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popthebutterfly
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Fantasy/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual abuse and harassment, attempted rape)
Pages: 448
Author Website
Amazon Link to Order the Book
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley! Thank you NetGalley and thank you Disney Book Group! All opinions are my own.
When I originally heard the title about the book I actually thought it would be about beauty queens. Seriously. But the more I heard about this book, the more I realized that while I’m not entirely sure what it’s all about (because I actively try to not look at synopsis anymore) that I needed to read this book. If you’ve not heard about this book it’s takes place in this fantasy world called Orleans. There are people who have been blessed by the Goddess of Beauty, The Belles, who can use their magic, arcana, to transform people into picture perfect beauty. Our main character is Camellia, who wants to be the favorite. The favorite is a Belle chosen by the Queen to live in the royal palace and tend to the royal family. However, things aren’t all they seem when Camellia leaves her small world for the royal palace. This book was FANTASTIC! The character development was amazing for all of the characters, even the smaller ones, the plot was not only intriguing but held my interest throughout, the world building was so well done that I could accurately picture everything in my mind, the pacing was perfection, and there was SO MUCH DIVERSITY! I AM IN LOVE!!!
The only, ONLY, thing that could be offputting about this book was that the book was longer than expected. I don’t have a physical copy with me but I expected the book to be about 250-300 pages, but it’s actually 448 pages. This didn’t offput me from the book at all because I actually enjoy longer books for the first book in the series, but some people might not. I also had previously read a not-a-review review (weird, I know) about there being ableism in this book, which is the discrimination of able-bodied people. I went into this book with that in mind, but then saw no evidence of this. There was one sentence in the book that described a character as “invalid” which can be used as a derogatory term, but in this sense it meant as it is defined “a person made weak or disabled by illness or injury” in which that character was. She was in a coma. The literal definition of weak by illness or injury. I’m not sure if the comment was in jest or if the person did not understand what invalid really meant.
Verdict: No ableism, amazing use of diversity, and an empowering and fantastic tale about a girl who doesn’t just suddenly gain power overnight. A definite must read for 2018!
Genre: YA Fantasy/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual abuse and harassment, attempted rape)
Pages: 448
Author Website
Amazon Link to Order the Book
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley! Thank you NetGalley and thank you Disney Book Group! All opinions are my own.
When I originally heard the title about the book I actually thought it would be about beauty queens. Seriously. But the more I heard about this book, the more I realized that while I’m not entirely sure what it’s all about (because I actively try to not look at synopsis anymore) that I needed to read this book. If you’ve not heard about this book it’s takes place in this fantasy world called Orleans. There are people who have been blessed by the Goddess of Beauty, The Belles, who can use their magic, arcana, to transform people into picture perfect beauty. Our main character is Camellia, who wants to be the favorite. The favorite is a Belle chosen by the Queen to live in the royal palace and tend to the royal family. However, things aren’t all they seem when Camellia leaves her small world for the royal palace. This book was FANTASTIC! The character development was amazing for all of the characters, even the smaller ones, the plot was not only intriguing but held my interest throughout, the world building was so well done that I could accurately picture everything in my mind, the pacing was perfection, and there was SO MUCH DIVERSITY! I AM IN LOVE!!!
The only, ONLY, thing that could be offputting about this book was that the book was longer than expected. I don’t have a physical copy with me but I expected the book to be about 250-300 pages, but it’s actually 448 pages. This didn’t offput me from the book at all because I actually enjoy longer books for the first book in the series, but some people might not. I also had previously read a not-a-review review (weird, I know) about there being ableism in this book, which is the discrimination of able-bodied people. I went into this book with that in mind, but then saw no evidence of this. There was one sentence in the book that described a character as “invalid” which can be used as a derogatory term, but in this sense it meant as it is defined “a person made weak or disabled by illness or injury” in which that character was. She was in a coma. The literal definition of weak by illness or injury. I’m not sure if the comment was in jest or if the person did not understand what invalid really meant.
Verdict: No ableism, amazing use of diversity, and an empowering and fantastic tale about a girl who doesn’t just suddenly gain power overnight. A definite must read for 2018!
