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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
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:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received an early access audiobook from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: My Contrary Mary
Author: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Book Series: Mary Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Sapphic romance with one of the MCs, Ace side character
Recommended For...: historical fiction, young adult readers, The Lady Janies lovers
Publication Date: June 22, 2021
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 13+ (some violence, some language, death, misogyny)
Explanation of CWs: There is some slight violence in this book and the book does have the occasional curse. The book also has some death involved with the plot and because it’s from the Renaissance Period there are some misogynistic views on our MCs and the side characters which reduce them, even a powerful queen, to just a womb on legs. This is quickly thwarted by the kickass MCs though.
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 512
Synopsis: Welcome to Renaissance France, a place of poison and plots, of beauties and beasts, of mice and . . . queens?⠀
⠀
Mary is the queen of Scotland and the jewel of the French court. Except when she's a mouse. Yes, reader, Mary is an Eðian (shapeshifter) in a kingdom where Verities rule. It's a secret that could cost her a head—or a tail.⠀
⠀
Luckily, Mary has a confidant in her betrothed, Francis. But after the king meets a suspicious end, things at the gilded court take a treacherous turn. Thrust onto the throne, Mary and Francis are forced to navigate a viper's nest of conspiracies, traps, and treason. And if Mary's secret is revealed, heads are bound to roll.
⠀
Mary is the queen of Scotland and the jewel of the French court. Except when she's a mouse. Yes, reader, Mary is an Eðian (shapeshifter) in a kingdom where Verities rule. It's a secret that could cost her a head—or a tail.⠀
⠀
Luckily, Mary has a confidant in her betrothed, Francis. But after the king meets a suspicious end, things at the gilded court take a treacherous turn. Thrust onto the throne, Mary and Francis are forced to navigate a viper's nest of conspiracies, traps, and treason. And if Mary's secret is revealed, heads are bound to roll.
Review: As my first book into The Lady Janies universe I am absolutely floored at how great this book is! I immediately loved this book from the first chapter. The book is well done, it’s funny, and it’s the right kind of historical fiction for me. It doesn’t take history too seriously and really shows that those of the past were just like us. I really liked the character and how well done they were. I also really liked the world building and the pacing was on par as well. The book’s plot was well written and I was immediately invested in this read. I also thought the romance was well done.
The only issue I really had with this book is that the ending leaves me wanting more and the finale was a bit too quick in my opinion.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
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: The Right Side of Reckless
Author: Whitney D. Grandison
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Diversity: Black MC and Mexican American MC
Recommended For...: contemporary, young adult readers
Publication Date: July 13, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (sexual content, romance, slight violence, crime mentioned, misogyny, some language)
Explanation of CWs: The main male character (Guillermo) is on probation for some crimes he committed. He has anger issues and there is some violence mentioned in according to him. Regan (main female character) has a boyfriend who is misogynistic and pressures her for sex.
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 416
Synopsis: They were supposed to ignore each other and respect that fine line between them…
Guillermo Lozano is getting a fresh start. New town, new school, and no more reckless behavior. He’s done his time, and now he needs to right his wrongs. But when his work at the local community center throws him into the path of the one girl who is off-limits, friendship sparks…and maybe more.
Regan London needs a fresh perspective. The pressure to stay in her “perfect” relationship and be the good girl all the time has worn her down. But when the walls start to cave in and she finds unexpected understanding from the boy her parents warned about, she can’t ignore her feelings anymore.
The disapproval is instant. Being together might just get Guillermo sent away. But when it comes to the heart, sometimes you have to break the rules and be a little bit reckless…
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. It was intriguing to me and immediately drew me into the story. The world building was well done and the writing was well done as well.
