Take a photo of a barcode or cover
2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
Rating: 2.5/5
Genre: Mystery
Recommended Age: 17+ (lies, deceit, language, and confusion)
Pages: 370
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: On a cool June morning, a woman is walking her dog in the idyllic coastal village of Salten along a tidal estuary known as the Reach. Before she can stop him, the dog charges into the water to retrieve what first appears to be a wayward stick, but to her horror, turns out to be something much more sinister...
The next morning, three women in and around London—Fatima, Thea, and Isabel—receive the text they had always hoped would NEVER come, from the fourth in their formerly inseparable clique, Kate, that says only, “I need you.”
The four girls were best friends at Salten, a second rate boarding school set near the cliffs of the English Channel. Each different in their own way, the four became inseparable and were notorious for playing the Lying Game, telling lies at every turn to both fellow boarders and faculty, with varying states of serious and flippant nature that were disturbing enough to ensure that everyone steered clear of them. The myriad and complicated rules of the game are strict: no lying to each other—ever. Bail on the lie when it becomes clear it is about to be found out. But their little game had consequences, and the girls were all expelled in their final year of school under mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of the school’s eccentric art teacher, Ambrose (who also happens to be Kate’s father).
This is the month where I don’t like mysteries for some reason. This one is from what Amazon dubs the “Agatha Christie” of our time (which already isn’t good for Ruth Ware since I just DNF-ed Murder on the Orient Express this month). So as always I’ll start with the good, which will be short. I thought the plot was intriguing and the pacing, overall, was good.
However, I had a lot of negatives about this book. I thought the character development was poor and the whole story confusing and very boring. The story that was told felt very unrealistic and it was slightly contradicting. Finally, the ending was very unsatisfying for me.
Verdict: If you like slow burners, this might be the one for you.
Genre: Mystery
Recommended Age: 17+ (lies, deceit, language, and confusion)
Pages: 370
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: On a cool June morning, a woman is walking her dog in the idyllic coastal village of Salten along a tidal estuary known as the Reach. Before she can stop him, the dog charges into the water to retrieve what first appears to be a wayward stick, but to her horror, turns out to be something much more sinister...
The next morning, three women in and around London—Fatima, Thea, and Isabel—receive the text they had always hoped would NEVER come, from the fourth in their formerly inseparable clique, Kate, that says only, “I need you.”
The four girls were best friends at Salten, a second rate boarding school set near the cliffs of the English Channel. Each different in their own way, the four became inseparable and were notorious for playing the Lying Game, telling lies at every turn to both fellow boarders and faculty, with varying states of serious and flippant nature that were disturbing enough to ensure that everyone steered clear of them. The myriad and complicated rules of the game are strict: no lying to each other—ever. Bail on the lie when it becomes clear it is about to be found out. But their little game had consequences, and the girls were all expelled in their final year of school under mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of the school’s eccentric art teacher, Ambrose (who also happens to be Kate’s father).
This is the month where I don’t like mysteries for some reason. This one is from what Amazon dubs the “Agatha Christie” of our time (which already isn’t good for Ruth Ware since I just DNF-ed Murder on the Orient Express this month). So as always I’ll start with the good, which will be short. I thought the plot was intriguing and the pacing, overall, was good.
However, I had a lot of negatives about this book. I thought the character development was poor and the whole story confusing and very boring. The story that was told felt very unrealistic and it was slightly contradicting. Finally, the ending was very unsatisfying for me.
Verdict: If you like slow burners, this might be the one for you.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Dystopian/Sci-Fi/Christian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, slight gore)
Pages: 400
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Parvin Blackwater is dead.
At least that's what the Council and the world thinks. But her sacrifice tore down part of the Wall long enough to stir up hope and rebellion in the people. Now she will rise again. Strong, free, and fearless.
Parvin and Solomon must uncover the mysterious clues that Jude left behind in order to destroy the projected Wall once and for all. Meanwhile, the Council schemes to new levels of technology in its attempts to keep the people contained. Can a one-handed Radical and a scarred ex-Enforcer really bring shalom to the world?
I did it! I finished a series! This is like one out of a handful so this is a moment to be celebrated. And for the most part I felt this was a pretty good series. In this book Parvin’s story continues from the last book and the character development, as in the other books, excels for our main characters and the world building was a bit better in this book. I also felt the ending was a very solid ending and it satisfied me as a reader.
