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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this book from an auction (no I did not buy it as it is an arc. It was included with other items in the package). All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (death, sex, violence, disabilities, suicide, resurrection. Trigger warnings.)
Pages: 384
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: I wonder if for the rest of my life, I’ll be haunted by beautiful days.
On one cloudless, radiant summer afternoon, Lake Devereaux lost everything. The car crash claimed the lives of her best friend and boyfriend, the people who had become her family after her own fell apart. But she doesn’t have to lose them both.
The development of resurrection technology has changed the world. Under the new laws regulating the process, each person gets one resurrection to be used or forfeited on their eighteenth birthday. Mere weeks away from turning eighteen, Lake faces an impossible choice.
Envisioning life without one of the people she loves most is shattering enough, but Lake carries an additional burden: years ago, under family pressure, Lake secretly—and illegally—promised her resurrection to someone who isn’t even dead yet.
The search for answers about her future draws Lake more deeply into the secrets of her past until she begins to question everything about those closest to her. Betrayals and hurts both new and old threaten to eclipse the memories she once cherished.
Then Lake meets a boy unlike anyone she’s encountered before, who unflinchingly embraces the darkest parts of her life . . . and who believes that all resurrections are wrong.
Which path is the right one? And how can Lake start to heal when she can't move on?
Okay why isn’t the resurrection of the dead played up more for this book?? At first glance it appears to be just a normal YA Contemporary book and then BAM resurrection pops up and you’re like “wahhh” and the author is like “yea!” lol. Anyways, I absolutely loved this book. It was sad and romantic, but not too cheesy or too gushy. There was teen angst but also grief and moral compass finding. There was sibling issues but at the core it was much deeper. This book was so amazing and so well thought out. The writing was superb, the character and plot development were on point. I feel that I know each character personally and I crave more from this story.
The only issue I have is with the choice that was made at the end. It left me wanting more and a little confused on how parents can just do that, but that’s spoilery and I’m not about that life.
Verdict: A beautiful tale that blows Me Before You out of the water!
Rating: 5/5
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (death, sex, violence, disabilities, suicide, resurrection. Trigger warnings.)
Pages: 384
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: I wonder if for the rest of my life, I’ll be haunted by beautiful days.
On one cloudless, radiant summer afternoon, Lake Devereaux lost everything. The car crash claimed the lives of her best friend and boyfriend, the people who had become her family after her own fell apart. But she doesn’t have to lose them both.
The development of resurrection technology has changed the world. Under the new laws regulating the process, each person gets one resurrection to be used or forfeited on their eighteenth birthday. Mere weeks away from turning eighteen, Lake faces an impossible choice.
Envisioning life without one of the people she loves most is shattering enough, but Lake carries an additional burden: years ago, under family pressure, Lake secretly—and illegally—promised her resurrection to someone who isn’t even dead yet.
The search for answers about her future draws Lake more deeply into the secrets of her past until she begins to question everything about those closest to her. Betrayals and hurts both new and old threaten to eclipse the memories she once cherished.
Then Lake meets a boy unlike anyone she’s encountered before, who unflinchingly embraces the darkest parts of her life . . . and who believes that all resurrections are wrong.
Which path is the right one? And how can Lake start to heal when she can't move on?
Okay why isn’t the resurrection of the dead played up more for this book?? At first glance it appears to be just a normal YA Contemporary book and then BAM resurrection pops up and you’re like “wahhh” and the author is like “yea!” lol. Anyways, I absolutely loved this book. It was sad and romantic, but not too cheesy or too gushy. There was teen angst but also grief and moral compass finding. There was sibling issues but at the core it was much deeper. This book was so amazing and so well thought out. The writing was superb, the character and plot development were on point. I feel that I know each character personally and I crave more from this story.
The only issue I have is with the choice that was made at the end. It left me wanting more and a little confused on how parents can just do that, but that’s spoilery and I’m not about that life.
