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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Search fro Synergy
Author: Brett Salter
Book Series: The Tailsman Series Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade, fantasy, dragons
Publication Date: May 20, 2017
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (some scary moments, violence, little gore)
Explanation of CWs: There are some scary moments in the book that might be a bit much for some readers. There is also some violence and gore in it.
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 220
Synopsis: "The Search For Synergy" is the first book in The Talisman Series by author Brett Salter. It follows the exploits of two middle-school boys, Rome Lockheed and Julian Rider, as they transition from normal kids into epic warriors fighting for the existence of the Earth realm. Rome is secretly a fire dragon from the Den of Volcana placed under a spell which hides his true form. Julian is an oddball, up-and-coming knight with a case of the "try-hards". Together, they perform an ancient pact which bonds their lives and souls forever. Under the tutelage and guidance of an eccentric, local librarian, Mr. Jones, the two learn of an impending invasion from an archaic evil desperate to invade from the other side of The Void.
Review: I really liked this middle grade book. I thought it was something that a real middle grader would enjoy and that would have some aspects that especially boys would enjoy (drawing from what my cousin had told me he wanted in a book when we were in middle grade and he was struggling to find books he enjoyed). I thought the character development was well done, the world building was spectacular, and the pacing was really good as well. I also liked the plot!
However, there are some more adult themes and words in this book that some parents might want to look at before they let their kids read it (I’m more of a “age doesn’t define what kids should be reading” type of person, but everyone is different).
Verdict: It was great!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Break the Stone
Author: Cassie Swindon
Book Series: Golden Chains Book 1
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: mystery, thriller, romance
Publication Date: April 10, 2021
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, violence, gore, slight language)
Explanation of CWs: There is romance in this story. There’s also some violence and gore.
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 312
Synopsis: For years, Raelyn Bell desperately searches for any connection to her deceased Ma and finally stumbles upon a hidden trunk. She doesn’t have time to learn what’s inside when Pa uproots her from the only home she’s ever known, leaving the mysterious trunk behind.
Meanwhile, Specialist Kody Walsh focuses on his advancement in the army. Raelyn walks into his life and derails his plans. They awaken a spark inside each other, but deny their interest. Forced to work together, Raelyn and Kody find evidence that her Ma might still be alive. While hunting for the truth, the two grow closer as complications and danger arises.
Will Raelyn ever find out what really happened to Ma? Will Kody tear down his walls and let Raelyn into his heart? Or will the challenges tear them apart?
Review: For the most part I liked this book. The world building was very well done and I thought the pacing was well done as well. I really thought the story was fairly unique and it was fun to read it.
However, I did feel like the characters weren’t well developed and the relationship feels forced between them. I also felt like the writing was a bit weird in some places.
Verdict: It’s good!
Book: Break the Stone
Author: Cassie Swindon
Book Series: Golden Chains Book 1
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: mystery, thriller, romance
Publication Date: April 10, 2021
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, violence, gore, slight language)
Explanation of CWs: There is romance in this story. There’s also some violence and gore.
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 312
Synopsis: For years, Raelyn Bell desperately searches for any connection to her deceased Ma and finally stumbles upon a hidden trunk. She doesn’t have time to learn what’s inside when Pa uproots her from the only home she’s ever known, leaving the mysterious trunk behind.
Meanwhile, Specialist Kody Walsh focuses on his advancement in the army. Raelyn walks into his life and derails his plans. They awaken a spark inside each other, but deny their interest. Forced to work together, Raelyn and Kody find evidence that her Ma might still be alive. While hunting for the truth, the two grow closer as complications and danger arises.
Will Raelyn ever find out what really happened to Ma? Will Kody tear down his walls and let Raelyn into his heart? Or will the challenges tear them apart?
Review: For the most part I liked this book. The world building was very well done and I thought the pacing was well done as well. I really thought the story was fairly unique and it was fun to read it.
However, I did feel like the characters weren’t well developed and the relationship feels forced between them. I also felt like the writing was a bit weird in some places.
Verdict: It’s good!
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Bad Witch Burning
Author: Jessica Lewis
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black MC, Fat side character
Recommended For...: young adult readers, paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy, witches, horror
Publication Date: August 24, 2021
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, child abuse, emotional abuse, alcohol abuse, slight language, grief, animal death TW, domestic violence TW)
Explanation of CWs: Animal Death scene played out, it’s a tear-jerker and a pain inducer. There is also graphic descriptions of domestic violence, child abuse, and emotional abuse. There’s also gun violence and gore.