However, this book kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t like the inconsistencies with how the author talked about the juvie kids and with what I’ve seen in real life. The book fell into the good girl/bad boy/good girl fixes bad boy trope and that just doesn’t vibe with me as many kids are in the juvenile system because of trauma and other outside influences. Rarely did I see a kid in the program who was there because they liked to commit crime, at least 90% of the time it was because of home issues, relationship issues, or some other extreme issues that were outside of the kids hands. I also thought that the characters weren’t well developed and the side characters weren’t easily distinguishable from others. The book also dragged pacing wise and the book doesn’t have a good ratio of cute moments to angst/will they won’t they. Finally, I didn’t like the romance in this book and I thought it was weird. Regan is in a committed relationship with someone else until about 80% of the book through and then after she finds out her boyfriend cheated on her she kisses Guillermo. That doesn’t send the right message to kids and it makes the main love interest feel more like a rebound than anything else.
Verdict: It’s ok, could be wrote a bit better.
Book: The Right Side of Reckless
Author: Whitney D. Grandison
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Diversity: Black MC and Mexican American MC
Recommended For...: contemporary, young adult readers
Publication Date: July 13, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (sexual content, romance, slight violence, crime mentioned, misogyny, some language)
Explanation of CWs: The main male character (Guillermo) is on probation for some crimes he committed. He has anger issues and there is some violence mentioned in according to him. Regan (main female character) has a boyfriend who is misogynistic and pressures her for sex.
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 416
Synopsis: They were supposed to ignore each other and respect that fine line between them…
Guillermo Lozano is getting a fresh start. New town, new school, and no more reckless behavior. He’s done his time, and now he needs to right his wrongs. But when his work at the local community center throws him into the path of the one girl who is off-limits, friendship sparks…and maybe more.
Regan London needs a fresh perspective. The pressure to stay in her “perfect” relationship and be the good girl all the time has worn her down. But when the walls start to cave in and she finds unexpected understanding from the boy her parents warned about, she can’t ignore her feelings anymore.
The disapproval is instant. Being together might just get Guillermo sent away. But when it comes to the heart, sometimes you have to break the rules and be a little bit reckless…
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. It was intriguing to me and immediately drew me into the story. The world building was well done and the writing was well done as well.
However, this book kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t like the inconsistencies with how the author talked about the juvie kids and with what I’ve seen in real life. The book fell into the good girl/bad boy/good girl fixes bad boy trope and that just doesn’t vibe with me as many kids are in the juvenile system because of trauma and other outside influences. Rarely did I see a kid in the program who was there because they liked to commit crime, at least 90% of the time it was because of home issues, relationship issues, or some other extreme issues that were outside of the kids hands. I also thought that the characters weren’t well developed and the side characters weren’t easily distinguishable from others. The book also dragged pacing wise and the book doesn’t have a good ratio of cute moments to angst/will they won’t they. Finally, I didn’t like the romance in this book and I thought it was weird. Regan is in a committed relationship with someone else until about 80% of the book through and then after she finds out her boyfriend cheated on her she kisses Guillermo. That doesn’t send the right message to kids and it makes the main love interest feel more like a rebound than anything else.
Verdict: It’s ok, could be wrote a bit better.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disclaimer: I received the ebook from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Book of Uriel: A Novel of WWII
Author: Elyse Hoffman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Jewish MC and characters, Mute MC
Recommended For...: historical fiction, Jewish literature
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 15+ (Holocaust, genocide, death, violence, gore, near-death)
Explanation of CWs: The book is set during the Holocaust/WW2 era and the main character witnesses his whole village being massacred. Death is present in the book, as is violence and the horrors of WW2, and the main character nearly dies in a terrible manner.
Publisher: Project 613 Publishing
Pages: 317
Synopsis: In the fires of World War II, a child must save his people from darkness…
Ten-year-old Uriel has always been an outcast. Born mute in a Jewish village known for its choir, he escapes into old stories of his people, stories of angels and monsters. But when the fires of the Holocaust consume his village, he learns that the stories he writes in his golden notebook are terrifyingly real.
