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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this audiobook from Macmillan Audio. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Raybearer
Author: Jordan Ifuenko
Book Series: Raybearer Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: lesbian side character, asexual and bisexual character, African inspired
Recommended For...: fantasy, epic fantasy, LGBT+
Publication Date: August 18, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (sex mention, violence, abuse, sexism, suicide, racism likeness, gore, sexual content)
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 400
Synopsis: Nothing is more important than loyalty.
But what if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy?
Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn—but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself?
Review: I really loved this book! The magic system was unique and so well written and described. The author did well with the characters and the world building. The book was rich with descriptions and I could listen to this audiobook on repeat without getting tired of it. They did well to find a narrator who accurately portrayed what I thought the MC sounded like. I also loved the commentary on the criminal justice system and how corrupt and unfair it can become and is in some countries.
The only part I didn't like is that I thought the relationship with two characters, one a demon kinda, was a bit weird with what I think the age difference is (maybe it's not a bad age difference. It's hard to flip back through an audiobook. I do know he's a child when he became part of counsel but idk how long ago that was). The audiobook also had a glitch on Chapter 23 so I won't know what's in that chapter until I get another version of the book.
Verdict: An excellent book! I loved it!
Book: Raybearer
Author: Jordan Ifuenko
Book Series: Raybearer Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: lesbian side character, asexual and bisexual character, African inspired
Recommended For...: fantasy, epic fantasy, LGBT+
Publication Date: August 18, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (sex mention, violence, abuse, sexism, suicide, racism likeness, gore, sexual content)
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 400
Synopsis: Nothing is more important than loyalty.
But what if you’ve sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy?
Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn—but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself?
Review: I really loved this book! The magic system was unique and so well written and described. The author did well with the characters and the world building. The book was rich with descriptions and I could listen to this audiobook on repeat without getting tired of it. They did well to find a narrator who accurately portrayed what I thought the MC sounded like. I also loved the commentary on the criminal justice system and how corrupt and unfair it can become and is in some countries.
The only part I didn't like is that I thought the relationship with two characters, one a demon kinda, was a bit weird with what I think the age difference is (maybe it's not a bad age difference. It's hard to flip back through an audiobook. I do know he's a child when he became part of counsel but idk how long ago that was). The audiobook also had a glitch on Chapter 23 so I won't know what's in that chapter until I get another version of the book.
Verdict: An excellent book! I loved it!
Disclaimer: I won this arc in a giveaway auction. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: All the Ways the World Can End
Author: Abby Sher
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: LGBT side characters, bi-curious main character, jewish family)
Recommended For...: contemporary, death, cancer, and scared
Publication Date: July 11, 2017
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (depression, drugs, cancer character, CTSD, self harm, alcohol, inappropriate relationship, death processing and grief)
Publisher: Farrer, Straus, and Giroux
Pages: 256
Synopsis: Lenny (short for Eleanor) feels like the world is about to end. Her best friend is moving to New York City to attend Julliard and her dad has terminal cancer. To cope with her stress Lenny is making a list of all the ways the world can end—designer pathogens, blood moon prophecies, alien invasion—and stockpiling supplies in a bunker in the backyard. Then she starts to develop feelings for her dad's very nice young doctor—and she thinks he may have feelings for her too. Spoiler alert: he doesn't. But a more age-appropriate love interest might. In a time of complete uncertainty, one thing's for sure: Lenny's about to see how everything is ending and beginning. All at the same time.
Review: This was such an emotional rollercoaster. I thought the book did well with the characters and the plot. The book was well written and so emotional. It's a great one if you need to cry.
However, I did think that the book didn't have a lot of world building and I think it could have been better to tie up some of the loose ends like with Julian and the self harm issue.
Verdict: So so so so good!
