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popthebutterfly
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Adult Horror
Recommended Age: 18+ (gore, violence, sex)
Welcome to Derry, Maine. It’s a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Derry the haunting is real.
They were seven teenagers when they first stumbled upon the horror. Now they are grown-up men and women who have gone out into the big world to gain success and happiness. But the promise they made twenty-eight years ago calls them reunite in the same place where, as teenagers, they battled an evil creature that preyed on the city’s children. Now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that terrifying summer return as they prepare to once again battle the monster lurking in Derry’s sewers. – Amazon.com
Welcome to the book that inspired a fear of clowns in almost every man, woman, and child in America! IT was my first adult horror film and I was so excited for the new IT film that I bought the audible for it and listened to it for over a month (it’s 45 hours long btw). And just to warn you, this book is NOT for the faint at heart. If you do not like horror movies or books, don’t watch this movie or read this book. It’s very jarring and while I like it, I’m also a big horror junkie. Anyways, on with the review!
The character development in IT was amazingly well done. I felt like I knew each member of the Loser’s club intimately and to a point almost everyone in Derry. I loved how King wrote the backstories of each character and I loved how the story was told simultaneously although they occurred in two different timelines. As such, there are two plots in this book and both are developed beautifully. This is a wonderfully horrific tale that will give you nightmares for years to come and I think it’s one of King’s best works.
However, while I do love Stephen King I do have to say that his book is not without faults. King has a problem where his writing (while fantastic) does tend to go off on tangents and down pointless rabbit holes. His writing can be hard to follow sometimes because of this and the pacing gets thrown off because of this issue as well. It’s really hard to follow the story unless you pay expert attention to the story as the POV switches very rapidly between the adults and the children.
Verdict: This is the perfect horror book for any horror junkie, but be weary of the famous King tangents! If you’re a fan of his or someone who’s not heard of King, this is definitely the book for you!
Genre: Adult Horror
Recommended Age: 18+ (gore, violence, sex)
Welcome to Derry, Maine. It’s a small city, a place as hauntingly familiar as your own hometown. Only in Derry the haunting is real.
They were seven teenagers when they first stumbled upon the horror. Now they are grown-up men and women who have gone out into the big world to gain success and happiness. But the promise they made twenty-eight years ago calls them reunite in the same place where, as teenagers, they battled an evil creature that preyed on the city’s children. Now, children are being murdered again and their repressed memories of that terrifying summer return as they prepare to once again battle the monster lurking in Derry’s sewers. – Amazon.com
Welcome to the book that inspired a fear of clowns in almost every man, woman, and child in America! IT was my first adult horror film and I was so excited for the new IT film that I bought the audible for it and listened to it for over a month (it’s 45 hours long btw). And just to warn you, this book is NOT for the faint at heart. If you do not like horror movies or books, don’t watch this movie or read this book. It’s very jarring and while I like it, I’m also a big horror junkie. Anyways, on with the review!
The character development in IT was amazingly well done. I felt like I knew each member of the Loser’s club intimately and to a point almost everyone in Derry. I loved how King wrote the backstories of each character and I loved how the story was told simultaneously although they occurred in two different timelines. As such, there are two plots in this book and both are developed beautifully. This is a wonderfully horrific tale that will give you nightmares for years to come and I think it’s one of King’s best works.
However, while I do love Stephen King I do have to say that his book is not without faults. King has a problem where his writing (while fantastic) does tend to go off on tangents and down pointless rabbit holes. His writing can be hard to follow sometimes because of this and the pacing gets thrown off because of this issue as well. It’s really hard to follow the story unless you pay expert attention to the story as the POV switches very rapidly between the adults and the children.
Verdict: This is the perfect horror book for any horror junkie, but be weary of the famous King tangents! If you’re a fan of his or someone who’s not heard of King, this is definitely the book for you!
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, trigger warnings for slight mention of sexual and physical abuse)
I received a free arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. This did not influence my decision in any manner.
A soldier is summoned to the North Pole, days before the year changes, told to fix the great Clock for a celebration. He has no idea what to do. A girl, hunted for the crime of being born, almost dies out on the ice. She is rescued by the last polar bear left alive. A library waits for them both, a library built over a span of a hundred years, forgotten in the basement of an ice shack. The world hasn't known hunger or sickness in hundreds of years. It has also forgotten love and beauty. The year is 2525. Inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic novel is set in a world where Christmas -among other things- is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace. Written in three installments, this is the breathtaking and sensual story of how two unlikely people change the world, and each other, one book at a time. In No Vain Loss, the third installment, war is about to erupt. Who will be left standing when the stars begin to fade? Immerse yourself into the icy cold world of this scorching hot new novel. – Amazon.com
This is a book I’ve been waiting on for the past few months, the last book in the No Ordinary Star series! I was so pumped to receive this book and I want to thank the author so many times over for letting me read and review this amazing book! I love Felix and Astra so much and it hurt me and made me happy to read about them again and if anyone has read this book then you know exactly what I’m talking about! While this was the last book we were introduced to some new characters. The character development was well done for the new characters and for the existing ones as well, especially for Astra and Felix. The plot developed nicely and there were many twists and turns at the end that I did not see coming. The pacing was well done as well and the writing was very fantastic and very easy to read and follow through with. I liked that for the most part, the book is from Felix’s perspective but that we have those chapters from Astra as well. While I wouldn’t mind a book from Astra’s perspective most of the story focuses on Felix and he is one of the more important parts of this book. I also like how the book explores Felix’s emotions and how developed he became as a character throughout this whole series.
