Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.25k reviews by:
paragraphsandpages
“I have no right to love you, but I do.”
Stars (Out of 10): 7/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: I am really glad Pattyn and her story got this sequel. She deserved to find happiness, or an ending at least. And I am glad that both Pattyn and her family got the ending they did, as it both creates a realistic story of abuse, and how much it can wreck lives and individuals, but still show that there can be more to life than that current situation, and creates a story to show abuse victims that there is a reason to try for something more.
The Good: The switching of POVs was well done, as each one ended on an event that garnered my attention, and made me curious for the coming POV of that character. This created a cycle of finding things to like about each section, and I felt a balance of interest in each POV. However, on top of that, I also just liked the plot, and how everything ended up clicking together after the hardship. In addition, I felt the book did a good job of discussing the tough subject of abuse, and advertising the importance of telling others of the situation, and trying to get out of it. It brought attention to the issue without painting it as “taboo” or a thing brought on the victim, and rather strived to correct that idea.
The Bad: The speed of a specific relationship involving Jackie felt unrealistic and far too quick. Also, while I liked most of the ambiguous, poetic beginning chapters of each POV, some felt like they didn’t fit, and they often pulled me out of the story a bit.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: I liked both the redemption found for some characters (such as the Mom), and the salvation found for others (Pattyn and Jackie). I also loved the new side characters we found, and it was a refreshing twist to the story to find people outside of the family or already established relationships that cared for Pattyn and Jackie, such as Gavin, Angel, Arianna, etc.
The Plot: I really liked this. While Ellen Hopkins often writes books where most characters do not end up in good situations (Tricks, Crank, Impulse, etc.), I really like how this one is different from that. It also helps that Ellen Hopkins is an extremely realistic writer, so when she writes a happy ending, it feels real and potentially attainable for readers in the same position. Overall, I also just liked the plot in the context of it just being a book. It showed characters coming back from a dark event, and did so in a realistic, yet inspiring, way.
The Favorite Character: Gavin & Angel
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
Stars (Out of 10): 7/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: I am really glad Pattyn and her story got this sequel. She deserved to find happiness, or an ending at least. And I am glad that both Pattyn and her family got the ending they did, as it both creates a realistic story of abuse, and how much it can wreck lives and individuals, but still show that there can be more to life than that current situation, and creates a story to show abuse victims that there is a reason to try for something more.
The Good: The switching of POVs was well done, as each one ended on an event that garnered my attention, and made me curious for the coming POV of that character. This created a cycle of finding things to like about each section, and I felt a balance of interest in each POV. However, on top of that, I also just liked the plot, and how everything ended up clicking together after the hardship. In addition, I felt the book did a good job of discussing the tough subject of abuse, and advertising the importance of telling others of the situation, and trying to get out of it. It brought attention to the issue without painting it as “taboo” or a thing brought on the victim, and rather strived to correct that idea.
The Bad: The speed of a specific relationship involving Jackie felt unrealistic and far too quick. Also, while I liked most of the ambiguous, poetic beginning chapters of each POV, some felt like they didn’t fit, and they often pulled me out of the story a bit.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: I liked both the redemption found for some characters (such as the Mom), and the salvation found for others (Pattyn and Jackie). I also loved the new side characters we found, and it was a refreshing twist to the story to find people outside of the family or already established relationships that cared for Pattyn and Jackie, such as Gavin, Angel, Arianna, etc.
The Plot: I really liked this. While Ellen Hopkins often writes books where most characters do not end up in good situations (Tricks, Crank, Impulse, etc.), I really like how this one is different from that. It also helps that Ellen Hopkins is an extremely realistic writer, so when she writes a happy ending, it feels real and potentially attainable for readers in the same position. Overall, I also just liked the plot in the context of it just being a book. It showed characters coming back from a dark event, and did so in a realistic, yet inspiring, way.
The Favorite Character: Gavin & Angel
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
“The good thing about writing fiction is that you get to make everything up. The bad thing is that you have to.”
Stars (Out of 10): 8/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: I really enjoyed this quick little break from my ordinary, more intense reading. Pseudonymous Bosch was one of childhood authors, and I always loved the footnotes and writing style in general of his, and this book was no exception. If anything, this book had even more footnotes, and even more of his personality seeping into it. I loved the book just for that, and not even considering the potentially invaluable information the book can hold for younger readers. Since this is not an ‘ordinary’ book, this will also not be an ordinary review.