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
Recommended Age: 15+ (death, statutory rape, twists and turns)
Pages: 406
Author Website
Amazon Link to Order the Book
I received a free copy of this book through KidLitExchange. Thanks KidLitExchange and Gollancz. All opinions are my own.
Again, another mystery. These seem to really be hit or miss with me and I feel that I can’t find true equilibrium with mysteries nowadays. So I was a bit hesitant going into this book. This book is about a girl named Natasha who is found dead in a river, but is revived. She has memory loss and there is a big black hole as to what happened to her. Her two friends, Haley and Jenny, are acting suspicious and her ex friend Becca is dealing with relationship drama. You follow through the story to find out how Natasha ended up in the river. I liked how well developed the characters were and I found the overall plot interesting, but those are the only things I really enjoyed about this book.
I felt that this book had a lot of faulty police work, which bugs me the more I see it in these books and I felt that the pacing was a bit too slow for this book. I also felt that this book could have been a great mystery novel, but it was told way too early in the book what really happened and the rest of the book felt like it dragged on for me. But then again I’m really picky with mysteries so it might have just been my pickiness.
Verdict: If you want a book about friendship and romance that harkens back to Pretty Little Liars, then this is the book for you.
Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
Recommended Age: 15+ (death, statutory rape, twists and turns)
Pages: 406
Author Website
Amazon Link to Order the Book
I received a free copy of this book through KidLitExchange. Thanks KidLitExchange and Gollancz. All opinions are my own.
Again, another mystery. These seem to really be hit or miss with me and I feel that I can’t find true equilibrium with mysteries nowadays. So I was a bit hesitant going into this book. This book is about a girl named Natasha who is found dead in a river, but is revived. She has memory loss and there is a big black hole as to what happened to her. Her two friends, Haley and Jenny, are acting suspicious and her ex friend Becca is dealing with relationship drama. You follow through the story to find out how Natasha ended up in the river. I liked how well developed the characters were and I found the overall plot interesting, but those are the only things I really enjoyed about this book.
I felt that this book had a lot of faulty police work, which bugs me the more I see it in these books and I felt that the pacing was a bit too slow for this book. I also felt that this book could have been a great mystery novel, but it was told way too early in the book what really happened and the rest of the book felt like it dragged on for me. But then again I’m really picky with mysteries so it might have just been my pickiness.
Verdict: If you want a book about friendship and romance that harkens back to Pretty Little Liars, then this is the book for you.
Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: YA Dystopian/Spiritual
Recommended Age: 15+ (death, sudden limb removal, lots of blood and survival stuff)
Pages: 389
Author Website
Amazon Link to Order the Book
Man I read a lot of dystopians. I swear they just gravitate towards me sometimes lol. Anyways, I recently found an awesome sauce author on Instagram called Nadine (@nadinebrandes) and she wrote a series I had heard was pretty good so I decided to check it out. It’s about this girl named Parvin who lives in a world where everyone has a Clock that will accurately countdown to your death. She was born as part of a set of illegal triplets as her mother only had enough clocks for two of the babies. Her oldest brother died shortly after birth, leaving her and her brother Reid with one clock. Shortly before her 18th birthday the Clock ticks down to under a year and the main character has to figure out what she wants to do before she dies. She wants to be remembered and write a biography, but the path to being remembered takes her past the Wall, which separates East and West America, to which she has to decide if she can endure the journey through uncharted lands. I felt that the book was really good. The world building was amazingly well done, the characters were very well developed, the plot was super intriguing, and overall I really enjoyed this book.
However, I did have a pet peeve throughout the book. I felt that the character, who was raised without religion, way too rapidly accepted God in my opinion. I also felt that the main character was way too lucky throughout the story. It seemed that things always happened at the perfect time around her and nothing really threatened her. The main, for wanting to be a biographer so bad, didn’t write enough of her story like I would think she would in my opinion. Lastly, I felt the pacing was a bit off. It was good, but it always just felt a tad too slow for me.
Verdict: If you’re looking for a book that not only encourages adventure but also encourages spirituality then this is the book for you.
