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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I got this book on Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: July 26th, 2018
Genre: Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, slight gore, some mature themes)
Pages: 252
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: After standing for over 7,000 years, Aleppo's ruin came overnight.
Separated from his family during the night the rebels attacked the city, thirteen-year-old Zaid Kadir is lost in the middle of a war zone. Alongside his friends, he is forced to survive the dangers of a civil war he does not even fully understand. Zaid witnesses the destruction of the brutal Syrian Civil War as it grows more deadly by the day and rips his city apart. However, as he braves this destruction, as he desperately tries to survive this catastrophe, he discovers something. Zaid realizes that it is in the darkest hours when humanity's spirit of hope burns brightest.
For the most part I thought this book was beautifully well written and I thought the message behind the book was really powerful and present throughout the book. I felt that the world building was really well done as well and that overall the plot was really well developed and entertaining.
However, I do feel like this book exhausted me? Like it felt too dramatic at times and I feel like I’ve run a marathon with how emotional this book was.
Verdict: Emotional to a fault?
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: July 26th, 2018
Genre: Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, slight gore, some mature themes)
Pages: 252
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: After standing for over 7,000 years, Aleppo's ruin came overnight.
Separated from his family during the night the rebels attacked the city, thirteen-year-old Zaid Kadir is lost in the middle of a war zone. Alongside his friends, he is forced to survive the dangers of a civil war he does not even fully understand. Zaid witnesses the destruction of the brutal Syrian Civil War as it grows more deadly by the day and rips his city apart. However, as he braves this destruction, as he desperately tries to survive this catastrophe, he discovers something. Zaid realizes that it is in the darkest hours when humanity's spirit of hope burns brightest.
For the most part I thought this book was beautifully well written and I thought the message behind the book was really powerful and present throughout the book. I felt that the world building was really well done as well and that overall the plot was really well developed and entertaining.
However, I do feel like this book exhausted me? Like it felt too dramatic at times and I feel like I’ve run a marathon with how emotional this book was.
Verdict: Emotional to a fault?
Disclaimer: I bought this book on my own! Yay!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 28th, 2017
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 13+ (violence, police brutality, mention of drugs, gun violence, rioting, the feeling that we’re not doing enough for kids, the anger of seeing an innocent cut down by someone who’s supposed to be protecting people not killing people, unfair and unjust death, racial profiling, racist attitudes and racism, acceptance, love, and oh my god just read this book ASAP)
Pages: 438
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?"
Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed.
Holy shit what can I say about this book that hasn’t been said? From page one I knew that I would love this book and I’ve been purposely avoiding reviews so as to not taint my opinion of it. But for the THUG-athon hosted by @ninetieslibrary I had to read it (also because the movie is coming out on October 19th) and I just instantly fell in love. Starr is a character that you feel like could and would be your best friend. She has such honesty in how she speaks and she’s so realistic. At times when I was sobbing in this book I just wanted to hold Starr. I loved how diverse the characters were and how developed each of them were. The writing was powerful and you can tell Angie Thomas has a wonderful gift with words.
The only thing I wish the book had in it was more of a conclusion, but it was realistic in how the book ended. Things weren’t perfect, but they were okay for the time and that’s how life is.
Verdict: Go. Read. This. Book. Today.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: February 28th, 2017
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 13+ (violence, police brutality, mention of drugs, gun violence, rioting, the feeling that we’re not doing enough for kids, the anger of seeing an innocent cut down by someone who’s supposed to be protecting people not killing people, unfair and unjust death, racial profiling, racist attitudes and racism, acceptance, love, and oh my god just read this book ASAP)
Pages: 438
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?"
Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed.