The Good: Has some pretty good information, and is also extremely funny and engaging for readers! Even though I already was taught the same things in my high school English classes, I still enjoyed it, and see it’s worth for younger readers wanting an interesting way to learn about the writing process, or test out their skills using the “assignments” within the book!
The Bad: It is not a “real” book. It has a semblance of a story, but that is not the main point of this book at all. Most of it’s qualities rest in teaching people to write better, or give an insight into how Pseudonymous Bosch writes.
What this book can teach: This book covers most of the basics of writing, from POV (superbly explained by calling 3rd POV an observation, “he broke the glass,” 2nd POV an accusation, “you broke the glass,” and 1st POV a confession, “I broke the glass.”), to genre, using direct examples of Gothic, Fantasy, and Classic Crime in combination with Mystery to show the difference a genre can make on a book. It also speaks of the technical aspects of a book, from title to epigraph to copyright page (and of course, the importance of pseudonyms). However, even if you know all that, the little assignments can be pretty cool writing practice, and the book is even just interesting because of Bosch’s humor. A combination of funny footnotes, interruptions from Quiche the bunny, and “procrastination pages” that are way too true about writers, had me hooked the entire time, even if the information was all just repeat.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
Stars (Out of 10): 8/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: I really enjoyed this quick little break from my ordinary, more intense reading. Pseudonymous Bosch was one of childhood authors, and I always loved the footnotes and writing style in general of his, and this book was no exception. If anything, this book had even more footnotes, and even more of his personality seeping into it. I loved the book just for that, and not even considering the potentially invaluable information the book can hold for younger readers. Since this is not an ‘ordinary’ book, this will also not be an ordinary review.
The Good: Has some pretty good information, and is also extremely funny and engaging for readers! Even though I already was taught the same things in my high school English classes, I still enjoyed it, and see it’s worth for younger readers wanting an interesting way to learn about the writing process, or test out their skills using the “assignments” within the book!
The Bad: It is not a “real” book. It has a semblance of a story, but that is not the main point of this book at all. Most of it’s qualities rest in teaching people to write better, or give an insight into how Pseudonymous Bosch writes.
What this book can teach: This book covers most of the basics of writing, from POV (superbly explained by calling 3rd POV an observation, “he broke the glass,” 2nd POV an accusation, “you broke the glass,” and 1st POV a confession, “I broke the glass.”), to genre, using direct examples of Gothic, Fantasy, and Classic Crime in combination with Mystery to show the difference a genre can make on a book. It also speaks of the technical aspects of a book, from title to epigraph to copyright page (and of course, the importance of pseudonyms). However, even if you know all that, the little assignments can be pretty cool writing practice, and the book is even just interesting because of Bosch’s humor. A combination of funny footnotes, interruptions from Quiche the bunny, and “procrastination pages” that are way too true about writers, had me hooked the entire time, even if the information was all just repeat.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
“In the beginning there was nothing. And then there was everything.”
Stars (Out of 10): 8/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: I really, really liked this book. Most of that is because of the fantastic twist at the end, since it made the entire book a tad more realistic, and I was having trouble at points with that. I also just love Nicola Yoon’s way of writing, and even though I can’t explain it well, it connects me “emotionally” to the characters more. And while this book wasn’t perfect, and it had it’s fault, I enjoyed every second I spent reading it!
The Good: It was a fast read. I ended up really liking the characters, but my favorite part has to be that ending (mainly because I didn’t expect it at all). I also just like how this author writes, and the humor used in the conversations between Olly and Maddy.
The Bad: It was almost too fast of a read. And while I liked the romance in the book, it felt way too fast. One month, and only like a few “visitations,” and they were in love. Maybe they talked a lot more over IM that we didn’t see, and that’s what is missing. But from what we were given, it was pretty fast.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: I really liked the cast of characters, especially Olly. In addition, most of the main side characters had their own developed stories (even the friend in Hawaii had a life (you guys know I suck at names, I’m sorry)). It gave the overall story much more depth, and made side characters less “dispensable.” In addition, I’m happy they all showed realistic emotions, but romantic/relationship problems weren’t created out of nothing (like that lab partner incident. Tension, but not an annoying amount.)
The Plot: While it felt super fast in the beginning, and unrealistic at points, the ending made the whole book better. It was not a twist I saw coming at all, and the fact that I’ve heard a ton about this book without being spoiled is surprising. The whole time she wasn’t sick? Her mom is the messed up/sick one? It came out of nowhere, and saved the book in my opinion. (Okay the situation is super messed up, but it helped explain the extreme mother/daughter “bond,” and crazy amount of time spent together.)
