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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
Rating: 3/5
Genre: Mystery
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, sexual lingo)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinons are my own.
As addictive, cinematic, and binge-worthy a narrative as The Wire and The Killing, Two Girls Down introduces Louisa Luna as a thriller writer of immense talent and verve.
When two young sisters disappear from a strip mall parking lot in a small Pennsylvania town, their devastated mother hires an enigmatic bounty hunter, Alice Vega, to help find the girls. Immediately shut out by a local police department already stretched thin by budget cuts and the growing OxyContin and meth epidemic, Vega enlists the help of a disgraced former cop, Max Caplan. Cap is a man trying to put the scandal of his past behind him and move on, but Vega needs his help to find the girls, and she will not be denied.
With little to go on, Vega and Cap will go to extraordinary lengths to untangle a dangerous web of lies, false leads, and complex relationships to find the girls before time runs out, and they are gone forever. - Amazon.com
I've had a mystery kick for the past few months, so I picked this book up when I saw it on Netgalley. For the most part I thought this book was really good! It was a good mystery with a twist I didn't see coming. The plot was wonderfully well done and thought out and for the most part the main characters were very well developed. I really think that this book would do well in a series as apart of an ongoing mystery, Scooby-Doo type crime solving gang. However, I did have a bit of issues of with this book.
I really thought that while the main characters were developed, they felt a little awkward around each other, especially in how one character talks to another. I also felt that there were too many characters in the story who were not pertiant to the story. There were also a lot of loose ends that weren't solved by the end of the book and the book had some lull periods where it felt like the author went off on tangents.
Verdict: Awesome mystery, but lots of loose ends. I like my mysteries to wrap up completely at the end and for everything to be eventually connected and I'm a little disappointed that this one wasn't. It's a preference though and some readers might not care. It definitely was a good mystery novel and it comes out on January 9th! Make sure to grab your copy if your a mystery lover!
Genre: Mystery
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, sexual lingo)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinons are my own.
As addictive, cinematic, and binge-worthy a narrative as The Wire and The Killing, Two Girls Down introduces Louisa Luna as a thriller writer of immense talent and verve.
When two young sisters disappear from a strip mall parking lot in a small Pennsylvania town, their devastated mother hires an enigmatic bounty hunter, Alice Vega, to help find the girls. Immediately shut out by a local police department already stretched thin by budget cuts and the growing OxyContin and meth epidemic, Vega enlists the help of a disgraced former cop, Max Caplan. Cap is a man trying to put the scandal of his past behind him and move on, but Vega needs his help to find the girls, and she will not be denied.
With little to go on, Vega and Cap will go to extraordinary lengths to untangle a dangerous web of lies, false leads, and complex relationships to find the girls before time runs out, and they are gone forever. - Amazon.com
I've had a mystery kick for the past few months, so I picked this book up when I saw it on Netgalley. For the most part I thought this book was really good! It was a good mystery with a twist I didn't see coming. The plot was wonderfully well done and thought out and for the most part the main characters were very well developed. I really think that this book would do well in a series as apart of an ongoing mystery, Scooby-Doo type crime solving gang. However, I did have a bit of issues of with this book.
I really thought that while the main characters were developed, they felt a little awkward around each other, especially in how one character talks to another. I also felt that there were too many characters in the story who were not pertiant to the story. There were also a lot of loose ends that weren't solved by the end of the book and the book had some lull periods where it felt like the author went off on tangents.
Verdict: Awesome mystery, but lots of loose ends. I like my mysteries to wrap up completely at the end and for everything to be eventually connected and I'm a little disappointed that this one wasn't. It's a preference though and some readers might not care. It definitely was a good mystery novel and it comes out on January 9th! Make sure to grab your copy if your a mystery lover!
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Romance/Slight YA Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (stalking, death, obsessed fans, mental illness)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinons are my own.
Tessa Hart's world feels very small. Confined to her bedroom with agoraphobia, her one escape is the online fandom for pop sensation Eric Thorn. When he tweets to his fans, it's like he's speaking directly to her...
Eric Thorn is frightened by his obsessive fans. They take their devotion way too far. It doesn't help that his PR team keeps posting to encourage their fantasies.
When a fellow pop star is murdered at the hands of a fan, Eric knows he has to do something to shatter his online image fast―like take down one of his top Twitter followers. But Eric's plan to troll @TessaHeartsEric unexpectedly evolves into an online relationship deeper than either could have imagined. And when the two arrange to meet IRL, what should have made for the world's best episode of Catfish takes a deadly turn...
Told through tweets, direct messages, and police transcripts, this thriller for the online generation will keep you guessing right up to the shocking end. - Amazon.com
Another book I've read that's from the perspective of someone who has a mental illness I don't see regularly in YA books! Tessa has agoraphobia, which is the fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment and she also suffers from extreme anxiety. I also do not have agoraphobia but I believe that the perspective of Tessa is a very real interpretation of this illness, although if not I'd love to hear from someone who lives with the disorder. Aside from the disability rep, this book also had some diverse characters in it! Win! The characters in this book are very well developed, which is very hard to pull off in a mixed media format. The writing was also very beautiful throughout the book.