Publisher: Delacorte
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Katrell doesn’t mind talking to the dead; she just wishes it made more money. Clients pay her to talk to their deceased loved ones, but it isn’t enough to support her unemployed mother and Mom’s deadbeat boyfriend-of-the-week. Things get worse, when a ghost warns her to stop the summonings or she’ll “burn everything down.” Katrell is willing to call them on their bluff, though. She has no choice. What do ghosts know about eating peanut butter for dinner?
However, when her next summoning accidentally raises someone from the dead, Katrell realizes that a live body is worth a lot more than a dead apparition. And, warning or not, she has no intention of letting this lucrative new business go.
But magic doesn’t come for free, and soon dark forces are closing in on Katrell. The further she goes, the more she risks the lives of not only herself, but those she loves. Katrell faces a choice: resign herself to poverty, or confront the darkness before it’s too late.
Review: I fell in love with this book from the first page. This book is so well done and it’s one of the best witchy books I’ve read in my life. The book has well done character development and the world building is immaculate. I loved how well the magic system was detailed and how realistic it is from what I hear from my real life witchy friends (that it takes a part of you to do it and can cause you pain/some future issues). The writing is very well done as well and this book is very evenly paced. I do have to warn you though, you’ll be consumed by this book and the overwhelming sadness in it. This book is such a tear-jerker and it’s so haunting that it’ll make you think about it for days or weeks to come.
The trigger warnings in this book are recommended to read and self-consult with. The animal death scene royally effed me up because I was so distraught with myself over it. The author had an amazing way with words and makes you feel like the characters are actually there, but damn it hits hard when death happens.
Verdict: It was so good and so sad and so good.
Book: Bad Witch Burning
Author: Jessica Lewis
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black MC, Fat side character
Recommended For...: young adult readers, paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy, witches, horror
Publication Date: August 24, 2021
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, child abuse, emotional abuse, alcohol abuse, slight language, grief, animal death TW, domestic violence TW)
Explanation of CWs: Animal Death scene played out, it’s a tear-jerker and a pain inducer. There is also graphic descriptions of domestic violence, child abuse, and emotional abuse. There’s also gun violence and gore.
Publisher: Delacorte
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Katrell doesn’t mind talking to the dead; she just wishes it made more money. Clients pay her to talk to their deceased loved ones, but it isn’t enough to support her unemployed mother and Mom’s deadbeat boyfriend-of-the-week. Things get worse, when a ghost warns her to stop the summonings or she’ll “burn everything down.” Katrell is willing to call them on their bluff, though. She has no choice. What do ghosts know about eating peanut butter for dinner?
However, when her next summoning accidentally raises someone from the dead, Katrell realizes that a live body is worth a lot more than a dead apparition. And, warning or not, she has no intention of letting this lucrative new business go.
But magic doesn’t come for free, and soon dark forces are closing in on Katrell. The further she goes, the more she risks the lives of not only herself, but those she loves. Katrell faces a choice: resign herself to poverty, or confront the darkness before it’s too late.
Review: I fell in love with this book from the first page. This book is so well done and it’s one of the best witchy books I’ve read in my life. The book has well done character development and the world building is immaculate. I loved how well the magic system was detailed and how realistic it is from what I hear from my real life witchy friends (that it takes a part of you to do it and can cause you pain/some future issues). The writing is very well done as well and this book is very evenly paced. I do have to warn you though, you’ll be consumed by this book and the overwhelming sadness in it. This book is such a tear-jerker and it’s so haunting that it’ll make you think about it for days or weeks to come.
The trigger warnings in this book are recommended to read and self-consult with. The animal death scene royally effed me up because I was so distraught with myself over it. The author had an amazing way with words and makes you feel like the characters are actually there, but damn it hits hard when death happens.
Verdict: It was so good and so sad and so good.
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Idriel’s Children
Author: Hayley Reese Chow
Book Series: Odriel’s Heirs Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: July 19, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore)
Explanation of CWs: Moderate amounts of violence and gore.
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 201
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Aza inherited the power of shadow to rid the land of evil as Odriel’s cold-blooded assassin. With her growing strength, Aza discovers the Shadow Plane—a realm of wraiths where screams haunt the winds, calling to her. Although her father forbids her from entering the dark realm, Aza can’t ignore the beckoning whispers.