Verdict: A beautiful tale that blows Me Before You out of the water!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through KidLitExchange. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: MG Contemporary
Recommended Age: 14+ (divorce, grief, drugs, drug usage, abuse, mental illness, and slight obscure mentions of sex)
Pages: 352
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: When Alice's dad moves out, leaving her with her troubled mother, she does the only thing that feels right: she retreats to her family's old Renaissance tent in the backyard, determined to live there until her dad comes home. In an attempt to keep at least one part of her summer from changing, Alice focuses on her quest to swim freestyle fast enough to get on her swim team's record board. But summers contain multitudes, and soon Alice meets an odd new friend, Harriet, whose obsession with the school's science fair is equal only to her conviction that Alice's best stroke is backstroke, not freestyle. Most unexpected of all is an unusual babysitting charge, Piper, who is mute—until Alice hears her speak. A funny and honest middle-grade novel, this sharply observed depiction of family, friendship, and Alice's determination to prove herself—as a babysitter, as a friend, as a daughter, as a person—rings loud and true.
This is another book that will probably be one of my favorites of 2018, but it’s for a different reason. It’s a cute middle grade contemporary that talks about divorce and could be a huge help for kids in a similar situation. It’s funny, it’s charming, the characters are well developed, and the book is very well structured and developed.
However, I feel like there’s more to the story than what the young readers read. From my grown-up perspective it felt like there was a whole hidden world going on that the book hints about. The book deals with a lot of issues throughout the book but never resolves them in the end. I don’t normally do this, but because of my concern about the book and about younger readers reading the book I will talk about spoilers:
SPOILERS FROM HERE DOWN
The mother has an obvious dependence on her medication and it hints at it being oxy, which a lot of people get dependent on. The mother seems to exaggerate her injuries so she can continue using the medication. The mother leaves the child entirely on her own and stops caring for the house in general. The neighbor man is a very loud and boisterous character and while the young girl’s selective mutism isn’t ever fully explained the father seems to be the cause of it. Whenever he yells or lashes out at the family they seem to cower. In a couple of points during the book when the neighbor man has had a particularly volatile episode the family members aren’t seen in the book for a scene or two. The neighbor man makes a comment about one such disappearance as the wife and the children left without the neighbor man to her family in North Carolina. The oldest child of the neighbor man openly talks about an obscure mention to him being the product of a one night stand between his parents. The father of the main character seems to be the most competent adult, but he fails to intervene to help the main character. In my opinion if this was a real story CPS should have been called a long time ago on the family and it concerns me that at the end of the book the neighbor man apologized once but still had an eerie vibe to him, the mother was still dependent on drugs, and the family was fractured and left to deal with a dependent mother while the father lives elsewhere. Sure, he says he will come everyday to mow and make the children’s lunches, but he’s left three of his kids with an addict who has shown herself to be incapable of caring for her own children. This book really concerns me and really intrigues me and I’m not sure if this is a healthy book for a child to read or if it’s so obscure in these issues that it’s okay.
Verdict: I have feelings about this book.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: MG Contemporary
Recommended Age: 14+ (divorce, grief, drugs, drug usage, abuse, mental illness, and slight obscure mentions of sex)
Pages: 352
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: When Alice's dad moves out, leaving her with her troubled mother, she does the only thing that feels right: she retreats to her family's old Renaissance tent in the backyard, determined to live there until her dad comes home. In an attempt to keep at least one part of her summer from changing, Alice focuses on her quest to swim freestyle fast enough to get on her swim team's record board. But summers contain multitudes, and soon Alice meets an odd new friend, Harriet, whose obsession with the school's science fair is equal only to her conviction that Alice's best stroke is backstroke, not freestyle. Most unexpected of all is an unusual babysitting charge, Piper, who is mute—until Alice hears her speak. A funny and honest middle-grade novel, this sharply observed depiction of family, friendship, and Alice's determination to prove herself—as a babysitter, as a friend, as a daughter, as a person—rings loud and true.
This is another book that will probably be one of my favorites of 2018, but it’s for a different reason. It’s a cute middle grade contemporary that talks about divorce and could be a huge help for kids in a similar situation. It’s funny, it’s charming, the characters are well developed, and the book is very well structured and developed.