However, I did have some dislikes about this book. I really was confused by the ending. Like WHAT?? The book had a really dark odd twist to it as well and it really confused me. This book definitely ended on a cliffhanger and it needs a sequel. I also felt that the way the story was told, while beautiful, could be confusing for some readers. It takes a lot of attention to detail to get where the book is going. Lastly I thought that beginning relationship of the two characters was very odd and there were a few other moments in the book that were unbelievable as well.
Verdict: Aside from the ending this book was fantastic! A great dark romance thriller... thing... read! If you like anything with mixed media format, anything with thrillers, or anything where there are creepy people in books then this book is for you!
Genre: YA Romance/Slight YA Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (stalking, death, obsessed fans, mental illness)
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinons are my own.
Tessa Hart's world feels very small. Confined to her bedroom with agoraphobia, her one escape is the online fandom for pop sensation Eric Thorn. When he tweets to his fans, it's like he's speaking directly to her...
Eric Thorn is frightened by his obsessive fans. They take their devotion way too far. It doesn't help that his PR team keeps posting to encourage their fantasies.
When a fellow pop star is murdered at the hands of a fan, Eric knows he has to do something to shatter his online image fast―like take down one of his top Twitter followers. But Eric's plan to troll @TessaHeartsEric unexpectedly evolves into an online relationship deeper than either could have imagined. And when the two arrange to meet IRL, what should have made for the world's best episode of Catfish takes a deadly turn...
Told through tweets, direct messages, and police transcripts, this thriller for the online generation will keep you guessing right up to the shocking end. - Amazon.com
Another book I've read that's from the perspective of someone who has a mental illness I don't see regularly in YA books! Tessa has agoraphobia, which is the fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment and she also suffers from extreme anxiety. I also do not have agoraphobia but I believe that the perspective of Tessa is a very real interpretation of this illness, although if not I'd love to hear from someone who lives with the disorder. Aside from the disability rep, this book also had some diverse characters in it! Win! The characters in this book are very well developed, which is very hard to pull off in a mixed media format. The writing was also very beautiful throughout the book.
However, I did have some dislikes about this book. I really was confused by the ending. Like WHAT?? The book had a really dark odd twist to it as well and it really confused me. This book definitely ended on a cliffhanger and it needs a sequel. I also felt that the way the story was told, while beautiful, could be confusing for some readers. It takes a lot of attention to detail to get where the book is going. Lastly I thought that beginning relationship of the two characters was very odd and there were a few other moments in the book that were unbelievable as well.
Verdict: Aside from the ending this book was fantastic! A great dark romance thriller... thing... read! If you like anything with mixed media format, anything with thrillers, or anything where there are creepy people in books then this book is for you!
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Recommended Age: 18+ (violence, adult situations, and lots of robots. Like seriously, if you have automatonophobia I would highly suggest you not read this book).
I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley! My opnions are my own.
Alainn's father is not a bad man. He's a genius and an inventor. When he's hired to create the robot Rose, Alainn knows taking the money is a mistake.
Rose acts like a human. She looks exactly like Alainn. But, something in her comes out wrong.
To save her father from a five year prison sentence, Alainn takes Rose's place. She says goodbye to the sun and goes to live in a tower no human is allowed to enter. She becomes the prisoner of a man no human is allowed to see.
Believing that a life of servitude lies ahead, Alainn finds a very different fate awaits her in the company of the strange, scarred recluse. - Amazon.com
Another book I had to DNF. Beauty and the beast is my favorite fairytale and Disney movie. I pride myself on being like Belle (except I probably would have kicked Gaston's ass on my own but that's another thing entirely). That being said I was so excited to see this book on Netgalley and I jumped at the chance to review it! While reading it I thought the concept of the book was really intriguing. I also thought that the plot and the pacing were well done and that the writing was really good. This book should have been a 5/5 for me, but for a few reasons it just wasn't.
Firstly, a couple of the characters felt a little flat and one of them did not have any character development at all. I also thought that while this book is set in the "near future" there was still not enough world building to it. It really made me confused in some spots because I wasn't sure about how the world was and how it was laid out. I also thought that because of the massive boom in retellings, especially Beauty and the Beast retellings, that I just could not get into this book. I tried multiple times, but failed every time. I felt like I knew all the of the surprises and things that would come from this book.
Verdict: Will I try this book out again? Yes definitely. I'm still intrigued by it and I want to read it. Will I give it a second shot anytime soon? No. As of right now I'm Beauty and the Beast worn out and I want to wait a few years before I attempt anything like this book again. I'd still highly recommend this book for any fairy tale lovers and any sci-fi lovers and especially those that belong in both categories.
Genre: YA Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Recommended Age: 18+ (violence, adult situations, and lots of robots. Like seriously, if you have automatonophobia I would highly suggest you not read this book).
I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley! My opnions are my own.
Alainn's father is not a bad man. He's a genius and an inventor. When he's hired to create the robot Rose, Alainn knows taking the money is a mistake.
Rose acts like a human. She looks exactly like Alainn. But, something in her comes out wrong.
To save her father from a five year prison sentence, Alainn takes Rose's place. She says goodbye to the sun and goes to live in a tower no human is allowed to enter. She becomes the prisoner of a man no human is allowed to see.
