This book has been on my TBR for what feels like years…because it was literally years. Seven to be exact. I don’t know why I kept putting it off. I truly have no excuse. Anyways, I’m so glad that Lenore from Celebrity Readers asked if I’d like to buddy read it with her because it would most likely still be on my TBR shelf if she hadn’t. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner is the first in a series of standalone novels called Starboard. This one features Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen and their survival after a spaceliner crashes.

I started off reading this one as I had a Kindle copy that I purchased years ago, and I just could not get into the story. Not because I wasn’t enjoying it (I was), I was having a hard time focusing. That is all on me y’all and my headspace at the time I was reading the book. So I switched to audio and finished in like two days. The audiobook is fantastic. The narrators are spot on. I loved Johnathan McClain (I believe he is the one reading for Tarver). He brought the character to life, and where I was struggling to connect he helped me picture Tarver and fully fleshed him out in my mind. There are three narrators for this one. One for Tarver, one for Lilac, and one for a guard who questions Tarver after they are rescued. That is one thing about the book, you know that rescue will eventually come because of the questioning that occurs between the chapters. I actually liked this tactic. It added a little to the suspense because you know they survive but you have no idea what is coming for them next.

Now on to the characters

I received an eARC of this book via the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

What an incredible ending! Honestly I want more, but I’m also satisfied with it. Beyond the End of the World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner picks up a few weeks after the ending of The Other Side of the Sky. North and Nimh are separated with Nimh going to Alciel with Inshara at her heel and North being trapped Below. The stakes are higher with both their worlds hanging in the balance.

Overall I really loved Beyond the End of the World. North and Nimh are so easy to root for. I love the two together, what they represent and the different lives they’ve lived up to this point. I really enjoyed seeing the ski cities through Nimh’s eyes. And the world-building! Kaufman & Spooner have created an entire culture here in a setting that is both beautiful and deadly. The foreshadowing is also spot on. I would love to go back and reread it now that I know the ending so I can pick up on all the hints along the way. While I’m sad that it has ended, I’m also satisfied with the conclusion. If you are a fan of YA science fiction with a touch of romance and a heap of adventure, I highly recommend this one.

See the entire review here on YA Books Central

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the contents of this review.

This one had so much promise, but did not live up to my expectations. Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau is billed as a rom-com, diverse/own voices, and (for me) set in another country so I was excited to dive in. If it wasn’t for the fact that this was an ARC read that I was buddy reading, I would have DNFed it. I hate doing that to any book, but I just didn’t enjoy it at all. Donut Fall in Love follows Lindsey, a local bakery owner, and Ryan, a Hollywood celebrity, as they navigate first friendship and then something a little more.

What I Liked:
I really enjoyed the banter between Ryan and his dad. Losing his mom suddenly a few months prior has left Ryan to fill her shoes. Ryan and his dad do not understand each other, and as a result butt heads at every turn. I have to give his dad credit though. He is trying, in his own roundabout way, to connect with his son.

I also liked Lindsey’s interactions with her friends and roommate. This is the only time I felt like Lindsey was fully fleshed out. Vivian and Noreen made me feel something for her. I also enjoyed the baking scenes…made me a little hungry to be honest

I received an eARC of this book via the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

What an end to a fantastic series! Death by Laura Thalassa is the final book in her series The Four Horsemen, and, boy, does it deliver. I savored this one, limiting how much I read each day, because y’all I did not want it to end. It is no secret that Thalassa is one of my all-time favorite writers, an auto-buy for me, and I eagerly wait each of her books. This one did a number on me though. She put me through the wringer before she pieced me back together again. Death exceeded all expectations, plus we get to see all the Horsemen together at last.

I love Lazarus. She is a tortured soul, surviving against all odds (even a broken neck). Every time she faces death, she is resurrected, immortal but no one knows why. She is bitter and enraged for most of this book and understandably so. She was orphaned as a young child, surviving what killed her parents, raised by another family only to stand helplessly alive when Death rides through her town. She is an enigma and one that Death must solve if he is to complete his mission.

Of all the Horsemen, Death was the hardest for me to reconcile my feelings for. Each of them has had a redeeming quality of some kind. Death seemingly has none. He is ruthless and unmerciful. At least that is what you are supposed to think and feel for him from the outset. With each encounter with Lazarus, we get to know him better. Death wormed his way into my heart, and while I still wouldn’t say he’s my favorite of the Horsemen, he is definitely in the running to be.

This book is the culmination of the series arc. For the first time, we see all four of the Horsemen together. Lazarus is the only character to interact with all of them in the series so far, and I was so excited to see them all again. Pestilence, War, and Famine have their own agenda for stopping Death, but they need Lazarus’s help to do so. I love the dynamic and banter between these characters. It is so much fun. Thalassa captures sibling rivalry well and kicks it up a notch with the paranormal powers at play.