In the aftermath of the attack, Uriel is taken in by Uwe, a kind-hearted linguist forced to work for the commander of the local Nazi Police, the affably brutal Major Brandt. Uwe wants to keep Uriel safe, but Uriel can’t stay hidden. The angels of his tales have come to him with a dire message: Michael, guardian angel of the Jewish people, is missing. Without their angel, the Jewish people are doomed, and Michael’s angelic brethren cannot search for him in the lands corrupted by Nazi evil.
With the lives of millions at stake, Uriel must find Michael and free him from the clutches of the Angel of Death...even if that means putting Uwe in mortal danger.
The Book of Uriel is a heartbreaking blend of historical fiction and Jewish folklore that will enthrall fans of The Book Thief and The World That We Knew.
Ten-year-old Uriel has always been an outcast. Born mute in a Jewish village known for its choir, he escapes into old stories of his people, stories of angels and monsters. But when the fires of the Holocaust consume his village, he learns that the stories he writes in his golden notebook are terrifyingly real.
In the aftermath of the attack, Uriel is taken in by Uwe, a kind-hearted linguist forced to work for the commander of the local Nazi Police, the affably brutal Major Brandt. Uwe wants to keep Uriel safe, but Uriel can’t stay hidden. The angels of his tales have come to him with a dire message: Michael, guardian angel of the Jewish people, is missing. Without their angel, the Jewish people are doomed, and Michael’s angelic brethren cannot search for him in the lands corrupted by Nazi evil.
With the lives of millions at stake, Uriel must find Michael and free him from the clutches of the Angel of Death...even if that means putting Uwe in mortal danger.
The Book of Uriel is a heartbreaking blend of historical fiction and Jewish folklore that will enthrall fans of The Book Thief and The World That We Knew.
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I really loved the story and I loved seeing the Jewish folklore and Judaism woven into this story. I don’t believe I’ve read a book with a Jewish main character before (correct me if I’m wrong) and I LOVED it. I loved the rep and I loved that the main character was also mute and that the end of the book shows that this character accepts himself as perfect the way he is. I also loved the world building and the pacing. The plot was also fantastic.
My main issue with the book is that this book is wrote in a middle grade character, but it has a lot of mature content. If your child is fine with that and can come to you with questions about this time period, then that’s absolutely fine, but the content of the book is definitely for a young adult audience.
Verdict: It’s great!
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Dead Life
Author: Matthew Sprosty
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: comedy reads, horror reads
Publication Date: May 15, 2021
Genre: Comedy Horror
Recommended Age: Can’t recommend, DNFed
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Pages: 280
Synopsis: A sixteen-year-old girl wakes up in somebody's front yard, and cannot remember a single thing. All she knows is that she was abandoned, has a bite wound on her shoulder, and a hankering hunger for meat.
Why would someone bite her? Who bit her? Are they still out there? Will they come back to finish their meal?
And really, honestly, most importantly- who is she?
THE DEAD LIFE is a humorous horror novel that will have you laughing out loud one moment and grossed out the next. Witty and gruesome, follow a teenager as she begins to understand her new life, temper her appetite, and solve the crime of who infected her with a deadly virus.
Review: I had to DNF this book at 43%. The book is good and funny, but I just wasn’t connecting with the book. It was a cool take on zombie novels, but it’s just unfortunately not for me at this time. I do want to try this book out again in the future though and have added it to my Amazon wishlist.
Verdict: It’s good, just not for me.
Book: The Dead Life
Author: Matthew Sprosty
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: comedy reads, horror reads
Publication Date: May 15, 2021
Genre: Comedy Horror
Recommended Age: Can’t recommend, DNFed
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Pages: 280
Synopsis: A sixteen-year-old girl wakes up in somebody's front yard, and cannot remember a single thing. All she knows is that she was abandoned, has a bite wound on her shoulder, and a hankering hunger for meat.
Why would someone bite her? Who bit her? Are they still out there? Will they come back to finish their meal?
And really, honestly, most importantly- who is she?