Believing that a life of servitude lies ahead, Alainn finds a very different fate awaits her in the company of the strange, scarred recluse. - Amazon.com
Another book I had to DNF. Beauty and the beast is my favorite fairytale and Disney movie. I pride myself on being like Belle (except I probably would have kicked Gaston's ass on my own but that's another thing entirely). That being said I was so excited to see this book on Netgalley and I jumped at the chance to review it! While reading it I thought the concept of the book was really intriguing. I also thought that the plot and the pacing were well done and that the writing was really good. This book should have been a 5/5 for me, but for a few reasons it just wasn't.
Firstly, a couple of the characters felt a little flat and one of them did not have any character development at all. I also thought that while this book is set in the "near future" there was still not enough world building to it. It really made me confused in some spots because I wasn't sure about how the world was and how it was laid out. I also thought that because of the massive boom in retellings, especially Beauty and the Beast retellings, that I just could not get into this book. I tried multiple times, but failed every time. I felt like I knew all the of the surprises and things that would come from this book.
Verdict: Will I try this book out again? Yes definitely. I'm still intrigued by it and I want to read it. Will I give it a second shot anytime soon? No. As of right now I'm Beauty and the Beast worn out and I want to wait a few years before I attempt anything like this book again. I'd still highly recommend this book for any fairy tale lovers and any sci-fi lovers and especially those that belong in both categories.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA/New Adult Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, slight gore, language)
I was provided a free copy of this book by the author. All opinions are my own.
Beneath the boy’s thumb, my blood bubbled in reaction to the implant. Hot stinging moved through my flesh for a helping of seconds before subsiding. The boy felt it too, for when it was done, he removed his thumb and inspected my hand. Beneath my skin was a green glow, roughly the size of a coin. It was done. Their people were born with extreme lust for ours, and just as my grandfather had warned all those years ago, one of them had come for me. I, Zillow Stone, had been marked by an unholy one. While I digested the truth of it, the boy leaned over, placing his lips nearly to my ear, and whispered, “Run.”
At the end of time, the world is divided. In the west reside the Markers, in the east, the Marked.
On a massive gameboard, scattered with discotheques and giant mechbeasts, Zillow Stone’s sole purpose is to serve as prey. But she is fastest, strongest, smartest . . . and she won’t go down without a fight.
Who will win in a death game to survive? And when it’s every player for herself, who can Zillow trust?
In the wasteland, where the Markers play with their prey like it's food, not everything is as it seems.
Includes all four thrilling acts for the first time in one volume. Discover the truth of the desert. Order now to start the chase. - Amazon.com
I can never get enough dystopians. Never. Ever. But I do have favorites and ones I like less than others. This one? I love better than all the others. This was a mix between The Hunger Games and The Walk (written under Stephen King's pen name. You should really check it out). The thing I loved about it was that it was fast paced, but it didn't skip on any of the important world building details or anything like that. This was one of the better built worlds I've read this year! I could picture everything clearly and I could see the actions of the characters. All of the characters were believable and acted more human than some characters I've read. All very well developed as well and they each have a distinct voice. The plot developed phenominally well. I thought that because the book was fast paced that the book's plot would not be fully developed, but I was so so wrong. I also thought the writing was phenominal and very easy to read. Perfect for young reads and old.
The only thing I didn't like was that the fighting did get repeatitive after awhile, but this is a book where characters are fighting to the death so it's a necessary evil. Zillow is also a very closed off character for the first parts of the book and as the book develops she opens up. Some readers might find her hard to love at first but I promise the more you stay with her the better it gets!
Verdict: If you are a dystopian lover this is a book you NEED to read! Wonderful, fast paced, quick read that will leave you wanting more in the end. Check this book out today!
Genre: YA/New Adult Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, slight gore, language)
I was provided a free copy of this book by the author. All opinions are my own.
Beneath the boy’s thumb, my blood bubbled in reaction to the implant. Hot stinging moved through my flesh for a helping of seconds before subsiding. The boy felt it too, for when it was done, he removed his thumb and inspected my hand. Beneath my skin was a green glow, roughly the size of a coin. It was done. Their people were born with extreme lust for ours, and just as my grandfather had warned all those years ago, one of them had come for me. I, Zillow Stone, had been marked by an unholy one. While I digested the truth of it, the boy leaned over, placing his lips nearly to my ear, and whispered, “Run.”
At the end of time, the world is divided. In the west reside the Markers, in the east, the Marked.
On a massive gameboard, scattered with discotheques and giant mechbeasts, Zillow Stone’s sole purpose is to serve as prey. But she is fastest, strongest, smartest . . . and she won’t go down without a fight.
Who will win in a death game to survive? And when it’s every player for herself, who can Zillow trust?
In the wasteland, where the Markers play with their prey like it's food, not everything is as it seems.