And I cannot talk about this book without mentioning romance because at its heart, that is exactly what this book is: a romance. As I already mentioned, it took a little while for Death to worm his way into my heart. Same is true of Lazarus. She sees a kindred spirit in him, another tortured soul, doomed to live alone for eternity. But she also begins to see the good in him. Despite how humanity treats him (and rightfully so when they are scared and trying to live), Death gives them a swift and merciful death, not a long tortured one. And just like his brothers, Death controls life, meaning he can end it as swiftly as he can heal it.

Overall, I really enjoyed Death. Thalassa should be proud of this series and how she was able to craft this post-apocalyptic dystopian and create romance and joy in the midst of all the chaos. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each book. While they do standalone from each other, I highly recommend that they be read in order. If you are a fan of paranormal romance, I highly recommend it!

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

“Ethiopian-inspired debut fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre” is a perfect description of this book. Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood is a fantastic, often times dark fantasy that I did not want to sit down. Following a young woman trying to make a name for herself, the story unfolds in the cursed mansion of handsome Mr. Rochester.

The story begins with Andromeda, a debtera (exorcist), being hired to cleanse a house of the Evil Eye. I really like Andromeda. At a young age, she was sold to a house of ill-repute by her parents and bought by a highly skilled, highly bitter debtera. Her life hasn’t been kind. The old man was cruel, but he made a point to make sure Andromeda could care for herself. She is brave, empathetic, and determined. What she isn’t prepared for is to fall in love.

Magnus Rochester is the wealthy, handsome owner of a cursed mansion. Every night the walls of the house come alive with evil spirits, killing servants and haunting Rochester every moment. He is like a child at times, naive and joyful. But at others, he is haunted by the things he has seen and heard in his house.

I’m not familiar with Ethiopian culture so I had to do a fair amount of looking things up, but that was my own curious nature. The author does a fabulous job of explaining through the characters what some of the words I was unfamiliar with meant. The blending of this culture is done seamlessly with the classic Jane Eyre. I loved being able to link one of my favorites to this story. The haunting nature and gothic tones from the classic work well with the story Blackwood weaves.

Overall, I really enjoyed Within These Wicked Walls. Both it’s haunting nature and gothic-style romance added a bit of mystery and suspense to the story. I loved the paranormal elements of the Evil Eye and how the curse brought the two characters together. If you are a fan of fantasy retellings, you are in for a treat. I highly recommend this one!

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

It’s been a long time since I picked up a thriller to read, and I am so glad it was this one! I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga is the first in a series about the son of a serial killer and his hunt for a murderer who is following in his father’s footsteps. This one has been on my TBR for what feels like forever. I have an arc dating back to when I joined Netgalley (darn those free ones). I attempted a few times to get into it, but something just wasn’t clicking for me so I decided to try the audio, and oh boy! I devoured it. Charlie Thurston brings Jazz to life in a way that reading it simply didn’t do for me.

Jazz is an interesting character. Raised by his dad until he was 13, Jazz is haunted by the things his father taught him. He’s extremely smart to his own detriment, and it’s this cunning that gets him pegged as a suspect in the new string of murders that look an awfully lot like his dad’s victims. Jazz is easy to like, even when he crept me out. His dedication to prove that he isn’t his father sets him apart from the psycho that is in fact dear old dad.

What softened me to Jazz are his relationships with his girlfriend Connie and his best friend Howie. Connie and Howie humanize Jazz, keep him sane, and remind him that he is not his father. Howie is the comic relief, finding himself in trouble time and again, but he is who Jazz relies on the most. I like how the author built this friendship into the story.

The Impressionist who Jazz is working with the police to stop is haunting and creepy. This book takes me back to the 1990s when slasher movies were having their heyday. While this book is classified as YA, there is plenty of gore and violence, mayhem and crime to keep even adults entertained.

Overall, I really enjoyed I Hunt Killers. The suspense, the shocking ending, and Jazz’s struggle with his identity will leave you thinking about the story long after the pages end. If you are a fan of thriller/suspense, I highly recommend it.

Updated Review (1/2022):
This is my second time reading American Royals, and it is just as good as the first! I decided to listen to the audiobook, as I had read an ARC of the book back in 2019 when it first came out. The narrator is fantastic! I had no problems discerning which POV she was in, and she really brought the four girls to life. Here are some take aways from this read through:

-Beatrice is my favorite POV this time. She’s the eldest, and her position to inherit the crown along with the secrets she carries held my interest. I’m hopeless romantic

An interesting spin on Rumpelstiltskin and a sweet budding romance all wrapped in one pretty package! The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine is the second book in her standalone fantasy series Ravenspire. Each book retells a classic fairy tale, set in the same world with brief mentions of previous characters so it can truly be enjoyed without reading book one. Bargains with the Fae always come with a price as Thad Glavan learns when he wishes for the safety of his sister and receives a kingdom in return.

