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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: None, I bought this book on Audible for a book club!
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Contemporary/Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, guns, sexual references, death, and living)
Pages: 384
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today.
Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.
Let's start off that with a book about the end, I didn't really expect it to have such a good beginning. I didn't expect to feel for these characters as much as I did. And even though we know the ending, it still cuts like a hot knife. The writing was absolutely beautiful and even if this was the best book Adam Silvera ever wrote I would read every other book he penned. He's gained a lifelong fan with this work. The story flowed together very well and the ending, while I have some issues with it, was beautiful as well. The book is a great conversation starter and it presents some amazing characters that are more developed than some of the most recent books I've read so far.
However, while I like the ending of the book I wish we had some sort of epilogue or final ending from a different POV so that we knew what the rest of the story looked like. I wish we had a final to the finale. I also wish we knew what the ending was to another character in the book and I want to see how all the side characters who didn't get the call from deathcast handled the deaths. I want to see their happy endings, but I kind of know why I won't. In life we really don't get to see happy endings for anyone. Cinderella might have married the prince, but was she truly happy in the end? What constitutes happiness anymore? Is it acceptance of how well your life is compared to others or is it one final day on Earth with someone you love?
Verdict: This book makes me feel all the things.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Contemporary/Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 16+ (language, violence, guns, sexual references, death, and living)
Pages: 384
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today.
Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.
Let's start off that with a book about the end, I didn't really expect it to have such a good beginning. I didn't expect to feel for these characters as much as I did. And even though we know the ending, it still cuts like a hot knife. The writing was absolutely beautiful and even if this was the best book Adam Silvera ever wrote I would read every other book he penned. He's gained a lifelong fan with this work. The story flowed together very well and the ending, while I have some issues with it, was beautiful as well. The book is a great conversation starter and it presents some amazing characters that are more developed than some of the most recent books I've read so far.
However, while I like the ending of the book I wish we had some sort of epilogue or final ending from a different POV so that we knew what the rest of the story looked like. I wish we had a final to the finale. I also wish we knew what the ending was to another character in the book and I want to see how all the side characters who didn't get the call from deathcast handled the deaths. I want to see their happy endings, but I kind of know why I won't. In life we really don't get to see happy endings for anyone. Cinderella might have married the prince, but was she truly happy in the end? What constitutes happiness anymore? Is it acceptance of how well your life is compared to others or is it one final day on Earth with someone you love?
Verdict: This book makes me feel all the things.
Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: YA Fantasy/Feminism
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual references, trigger warnings for attempted rape, violence, gore)
Pages: 314
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from TheNovl in exchange for promotion and my honest review. Thank you so much!! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: In a world where women have no rights, sisters Serina and Nomi Tessaro face two very different fates: one in the palace, the other in prison.
Serina has been groomed her whole life to become a Grace–someone to stand by the heir to the throne as a shining, subjugated example of the perfect woman. But when her headstrong and rebellious younger sister, Nomi, catches the heir’s eye, it’s Serina who takes the fall for the dangerous secret that Nomi has been hiding.
Now trapped in a life she never wanted, Nomi has only one way to save Serina: surrender to her role as a Grace until she can use her position to release her sister. This is easier said than done. A traitor walks the halls of the palace, and deception lurks in every corner. But Serina is running out of time, imprisoned on an island where she must fight to the death to survive and one wrong move could cost her everything.
Let’s start off this review by saying it’s hard to right a feminism novel. And the author succeeds in doing so if we go strictly by the definition. Feminist novels are supposed to establish and defend equal civil, political, economic, and social rights for women and the book did well at promoting these qualities. The book also serves as a warning at how fragile rights are for everyone (except maybe white males, but theoretically they could have their rights striped away too) and for people to not take their rights for granted nor for people to easily let people lord over you when they do not have a right to. While the book was not diverse enough in my opinion, I do see that some of the lessons of the novel could be for everyone. Other than that, the world building was fairly well made and the book was well written for the most part. I also thought the book had a pretty good twist at the end.
However, I personally don’t think this is my favorite feminist novel. I felt that the characters weren’t very well developed, the plot was kind of everywhere, and I felt that the twists were either predicable or not thought out well. I felt both of the main characters relied too much on their male love interests. While being a feminist novel doesn’t mean that the book can’t have romance, in my opinion I feel that the female characters should not be defined by their male counterparts. I felt the most development occurred when the girls were with their guys, and frankly I wanted to see the girls be without romantic interests. Without the males, the story really doesn’t go anywhere and they’re left just in the story without a plot… and that to me isn’t a feminist novel. I also want to say that there was an unnecessary love triangle and I felt that the YA trope just killed this novel for me.