Includes all four thrilling acts for the first time in one volume. Discover the truth of the desert. Order now to start the chase. - Amazon.com
I can never get enough dystopians. Never. Ever. But I do have favorites and ones I like less than others. This one? I love better than all the others. This was a mix between The Hunger Games and The Walk (written under Stephen King's pen name. You should really check it out). The thing I loved about it was that it was fast paced, but it didn't skip on any of the important world building details or anything like that. This was one of the better built worlds I've read this year! I could picture everything clearly and I could see the actions of the characters. All of the characters were believable and acted more human than some characters I've read. All very well developed as well and they each have a distinct voice. The plot developed phenominally well. I thought that because the book was fast paced that the book's plot would not be fully developed, but I was so so wrong. I also thought the writing was phenominal and very easy to read. Perfect for young reads and old.
The only thing I didn't like was that the fighting did get repeatitive after awhile, but this is a book where characters are fighting to the death so it's a necessary evil. Zillow is also a very closed off character for the first parts of the book and as the book develops she opens up. Some readers might find her hard to love at first but I promise the more you stay with her the better it gets!
Verdict: If you are a dystopian lover this is a book you NEED to read! Wonderful, fast paced, quick read that will leave you wanting more in the end. Check this book out today!
Rating: 4/5
Genre: New Adult Romance
Recommended Age: 17+ (slight maturity needed since this book does deal with culutral differences. Please go into this book with an open mind).
I received a free copy of this book from the author! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
From the critically acclaimed and award-winning author, Azin Sametipour, comes a breath-taking story about forbidden love, heartbreak and identity. Born in California into a Muslim family from Iran, Zoha Farzam thought she had her entire life planned. Graduating from UC Davis in just three years, and attending Stanford Medical School. Even removing her scarf without her parents knowing was a carefully planned rebellion, but she never in her wildest dreams planned Ethan. Ethan Renard was everything she was not, and when he made her question everything she believed in, Zoha found herself being torn between her happiness and her duty. Would she risk everything, her family, her faith, and even her reputation for him? A moving portrait about the challenges one faces from being in two cultures, or falling in love with someone who is, and the hard decisions one must make to be true to oneself. Awakened by Love is astonishingly beautiful and frighteningly honest. Critics call it captivating, powerful and a novel for everyone. The first in a trilogy, Awakened by Truth comes next! - Amazon.com
I've never realized until this year that there is a huge lack of diversity in books. I've probably said that before, but it's always true. That's why I loved when I got a chance to read this book for review because this book follows a muslim family from Iran, particularly Zoha who has went to college and is secretly rebelling against her family. I loved learning about the culture of this book and I loved reading how hard it is to marge two very different cultures together. This book is also an own voices novel, which is awesome. I thought that the characters were very well developed and the plot was interesting throughout the book. I also thought that the pacing was really well done and that while the book isn't one of my favorite genres I enjoyed it regardless.
The only small things I didn't like about this novel was that I thought that she mentioned the character was Muslim a little too much and I thought that Ethan was a bit rude and rubbed me the wrong way. Ethan's character didn't seem to grasp how hard it was for Zoha to rebel against her family and didn't seem to give her a chance to figure out what she really wanted. While I don't think that this was... fair? I did feel like it was realistic. I like to think that while everyone would have an open heart and open mind I don't think as many people would, which I think is what the point of Ethan's character was.
Verdict: I thought this book was a really cute and romantic story, but it's also a really good tale on how different cultures can be, how hard it can be to move between the two, and how surprisingly impatient some people can be. I thought the book was very interesting in those regards and it would be a perfect read for any lover of romance or diverse reads or of a quick read that will put you in an inspirational mood.
Genre: New Adult Romance
Recommended Age: 17+ (slight maturity needed since this book does deal with culutral differences. Please go into this book with an open mind).
I received a free copy of this book from the author! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
From the critically acclaimed and award-winning author, Azin Sametipour, comes a breath-taking story about forbidden love, heartbreak and identity. Born in California into a Muslim family from Iran, Zoha Farzam thought she had her entire life planned. Graduating from UC Davis in just three years, and attending Stanford Medical School. Even removing her scarf without her parents knowing was a carefully planned rebellion, but she never in her wildest dreams planned Ethan. Ethan Renard was everything she was not, and when he made her question everything she believed in, Zoha found herself being torn between her happiness and her duty. Would she risk everything, her family, her faith, and even her reputation for him? A moving portrait about the challenges one faces from being in two cultures, or falling in love with someone who is, and the hard decisions one must make to be true to oneself. Awakened by Love is astonishingly beautiful and frighteningly honest. Critics call it captivating, powerful and a novel for everyone. The first in a trilogy, Awakened by Truth comes next! - Amazon.com
I've never realized until this year that there is a huge lack of diversity in books. I've probably said that before, but it's always true. That's why I loved when I got a chance to read this book for review because this book follows a muslim family from Iran, particularly Zoha who has went to college and is secretly rebelling against her family. I loved learning about the culture of this book and I loved reading how hard it is to marge two very different cultures together. This book is also an own voices novel, which is awesome. I thought that the characters were very well developed and the plot was interesting throughout the book. I also thought that the pacing was really well done and that while the book isn't one of my favorite genres I enjoyed it regardless.