Holy shit what can I say about this book that hasn’t been said? From page one I knew that I would love this book and I’ve been purposely avoiding reviews so as to not taint my opinion of it. But for the THUG-athon hosted by @ninetieslibrary I had to read it (also because the movie is coming out on October 19th) and I just instantly fell in love. Starr is a character that you feel like could and would be your best friend. She has such honesty in how she speaks and she’s so realistic. At times when I was sobbing in this book I just wanted to hold Starr. I loved how diverse the characters were and how developed each of them were. The writing was powerful and you can tell Angie Thomas has a wonderful gift with words.
The only thing I wish the book had in it was more of a conclusion, but it was realistic in how the book ended. Things weren’t perfect, but they were okay for the time and that’s how life is.
Verdict: Go. Read. This. Book. Today.
Disclaimer: I got this book on my own! Yay!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 30th, 2017
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 14+ (mentions of sex, mature scenes, violence, gore, death, suicide, attempted suicide, cyberbullying, mentions of drugs, a slightly abusive relationship, and mentions of school shootings)
Pages: 361
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide.
Pay close attention and you might solve this.
On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.
Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.
Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose?
Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.
From the first page I was hooked and really intrigued by this story. I felt that this might be an easily predictable book, but it kept me guessing from page one to page 361. Karen McManus not only has a talent for writing, but also a talent for thrilling and unguessable mysteries. The voice that she uses with each of the kids are unique and compelling as well. This book also perfectly captures the trials and tribulations of high school and adolescence and it doesn’t shy away from tough topics. Other than that, the characters are well developed and the pacing is spot on.
However, I do feel like we could have got more backstories from the suspects families and we could have had a more conclusive resolution with Cooper and Addy. But the open-ended ending feels that the author left room for there to be more books set in this universe, so maybe we’ll get a resolution one day.
Verdict: A thriller that will scare you this Halloween season!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 30th, 2017
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 14+ (mentions of sex, mature scenes, violence, gore, death, suicide, attempted suicide, cyberbullying, mentions of drugs, a slightly abusive relationship, and mentions of school shootings)
Pages: 361
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has something to hide.
Pay close attention and you might solve this.
On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.
Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.
Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose?
Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.
From the first page I was hooked and really intrigued by this story. I felt that this might be an easily predictable book, but it kept me guessing from page one to page 361. Karen McManus not only has a talent for writing, but also a talent for thrilling and unguessable mysteries. The voice that she uses with each of the kids are unique and compelling as well. This book also perfectly captures the trials and tribulations of high school and adolescence and it doesn’t shy away from tough topics. Other than that, the characters are well developed and the pacing is spot on.
However, I do feel like we could have got more backstories from the suspects families and we could have had a more conclusive resolution with Cooper and Addy. But the open-ended ending feels that the author left room for there to be more books set in this universe, so maybe we’ll get a resolution one day.
Verdict: A thriller that will scare you this Halloween season!
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Rockstar Tours and The Parliament House. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: October 9th, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (mature scenes, slight gore, violence, curses, evillllll)
Pages: 377
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Twin Sisters: one destined to rule, one cursed to destroy.
Some say blood is thicker than water. But for twin sisters, Adie and Aura, their connection runs even deeper than blood.
After investigating a surprise attack carried out by dark souls controlled by the Wicked Willow, an evil residing in a neighboring region, Aura uncovers a family secret: she is the fulfillment of a curse placed upon her family centuries ago.
While Aura is destined to destroy their planet, Thindoral, Adie is fated to follow in their mother’s footsteps and become Ruler, but even Adie’s path comes with revelations. Dangerous premonitions plague her dreams, all depicting Thindoral’s demise at the hand of her sister.
As darkness takes control of her mind, Aura must determine whether defying fate and time is the choice that will seal her destruction, or if self-sacrifice will save all she holds dear. Meanwhile, Adie is faced with an impossible decision: save her sister, or protect their world?
I felt like this was a very solid and intriguing book. The plot was intriguing and the world building was amazing. I felt like the characters were pretty well developed and they had interesting backstories. I feel that I’m a sucker for sibling stories with curses and this book doesn’t disappoint in that department.