Verdict: Feminism, but the main characters rely a whole lot on the males for help.
Genre: YA Fantasy/Feminism
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual references, trigger warnings for attempted rape, violence, gore)
Pages: 314
Author Website
Amazon Link
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from TheNovl in exchange for promotion and my honest review. Thank you so much!! All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: In a world where women have no rights, sisters Serina and Nomi Tessaro face two very different fates: one in the palace, the other in prison.
Serina has been groomed her whole life to become a Grace–someone to stand by the heir to the throne as a shining, subjugated example of the perfect woman. But when her headstrong and rebellious younger sister, Nomi, catches the heir’s eye, it’s Serina who takes the fall for the dangerous secret that Nomi has been hiding.
Now trapped in a life she never wanted, Nomi has only one way to save Serina: surrender to her role as a Grace until she can use her position to release her sister. This is easier said than done. A traitor walks the halls of the palace, and deception lurks in every corner. But Serina is running out of time, imprisoned on an island where she must fight to the death to survive and one wrong move could cost her everything.
Let’s start off this review by saying it’s hard to right a feminism novel. And the author succeeds in doing so if we go strictly by the definition. Feminist novels are supposed to establish and defend equal civil, political, economic, and social rights for women and the book did well at promoting these qualities. The book also serves as a warning at how fragile rights are for everyone (except maybe white males, but theoretically they could have their rights striped away too) and for people to not take their rights for granted nor for people to easily let people lord over you when they do not have a right to. While the book was not diverse enough in my opinion, I do see that some of the lessons of the novel could be for everyone. Other than that, the world building was fairly well made and the book was well written for the most part. I also thought the book had a pretty good twist at the end.
However, I personally don’t think this is my favorite feminist novel. I felt that the characters weren’t very well developed, the plot was kind of everywhere, and I felt that the twists were either predicable or not thought out well. I felt both of the main characters relied too much on their male love interests. While being a feminist novel doesn’t mean that the book can’t have romance, in my opinion I feel that the female characters should not be defined by their male counterparts. I felt the most development occurred when the girls were with their guys, and frankly I wanted to see the girls be without romantic interests. Without the males, the story really doesn’t go anywhere and they’re left just in the story without a plot… and that to me isn’t a feminist novel. I also want to say that there was an unnecessary love triangle and I felt that the YA trope just killed this novel for me.
Verdict: Feminism, but the main characters rely a whole lot on the males for help.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free from Just Reads Tour to provide a review for the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (some violence)
Pages: 328
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.
During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too
In a world where almost every idea has been done at least once before, can there be an original idea? Yes there still can be and a prime example of this is The Story Peddler! The book was super unique and very imaginative. The writing was well done and the plot was very well developed. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and I can’t wait for the next book.
However, I did have some issues with the book. I really didn’t understand why we had a POV from Braith, but I did enjoy her story as well. I didn’t like how the magic wasn’t explained. I’d really like to know more about how it works and what causes it in certain people. Lastly, I didn’t like how she strung her friend along the whole story. It was a nice change of pace from the girl being strung along by the guy, but I still get angry at characters who do it.
Verdict: Overall a fantastic story that will leave you wanting more.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (some violence)
Pages: 328
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.
During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too
In a world where almost every idea has been done at least once before, can there be an original idea? Yes there still can be and a prime example of this is The Story Peddler! The book was super unique and very imaginative. The writing was well done and the plot was very well developed. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and I can’t wait for the next book.
However, I did have some issues with the book. I really didn’t understand why we had a POV from Braith, but I did enjoy her story as well. I didn’t like how the magic wasn’t explained. I’d really like to know more about how it works and what causes it in certain people. Lastly, I didn’t like how she strung her friend along the whole story. It was a nice change of pace from the girl being strung along by the guy, but I still get angry at characters who do it.
Verdict: Overall a fantastic story that will leave you wanting more.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley for my opinions on it. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 1/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: DNF
Pages: 288
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In the ancient moors of Scotland, the king of Calidon lies on his deathbed, cursed by a ring that cannot be removed from his finger. When a mysterious fey stranger appears to save the king, he also carries a secret that could tear the royal family apart.