However, I did feel that Astra needed to be a bit more developed as she was a main character in this series. I’d really like to explore her more as a character, especially her life before her father’s death and her escape from The Box in the time period before the first book. I think her arc is so intriguing and I’d love a prequel involving just her. I also felt that while the world building was pretty good that sci-fi lovers might like more explanation into how the science in this world works and more about the world in general.
Verdict: This book and series as a whole are one of the best YA dystopians I’ve read. I feel that the world is something that could be within that realm of possibility and that while the book does get into some sci-fi esque things that it’s not weighed down with overwhelming information about the sci-fi parts. While this was a plus for me since I’m not a big sci-fi reader, it might not be for those who like sci-fi. I also felt that while I had a really good grasp on how the world worked that the world building could have been a little bit more expanded upon. Even with those complaints I love this series and I loved this book. I felt the book and series ended appropriately, but it still had a bit of that openness to it that leaves room for interpretation as to what comes next and wiggle room for the author should she want to go back and write more books in this series (hint hint prequel for Astra). If you’re a YA dystopian lover, this is the series for you!
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, trigger warnings for slight mention of sexual and physical abuse)
I received a free arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. This did not influence my decision in any manner.
A soldier is summoned to the North Pole, days before the year changes, told to fix the great Clock for a celebration. He has no idea what to do. A girl, hunted for the crime of being born, almost dies out on the ice. She is rescued by the last polar bear left alive. A library waits for them both, a library built over a span of a hundred years, forgotten in the basement of an ice shack. The world hasn't known hunger or sickness in hundreds of years. It has also forgotten love and beauty. The year is 2525. Inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic novel is set in a world where Christmas -among other things- is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace. Written in three installments, this is the breathtaking and sensual story of how two unlikely people change the world, and each other, one book at a time. In No Vain Loss, the third installment, war is about to erupt. Who will be left standing when the stars begin to fade? Immerse yourself into the icy cold world of this scorching hot new novel. – Amazon.com
This is a book I’ve been waiting on for the past few months, the last book in the No Ordinary Star series! I was so pumped to receive this book and I want to thank the author so many times over for letting me read and review this amazing book! I love Felix and Astra so much and it hurt me and made me happy to read about them again and if anyone has read this book then you know exactly what I’m talking about! While this was the last book we were introduced to some new characters. The character development was well done for the new characters and for the existing ones as well, especially for Astra and Felix. The plot developed nicely and there were many twists and turns at the end that I did not see coming. The pacing was well done as well and the writing was very fantastic and very easy to read and follow through with. I liked that for the most part, the book is from Felix’s perspective but that we have those chapters from Astra as well. While I wouldn’t mind a book from Astra’s perspective most of the story focuses on Felix and he is one of the more important parts of this book. I also like how the book explores Felix’s emotions and how developed he became as a character throughout this whole series.
However, I did feel that Astra needed to be a bit more developed as she was a main character in this series. I’d really like to explore her more as a character, especially her life before her father’s death and her escape from The Box in the time period before the first book. I think her arc is so intriguing and I’d love a prequel involving just her. I also felt that while the world building was pretty good that sci-fi lovers might like more explanation into how the science in this world works and more about the world in general.
Verdict: This book and series as a whole are one of the best YA dystopians I’ve read. I feel that the world is something that could be within that realm of possibility and that while the book does get into some sci-fi esque things that it’s not weighed down with overwhelming information about the sci-fi parts. While this was a plus for me since I’m not a big sci-fi reader, it might not be for those who like sci-fi. I also felt that while I had a really good grasp on how the world worked that the world building could have been a little bit more expanded upon. Even with those complaints I love this series and I loved this book. I felt the book and series ended appropriately, but it still had a bit of that openness to it that leaves room for interpretation as to what comes next and wiggle room for the author should she want to go back and write more books in this series (hint hint prequel for Astra). If you’re a YA dystopian lover, this is the series for you!
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA/New Adult Contemporary
Recommended Age: 14+ (sex, language, trigger warning for abuse.)
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. This did not sway my opinion.
Ryan Davies lead singer of America's most popular rock group Loud Music, is the face on just about every magazine cover, website, and news program in the country and around the world. With T.V. endorsements and film offers, Ryan is set to become one of the most famous super stars of all time. That's only on the surface, under it all there are problems, drugs, alcohol, sex, run-ins with law enforcement and his adorable face on the nightly news reporting of yet another embarrassing moment in his life. To top that off, his controlling and money hungry mother wants to continue her control over all things Ryan and his money, his band mates basically hate him and he's been arrested so many times now, the jail might as well have a revolving door just for him. All that glitters isn't gold in his life, that is until a court judge decides to make him the example by sending Ryan to work on his estranged father's Kentucky horse ranch. At first, Ryan thinks this might be the death of him, until he meets the family he never knew and starts to form bonds with each of them including a special needs cousin who will teach Ryan that there is more to life than being rich and famous. If it ain’t turned up... it ain’t Loud Music! – Amazon.com
While many of us would love to be famous, would you be able to handle it? This book explores one character’s rise and fall from fame and how he learned to be normal. I thought the story was very beautiful and heartfelt. It actually reminded me a little of The Last Song, rebellious prodigy who moves to find redemption, but it was completely unique in that 1) it’s from a male perspective and 2) the saving grace wasn’t totally on a love interest but rather a bond with a special needs child (why aren’t there anymore books with pivotal special needs characters?!). The book had excellent plot development and the pacing was very well done. The writing was also very easy to follow and the author did an excellent job making the book feel like we were in the mind of a newly adult aged male.