Arianna Glavan and her twin brother are the bastard children of the king of Súndraille, never meant to rule. When he, his wife and legitimate heir die of illness, Ari and Thad find themselves back in the castle, Thad as the new king and Ari a crowned princess. The shift from peasant to princess is hard for Ari. She struggles with the change in roles and relies heavily on her brother for help. But he is keeping a secret, his soul is forfeit to the Wish Granter in ten years time and she will be named as his heir. To save her brother and her kingdom, Ari has to find the courage and strength she didn’t know she had.

I love Ari! She is not at all your typical princess in looks or attitude. She’s got a full figure, loves to bake and eat, and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Her loyalty to her brother and friends is endearing. It also bolsters her actions. I love how she befriends Sebastian, the new and quite young weapon’s master. Ari treats everyone the same, no matter their class.

Sebastian is a beautifully broken character. Having spent his childhood in the slums with an abusive father, he is determined to be the opposite of what people expect of him. He doesn’t like to be touched, he’s skittish in a way that I haven’t seen in a character before. I like how Redwine handles this with care. She shows his emotions through his actions/reactions to others and walks us through his broken thought process. My heart ached for him, and I loved how Ari is able to read him in such a short time.

The Wish Granter himself is a phenomenal character. He is one of those morally gray villains that you hate to love or love to hate. Going by the name Alistair Teague, he has set up a sort of mob-like atmosphere in Kosim Thallis, where Sebastian is from. He makes the rules, and no one dares to break them. He grants wishes to those that are desperate and in return takes their souls. He is truly horrific, but (and you knew that was coming) his reasoning for doing so is heartbreaking.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Wish Granter. Ari and Sebastian are so easy to root for. Their romance is made sweeter by the friendship that starts it. The details to the story, the urgency of saving Thad from his fate, and the Wish Granter himself add a haunting beauty. I love Redwine’s twist on Rumpelstiltskin. She humanized him, making him relatable. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings and fantasy romance, I highly recommend this one.

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

This is one of those stories that will stick with me for a long time. It left me utterly bereft and broken, and yet I can say that it is one of the best stories I’ve read in a long time. Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher is a story full of first loves, stolen moments, and the mood swings that come with being a teenager. Written with a distinct and unique voice, Schumacher transported me back in time to my own high school days, to the excitement surrounding a game day, to the band playing our fight song, and to the memories made. The story unfolds around Anna and Weston, two band members who know but don’t know each other, each struggling in their own ways, and finding that maybe together they won’t have to struggle so hard.

Anna and Weston couldn’t be more different. Anna has a bubbly personality, always smiling, always trying to find the good and always trying to be her best. Weston can be off-putting, quiet and reserved, haunted by his parents’ divorce a year earlier. And yet, they bring out the best in each other. They find a way to fill in the places that they feel are empty within themselves together. Anna sees Weston in a way that no one else does. She understands him and his shadows because she has her own. She pushes him out of his comfort zone and shows him that if he’d let others see him as she does, he wouldn’t be lonely.

I love how Schumacher handles mental illness in this book. It isn’t named as such (like as depression or anxiety), but instead described in terms that a teen would describe it. Anna describes hers as the shadows on the wall, creeping in on her and keeping her in the dark. Weston’s is a barren wildfire, consuming everything in its path. I related to these descriptions, remember the feeling of being lonely in a crowded room at their age, not fitting in but trying to.

I also love the duality of the band duet they practice together and the bird from an old school report. These two themes carry throughout the book. A call and a response. Anna’s first introduction to Weston in the story is her begging for his help with her part of their assigned duet, and he answers her call. She responds by helping with homework. A reluctant friendship forms into something more, and it is beautiful to read.

I cannot write a review of this book without talking about the major plot twist. I’m going to place it in spoiler tags here, read at your own risk.

Spoiler

I knew in my gut that something bad was going to happen to Weston. I had read the blurb (which is a HUGE clue) when I first received the book for review, but had obviously forgotten it. I decided to reread the blurb and I just knew he was going to die. His death is made all the more heartbreaking in that Schumacher gives us as the reader a chance to know and love him as Anna does. Just like how she handles mental illness, Schumacher handles Anna’s grief with reverence. It is so real and heartfelt. Her initial numbness to when she feels as if she is breaking is true to life. I ached for Anna and Ratio, Weston’s friend. I sobbed, ugly crying through the last 20% of the book and even now as I write my review.

These characters are so true to life. Their joy and heartbreak become yours as the reader. And I personally feel like that is the mark of not just a good author, but a great one.

Overall, despite shattering my heart into a million pieces, I loved Full Flight. Anna and Weston are a beautiful representation of what it is like to be a teen in love for the first time. I highly recommend it.