The kingdom’s only hope will lie with two young men raised worlds apart. Aric is the beloved heir to the throne of Calidon; Albaric is clearly of noble origin yet strangely out of place.
The Oddling Prince is a tale of brothers whose love and loyalty to each other is such that it defies impending warfare, sundering seas, fated hatred, and the very course of time itself. In her long-awaited new fantasy novel, Nancy Springer (the Books of Isle series) explores the darkness of the human heart as well as its unceasing capacity for love.
This will be a fairly short review as I had to DNF this book. The book immediately jumps into the story and doesn’t give the reader any backstory nor does it give the reader any orientation as to world building or character development. The book reads as a fast paced movie and that type of story doesn’t translate well in book form. Also, the synopsis gets solved in the first chapter of the book…. Soooo…. There’s not that much of a plot. It also seemed that the two main characters might be into each other which is cool, I’m all for LGBT books and stuff but I will say that my dislike for instalove transcends all orientations.
Verdict: Hopefully you have a better experience with this book than I do.
Rating: 1/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: DNF
Pages: 288
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: In the ancient moors of Scotland, the king of Calidon lies on his deathbed, cursed by a ring that cannot be removed from his finger. When a mysterious fey stranger appears to save the king, he also carries a secret that could tear the royal family apart.
The kingdom’s only hope will lie with two young men raised worlds apart. Aric is the beloved heir to the throne of Calidon; Albaric is clearly of noble origin yet strangely out of place.
The Oddling Prince is a tale of brothers whose love and loyalty to each other is such that it defies impending warfare, sundering seas, fated hatred, and the very course of time itself. In her long-awaited new fantasy novel, Nancy Springer (the Books of Isle series) explores the darkness of the human heart as well as its unceasing capacity for love.
This will be a fairly short review as I had to DNF this book. The book immediately jumps into the story and doesn’t give the reader any backstory nor does it give the reader any orientation as to world building or character development. The book reads as a fast paced movie and that type of story doesn’t translate well in book form. Also, the synopsis gets solved in the first chapter of the book…. Soooo…. There’s not that much of a plot. It also seemed that the two main characters might be into each other which is cool, I’m all for LGBT books and stuff but I will say that my dislike for instalove transcends all orientations.
Verdict: Hopefully you have a better experience with this book than I do.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the author because I’m on her Street Team. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Fantasy/Steampunk
Recommended Age: 14+ (love and steampunk and twists and turns)
Pages: 278
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "The scarlet tattoo marked him as one who'd never been born. It marked him as a Second."
In a steam-filled world, Seconds run rampant. Split-personalities manifested into human form, these beings possess thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
But do they deserve to live?
One scrap huntress is about to find out.
Tide is no ordinary girl; she zones out, possesses freakishly good climbing skills, and claims to have a serpentine demon after her. Simply put, she's abnormal.
When Tide meets a fanboy named Rye, she thinks she's found her match. He's cute, he's quirky; but there's a problem: Rye is a Second. Can Tide find a way to make Rye whole before his existence kills?
It'll take more than just love and luck on this journey to discover the secrets of the soul.
I’m usually not a big fan of steampunk and I’ve been severely burned by some of them (I’m looking at you Wendy Spinale) but I decided to give this book a try… anddddd… and I thought it was really good for the most part. The world building and the plot were very well developed and the story was engaging for most of the book. The characters were memorable and unique. They were well developed as was the plot.
However, I do feel that the after the first 13 chapters the book took a weird turn and it became a bit harder to follow. I also feel that the last part of the book was very fast paced and uneven with how the rest of the book was told. For the most part the writing was extremely well done, but the ending just threw me off the book.
Verdict: An adventure that only Brindi can write in her own funky, but entertaining way. Seriously, if you’ve not read a book from Brindi Quinn definitely pick one up today.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Fantasy/Steampunk
Recommended Age: 14+ (love and steampunk and twists and turns)
Pages: 278
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: "The scarlet tattoo marked him as one who'd never been born. It marked him as a Second."
In a steam-filled world, Seconds run rampant. Split-personalities manifested into human form, these beings possess thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
But do they deserve to live?
One scrap huntress is about to find out.
Tide is no ordinary girl; she zones out, possesses freakishly good climbing skills, and claims to have a serpentine demon after her. Simply put, she's abnormal.