Book: All the Ways the World Can End
Author: Abby Sher
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: LGBT side characters, bi-curious main character, jewish family)
Recommended For...: contemporary, death, cancer, and scared
Publication Date: July 11, 2017
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (depression, drugs, cancer character, CTSD, self harm, alcohol, inappropriate relationship, death processing and grief)
Publisher: Farrer, Straus, and Giroux
Pages: 256
Synopsis: Lenny (short for Eleanor) feels like the world is about to end. Her best friend is moving to New York City to attend Julliard and her dad has terminal cancer. To cope with her stress Lenny is making a list of all the ways the world can end—designer pathogens, blood moon prophecies, alien invasion—and stockpiling supplies in a bunker in the backyard. Then she starts to develop feelings for her dad's very nice young doctor—and she thinks he may have feelings for her too. Spoiler alert: he doesn't. But a more age-appropriate love interest might. In a time of complete uncertainty, one thing's for sure: Lenny's about to see how everything is ending and beginning. All at the same time.
Review: This was such an emotional rollercoaster. I thought the book did well with the characters and the plot. The book was well written and so emotional. It's a great one if you need to cry.
However, I did think that the book didn't have a lot of world building and I think it could have been better to tie up some of the loose ends like with Julian and the self harm issue.
Verdict: So so so so good!
Disclaimer: I received this e-book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Beauty of the Moment
Author: Tanaz Bhathena
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: February 26, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Farrer, Straus, and Giroux
Pages: 354
Synopsis: Susan is the new girl—she’s sharp and driven, and strives to meet her parents’ expectations of excellence. Malcolm is the bad boy—he started raising hell at age fifteen, after his mom died of cancer, and has had a reputation ever since.
Susan’s parents are on the verge of divorce. Malcolm’s dad is a known adulterer.
Susan hasn’t told anyone, but she wants to be an artist. Malcolm doesn’t know what he wants—until he meets her.
Love is messy and families are messier, but in spite of their burdens, Susan and Malcolm fall for each other. The ways they drift apart and come back together are testaments to family, culture, and being true to who you are.
Review: Had to DNF at 23%. The story is great and so fun, but the trope-y plot is not interesting to me and I don't really like bad boy/good girl stories.
Verdict: It was good, but trope-y
Book: The Beauty of the Moment
Author: Tanaz Bhathena
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 2/5
Publication Date: February 26, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Farrer, Straus, and Giroux
Pages: 354
Synopsis: Susan is the new girl—she’s sharp and driven, and strives to meet her parents’ expectations of excellence. Malcolm is the bad boy—he started raising hell at age fifteen, after his mom died of cancer, and has had a reputation ever since.
Susan’s parents are on the verge of divorce. Malcolm’s dad is a known adulterer.
Susan hasn’t told anyone, but she wants to be an artist. Malcolm doesn’t know what he wants—until he meets her.
Love is messy and families are messier, but in spite of their burdens, Susan and Malcolm fall for each other. The ways they drift apart and come back together are testaments to family, culture, and being true to who you are.
Review: Had to DNF at 23%. The story is great and so fun, but the trope-y plot is not interesting to me and I don't really like bad boy/good girl stories.
Verdict: It was good, but trope-y
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Machine
Author: Elizabeth Bear
Book Series: White Space Book 2
Rating: 1/5
Recommended For...: sci-fi lovers
Publication Date: October 20, 2020
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Gollancz
Pages: 512
Synopsis: Meet Doctor Jens.
She hasn't had a decent cup of coffee in fifteen years.
The first part of her job involves jumping out of perfectly good space-ships. The second part requires developing emergency treatments for sick aliens of species she's never seen before.
She loves it.
But her latest emergency is also proving a mystery:
Two ships, one ancient and one new, locked in a dangerous embrace.
A mysterious crew suffering from an even more mysterious ailment.
A shipmind trapped in an inadequate body, much of her memory pared away.
A murderous virus from out of time.
Unfortunately, Dr. Jens can't resist a mystery. Which is why she's about to discover that everything she's dedicated her life to . . . is a lie.