However, I feel like there’s more to the story than what the young readers read. From my grown-up perspective it felt like there was a whole hidden world going on that the book hints about. The book deals with a lot of issues throughout the book but never resolves them in the end. I don’t normally do this, but because of my concern about the book and about younger readers reading the book I will talk about spoilers:
SPOILERS FROM HERE DOWN
The mother has an obvious dependence on her medication and it hints at it being oxy, which a lot of people get dependent on. The mother seems to exaggerate her injuries so she can continue using the medication. The mother leaves the child entirely on her own and stops caring for the house in general. The neighbor man is a very loud and boisterous character and while the young girl’s selective mutism isn’t ever fully explained the father seems to be the cause of it. Whenever he yells or lashes out at the family they seem to cower. In a couple of points during the book when the neighbor man has had a particularly volatile episode the family members aren’t seen in the book for a scene or two. The neighbor man makes a comment about one such disappearance as the wife and the children left without the neighbor man to her family in North Carolina. The oldest child of the neighbor man openly talks about an obscure mention to him being the product of a one night stand between his parents. The father of the main character seems to be the most competent adult, but he fails to intervene to help the main character. In my opinion if this was a real story CPS should have been called a long time ago on the family and it concerns me that at the end of the book the neighbor man apologized once but still had an eerie vibe to him, the mother was still dependent on drugs, and the family was fractured and left to deal with a dependent mother while the father lives elsewhere. Sure, he says he will come everyday to mow and make the children’s lunches, but he’s left three of his kids with an addict who has shown herself to be incapable of caring for her own children. This book really concerns me and really intrigues me and I’m not sure if this is a healthy book for a child to read or if it’s so obscure in these issues that it’s okay.
Verdict: I have feelings about this book.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author and my friend Mary Ellen. Thanks! All opinions are my own!
Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Dystopian/Science-Fiction
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance scenes and violence)
Pages: 344
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: When Clare Palmer accepts a scholarship to attend Evergreen, she thinks she's escaping her insane, estranged father, while also getting the chance to go to the school her late mother graduated from. Instead, she finds herself trapped in a scientifically-enhanced, combat-obsessed society called the Corasha who view her as a dangerous outsider.
Clare views herself as an outsider, too. Unwilling to accept the outrageous claims of those around her, she's ready to get out of Evergreen at the first opportunity, until unwanted and unstable visible abilities begin to surface, confirming she's a Seer, a biological anomaly that's both prized and guarded by the Corasha. The only person who knows about her phasing is Kade, the attractive yet infuriating mentor she's now indebted to, but trusting him comes with a price her heart might not be willing to pay.
Surrounded by dangerous secrets and hidden agendas, Clare must figure out who she can trust—and fast, because there's a war coming, and the last thing she wants is to become a weapon in the wrong hands.
Oh wow! I don’t think I’ve read a paranormal romance in quite a long time (and I’m not sure if this qualifies as a paranormal romance or if it’s more scifi-y but I’m gonna go with it)… probably since Twilight? Anyways, I went into this kinda blind and I felt for my first trip back into the genre I thought it was really well done. I’m really into conspiracy theories and plots within plots so this one definitely grabbed my attention. I also really enjoyed the world building aspect and the character development.
However, I did feel that the book had uneven pacing. It was fast in some parts and then tremendously slow in others. The main character was a tad annoying for me and she really didn’t seem to want to figure out what was happening on her own. While this book was very entertaining for me generally, I felt that Clare’s personality really put me off this novel.
Verdict: Unique and amazing story within a story that deserves to be read.
Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance/Dystopian/Science-Fiction
Recommended Age: 15+ (romance scenes and violence)
Pages: 344
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: When Clare Palmer accepts a scholarship to attend Evergreen, she thinks she's escaping her insane, estranged father, while also getting the chance to go to the school her late mother graduated from. Instead, she finds herself trapped in a scientifically-enhanced, combat-obsessed society called the Corasha who view her as a dangerous outsider.
Clare views herself as an outsider, too. Unwilling to accept the outrageous claims of those around her, she's ready to get out of Evergreen at the first opportunity, until unwanted and unstable visible abilities begin to surface, confirming she's a Seer, a biological anomaly that's both prized and guarded by the Corasha. The only person who knows about her phasing is Kade, the attractive yet infuriating mentor she's now indebted to, but trusting him comes with a price her heart might not be willing to pay.
Surrounded by dangerous secrets and hidden agendas, Clare must figure out who she can trust—and fast, because there's a war coming, and the last thing she wants is to become a weapon in the wrong hands.
Oh wow! I don’t think I’ve read a paranormal romance in quite a long time (and I’m not sure if this qualifies as a paranormal romance or if it’s more scifi-y but I’m gonna go with it)… probably since Twilight? Anyways, I went into this kinda blind and I felt for my first trip back into the genre I thought it was really well done. I’m really into conspiracy theories and plots within plots so this one definitely grabbed my attention. I also really enjoyed the world building aspect and the character development.