Genre: YA Dystopian/Spiritual
Recommended Age: 15+ (death, sudden limb removal, lots of blood and survival stuff)
Pages: 389
Author Website
Amazon Link to Order the Book
Man I read a lot of dystopians. I swear they just gravitate towards me sometimes lol. Anyways, I recently found an awesome sauce author on Instagram called Nadine (@nadinebrandes) and she wrote a series I had heard was pretty good so I decided to check it out. It’s about this girl named Parvin who lives in a world where everyone has a Clock that will accurately countdown to your death. She was born as part of a set of illegal triplets as her mother only had enough clocks for two of the babies. Her oldest brother died shortly after birth, leaving her and her brother Reid with one clock. Shortly before her 18th birthday the Clock ticks down to under a year and the main character has to figure out what she wants to do before she dies. She wants to be remembered and write a biography, but the path to being remembered takes her past the Wall, which separates East and West America, to which she has to decide if she can endure the journey through uncharted lands. I felt that the book was really good. The world building was amazingly well done, the characters were very well developed, the plot was super intriguing, and overall I really enjoyed this book.
However, I did have a pet peeve throughout the book. I felt that the character, who was raised without religion, way too rapidly accepted God in my opinion. I also felt that the main character was way too lucky throughout the story. It seemed that things always happened at the perfect time around her and nothing really threatened her. The main, for wanting to be a biographer so bad, didn’t write enough of her story like I would think she would in my opinion. Lastly, I felt the pacing was a bit off. It was good, but it always just felt a tad too slow for me.
Verdict: If you’re looking for a book that not only encourages adventure but also encourages spirituality then this is the book for you.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA… uhhh… Superhero Retelling?
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, slight sexual content)
Pages: 252
Author Website
Amazon Link to Order the Book
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah BATMAN!!!!!!
I LOVE Batman. I used to stay up late every night when I was little and watch the animated series on TV when I was supposed to be asleep. I grew up with Batman and now I want to know how Batman grew up, so I thought this would be an amazing book to start with in my journey to knowing Batman. This book focuses on newly 18 Bruce Wayne and his misadventures and need for justice. I felt that this book had a really interesting plot and storyline. The love interest was in true Batman fashion (ala evil villain), and the pacing was perfection as well. Also, it’s Batman. That has to make up for some of the bad things in this next paragraph right? RIGHT???
*sigh* This was not Batman. Well, this was not MY Batman. I would have been absolutely fine if Marie Lu made a new Batman, God knows how many times and alternate universes Batman has been apart of, but she didn’t and the end result came out poorly researched and unauthentic. Batman in the lore actual traveled the world and trained with a detective and Lucius, this Batman is just a typical teen without any good backstory. Bruce and Harvey were also not old schoolmates, so the inclusion of him felt odd. Aside from one part in the book, this Harvey did not act like the Harvey I know. Bruce, as a character, was also very uninteresting. He was not developed at all and the author relied on us previously knowing the Batman origin story to fully know what was going on. A lot of people who will read this book may not know Batman’s origin story (or even who he is).
Verdict: The Batman in this story doesn’t feel like the Batman of the lore and a lot of things that go on in this book contradict the lore. However, it was an action packed adventure and if you ignore that this is Batman this book is a lot better.
Genre: YA… uhhh… Superhero Retelling?
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, slight sexual content)
Pages: 252
Author Website
Amazon Link to Order the Book
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah BATMAN!!!!!!
I LOVE Batman. I used to stay up late every night when I was little and watch the animated series on TV when I was supposed to be asleep. I grew up with Batman and now I want to know how Batman grew up, so I thought this would be an amazing book to start with in my journey to knowing Batman. This book focuses on newly 18 Bruce Wayne and his misadventures and need for justice. I felt that this book had a really interesting plot and storyline. The love interest was in true Batman fashion (ala evil villain), and the pacing was perfection as well. Also, it’s Batman. That has to make up for some of the bad things in this next paragraph right? RIGHT???
*sigh* This was not Batman. Well, this was not MY Batman. I would have been absolutely fine if Marie Lu made a new Batman, God knows how many times and alternate universes Batman has been apart of, but she didn’t and the end result came out poorly researched and unauthentic. Batman in the lore actual traveled the world and trained with a detective and Lucius, this Batman is just a typical teen without any good backstory. Bruce and Harvey were also not old schoolmates, so the inclusion of him felt odd. Aside from one part in the book, this Harvey did not act like the Harvey I know. Bruce, as a character, was also very uninteresting. He was not developed at all and the author relied on us previously knowing the Batman origin story to fully know what was going on. A lot of people who will read this book may not know Batman’s origin story (or even who he is).