When a dangerous new breed of monster attacks, Aza believes the Shadow Plane holds the answers they need to defeat them. With the unwanted help of a snarky cat and a cursed beast, Aza seeks out the monastic Wraith-Called for answers. But the deeper Aza delves into the dark realm, the further she drifts from the world she knows.
As Aza uncovers evils new and old, she must decide if the ends really do justify the means… and how many lives she’s willing to pay.
Review: For the most part I enjoyed the book. The writing is very well done and the story is well plotted. The characters are well developed and the world building is great. It’s a good book for people who like the same chosen one tropey style books.
However, I did feel like this book is very trope-y and predictable. There’s not a lot that doesn’t go on in other books and I felt like the book, while great, didn’t have a special spark that made it unique. The pacing is also slow.
Verdict: It’s good.
Book: Idriel’s Children
Author: Hayley Reese Chow
Book Series: Odriel’s Heirs Book 2
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy
Publication Date: July 19, 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore)
Explanation of CWs: Moderate amounts of violence and gore.
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 201
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Aza inherited the power of shadow to rid the land of evil as Odriel’s cold-blooded assassin. With her growing strength, Aza discovers the Shadow Plane—a realm of wraiths where screams haunt the winds, calling to her. Although her father forbids her from entering the dark realm, Aza can’t ignore the beckoning whispers.
When a dangerous new breed of monster attacks, Aza believes the Shadow Plane holds the answers they need to defeat them. With the unwanted help of a snarky cat and a cursed beast, Aza seeks out the monastic Wraith-Called for answers. But the deeper Aza delves into the dark realm, the further she drifts from the world she knows.
As Aza uncovers evils new and old, she must decide if the ends really do justify the means… and how many lives she’s willing to pay.
Review: For the most part I enjoyed the book. The writing is very well done and the story is well plotted. The characters are well developed and the world building is great. It’s a good book for people who like the same chosen one tropey style books.
However, I did feel like this book is very trope-y and predictable. There’s not a lot that doesn’t go on in other books and I felt like the book, while great, didn’t have a special spark that made it unique. The pacing is also slow.
Verdict: It’s good.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Bookseller’s Secret
Author: Michelle Gable
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 1/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, WW2
Publication Date: August 17, 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNFed
Publisher: Graydon House
Pages: 400
Synopsis: In 1942, London, Nancy Mitford is worried about more than air raids and German spies. Still recovering from a devastating loss, the once sparkling Bright Young Thing is estranged from her husband, her allowance has been cut, and she’s given up her writing career. On top of this, her five beautiful but infamous sisters continue making headlines with their controversial politics.
Eager for distraction and desperate for income, Nancy jumps at the chance to manage the Heywood Hill bookshop while the owner is away at war. Between the shop’s brisk business and the literary salons she hosts for her eccentric friends, Nancy’s life seems on the upswing. But when a mysterious French officer insists that she has a story to tell, Nancy must decide if picking up the pen again and revealing all is worth the price she might be forced to pay.
Eighty years later, Heywood Hill is abuzz with the hunt for a lost wartime manuscript written by Nancy Mitford. For one woman desperately in need of a change, the search will reveal not only a new side to Nancy, but an even more surprising link between the past and present…
Eager for distraction and desperate for income, Nancy jumps at the chance to manage the Heywood Hill bookshop while the owner is away at war. Between the shop’s brisk business and the literary salons she hosts for her eccentric friends, Nancy’s life seems on the upswing. But when a mysterious French officer insists that she has a story to tell, Nancy must decide if picking up the pen again and revealing all is worth the price she might be forced to pay.
Eighty years later, Heywood Hill is abuzz with the hunt for a lost wartime manuscript written by Nancy Mitford. For one woman desperately in need of a change, the search will reveal not only a new side to Nancy, but an even more surprising link between the past and present…
Review: I had to DNF this book at 23% in. The book is just really unbearable for me. It’s slow in a lot of places and the main character is not likable at all. There also seems to be a lot of plot points in the book that don’t seem related to the story whatsoever. I also didn’t know about the main character’s ties to Hitler (through her sisters Unity and Diana) before looking into the book and I don’t think I’ll be making another attempt at this book.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you.
adventurous
emotional
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Enola Homes and the Black Barouche
Author: Nancy Springer
Book Series: Enola Homes Book 7
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, sherlock holmes stories.