The only small things I didn't like about this novel was that I thought that she mentioned the character was Muslim a little too much and I thought that Ethan was a bit rude and rubbed me the wrong way. Ethan's character didn't seem to grasp how hard it was for Zoha to rebel against her family and didn't seem to give her a chance to figure out what she really wanted. While I don't think that this was... fair? I did feel like it was realistic. I like to think that while everyone would have an open heart and open mind I don't think as many people would, which I think is what the point of Ethan's character was.
Verdict: I thought this book was a really cute and romantic story, but it's also a really good tale on how different cultures can be, how hard it can be to move between the two, and how surprisingly impatient some people can be. I thought the book was very interesting in those regards and it would be a perfect read for any lover of romance or diverse reads or of a quick read that will put you in an inspirational mood.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Fantasy/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 17+ (religion, politics, some violence)
I received a free copy of this book from Black Chateau and the author Nanishka Torres! Go check them out if you have a chance! All opinions are my own.
In the realm of Fenrir, the royal family reigns with peace and justice. Science and reason are the driving forces behind every diplomatic decision. Religion is not allowed in the political arena.
Most people respect that decree.
The radically religious group known as Staxeons do not.
Prince Callum is diplomatic. That is until Staxeons kidnap the man he loves. Then he will do anything required to make sure he is returned safely.
That includes seeking the help of the enemy.
The world knows what Fenrir's prince is capable of.
The Staxeons are about to learn first hand. - Amazon.com
Even the shortest books can have a huge story behind them. A good example of this is this book! At only a little more than 100 pages you wouldn't think that this book would have a huge story behind it. But this book is one of the best books I've read this year! The characters are very well developed for the story being so short, the plot is intriguing, and the writing is well done. The book also includes an lgbt relationship and the book is full of action and adventure! There's hardly any down spots in the book, but it doesn't feel sped up or off.
The only issues I found that bugged me were that I wanted more world building in the book and I think the book could have benefitted from heading up the chapters with who the narrators were. The book is wrote from 3 POVs and figuring out who was talking does take you out of the book for a bit.
Verdict: If you're looking for a quick read with tons of action in it I highly suggest this book! The story is great, the writing is good, and the characters are relatable. Hopefully there are more books in this series because I would definitely read more of them!
Genre: Fantasy/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 17+ (religion, politics, some violence)
I received a free copy of this book from Black Chateau and the author Nanishka Torres! Go check them out if you have a chance! All opinions are my own.
In the realm of Fenrir, the royal family reigns with peace and justice. Science and reason are the driving forces behind every diplomatic decision. Religion is not allowed in the political arena.
Most people respect that decree.
The radically religious group known as Staxeons do not.
Prince Callum is diplomatic. That is until Staxeons kidnap the man he loves. Then he will do anything required to make sure he is returned safely.
That includes seeking the help of the enemy.
The world knows what Fenrir's prince is capable of.
The Staxeons are about to learn first hand. - Amazon.com
Even the shortest books can have a huge story behind them. A good example of this is this book! At only a little more than 100 pages you wouldn't think that this book would have a huge story behind it. But this book is one of the best books I've read this year! The characters are very well developed for the story being so short, the plot is intriguing, and the writing is well done. The book also includes an lgbt relationship and the book is full of action and adventure! There's hardly any down spots in the book, but it doesn't feel sped up or off.
The only issues I found that bugged me were that I wanted more world building in the book and I think the book could have benefitted from heading up the chapters with who the narrators were. The book is wrote from 3 POVs and figuring out who was talking does take you out of the book for a bit.
Verdict: If you're looking for a quick read with tons of action in it I highly suggest this book! The story is great, the writing is good, and the characters are relatable. Hopefully there are more books in this series because I would definitely read more of them!
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Recommended Age:
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of OfTomes Publishing. All opinions are my own.
Seventeen-year-old Maggie Ellmes is dogged by a case of chronic bad luck. She figures that’s just her lot in life—that is, until the psychic at Blackheath’s annual carnival reveals that Maggie’s problems are caused by more than just ordinary misfortune; she’s actually been cursed.
Desperate to shake the hex, Maggie has no choice but to seek out the help of Joel Tomlins, a rebellious classmate who’s descended from Blackheath’s most powerful line of witches. After breaking all of his coven’s conventions to help her, Joel discovers that the curse isn’t as bad as Maggie fears. In fact, it’s much, much worse. - Amazon.com
The one thing I can say about Gabriella Lapore's writing is that it is truly beautiful. Not beautiful like Laini Taylor's, because honestly heres sometimes goes over-flowery, but beautiful as in it's simple, pleasent, and easy on the eyes and senses. I also felt that the character development for some of the characters was great and it really made me like Joel in particular. However, I did have a lot of dislikes about this book.
I really disliked how this book reminded me of Twilight. I have read the entire series and I don't really enjoy the series. I know a lot of people do, but personally I didn't like it. I also didn't like Maggie. She was very rude and mean for no reason. I've read books from the POV of a rude and mean person before and usually there's a very decent backstory to explain it and you end up feeling for the character, which I hope happens in the next book because I'm not liking Maggie at all. The book is told through multiple POVs and I thought the book could have done better to just be told through one. The book also failed to grab my attention until I was 1/3 of the way through. It just felt kind of dry until then and there wasn't anything intriguing for me.