Review: DNFed at 15%. I didn't realize this was the second of a series and I want to read this from the beginning.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you.
Book: Machine
Author: Elizabeth Bear
Book Series: White Space Book 2
Rating: 1/5
Recommended For...: sci-fi lovers
Publication Date: October 20, 2020
Genre: Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: Gollancz
Pages: 512
Synopsis: Meet Doctor Jens.
She hasn't had a decent cup of coffee in fifteen years.
The first part of her job involves jumping out of perfectly good space-ships. The second part requires developing emergency treatments for sick aliens of species she's never seen before.
She loves it.
But her latest emergency is also proving a mystery:
Two ships, one ancient and one new, locked in a dangerous embrace.
A mysterious crew suffering from an even more mysterious ailment.
A shipmind trapped in an inadequate body, much of her memory pared away.
A murderous virus from out of time.
Unfortunately, Dr. Jens can't resist a mystery. Which is why she's about to discover that everything she's dedicated her life to . . . is a lie.
Review: DNFed at 15%. I didn't realize this was the second of a series and I want to read this from the beginning.
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you.
Disclaimer: I received this arc and e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Forget This Ever Happened
Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Bisexual main character, latina lesbian main character
Recommended For...: thrillers, romance, sci-fi
Publication Date: October 6, 2020
Genre: YA Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (homophobia, gaslighting, guns, violence, cops shown sympathetically)
Publisher: Holiday House
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Sometimes there's a town called Indianola.
And sometimes there isn't.
Summer, 1993. Claire has been dumped in rural Indianola, Texas, to spend her whole vacation taking care of mean, sickly Grammy. There's nothing too remarkable about Indianola: it's run-down, shabby, and stifling hot, a pin-dot on the Gulf Coast.
Well, there is one remarkable thing, she discovers. Something otherworldly.
But if you leave Indianola, you forget about it... and if you stay, you have to live with it every day.
Because there's a confluence of energies at Indianola, a fissure in time and space, a gap in reality. Nothing is as it seems. And unless Claire can figure out this town--the talkative lizards under the pecan trees; the honey-sweet but terrifying girl next door; the cute daughter of a powerful family, who would answer Claire's questions if she had any answers; the pervasive sense of history coming unspooled, like a video tape--she might never leave.
Featuring a mindbending plot, heartfelt queer romance, brilliant writing, and intricate worldbuilding, Forget This Ever Happened is a lush and thrilling genre-bender perfect for the Black Mirror generation.
Review: Overall this was a good book. I like books that can mess with me a little psychologically and this one did a good job of that. The book did well to develop the characters and the plot.
However, I did have issues that some of the preferred terms (gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc) weren't used in the book and I thought that the book didn't do well the action scenes. It was all kinda muddy for me in a lot of the portions were most of the action occurs.
Verdict: It was pretty spooky!
Book: Forget This Ever Happened
Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Bisexual main character, latina lesbian main character
Recommended For...: thrillers, romance, sci-fi
Publication Date: October 6, 2020
Genre: YA Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (homophobia, gaslighting, guns, violence, cops shown sympathetically)
Publisher: Holiday House
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Sometimes there's a town called Indianola.
And sometimes there isn't.
Summer, 1993. Claire has been dumped in rural Indianola, Texas, to spend her whole vacation taking care of mean, sickly Grammy. There's nothing too remarkable about Indianola: it's run-down, shabby, and stifling hot, a pin-dot on the Gulf Coast.
Well, there is one remarkable thing, she discovers. Something otherworldly.
But if you leave Indianola, you forget about it... and if you stay, you have to live with it every day.
Because there's a confluence of energies at Indianola, a fissure in time and space, a gap in reality. Nothing is as it seems. And unless Claire can figure out this town--the talkative lizards under the pecan trees; the honey-sweet but terrifying girl next door; the cute daughter of a powerful family, who would answer Claire's questions if she had any answers; the pervasive sense of history coming unspooled, like a video tape--she might never leave.