Publication Date: August 31, 2021
Genre: YA Mystery Thriller
Recommended Age: 15+ (murder, violence, slight gore)
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 272
Synopsis: Enola Holmes is the much younger sister of her more famous brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft. But she has all the wits, skills, and sleuthing inclinations of them both. At fifteen, she's an independent young woman--after all, her name spelled backwards reads 'alone'--and living on her own in London. When a young professional woman, Miss Letitia Glover, shows up on Sherlock's doorstep, desperate to learn more about the fate of her twin sister, it is Enola who steps up. It seems her sister, the former Felicity Glover, married the Earl of Dunhench and per a curt note from the Earl, has died. But Letitia Glover is convinced this isn't the truth, that she'd know--she'd feel--if her twin had died.
The Earl's note is suspiciously vague and the death certificate is even more dubious, signed it seems by a John H. Watson, M.D. (who denies any knowledge of such). The only way forward is for Enola to go undercover--or so Enola decides at the vehement objection of her brother. And she soon finds out that this is not the first of the Earl's wives to die suddenly and vaguely--and that the secret to the fate of the missing Felicity is tied to a mysterious black barouche that arrived at the Earl's home in the middle of the night. To uncover the secrets held tightly within the Earl's hall, Enola is going to require help--from Sherlock, from the twin sister of the missing woman, and from an old friend, the young Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether!
Review: To start off, I didn’t know that this was the seventh book in this series. I don’t remember if it was listed or not, but I totally glossed over that fact when I got a chance to review this book. I did feel like the book did need some previous book context, but this can stand alone if you wanted to just read this one. The book alone was fairly well written though and I did enjoy the plot. I also really liked the world building and the banter between the characters.
However, I did feel like the character development was a bit too quickly done and that the relationship between Enola and Sherlock was too quickly repaired. I don’t know if the other books dove into their relationship, but if it did then you would need the context of them. I also felt like the pacing was too fast for me.
Verdict: It’s great, but needs context.
Book: Enola Homes and the Black Barouche
Author: Nancy Springer
Book Series: Enola Homes Book 7
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, sherlock holmes stories.
Publication Date: August 31, 2021
Genre: YA Mystery Thriller
Recommended Age: 15+ (murder, violence, slight gore)
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 272
Synopsis: Enola Holmes is the much younger sister of her more famous brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft. But she has all the wits, skills, and sleuthing inclinations of them both. At fifteen, she's an independent young woman--after all, her name spelled backwards reads 'alone'--and living on her own in London. When a young professional woman, Miss Letitia Glover, shows up on Sherlock's doorstep, desperate to learn more about the fate of her twin sister, it is Enola who steps up. It seems her sister, the former Felicity Glover, married the Earl of Dunhench and per a curt note from the Earl, has died. But Letitia Glover is convinced this isn't the truth, that she'd know--she'd feel--if her twin had died.
The Earl's note is suspiciously vague and the death certificate is even more dubious, signed it seems by a John H. Watson, M.D. (who denies any knowledge of such). The only way forward is for Enola to go undercover--or so Enola decides at the vehement objection of her brother. And she soon finds out that this is not the first of the Earl's wives to die suddenly and vaguely--and that the secret to the fate of the missing Felicity is tied to a mysterious black barouche that arrived at the Earl's home in the middle of the night. To uncover the secrets held tightly within the Earl's hall, Enola is going to require help--from Sherlock, from the twin sister of the missing woman, and from an old friend, the young Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether!
Review: To start off, I didn’t know that this was the seventh book in this series. I don’t remember if it was listed or not, but I totally glossed over that fact when I got a chance to review this book. I did feel like the book did need some previous book context, but this can stand alone if you wanted to just read this one. The book alone was fairly well written though and I did enjoy the plot. I also really liked the world building and the banter between the characters.
However, I did feel like the character development was a bit too quickly done and that the relationship between Enola and Sherlock was too quickly repaired. I don’t know if the other books dove into their relationship, but if it did then you would need the context of them. I also felt like the pacing was too fast for me.
Verdict: It’s great, but needs context.
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Edie in Between
Author: Laura Sibson
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Sapphic romance, but only a little bit
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, magic, witches, sapphic
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: August 24, 2021
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Pages: 384
Recommended Age: 14+ (Death, Parental death, Romance, Sexual content)
Explanation of CWs: Sex and romance are in the book and important to the plot. Death is also mentioned and a plot line.