However, while I enjoyed the story I felt the book was really hard for me to get into because I couldn’t connect with the main character. I thought Ryan was unlikable as a character and unreliable as a narrator since he seemed so cynical towards a lot of the side characters. While it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that he was in a very dark place surrounded by toxic people, it made him look unreliable in my opinion. I thought some of the other characters development was lacking a little bit and that while I was forced to see everything through Ryan’s eyes I didn’t get a full grasp of some of the character’s personalities.
Verdict: I liked this book and I think maybe it was just my own personality that clashed with Ryan’s, making it why I couldn’t connect with him as a character. Apart from my disconnect with Ryan I thought the book did a great job at exploring the struggles a celeb goes through and it was just an all around a very sweet story. This would be a perfect read for any contemporary lover.
Genre: YA/New Adult Contemporary
Recommended Age: 14+ (sex, language, trigger warning for abuse.)
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. This did not sway my opinion.
Ryan Davies lead singer of America's most popular rock group Loud Music, is the face on just about every magazine cover, website, and news program in the country and around the world. With T.V. endorsements and film offers, Ryan is set to become one of the most famous super stars of all time. That's only on the surface, under it all there are problems, drugs, alcohol, sex, run-ins with law enforcement and his adorable face on the nightly news reporting of yet another embarrassing moment in his life. To top that off, his controlling and money hungry mother wants to continue her control over all things Ryan and his money, his band mates basically hate him and he's been arrested so many times now, the jail might as well have a revolving door just for him. All that glitters isn't gold in his life, that is until a court judge decides to make him the example by sending Ryan to work on his estranged father's Kentucky horse ranch. At first, Ryan thinks this might be the death of him, until he meets the family he never knew and starts to form bonds with each of them including a special needs cousin who will teach Ryan that there is more to life than being rich and famous. If it ain’t turned up... it ain’t Loud Music! – Amazon.com
While many of us would love to be famous, would you be able to handle it? This book explores one character’s rise and fall from fame and how he learned to be normal. I thought the story was very beautiful and heartfelt. It actually reminded me a little of The Last Song, rebellious prodigy who moves to find redemption, but it was completely unique in that 1) it’s from a male perspective and 2) the saving grace wasn’t totally on a love interest but rather a bond with a special needs child (why aren’t there anymore books with pivotal special needs characters?!). The book had excellent plot development and the pacing was very well done. The writing was also very easy to follow and the author did an excellent job making the book feel like we were in the mind of a newly adult aged male.
However, while I enjoyed the story I felt the book was really hard for me to get into because I couldn’t connect with the main character. I thought Ryan was unlikable as a character and unreliable as a narrator since he seemed so cynical towards a lot of the side characters. While it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that he was in a very dark place surrounded by toxic people, it made him look unreliable in my opinion. I thought some of the other characters development was lacking a little bit and that while I was forced to see everything through Ryan’s eyes I didn’t get a full grasp of some of the character’s personalities.
Verdict: I liked this book and I think maybe it was just my own personality that clashed with Ryan’s, making it why I couldn’t connect with him as a character. Apart from my disconnect with Ryan I thought the book did a great job at exploring the struggles a celeb goes through and it was just an all around a very sweet story. This would be a perfect read for any contemporary lover.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA/New Adult Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, sex, drugs, alcohol, etc. Trigger warnings for rape, drug abuse, and abuse.)
I received this book for free through the KidLitExchange program. My opinions are all my own. If you’re interested in joining KidLItExchange and you live in America, please click on this fancy hyperlink.
Dear Best Friend,
I can already tell that I will hate everyone but you.
Sincerely,
Ava Helmer
(that brunette who won’t leave you alone)
We're still in the same room, you weirdo.
Stop crying.
G
So begins a series of texts and emails sent between two best friends, Ava and Gen, as they head off to their first semesters of college on opposite sides of the country. From first loves to weird roommates, heartbreak, self-discovery, coming out and mental health, the two best friends will document every moment to each other. But as each changes and grows into her new life, will their friendship be able to survive the distance?
I Hate Everyone But You, the debut novel by two emerging major talents in YA, Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn, is a story about new beginnings, love and heartbreak, and ultimately about the power of friendship. – Amazon.com
Do you have that one best friend in your life that you always communicate with? Even across multiple platforms? That’s the relationship Gen and Ava have in this book! It’s a sweet read about a friendship that refuses to die even though the girls are separated by colleges on opposite sides of the USA. The story is told through mix media and I have to give it credit for truthfully showing college students experimenting in college with alcohol, drugs, and sex and I really loved how one of the main characters experimented with same gendered sex (she does not like to be labeled and thus I will not label her in my review. She is just herself and herself is fabulous). I loved how easy the book was to read and how addicting this book was for me. The writing was very well done as well, as you can feel the genuine love and friendship between these two characters. I also felt that while this book was told through mix media that the character development of these and other characters in the book was very well done.