However, I did feel that the book had uneven pacing. It was fast in some parts and then tremendously slow in others. The main character was a tad annoying for me and she really didn’t seem to want to figure out what was happening on her own. While this book was very entertaining for me generally, I felt that Clare’s personality really put me off this novel.
Verdict: Unique and amazing story within a story that deserves to be read.
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Disclaimer: I received this book for free from KidLitExchange and Scholastic! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: MG Mystery… uhhhh…. Video Game Retelling???
Recommended Age: 10+ (some death and conspiracy and mild hints of domestic violence… also a bit about parents losing their jobs and that made me sad and I’m like 27 so it might slightly upset some kids)
Pages: 208
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Nicky Roth has always been a lonely kid. But that all changes when he and his family move to Raven Brooks and meet their eccentric neighbors, the Petersons. Nicky befriends the Petersons' son, Aaron, bonding over their talents for tinkering. Soon the boys are inseparable and using their skills to pull pranks on the townspeople.But something about Aaron bothers Nicky--people seem almost afraid of him and his family. Through snippets from Aaron and a lot of sleuthing in the town's archives, Nicky discovers a dark past haunting his neighbors, a streak of bad luck they can't seem to shake. Aaron thinks that's all behind them now, but Nicky has a feeling the Petersons are fated for another tragedy. . . .This pulse-pounding prequel novel to the hit video game Hello Neighbor includes two-color illustrations throughout, to help readers unwind the mystery at the heart of the game.
So a lot of people wouldn’t think that I’m a gamer but oh baby I’m an avid gamer. I love any video games and I really like ones that leave room for conspiracy theories. One of the hottest games that does that for me at the moment is Hello Neighbor. It’s a first person POV game in which you live across the street from this creepy dude (see front cover) who has some strange habits. You sneak over and try to solve the mystery to the weird rooms he has and the noises from the basement. I will say that this is one of the creepiest and scariest games in the more recent couple of years for video games and I’d put this video game up there with Five Nights At Freddy’s. So the reason why I was attracted to this book was that I was curious to see if this book connected to the video game at all and surprisingly it did! I felt that the book did well to mesh itself with the video game and that the character development was amazing. The plot was intriguing and interesting. And the writing was engaging and it drew me into the story immediately.
My only con about this was that the book tended to jump around a bit randomly and without notice. IT was kinda jarring. Also the ending was ambiguous but since we have the video game we kinda know what eventually happens, but the ending left it vague as to the bridge between it and the video game. Maybe it left it open so another book could come out, but it’s a tad annoying none the less.
Verdict: If you’re a fan of video games, you’ll love this book.
Rating: 5/5
Genre: MG Mystery… uhhhh…. Video Game Retelling???
Recommended Age: 10+ (some death and conspiracy and mild hints of domestic violence… also a bit about parents losing their jobs and that made me sad and I’m like 27 so it might slightly upset some kids)
Pages: 208
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Nicky Roth has always been a lonely kid. But that all changes when he and his family move to Raven Brooks and meet their eccentric neighbors, the Petersons. Nicky befriends the Petersons' son, Aaron, bonding over their talents for tinkering. Soon the boys are inseparable and using their skills to pull pranks on the townspeople.But something about Aaron bothers Nicky--people seem almost afraid of him and his family. Through snippets from Aaron and a lot of sleuthing in the town's archives, Nicky discovers a dark past haunting his neighbors, a streak of bad luck they can't seem to shake. Aaron thinks that's all behind them now, but Nicky has a feeling the Petersons are fated for another tragedy. . . .This pulse-pounding prequel novel to the hit video game Hello Neighbor includes two-color illustrations throughout, to help readers unwind the mystery at the heart of the game.
So a lot of people wouldn’t think that I’m a gamer but oh baby I’m an avid gamer. I love any video games and I really like ones that leave room for conspiracy theories. One of the hottest games that does that for me at the moment is Hello Neighbor. It’s a first person POV game in which you live across the street from this creepy dude (see front cover) who has some strange habits. You sneak over and try to solve the mystery to the weird rooms he has and the noises from the basement. I will say that this is one of the creepiest and scariest games in the more recent couple of years for video games and I’d put this video game up there with Five Nights At Freddy’s. So the reason why I was attracted to this book was that I was curious to see if this book connected to the video game at all and surprisingly it did! I felt that the book did well to mesh itself with the video game and that the character development was amazing. The plot was intriguing and interesting. And the writing was engaging and it drew me into the story immediately.