Synopsis: It’s been one year since Edie’s mother died. But her ghost has never left.
According to her GG, it’s tradition that the dead of the Mitchell family linger with the living. It’s just as much a part of a Mitchell’s life as brewing cordials or talking to plants. But Edie, whose pain over losing her mother is still fresh, has no interest in her family’s legacy as local “witches.”
When her mother’s teenage journal tumbles into her life, her family’s mystical inheritance becomes once and for all too hard to ignore. It takes Edie on a scavenger hunt to find objects that once belonged to her mother, each one imbued with a different memory. Every time she touches one of these talismans, it whisks her to another entry inside the journal—where she watches her teenage mom mourn, love, and hope just as Edie herself is now doing. Maybe, just maybe, Edie hopes, if she finds every one of these objects, she can finally make peace with her loss and put the past to rest for good. But this journey to stake her independence from her family may actually show Edie who she truly is…and the beautiful gifts that come with being just a little different.
Review: This was an ok book. I loved that it was a fun quick read and that the characters were all kinda fun and fairly well developed.
However, I actually hated reading this book. The magic system is not well explained and the world building is so poorly well done. It's really hard to get into the book and overall I was really bored with this book.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you.
Book: Edie in Between
Author: Laura Sibson
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Sapphic romance, but only a little bit
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, magic, witches, sapphic
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: August 24, 2021
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Pages: 384
Recommended Age: 14+ (Death, Parental death, Romance, Sexual content)
Explanation of CWs: Sex and romance are in the book and important to the plot. Death is also mentioned and a plot line.
Synopsis: It’s been one year since Edie’s mother died. But her ghost has never left.
According to her GG, it’s tradition that the dead of the Mitchell family linger with the living. It’s just as much a part of a Mitchell’s life as brewing cordials or talking to plants. But Edie, whose pain over losing her mother is still fresh, has no interest in her family’s legacy as local “witches.”
When her mother’s teenage journal tumbles into her life, her family’s mystical inheritance becomes once and for all too hard to ignore. It takes Edie on a scavenger hunt to find objects that once belonged to her mother, each one imbued with a different memory. Every time she touches one of these talismans, it whisks her to another entry inside the journal—where she watches her teenage mom mourn, love, and hope just as Edie herself is now doing. Maybe, just maybe, Edie hopes, if she finds every one of these objects, she can finally make peace with her loss and put the past to rest for good. But this journey to stake her independence from her family may actually show Edie who she truly is…and the beautiful gifts that come with being just a little different.
Review: This was an ok book. I loved that it was a fun quick read and that the characters were all kinda fun and fairly well developed.
However, I actually hated reading this book. The magic system is not well explained and the world building is so poorly well done. It's really hard to get into the book and overall I was really bored with this book.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Forestborn
Author: Elayne Audrey Becker
Book Series: Forestborn Book 1
Diversity: 1 time mentioned m/m relationship
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, magic, shifting
Genre: YA fantasy
Publication Date: August 31, 2021
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 368
Recommended Age: 13+ (violence, gore, animal gore, slight romance)
Explanation of CWs: This was actually a fairly mild book. There was a lot of violence and gore, some animal gore as well.
Synopsis: Rora is a shifter, as magical as all those born in the wilderness--and as feared. She uses her abilities to spy for the king, traveling under different guises and listening for signs of trouble.
When a magical illness surfaces across the kingdom, Rora uncovers a devastating truth: Finley, the young prince and her best friend, has caught it, too. His only hope is stardust, the rarest of magical elements, found deep in the wilderness where Rora grew up--and to which she swore never to return.
But for her only friend, Rora will face her past and brave the dark, magical wood, journeying with her brother and the obstinate, older prince who insists on coming. Together, they must survive sentient forests and creatures unknown, battling an ever-changing landscape while escaping human pursuers who want them dead. With illness gripping the kingdom and war on the horizon, Finley's is not the only life that hangs in the balance.
Review: This was an ok book. The book had a good magical system and the character development was well done. I also thought that the plot was well executed.
However, I really hated reading this book. The book doesn't explain the backstory and I feel like it's one of those that you have to read the blurb before you read the book. For most of the book until after 50% of the way through there wasn't that much magic or shifting. At 40% of the way through the book slows down significantly, only to pick up at about 75%. And finally, I just found the book extremely boring until about 80% of the way through the book. It was incredibly bland and just not interesting for me.