However, I felt that the book was a bit too fast paced for me and that the plot was everywhere. The book is also in a mix media format, but the authors only included two forms of media that the friends talk on. I would have loved to see them incorporate more forms of social media that these friends communicate on. I am also concerned that younger children who pick up this book to read would consider the underage use of alcohol and the illegal use of drugs to be okay and that having sex with multiple partners also okay (it is okay but only if the person takes precautions to prevent STDs and the such and that they aren’t putting themselves in a position to be hurt).
Verdict: While I felt this story was a genuine story of two friends and how college is a time for experiment, I do feel that the story was just too fast paced for my liking and I felt that the book struggled a little bit with an overall plot. While I don’t think this book is for me, I think this book can be an amazing read for best friends to read together. It’s heartfelt and sweet. Totally give this book a shot if you have a best friend you love!
Genre: YA/New Adult Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, sex, drugs, alcohol, etc. Trigger warnings for rape, drug abuse, and abuse.)
I received this book for free through the KidLitExchange program. My opinions are all my own. If you’re interested in joining KidLItExchange and you live in America, please click on this fancy hyperlink.
Dear Best Friend,
I can already tell that I will hate everyone but you.
Sincerely,
Ava Helmer
(that brunette who won’t leave you alone)
We're still in the same room, you weirdo.
Stop crying.
G
So begins a series of texts and emails sent between two best friends, Ava and Gen, as they head off to their first semesters of college on opposite sides of the country. From first loves to weird roommates, heartbreak, self-discovery, coming out and mental health, the two best friends will document every moment to each other. But as each changes and grows into her new life, will their friendship be able to survive the distance?
I Hate Everyone But You, the debut novel by two emerging major talents in YA, Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn, is a story about new beginnings, love and heartbreak, and ultimately about the power of friendship. – Amazon.com
Do you have that one best friend in your life that you always communicate with? Even across multiple platforms? That’s the relationship Gen and Ava have in this book! It’s a sweet read about a friendship that refuses to die even though the girls are separated by colleges on opposite sides of the USA. The story is told through mix media and I have to give it credit for truthfully showing college students experimenting in college with alcohol, drugs, and sex and I really loved how one of the main characters experimented with same gendered sex (she does not like to be labeled and thus I will not label her in my review. She is just herself and herself is fabulous). I loved how easy the book was to read and how addicting this book was for me. The writing was very well done as well, as you can feel the genuine love and friendship between these two characters. I also felt that while this book was told through mix media that the character development of these and other characters in the book was very well done.
However, I felt that the book was a bit too fast paced for me and that the plot was everywhere. The book is also in a mix media format, but the authors only included two forms of media that the friends talk on. I would have loved to see them incorporate more forms of social media that these friends communicate on. I am also concerned that younger children who pick up this book to read would consider the underage use of alcohol and the illegal use of drugs to be okay and that having sex with multiple partners also okay (it is okay but only if the person takes precautions to prevent STDs and the such and that they aren’t putting themselves in a position to be hurt).
Verdict: While I felt this story was a genuine story of two friends and how college is a time for experiment, I do feel that the story was just too fast paced for my liking and I felt that the book struggled a little bit with an overall plot. While I don’t think this book is for me, I think this book can be an amazing read for best friends to read together. It’s heartfelt and sweet. Totally give this book a shot if you have a best friend you love!
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 15+ (sex, violence)
I received a free copy of this book from Blaze Publishing in exchange for promotion and for my honest review. This did not sway my opinion in any manner.
With the System on the verge of complete annihilation and new factions of freethinkers emerging, Vee knows she must find a way to end the Commander’s rule quickly―and by any means necessary.
When the Union arrives in New England, it’s to discover their rebellion has already reached this part of the country. Food stores are low, medical supplies are nonexistent, and without the coal from nearby Mines, the residents are on the verge of freezing to death.
Guilt-ridden because of the role she played in the region’s downfall, and refusing to be the cause of anymore suffering, Vee is coerced into working with a group of brilliant scientists who hope to form an independent government below the ruins of New York City. But when she’s asked to assassinate an opposing leader, Vee has no choice but to reevaluate her own morality and examine just how far she’ll really go to see victory in the war against The Tax. – Amazon.com
Can you be so moved by a book that you physically crave more? That you’ve become so enthralled by it that you’d sell your firstborn child for more? Well, maybe not my firstborn child, but my soul? Yes. The book I’m talking about: The Underground, book 2 in The Surrendered series. While in my opinion the subsequent sequels in a book series don’t usually live up to be as great as the first book in a series, this book surpassed its predecessor and lapped it several times over! The character development in this book was amazing. The past characters grew and we got to see more of their personalities in this book, especially Vee, Oliver, and Cason. We were also introduced to new characters who were amazingly well developed. The plot contained so many twists and turns that the reader couldn’t accurately predict the outcome! I can usually predict what will happen in a novel, but this one had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! Every time I thought I had the plot figured out something unexpected happened! I love that the author had all of these twists and turns in the book because it made for an exciting new story. I’m not saying that I don’t enjoy when authors reuse plots from classic or other stories such as Beauty and the Beast, but it does get tiresome to see the same plot over and over again (these past two years I feel I’ve seen much more retellings of classic tales or other famous works or literature). Pacing was also done so well. I thought that because this was a short novel (when did 300+ pages become short to me?) that the pacing would be fast, but it wasn’t. The book took it’s time with the story. The writing was so well done and this is an easy to read novel.