When Tide meets a fanboy named Rye, she thinks she's found her match. He's cute, he's quirky; but there's a problem: Rye is a Second. Can Tide find a way to make Rye whole before his existence kills?
It'll take more than just love and luck on this journey to discover the secrets of the soul.
I’m usually not a big fan of steampunk and I’ve been severely burned by some of them (I’m looking at you Wendy Spinale) but I decided to give this book a try… anddddd… and I thought it was really good for the most part. The world building and the plot were very well developed and the story was engaging for most of the book. The characters were memorable and unique. They were well developed as was the plot.
However, I do feel that the after the first 13 chapters the book took a weird turn and it became a bit harder to follow. I also feel that the last part of the book was very fast paced and uneven with how the rest of the book was told. For the most part the writing was extremely well done, but the ending just threw me off the book.
Verdict: An adventure that only Brindi can write in her own funky, but entertaining way. Seriously, if you’ve not read a book from Brindi Quinn definitely pick one up today.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from KidLitExchange in return for my opinion. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
Recommended Age: 15+ (murder, high school drama, and violence)
Pages: 320
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A gripping reimagining of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood and the brutal murders that inspired it
November is usually quiet in Holcomb, Kansas, but in 1959, the town is shattered by the quadruple murder of the Clutter family. Suspicion falls on Nancy Clutter’s boyfriend, Bobby Rupp, the last one to see them alive.
New Yorker Carly Fleming, new to the small Midwestern town, is an outsider. She tutored Nancy, and (in private, at least) they were close. Carly and Bobby were the only ones who saw that Nancy was always performing, and that she was cracking under the pressure of being Holcomb’s golden girl. The secret connected Carly and Bobby. Now that Bobby is an outsider, too, they’re bound closer than ever.
Determined to clear Bobby’s name, Carly dives into the murder investigation and ends up in trouble with the local authorities. But that’s nothing compared to the wrath she faces from Holcomb once the real perpetrators are caught. When her father is appointed to defend the killers of the Clutter family, the entire town labels the Flemings as traitors. Now Carly must fight for what she knows is right.
Okay so I’ve not read Capote’s In Cold Blood… but is it anything like this book? Let me explain: this book was okay but the synopsis of it had me wanting more than what I got. I liked that the book had really short chapters because it really made me read it faster. I like how we jumped into the action of the book and I felt that for the most part the writing was fantastic and it sucked you into the book.
However, I didn’t like that the characters had so little back story to them and that there were a lot of characters that easily were forgotten. The main character was wrote really bad. She kept making the same mistakes over and over again and it became really irritating after awhile and it made her very unlikable, but she was already unlikable with some of her other qualities. Lastly, the ending was way too quick and neat for this type of book.
Verdict: I feel like this book was okay, but it could have been better.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
Recommended Age: 15+ (murder, high school drama, and violence)
Pages: 320
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A gripping reimagining of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood and the brutal murders that inspired it
November is usually quiet in Holcomb, Kansas, but in 1959, the town is shattered by the quadruple murder of the Clutter family. Suspicion falls on Nancy Clutter’s boyfriend, Bobby Rupp, the last one to see them alive.
New Yorker Carly Fleming, new to the small Midwestern town, is an outsider. She tutored Nancy, and (in private, at least) they were close. Carly and Bobby were the only ones who saw that Nancy was always performing, and that she was cracking under the pressure of being Holcomb’s golden girl. The secret connected Carly and Bobby. Now that Bobby is an outsider, too, they’re bound closer than ever.
Determined to clear Bobby’s name, Carly dives into the murder investigation and ends up in trouble with the local authorities. But that’s nothing compared to the wrath she faces from Holcomb once the real perpetrators are caught. When her father is appointed to defend the killers of the Clutter family, the entire town labels the Flemings as traitors. Now Carly must fight for what she knows is right.
Okay so I’ve not read Capote’s In Cold Blood… but is it anything like this book? Let me explain: this book was okay but the synopsis of it had me wanting more than what I got. I liked that the book had really short chapters because it really made me read it faster. I like how we jumped into the action of the book and I felt that for the most part the writing was fantastic and it sucked you into the book.
However, I didn’t like that the characters had so little back story to them and that there were a lot of characters that easily were forgotten. The main character was wrote really bad. She kept making the same mistakes over and over again and it became really irritating after awhile and it made her very unlikable, but she was already unlikable with some of her other qualities. Lastly, the ending was way too quick and neat for this type of book.