THE DEAD LIFE is a humorous horror novel that will have you laughing out loud one moment and grossed out the next. Witty and gruesome, follow a teenager as she begins to understand her new life, temper her appetite, and solve the crime of who infected her with a deadly virus.
Review: I had to DNF this book at 43%. The book is good and funny, but I just wasn’t connecting with the book. It was a cool take on zombie novels, but it’s just unfortunately not for me at this time. I do want to try this book out again in the future though and have added it to my Amazon wishlist.
Verdict: It’s good, just not for me.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Fatal Conceit
Author: John Ritter
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: thriller, mystery, PI thriller
Publication Date: February 12, 2021
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNFed
Publisher: TouchPoint Press
Pages: 310
Synopsis: A new PI joins an eminent list, bursting with humor, pugnacity, and a leaky moral code, bent on one-upping San Francisco’s finest while wooing a prosecutor-turned-lover. A talented investigator, Beaupre muddles through his own hubris and missteps, leaving a trail of bodies and recrimination. Booted from the police force—for knocking a skinhead comatose and allegedly battering a girlfriend—he radiates confidence spiked with arrogance. Hired to find the killer in a moldy double murder, he sniffs out a drug trail, misreads a string of homicides, and not until he and a computer hacker sidekick track down a fugitive in Asia does the scope of a vast criminal conspiracy reveal itself.
Review: I had to DNF this book at around 32%. The book is good, but around that point the writing started to get stale for me and the book was too predictable up to that point. The book is also well paced and has decent character development, but it was just too predictable for me and I didn’t really feel any interest to read the book after that point.
Verdict: It’s good, just not for me.
Book: Fatal Conceit
Author: John Ritter
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: thriller, mystery, PI thriller
Publication Date: February 12, 2021
Genre: Thriller
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNFed
Publisher: TouchPoint Press
Pages: 310
Synopsis: A new PI joins an eminent list, bursting with humor, pugnacity, and a leaky moral code, bent on one-upping San Francisco’s finest while wooing a prosecutor-turned-lover. A talented investigator, Beaupre muddles through his own hubris and missteps, leaving a trail of bodies and recrimination. Booted from the police force—for knocking a skinhead comatose and allegedly battering a girlfriend—he radiates confidence spiked with arrogance. Hired to find the killer in a moldy double murder, he sniffs out a drug trail, misreads a string of homicides, and not until he and a computer hacker sidekick track down a fugitive in Asia does the scope of a vast criminal conspiracy reveal itself.
Review: I had to DNF this book at around 32%. The book is good, but around that point the writing started to get stale for me and the book was too predictable up to that point. The book is also well paced and has decent character development, but it was just too predictable for me and I didn’t really feel any interest to read the book after that point.
Verdict: It’s good, just not for me.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Empowering Sawchett
Author: Tabatha Shipley
Book Series: Kingdom of Fraun Book 4
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: romance, fantasy
Genre: Romance Fantasy
Publication Date: April 20, 2021
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 264
Recommended Age: 18+ (romance, slight sexual content, violence, war, gore)
Synopsis: The citizen of Fraun have fought for their ideals and come back stronger. Now, when their very future is threatened by giants they must make decisions about what is truly worth saving.
This time, they may not be able to save everything.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The characters were well developed, I enjoyed seeing the progression of the story, and I liked the plot of this book. While not my favorite in the series, I thought it was good all the same.
However, I felt like the pacing was too slow and that the world building wasn't as well done.
Verdict: It was ok.
Book: Empowering Sawchett
Author: Tabatha Shipley
Book Series: Kingdom of Fraun Book 4
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: romance, fantasy
Genre: Romance Fantasy
Publication Date: April 20, 2021
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 264
Recommended Age: 18+ (romance, slight sexual content, violence, war, gore)
Synopsis: The citizen of Fraun have fought for their ideals and come back stronger. Now, when their very future is threatened by giants they must make decisions about what is truly worth saving.