My only concern for other readers is that there is a huge cast of characters in this novel, which can be confusing for some readers. The three big factions in this book have a lot of characters in them, but I felt that once I started the novel and got into it that I had a really good grasp on who was who and who did what. I only got confused on one character, but it was midnight when I was reading this book so that was more than likely because of my tiredness rather than the author’s writing.
Verdict: This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster that will leave you wanting more. Honestly, I’m itching to read the third book in this series! I love the universe Case Maynard has written and I can’t wait to read more from her, whether it be this series or another. She’s an author you need to watch out for. Definitely a must read if you’re a dystopian lover!
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 15+ (sex, violence)
I received a free copy of this book from Blaze Publishing in exchange for promotion and for my honest review. This did not sway my opinion in any manner.
With the System on the verge of complete annihilation and new factions of freethinkers emerging, Vee knows she must find a way to end the Commander’s rule quickly―and by any means necessary.
When the Union arrives in New England, it’s to discover their rebellion has already reached this part of the country. Food stores are low, medical supplies are nonexistent, and without the coal from nearby Mines, the residents are on the verge of freezing to death.
Guilt-ridden because of the role she played in the region’s downfall, and refusing to be the cause of anymore suffering, Vee is coerced into working with a group of brilliant scientists who hope to form an independent government below the ruins of New York City. But when she’s asked to assassinate an opposing leader, Vee has no choice but to reevaluate her own morality and examine just how far she’ll really go to see victory in the war against The Tax. – Amazon.com
Can you be so moved by a book that you physically crave more? That you’ve become so enthralled by it that you’d sell your firstborn child for more? Well, maybe not my firstborn child, but my soul? Yes. The book I’m talking about: The Underground, book 2 in The Surrendered series. While in my opinion the subsequent sequels in a book series don’t usually live up to be as great as the first book in a series, this book surpassed its predecessor and lapped it several times over! The character development in this book was amazing. The past characters grew and we got to see more of their personalities in this book, especially Vee, Oliver, and Cason. We were also introduced to new characters who were amazingly well developed. The plot contained so many twists and turns that the reader couldn’t accurately predict the outcome! I can usually predict what will happen in a novel, but this one had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! Every time I thought I had the plot figured out something unexpected happened! I love that the author had all of these twists and turns in the book because it made for an exciting new story. I’m not saying that I don’t enjoy when authors reuse plots from classic or other stories such as Beauty and the Beast, but it does get tiresome to see the same plot over and over again (these past two years I feel I’ve seen much more retellings of classic tales or other famous works or literature). Pacing was also done so well. I thought that because this was a short novel (when did 300+ pages become short to me?) that the pacing would be fast, but it wasn’t. The book took it’s time with the story. The writing was so well done and this is an easy to read novel.
My only concern for other readers is that there is a huge cast of characters in this novel, which can be confusing for some readers. The three big factions in this book have a lot of characters in them, but I felt that once I started the novel and got into it that I had a really good grasp on who was who and who did what. I only got confused on one character, but it was midnight when I was reading this book so that was more than likely because of my tiredness rather than the author’s writing.
Verdict: This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster that will leave you wanting more. Honestly, I’m itching to read the third book in this series! I love the universe Case Maynard has written and I can’t wait to read more from her, whether it be this series or another. She’s an author you need to watch out for. Definitely a must read if you’re a dystopian lover!
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Adult Memoir
Recommended Age: 16+ (sex, drugs, alcohol, and rock and roll. Those darn kids and their newfangled music).
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own. Thanks for the free copy Black Chateau!
Los Feliz Confidential chronicles Novak's life from immigration to poignant childhood and teen years through her adventurous, sexy, freewheeling twenties. Follow her escapades through the glittering decadent '70s as she encompasses the unique culture of the era with a seductive sense of sophistication. A rock'n'roll, art loving glamour girl, Novak will have you devouring her wry tales and asking for more. – Amazon.com
If you’ve been a teen or are a teen currently, then you’ve probably thought to yourself at one point or another “my parents just DON’T get it!” Well then you need to read this book. Set in the 70s and scrolling through the 50s, 60s, and beyond, this book is a sweet tale about growing up, experimentation, and finding oneself in this crazy world. I thought the book had amazing character and plot development and that the book was very well written and easy to read. This book was also very fast paced, which would be perfect for a short trip!
However, I did think that the fast paced quality of the book would be off-putting to some readers and the main character is very off-putting in the beginning of the book. This book was also something I wouldn’t normally read, but I do have to admit that it was very enjoyable!
Verdict: Overall, while this book wasn’t something I would normally pick up, I felt that the book would not only be great for short trips, but for teens to read as well. It shows that maybe you and your parents aren’t so different after all and one can draw inspiration from the author’s story as a metaphor for finding oneself. Whatever the reason you need, this is one book you’ll want to read over and over again.
Genre: Adult Memoir
Recommended Age: 16+ (sex, drugs, alcohol, and rock and roll. Those darn kids and their newfangled music).
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own. Thanks for the free copy Black Chateau!