Verdict: The Batman in this story doesn’t feel like the Batman of the lore and a lot of things that go on in this book contradict the lore. However, it was an action packed adventure and if you ignore that this is Batman this book is a lot better.
Rating: 2/5 (will redo if re-read)
Genre: Mystery
Recommended Age: Can’t say, DNFed
Pages: 304
Author Website
Amazon Link to Order the Book
Synopsis:
Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Without a shred of doubt, one of his fellow passengers is the murderer.
Isolated by the storm, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer among a dozen of the dead man's enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again.
So unfortunately I had to DNF this book 10 pages into it. I felt that the language in this book was something I could not get into no matter what I tried, but I’m still intrigued by the story. Will definitely go see the movie!
Genre: Mystery
Recommended Age: Can’t say, DNFed
Pages: 304
Author Website
Amazon Link to Order the Book
Synopsis:
Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. Without a shred of doubt, one of his fellow passengers is the murderer.
Isolated by the storm, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer among a dozen of the dead man's enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again.
So unfortunately I had to DNF this book 10 pages into it. I felt that the language in this book was something I could not get into no matter what I tried, but I’m still intrigued by the story. Will definitely go see the movie!
Rating: 3/5
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (technical words and monsters)
Pages: 233
Author Website Link
Amazon Link
I received a copy of this book for free courtesy of Black Chateau Enterprises and the author. Thank you so much! All opinions are my own.
What’s It About: Restless and fire-hearted, ten-year-old Sierra Nevada Smith was always chasing monsters, whether through the pages of her favorite books or in the woods behind the secluded California town where she grew up. Fantastic new worlds opened for her, however, when, after a near-tragedy, she discovered the films of legendary stop-motion animator Russell Boylan.
Ten years later, she finds herself working aboard a yacht, adrift at sea and in life, her peers nicknaming her the ‘Monster Girl’: a sad consolation for her own stunted career as a stop-motion animator in this era of computer-generated effects. When their boat is mysteriously pulled through a corridor of fog, the crew finds themselves deposited on the shores of an extraordinary island, a place where the stomping, roaring, clambering dinosaurs and creatures of Russell Boylan’s classic films have been relegated to live beyond script or screen, and to evolve.
And it is here that Sierra discovers not only an incredible power, but what may be her purpose.
The Pros: The book was really intriguing and unique. The plot had a lot of promise and I felt that the main character complimented the plot. In other words, I didn’t feel like there was just this random person that was dropped into this world, but that there was a person who was made for this world. I also felt that the pacing wasn’t wonky and that it felt very natural.
The Cons: Well… I don’t think there was enough world building in this book, which left me very confused in parts. I feel that the book needed to slow down (even if the pacing suffered from it) so the reader had a chance to catch up and look around in the world. I also feel that the characters needed to be developed a little further, but for the most part they were fine. The most developed character was the main and in my opinion that’s how it should be. I also didn’t like how the wording got a bit technical and scientific. I’m not a sciencey person and so the wording really took me out of the story.
Verdict: Overall, I thought the book was good and the story was beautiful, but some of the more technical portions of novel writing were overlooked in my opinion.
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (technical words and monsters)
Pages: 233
Author Website Link
Amazon Link
I received a copy of this book for free courtesy of Black Chateau Enterprises and the author. Thank you so much! All opinions are my own.
What’s It About: Restless and fire-hearted, ten-year-old Sierra Nevada Smith was always chasing monsters, whether through the pages of her favorite books or in the woods behind the secluded California town where she grew up. Fantastic new worlds opened for her, however, when, after a near-tragedy, she discovered the films of legendary stop-motion animator Russell Boylan.
Ten years later, she finds herself working aboard a yacht, adrift at sea and in life, her peers nicknaming her the ‘Monster Girl’: a sad consolation for her own stunted career as a stop-motion animator in this era of computer-generated effects. When their boat is mysteriously pulled through a corridor of fog, the crew finds themselves deposited on the shores of an extraordinary island, a place where the stomping, roaring, clambering dinosaurs and creatures of Russell Boylan’s classic films have been relegated to live beyond script or screen, and to evolve.
