabbed my attention, but not much was said about them.
I loved reading about Clarisse’s progression from someone who was constantly beaten down to someone who stood up for herself and took matters in her own hands. Her strength development was truly amazing. She did sometimes seem younger than she was, but that could also be because of the sheltered way she grew up. All of it added to making very realistic characters. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Terrance at the beginning. It all just seemed a bit to convenient and I had my doubts. He did really redeem himself in the second part of the book. The same could be said about Death. Both treated Clarisse way better than anyone before and in the way they thought was best. Both wanted her to prosper and tried helping her in any way they could. It had a bit of found family vibes which I really liked.
The ending was completely heartbreaking but super realistic and, in my opinion, the perfect ending to this book. It was surprising and not at the same time.
Overall, it was a very beautiful book about finding one’s strength and learning to stand on your own feet in the world. I’m looking forward to more in this world.
Thank you to Bookofmatchesmedia and Eris Marriott for gifting me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Remember the stars is about Clarisse, who wants to be free of her parents and The Church of Life, who believe she is cursed.
The book feels like it has two storylines. The first storyline, the beginning, is about Clarisse trying to escape her home, trying to get away from all the abuse that has been happening for years. The second storyline is more about her trying to find herself in the world and trying to find out if Death or Terrance has her best interest at heart.
The story takes place in the modern world, but with magic added. The magic was a bit vague from time to time and I would’ve liked a bit more explanation as to what it could do and the costs. Also, the other worlds that were briefly mentioned grabbed my attention, but not much was said about them.
I loved reading about Clarisse’s progression from someone who was constantly beaten down to someone who stood up for herself and took matters in her own hands. Her strength development was truly amazing. She did sometimes seem younger than she was, but that could also be because of the sheltered way she grew up. All of it added to making very realistic characters. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Terrance at the beginning. It all just seemed a bit to convenient and I had my doubts. He did really redeem himself in the second part of the book. The same could be said about Death. Both treated Clarisse way better than anyone before and in the way they thought was best. Both wanted her to prosper and tried helping her in any way they could. It had a bit of found family vibes which I really liked.
The ending was completely heartbreaking but super realistic and, in my opinion, the perfect ending to this book. It was surprising and not at the same time.
Overall, it was a very beautiful book about finding one’s strength and learning to stand on your own feet in the world. I’m looking forward to more in this world.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 4 stars
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book via BookOfMatchesMedia in exchange for an honest review!
A Light in the Sky is a story about Aluma, a girl who has always dreamed of becoming an aerial warrior astride an Empyrean Steed. When her father is tragically injured, she gets the chance to compete to become everything she has ever dreamed of.
As someone who has loved horses for as long as she can remember, I’m always looking for a good story which involves horses! Put wings on those horses and it’s even better, so I couldn’t wait to start reading this book.
This story has a bit of an old-school YA vibe. It actually reminded me a lot of Percy Jackson as far as the vibe goes. Both books are kind of straight forward with worldbuilding, characters and the way the story is going. While it was predictable, I still enjoyed it quite a lot.
I also liked how the plot was just straight forward and fast-paced. You don’t spend forever on the tournament or anything which could make a story boring or dragged out.
Aluma seemed really young to me and thus a bit rash and naïve in her actions sometimes. I actually wanted to scream a lot of times to get her head in the game hehe. Other characters I really enjoyed, although I had a hard time with their complex names. I would’ve liked for the secondary characters to be a little more developed/detailed.
I loved the relationship Aluma has with her father! While not much of him is seen in the book, he has a powerful presence since the beginning. As far as the romantic relationships went, I wasn’t really a fan. In general, I’m not a fan of love triangles because most of the time they aren’t really done well or just super cringy. The love triangle in this book falls in the last category unfortunately even though it is a classic one. I hope in the second book that will resolve itself.
The ending seemed a bit abrupt after everything that happened before. Overall, the missions the cast went on were a bit immature and hasty in general but the ending one was the cherry on top. Especially with the way the magic was brought forward and used. It seemed a bit convenient and I still don't grasp the whole concept of "light" and "dark".
Overall, I really enjoyed this story with its pegasi and magic and look forward to future books in the series.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book via BookOfMatchesMedia in exchange for an honest review!
A Light in the Sky is a story about Aluma, a girl who has always dreamed of becoming an aerial warrior astride an Empyrean Steed. When her father is tragically injured, she gets the chance to compete to become everything she has ever dreamed of.
As someone who has loved horses for as long as she can remember, I’m always looking for a good story which involves horses! Put wings on those horses and it’s even better, so I couldn’t wait to start reading this book.
This story has a bit of an old-school YA vibe. It actually reminded me a lot of Percy Jackson as far as the vibe goes. Both books are kind of straight forward with worldbuilding, characters and the way the story is going. While it was predictable, I still enjoyed it quite a lot.
I also liked how the plot was just straight forward and fast-paced. You don’t spend forever on the tournament or anything which could make a story boring or dragged out.
Aluma seemed really young to me and thus a bit rash and naïve in her actions sometimes. I actually wanted to scream a lot of times to get her head in the game hehe. Other characters I really enjoyed, although I had a hard time with their complex names. I would’ve liked for the secondary characters to be a little more developed/detailed.
I loved the relationship Aluma has with her father! While not much of him is seen in the book, he has a powerful presence since the beginning. As far as the romantic relationships went, I wasn’t really a fan. In general, I’m not a fan of love triangles because most of the time they aren’t really done well or just super cringy. The love triangle in this book falls in the last category unfortunately even though it is a classic one. I hope in the second book that will resolve itself.
The ending seemed a bit abrupt after everything that happened before. Overall, the missions the cast went on were a bit immature and hasty in general but the ending one was the cherry on top. Especially with the way the magic was brought forward and used. It seemed a bit convenient and I still don't grasp the whole concept of "light" and "dark".
Overall, I really enjoyed this story with its pegasi and magic and look forward to future books in the series.