This time, they may not be able to save everything.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The characters were well developed, I enjoyed seeing the progression of the story, and I liked the plot of this book. While not my favorite in the series, I thought it was good all the same.
However, I felt like the pacing was too slow and that the world building wasn't as well done.
Verdict: It was ok.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Temple House Vanishing
Author: Rachel Donohue
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Mystery lovers
Genre: Mystery
Publication Date: February 6, 2020
Publisher: Algonquin Publisher
Pages: 336
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, TW suicide, slight gore, child abuse TW)
Explanation of CWs: Suicide at the beginning of the novel and child abuse is present throughout the novel.
Synopsis: Twenty-five years ago, a sixteen-year-old schoolgirl and her charismatic teacher disappeared without trace...
In an elite Catholic girls' boarding-school the pupils live under the repressive, watchful gaze of the nuns. Seeking to break from the cloistered atmosphere two of the students - Louisa and Victoria - quickly become infatuated with their young, bohemian art teacher, and act out passionately as a result. That is, until he and Louisa suddenly disappear.
Years later, a journalist uncovers the troubled past of the school and determines to resolve the mystery of the missing pair. The search for the truth will uncover a tragic, mercurial tale of suppressed desire and long-buried secrets. It will shatter lives and lay a lost soul to rest.
The Temple House Vanishing is a stunning, intensely atmospheric novel of unrequited longing, dark obsession and uneasy consequences.
Review: This book was pretty good. I liked the plot and I thought the writing was well done. I also liked the character development overall.
However, I did think that the opening was rather off-putting. It was really similar to other books like it. I also felt like the world building wasn't as well done as possible. The pacing was also a little too slow for me.
Verdict: It was great!
Book: The Temple House Vanishing
Author: Rachel Donohue
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Mystery lovers
Genre: Mystery
Publication Date: February 6, 2020
Publisher: Algonquin Publisher
Pages: 336
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, TW suicide, slight gore, child abuse TW)
Explanation of CWs: Suicide at the beginning of the novel and child abuse is present throughout the novel.
Synopsis: Twenty-five years ago, a sixteen-year-old schoolgirl and her charismatic teacher disappeared without trace...
In an elite Catholic girls' boarding-school the pupils live under the repressive, watchful gaze of the nuns. Seeking to break from the cloistered atmosphere two of the students - Louisa and Victoria - quickly become infatuated with their young, bohemian art teacher, and act out passionately as a result. That is, until he and Louisa suddenly disappear.
Years later, a journalist uncovers the troubled past of the school and determines to resolve the mystery of the missing pair. The search for the truth will uncover a tragic, mercurial tale of suppressed desire and long-buried secrets. It will shatter lives and lay a lost soul to rest.
The Temple House Vanishing is a stunning, intensely atmospheric novel of unrequited longing, dark obsession and uneasy consequences.
Review: This book was pretty good. I liked the plot and I thought the writing was well done. I also liked the character development overall.
However, I did think that the opening was rather off-putting. It was really similar to other books like it. I also felt like the world building wasn't as well done as possible. The pacing was also a little too slow for me.
Verdict: It was great!
adventurous
dark
emotional
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 a finished copy of this book and an e-arc copy. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: It Ends in Fire
Author: Andrew Shvarts
Book Series: Standalone for now
Diversity: Sapphic romance, Bisexual MC
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Young adult readers, fantasy readers, epic fantasy, magic, sapphic romance
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Presents
Pages: 384
Recommended Age: 16+ (Gore, Violence, Language, Death, Parental death, Alcohol consumption, Genocide mention, Bigotry, Slavery, Romance, Sexual content)
Explanation of CWs: Lots of gore and violence in this book. Language is sporadic, but still cursing throughout the novel. Alcohol consumption by minors and at one instance the MC describes her first drink at 13. Genocide and bigotry play a role in this book, with Marovian people almost entirely eradicating Izachi people and with the haterd Marovian people have against Humbles people and Izachi people. Slavery is also present in the novel, with non magical humans (no mention of color) being forced into servitude from birth. There is also one sex scene in the book.