The Favorite Character: Olly
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
Stars (Out of 10): 8/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: I really, really liked this book. Most of that is because of the fantastic twist at the end, since it made the entire book a tad more realistic, and I was having trouble at points with that. I also just love Nicola Yoon’s way of writing, and even though I can’t explain it well, it connects me “emotionally” to the characters more. And while this book wasn’t perfect, and it had it’s fault, I enjoyed every second I spent reading it!
The Good: It was a fast read. I ended up really liking the characters, but my favorite part has to be that ending (mainly because I didn’t expect it at all). I also just like how this author writes, and the humor used in the conversations between Olly and Maddy.
The Bad: It was almost too fast of a read. And while I liked the romance in the book, it felt way too fast. One month, and only like a few “visitations,” and they were in love. Maybe they talked a lot more over IM that we didn’t see, and that’s what is missing. But from what we were given, it was pretty fast.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: I really liked the cast of characters, especially Olly. In addition, most of the main side characters had their own developed stories (even the friend in Hawaii had a life (you guys know I suck at names, I’m sorry)). It gave the overall story much more depth, and made side characters less “dispensable.” In addition, I’m happy they all showed realistic emotions, but romantic/relationship problems weren’t created out of nothing (like that lab partner incident. Tension, but not an annoying amount.)
The Plot: While it felt super fast in the beginning, and unrealistic at points, the ending made the whole book better. It was not a twist I saw coming at all, and the fact that I’ve heard a ton about this book without being spoiled is surprising. The whole time she wasn’t sick? Her mom is the messed up/sick one? It came out of nowhere, and saved the book in my opinion. (Okay the situation is super messed up, but it helped explain the extreme mother/daughter “bond,” and crazy amount of time spent together.)
The Favorite Character: Olly
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
“No matter what happens, no matter who turns on me, no matter what pompous swine thinks he has power over me, I am still me. I will always be me.”
Stars (Out of 10): 5/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: While I enjoyed this, it was far from one of my favorites. I always love kingdom novels, so this one gained points just from it being one of those, but it fell in areas where other series have risen. It was predictable at points, and unfortunately I am always put off by love triangles, but I did enjoy the combat scenes, especially how Meira was already a girl with some skill, and a major plot point wasn’t her getting better.
The Good: Had a decent plot and world, and I’m definitely intrigued as to where this is all going. A lot was built up, and overall felt well-connected. Additionally, when a character flaw was introduced, it was actually kept! Not just ditched when found inconvenient.
The Bad: Love triangle, Meira wasn’t always a character I liked, plot twist I predicted early on, and the world building came a tad too late (had no feeling of normalcy/what they were fighting for, but in the POV of a character who has never been a part of the kingdom, this somewhat makes sense.)
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: My love for the characters was very on and off. I didn’t care for the “leaders” of the Winterian refugees, such as Sir, and while I now understand their actions due to Meira being the true queen, they just all felt overly condescending and blegh. But hopefully my empathy for them will increase after seeing an attitude change in the last two books. Also, while I liked Meira most of the time, she was annoying at times, and a bit too self-pitying. (Also, just Mather was just a ball of blegh.) But Theron! Poor, controlled Theron. I hope we get to see him grow and stand up to his father, he could make a great king someday (with maybe Meira at his side? A combination of Rhythm and Season kingdoms?).
The Plot: While there was quite a few of twists and turns, I predicted, or was close to predicting, most of them (Meira’s true heritage.) Made the ending less “revealing,” and thus less impactful. However, it was a cool plot nonetheless, and I did enjoy the various areas it went to (from camp to kingdom to camp to Winter.) Also, the story felt realistic in the “darker” parts of the Spring kingdom, such as the camps and horrors Meira almost experienced.
The World Building: Felt like this could have been better paced, because in the beginning I felt no passion/motivation for the characters, as I felt I didn’t understand the world enough. But as the book continued, we got more information and I got more invested into the world and story. Just had a rocky beginning.
The Favorite Character: Theron (Poor guy deserves love guys.)
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
Stars (Out of 10): 5/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: While I enjoyed this, it was far from one of my favorites. I always love kingdom novels, so this one gained points just from it being one of those, but it fell in areas where other series have risen. It was predictable at points, and unfortunately I am always put off by love triangles, but I did enjoy the combat scenes, especially how Meira was already a girl with some skill, and a major plot point wasn’t her getting better.