Verdict: In short, if you like Twilight or if you like Gabriella Lapore, then you might like this book! It's a decent book and a ton of paranormal romancers would love this type of book. Personally though this book didn't fit my reading style.
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Recommended Age:
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of OfTomes Publishing. All opinions are my own.
Seventeen-year-old Maggie Ellmes is dogged by a case of chronic bad luck. She figures that’s just her lot in life—that is, until the psychic at Blackheath’s annual carnival reveals that Maggie’s problems are caused by more than just ordinary misfortune; she’s actually been cursed.
Desperate to shake the hex, Maggie has no choice but to seek out the help of Joel Tomlins, a rebellious classmate who’s descended from Blackheath’s most powerful line of witches. After breaking all of his coven’s conventions to help her, Joel discovers that the curse isn’t as bad as Maggie fears. In fact, it’s much, much worse. - Amazon.com
The one thing I can say about Gabriella Lapore's writing is that it is truly beautiful. Not beautiful like Laini Taylor's, because honestly heres sometimes goes over-flowery, but beautiful as in it's simple, pleasent, and easy on the eyes and senses. I also felt that the character development for some of the characters was great and it really made me like Joel in particular. However, I did have a lot of dislikes about this book.
I really disliked how this book reminded me of Twilight. I have read the entire series and I don't really enjoy the series. I know a lot of people do, but personally I didn't like it. I also didn't like Maggie. She was very rude and mean for no reason. I've read books from the POV of a rude and mean person before and usually there's a very decent backstory to explain it and you end up feeling for the character, which I hope happens in the next book because I'm not liking Maggie at all. The book is told through multiple POVs and I thought the book could have done better to just be told through one. The book also failed to grab my attention until I was 1/3 of the way through. It just felt kind of dry until then and there wasn't anything intriguing for me.
Verdict: In short, if you like Twilight or if you like Gabriella Lapore, then you might like this book! It's a decent book and a ton of paranormal romancers would love this type of book. Personally though this book didn't fit my reading style.
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance
Recommended Age: 17+ (mature scenes, goblins, triggering scenes dealing with body weight)
I received this book at a bookstore that I have sense forgotten about! No disclaimer needed, I just thought I'd make one up.
The last night of the year. Now the days of winter begin and the Goblin King rides abroad, searching for his bride…
All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dangerous Goblin King. They’ve enraptured her mind, her spirit, and inspired her musical compositions. Now eighteen and helping to run her family’s inn, Liesl can’t help but feel that her musical dreams and childhood fantasies are slipping away.
But when her own sister is taken by the Goblin King, Liesl has no choice but to journey to the Underground to save her. Drawn to the strange, captivating world she finds―and the mysterious man who rules it―she soon faces an impossible decision. And with time and the old laws working against her, Liesl must discover who she truly is before her fate is sealed. - Amazon.com
If you are a music lover, this book will make you very happy. It's so rich with music imagery that it sings to your soul as you read it. But beware of the haunting melody, for it surely must belong to the Goblin King. Needless to say, I thought the book was written amazingly well. I loved all of the musical inspirations and inserts the author placed in the book. I also loved the plot and the character development. The plot is actually kind of two plots, but both work well together and flow well into each other. The characters are amazingly well developed for the short amounnt of time we get with some of them and the characters were stuck with for longer do not feel dull or strained after awhile. The pacing was also marvelously well done in my opinion. I didn't feel like it was rushed or too slow, but it had a very nice ebb and flow with the plot.
My sole complaint is that I thought some of the scenes were a bit too complex and thus it made it hard to understand. These were few and far between though and while the book did end with questions unanswered, the sequel is coming out soon so hopefully they are answered!
Verdict: This book is a music lovers dream and an inspirational book for any girl who thinks they are too strange, too odd, not pretty enough, etc. It's a beautiful and unexpected romance book that I absolutely fell in love with.
Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance
Recommended Age: 17+ (mature scenes, goblins, triggering scenes dealing with body weight)
I received this book at a bookstore that I have sense forgotten about! No disclaimer needed, I just thought I'd make one up.
The last night of the year. Now the days of winter begin and the Goblin King rides abroad, searching for his bride…
All her life, Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, dangerous Goblin King. They’ve enraptured her mind, her spirit, and inspired her musical compositions. Now eighteen and helping to run her family’s inn, Liesl can’t help but feel that her musical dreams and childhood fantasies are slipping away.
But when her own sister is taken by the Goblin King, Liesl has no choice but to journey to the Underground to save her. Drawn to the strange, captivating world she finds―and the mysterious man who rules it―she soon faces an impossible decision. And with time and the old laws working against her, Liesl must discover who she truly is before her fate is sealed. - Amazon.com
If you are a music lover, this book will make you very happy. It's so rich with music imagery that it sings to your soul as you read it. But beware of the haunting melody, for it surely must belong to the Goblin King. Needless to say, I thought the book was written amazingly well. I loved all of the musical inspirations and inserts the author placed in the book. I also loved the plot and the character development. The plot is actually kind of two plots, but both work well together and flow well into each other. The characters are amazingly well developed for the short amounnt of time we get with some of them and the characters were stuck with for longer do not feel dull or strained after awhile. The pacing was also marvelously well done in my opinion. I didn't feel like it was rushed or too slow, but it had a very nice ebb and flow with the plot.