However, I do feel that this book had something missing. The writing didn’t let the reader see the events, but rather just showed us everything that was happening, and the book’s pacing was lacking. It was jarring and uneven in pace. I didn’t like the insta love in this book and for all of its good, I felt that the book could have been better in these areas.
Verdict: Good solid read for the most part.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: October 9th, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (mature scenes, slight gore, violence, curses, evillllll)
Pages: 377
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Twin Sisters: one destined to rule, one cursed to destroy.
Some say blood is thicker than water. But for twin sisters, Adie and Aura, their connection runs even deeper than blood.
After investigating a surprise attack carried out by dark souls controlled by the Wicked Willow, an evil residing in a neighboring region, Aura uncovers a family secret: she is the fulfillment of a curse placed upon her family centuries ago.
While Aura is destined to destroy their planet, Thindoral, Adie is fated to follow in their mother’s footsteps and become Ruler, but even Adie’s path comes with revelations. Dangerous premonitions plague her dreams, all depicting Thindoral’s demise at the hand of her sister.
As darkness takes control of her mind, Aura must determine whether defying fate and time is the choice that will seal her destruction, or if self-sacrifice will save all she holds dear. Meanwhile, Adie is faced with an impossible decision: save her sister, or protect their world?
I felt like this was a very solid and intriguing book. The plot was intriguing and the world building was amazing. I felt like the characters were pretty well developed and they had interesting backstories. I feel that I’m a sucker for sibling stories with curses and this book doesn’t disappoint in that department.
However, I do feel that this book had something missing. The writing didn’t let the reader see the events, but rather just showed us everything that was happening, and the book’s pacing was lacking. It was jarring and uneven in pace. I didn’t like the insta love in this book and for all of its good, I felt that the book could have been better in these areas.
Verdict: Good solid read for the most part.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Book Publicity Services and the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: April 26th, 2018
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 15+ (suspense, violence, slight gore, kidnappings)
Pages: 327
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In the mid 90s, Elizabeth Booth is a young British college student studying Arabic at Durham University. With some travel and work already under her belt, she excels at her studies and is sent to Damascus to immerse herself in the language. Taken aback by the generosity and kindness of the people there, she easy slips into a life in the ancient city. She has friends, her studies, and even a handsome boyfriend. But things aren't always what they seem. Soon, in a world where mistrust and disloyalty are commonplace, Elizabeth finds herself navigating a web of lies, betrayals, and even murder involving MI6, deadly terrorist factions, and the shadowy Syrian secret police.
I feel like this book is really well written and you can tell that the author has a knack for painting beautiful pictures. The way she writes the locations makes me want to go visit them and you can see she really has a love for this land. I felt for the most part this book was intriguing.
However, the way the book is wrote is really confusing. We have an opening scene from one point in time and then we go back in time to a different time. The book is very unevenly paced and the time jumps are weird. The first 200sih pages are really slow and methodical while the rest of the book is super fast paced and leaves you breathless. I felt that the relationship between the daughter and the father was concerning. The father was said to have called the girl a slut for kissing her love interest and it’s never really addressed again and at the end she pretty much longs for him. Nothing was really resolved in that regard and I felt uneasy about their relationship. I also felt uneasy about the whole family dynamic and I felt that was why the character is so naïve, but I also feel that she maybe shouldn’t have been that naïve in so many different areas. The book also didn’t feel that resolved at the end.
Verdict: A decent book with beautiful descriptions.
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: April 26th, 2018
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: 15+ (suspense, violence, slight gore, kidnappings)
Pages: 327
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In the mid 90s, Elizabeth Booth is a young British college student studying Arabic at Durham University. With some travel and work already under her belt, she excels at her studies and is sent to Damascus to immerse herself in the language. Taken aback by the generosity and kindness of the people there, she easy slips into a life in the ancient city. She has friends, her studies, and even a handsome boyfriend. But things aren't always what they seem. Soon, in a world where mistrust and disloyalty are commonplace, Elizabeth finds herself navigating a web of lies, betrayals, and even murder involving MI6, deadly terrorist factions, and the shadowy Syrian secret police.