The Good: Had a decent plot and world, and I’m definitely intrigued as to where this is all going. A lot was built up, and overall felt well-connected. Additionally, when a character flaw was introduced, it was actually kept! Not just ditched when found inconvenient.
The Bad: Love triangle, Meira wasn’t always a character I liked, plot twist I predicted early on, and the world building came a tad too late (had no feeling of normalcy/what they were fighting for, but in the POV of a character who has never been a part of the kingdom, this somewhat makes sense.)
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: My love for the characters was very on and off. I didn’t care for the “leaders” of the Winterian refugees, such as Sir, and while I now understand their actions due to Meira being the true queen, they just all felt overly condescending and blegh. But hopefully my empathy for them will increase after seeing an attitude change in the last two books. Also, while I liked Meira most of the time, she was annoying at times, and a bit too self-pitying. (Also, just Mather was just a ball of blegh.) But Theron! Poor, controlled Theron. I hope we get to see him grow and stand up to his father, he could make a great king someday (with maybe Meira at his side? A combination of Rhythm and Season kingdoms?).
The Plot: While there was quite a few of twists and turns, I predicted, or was close to predicting, most of them (Meira’s true heritage.) Made the ending less “revealing,” and thus less impactful. However, it was a cool plot nonetheless, and I did enjoy the various areas it went to (from camp to kingdom to camp to Winter.) Also, the story felt realistic in the “darker” parts of the Spring kingdom, such as the camps and horrors Meira almost experienced.
The World Building: Felt like this could have been better paced, because in the beginning I felt no passion/motivation for the characters, as I felt I didn’t understand the world enough. But as the book continued, we got more information and I got more invested into the world and story. Just had a rocky beginning.
The Favorite Character: Theron (Poor guy deserves love guys.)
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
First off, I would like to thank the publisher and author (as well as Netgalley) for providing me this ARC to review. Please note that the version I read was an advanced copy, and certain events/language may be changed in the published edition.
Stars (Out of 10): 8/10 stars
Overall Thoughts: I have a really bad habit of judging books by their cover. So while I was intrigued by the plot, I did not have high hopes because I wasn’t the biggest fan of the cover. (That, and recently the urban fantasy genre has not been working out for me.) But oh boy, this book was fantastic! It had a great, but not too overpowering, romance, interesting characters, great twists, and everything I love about books!
The Good: I really grew to like all the characters, and felt their actions, for the most part, were realistic. Additionally, I really liked that this book had representation, but did not make that the most major part of the characters. Anjeline and Rebel, while LGBT, still were their own people and did not have personalities defined by their sexuality, which is how diversity and representation should be.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: I ended up quite liking the cast we got, and loved how we got to see so many races (from fae to sirens to magicians!) and how they treated humans, etc. I also just loved Rebel, and how she was willing to work with the cards she was given, but not be pushed around by it. Anjeline, on the other hand, had been abused and contained for so long, but yet was still strong and stood for herself, which is great to see. Both main characters just felt really powerful and strong figures, and were written really well.
The Plot: I really really loved this. The book was only in the 300’s, page wise, but had so much good content, and almost no filler. We got tons of action, but yet enough build up for twists to carry weight, and for it not to feel rushed. It felt well planned, and everything felt well connected. There were no points where I was confused or did not understand why something happened, yet the build up to make the book make sense wasn’t boring either.
The Favorite Character: Rebel!
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
Stars (Out of 10): 8/10 stars
Overall Thoughts: I have a really bad habit of judging books by their cover. So while I was intrigued by the plot, I did not have high hopes because I wasn’t the biggest fan of the cover. (That, and recently the urban fantasy genre has not been working out for me.) But oh boy, this book was fantastic! It had a great, but not too overpowering, romance, interesting characters, great twists, and everything I love about books!
The Good: I really grew to like all the characters, and felt their actions, for the most part, were realistic. Additionally, I really liked that this book had representation, but did not make that the most major part of the characters. Anjeline and Rebel, while LGBT, still were their own people and did not have personalities defined by their sexuality, which is how diversity and representation should be.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: I ended up quite liking the cast we got, and loved how we got to see so many races (from fae to sirens to magicians!) and how they treated humans, etc. I also just loved Rebel, and how she was willing to work with the cards she was given, but not be pushed around by it. Anjeline, on the other hand, had been abused and contained for so long, but yet was still strong and stood for herself, which is great to see. Both main characters just felt really powerful and strong figures, and were written really well.