Featuring a mindbending plot, heartfelt queer romance, brilliant writing, and intricate worldbuilding, Forget This Ever Happened is a lush and thrilling genre-bender perfect for the Black Mirror generation.
Review: Overall this was a good book. I like books that can mess with me a little psychologically and this one did a good job of that. The book did well to develop the characters and the plot.
However, I did have issues that some of the preferred terms (gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc) weren't used in the book and I thought that the book didn't do well the action scenes. It was all kinda muddy for me in a lot of the portions were most of the action occurs.
Verdict: It was pretty spooky!
Disclaimer: I received an e-book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Eleanor, Alice, & the Roosevelt Ghosts
Author: Dianne K. Salerni
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: mg fantasy, paranormal
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: MG Paranormal
Recommended Age: 10+ (some scary moments)
Publisher: Holiday House
Pages: 240
Synopsis: Murderous ghosts and buried family secrets threaten young Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt in this thrilling middle-grade novel that puts a supernatural spin on alternate history.
It's 1898 in New York City and ghosts exist among humans.
When an unusual spirit takes up residence at the Roosevelt house, thirteen-year-old Eleanor and fourteen-year-old Alice are suspicious. The cousins don't get along, but they know something is not right. This ghost is more than a pesky nuisance. The authorities claim he's safe to be around, even as his mischievous behavior grows stranger and more menacing. It's almost like he wants to scare the Roosevelts out of their home - and no one seems to care!
Meanwhile, Eleanor and Alice discover a dangerous ghost in the house where Alice was born and her mother died. Is someone else haunting the family? Introverted Eleanor and unruly Alice develop an unlikely friendship as they explore the family's dark, complicated history. It's up to them to destroy both ghosts and come to terms with their family's losses.
Told from alternating perspectives, thrills and chills abound in Dianne K. Salerni's imaginative novel about a legendary family and the ghosts that haunt their secrets.
Review: Overall this was a cute alternative history story. I love the use of ghosts and ghouls in this tell and overall the story is well crafted and the characters are well developed.
My only issue is that the action scenes aren't that well developed, they're a bit muddy, and the world building could have been a little better.
Verdict: I enjoyed this one!
Book: Eleanor, Alice, & the Roosevelt Ghosts
Author: Dianne K. Salerni
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: mg fantasy, paranormal
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: MG Paranormal
Recommended Age: 10+ (some scary moments)
Publisher: Holiday House
Pages: 240
Synopsis: Murderous ghosts and buried family secrets threaten young Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt in this thrilling middle-grade novel that puts a supernatural spin on alternate history.
It's 1898 in New York City and ghosts exist among humans.
When an unusual spirit takes up residence at the Roosevelt house, thirteen-year-old Eleanor and fourteen-year-old Alice are suspicious. The cousins don't get along, but they know something is not right. This ghost is more than a pesky nuisance. The authorities claim he's safe to be around, even as his mischievous behavior grows stranger and more menacing. It's almost like he wants to scare the Roosevelts out of their home - and no one seems to care!
Meanwhile, Eleanor and Alice discover a dangerous ghost in the house where Alice was born and her mother died. Is someone else haunting the family? Introverted Eleanor and unruly Alice develop an unlikely friendship as they explore the family's dark, complicated history. It's up to them to destroy both ghosts and come to terms with their family's losses.
Told from alternating perspectives, thrills and chills abound in Dianne K. Salerni's imaginative novel about a legendary family and the ghosts that haunt their secrets.
Review: Overall this was a cute alternative history story. I love the use of ghosts and ghouls in this tell and overall the story is well crafted and the characters are well developed.
My only issue is that the action scenes aren't that well developed, they're a bit muddy, and the world building could have been a little better.
Verdict: I enjoyed this one!
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors!