Verdict: Definitely not for me but maybe for you.
Book: Forestborn
Author: Elayne Audrey Becker
Book Series: Forestborn Book 1
Diversity: 1 time mentioned m/m relationship
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, magic, shifting
Genre: YA fantasy
Publication Date: August 31, 2021
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 368
Recommended Age: 13+ (violence, gore, animal gore, slight romance)
Explanation of CWs: This was actually a fairly mild book. There was a lot of violence and gore, some animal gore as well.
Synopsis: Rora is a shifter, as magical as all those born in the wilderness--and as feared. She uses her abilities to spy for the king, traveling under different guises and listening for signs of trouble.
When a magical illness surfaces across the kingdom, Rora uncovers a devastating truth: Finley, the young prince and her best friend, has caught it, too. His only hope is stardust, the rarest of magical elements, found deep in the wilderness where Rora grew up--and to which she swore never to return.
But for her only friend, Rora will face her past and brave the dark, magical wood, journeying with her brother and the obstinate, older prince who insists on coming. Together, they must survive sentient forests and creatures unknown, battling an ever-changing landscape while escaping human pursuers who want them dead. With illness gripping the kingdom and war on the horizon, Finley's is not the only life that hangs in the balance.
Review: This was an ok book. The book had a good magical system and the character development was well done. I also thought that the plot was well executed.
However, I really hated reading this book. The book doesn't explain the backstory and I feel like it's one of those that you have to read the blurb before you read the book. For most of the book until after 50% of the way through there wasn't that much magic or shifting. At 40% of the way through the book slows down significantly, only to pick up at about 75%. And finally, I just found the book extremely boring until about 80% of the way through the book. It was incredibly bland and just not interesting for me.
Verdict: Definitely not for me but maybe for you.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Like Other Girls
Author: Britta Lundin
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Lesbian Asian side character, Lesbian MC, F/f romance
Rating: 5/4
Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary, sports, football
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: August 3, 2021
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 373
Recommended Age: 14+ (Sexism, Assualt, Religion discussed, Alcohol consumption by minors, Language, Sexual assualt, Violence)
Explanation of CWs: Sexism is a theme of this book. There is fighting violence, assaults, and sexual assault in the form of inappropriate touching. Alcohol consumption by minors is frequent in the novel, as is language.
Synopsis: After getting kicked off the basketball team for a fight that was absolutely totally not her fault (okay maybe a little her fault), Mara is dying to find a new sport to play to prove to her coach that she can be a team player. A lifelong football fan, Mara decides to hit the gridiron with her brother, Noah, and best friend, Quinn-and she turns out to be a natural. But joining the team sets off a chain of events in her small Oregon town-and within her family-that she never could have predicted.
Inspired by what they see as Mara's political statement, four other girls join the team. Now Mara's lumped in as one of the girls-one of the girls who can't throw, can't kick, and doesn't know a fullback from a linebacker. Complicating matters is the fact that Valentina, Mara's crush, is one of the new players, as is Carly, Mara's nemesis-the girl Mara fought with when she was kicked off the basketball team. What results is a coming-of-age story that is at once tear-jerking and funny, thought-provoking and real, as Mara's preconceived notions about gender, sports, sexuality, and friendship are turned upside down.
Review: I really liked this one! I thought the book did well to highlight the need for change in sports for girls and the struggles every girl faces, even if they're more tomboyish or only hang around boys. I thought the character development was amazingly well done and the world building was great. I also loved the plot of the book.
However, I did feel like some of the books characters weren't redeemed by the end and that there was a lack of justice for the girls, especially when those irredeemable characters were fellow women. But that's sadly a realistic issue in today's society.
Verdict: It's great!
Book: Like Other Girls
Author: Britta Lundin
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Lesbian Asian side character, Lesbian MC, F/f romance
Rating: 5/4
Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary, sports, football
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: August 3, 2021
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 373
Recommended Age: 14+ (Sexism, Assualt, Religion discussed, Alcohol consumption by minors, Language, Sexual assualt, Violence)
Explanation of CWs: Sexism is a theme of this book. There is fighting violence, assaults, and sexual assault in the form of inappropriate touching. Alcohol consumption by minors is frequent in the novel, as is language.