The Plot: I really really loved this. The book was only in the 300’s, page wise, but had so much good content, and almost no filler. We got tons of action, but yet enough build up for twists to carry weight, and for it not to feel rushed. It felt well planned, and everything felt well connected. There were no points where I was confused or did not understand why something happened, yet the build up to make the book make sense wasn’t boring either.
The Favorite Character: Rebel!
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
“Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what's left and live it properly. What doesn't transmit light creates its own darkness.”
Stars (Out of 10): 8/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: I am officially in love with these series, and now both Magnus Chase and this series are tied for my favorite Riordan series. Almost everything I disliked about having the conceited Apollo as a narrator was changed in this novel, and I completely feel and cheer for Apollo now, rather than kinda being eh about the whole thing like I was for book 1. If anyone felt put off by parts of book 1, I heavily recommend to at least read this next book and see if you still dislike the series, as this was definitely a step up from book 1 and made me really enjoy the series.
The Good: Holy character development, this series is a fantastic example so far of how to properly make your characters change and learn. Additionally, love the hints at the old crew, had a super interesting plot, and also seemed to really well weave into current events (mentions of Pokemon Go + exploding Note 7’s made it truly feel like these demigods are in our world.)
The Bad: I wasn’t always the biggest fan of the silly jokes (such as ones related to farts and other body related humor), but I guess it is middle grade! But this book did see an increase in other humor, which I enjoyed more.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: While in the beginning I wasn’t the biggest fan of how “weak” or useless everyone felt, and how much everything seemed to be based on pure luck, that ended up changing quite early on as more characters with combat based skills entered the scene, and as Apollo himself became more useful in other ways (and in combat more as well.) But my most favorite thing was definitely the character development we saw in Apollo, and how depth was added to both his backstory, and to Meg and the rest of the side characters as well. Overall, there was just tons added to all the characters, and they feel more real with more real relationships (realistic romantic issues, deep back stories that seem to actual matter in the character’s later personalities, etc.)
The Plot: I actually loved the plot more than some of the plots of other Riordan books, even though it does share the trait of impossible situations somehow being solved that sometimes makes the plot unrealistic, I liked the actual attachment the hero had to the villain. It always makes a battle mean more when it creates a struggle within the hero, and we saw that with the prior attachment Apollo had with Commandus!
The Favorite Character: Apollo grew to be my fav in this book (+ Lit, wanna see how he grows from his evil ways.)
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
Stars (Out of 10): 8/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: I am officially in love with these series, and now both Magnus Chase and this series are tied for my favorite Riordan series. Almost everything I disliked about having the conceited Apollo as a narrator was changed in this novel, and I completely feel and cheer for Apollo now, rather than kinda being eh about the whole thing like I was for book 1. If anyone felt put off by parts of book 1, I heavily recommend to at least read this next book and see if you still dislike the series, as this was definitely a step up from book 1 and made me really enjoy the series.
The Good: Holy character development, this series is a fantastic example so far of how to properly make your characters change and learn. Additionally, love the hints at the old crew, had a super interesting plot, and also seemed to really well weave into current events (mentions of Pokemon Go + exploding Note 7’s made it truly feel like these demigods are in our world.)
The Bad: I wasn’t always the biggest fan of the silly jokes (such as ones related to farts and other body related humor), but I guess it is middle grade! But this book did see an increase in other humor, which I enjoyed more.
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: While in the beginning I wasn’t the biggest fan of how “weak” or useless everyone felt, and how much everything seemed to be based on pure luck, that ended up changing quite early on as more characters with combat based skills entered the scene, and as Apollo himself became more useful in other ways (and in combat more as well.) But my most favorite thing was definitely the character development we saw in Apollo, and how depth was added to both his backstory, and to Meg and the rest of the side characters as well. Overall, there was just tons added to all the characters, and they feel more real with more real relationships (realistic romantic issues, deep back stories that seem to actual matter in the character’s later personalities, etc.)
The Plot: I actually loved the plot more than some of the plots of other Riordan books, even though it does share the trait of impossible situations somehow being solved that sometimes makes the plot unrealistic, I liked the actual attachment the hero had to the villain. It always makes a battle mean more when it creates a struggle within the hero, and we saw that with the prior attachment Apollo had with Commandus!
The Favorite Character: Apollo grew to be my fav in this book (+ Lit, wanna see how he grows from his evil ways.)
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/