My only con about this was that the book tended to jump around a bit randomly and without notice. IT was kinda jarring. Also the ending was ambiguous but since we have the video game we kinda know what eventually happens, but the ending left it vague as to the bridge between it and the video game. Maybe it left it open so another book could come out, but it’s a tad annoying none the less.
Verdict: If you’re a fan of video games, you’ll love this book.
Disclaimer: I received this book via KidLitExchange and Kaylie Jones Books. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (lots of death)
Pages: 266
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Kaleidoscope Sisters is the first novel in a young adult series hinging on the indomitable spirit of young women. It centers on fifteen-year-old Quinn and her younger sister, Riley, who is dying from a degenerative heart defect. As the novel opens, Riley is weeks away from her seventh birthday, and her decline is obvious. Years in and out of hospitals have left the family with no support system, but Quinn is determined to save her younger sister. In her quest, Quinn discovers a portal to another realm peppered with characters based in history, all of whom disappeared mysteriously. Aiding Quinn throughout her journey in the Other Realm is Meelie. Quinn learns that a new heart for Riley can be harvested in the Other Realm, but not without sacrifice. While Meelie helps Quinn come to terms with an impossible decision, Quinn uncovers the truth about Meelie’s disappearance and why she never returned home. The book chronicles Quinn’s journey, focusing on the inevitability of loss and the realization that no matter what Quinn decides, her mother must lose one of her daughters.
I was instantly drawn to this book because it was purple. Just kidding. Mostly. Anyways, I thought it was an interesting concept so I decided to read it and I was BLOWN AWAY! I thought this story was just so breathtakingly beautiful from start to finish. I loved the true sister bond in this book and I loved how this was one of very few books that talk realistically about childhood illnesses and childhood death. I also love the symbolism in this and I thought the character development and pacing were very well done.
My only tiny issue is that the plot was kinda out there. It was sometimes a bit too fantastical for my liking. It almosts takes you out of the story itself. I kinda wish that the world wasn’t real but was in Quinn’s mind… but for what I got I really enjoyed.
Verdict: A mix of contemporary and fantasy that is sure to transport you to a water well.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 13+ (lots of death)
Pages: 266
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The Kaleidoscope Sisters is the first novel in a young adult series hinging on the indomitable spirit of young women. It centers on fifteen-year-old Quinn and her younger sister, Riley, who is dying from a degenerative heart defect. As the novel opens, Riley is weeks away from her seventh birthday, and her decline is obvious. Years in and out of hospitals have left the family with no support system, but Quinn is determined to save her younger sister. In her quest, Quinn discovers a portal to another realm peppered with characters based in history, all of whom disappeared mysteriously. Aiding Quinn throughout her journey in the Other Realm is Meelie. Quinn learns that a new heart for Riley can be harvested in the Other Realm, but not without sacrifice. While Meelie helps Quinn come to terms with an impossible decision, Quinn uncovers the truth about Meelie’s disappearance and why she never returned home. The book chronicles Quinn’s journey, focusing on the inevitability of loss and the realization that no matter what Quinn decides, her mother must lose one of her daughters.
I was instantly drawn to this book because it was purple. Just kidding. Mostly. Anyways, I thought it was an interesting concept so I decided to read it and I was BLOWN AWAY! I thought this story was just so breathtakingly beautiful from start to finish. I loved the true sister bond in this book and I loved how this was one of very few books that talk realistically about childhood illnesses and childhood death. I also love the symbolism in this and I thought the character development and pacing were very well done.
My only tiny issue is that the plot was kinda out there. It was sometimes a bit too fantastical for my liking. It almosts takes you out of the story itself. I kinda wish that the world wasn’t real but was in Quinn’s mind… but for what I got I really enjoyed.
Verdict: A mix of contemporary and fantasy that is sure to transport you to a water well.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from KidLitExchange and Disney Hyperion. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: MG Contemporary
Recommended Age: 10+ (love, illness, and blended families)
Pages: 304
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Disney-Hyperion has bought debut author Leslie C. Youngblood's middle-grade novel Love Like Sky, as well as a sequel. Love Like Sky follows Georgie as she tries to find her place in her “blended-up” family, with both her parents remarried and a new teenage stepsister she'll do anything to win over. When a devastating illness strikes her stepsister, Georgie will do whatever it takes to make her better and bring her family together. Publication of the first book is scheduled for fall 2018.