Los Feliz Confidential chronicles Novak's life from immigration to poignant childhood and teen years through her adventurous, sexy, freewheeling twenties. Follow her escapades through the glittering decadent '70s as she encompasses the unique culture of the era with a seductive sense of sophistication. A rock'n'roll, art loving glamour girl, Novak will have you devouring her wry tales and asking for more. – Amazon.com
If you’ve been a teen or are a teen currently, then you’ve probably thought to yourself at one point or another “my parents just DON’T get it!” Well then you need to read this book. Set in the 70s and scrolling through the 50s, 60s, and beyond, this book is a sweet tale about growing up, experimentation, and finding oneself in this crazy world. I thought the book had amazing character and plot development and that the book was very well written and easy to read. This book was also very fast paced, which would be perfect for a short trip!
However, I did think that the fast paced quality of the book would be off-putting to some readers and the main character is very off-putting in the beginning of the book. This book was also something I wouldn’t normally read, but I do have to admit that it was very enjoyable!
Verdict: Overall, while this book wasn’t something I would normally pick up, I felt that the book would not only be great for short trips, but for teens to read as well. It shows that maybe you and your parents aren’t so different after all and one can draw inspiration from the author’s story as a metaphor for finding oneself. Whatever the reason you need, this is one book you’ll want to read over and over again.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (strong language, mature scenes, and trigger warnings for depression.)
I received a free copy of this book from KidLitExchange. All opinions are my own. Want to join? Check them out on their new website!
Reggie isn’t really a romantic: she’s been hurt too often, and doesn’t let people in as a rule. Plus, when you’re dealing with the Three Stages of Depression, it’s hard to feel warm and fuzzy. When Reggie meets Snake, though, he doesn’t give her much of a choice. Snake has a neck tattoo, a Twizzler habit, and a fair share of arrogance, but he’s funny, charming, and interested in Reggie.
Snake also has an ex-girlfriend who's seven months pregnant. Good thing Reggie isn’t a romantic.
Definitions of Indefinable Things follows three teens as they struggle to comprehend love, friendship, and depression—and realize one definition doesn’t always
cover it. – Amazon.com
I have never had a book that I received for free that I’ve pressed the “Add To My Wishlist” button on so fast! From the very beginning this book grabs you by your t-shirt collar and forces you to listen to it. It’s a beautiful book, but more of an open letter, to readers about what true depression and mental illness looks like. I thought the character development was amazingly well done and the plot developed amazingly well. The pacing wasn’t too fast or too slow, and flowed very well. The writing also flows very nicely and the writing is very easy to understand. For a book that seeks to be different than other contemporaries out there, it certainly does so.
The only complaint I have is a spoiler in the book. I will say that I do not like how the author wrote that scene and I don’t like how that scene was handled (and how that character was wrote, but hey she was very realistic to how some people feel about mental illness sadly enough). I also was not a big fan of the twist and the appearance of one of my most hated clichés in the YA genre, I did like how that was handled and how it was so strikingly different then other YA novels in that regard. Yes I realize how much this paragraph does not make sense, but I do NOT want to spoil this novel for you!
Verdict: I thought this book was amazingly well done and was so inspiring to someone who has struggled with depression and could be equally or more for younger readers who have went or are going through what Reggie is. The book also was very realistic and while some of the moments in the book might be too mature for younger readers, it deserves to be read. I also want to praise this book for its inclusion of diverse LGBT characters and in different families. I don’t often read books which have wide variety in what a family is and to read one that has different examples of how families can look like is very refreshing and real. I can’t tell you enough to read this book, so I’ll do it again: READ THIS BOOK!!!!!
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (strong language, mature scenes, and trigger warnings for depression.)
I received a free copy of this book from KidLitExchange. All opinions are my own. Want to join? Check them out on their new website!
Reggie isn’t really a romantic: she’s been hurt too often, and doesn’t let people in as a rule. Plus, when you’re dealing with the Three Stages of Depression, it’s hard to feel warm and fuzzy. When Reggie meets Snake, though, he doesn’t give her much of a choice. Snake has a neck tattoo, a Twizzler habit, and a fair share of arrogance, but he’s funny, charming, and interested in Reggie.
Snake also has an ex-girlfriend who's seven months pregnant. Good thing Reggie isn’t a romantic.
Definitions of Indefinable Things follows three teens as they struggle to comprehend love, friendship, and depression—and realize one definition doesn’t always
cover it. – Amazon.com
I have never had a book that I received for free that I’ve pressed the “Add To My Wishlist” button on so fast! From the very beginning this book grabs you by your t-shirt collar and forces you to listen to it. It’s a beautiful book, but more of an open letter, to readers about what true depression and mental illness looks like. I thought the character development was amazingly well done and the plot developed amazingly well. The pacing wasn’t too fast or too slow, and flowed very well. The writing also flows very nicely and the writing is very easy to understand. For a book that seeks to be different than other contemporaries out there, it certainly does so.
The only complaint I have is a spoiler in the book. I will say that I do not like how the author wrote that scene and I don’t like how that scene was handled (and how that character was wrote, but hey she was very realistic to how some people feel about mental illness sadly enough). I also was not a big fan of the twist and the appearance of one of my most hated clichés in the YA genre, I did like how that was handled and how it was so strikingly different then other YA novels in that regard. Yes I realize how much this paragraph does not make sense, but I do NOT want to spoil this novel for you!