Book: Crown of Coral and Pearl
Author: Mara Rutherford
Book Series: Crown of Coral and Pearl Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: romance, cliché ya lovers, fantasy, arranged marriage plot
Publication Date: August 27, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (romance, slight violence and gore)
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 432
Synopsis: Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.
Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.
In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. If you’re looking for arranged marriage fantasy books, then this is your book. The characters were well developed and the world building, though it took awhile to get to, was good as well.
However, I did feel like the book was very slow and the plot was very weak. The plot is very classic YA with love triangles and a girl who doesn’t think she’s beautiful who has to chose between them while the world goes to crap.
Verdict: It’s very cliché but it’s good.
Book: Crown of Coral and Pearl
Author: Mara Rutherford
Book Series: Crown of Coral and Pearl Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: romance, cliché ya lovers, fantasy, arranged marriage plot
Publication Date: August 27, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (romance, slight violence and gore)
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 432
Synopsis: Nor once dreamed of seeing the wondrous wealth and beauty of Ilara, the kingdom that’s ruled her village for as long as anyone can remember. But when a childhood accident left her with a permanent scar, it became clear that her identical twin sister, Zadie, would likely be chosen to marry the Crown Prince—while Nor remained behind, unable to ever set foot on land.
Then Zadie is gravely injured, and Nor is sent to Ilara in her place. To Nor’s dismay, her future husband, Prince Ceren, is as forbidding and cold as his home—a castle carved into a mountain and devoid of sunlight. And as she grows closer to Ceren’s brother, the charming Prince Talin, Nor uncovers startling truths about a failing royal bloodline, a murdered queen… and a plot to destroy the home she was once so eager to leave.
In order to save her people, Nor must learn to negotiate the treacherous protocols of a court where lies reign and obsession rules. But discovering her own formidable strength may be the one move that costs her everything: the crown, Varenia and Zadie.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book. If you’re looking for arranged marriage fantasy books, then this is your book. The characters were well developed and the world building, though it took awhile to get to, was good as well.
However, I did feel like the book was very slow and the plot was very weak. The plot is very classic YA with love triangles and a girl who doesn’t think she’s beautiful who has to chose between them while the world goes to crap.
Verdict: It’s very cliché but it’s good.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the publisher for Rockstar Book Tours. Thanks! All opinons are my own.
Book: Beyond the Ruby Veil
Author: Mara Fitzgerald
Book Series: Beyond the Ruby Veil Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, revenge, romance, bully like romance
Publication Date: October 13, 2020
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, sexual content, violence, gore, death, torture)
Synopsis: Cunning and unapologetic, Emanuela Ragno is a socialite who plays by her own rules. In her most ambitious move yet, she’s about to marry Alessandro Morandi, her childhood best friend and the heir to the wealthiest house in Occhia. Emanuela doesn’t care that she and her groom are both gay, because she doesn’t want a love match. She wants power, and through Ale, she’ll have it all.
But Emanuela has a secret that could shatter her plans. In her city of Occhia, the only source of water is the watercrea, a mysterious being who uses magic to make water from blood. When their first bruise-like omen appears on their skin, all Occhians must surrender themselves to the watercrea to be drained of life. Everyone throughout history has obeyed this law for the greater good. Everyone except Emanuela. She’s kept the tiny omen on her hip out of sight for years.
When the watercrea exposes Emanuela during her wedding ceremony and takes her to be sacrificed, Emanuela fights back…and kills her. Before everyone in Occhia dies of thirst, Emanuela and Ale must travel through the mysterious, blood-red veil that surrounds their city to uncover the source of the watercrea’s power and save their people—no matter what it takes.
Review: For the most part I liked this book. It was a fun, short read that kept me on my toes. The book is great for people who want something fast to get through in one sitting and the plot kept me intrigued from start to finish.