I feel like this book is really well written and you can tell that the author has a knack for painting beautiful pictures. The way she writes the locations makes me want to go visit them and you can see she really has a love for this land. I felt for the most part this book was intriguing.
However, the way the book is wrote is really confusing. We have an opening scene from one point in time and then we go back in time to a different time. The book is very unevenly paced and the time jumps are weird. The first 200sih pages are really slow and methodical while the rest of the book is super fast paced and leaves you breathless. I felt that the relationship between the daughter and the father was concerning. The father was said to have called the girl a slut for kissing her love interest and it’s never really addressed again and at the end she pretty much longs for him. Nothing was really resolved in that regard and I felt uneasy about their relationship. I also felt uneasy about the whole family dynamic and I felt that was why the character is so naïve, but I also feel that she maybe shouldn’t have been that naïve in so many different areas. The book also didn’t feel that resolved at the end.
Verdict: A decent book with beautiful descriptions.
Disclaimer: None. I bought this book on my own!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: June 7th, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore, racism allegories, flashbacks of horrible unspeakable acts, and music)
Pages: 469
Amazon Link
Synopsis: There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.
Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.
Review: This is a reread for me and not really much has changed from my original review. I feel that this book is gritty and amazing. It explores racism, especially within the Jim Crow era, in a way that you wouldn’t initially realize, and it has some of the best quotes. I feel that the book is written well. The characters are developed and the story is plotted well.
However, I did realize in my reread that there are significant plot holes and that this book isn’t really memorable. Going back into this book I didn’t really remember everything that happened and even after my second reread I am struggling to remember every twist and turn August and Kate make.
Verdict: I good book for English class, but maybe not the best for entertainment.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: June 7th, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore, racism allegories, flashbacks of horrible unspeakable acts, and music)
Pages: 469
Amazon Link
Synopsis: There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.
Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.
Review: This is a reread for me and not really much has changed from my original review. I feel that this book is gritty and amazing. It explores racism, especially within the Jim Crow era, in a way that you wouldn’t initially realize, and it has some of the best quotes. I feel that the book is written well. The characters are developed and the story is plotted well.
However, I did realize in my reread that there are significant plot holes and that this book isn’t really memorable. Going back into this book I didn’t really remember everything that happened and even after my second reread I am struggling to remember every twist and turn August and Kate make.
Verdict: I good book for English class, but maybe not the best for entertainment.
Disclaimer: None, I bought this book on my own.
Rating: 4.5/5
Publication Date: February 28, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (creepy moments, death, demons, murder, possession)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A girl with a secret talent must save her village from the encroaching darkness in this haunting and deeply satisfying tale.
Alys was seven when the soul eaters came to her village.
These soul eaters, twin sisters who were abandoned by their father and slowly morphed into something not quite human, devour human souls. Alys, and all the other children, were spared—and they were sent to live in a neighboring village. There the devout people created a strict world where good and evil are as fundamental as the nursery rhymes children sing. Fear of the soul eaters—and of the Beast they believe guides them—rule village life. But the Beast is not what they think it is. And neither is Alys.
Inside, Alys feels connected to the soul eaters, and maybe even to the Beast itself. As she grows from a child to a teenager, she longs for the freedom of the forest. And she has a gift she can tell no one, for fear they will call her a witch. When disaster strikes, Alys finds herself on a journey to heal herself and her world. A journey that will take her through the darkest parts of the forest, where danger threatens her from the outside—and from within her own heart and soul.
Review: This book is really interesting. It’s told in a creepy way without being overly cheesy, the book continues the creepy vibe throughout the book. The plot is intriguing and the writing flows really well. The book is also very well paced and I didn’t feel there was any lag at any point in the book.