Verdict: I feel like this book was okay, but it could have been better.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from KidLitExchange in return for a review. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (abuse, abandonment, romance, death row)
Pages: 416
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Uniquely told through letters from death row and third-person narrative, Bryan Bliss’s hard-hitting third novel expertly unravels the string of events that landed a teenager in jail. Luke feels like he’s been looking after Toby his entire life. He patches Toby up when Toby’s father, a drunk and a petty criminal, beats on him, he gives him a place to stay, and he diffuses the situation at school when wise-cracking Toby inevitably gets into fights. Someday, Luke and Toby will leave this small town, riding the tails of Luke’s wrestling scholarship, and never look back.
But during their senior year, they begin to drift apart. Luke is dealing with his unreliable mother and her new boyfriend. And Toby unwittingly begins to get drawn into his father’s world, and falls for an older woman. All their long-held dreams seem to be unraveling. Tense and emotional, this heartbreaking novel explores family, abuse, sex, love, friendship, and the lengths a person will go to protect the people they love. For fans of NPR’s Serial podcast, Jason Reynolds, and Matt de la Peña.
Could you classify a book as YA if some of the story takes place years after young adulthood? This book is really unique in that it’s told from alternating time lines, one taking place during the main characters senior year in high school and the other taking place in the form of letters from death row. The book does really good in that it’s an eerily inspirational read and I feel that it would be for any young child. I feel that the writing was well done and the characters were so well developed.
The only slight complaints I have about it is that the book is slightly confusing. You don’t really find out what happened until the end when everything wraps up and the plot keeps you guessing the entire time.
Verdict: A must read for teens today.
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (abuse, abandonment, romance, death row)
Pages: 416
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Uniquely told through letters from death row and third-person narrative, Bryan Bliss’s hard-hitting third novel expertly unravels the string of events that landed a teenager in jail. Luke feels like he’s been looking after Toby his entire life. He patches Toby up when Toby’s father, a drunk and a petty criminal, beats on him, he gives him a place to stay, and he diffuses the situation at school when wise-cracking Toby inevitably gets into fights. Someday, Luke and Toby will leave this small town, riding the tails of Luke’s wrestling scholarship, and never look back.
But during their senior year, they begin to drift apart. Luke is dealing with his unreliable mother and her new boyfriend. And Toby unwittingly begins to get drawn into his father’s world, and falls for an older woman. All their long-held dreams seem to be unraveling. Tense and emotional, this heartbreaking novel explores family, abuse, sex, love, friendship, and the lengths a person will go to protect the people they love. For fans of NPR’s Serial podcast, Jason Reynolds, and Matt de la Peña.
Could you classify a book as YA if some of the story takes place years after young adulthood? This book is really unique in that it’s told from alternating time lines, one taking place during the main characters senior year in high school and the other taking place in the form of letters from death row. The book does really good in that it’s an eerily inspirational read and I feel that it would be for any young child. I feel that the writing was well done and the characters were so well developed.
The only slight complaints I have about it is that the book is slightly confusing. You don’t really find out what happened until the end when everything wraps up and the plot keeps you guessing the entire time.
Verdict: A must read for teens today.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free through KidLitExchange in return for a review. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 8+ (dark and a little scary for some younger readers)
Pages: 108
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Who wants to be awake forever?
Life has changed for eight-year-old Merel. Since the birth of her sick baby brother, her parents seem to have forgotten she exists. But when she finds a tiny silver violin in her bedroom rug, things take a turn for the worse.
Merel learns that her sleep has abandoned her and that she must embark on a perilous journey to recover it or stay awake forever. Together with her devoted toy sheep Roger, tired Merel sets out in search of Lullaby Grove. Before long, she finds herself haunted by a scary stranger.
Follow Merel into a surreal world. Meet a sleepy king with an obsession for feathers and a transparent old man on a night train going nowhere. Discover why the moonfish cry, why you should never walk across the Great Yawns ― and if poor Merel can escape her pursuer, win back her sleep, and realize what matters most in her life.
I secretly love books and video games that involve dreaming and exploring dreams and this book was amazing because of that. This book really reminded me of Among the Sleep. It’s dark, but still child friendly, and it has a perilous adventure involving a young child through a dream land of sorts. I really loved how well developed the characters were and how well developed the world building was. The book was absolutely inspirational and the story was so well written and developed. I definitely recommend this for any young or old reader who’s interested in this obscure genre of dream books like I am.