However, I felt that the pacing was too fast for this book and the book heavily relied on plot devices to get the story to the ending. I also felt that Parvin was slightly off from the first two books. The book left a lot of loose ends and had some continuity errors.
Verdict: Solid dystopian for a Christian audience, but that can be enjoyed by all.
Genre: YA Dystopian/Sci-Fi/Christian
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, slight gore)
Pages: 400
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Parvin Blackwater is dead.
At least that's what the Council and the world thinks. But her sacrifice tore down part of the Wall long enough to stir up hope and rebellion in the people. Now she will rise again. Strong, free, and fearless.
Parvin and Solomon must uncover the mysterious clues that Jude left behind in order to destroy the projected Wall once and for all. Meanwhile, the Council schemes to new levels of technology in its attempts to keep the people contained. Can a one-handed Radical and a scarred ex-Enforcer really bring shalom to the world?
I did it! I finished a series! This is like one out of a handful so this is a moment to be celebrated. And for the most part I felt this was a pretty good series. In this book Parvin’s story continues from the last book and the character development, as in the other books, excels for our main characters and the world building was a bit better in this book. I also felt the ending was a very solid ending and it satisfied me as a reader.
However, I felt that the pacing was too fast for this book and the book heavily relied on plot devices to get the story to the ending. I also felt that Parvin was slightly off from the first two books. The book left a lot of loose ends and had some continuity errors.
Verdict: Solid dystopian for a Christian audience, but that can be enjoyed by all.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (some sexual references, tiny gore, realistic ways on how the world will collapse).
Pages: 337
Author Website
Amazon Link
I usually have a hard time getting into books when I first start them. Call it my rebellious nature taking control or just that I hate starting over at page one even if it’s a different book. But that was not the case with this book. This book was, in short, absolutely everything I want in a dystopian novel. The world building and realistic circumstances of this possible event made me legitimately scared for the future and heavily invested in Laura’s life. The format was told in diary format, so I was invested in learning about what happened to Laura and her family from day to day. I found that while told through diary format all of the characters were fairly well developed and the plot was intriguing. The pacing was also well done and the story kept me interested throughout the whole of the book.
The only issues I found with this book were the sexist comments and that I’m not receiving much information outside of the family’s town. This book, while wonderfully well written, is really sexist. I thought for sure the book would make some big show in the end about how all of these comments are untrue, but it really didn’t. The character grew and became stronger, but the comments weren’t ever mentioned again. Usually I don’t have issue with these comments if they’re within a historical setting, but this book takes place at least in the 2000s and by then I’m pretty sure women had sufficiently proved themselves to be just as strong as men.
Verdict: Avoiding all the sexist comments, this book is a terrific read for any dystopian reader! I’m not immediately heading to my local grocery store to stockpile food and water before an asteroid crashes into the moon.
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 14+ (some sexual references, tiny gore, realistic ways on how the world will collapse).
Pages: 337
Author Website
Amazon Link
I usually have a hard time getting into books when I first start them. Call it my rebellious nature taking control or just that I hate starting over at page one even if it’s a different book. But that was not the case with this book. This book was, in short, absolutely everything I want in a dystopian novel. The world building and realistic circumstances of this possible event made me legitimately scared for the future and heavily invested in Laura’s life. The format was told in diary format, so I was invested in learning about what happened to Laura and her family from day to day. I found that while told through diary format all of the characters were fairly well developed and the plot was intriguing. The pacing was also well done and the story kept me interested throughout the whole of the book.
The only issues I found with this book were the sexist comments and that I’m not receiving much information outside of the family’s town. This book, while wonderfully well written, is really sexist. I thought for sure the book would make some big show in the end about how all of these comments are untrue, but it really didn’t. The character grew and became stronger, but the comments weren’t ever mentioned again. Usually I don’t have issue with these comments if they’re within a historical setting, but this book takes place at least in the 2000s and by then I’m pretty sure women had sufficiently proved themselves to be just as strong as men.
Verdict: Avoiding all the sexist comments, this book is a terrific read for any dystopian reader! I’m not immediately heading to my local grocery store to stockpile food and water before an asteroid crashes into the moon.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, death, mentions of rape)
Pages: 416
Author Website
Amazon Link
Summary: A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for.
Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.
When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia—a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators’ children. It’s a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything.