Verdict: I thought this book was amazingly well done and was so inspiring to someone who has struggled with depression and could be equally or more for younger readers who have went or are going through what Reggie is. The book also was very realistic and while some of the moments in the book might be too mature for younger readers, it deserves to be read. I also want to praise this book for its inclusion of diverse LGBT characters and in different families. I don’t often read books which have wide variety in what a family is and to read one that has different examples of how families can look like is very refreshing and real. I can’t tell you enough to read this book, so I’ll do it again: READ THIS BOOK!!!!!
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Paranormal
Recommended Age: 14+ (some strong language, some mature topics but just briefly mentioned)
I received a free copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own. Thanks Black Chateau and Sean Patrick Traver!
Christabel is a Victorian phantom with a tragic past, attached to a piece of antique mourning jewelry.
Ta-senet-net-hor (her name means 'Sister of Neith and Horus') is a three-thousand-year-old Egyptian, attached to a mummy on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Neither of them knows another ghost who's anything more than an emotional echo, nor do they understand why they linger on when others fade away. They meet up at a restaurant near the museum now and then, to speculate about the nature of their afterlife and pretend to have a few drinks.
Until the day Derren Gray arrives in their midst. The brand-new ghost of an elderly architect provides them with answers they've sought for centuries, but the things they learn mean the afterlife won't ever be the same, not for any of them.
Join the WRAITH LADIES WHO LUNCH as they address eternal questions both large and small with surreal humor, historical depth, and a hint of mystical intrigue. – Amazon.com
Do you ever feel that you’re being watched at a museum? Well, you might just be! In this book we are introduced to three ghosts who are able to roam the Earth long after their death due to their attachment to this world. I thought the story was very unique. I thought it would be more like Night at the Museum, but I was very surprised by how unique it actually was. I thought the character development was very well done and the book was very well written.
I did think that the book’s plot was a bit lost in the book. I also thought that the ending didn’t provide a lot of closure for my personal tastes. While the book was a very exciting read, I just felt that the book left me with more questions than answers.
Verdict: While I did feel like I didn’t get a proper ending, I did enjoy the book overall and I loved how unique it was. I hope that there is a continuation to this book because I feel like there could be some room for a sequel and I feel like ours characters tales are not done yet. This book would be excellent for any history buff and anyone who wants a quick read that would get them out of a slump.
Genre: Paranormal
Recommended Age: 14+ (some strong language, some mature topics but just briefly mentioned)
I received a free copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own. Thanks Black Chateau and Sean Patrick Traver!
Christabel is a Victorian phantom with a tragic past, attached to a piece of antique mourning jewelry.
Ta-senet-net-hor (her name means 'Sister of Neith and Horus') is a three-thousand-year-old Egyptian, attached to a mummy on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Neither of them knows another ghost who's anything more than an emotional echo, nor do they understand why they linger on when others fade away. They meet up at a restaurant near the museum now and then, to speculate about the nature of their afterlife and pretend to have a few drinks.
Until the day Derren Gray arrives in their midst. The brand-new ghost of an elderly architect provides them with answers they've sought for centuries, but the things they learn mean the afterlife won't ever be the same, not for any of them.
Join the WRAITH LADIES WHO LUNCH as they address eternal questions both large and small with surreal humor, historical depth, and a hint of mystical intrigue. – Amazon.com
Do you ever feel that you’re being watched at a museum? Well, you might just be! In this book we are introduced to three ghosts who are able to roam the Earth long after their death due to their attachment to this world. I thought the story was very unique. I thought it would be more like Night at the Museum, but I was very surprised by how unique it actually was. I thought the character development was very well done and the book was very well written.
I did think that the book’s plot was a bit lost in the book. I also thought that the ending didn’t provide a lot of closure for my personal tastes. While the book was a very exciting read, I just felt that the book left me with more questions than answers.
Verdict: While I did feel like I didn’t get a proper ending, I did enjoy the book overall and I loved how unique it was. I hope that there is a continuation to this book because I feel like there could be some room for a sequel and I feel like ours characters tales are not done yet. This book would be excellent for any history buff and anyone who wants a quick read that would get them out of a slump.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (some violence and some mature scenes, trigger warning for one particular scene that seemed a bit like the main character was going to be raped. It was probably just my inference of that scene, but just be safe and know your limits if you’re upset by that).
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This did not influence my decision in any manner. Thanks OfTomes Publishing for the review copy!
Courage comes from a shadowed place in our hearts; a blurred line that straddles love and sheer stupidity.
To seventeen-year-old Ava, wild woodcats, hungry stragglers, and simple-minded townsfolk are the evils she's grown accustomed to. But when Ethan, an unusual man with eyes of smoke and fire opal, enters her world she quickly understands that there are worse things out there than drunken men and carnivorous forest creatures. She's a specialised liar and a hell of a fighter, but against a group of animalistic men called Berserkers she struggles to survive the encounter as the desperate swing of a dagger is all it takes to change her life for good.
Half-dead and hunted by the Berserker's leader when he forms a monstrous obsession with her, Ava escapes his pursuit in an unfamiliar land full of impossible creatures, unlikely allies, and the man she doesn't know whether to kiss or kill.