However, there were a ton of problems with this book. The book is way too fast paced and by 15% in I had already reached what should have been the climax of the book. The book is also confusing and spends very little time on developing the story. Nothing is explained outright and the reader is left to guess. The book also had very little world building and the character development was non-existent.
Verdict: It was good and I liked it, but there’s some problems.
Book: Beyond the Ruby Veil
Author: Mara Fitzgerald
Book Series: Beyond the Ruby Veil Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, revenge, romance, bully like romance
Publication Date: October 13, 2020
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, sexual content, violence, gore, death, torture)
Synopsis: Cunning and unapologetic, Emanuela Ragno is a socialite who plays by her own rules. In her most ambitious move yet, she’s about to marry Alessandro Morandi, her childhood best friend and the heir to the wealthiest house in Occhia. Emanuela doesn’t care that she and her groom are both gay, because she doesn’t want a love match. She wants power, and through Ale, she’ll have it all.
But Emanuela has a secret that could shatter her plans. In her city of Occhia, the only source of water is the watercrea, a mysterious being who uses magic to make water from blood. When their first bruise-like omen appears on their skin, all Occhians must surrender themselves to the watercrea to be drained of life. Everyone throughout history has obeyed this law for the greater good. Everyone except Emanuela. She’s kept the tiny omen on her hip out of sight for years.
When the watercrea exposes Emanuela during her wedding ceremony and takes her to be sacrificed, Emanuela fights back…and kills her. Before everyone in Occhia dies of thirst, Emanuela and Ale must travel through the mysterious, blood-red veil that surrounds their city to uncover the source of the watercrea’s power and save their people—no matter what it takes.
Review: For the most part I liked this book. It was a fun, short read that kept me on my toes. The book is great for people who want something fast to get through in one sitting and the plot kept me intrigued from start to finish.
However, there were a ton of problems with this book. The book is way too fast paced and by 15% in I had already reached what should have been the climax of the book. The book is also confusing and spends very little time on developing the story. Nothing is explained outright and the reader is left to guess. The book also had very little world building and the character development was non-existent.
Verdict: It was good and I liked it, but there’s some problems.
Disclaimer: I received the e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse
Author: K. Eason
Book Series: The Thorne Chronicles
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: sci-fi, fairytale retellings
Publication Date: October 8, 2019
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: DAW
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Rory Thorne is a princess with thirteen fairy blessings, the most important of which is to see through flattery and platitudes. As the eldest daughter, she always imagined she’d inherit her father’s throne and govern the interplanetary Thorne Consortium.
Then her father is assassinated, her mother gives birth to a son, and Rory is betrothed to the prince of a distant world.
When Rory arrives in her new home, she uncovers a treacherous plot to unseat her newly betrothed and usurp his throne. An unscrupulous minister has conspired to name himself Regent to the minor (and somewhat foolish) prince. With only her wits and a small team of allies, Rory must outmaneuver the Regent and rescue the prince.
How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse is a feminist reimagining of familiar fairytale tropes and a story of resistance and self-determination—how small acts of rebellion can lead a princess to not just save herself, but change the course of history.
Review: Had to DNF at 73%. The book is good, it has some great plot and world building. The book also sticks to some fairytales very well, but towards the end I guessed how the book would end (I skipped ahead and was right) and I just became uninterested in it after that point. It was a bit cliché and predictable to me.
Verdict: It’s good but not for me right now.
Book: How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse
Author: K. Eason
Book Series: The Thorne Chronicles
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: sci-fi, fairytale retellings
Publication Date: October 8, 2019
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed
Publisher: DAW
Pages: 416
Synopsis: Rory Thorne is a princess with thirteen fairy blessings, the most important of which is to see through flattery and platitudes. As the eldest daughter, she always imagined she’d inherit her father’s throne and govern the interplanetary Thorne Consortium.
Then her father is assassinated, her mother gives birth to a son, and Rory is betrothed to the prince of a distant world.