As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity truer than what she encounters from most humans. Amidst all the danger, action, and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life—and the empire.
I picked this book up for the butterfly on the cover if I’m going to be completely honest. Which I always am with you guys. You’re probably the only ones I don’t hide anything from. Feel special? Now what if I told you that there was someone out there that was basically made for you, made to protect to you forever and always, and even after your death they would avenge you? Don’t you feel really special now? Well that’s the actual job of a Diabolic. They protect the one they’re bonded to forever and always… and that’s the problem our protagonist faces. This book is amazing to say the least. The character development is fantastic. Even though we are looking through the eyes of the protagonist, we are accurately given descriptions and motives to all of the characters. The storyline and plot are well done as well. The story is a lot of political intrigue and motive, but the action in the book keeps the story moving well. The world building is also well done. While we’re in a very different world than the one we live in, never did I feel confused or frustrated while reading the book.
The only issue I could find with this book is that the pacing is a little fast for me, but by the end I thought the pacing perfectly matched the tone of the book. However, it might not be for everyone.
Verdict: If you’re a sci-fi lover or a newbie to the genre, I highly suggest this book. You won’t regret reading it.
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, death, mentions of rape)
Pages: 416
Author Website
Amazon Link
Summary: A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for.
Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.
When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia—a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators’ children. It’s a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything.
As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity truer than what she encounters from most humans. Amidst all the danger, action, and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life—and the empire.
I picked this book up for the butterfly on the cover if I’m going to be completely honest. Which I always am with you guys. You’re probably the only ones I don’t hide anything from. Feel special? Now what if I told you that there was someone out there that was basically made for you, made to protect to you forever and always, and even after your death they would avenge you? Don’t you feel really special now? Well that’s the actual job of a Diabolic. They protect the one they’re bonded to forever and always… and that’s the problem our protagonist faces. This book is amazing to say the least. The character development is fantastic. Even though we are looking through the eyes of the protagonist, we are accurately given descriptions and motives to all of the characters. The storyline and plot are well done as well. The story is a lot of political intrigue and motive, but the action in the book keeps the story moving well. The world building is also well done. While we’re in a very different world than the one we live in, never did I feel confused or frustrated while reading the book.
The only issue I could find with this book is that the pacing is a little fast for me, but by the end I thought the pacing perfectly matched the tone of the book. However, it might not be for everyone.
Verdict: If you’re a sci-fi lover or a newbie to the genre, I highly suggest this book. You won’t regret reading it.
Rating: 1.5
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 15+ (mentions of rape, gore, violence, slavery, etc.)
Pages: 221
Author Website
Amazon Link
I received this book for review from NetGalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Summary: "She thought she knew who she was and where she came from.Then her home was destroyed. Her brother lost amongst the ashes. And the boy she loves vanished. She owed her own survival to a mutant — the very forces behind the destruction. Now Sorrel will never be the same again."
There is no "Before", there is only "Now". Because now there’s no internet, no TV, no power grid. Food is scarce, and the world’s a hostile place. But Sorrel lives a quiet life in the tiny settlement of Amat. It’s all she’s ever known ...
Until a gang of marauding mutants destroys the village, snatching her brother Eli, and David, her boyfriend. Sorrel sets out after them, embarking on a journey fraught with danger. Can she survive? The only thing that keeps her going is Eli and David. They are out there somewhere. They must be alive. And if she has her way, she will find them.
I actually had to DNF this book, but I made it about 57% of the way through before I did so. While I couldn’t finish the book I do feel like I read enough of it to make a well informed opinion about the book. So I will say that this book was interesting plot wise. The storyline was really cool and nothing that I had really heard about before. The story really made me want to read more of it, but I had a lot of issues with it sadly.
The issues I had with a lot of things in the book. The character development was non-existent and the characters actually didn’t have a set pattern to follow. They just did whatever the plot called for instead of what the characters would actually do. The characters were also incredibly stupid. Like seriously, they made very dumb decisions they shouldn’t have made otherwise. The pacing was way too fast-paced for this type of book. The world-building was also non-existent and the reader is left wondering what the hell is happening throughout the book.
Verdict: I prefer books that explain the world around it, especially if it’s set in the future post-dystopian world.
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 15+ (mentions of rape, gore, violence, slavery, etc.)