But after dreadful news of her missing brother surfaces, Ava becomes more involved in the centuries-long war and begins to unravel the reasons behind her relentless nightmares, discovering truths long-buried in a violent history of love, loss and betrayal. – Amazon.com
In the aftermath of the Sarah J Maas’ destruction on the YA fantasy genre there rises a book that promises to be just as wonderful and enticing. And this is the book! I honestly loved this book. I thought the book was very well done and a bit unique. The characters felt real and not like they were unnaturally strong or powerful. I also loved how Ava engineered Cedar instead of totally relying on Roan. I loved how the plot developed, even if some of the twists were a bit predictable, and I loved how the author did the pacing. The writing had a nice flow to it and it’s very easy to read.
There were some little things in this book that I didn’t like however. I felt that the character development wasn’t as good as it could have been and there were too many love interests for my liking. And as I stated before, some of the twists in the book are predictable.
Verdict: Overall, I really liked the book. Despite my critics I felt like the book was really well done and unique. I also feel that Ava is an inspirational figure. Her never-give-up, pick-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps personality is very admirable. This is definitely a book for Maas lovers and other fantasy lovers alike.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (some violence and some mature scenes, trigger warning for one particular scene that seemed a bit like the main character was going to be raped. It was probably just my inference of that scene, but just be safe and know your limits if you’re upset by that).
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This did not influence my decision in any manner. Thanks OfTomes Publishing for the review copy!
Courage comes from a shadowed place in our hearts; a blurred line that straddles love and sheer stupidity.
To seventeen-year-old Ava, wild woodcats, hungry stragglers, and simple-minded townsfolk are the evils she's grown accustomed to. But when Ethan, an unusual man with eyes of smoke and fire opal, enters her world she quickly understands that there are worse things out there than drunken men and carnivorous forest creatures. She's a specialised liar and a hell of a fighter, but against a group of animalistic men called Berserkers she struggles to survive the encounter as the desperate swing of a dagger is all it takes to change her life for good.
Half-dead and hunted by the Berserker's leader when he forms a monstrous obsession with her, Ava escapes his pursuit in an unfamiliar land full of impossible creatures, unlikely allies, and the man she doesn't know whether to kiss or kill.
But after dreadful news of her missing brother surfaces, Ava becomes more involved in the centuries-long war and begins to unravel the reasons behind her relentless nightmares, discovering truths long-buried in a violent history of love, loss and betrayal. – Amazon.com
In the aftermath of the Sarah J Maas’ destruction on the YA fantasy genre there rises a book that promises to be just as wonderful and enticing. And this is the book! I honestly loved this book. I thought the book was very well done and a bit unique. The characters felt real and not like they were unnaturally strong or powerful. I also loved how Ava engineered Cedar instead of totally relying on Roan. I loved how the plot developed, even if some of the twists were a bit predictable, and I loved how the author did the pacing. The writing had a nice flow to it and it’s very easy to read.
There were some little things in this book that I didn’t like however. I felt that the character development wasn’t as good as it could have been and there were too many love interests for my liking. And as I stated before, some of the twists in the book are predictable.
Verdict: Overall, I really liked the book. Despite my critics I felt like the book was really well done and unique. I also feel that Ava is an inspirational figure. Her never-give-up, pick-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps personality is very admirable. This is definitely a book for Maas lovers and other fantasy lovers alike.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Recommended Age: 5+
I received a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review. This did not influence my decision. Thanks for the free copy! Also, since this is a review for a children’s picture book this will be in a different format than my other reviews.
Are you afraid when you go to bed? This book will put good thoughts in your head. – Amazon.com
We have all been afraid of at least one thing at some point or another. And it’s sometimes really hard to conquer those fears. This is the book you want to read to help with that. This adorable book sweetly tells a tale about the narrator’s fears, many of which all of us can remember being afraid of when we were little. Combined with amazing artwork, this story about conquering fear follows as the narrator tells how he eventually conquered the fear. The writing in the book and the story itself were amazing. The book is very easy to understand for beginning readers and the pictures tell the story beautifully.
Verdict: This is definitely a book I would read to my children and would give my children to read on their own. I thought it was very inspirational and it was a very appropriate book for children of any age at any stage of their life. It’s even a good reminder for adults, although our fears are based on true things… bills…. Anyways, check out this book if you have a young one! You won’t regret it!
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Recommended Age: 5+
I received a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest review. This did not influence my decision. Thanks for the free copy! Also, since this is a review for a children’s picture book this will be in a different format than my other reviews.
Are you afraid when you go to bed? This book will put good thoughts in your head. – Amazon.com
We have all been afraid of at least one thing at some point or another. And it’s sometimes really hard to conquer those fears. This is the book you want to read to help with that. This adorable book sweetly tells a tale about the narrator’s fears, many of which all of us can remember being afraid of when we were little. Combined with amazing artwork, this story about conquering fear follows as the narrator tells how he eventually conquered the fear. The writing in the book and the story itself were amazing. The book is very easy to understand for beginning readers and the pictures tell the story beautifully.
Verdict: This is definitely a book I would read to my children and would give my children to read on their own. I thought it was very inspirational and it was a very appropriate book for children of any age at any stage of their life. It’s even a good reminder for adults, although our fears are based on true things… bills…. Anyways, check out this book if you have a young one! You won’t regret it!