And it is here that Sierra discovers not only an incredible power, but what may be her purpose.
The Pros: The book was really intriguing and unique. The plot had a lot of promise and I felt that the main character complimented the plot. In other words, I didn’t feel like there was just this random person that was dropped into this world, but that there was a person who was made for this world. I also felt that the pacing wasn’t wonky and that it felt very natural.
The Cons: Well… I don’t think there was enough world building in this book, which left me very confused in parts. I feel that the book needed to slow down (even if the pacing suffered from it) so the reader had a chance to catch up and look around in the world. I also feel that the characters needed to be developed a little further, but for the most part they were fine. The most developed character was the main and in my opinion that’s how it should be. I also didn’t like how the wording got a bit technical and scientific. I’m not a sciencey person and so the wording really took me out of the story.
Verdict: Overall, I thought the book was good and the story was beautiful, but some of the more technical portions of novel writing were overlooked in my opinion.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, sexual harassment, mentions of rape, espionage, treason, and unexpected twists)
Pages: 432
Author Website
Amazon Link
I received this book courtesy of NetGalley and Delacorte Books! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess--a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.
For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.
Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.
For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.
So going into this book I thought it would be your common damsel in distress book with a love triangle and the romance would overwhelm me to a point of turning off my Kindle. But holy cow was I wrong, well not about the love triangle but that’s for later in this review. This book was an unexpected favorite of mine. The characters were so well developed that even those who appeared “on-screen” for a short period of time had an impact on me. Theo’s struggles and triumphs felt amazingly real to me that I became one with her. I cried when she cried. I fist pumped when she succeed. I became heavily invested in all of these characters and I think any book that can make me feel this way is very special. I also have to praise the book on its world building. The world building was fantastically done and already we were heavily introduced to a handful of different continents in the first book. I could accurately picture the story and follow along with the actions as the story went on. Lastly I want to praise the book on its plot and pacing. While this book is not very action packed, it’s very intriguing and I love the slow build up and political side to this treasonous story.
While I loved the book, I do have to warn that this book is very violent and horrifying. The main character is tortured again and again and at times it makes the book very hard to read. But I think that’s what make this book special. It’s not afraid to “go there” and write down what would be the majority of people’s fears: seeing your mother’s throat slit, being made to stab someone you love in the back, gaining a friend to have them stab you in the back, being forced to go through torture again and again through the hands of people who killed everything you love… It’s horrific at times, but it’s completely real about the pain the main goes through.
Verdict: A book that keeps you on your toes and isn’t afraid to yank the rug out from underneath your feet. A must read for 2018.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, sexual harassment, mentions of rape, espionage, treason, and unexpected twists)
Pages: 432
Author Website
Amazon Link
I received this book courtesy of NetGalley and Delacorte Books! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess--a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.
For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.
Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.
For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.
So going into this book I thought it would be your common damsel in distress book with a love triangle and the romance would overwhelm me to a point of turning off my Kindle. But holy cow was I wrong, well not about the love triangle but that’s for later in this review. This book was an unexpected favorite of mine. The characters were so well developed that even those who appeared “on-screen” for a short period of time had an impact on me. Theo’s struggles and triumphs felt amazingly real to me that I became one with her. I cried when she cried. I fist pumped when she succeed. I became heavily invested in all of these characters and I think any book that can make me feel this way is very special. I also have to praise the book on its world building. The world building was fantastically done and already we were heavily introduced to a handful of different continents in the first book. I could accurately picture the story and follow along with the actions as the story went on. Lastly I want to praise the book on its plot and pacing. While this book is not very action packed, it’s very intriguing and I love the slow build up and political side to this treasonous story.
While I loved the book, I do have to warn that this book is very violent and horrifying. The main character is tortured again and again and at times it makes the book very hard to read. But I think that’s what make this book special. It’s not afraid to “go there” and write down what would be the majority of people’s fears: seeing your mother’s throat slit, being made to stab someone you love in the back, gaining a friend to have them stab you in the back, being forced to go through torture again and again through the hands of people who killed everything you love… It’s horrific at times, but it’s completely real about the pain the main goes through.
Verdict: A book that keeps you on your toes and isn’t afraid to yank the rug out from underneath your feet. A must read for 2018.