Pages: 221
Author Website
Amazon Link
I received this book for review from NetGalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Summary: "She thought she knew who she was and where she came from.Then her home was destroyed. Her brother lost amongst the ashes. And the boy she loves vanished. She owed her own survival to a mutant — the very forces behind the destruction. Now Sorrel will never be the same again."
There is no "Before", there is only "Now". Because now there’s no internet, no TV, no power grid. Food is scarce, and the world’s a hostile place. But Sorrel lives a quiet life in the tiny settlement of Amat. It’s all she’s ever known ...
Until a gang of marauding mutants destroys the village, snatching her brother Eli, and David, her boyfriend. Sorrel sets out after them, embarking on a journey fraught with danger. Can she survive? The only thing that keeps her going is Eli and David. They are out there somewhere. They must be alive. And if she has her way, she will find them.
I actually had to DNF this book, but I made it about 57% of the way through before I did so. While I couldn’t finish the book I do feel like I read enough of it to make a well informed opinion about the book. So I will say that this book was interesting plot wise. The storyline was really cool and nothing that I had really heard about before. The story really made me want to read more of it, but I had a lot of issues with it sadly.
The issues I had with a lot of things in the book. The character development was non-existent and the characters actually didn’t have a set pattern to follow. They just did whatever the plot called for instead of what the characters would actually do. The characters were also incredibly stupid. Like seriously, they made very dumb decisions they shouldn’t have made otherwise. The pacing was way too fast-paced for this type of book. The world-building was also non-existent and the reader is left wondering what the hell is happening throughout the book.
Verdict: I prefer books that explain the world around it, especially if it’s set in the future post-dystopian world.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: +13 (violence)
Pages: 312
Author Website
Amazon Link
I received a free copy of this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Twin girls discover a mystical world contained within a crumbling mosaic, and they must restore it before an evil witch seizes its power, even if doing so could tear their family apart. Secrets. It all started while looking for secret passages. Chloe Tozier’s impulsive twin, Zoe, insisted that all old mansions had them. Grandma denied the existence of any here. Except for the boarded-up service elevator that she conveniently forgot to mention before the girls discovered it, the elevator that didn’t seem to go anywhere. They had been living in this private museum with their grandparents since the death of their parents during an archaeology trip to Egypt. Mysteries. Why have a museum in a tiny town in the middle of Kansas when what’s on display is nothing unusual? Sometimes packages arrived wrapped in plain brown paper that the girls never saw again. Grandpa disappeared overnight and they haven’t heard from him since. And before going to Egypt their parents had mentioned something about a mysterious mosaic. Maybe Zoe was right about family secrets. Maybe it was time to dig further.
So this book was honestly surprisingly good. I didn’t think I’d like it as much as I did! The world building was amazing and the character development was as well. The book didn’t really have any love interests and the story really focused on the twins relationship which is special in the YA genre. The book also had a good plot and interesting storyline that kept me intrigued throughout the whole of it.
However, the book read really young (maybe because of the no love interests) and the book’s pacing was a little slow for me (but it may not be for you).
Verdict: Overall, I thought this book was marvelous and I liked it. Read if you’re interested in a book without romance and a true sisterly bond.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: +13 (violence)
Pages: 312
Author Website
Amazon Link
I received a free copy of this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Twin girls discover a mystical world contained within a crumbling mosaic, and they must restore it before an evil witch seizes its power, even if doing so could tear their family apart. Secrets. It all started while looking for secret passages. Chloe Tozier’s impulsive twin, Zoe, insisted that all old mansions had them. Grandma denied the existence of any here. Except for the boarded-up service elevator that she conveniently forgot to mention before the girls discovered it, the elevator that didn’t seem to go anywhere. They had been living in this private museum with their grandparents since the death of their parents during an archaeology trip to Egypt. Mysteries. Why have a museum in a tiny town in the middle of Kansas when what’s on display is nothing unusual? Sometimes packages arrived wrapped in plain brown paper that the girls never saw again. Grandpa disappeared overnight and they haven’t heard from him since. And before going to Egypt their parents had mentioned something about a mysterious mosaic. Maybe Zoe was right about family secrets. Maybe it was time to dig further.
So this book was honestly surprisingly good. I didn’t think I’d like it as much as I did! The world building was amazing and the character development was as well. The book didn’t really have any love interests and the story really focused on the twins relationship which is special in the YA genre. The book also had a good plot and interesting storyline that kept me intrigued throughout the whole of it.