Synopsis: ALKA CHELRAZI IS ON A MISSION:
1. Infiltrate Blackwater Academy
2. Win the Great Game
3. Burn Wizard society to the ground
As a child, Alka witnessed her parents' brutal murder at the hands of Wizards before she was taken in by an underground rebel group.
Now, Alka is deep undercover at the most prestigious school of magic in the Republic: Blackwater Academy, a place where status is everything, where decadent galas end in blood-splattered duels, where every student has their own agenda. To survive, Alka will have to lie, cheat, kill, and use every trick in her spy's toolkit. And for the first time in her life, the fiercely independent Alka will have to make friends in order to recruit the misfits and the outcasts into her motley rebellion.
But even as she draws closer to victory — to vengeance — she sinks deeper into danger as suspicious professors and murderous rivals seek the traitor in their midst, and dark revelations unravel her resolve. Can Alka destroy the twisted game...without becoming a part of it?
Review: I really liked this read! It was fun and electric and it hooked me from the first sentence. The book did well to have a fun magical storyline that was fairly unique in structure and the character development was amazingly well done. I also loved the world building, albeit a little confusing, and the pacing was well done.
However, there were some bits that I had issues with. First of all, this book is very much like a certain TERF's signature magical series. If that's triggering or upsetting to you then you might not want to read it. However, I did like that it was a murderous version of that other series, so maybe you'll like it too. There is also an error in book in Chapter 29. The author put a character (Talyn) in the House of Zartan when he's always in the House if Javellos otherwise in the book. It's a glaring issue, but quickly done away with after that.
Verdict: It's really good!
Book: It Ends in Fire
Author: Andrew Shvarts
Book Series: Standalone for now
Diversity: Sapphic romance, Bisexual MC
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Young adult readers, fantasy readers, epic fantasy, magic, sapphic romance
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Presents
Pages: 384
Recommended Age: 16+ (Gore, Violence, Language, Death, Parental death, Alcohol consumption, Genocide mention, Bigotry, Slavery, Romance, Sexual content)
Explanation of CWs: Lots of gore and violence in this book. Language is sporadic, but still cursing throughout the novel. Alcohol consumption by minors and at one instance the MC describes her first drink at 13. Genocide and bigotry play a role in this book, with Marovian people almost entirely eradicating Izachi people and with the haterd Marovian people have against Humbles people and Izachi people. Slavery is also present in the novel, with non magical humans (no mention of color) being forced into servitude from birth. There is also one sex scene in the book.
Synopsis: ALKA CHELRAZI IS ON A MISSION:
1. Infiltrate Blackwater Academy
2. Win the Great Game
3. Burn Wizard society to the ground
As a child, Alka witnessed her parents' brutal murder at the hands of Wizards before she was taken in by an underground rebel group.
Now, Alka is deep undercover at the most prestigious school of magic in the Republic: Blackwater Academy, a place where status is everything, where decadent galas end in blood-splattered duels, where every student has their own agenda. To survive, Alka will have to lie, cheat, kill, and use every trick in her spy's toolkit. And for the first time in her life, the fiercely independent Alka will have to make friends in order to recruit the misfits and the outcasts into her motley rebellion.
But even as she draws closer to victory — to vengeance — she sinks deeper into danger as suspicious professors and murderous rivals seek the traitor in their midst, and dark revelations unravel her resolve. Can Alka destroy the twisted game...without becoming a part of it?
Review: I really liked this read! It was fun and electric and it hooked me from the first sentence. The book did well to have a fun magical storyline that was fairly unique in structure and the character development was amazingly well done. I also loved the world building, albeit a little confusing, and the pacing was well done.
However, there were some bits that I had issues with. First of all, this book is very much like a certain TERF's signature magical series. If that's triggering or upsetting to you then you might not want to read it. However, I did like that it was a murderous version of that other series, so maybe you'll like it too. There is also an error in book in Chapter 29. The author put a character (Talyn) in the House of Zartan when he's always in the House if Javellos otherwise in the book. It's a glaring issue, but quickly done away with after that.