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Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian/Christian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, slight gore, some maturity needed)
Pages: 458
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Parvin Blackwater wanted to die, but now she's being called to be a leader. The only problem is, no one wants to follow.
The Council uses Jude's Clock-matching invention to force "new-and-improved" Clocks on the public. Those who can't afford one are packed into boxcars like cattle and used for the Council's purposes.
Parvin and Hawke find themselves on a cargo ship of Radicals headed out to sea. What will the Council do to them? And why are people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?
Book Two in the "Out of Time" series.
This is the second installment to the Out of Time series by Nadine Brandes. This is the link to the first review. The dystopian adventure continues with our hero Parvin and her sometimes reckless but always heroic nature. I liked this book much better than the first one. I felt that it went much faster than the previous one and I enjoyed the plot and pacing much more. I also felt that Parvin’s faith made more sense in this book. In the previous I criticized for it being too quick of a faith change, so in this one her solid faith makes much more sense.
However, I still have some issues with the book. In this one there was a much bigger cast of characters, some of which I felt didn’t get enough character development. I also forgot a lot of characters as I was reading the book, only to come back to them later and be utterly confused. I also felt the development for the characters outside of Parvin and Solomon was lacking a little bit. The mother’s character in particular confused me as she seems to flip flop between caring and neglectful. I also wanted more world building in the book, especially since we saw some new areas of the west, and I felt some of the events with a group of people was a bit odd and unexplained. Finally, I felt that in some parts of the book the action scenes were a bit confusing.
Verdict: While I had some critiques about this book I did enjoy the story overall and I feel that the ending will leave me in an emotional wreck.
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian/Christian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, slight gore, some maturity needed)
Pages: 458
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Parvin Blackwater wanted to die, but now she's being called to be a leader. The only problem is, no one wants to follow.
The Council uses Jude's Clock-matching invention to force "new-and-improved" Clocks on the public. Those who can't afford one are packed into boxcars like cattle and used for the Council's purposes.
Parvin and Hawke find themselves on a cargo ship of Radicals headed out to sea. What will the Council do to them? And why are people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?
Book Two in the "Out of Time" series.
This is the second installment to the Out of Time series by Nadine Brandes. This is the link to the first review. The dystopian adventure continues with our hero Parvin and her sometimes reckless but always heroic nature. I liked this book much better than the first one. I felt that it went much faster than the previous one and I enjoyed the plot and pacing much more. I also felt that Parvin’s faith made more sense in this book. In the previous I criticized for it being too quick of a faith change, so in this one her solid faith makes much more sense.
However, I still have some issues with the book. In this one there was a much bigger cast of characters, some of which I felt didn’t get enough character development. I also forgot a lot of characters as I was reading the book, only to come back to them later and be utterly confused. I also felt the development for the characters outside of Parvin and Solomon was lacking a little bit. The mother’s character in particular confused me as she seems to flip flop between caring and neglectful. I also wanted more world building in the book, especially since we saw some new areas of the west, and I felt some of the events with a group of people was a bit odd and unexplained. Finally, I felt that in some parts of the book the action scenes were a bit confusing.
Verdict: While I had some critiques about this book I did enjoy the story overall and I feel that the ending will leave me in an emotional wreck.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 13+ (some sexual content)
Pages: 303
Author Website
Amazon Link
I received a copy of this book via KidLitExchange and Farrar Straus Giroux. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Five girls. Three generations. One great American love story. You Bring the Distant Near explores sisterhood, first loves, friendship, and the inheritance of culture--for better or worse. Ranee, worried that her children are losing their Indian culture; Sonia, wrapped up in a forbidden biracial love affair; Tara, seeking the limelight to hide her true self; Shanti, desperately trying to make peace in the family; Anna, fighting to preserve her Bengali identity--award-winning author Mitali Perkins weaves together a sweeping story of five women at once intimately relatable and yet entirely new.
I’m not one for contemporaries, but this looked like a cute little romance and family book that I could get into. And for the most part it was. The character developments of the main characters are amazingly well done and the world building is as well. And overall the plot and the pacing are really good. I felt for these characters and I really enjoyed this book.