The only con I really have is that the ending was very abrupt and left the reader wondering and wanting more. It also left a lot of questions unanswered, but maybe there will another book?
Verdict: An absolutely beautiful and amazing book for middle graders and above.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 8+ (dark and a little scary for some younger readers)
Pages: 108
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Who wants to be awake forever?
Life has changed for eight-year-old Merel. Since the birth of her sick baby brother, her parents seem to have forgotten she exists. But when she finds a tiny silver violin in her bedroom rug, things take a turn for the worse.
Merel learns that her sleep has abandoned her and that she must embark on a perilous journey to recover it or stay awake forever. Together with her devoted toy sheep Roger, tired Merel sets out in search of Lullaby Grove. Before long, she finds herself haunted by a scary stranger.
Follow Merel into a surreal world. Meet a sleepy king with an obsession for feathers and a transparent old man on a night train going nowhere. Discover why the moonfish cry, why you should never walk across the Great Yawns ― and if poor Merel can escape her pursuer, win back her sleep, and realize what matters most in her life.
I secretly love books and video games that involve dreaming and exploring dreams and this book was amazing because of that. This book really reminded me of Among the Sleep. It’s dark, but still child friendly, and it has a perilous adventure involving a young child through a dream land of sorts. I really loved how well developed the characters were and how well developed the world building was. The book was absolutely inspirational and the story was so well written and developed. I definitely recommend this for any young or old reader who’s interested in this obscure genre of dream books like I am.
The only con I really have is that the ending was very abrupt and left the reader wondering and wanting more. It also left a lot of questions unanswered, but maybe there will another book?
Verdict: An absolutely beautiful and amazing book for middle graders and above.
Disclaimer: None! I bought this on my own!
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 15+ (sex, drugs…. Uhhhh…. Violens? Also violence and LGBT+ goodness)
Pages: 513
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.
But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.
Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.
Let’s start this review off with “I’m watching Mackenzi Lee on YouTube and I’ve discovered my twin/soulmate/second-half in her”. Seriously, I love her. And I also love her book! I’ve never read a historical fiction book that was an entertaining as this book! The world building was fantastic and the characters felt so alive. The plot was entertaining and very accurate to the time period and the book was also paced perfectly. I love how Lee wasn’t afraid to keep the novel below the 350ish page “limit” that most YA books seems to try to achieve. I enjoy longer novels when they need to be longer and I feel that a lot of books need to be over that soft limit, but they’re afraid of losing people’s interest in going over it. Lee also made history and the time period come alive and I feel that this book could be easily used in a history class to help bring history to life.
The only complaint I have is that 1) The book is over and I really want to know what happens next and 2) I really REALLY REEEEAAALLLYYYYYY want the next book in the series. I’m not sure if this next book is all about Monty’s sister Felicity or if Monty will reappear, but I neeeddddddd.
Verdict: I have a new hero and her name is Mackenzi Lee.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 15+ (sex, drugs…. Uhhhh…. Violens? Also violence and LGBT+ goodness)
Pages: 513
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.
But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.
Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.
Let’s start this review off with “I’m watching Mackenzi Lee on YouTube and I’ve discovered my twin/soulmate/second-half in her”. Seriously, I love her. And I also love her book! I’ve never read a historical fiction book that was an entertaining as this book! The world building was fantastic and the characters felt so alive. The plot was entertaining and very accurate to the time period and the book was also paced perfectly. I love how Lee wasn’t afraid to keep the novel below the 350ish page “limit” that most YA books seems to try to achieve. I enjoy longer novels when they need to be longer and I feel that a lot of books need to be over that soft limit, but they’re afraid of losing people’s interest in going over it. Lee also made history and the time period come alive and I feel that this book could be easily used in a history class to help bring history to life.
The only complaint I have is that 1) The book is over and I really want to know what happens next and 2) I really REALLY REEEEAAALLLYYYYYY want the next book in the series. I’m not sure if this next book is all about Monty’s sister Felicity or if Monty will reappear, but I neeeddddddd.
Verdict: I have a new hero and her name is Mackenzi Lee.