Verdict: It's really good!
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Broken Web
Author: Lori M. Lee
Book Series: Shamanborn Book 2
Diversity: Asian inspired epic fantasy and characters
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Young adult readers, fantasy, epic fantasy, Asian inspired
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: June 15, 2021
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 374
Recommended Age: 14+ (1
Violence, Death, Gore, Mass Genocide)
Explanation of CWs: Lots of fighting and gore. The book also has a lot of death, especially since it's a pivotal plot point of the book. There is also a mass genocide mentioned throughout the book about a certain group of people.
Synopsis: The Soulless has woken from his centuries-long imprisonment. Now, he lurks in the Dead Wood recovering his strength, while Sirscha and her allies journey east to the shaman empire of Nuvalyn. Everyone believes she is a soulguide—a savior—but Sirscha knows the truth. She’s a monster, a soulrender like the Soulless, and if anyone discovers the truth, she’ll be executed.
But there’s nothing Sirscha won’t risk to stop the shaman responsible for the rot that’s killing her best friend. While the Soulless is formidable, like all shamans, his magic must be channeled through a familiar. If Sirscha can discover what—or who—that is, she might be able to cut him off from his power.
With Queen Meilyr bent on destroying the magical kingdoms, Sirscha finds herself caught between a war brewing in the east and the Soulless waiting in the west. She should be trying to unite what peoples she can to face their common enemies, but instead, her hunt for clues about the Soulless leads to a grim discovery, forcing Sirscha to question who her enemies really are.
Review: For the most part this was a very enjoyable sequel to Forest of Souls and I can't wait for the third book. I loved the world building and the character development. The characters were also well written, each sounding different and distinct. I also loved the writing and if you're looking for an epic YA fantasy series, this is it!
The issues I had with this book is that the book immediately jumps into the story, straight from book 1. Normally, this would be awesome if you were reading them back to back, but it was a bit confusing for me until I started remembering everything. I also felt like the pacing was wonky, it was fast and slow, and I felt like the battle scenes were a little confusing.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: Broken Web
Author: Lori M. Lee
Book Series: Shamanborn Book 2
Diversity: Asian inspired epic fantasy and characters
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: Young adult readers, fantasy, epic fantasy, Asian inspired
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: June 15, 2021
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 374
Recommended Age: 14+ (1
Violence, Death, Gore, Mass Genocide)
Explanation of CWs: Lots of fighting and gore. The book also has a lot of death, especially since it's a pivotal plot point of the book. There is also a mass genocide mentioned throughout the book about a certain group of people.
Synopsis: The Soulless has woken from his centuries-long imprisonment. Now, he lurks in the Dead Wood recovering his strength, while Sirscha and her allies journey east to the shaman empire of Nuvalyn. Everyone believes she is a soulguide—a savior—but Sirscha knows the truth. She’s a monster, a soulrender like the Soulless, and if anyone discovers the truth, she’ll be executed.
But there’s nothing Sirscha won’t risk to stop the shaman responsible for the rot that’s killing her best friend. While the Soulless is formidable, like all shamans, his magic must be channeled through a familiar. If Sirscha can discover what—or who—that is, she might be able to cut him off from his power.
With Queen Meilyr bent on destroying the magical kingdoms, Sirscha finds herself caught between a war brewing in the east and the Soulless waiting in the west. She should be trying to unite what peoples she can to face their common enemies, but instead, her hunt for clues about the Soulless leads to a grim discovery, forcing Sirscha to question who her enemies really are.
Review: For the most part this was a very enjoyable sequel to Forest of Souls and I can't wait for the third book. I loved the world building and the character development. The characters were also well written, each sounding different and distinct. I also loved the writing and if you're looking for an epic YA fantasy series, this is it!