My sole complaint is that I thought some of the scenes were a bit too complex and thus it made it hard to understand. These were few and far between though and while the book did end with questions unanswered, the sequel is coming out soon so hopefully they are answered!
Verdict: This book is a music lovers dream and an inspirational book for any girl who thinks they are too strange, too odd, not pretty enough, etc. It's a beautiful and unexpected romance book that I absolutely fell in love with.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (trigger warning for suicide and depression, some lightly mentioned topics that are mature).
Eighteen-year-old Eliza Mirk is the anonymous creator of Monstrous Sea, a wildly popular webcomic, but when a new boy at school tempts her to live a life offline, everything she’s worked for begins to crumble.
Scott Westerfeld’s Afterworlds meets Nimona in this novel about art, fandom, and finding the courage to be yourself. Features illustrations by the author throughout. Perfect for readers of Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl, this is the second novel by the acclaimed author of Made You Up.
In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, smart, and friendless. Online, Eliza is LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of a popular webcomic called Monstrous Sea. With millions of followers and fans throughout the world, Eliza’s persona is popular. Eliza can’t imagine enjoying the real world as much as she loves her digital community. Then Wallace Warland transfers to her school, and Eliza begins to wonder if a life offline might be worthwhile. But when Eliza’s secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she’s built—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity—begins to fall apart.
With pages from Eliza’s webcomic, as well as screenshots from Eliza’s online forums, this uniquely formatted book will appeal to fans of Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona and Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl. – Amazon.com
I don’t normally read contemporaries. I’d rather read about an alternate reality then read about the world I’m in. Fortunately for me, Eliza would rather draw her alternate reality then be apart of the world she’s forced to live in. She’s also very awkward and an introvert. She doesn’t want the fame part of her popularity, she just wants to draw and have people see her work. That’s what makes this character so likable. She’s a very real character and her anxiety and depression feel very real to the reader. The other characters in the novel are also very likable and very well developed. In only a few sentences, the author is able to develop a character so well that one feels they’ve known the character their whole life. The plot is also very well developed and the pacing is perfect. While the book feels resolved towards the middle of the novel, the author manages to throw a wrench into the wheel and while everything is resolved quickly it doesn’t feel rushed or underdeveloped. The book also uses art from Eliza’s webcomic series which makes the book feel even more special to the reader and it makes the reader want to become apart of the Monstrous Sea fandom!
One of my only complaints (not a complaint to me but might be a downside for others) is that the book does jump around time wise, so the reader does have to pay attention throughout the book in order to know what the time period of the chapter is. However, it wasn’t a big deal to me and I wasn’t thrown by the shifts in time at all. My only other complaint of the novel is that the reader does not know the ending of the Monstrous Sea! The reader (aka me) becomes so invested in the novel and the characters that the main characters create that it’s a bit of a disappointment that the ending of this fake fandom the reader becomes apart of is left unresolved. I have heard that the author is writing something to do with the Monstrous Sea on WattPad, so maybe we’ll get the ending we deserve in the end!
Verdict: This book ripped my heart out and stomped on it multiple times. My heart was then dissected and sewn back together with tender love and care. I cried a lot. I couldn’t sleep after I read it. Hands down, this was one of the best books I’ve ever read. I implore you to read this book even if you don’t like contemporaries. This sweet book is one that you will never regret reading.
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (trigger warning for suicide and depression, some lightly mentioned topics that are mature).
Eighteen-year-old Eliza Mirk is the anonymous creator of Monstrous Sea, a wildly popular webcomic, but when a new boy at school tempts her to live a life offline, everything she’s worked for begins to crumble.
Scott Westerfeld’s Afterworlds meets Nimona in this novel about art, fandom, and finding the courage to be yourself. Features illustrations by the author throughout. Perfect for readers of Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl, this is the second novel by the acclaimed author of Made You Up.
In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, smart, and friendless. Online, Eliza is LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of a popular webcomic called Monstrous Sea. With millions of followers and fans throughout the world, Eliza’s persona is popular. Eliza can’t imagine enjoying the real world as much as she loves her digital community. Then Wallace Warland transfers to her school, and Eliza begins to wonder if a life offline might be worthwhile. But when Eliza’s secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she’s built—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity—begins to fall apart.
With pages from Eliza’s webcomic, as well as screenshots from Eliza’s online forums, this uniquely formatted book will appeal to fans of Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona and Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl. – Amazon.com
I don’t normally read contemporaries. I’d rather read about an alternate reality then read about the world I’m in. Fortunately for me, Eliza would rather draw her alternate reality then be apart of the world she’s forced to live in. She’s also very awkward and an introvert. She doesn’t want the fame part of her popularity, she just wants to draw and have people see her work. That’s what makes this character so likable. She’s a very real character and her anxiety and depression feel very real to the reader. The other characters in the novel are also very likable and very well developed. In only a few sentences, the author is able to develop a character so well that one feels they’ve known the character their whole life. The plot is also very well developed and the pacing is perfect. While the book feels resolved towards the middle of the novel, the author manages to throw a wrench into the wheel and while everything is resolved quickly it doesn’t feel rushed or underdeveloped. The book also uses art from Eliza’s webcomic series which makes the book feel even more special to the reader and it makes the reader want to become apart of the Monstrous Sea fandom!