However, I felt that this book, while charming, was a bit discombobulated. The book switches POV suddenly and you have little indication of the time or character that the book switches to. The book also has a lot of plot points that never really get resolved. Another point about this book is that the tagline is “five girls”, but the book is actually about 4 girls and 1 woman since we got little of Didu’s backstory.
Verdict: It’ll make you hug your parents. If you enjoy contemporaries this is the one for you.
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 13+ (some sexual content)
Pages: 303
Author Website
Amazon Link
I received a copy of this book via KidLitExchange and Farrar Straus Giroux. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Five girls. Three generations. One great American love story. You Bring the Distant Near explores sisterhood, first loves, friendship, and the inheritance of culture--for better or worse. Ranee, worried that her children are losing their Indian culture; Sonia, wrapped up in a forbidden biracial love affair; Tara, seeking the limelight to hide her true self; Shanti, desperately trying to make peace in the family; Anna, fighting to preserve her Bengali identity--award-winning author Mitali Perkins weaves together a sweeping story of five women at once intimately relatable and yet entirely new.
I’m not one for contemporaries, but this looked like a cute little romance and family book that I could get into. And for the most part it was. The character developments of the main characters are amazingly well done and the world building is as well. And overall the plot and the pacing are really good. I felt for these characters and I really enjoyed this book.
However, I felt that this book, while charming, was a bit discombobulated. The book switches POV suddenly and you have little indication of the time or character that the book switches to. The book also has a lot of plot points that never really get resolved. Another point about this book is that the tagline is “five girls”, but the book is actually about 4 girls and 1 woman since we got little of Didu’s backstory.
Verdict: It’ll make you hug your parents. If you enjoy contemporaries this is the one for you.
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (gore, violence, slight cursing, dragons, and magic)
Pages: 497
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings, the New York Times bestselling Inheritance Cycle about the dragon rider Eragon has sold over 35 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation. With newly updated interlocking art across the spines of all four books!
Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy—until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire.
While I’ve never been a Tolkien fan (and my many attempts to read the books or view the movie have always resulted in disaster for me and others) so I’ve always been hesitant to start this book since I’ve heard it’s like Tolkien. I actually previously started this book, but DNF-ed it. But my friend Alex started a readalong of this and since he had participated in my crazy readalong the month before (HalfLostButterflyReadalong on Instagram, go check it out!) I wanted to return the favor and participate in one of his. Also I really wanted to conquer this series. My husband has been on me about this series since this is his absolute favorite. Anddd I loved it the second time around! I felt that the character development was some of the best I’ve ever read. We basically watched Eragon grow up a little and I’m loving it. The world building was unlike any I’ve ever read before. The pacing was perfect and the plot kept me intrigued throughout the book. Christopher Paolini does a really good job at crafting a story that has highs and lows.
The only complaint I really had about the book was that I felt it should have ended earlier in the story and the continuation past that point felt forced, but other than that I really enjoyed this book!
Verdict: Dragons, urgals, and kull OH MY! If you like action, you’ll like this!
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (gore, violence, slight cursing, dragons, and magic)
Pages: 497
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings, the New York Times bestselling Inheritance Cycle about the dragon rider Eragon has sold over 35 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation. With newly updated interlocking art across the spines of all four books!
Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy—until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire.
While I’ve never been a Tolkien fan (and my many attempts to read the books or view the movie have always resulted in disaster for me and others) so I’ve always been hesitant to start this book since I’ve heard it’s like Tolkien. I actually previously started this book, but DNF-ed it. But my friend Alex started a readalong of this and since he had participated in my crazy readalong the month before (HalfLostButterflyReadalong on Instagram, go check it out!) I wanted to return the favor and participate in one of his. Also I really wanted to conquer this series. My husband has been on me about this series since this is his absolute favorite. Anddd I loved it the second time around! I felt that the character development was some of the best I’ve ever read. We basically watched Eragon grow up a little and I’m loving it. The world building was unlike any I’ve ever read before. The pacing was perfect and the plot kept me intrigued throughout the book. Christopher Paolini does a really good job at crafting a story that has highs and lows.
The only complaint I really had about the book was that I felt it should have ended earlier in the story and the continuation past that point felt forced, but other than that I really enjoyed this book!
Verdict: Dragons, urgals, and kull OH MY! If you like action, you’ll like this!