The issues I had with this book is that the book immediately jumps into the story, straight from book 1. Normally, this would be awesome if you were reading them back to back, but it was a bit confusing for me until I started remembering everything. I also felt like the pacing was wonky, it was fast and slow, and I felt like the battle scenes were a little confusing.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Disclaimer:. I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: There's Magic Between Us
Author: Jillian Maria
Book Series: Standalone for now
Diversity: Pansexual MC, F/f romance, Lesbian love interest, Gender fluid side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Young adults, fantasy, fae, sapphic
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 324
Recommended Age: 14+ (Language, Parental death, Teen pregnancy, Kidnapping mention, Victim blaming)
Explanation of CWs:
Synopsis: A diehard city girl, 16-year-old Lydia Barnes is reluctant to spend a week in her grandma’s small town. But hidden beneath Fairbrooke’s exterior of shoddy diners and empty farms, there’s a forest that calls to her. In it, she meets Eden: blunt, focused, and fascinating. She claims to be hunting fae treasure, and while Lydia laughs it off at first, it quickly becomes obvious that Eden’s not joking—magic is real.
Lydia joins the treasure hunt, thrilled by all the things it offers her. Things like endless places in the forest to explore and a friendship with Eden that threatens to blossom into something more. But even as she throws herself into her new adventure, some questions linger. Why did her mom keep magic a secret? Why do most of the townspeople act like the forest is evil? It seems that, as much as Lydia would like to pretend otherwise, not everything in Fairbrooke is as bright and easy as a new crush…
Review: I absolutely loved this book! It was so cute and magical. I loved the characters and I really really loved how strong willed and sassy Lydia, our MC, was. I also loved the world building and the character development of all of the characters. I really loved the addition of the fae magic as well and I liked that it didn't lean too heavily on fae. I thought the plot was great and if you're looking for a quick sapphic read then this will be your book!
The only issues I had with the book is that I felt like the book had too fast of a pace for some of the moments. Sometimes I'd be reading and it felt like I was running 100mph and I'd blink and we'd be at another section of the book. I also thought the ending was too fast and I wish there was more time to have carved it out some more.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: There's Magic Between Us
Author: Jillian Maria
Book Series: Standalone for now
Diversity: Pansexual MC, F/f romance, Lesbian love interest, Gender fluid side character
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Young adults, fantasy, fae, sapphic
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 324
Recommended Age: 14+ (Language, Parental death, Teen pregnancy, Kidnapping mention, Victim blaming)
Explanation of CWs:
Synopsis: A diehard city girl, 16-year-old Lydia Barnes is reluctant to spend a week in her grandma’s small town. But hidden beneath Fairbrooke’s exterior of shoddy diners and empty farms, there’s a forest that calls to her. In it, she meets Eden: blunt, focused, and fascinating. She claims to be hunting fae treasure, and while Lydia laughs it off at first, it quickly becomes obvious that Eden’s not joking—magic is real.
Lydia joins the treasure hunt, thrilled by all the things it offers her. Things like endless places in the forest to explore and a friendship with Eden that threatens to blossom into something more. But even as she throws herself into her new adventure, some questions linger. Why did her mom keep magic a secret? Why do most of the townspeople act like the forest is evil? It seems that, as much as Lydia would like to pretend otherwise, not everything in Fairbrooke is as bright and easy as a new crush…
Review: I absolutely loved this book! It was so cute and magical. I loved the characters and I really really loved how strong willed and sassy Lydia, our MC, was. I also loved the world building and the character development of all of the characters. I really loved the addition of the fae magic as well and I liked that it didn't lean too heavily on fae. I thought the plot was great and if you're looking for a quick sapphic read then this will be your book!
The only issues I had with the book is that I felt like the book had too fast of a pace for some of the moments. Sometimes I'd be reading and it felt like I was running 100mph and I'd blink and we'd be at another section of the book. I also thought the ending was too fast and I wish there was more time to have carved it out some more.
Verdict: Highly recommend!