When Rory arrives in her new home, she uncovers a treacherous plot to unseat her newly betrothed and usurp his throne. An unscrupulous minister has conspired to name himself Regent to the minor (and somewhat foolish) prince. With only her wits and a small team of allies, Rory must outmaneuver the Regent and rescue the prince.
How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse is a feminist reimagining of familiar fairytale tropes and a story of resistance and self-determination—how small acts of rebellion can lead a princess to not just save herself, but change the course of history.
Review: Had to DNF at 73%. The book is good, it has some great plot and world building. The book also sticks to some fairytales very well, but towards the end I guessed how the book would end (I skipped ahead and was right) and I just became uninterested in it after that point. It was a bit cliché and predictable to me.
Verdict: It’s good but not for me right now.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Disenchanted
Author: Brianna Sugalski
Book Series: Disenchanted Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: vampire lovers, fantasy lovers, ya readers, romance lovers
Publication Date: March 10, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, romance, language, death, violence, gore)
Publisher: The Parliament House Press
Pages: 456
Synopsis: A Breton princess at the peak of the French Renaissance, Lilac lives prisoner in her parents' castle after a wicked secret is revealed on the eve of her tenth birthday soirée. Years later, her coronation ceremony looms, and between the riotous townsfolk and scheming nobleman bent on snatching the throne, Lilac prepares for the worst... Until a mysterious letter arrives from The Witch of Lupine Grotto, detailing a curious offer to cure her darkness forever.
Lilac begrudgingly trades her coronet for a cloak and ventures into the forest Brocéliande in pursuit of the impious enchantress at the edge of town. With only the protection of an inherited dagger—and unsolicited help of the sardonic stranger who inserts himself on her quest—she must traverse Brocèliande and return in time to claim her rightful position as sovereign monarch.
This is the story of a cursed princess,
A crestfallen killer,
The town that wants them to burn,
And the witch that can save them both.
Review: For the most part I liked the book. I thought the author excelled at world building and I love all the lore she put into the book. The book did well to keep me intrigued in the story as well and the pacing was very on point.
However, wow I didn’t realize that this was a vampire romance book and I was thrown for a loop when I did realize it. The cover does not give that vibe at all lol. The book also had some weird writing, with the characters using modern language and swears and the characters doing some really weird things. The book was also super predictable.
Verdict: It was good, just needs some work.
Book: Disenchanted
Author: Brianna Sugalski
Book Series: Disenchanted Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: vampire lovers, fantasy lovers, ya readers, romance lovers
Publication Date: March 10, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, romance, language, death, violence, gore)
Publisher: The Parliament House Press
Pages: 456
Synopsis: A Breton princess at the peak of the French Renaissance, Lilac lives prisoner in her parents' castle after a wicked secret is revealed on the eve of her tenth birthday soirée. Years later, her coronation ceremony looms, and between the riotous townsfolk and scheming nobleman bent on snatching the throne, Lilac prepares for the worst... Until a mysterious letter arrives from The Witch of Lupine Grotto, detailing a curious offer to cure her darkness forever.
Lilac begrudgingly trades her coronet for a cloak and ventures into the forest Brocéliande in pursuit of the impious enchantress at the edge of town. With only the protection of an inherited dagger—and unsolicited help of the sardonic stranger who inserts himself on her quest—she must traverse Brocèliande and return in time to claim her rightful position as sovereign monarch.
This is the story of a cursed princess,
A crestfallen killer,
The town that wants them to burn,
And the witch that can save them both.
Review: For the most part I liked the book. I thought the author excelled at world building and I love all the lore she put into the book. The book did well to keep me intrigued in the story as well and the pacing was very on point.
However, wow I didn’t realize that this was a vampire romance book and I was thrown for a loop when I did realize it. The cover does not give that vibe at all lol. The book also had some weird writing, with the characters using modern language and swears and the characters doing some really weird things. The book was also super predictable.
Verdict: It was good, just needs some work.