While divorce and blended families are something of the norm in real life, in literature it’s still so obscure. I love how this book was so bold in making this the focal point of the novel. This will be sure to help kids who find themselves in similar situations. I also loved the character development and I thought the plot and writing was very well done as well.
However I thought that it lulled in some parts and that the pacing wasn’t very fluid throughout the novel. This didn’t hamper the reading experience overall for me, but it was a little jarring.
Verdict: Heart-wrenching book that will tear your soul out and stomp on it! Enjoy!
Rating: 4/5
Genre: MG Contemporary
Recommended Age: 10+ (love, illness, and blended families)
Pages: 304
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Disney-Hyperion has bought debut author Leslie C. Youngblood's middle-grade novel Love Like Sky, as well as a sequel. Love Like Sky follows Georgie as she tries to find her place in her “blended-up” family, with both her parents remarried and a new teenage stepsister she'll do anything to win over. When a devastating illness strikes her stepsister, Georgie will do whatever it takes to make her better and bring her family together. Publication of the first book is scheduled for fall 2018.
While divorce and blended families are something of the norm in real life, in literature it’s still so obscure. I love how this book was so bold in making this the focal point of the novel. This will be sure to help kids who find themselves in similar situations. I also loved the character development and I thought the plot and writing was very well done as well.
However I thought that it lulled in some parts and that the pacing wasn’t very fluid throughout the novel. This didn’t hamper the reading experience overall for me, but it was a little jarring.
Verdict: Heart-wrenching book that will tear your soul out and stomp on it! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from KidLitExchange and Charlesbridge Teen. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Recommended Age: 14+ (romance, small graphic death at the beginning, slightly illegal romance)
Pages: 272
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Clancy Edwards has always been "the good girl." Ever since her mother died in a skydiving accident when Clancy was young, Clancy's father has watched her like a hawk. Between her dad's rules and her boyfriend's protectiveness, she's longing for an escape this summer. Then she meets Denny.
Denny is a new skydiving student and college freshman. Clancy lets Denny think they're the same age--and that she's old enough to make decisions for herself. But the lies snowball, relationships are damaged, and suddenly Clancy isn't the person she wants to be. If only making choices were as simple as taking a leap out of a plane. Before Clancy can make things right, one last act of rebellion threatens her chance to do so--maybe forever.
I am absolutely afraid of heights so the concept of this book already intrigued me. I thought at the heart of the book it was pretty good. You’re introduced to a world that not written about a lot and the setting is in Missouri. I thought the pacing was also well done and the writing was as well.
However, the story didn’t grip me. The characters fell flat for me and I felt that they could have been great.
Verdict: Decent story with skydiving!
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Recommended Age: 14+ (romance, small graphic death at the beginning, slightly illegal romance)
Pages: 272
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Clancy Edwards has always been "the good girl." Ever since her mother died in a skydiving accident when Clancy was young, Clancy's father has watched her like a hawk. Between her dad's rules and her boyfriend's protectiveness, she's longing for an escape this summer. Then she meets Denny.
Denny is a new skydiving student and college freshman. Clancy lets Denny think they're the same age--and that she's old enough to make decisions for herself. But the lies snowball, relationships are damaged, and suddenly Clancy isn't the person she wants to be. If only making choices were as simple as taking a leap out of a plane. Before Clancy can make things right, one last act of rebellion threatens her chance to do so--maybe forever.
I am absolutely afraid of heights so the concept of this book already intrigued me. I thought at the heart of the book it was pretty good. You’re introduced to a world that not written about a lot and the setting is in Missouri. I thought the pacing was also well done and the writing was as well.
However, the story didn’t grip me. The characters fell flat for me and I felt that they could have been great.
Verdict: Decent story with skydiving!
So I couldn't review this book because I didn't want to read it before reading Mortal Engines... so I had my husband review it! Sorry Ethan I reformatted this a bit to give people the info I usually do!
Disclaimer: Ethan and I got this book for free from KidLitExchange and the publishing company Scholastic Press. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 10+ (Trigger Warnings: blood, gore, violence, adult themes.)
Pages: 208
Synopsis: Return to the world of Mortal Engines in this new book of short stories about the rebellious young aviatrix, Anna Fang, illustrated by Ian McQue. A key character in the Mortal Engines book and upcoming film produced by Peter Jackson (December 2018), this is your chance to learn more of Anna's thrilling past. Night Flights includes Traction City, Philip Reeve's 2011 World Book Day Book.