One of my only complaints (not a complaint to me but might be a downside for others) is that the book does jump around time wise, so the reader does have to pay attention throughout the book in order to know what the time period of the chapter is. However, it wasn’t a big deal to me and I wasn’t thrown by the shifts in time at all. My only other complaint of the novel is that the reader does not know the ending of the Monstrous Sea! The reader (aka me) becomes so invested in the novel and the characters that the main characters create that it’s a bit of a disappointment that the ending of this fake fandom the reader becomes apart of is left unresolved. I have heard that the author is writing something to do with the Monstrous Sea on WattPad, so maybe we’ll get the ending we deserve in the end!
Verdict: This book ripped my heart out and stomped on it multiple times. My heart was then dissected and sewn back together with tender love and care. I cried a lot. I couldn’t sleep after I read it. Hands down, this was one of the best books I’ve ever read. I implore you to read this book even if you don’t like contemporaries. This sweet book is one that you will never regret reading.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 15+ (murder, death, and morality)
I received a free copy of this book thanks to KidLitExchange. All opinions are my own.
Right before Sadie died, she begged her sister, Ruby, to do the one thing she could never do herself: Find the treasure on Gray Wolf Island.
With just a mysterious treasure map as a guide, Ruby reluctantly allows some friends to join her on the hunt, each of whom is touched by magic: a boy allegedly born to a virgin, a girl who never sleeps, a boy who can foresee his own death, and a boy with deep ties to the island. Each of them is also keeping a secret--something they'll have to reveal in order to reach the treasure.
As the secrets come to light, Ruby will have to decide: Can she make peace with her friends' troubled pasts and continue to trust them? Can she forgive herself for doing the unspeakable? Deep in the wilderness of Gray Wolf Island, Ruby's choices will determine if they make it out with the treasure--or merely with their lives. - Amazon.com
I have never been one for treasure hunting books. The Goonies? Never watched it. Treasure Island? I have read the book (surprisingly when I was 8!) but did I really enjoy it? No (but I did learn how to curse. That was an exciting time for my mother and me). That being said I thought this would be the book that would break my non-excitement of treasure hunting books, but it didn't. The book was really hard to get through and I basically skimmed the last 150 pages of it. For it's benefit the book is exciting for those who like slow burning mysteries and who enjoy the journey rather than the prize. But for me there were too many dislikes about this book.
I felt that the characters were very flat. They didn't seem to have any depth to them in my opinion. The beginning, which should be the part that sucks you into a book, was horribly slow for me. And the book hinted at magical realism, but I didn't see any. This book focused a lot on Ruby's turmoil over her sister's death and I get she's upset but the amount of times it's brought up and mentioned makes what could have been a fun book about treasure and friendship into a book you read to have a good cry with.
Verdict: This was definitely not the book I expected it to be and I didn't enjoy the surprise of what I got instead. If you really enjoy contemporaries or slow burning mysteries or books you can cry over, then this book is for you.
Genre: YA Mystery
Recommended Age: 15+ (murder, death, and morality)
I received a free copy of this book thanks to KidLitExchange. All opinions are my own.
Right before Sadie died, she begged her sister, Ruby, to do the one thing she could never do herself: Find the treasure on Gray Wolf Island.
With just a mysterious treasure map as a guide, Ruby reluctantly allows some friends to join her on the hunt, each of whom is touched by magic: a boy allegedly born to a virgin, a girl who never sleeps, a boy who can foresee his own death, and a boy with deep ties to the island. Each of them is also keeping a secret--something they'll have to reveal in order to reach the treasure.
As the secrets come to light, Ruby will have to decide: Can she make peace with her friends' troubled pasts and continue to trust them? Can she forgive herself for doing the unspeakable? Deep in the wilderness of Gray Wolf Island, Ruby's choices will determine if they make it out with the treasure--or merely with their lives. - Amazon.com
I have never been one for treasure hunting books. The Goonies? Never watched it. Treasure Island? I have read the book (surprisingly when I was 8!) but did I really enjoy it? No (but I did learn how to curse. That was an exciting time for my mother and me). That being said I thought this would be the book that would break my non-excitement of treasure hunting books, but it didn't. The book was really hard to get through and I basically skimmed the last 150 pages of it. For it's benefit the book is exciting for those who like slow burning mysteries and who enjoy the journey rather than the prize. But for me there were too many dislikes about this book.
I felt that the characters were very flat. They didn't seem to have any depth to them in my opinion. The beginning, which should be the part that sucks you into a book, was horribly slow for me. And the book hinted at magical realism, but I didn't see any. This book focused a lot on Ruby's turmoil over her sister's death and I get she's upset but the amount of times it's brought up and mentioned makes what could have been a fun book about treasure and friendship into a book you read to have a good cry with.
Verdict: This was definitely not the book I expected it to be and I didn't enjoy the surprise of what I got instead. If you really enjoy contemporaries or slow burning mysteries or books you can cry over, then this book is for you.