However, the book read really young (maybe because of the no love interests) and the book’s pacing was a little slow for me (but it may not be for you).
Verdict: Overall, I thought this book was marvelous and I liked it. Read if you’re interested in a book without romance and a true sisterly bond.
.jpg)
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 15+ (slight gore, confusion, and the stillings)
Pages: 180
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Lois Lowry has written three companion novels to The Giver, including Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.
My husband has been bugging me since we got together to read this book, so I finally took the plunge and read it (since I found it unfair he reads the books I give him to read and I don’t read any he gives me). Andddd I really liked it! The character development was really good for such a short book, I felt I connected with Jonas and the other important side characters. I felt very invested in Jonas’ struggle and everyone elses… non-struggle lol. I can’t give a lot away so that sentence won’t make sense. The book also had an amazing storyline and plot. You can tell that Veronica Roth got a lot of inspiration from this book for at least Divergent and for this book to be one of the first really popular YA dystopians it was really good.
However, I did feel that there could have been points that could have improved this book. This book didn’t have great world building. The world was confusing and you’re left in the end with more questions than answers, especially in how a certain act was done and where the main character is going at the end. The pacing of this book and the timeline is also confusing. At times the book skips months ahead, but you don’t know until the time is mentioned. The biggest factor in this is baby Gabe who has a very confusing timeline throughout the whole of the book. I think if this whole book could be rewritten with exact timelines and descriptive world building then this book would be the best Dystopian ever in my opinion, but maybe there is more info in the other books of this series.
Verdict: World building is key for a dystopian novel, especially if set in the future. Also stillings are a thing in this book and it’s hilarious to me.
Genre: YA Dystopian
Recommended Age: 15+ (slight gore, confusion, and the stillings)
Pages: 180
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Lois Lowry has written three companion novels to The Giver, including Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.
My husband has been bugging me since we got together to read this book, so I finally took the plunge and read it (since I found it unfair he reads the books I give him to read and I don’t read any he gives me). Andddd I really liked it! The character development was really good for such a short book, I felt I connected with Jonas and the other important side characters. I felt very invested in Jonas’ struggle and everyone elses… non-struggle lol. I can’t give a lot away so that sentence won’t make sense. The book also had an amazing storyline and plot. You can tell that Veronica Roth got a lot of inspiration from this book for at least Divergent and for this book to be one of the first really popular YA dystopians it was really good.
However, I did feel that there could have been points that could have improved this book. This book didn’t have great world building. The world was confusing and you’re left in the end with more questions than answers, especially in how a certain act was done and where the main character is going at the end. The pacing of this book and the timeline is also confusing. At times the book skips months ahead, but you don’t know until the time is mentioned. The biggest factor in this is baby Gabe who has a very confusing timeline throughout the whole of the book. I think if this whole book could be rewritten with exact timelines and descriptive world building then this book would be the best Dystopian ever in my opinion, but maybe there is more info in the other books of this series.
Verdict: World building is key for a dystopian novel, especially if set in the future. Also stillings are a thing in this book and it’s hilarious to me.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, some sexual content)
Pages: 352
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Alosa's mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he's under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father's justice.
When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first . . . after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen.
Set sails for fun! It’s time to read Daughter of the Siren Queen! And let me tell you, it is way more fun than the first book in this duology. The book continues where we left off but we get to see more of the Ava-Lee, her diverse crew, and Alosa’s father, who you will love to hate. We also learn more about Alosa’s maternal side and about what it really means to be a siren. The character development was wonderful, especially since Alosa and Riden were broken. I especially have to praise Tricia on not giving into the insta-love. I loved seeing Riden and Alosa struggle to get a relationship going as that’s a rare thing in YA literature. The plot was engaging and interesting. It never stagnated and you find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat throughout the whole book. The pacing was also wonderfully done. It was not too fast, but fast enough to not lose your interest. The book also has some diverse characters and it expands on world building this awesome world.
The only downfall I have about this book is that outside of the islands and the sea, not much of the rest of the world was defined and that the ending seemed a bit ambiguous. There was also a bit of a plot hole in how the ship got its name, but other than that it did much better with plot holes than the first book.
Verdict: While I wanted more from this book, I was left feeling satisfied and feeling like I should set sail to find my own Ava-Lee.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, some sexual content)
Pages: 352
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Alosa's mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he's under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father's justice.