However, I was confused by the ending and I was left with a sense of lose at the end. I also feel that some of the characters weren’t as well developed as others. Some of them were repeating characters in the narrative but they were hardly developed.
Verdict: A creepy story perfect for Halloween.
Rating: 4.5/5
Publication Date: February 28, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (creepy moments, death, demons, murder, possession)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A girl with a secret talent must save her village from the encroaching darkness in this haunting and deeply satisfying tale.
Alys was seven when the soul eaters came to her village.
These soul eaters, twin sisters who were abandoned by their father and slowly morphed into something not quite human, devour human souls. Alys, and all the other children, were spared—and they were sent to live in a neighboring village. There the devout people created a strict world where good and evil are as fundamental as the nursery rhymes children sing. Fear of the soul eaters—and of the Beast they believe guides them—rule village life. But the Beast is not what they think it is. And neither is Alys.
Inside, Alys feels connected to the soul eaters, and maybe even to the Beast itself. As she grows from a child to a teenager, she longs for the freedom of the forest. And she has a gift she can tell no one, for fear they will call her a witch. When disaster strikes, Alys finds herself on a journey to heal herself and her world. A journey that will take her through the darkest parts of the forest, where danger threatens her from the outside—and from within her own heart and soul.
Review: This book is really interesting. It’s told in a creepy way without being overly cheesy, the book continues the creepy vibe throughout the book. The plot is intriguing and the writing flows really well. The book is also very well paced and I didn’t feel there was any lag at any point in the book.
However, I was confused by the ending and I was left with a sense of lose at the end. I also feel that some of the characters weren’t as well developed as others. Some of them were repeating characters in the narrative but they were hardly developed.
Verdict: A creepy story perfect for Halloween.
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Disclaimer: None, I bought this on my own.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (TW for attempted rape and lewd behavior) (violence, death, heart attacks)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 342
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.
But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.
Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.
Review: So I went into this hearing my friends tell me how horrible of a book it was. And for the most part I loved it. I felt very connected with Eadlyn. I have a personality like hers (I’m less spoiled however) and I don’t like not being in control and I don’t like letting people in. I really felt for her more than I did America and I would say I prefer these books to America’s. I also felt the story continued perfectly and the voice changed perfectly. The writing was still on point and the story was just as intriguing.
The only issues I had with the book were that I felt it was a bit rushed. I think it could have been slowed down a bit and it would have been perfect. I also feel that there were a lot more trigger warnings in this book and there was some questionable homophobic remarks that made me question this book.
Verdict: The new queen reigns!
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (TW for attempted rape and lewd behavior) (violence, death, heart attacks)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 342
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.
But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.
Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.
Review: So I went into this hearing my friends tell me how horrible of a book it was. And for the most part I loved it. I felt very connected with Eadlyn. I have a personality like hers (I’m less spoiled however) and I don’t like not being in control and I don’t like letting people in. I really felt for her more than I did America and I would say I prefer these books to America’s. I also felt the story continued perfectly and the voice changed perfectly. The writing was still on point and the story was just as intriguing.
The only issues I had with the book were that I felt it was a bit rushed. I think it could have been slowed down a bit and it would have been perfect. I also feel that there were a lot more trigger warnings in this book and there was some questionable homophobic remarks that made me question this book.
Verdict: The new queen reigns!
Disclaimer: My husband gave me this book because he loves me <3.
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: January 28, 2014
Genre: Sci-Fi/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, death, gore, trigger warnings for suicide and rape)
Publisher: Del Ray
Pages: 382
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "I live for the dream that my children will be born free," she says. "That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them."
"I live for you," I say sadly.
Eo kisses my cheek. "Then you must live for more."
Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.
Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.
But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.
Review: Okay so for the most part I really liked this book. I loved the world that Pierce Brown was able to weave and it really flowed effortlessly. The character development was amazing and the book was so interesting. The plot was amazing and there wasn’t really any dull moments in the book.