Synopsis: After getting kicked off the basketball team for a fight that was absolutely totally not her fault (okay maybe a little her fault), Mara is dying to find a new sport to play to prove to her coach that she can be a team player. A lifelong football fan, Mara decides to hit the gridiron with her brother, Noah, and best friend, Quinn-and she turns out to be a natural. But joining the team sets off a chain of events in her small Oregon town-and within her family-that she never could have predicted.
Inspired by what they see as Mara's political statement, four other girls join the team. Now Mara's lumped in as one of the girls-one of the girls who can't throw, can't kick, and doesn't know a fullback from a linebacker. Complicating matters is the fact that Valentina, Mara's crush, is one of the new players, as is Carly, Mara's nemesis-the girl Mara fought with when she was kicked off the basketball team. What results is a coming-of-age story that is at once tear-jerking and funny, thought-provoking and real, as Mara's preconceived notions about gender, sports, sexuality, and friendship are turned upside down.
Review: I really liked this one! I thought the book did well to highlight the need for change in sports for girls and the struggles every girl faces, even if they're more tomboyish or only hang around boys. I thought the character development was amazingly well done and the world building was great. I also loved the plot of the book.
However, I did feel like some of the books characters weren't redeemed by the end and that there was a lack of justice for the girls, especially when those irredeemable characters were fellow women. But that's sadly a realistic issue in today's society.
Verdict: It's great!
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Down to Earth
Author: Betty Culley
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Middle Grade readers, contemporary, science, geology
Genre: MG Contemporary
Publication Date: August 24, 2021
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 224
Recommended Age: 8+ (Parent death mentioned, Depression shown, Flooded house, Violence)
Explanation of CWs: There was one violent action wrote in the books where a kid gets hit with a brick to the head and he goes into a coma. There is also parental death brought up and depression is shown by the MCs mother.
Synopsis: Henry has always been fascinated by rocks. As a homeschooler, he pours through the R volume of the encyclopedia to help him identify the rocks he finds. So, when a meteorite falls in his family's field, who better to investigate than this rock enthusiast--with his best friend, James, and his little sister, Birdie, in tow, of course.
But soon after the meteorite's arrival, the water in Henry's small Maine town starts drying up. It's not long before news spreads that the space rock and Henry's family might be to blame. Henry is determined to defend his newest discovery, but his knowledge of geology could not have prepared him for how much this stone from the sky would change his community, his family, and even himself.
Science and wonder abound in this middle-grade debut about an inquisitive boy and the massive rock that came down to Earth to reshape his life.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. I liked how fun the book was from the characters perspective and how well the character handled the issues in an age appropriate manner. I think younger aged children would love this cute story.
However, the book was mostly narrative instead of descriptive and that caused the character development and world building to suffer. The story was also disjointed and there was a lot of math involved in the book which could be off-putting to some kids.
Verdict: It's a good read for littles!
Book: Down to Earth
Author: Betty Culley
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Middle Grade readers, contemporary, science, geology
Genre: MG Contemporary
Publication Date: August 24, 2021
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 224
Recommended Age: 8+ (Parent death mentioned, Depression shown, Flooded house, Violence)
Explanation of CWs: There was one violent action wrote in the books where a kid gets hit with a brick to the head and he goes into a coma. There is also parental death brought up and depression is shown by the MCs mother.
Synopsis: Henry has always been fascinated by rocks. As a homeschooler, he pours through the R volume of the encyclopedia to help him identify the rocks he finds. So, when a meteorite falls in his family's field, who better to investigate than this rock enthusiast--with his best friend, James, and his little sister, Birdie, in tow, of course.
But soon after the meteorite's arrival, the water in Henry's small Maine town starts drying up. It's not long before news spreads that the space rock and Henry's family might be to blame. Henry is determined to defend his newest discovery, but his knowledge of geology could not have prepared him for how much this stone from the sky would change his community, his family, and even himself.
Science and wonder abound in this middle-grade debut about an inquisitive boy and the massive rock that came down to Earth to reshape his life.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. I liked how fun the book was from the characters perspective and how well the character handled the issues in an age appropriate manner. I think younger aged children would love this cute story.
However, the book was mostly narrative instead of descriptive and that caused the character development and world building to suffer. The story was also disjointed and there was a lot of math involved in the book which could be off-putting to some kids.
Verdict: It's a good read for littles!