In a dangerous future world where gigantic, motorized cities attack and devour each other, London hunts where no other predator dares. But Anna Fang -- pilot, adventurer, spy -- isn't afraid.
The three stories show gripping, moving, exciting moments in Anna Fang's life: her childhood as a slave aboard the moving city Arkangel, a showdown against a robotic Stalker that is terrifyingly out of control, and her free life as an intelligence agent for the Anti-Traction league ...
Night Flights is Philip Reeve's next exciting book set in unique steam punk Mortal Engines universe. This time delving into our favorite aviatrix, Anna Fang's troubled past. Learn more about the gritty realities of Social Darwinism and join members of the Anti-traction league in their struggle to throw a wrench in the gears of these mobile cities, sometimes literally. The book is fast paced and high engaging. My only complaint is that the short stories are just that and leave you wanting more. At 192 pages for three stories, it averages out to about 64 pages per story. I personally have only read this and the first book in the series and look forward to reading the previous installments. Since this is more of a prequel than a sequel. I do not think it's necessary to have read any of the previous books, but having read at least the first is recommended so you know the setting a bit better (64 pages doesn't leave much room for basic world building.)
Disclaimer: Ethan and I got this book for free from KidLitExchange and the publishing company Scholastic Press. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 10+ (Trigger Warnings: blood, gore, violence, adult themes.)
Pages: 208
Synopsis: Return to the world of Mortal Engines in this new book of short stories about the rebellious young aviatrix, Anna Fang, illustrated by Ian McQue. A key character in the Mortal Engines book and upcoming film produced by Peter Jackson (December 2018), this is your chance to learn more of Anna's thrilling past. Night Flights includes Traction City, Philip Reeve's 2011 World Book Day Book.
In a dangerous future world where gigantic, motorized cities attack and devour each other, London hunts where no other predator dares. But Anna Fang -- pilot, adventurer, spy -- isn't afraid.
The three stories show gripping, moving, exciting moments in Anna Fang's life: her childhood as a slave aboard the moving city Arkangel, a showdown against a robotic Stalker that is terrifyingly out of control, and her free life as an intelligence agent for the Anti-Traction league ...
Night Flights is Philip Reeve's next exciting book set in unique steam punk Mortal Engines universe. This time delving into our favorite aviatrix, Anna Fang's troubled past. Learn more about the gritty realities of Social Darwinism and join members of the Anti-traction league in their struggle to throw a wrench in the gears of these mobile cities, sometimes literally. The book is fast paced and high engaging. My only complaint is that the short stories are just that and leave you wanting more. At 192 pages for three stories, it averages out to about 64 pages per story. I personally have only read this and the first book in the series and look forward to reading the previous installments. Since this is more of a prequel than a sequel. I do not think it's necessary to have read any of the previous books, but having read at least the first is recommended so you know the setting a bit better (64 pages doesn't leave much room for basic world building.)
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Disclaimer: I received this book for free from KidLitExchange and the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (dragon, journey, adventure, friendship and violence)
Pages: 438
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Magic. Mystery. Lore. Fates Awoken catapults readers into a journey inlaid with powerful beasts and ancient secrets. Picking up where Fates Aflame left off, this standalone addition to the franchise lets new adventurers dive right in, while previous fans can savor unexpected turns fueling a new tale. INCLUDES BONUS short story and illustration!
Ancient bloodmanes have declared war on Rayvenstar Castle. After Admiral Hawksford is summoned to help, she assembles a team and journeys to Alyssia to confront the threat. But when truth is distorted by fiction, and every attempt to gain information leaves her with more questions than answers, Valhara and her crew are left scrambling for a solution. Rampant beasts aren't the only menace. A stubborn king with a brash temper and archaic ways puts her under undue pressure. The Elemental Guardian's patience and powers are tested, forcing her to endure a shocking twist of fate...
Books in the Fates Aflame Series:
Fates Aflame Fates Awoken Don't miss the companion, all ages coloring book available separately (ISBN 978-0-9974485-2-8).
I am so so upset that I haven’t read the first book yet! One day! One day, because this book was pretty good! I loved the characters and the adventure. The plot moved smoothly and it was an amazing book with a dragon, other fantastical beasts, and friendship. The writing was also so well down, like this book wouldn't have been as good as it was without the writing.
My only concern is that the pacing in this book was a bit awkward in spots, but other than that it was pretty good!