When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first . . . after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen.
Set sails for fun! It’s time to read Daughter of the Siren Queen! And let me tell you, it is way more fun than the first book in this duology. The book continues where we left off but we get to see more of the Ava-Lee, her diverse crew, and Alosa’s father, who you will love to hate. We also learn more about Alosa’s maternal side and about what it really means to be a siren. The character development was wonderful, especially since Alosa and Riden were broken. I especially have to praise Tricia on not giving into the insta-love. I loved seeing Riden and Alosa struggle to get a relationship going as that’s a rare thing in YA literature. The plot was engaging and interesting. It never stagnated and you find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat throughout the whole book. The pacing was also wonderfully done. It was not too fast, but fast enough to not lose your interest. The book also has some diverse characters and it expands on world building this awesome world.
The only downfall I have about this book is that outside of the islands and the sea, not much of the rest of the world was defined and that the ending seemed a bit ambiguous. There was also a bit of a plot hole in how the ship got its name, but other than that it did much better with plot holes than the first book.
Verdict: While I wanted more from this book, I was left feeling satisfied and feeling like I should set sail to find my own Ava-Lee.
Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: YA Fantasy/Contemporary
Recommended Age: 18+ (trigger warnings for child molestation, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Language and violence)
Pages: 326
Author Website
Amazon Link
I received a copy of this book courtesy of KidLitExchange. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Which reality would you choose? Seventeen year-old Emily’s dad is in prison for securities fraud and her mom's strung-out on pain meds, leaving Emily to parent herself and her younger brothers and sister. She’s got things mostly under control until a couple weeks before Dad’s release, when voices start whispering in her head, and Gabe, the hot lifeguard at the pool, notices the strange brands engraved on her arm...the ones she's trying desperately to hide. Emily doesn't know how the symbols got there or what they mean. They appeared overnight and now they're infected and bleeding. She's pretty sure she's losing her mind. Stress, insomnia, and her wounded egos drive Emily to self-medicate, which has to be why the nightmares from her childhood have resurfaced, why they're commandeering her conscious even when she's awake. It has to be why the fairytale creatures she created as a little girl insist they need her help. Triggered by the return of her childhood abuser and unable to cope with reality, Emily slips completely inside her elaborate fantasy world. She's powerful in the First Realm, maybe even more powerful than her attacker. It would be so easy to stay there, to lose herself in enchantment...to lose herself in love. But something sinister lurks in the forest shadows. Emily soon discovers her demons have followed her inside her fairytale. They're hunting her. With the help of the Fae, she frantically searches for the weapons she needs to defeat her greatest fears and escape back to reality before the man who tortured her can prey on her younger brothers and sister, too. Time is running out...
Well I didn’t want to sleep at all this weekend after I finished this book. Deep, personal, and disturbing all in one, this book weaves a beautiful tale about a girl who retreats into a fantasy world as a stress response when her abusive father is being released from prison… or is it? Is she dreaming or is it real? That’s the question you’ll ask yourself throughout the book. The plot of this book is certainly intriguing as it’s a mystery the reader is constantly trying to solve and the pacing is well done.
However, I felt that the world building of the book could have been better, for both the real and the fantasy world. The dissent into the fantasy world comes unexpectedly and the writing doesn’t help the transition. It really takes the reader a few minutes to realize which world I was in. And beyond Emily’s own development (which arguably doesn’t really get resolved in the end) none of the other characters are developed.
Verdict: If you’re really into psychology and/or like reading about mental illness then this book may be for you. However, it’s not for the faint of heart so please take measure to care for yourself if you read this book.