My only downside to it is that the book took forever for me to get into it. My personal preference is to have the world building based somewhat on reality and this book is really an epic sci-fi. It took a bit for me to get into it, but that’s just personal preference.
Verdict: This book is an amazing book for those who are hardcore sci-fi readers and even for those who want to try epic sci-fi books!
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: January 28, 2014
Genre: Sci-Fi/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, death, gore, trigger warnings for suicide and rape)
Publisher: Del Ray
Pages: 382
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "I live for the dream that my children will be born free," she says. "That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them."
"I live for you," I say sadly.
Eo kisses my cheek. "Then you must live for more."
Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.
Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.
But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.
Review: Okay so for the most part I really liked this book. I loved the world that Pierce Brown was able to weave and it really flowed effortlessly. The character development was amazing and the book was so interesting. The plot was amazing and there wasn’t really any dull moments in the book.
My only downside to it is that the book took forever for me to get into it. My personal preference is to have the world building based somewhat on reality and this book is really an epic sci-fi. It took a bit for me to get into it, but that’s just personal preference.
Verdict: This book is an amazing book for those who are hardcore sci-fi readers and even for those who want to try epic sci-fi books!
Disclaimer: I received this book through KidLitExchange and the publishing company. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: September 25, 2018
Genre: MG Mystery
Recommended Age: 12+ (mystery, some spooky moments)
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 272
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Denise Farber has just moved back to New Orleans with her mom and step-dad. They left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and have finally returned, wagering the last of their family's money on fixing up an old, rundown house and converting it to a bed and breakfast.Nothing seems to work around the place, which doesn't seem too weird to Denise. The unexplained noises are a little more out of the ordinary, but again, nothing too unusual. But when floors collapse, deadly objects rain down, and she hears creepy voices, it's clear to Denise that something more sinister lurks hidden here.Answers may lie in an old comic book Denise finds concealed in the attic: the lost, final project of a famous artist who disappeared in the 1950s. Denise isn't budging from her new home, so she must unravel the mystery-on the pages and off-if she and her family are to survive...
Review: For the most part this book was cute and enjoyable. The book had a good mystery in it and the characters are fairly well developed. The story is engaging as well and it would be a cute mystery for younger readers.
However, I didn’t like how the book brought up the topic of white people coming in to “white up” the neighborhood but didn’t go anywhere with it. It seemed like the book could have done better on some of the more social conscious issues but it failed to push those. Instead the book pushed random/unimportant aspects to the point where I felt that it was just trying to fill the book.
Verdict: A cute mystery.
Rating: 3/5
Publication Date: September 25, 2018
Genre: MG Mystery
Recommended Age: 12+ (mystery, some spooky moments)
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 272
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Denise Farber has just moved back to New Orleans with her mom and step-dad. They left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and have finally returned, wagering the last of their family's money on fixing up an old, rundown house and converting it to a bed and breakfast.Nothing seems to work around the place, which doesn't seem too weird to Denise. The unexplained noises are a little more out of the ordinary, but again, nothing too unusual. But when floors collapse, deadly objects rain down, and she hears creepy voices, it's clear to Denise that something more sinister lurks hidden here.Answers may lie in an old comic book Denise finds concealed in the attic: the lost, final project of a famous artist who disappeared in the 1950s. Denise isn't budging from her new home, so she must unravel the mystery-on the pages and off-if she and her family are to survive...
Review: For the most part this book was cute and enjoyable. The book had a good mystery in it and the characters are fairly well developed. The story is engaging as well and it would be a cute mystery for younger readers.
However, I didn’t like how the book brought up the topic of white people coming in to “white up” the neighborhood but didn’t go anywhere with it. It seemed like the book could have done better on some of the more social conscious issues but it failed to push those. Instead the book pushed random/unimportant aspects to the point where I felt that it was just trying to fill the book.
Verdict: A cute mystery.