Disclaimer: None, I bought this book on Audible.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (animal sacrifice, murder, romance ((somewhat explicit)), brutal and descriptive death, cult-like group, domestic terrorism, and confusion)
Pages: 448
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: It started for pranks, fun, and forever memories.
A secret society – for the four of us.
The rules: Never lie. Never tell. Love each other.
We made the pledge and danced under the blood moon on the meteorite in the orchard. In the spot we found the dead girl five years earlier. And discovered the ancient drawings way before that.
Nothing could break the four of us apart – I thought.
But then, others wanted in. Our seaside town had secrets. History.
We wanted revenge.
We broke the rules. We lied. We told. We loved each other too much, not enough, and in ways we weren’t supposed to.
Our invention ratcheted out of control.
What started as a secret society, ended as justice. Revenge. Death. Rebellion.
I have an overt fascination with the color purple to the point that anything purple draws me in. This book is one of those things. I loved the cover and I thought it sounded interesting so I dove right into it. The book was fascinating, creepy, yucky, and confusing all at the same time. It really took me awhile to sit and consider what I wanted to say about this book. So, let’s jump right in:
I listened to this book on Audible and while the narrator’s voice was robotic and creepy, it really worked well with this book. The narrator also was able to make the teenage characters sound like teenage characters. The story itself was very well written and it keeps you guessing until the last minute. We know from the beginning the fate of the group, but the story somehow makes us want more as we continue through it. The book also did well concerning the character development of the four main characters. With every character you go through a period of loving and hating them. The author also does well to make the villainous characters have a very decent backstory. I ended up feeling bad for all members involved and that’s how a book should write characters. People are complex and whether we do good or bad things depends on our own personal backstory. Sometimes the mean girl has mental health issues. Sometimes the pretty girl has a mean streak. Sometimes the bully is bullied at home. And sometimes the geeky smart kid is just as big of a bully as they are. The plot developed really well and the pacing was perfect. The mystery was the background of the story, but somehow the author maintained its importance throughout the book.
However, the confusing writing can make the reader distressed enough to DNF it. There is a lot to keep up with in this book and it requires complete devotion most times. This can make for a challenging read for those who aren’t used to having such an involved book.
Verdict: The perfect mystery/thriller for the would-be teen or adult anarchist.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (animal sacrifice, murder, romance ((somewhat explicit)), brutal and descriptive death, cult-like group, domestic terrorism, and confusion)
Pages: 448
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: It started for pranks, fun, and forever memories.
A secret society – for the four of us.
The rules: Never lie. Never tell. Love each other.
We made the pledge and danced under the blood moon on the meteorite in the orchard. In the spot we found the dead girl five years earlier. And discovered the ancient drawings way before that.
Nothing could break the four of us apart – I thought.
But then, others wanted in. Our seaside town had secrets. History.
We wanted revenge.
We broke the rules. We lied. We told. We loved each other too much, not enough, and in ways we weren’t supposed to.
Our invention ratcheted out of control.
What started as a secret society, ended as justice. Revenge. Death. Rebellion.
I have an overt fascination with the color purple to the point that anything purple draws me in. This book is one of those things. I loved the cover and I thought it sounded interesting so I dove right into it. The book was fascinating, creepy, yucky, and confusing all at the same time. It really took me awhile to sit and consider what I wanted to say about this book. So, let’s jump right in:
I listened to this book on Audible and while the narrator’s voice was robotic and creepy, it really worked well with this book. The narrator also was able to make the teenage characters sound like teenage characters. The story itself was very well written and it keeps you guessing until the last minute. We know from the beginning the fate of the group, but the story somehow makes us want more as we continue through it. The book also did well concerning the character development of the four main characters. With every character you go through a period of loving and hating them. The author also does well to make the villainous characters have a very decent backstory. I ended up feeling bad for all members involved and that’s how a book should write characters. People are complex and whether we do good or bad things depends on our own personal backstory. Sometimes the mean girl has mental health issues. Sometimes the pretty girl has a mean streak. Sometimes the bully is bullied at home. And sometimes the geeky smart kid is just as big of a bully as they are. The plot developed really well and the pacing was perfect. The mystery was the background of the story, but somehow the author maintained its importance throughout the book.
However, the confusing writing can make the reader distressed enough to DNF it. There is a lot to keep up with in this book and it requires complete devotion most times. This can make for a challenging read for those who aren’t used to having such an involved book.
Verdict: The perfect mystery/thriller for the would-be teen or adult anarchist.