Genre: YA Fantasy/Contemporary
Recommended Age: 18+ (trigger warnings for child molestation, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Language and violence)
Pages: 326
Author Website
Amazon Link
I received a copy of this book courtesy of KidLitExchange. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Which reality would you choose? Seventeen year-old Emily’s dad is in prison for securities fraud and her mom's strung-out on pain meds, leaving Emily to parent herself and her younger brothers and sister. She’s got things mostly under control until a couple weeks before Dad’s release, when voices start whispering in her head, and Gabe, the hot lifeguard at the pool, notices the strange brands engraved on her arm...the ones she's trying desperately to hide. Emily doesn't know how the symbols got there or what they mean. They appeared overnight and now they're infected and bleeding. She's pretty sure she's losing her mind. Stress, insomnia, and her wounded egos drive Emily to self-medicate, which has to be why the nightmares from her childhood have resurfaced, why they're commandeering her conscious even when she's awake. It has to be why the fairytale creatures she created as a little girl insist they need her help. Triggered by the return of her childhood abuser and unable to cope with reality, Emily slips completely inside her elaborate fantasy world. She's powerful in the First Realm, maybe even more powerful than her attacker. It would be so easy to stay there, to lose herself in enchantment...to lose herself in love. But something sinister lurks in the forest shadows. Emily soon discovers her demons have followed her inside her fairytale. They're hunting her. With the help of the Fae, she frantically searches for the weapons she needs to defeat her greatest fears and escape back to reality before the man who tortured her can prey on her younger brothers and sister, too. Time is running out...
Well I didn’t want to sleep at all this weekend after I finished this book. Deep, personal, and disturbing all in one, this book weaves a beautiful tale about a girl who retreats into a fantasy world as a stress response when her abusive father is being released from prison… or is it? Is she dreaming or is it real? That’s the question you’ll ask yourself throughout the book. The plot of this book is certainly intriguing as it’s a mystery the reader is constantly trying to solve and the pacing is well done.
However, I felt that the world building of the book could have been better, for both the real and the fantasy world. The dissent into the fantasy world comes unexpectedly and the writing doesn’t help the transition. It really takes the reader a few minutes to realize which world I was in. And beyond Emily’s own development (which arguably doesn’t really get resolved in the end) none of the other characters are developed.
Verdict: If you’re really into psychology and/or like reading about mental illness then this book may be for you. However, it’s not for the faint of heart so please take measure to care for yourself if you read this book.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Horror/Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12+ (something Wiccan this way comes. Seriously, if your parents didn’t allow you to read Harry Potter they most definitely won’t like this book).
Pages: 187
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Morgan and her best friend, Bree, are introduced to Wicca when a gorgeous senior named Cal invites them to join his new coven. Morgan falls for Cal immediately? and discovers that she has strong,inexplicable powers.
When my husband and I were little we apparently already had a common interest: witches! We loved stories about these spell casters and we read a ton of book between us about different YA or MG novels concerning the topic. Since my husband kept a ton of his older books and this series concerns witches, he gave the series to me so I can read it. And I loved this book. It was simple and straight to the point about a girl who becomes infatuated with the new guy in school and his religion: Wicca. She and her friends start to practice the art and she comes to the conclusion she is sensitive to the magic. But is that all about our protagonist? The plot and pacing of this book was perfect for how small of a book this was. While this book was mostly just an introductory piece to the series, it wasn’t at all boring to me.
However, I didn’t feel that the characters were that developed and most were forgettable. There was a huge cast of characters introduced in this short book and it made remembering names very difficult. Maybe if the book had few key characters or if the book was longer then I could have remembered all of them.
Verdict: While there are a bunch of characters, the main story line is intriguing and I’ll definitely be reading the second book of this series.
Genre: YA Horror/Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12+ (something Wiccan this way comes. Seriously, if your parents didn’t allow you to read Harry Potter they most definitely won’t like this book).
Pages: 187
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Morgan and her best friend, Bree, are introduced to Wicca when a gorgeous senior named Cal invites them to join his new coven. Morgan falls for Cal immediately? and discovers that she has strong,inexplicable powers.
When my husband and I were little we apparently already had a common interest: witches! We loved stories about these spell casters and we read a ton of book between us about different YA or MG novels concerning the topic. Since my husband kept a ton of his older books and this series concerns witches, he gave the series to me so I can read it. And I loved this book. It was simple and straight to the point about a girl who becomes infatuated with the new guy in school and his religion: Wicca. She and her friends start to practice the art and she comes to the conclusion she is sensitive to the magic. But is that all about our protagonist? The plot and pacing of this book was perfect for how small of a book this was. While this book was mostly just an introductory piece to the series, it wasn’t at all boring to me.
However, I didn’t feel that the characters were that developed and most were forgettable. There was a huge cast of characters introduced in this short book and it made remembering names very difficult. Maybe if the book had few key characters or if the book was longer then I could have remembered all of them.
Verdict: While there are a bunch of characters, the main story line is intriguing and I’ll definitely be reading the second book of this series.