Verdict: Don’t be like me, go read book 1 and then preorder this book ASAP!
Rating: 4/5
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (dragon, journey, adventure, friendship and violence)
Pages: 438
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Magic. Mystery. Lore. Fates Awoken catapults readers into a journey inlaid with powerful beasts and ancient secrets. Picking up where Fates Aflame left off, this standalone addition to the franchise lets new adventurers dive right in, while previous fans can savor unexpected turns fueling a new tale. INCLUDES BONUS short story and illustration!
Ancient bloodmanes have declared war on Rayvenstar Castle. After Admiral Hawksford is summoned to help, she assembles a team and journeys to Alyssia to confront the threat. But when truth is distorted by fiction, and every attempt to gain information leaves her with more questions than answers, Valhara and her crew are left scrambling for a solution. Rampant beasts aren't the only menace. A stubborn king with a brash temper and archaic ways puts her under undue pressure. The Elemental Guardian's patience and powers are tested, forcing her to endure a shocking twist of fate...
Books in the Fates Aflame Series:
Fates Aflame Fates Awoken Don't miss the companion, all ages coloring book available separately (ISBN 978-0-9974485-2-8).
I am so so upset that I haven’t read the first book yet! One day! One day, because this book was pretty good! I loved the characters and the adventure. The plot moved smoothly and it was an amazing book with a dragon, other fantastical beasts, and friendship. The writing was also so well down, like this book wouldn't have been as good as it was without the writing.
My only concern is that the pacing in this book was a bit awkward in spots, but other than that it was pretty good!
Verdict: Don’t be like me, go read book 1 and then preorder this book ASAP!
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Romance Mystery
Recommended Age: 16+ (murder and intrigue. Just kidding, it’s a sweet romance story with some slight mature content).
Pages: 411
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: You’ve seen the messages. You’ve solved the mystery.
But there’s more to this story than it seems.
Find out what was really happening behind all those e-mails and texts – from the minds of the five suspects themselves.
This book explores the points-of-view of Hunter, Declan, Matthew, Randy, and Sean in the days leading up to – and during – the messages seen in I’m Not a Stalker. But beware! Not everything is as simple as it may have seemed.
Originally published in a beta version as a series of separate companion books on Wattpad, this book presents the five males’ POVs in a unique and unconventional way, revealing an altogether-different perspective on the original story. Told in narrative format (not texts and messages as the original), this story delves deeply into the lives of some of the most popular characters from I’m Not a Stalker, and contains never-before-seen chapters and insights not included in the original publication on Wattpad.
I’ve not fully read the first book in this series, but I have seen that it’s wrote in mixed media format. While I kinda wish this was wrote in the same manner I feel that this was a cute book overall. The writing was well done and the characters were pretty well developed.
However, I feel that the book was a bit repetitive at times and that the pacing was a bit too slow for me personally. I also felt that the book was a bit too long for my tastes and that it could have been solved sooner, but overall it was really good.
Verdict: A romantic mystery tie in for the first book. Read right after the first book!
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Romance Mystery
Recommended Age: 16+ (murder and intrigue. Just kidding, it’s a sweet romance story with some slight mature content).
Pages: 411
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: You’ve seen the messages. You’ve solved the mystery.
But there’s more to this story than it seems.
Find out what was really happening behind all those e-mails and texts – from the minds of the five suspects themselves.
This book explores the points-of-view of Hunter, Declan, Matthew, Randy, and Sean in the days leading up to – and during – the messages seen in I’m Not a Stalker. But beware! Not everything is as simple as it may have seemed.
Originally published in a beta version as a series of separate companion books on Wattpad, this book presents the five males’ POVs in a unique and unconventional way, revealing an altogether-different perspective on the original story. Told in narrative format (not texts and messages as the original), this story delves deeply into the lives of some of the most popular characters from I’m Not a Stalker, and contains never-before-seen chapters and insights not included in the original publication on Wattpad.
I’ve not fully read the first book in this series, but I have seen that it’s wrote in mixed media format. While I kinda wish this was wrote in the same manner I feel that this was a cute book overall. The writing was well done and the characters were pretty well developed.
However, I feel that the book was a bit repetitive at times and that the pacing was a bit too slow for me personally. I also felt that the book was a bit too long for my tastes and that it could have been solved sooner, but overall it was really good.
Verdict: A romantic mystery tie in for the first book. Read right after the first book!